FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4722, 9 July 1924, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. PLAINS DEFETAS PAEROA. The final matches of the first round of the Frank Poland Memorial Cup competition were played on Saturday, resulting in wins being secured by Hauraki Plains and Piako. The Plains v. Paeroa match was played at Ngatea in fine weather. The ground was in fair order, and there was a strong gusty wind blowing down the field. The game was a fast forward one throughout, with no brilliant football shown. The Paeroa forwards were superior, tut Plains had the better backs, though they had few opportunities. On the whole both teams appeared to lack combination. The tackling was very poor. The teams took the field as follows :— Paeioa.—A. Williams, G. Royal, L. Shaw, J. Moloney, R. Samson, I. Poland, W. Smith, S. Graham, F. Fitch, E Samson, F. Patterson, W. Taylor, J, Benney, T. Johnson, W. Wannicott. Hauraki , Plains.—E, Costello, C. Molloy, W. .Molloy, J. Adlum, F. Costello, F. Nicoil, E. Masters, L. Ryan, D. Cpwdrey, K. Fox, D.' Dalgety, L. Lipscombe, E. Cowdrey, L>. Berney, C. Ellis. Paeroa won. the toss and played with the wind. From the kick-off play hung in midfield, until Paeroa lined within Plains’ twenty-five. From the throw-in Plains attacked and reached the visitors’ territory, but an interchange of kicks relieved and close play, followed in midfield. The Plains backs sent the ball up the field, Paeroa marking. The Cowdrey brothers broke away from a line-out and invaded Paeroa’s territory, where tight play ensued until the defenders cleared to midfield from a throw-in. Another kicking bout saw Paeroa on the home team’s line, but after a fiveyards scrum D. Cowdrey relieved with a long kick. The Paeroa backs again attacked, C. Molloy relieving. After the change-over play was In neutral territory until Plains broke away. Following open play in Paeoa's quarter Berney scored from a scrum near the line. W. Molloy failed to convert. Plains 3, Paeroa 0. Shortly after the kick-out Maloney repulsed a Plains attack, and close play followed with Plains gradually gaining ground. A long kick sent the ball to halfway, where N. Cowdrey secured and with a clear run scored between the posts. W. Molloy converted. Plains 8, Paeroa 0.

On resuming after half-time Paeroa attacked, and play was in the home team’s twenty-five until, after several five-yards scrums, C. Malloy relieved to neutral territory and later carried into Paeroa’s quarter, a force resulting. Paeroa returned to the attack following the drop-out. After another five-yards scrum open played terminated with Plains forcing. Paeroa immediately attacked again and

Poland marked but failed to score. Ryan set off on a dribble, but was stopped by Royal, tight play, fallowing in midfield. In several line-outs Plains had the advantage, Graham relieving with a long kick. Another attack by Plains was negatived by Royal marking and clearing.; The final round opened with fast play in midfield until a good passing rush by Paeroa put Plains on the defence, relief later being given by Molloy kicking to the line well down the field- Malpney secured and had a clear run, but. Masters overhauled him. Plains with a free kick returned to midfield,;where fast open play j ensued. Dalgety. retired and was replaced by Wallis. A Plains rush terminated in a force. From the dropout play was in the visitors’ territory until a passing rush reached the home team’s line. Paeroa had a pen-, alty kick and ,sent the ball over the bar, but no score was awarded as the ball touched a played in its flight. A strong attack was initiated by Ryan, but Paeroa’s defence was sound and much close play followed near the visitors’ line until the call of time, Mr J. N. Anderson was referee. PAEROA JUNIORS. EAST V. NETHERTON. Owing to the representative match at Ngatea there were no senior games played at Paeroa on Saturday. There was a fair attendance of spectators to witness the junior match, East versus Netherton, at the local domain, in which the home team disposed of the opposition to the tune of 25 to 0Netherton played three men short, and considering this handicap put up a good performance. Netherton kicked off with the wind and had East defending for awhile, until a passing rush carried play into Netherton’s territory. A couple of scrums there took place, and H. Tharp had an opportunity but lost the ball and Netherton forced. From the drop-out. Moore secured and made a good run. before passing to Couper, who scored near the posts. (Moore converted. East 5, Netherton 0. A number of loose rushes followed the kick-put until Day broke away with the ball at the and scored. M<jore failed to concert. East 8. Netherton 0. In forward play the ball was gradually worked into Netherton’s territory, finally being kicked across the field and over the line, Couper scoring. Moore’s kick failed. East 11, Netherton 0. The seconjd spell was 3 general scramble, wifih Netherton defending. Just before half-time the ball was sent out to Moore, who scored betweep the p3sts and 1 : also converted. East 16 Netheft'ton 0. After ‘half-time East kept up the attack, the defenders forcing a number of times. With a full team East had every advantage, <and tries Were scored by Burgess, Moore, and Thorburn. Play was in Netheirton’s twenty-

five when time was, called, the game ending: East 25, Netherton 0. Mr E. Smith was referee. third-grade. A third-grade match,, West v. combined East and School team, was played on No. 2 ground. The West team had the advantage in weight, but the combined team made a good showing. For West A. Tetley scored a try and Gwilliam drop-kicked a goal. J. Rackham scored for School. The game ended with the scores 7 to 3 in favour of West. Mr f. W. Pitts was referee.