FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4733, 4 August 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

POLAND CUP COMPETITION. WAIHI AND PLAINS WIN. The second round of the mter-unipn football competition in the Thames Valley Rugby Union for. the Frank Poland Memorial Cup commenced on Saturday, the Paeroa representatives journeying to Waihi and those of the Hauraki Plains to Te Aroha. At Waihi the home team gained a vjetory by 9 points to 3, while the Plains visitors to Te Aroha registered a win by 6 points to 3. WAIHI V. PAEROA. Conditions were good at Waihi, and about 400 spectators were present. Waihi settled down to business at the commencement of the fast and hard game, and throughout showed superiority. In the back play especially Waihi had the advantage, and at no time did Paeroa look like winning. The teams took-the field as follows :

Waihi.-—Delamore, Price, McLeay, McDermott, Mooney, Williams, Ver-i-all, Heath, Mannix, Johnson, Peacock, Speak, Agnew’, Thomas .FuglH. Paeroa.—Shaw, Maloney, southgate, Royal, D, Smith, W. Smith, Samson, T. Johnson, G. Fisher, Piercie, Patterson, Benney, Neil, Fitch, Wannicott.

Waihi kicked off, and shortly afterwards a scrum was ordered at halfway. The home team hooked and Verrail sent out to his backs, who carried well into Paeroa’s- territory and found the line a few yards from the corner flag. After considerable hard play on the line, including a number of line-outs, Southgate forced. A period of close play in neutral territory saw Waihi forwards gain the upper hand, but Royal negatived the movement. After, another period of tight play about the halfway line the Waihi backs were again in motion, and what looked like a sure try was lost by the ball being tynocked on when about to cross the line. A penalty to Waihi followed immediately afterwards, Delamore converting. Waihi 3, Paeroa 0. The kick-out was, followed up and the home team was penalised in defensive play, but Shaw failed to score. A badly placed punt by Shaw gave the Waihi backs another opportunity, but Benney upset the movement at Paeroa’s twenty-five line. The visitors then worked back to the other twenty-five by forwards play. Shaw had a free kick at goal, but the ball was blocked. Wannicott immediately picked up in the loose and passed to Southgate, to Rbyal. Some exciting play was then witnessed on Waihi’s line for a few minutes. The ball eventually went to Southgate, ami a grand opportunity presented itself. With the opposition weak and plenty of support at the moment, and only a few strides from the line, Southgate held on 100 long and lost the chance. However, Paeroa did not relax the pressure, and in tight play Johnson obtained possession and, after making a good run, crossed the line. Piercie failed with the kick. Waihi 3, Paeroa 3. Play was open and in midfield for the rest of the quarter. Benney opened the second quarter by carrying to Waihi’s twenty-five, where Wannicott joined him, but the latter knocked on. The Waihi backs returned to the other end, Shaw relieving After considerable line play about the visitors’ twenty-five flag the game became close in front of the posts. This terminated with Johnson being penalised, but Delamore’s kick went wide. Benney ami Fisher dribbled into Waihi’s territory, but Mannix -immediately led the opposing pack back again. Waihi. attacked strongly, and for some time the ’defenders were severely tested. The tension was relieved when a determined rush by the Waihi backs was broken by Wannicott and D. Smith grassing Mooney while in possession of the ball. Heath, shortly afterwards failed to-convert a mark. Benney, Southgate, and Wannicott handled the ball into Waihi territory, but play returned to midfield from the throw-in, the game being fast and, open in the neutral zone until half-time.

The kick-off in the second half reached Paeroa’s twenty-five flag. From the throw-in the ball travelled straight across the field and out on the other side. Waihi carried on in loose play to the corner. In open play on Paeroa’s line Price made a good attempt to score, but the ball again went out in the corner. A five-yards scrum followed and the defenders worked clear. In tight play Fiigill. and Fisher came to blows and were ordered off the field. Another formidible rush by Waihi was stopped by W. Smith marking, and Benney further relieved to halfway. Considerable open play in midfield terminated with Samson kicking to McLead, ■ who transferred to Price. Maloney , accounted for Price, but Waihi continued on, and in a loose rush the ball went across to McDermott, who kicked over the line and scored in the corner. Delamroe failed with the kick. Waihi 6, Paeroa 3.

Waihi opened the final round with a sustained attack, during which Paeroa forced several times. Eventually Maloney relieved by intercepting and carrying to Waihi’s twenty-five, where he was collared from behind when attempting to paiss Delamore. A kicking bout then took place, Heath finally sending out at Paeroa’s corner. In tight play on their, line the defenders gained ground, but the Waihi backs returned with a rush. McDermott, who was the last man to bundle the ball, was brought down on the line by D. Smith and Shaw, but was awarded a try. Delamore failed to convert and time was then called. Waihi 0, Paeroa 3. Mr. J. Cleave was JUNIOR CLUB GAME. WEST 0, V. EAST 5. Owing to the representative match being played at Waihi there was only a moderate attendance at the Paeroa Domain on Saturday to witness the junior game. Despite the attendance of the public not being very large, it

is doubtful if any game played locally has attracted more enthusiasm during play. Both teams were right out to win, and, judging by the "barrack” from the crowd, West, as usual, had the most supporters. Although a cold wind was blowing the conditions were not unpleasant from a specta-> tor’s point of view. The game commenced punctually to time, and each team received a good reception as it took the field. The West forwards were a little heavier than the Eact pack, but as a whole the teams were fairly evenly matched. The preceding night’s rain made the field rather slippery, and the "going” was heavy. The game throughout was fast and open, and the ball was well thrown about.

West kicked off against the wind. An interchange of kicks and loose rushes resulted In the ball going out near halfway. From the line-out F. Thorp secured and passed out to Moore who kicked up the line and, following up fast, again secured the ball and passed high in the air to Thorburn. The latter, after a nippy run, beat the West full-back and scbr-> cd besffie the posts. Moore converted. East 5, West'o. Just before the first spell * nded West attacked and, following a line out near the twenty-five, a loose rush ensued during which Wells picked up and crossed the line but was brought back 'for a breach.

The second quarter opened with a series of loose rushes, East defending. After a quarter of an hour’s play a line-oat near East’s corner resulted in R. Niehl securing and crossing the line. Swann failed with the kick. East West 3.

Resuming after half-time West attacked strongly, but the opposing backs were working well. After several scrums inside the twenty-five line Mooie was penalised for hanging on to the ball and Swann cleared the bar in good style. West 6, East 5. Following the kick-out play was again carried into East’s territory, where West had another penalty kick, Swann again being successful. West 9, East 5. In the final quarter West had to contirually defend. The game developed into one of individual play, neither team gaining much ground. Time was called without any further scores being added and with play in West s territory. Mr E. Smith was referee. NETHERTON V. KARANGAHAKE, The final match of the school competition was played on the Faeroa Domain on Saturday and was instrumental in creating a good deal of interest. Both teams displayed great keenness, and the friendly manner in which the match was contested augurs well for the continuance of- the proper sporting spirit in local football in the near aiture. Both teams were at full strength, and the Netherton boys, who displayed much better combination than their opponents, proved .the victors by 10 points to 3. For the winners K. Wilson scored two tries, both being converted, while E. Mayson scored a try for Karangahake. Mr G. Towens controlled the game. Although this match finishes the local competition, the return representative game, Piako v. Paeroa, is still to be played. According to present arrangements this match will be played on August 16.