FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4731, 30 July 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

EAST V. NETHERTON. LAST SATURDAY'S GAME. The senior-grade match East v. Netherton was played on Saturday last at Netherton in ideal football weather. Taking into consideration that a jun-. ior representative match was being played at Paeroa, a greater number than was expected journeyed to Netherton to see the two leading teams play the deciding match, each having a win against the other this season. After a hard-fought game East prevailed by 6 points to 3. The teams were as follows: East.—A. Gibson, W. Smith, G. Royal, A. Williams, E. Moore, D. Smith, J. Treanor, s. Graham, M. Pennell, F. Fitch, G. Neil, W. Morris, F. Patterson, W. NeaHe, J. Benney. Netherton. —G. Hopping, J. Maloney, M. McNeil, W. McMillan, G. Pullar, B. Morrison, L. Rice, T. Johnson, L. Killgour, A. S. Fisher, E. Fisher, H. Morrison, B. Fisher, B. Johnson, E. John--son. Netherton kicked off, Moore returning to the line below halfway. From the throw-in East pressed and soon had Netherton defending. McNeil with a strong kick relieved momentarily. Benney immediately returning at the head of the East pack in a de--termioed rush which was upeet by a breacn. From the ensuing scrum Netherton relieved to the twenty-five Hag, After loose play East again advances and when near the line D. Smith gained possession and scored in a good position. Moore failed to convert. Netherton pressed following the drop-out and reached within a few yards of the line, but Royal, snapped up ano passed to Treanor,, who cleared to outside the twenty-five flag. From the line-out Royal broke away, but was grassed with the ball. In the close play which followed the visiting forwards broke through and carried the leather into Netherton’s quarter. The defence was sound, however, and eventually McNeil relieved with a long kick to the line near halfway. Aftei changing over loose play in midfield was terminated by a free k : ck to Netherton which put Bast on Ihe defence until Gibson cleared. From the throw-in the East forwards carried to the opposing twenty-five 1 ae, where Benny snapped up and, though well supported, beat the opposition and scored close to the posts. Moore again failed to convert from an easy position. Shortly afterwards a penalty to East again put Nethertoa ton on the defence, Royal marking a kick by Hopping in front of the posts. Moore was placing the ball when Roval handled it and a scrum was ordered, thus what looked like a cer--1 ‘in goal was thrown away. Commencing the second half McNeil j eeeived from a kick by Royal and ;• ter a short run he punted. Lively y ay followed in East’s twenty-,five, a id the ball was carried over the lie, the referee awarding a try to Mei Neil. The kick at goal missed. Johnson returned the kick-out and ? > therton attacked-strongly, but the <l< fence was sound and operations v .we returned to midfield. In loose |’ay in which Benney, Fitch, and Patferson(East) and T. Johnson and the Fishet brothers (Netherton) were prominent Rice set his backs in molion, but little ground was gained, the bill going out near halfway. The throw-in was knocked on, and East, hookco in the ensuing, scrum, but Treanor was caught with the ball. Offside play by Johnson gave East a fiee kick, Moore finding the line. From the line-out Netherton again a lacked, but East retaliated and play returned to Netherton’s quarter. The game was getting harder, and several players were momentarily disabled fiom knocks and the solid tackling. McNeil initiated a Netherton attack, East forcing. Shortly after the. commencement of the.final round Graham, who had previously received a severe knock on tlie head, had to retire, and was replaced by Thorp, From the outset this quarter promised to be willing. After some tight play in midfield Nethe/ton broke away with the ball at toe, but kicking too hard gave Moore a chance to relieve. The ball was sent to McNeil, who set off down the field. After beating a couple of men McNeil kicked to Gibson, who fumbled, and McNeil again kicked the ball, (sending it over the line. A race for possession ensued, W. Smith beating McNeil and forcing. After more tight play Royal secured and kicked to McMillan, who found the line. Netherton pressed from the liner' out, but Moore relieved with a good kick. Time was called shortly afterwards the scores being: East 6. Netheiton 3. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. For East Neil, Fitch, Patterspn, and Benney stood out in the forwards, especially the latter who was a thorn in Netherton’s Bide from start to finish. The backs all played their best. Gibson, a junior, played a very sound game at full-back. Moore was a tower.: of strength to his side, but his kicking'was rather disappointing. D. Smith, A. Williams, and Royal did all that was asked of them, while W. Smith did likewise and showed great promise. J. Treanor also got through a lot of work, although the opposing rover looked after him. Of Netherton McNeil stood out by himself, his kicking, defence, and attack being of the best. Hopping as full-back was safe, and kicked and handled the ball well. Rice was not up to his best, nor was Maloney. Of the foi wards the Johnson and Fisher brothers all played a hard game, as did Killgour. PAEROA RUGBY UNION. COMMITTEE MEETING. The regular meeting of the Paeroa Rugby Union Committee was held in the Dressing Shed last evening, Mr P. E. Brenan presiding over Messrs *J<Clarkc, H. M. Shand, C. T. Mcttam, F. G. Otter, T. Welch, W. Pennell, 0. H. Potter, and C. H. Butcher, secretary. JUNIOR COMPETITION. It was agreed that the junior com-

petition ishould be continued until August 30, when the matter would be further considered. It was' thought improbable that a full third round would be played. USE OF JERSEYS. The Railway team applied for the use of the representative jerseys to wear in a match to be played at Frankton Junction. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the manager of therepresentative team. APPLICATION FOR REPLAY. The West Club made application for a replay bf the senior match against Suburbs which was forfeited by the former club on Saturday last. After considerable discussion it was decider, to defer the matter until the following meeting. EAST V. NETHERTON GAME. A lengthy communication was re-, ceived from the aEst Club with refer ence to the senior East v. Netherton inarch which was played at Netherton last Saturday—Received. SATURDAY’S FIXTURES. Seniors. —Piieroa v. Waihi. atWaihi, Juniors. —East v. West, at Paeroa, at 3 p.m.; Karaugahake v. Netherton, at Netherton ; Suburbs a bye. Third-grade—East v. We«t, at Paeroa, at 1.30 p.m. It was decided that the senior game East v. Suburbs be replayed at Paeroa on August 9. INTER-UNION COMPETITION. HAURAKI PLAINS TEAM. The following team will represent Hauraki Plains in its match against Piako at Te Aroha on Saturday next‘ Full-back, W. Molloy; three-quar-ters, J Adlutn, C. Stretton, C. Molloy ; live-eighths, A. Otter, F. Nicoll 5 half-back, E. Masters; rover, L. Ryan; forwards, J. Millington, D. Cowdrey, T. Rapana, B.* Wallis, E. Cowdrey, C. Clark, K. Fox. Emergencies : Stewart, G. Masters, C. Ellis, L. Lipsconibc, R. Steedmau.