FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4718, 30 June 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS: East 13, v. Suburbs 3. Netherton 9, v. West 3. Ngatea 15, v. Turua 0. Kerepeehi 6, v. West 5. Waitakaruru 6, v. United Coast 0. JUNIORS: East 6, v. Karangahake 3. West 6, v. Netherton 0. Ngatea 6, v. Turua 0. Kerepeehi 6, v. West 6. Waitakaruru 15, v. United Coast 0, SCHOOL: 'Karangahake 18, v. Paeroa A 0. Ideal football weather prevailed in Paeroa on Saturday afternoon, and with it the state of the playing areas at the domain showed a decided improvement on former Saturdays. The ground was comparatively dry, which fact generally made for better football. There was a good attendance of .spectators, including a fair sprinkling of the gentler sex. Considering the support that the game receives from the fair “barrackers” in Paeroa eacn Saturday afternoon, surely it would not be expecting too much of the local Rugby Union to ask it to provide some class of seating accommodation ? If only planks placed on benzine boxes, it would be better than nothing, and would at least indicate to the public that the union officials appreciated the patronage. The union can hardly expect liberal and continued support when it apparently makes no effort to cater for the comfort and convenience of patrons. Chief interest was centred in the senior match, JSast. versus Suburbs, which game, as is usual in senior fixtures, was late in starting. The two teams were evenly matched as regards weight, and neither side appeared to gain an advantage in the scrums. The game, as a v'hole, was a. fast open one, in which good individual. play was at times prominent, but collectively the teams played rather .wildly and displayed poor headwork. The teams were: Suburbs.—J. Rare, J. Goonan, W. Bennett, J. Jones, Mills, R. Samson, W. Donald, E. Cashmore,- E. Samson, R Welch, Wyatt, W. Welch. T. Killgour, A. Morrjson, R. Hay. East.—Williams, L. Smith, E. Moore, G. Royal, D. Smith, W. Smith, J. Treanor, S. Graham, M. Pennell, H. Pennell, McCormack, J. Benney, W. Nealie,-V. Vuglar, F. Fitch. Suburbs kicked off against the wind. An exchange of kicks and loose rushes followed for some time, until the East uacks opened up. the game, the ball being sent out by Treanor to Moore, to Royal, who made a short run before transferring to D. Smith. The latter kicked to the full-back; who mulled, and ifi endeavouring to clear threw to Nealie, who dived over near the posts. Moore effectively add-, ed the extra points. East 5, Suburbs 0. From the kick-put East continued to press for-a short while, until the opposing backs carried play into the home team’s twenty-five, where a peric. aljy was awarded. W. Welch took the kick, which was unsuccessful, the ball being returned to neutral territory by Graham. Loose play ensued, terminating in an infringement .by Suburbs inside their twenty-five, Moore kicking a penalty goal. East 8, Suburbs 0. From the kick-out a scramble followed, resulting in the ball going put. From the throw-in at half-way Royal secured and made a great dash down the field. He transferred nicely to H. Pennell, who dropped the ball. Royal cut in and again secured and passed to L. Smith, who also failed to hold the ball, thus losing a grand opportunity to score. A short spell of loose play was followed by Moore instituting a passing rush, out Treanor failed to 1 andle the ball properly and Mills got possession and made a. good run up the line. Mills had support, but Williams collared him with the ball in an open field. Had he passed out a store must have resulted. In thy forward rush that followed W. Welch was injured and was replaced by L. Samson. In the 'second quarter Suburbs opened up the game and clapped the pace on, East being kept busy defending. Following the change-over Subburbs essayed a forward rush, and after a brief spell of close line play Cashmore picked up and dived over. R. Samson failed with the kick. East 8. Suburbs 3. From the kick-out East pressed hard, and in tight play near the corner McCormack got off-side, the penalty bringing relief to Subhtrbs. Play was carried bn mostly in neutral territory, and, generally, fast forward play was witnessed until the end of the quarter; On resuming after half-time a forward rush was essayed by East, resulting in J. Benney getting possession of the leather and carrying it over the line near the posts. Moore converted. East 13, Suburbs 3., Following the kick-out loose play resulted* near Suburbs’ line, where Cashmere picked up and by a good run reached East’s twenty-five. He beat the full-back, but L. Smith ran across from the other side and brought him down, the ball going out. From the throw-in Suburbs; pressed and gained * a penalty, but Samson’s kick failed. In the final round East put on the pressure, and several scrums on the line resulted in Suburbs finally forcing. After a bout of loose play near the line East gained a penalty, but Moore failed with the kick. East’s attack was immediately resumed, and after tight play in Suburbs’ quarter the defenders again forced. From the drop-out Suburbs rallied and transferred play into East’s twenty-five, where a penalty was awarded the visitors, Wyatt failing with the kick. The drop-out was stopped by H. Pennell. Fitch picked up and passed to D. Smith, who kicked to Jones, who returned the ball in-field. Loose rushes followed in neutral territory, and time was called with play in East’s twenty-five, the game ending: East ?3, Suburbs 3; Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. For Suburbs Cashmore was the outstand player. He plays consistently good football, and without him the

pack would be lost. E. Samson works hard, but is too partial to off-side play. Of the East pack Benney, Fitch, and Nealie were prominent. Although the backs essayed once or twice to combine, most of the work was of an individual nature. Royal was prominent in attack, and Moore shone out in defence. THE JUNIORS. EAST V. KARANGAHAKE. Owing to this game, which was played on the No. 2 ground, being in progress during the time the senior game was being played little support was accorded it. Play was fast, and a very fair exhibition was given. The teams were evenly matched, and East had no easy task in disposing of the opposition to the .tune: of 6 to 3. JR. Smith kicked a penalty goal and Burgess scored a try for East, and O’Brien scored for Karangahake. Mr W. Bramble wa,s referee. SCHOOL COMPETITION. PAEROA A. V. KARANGAHAKE. The above match was played on the recreation ground at Mackaytown on Saturday morning and resulted in a win*for Karangahake by 18 to 0. For the winners J. McLeod, A. Clarke, Claude Williams, D. Gran:-, and E. Mayson (2) were successful in scoring tries. The Paeroa team played three short Mr J. Rackham was referee.

MATCHES ON THE PLAINS.

Ideal weather prevailed for the final matches of .the first round on Saturday, and the various fields were in better order than has hitherto been experienced. The fact that it has taken ten weeks to play the first round of five matches has had a detrimental effect on the enthusiasm of members and the standard of play. In many cases the class af football witnessed on Saturday was nearei that expected at the beginning than at the middle of a season. The evenness of the various teams and the fact that no team has yet lost all chances of winning the competition are reasons why more enthusiasm should be shown. In the senior competition seven of the fourteen games have been drawn, and the same result has been shown in three of the thirteen junior games. The points secured so far are as follows: Ngatea, 6 (2 wins 3 draws) ; Turua, 6 (2 wins '2 draws) ; Waitakaruru, 6 (1 win 1 draws) ; United Coast and Hauraki Wets, 2 each for two drawn games. The juniors show a slightly wider range, Ngatea leading with 9 points (4 wins 1 draw). Turua has 7 (3 wins 1 draw), Kerepeehi 6 (2 wins 2 draws) aWit'akaruru 2 (1 win), Hauraki West 2 (2 draws), and Coast 0. ’. TURUA V. NGATEA. ;:x_.This game was one of the poorest displays of the season. The Turua team was.probably the weakest that club bas put in the field for some time, comprising bs it did six senior player; and the rest juniprs, schoolboys, or men who have not played for years. Despite the weakness of theii opponents Ngatea put up a very poor showing, and up till half-time had, if anything, the worst of -it. At halftime tne Ngatea team was rearranged, and from then on made a mwch bettez showing. The teams lined out as follows : Turua—L. McCoid, H. Robinson, L. Clotworthy, G. Porteous, H. Elvin, A. Elvin, G. Elvin, G. Gray, W. Mearn, F. Olsen, G. McCowatt, W. Clark, D. Clotworthy L. Pentecost, W. Bell. Ngatea.—C. Wilton, C. Ellis, C. Stewart, G. Andrews, O. Robertson, F. Nicoll, C. Molloy, C. Holton, W. Johnson. J. Baker, P. Leonard, L. Lipscombe, R. Spencer, R. Jome, Andrews. Turua kicked off and play ranged 1 up and down the field until Turua with a forward rush compelled Ngatea to force. Turua returned to the attack, but in line play Ngatea gained the advantage and returned play ( to mid-field, from where a forward rush took ..the ball to near Turua’s goal, Elvin relieving with a mark, Straggley play ensued in neutral territory for the remainder of the spelt G. Portecus retired and was replaced by G Jonnson. Shortly after the change-over Ellis made a good run, getting to Turua’s twenty-five line. Play went from one end of the field to the other, Clark and Pentecost doing good work. After a five-yards scrum Ngatea cleared with .a penalty kick, but Turua returned to the attack and Nicoll forced. Loose play followed in neutral ground during which A. Elvin received a kick on the head and had to retire. W. Taylor went on in his stead. Ngatea had to defend most of the time till half-time. . On resuming Andrews went to centre three-quarters, Stewart to the wing, and Ellis to the forwards. The arrangement of the Ngatea forwards was also altered. Play then shovyed a decided improvement, becoming faster and more open. Molloy made an opening for Stewart, who got almost to the corner. From the throwin Turua forced. Following the dropout play remained in the visitors’ teiritory. L„ Clotworthy Was injured and was replaced by J. Spencer. Ngatea rushed and Turua forced. The dropout was followed up, but Turua could not score, and play went back to midfield until a Ngatea forward rush compelled Elvin to force. Ngatea returned to the attack and from tight play Andrews scored. Robertson converted, making the scores Ngatea 5, Turua. 0. This apparently bucked the home team up, for it attacked strongly all d Ellis secured another try within a few moments and Robertson again converted. Ngatea 10, Turua 0. Open play followed in mid-field until Ellis secured from a scrum and, with Nicoll and Stewart, made a passing rush and reached Elvin. Wilton failed to add to Ngatea’s score with a penalty kick. The last round opened with another

Ngatea rush, but Turua secured from a throw-in and returned to neutral territory. Fast open play followed, neither side gaining advantage until, aided by several free kicks, Turua entered their opponents’ territory, where Molloy relieved. Ellis secured from a line-out and made a good run tlirough the Turua backs and scored between the posts. Robertson converted, making Ngatea’s score J. 5. Hard play followed the kick-out. Turua attacked strongly, and a rush from half-way resulted in a force. The di op-out was returned and forced, time being then called, the game ending with the scores 15 to 0 in Ngatea’ ; favour. Mr J. Kidd was referee. ; ' THE JUNIORS. The juniors only played three quarters, during which Ngatea scored twice. The game was stopped, as Turua showed little .chance of winning and several of the players were required to take part in the senior game. Mr T. McClean was referee. KEREPEEHI V. HAURAKI WEST. This was a good game, being fast, open, and even." Both teams were out to win and played hard and cleanly, and although the ball was greasy ami the field uneven the backs and forwards of both teams handled the ball Well. The teams lined out as follows : West—N. Costello, Mark, Paton, Falwasser, F. Costello, G. Garry, Nolan, J. Garry, D, Cowdrey, D. Tuhoi, J. Millington, R. Paton, E. Cowdrey, Paton, R, Benny. Kerepeehi.— Adlum, Witika, Marks, Murphy, G. Masters, T. Majury, L, Masters, W. Molloy, Steedman, Tipa, Peter Nathan, Hawera, Renata, Hurikino. - Molloy, who play well throughout, kicked two penalty goals, while. West scored a try which was converted. The Cowdrey brothers and Millington were the mainstay of the West team, and Costello was as safe as ever and saved his .side in many tight corners. Nolan is worthy of consideration for the representatives, probably as a fiveeighths. W. Molloy was the outstanding played on the field, although Adlum and Masters were up to form. Mr J. Banks was referee. The junior match was also a good exhibition ,and resulted in a draw, each team securing six points. S. Reti scored two tries for Kerepeehi and a try and a penalty goal made the points for West. Mr M. Leonard was referee. WAITAKARURU V. COAST. These teams met bn the Pipiroa Domain, which proved a fair football ground. The senior match was a fast scramble, and the play was of poor merit. The teams were : Waitakaruru.—A. Hamilton, Parata, W. Ryan, McPherson, C. Stretton, F. Stretton, E. Dibble, E. Laing, L. Berney, R. Williams, G. Coxhead, R. Slack, Hunt, P. Williams, McPherson. United Coast.—E. Hooper, H. Wallis O. McMillan, R. Green, L. Ryan, L. James, Baigent, Peckham, L. Killgour, S. Dalgety, W. O’Neil, Corbett, D. Dalgety, E. Gill, L. Jepson.. A try was secured by L. Eerney and C. Stretton kicked a penalty goal in the fiist half of the game. C..Stretton was the outstanding Waitakaruru player. F. Stretton was Oidered off the field during the third quarter. . For Coast Ryan and L. James were outstanding, though good work was done by Hooper and Baigent, Mr D. G. McMillan was referee. The Coast club could only put nine juniors in the field, and they were beaten by Waitakaruru by 15 points to 0. Mr A. McClean was referee.