FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4748, 8 September 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S GAME AT PAEROA. EAST 11, NETHERTON 10. The third round of the junior competition was advanced another stage on Saturday afternoon, when East defeated Nethertpn by one point in the closing stages of the game at the Paeroa Domain. There was only a moderate attendance of the public, but feeling ran high at times, and the whole-hearted barrack of West Club members and supporters which was accorded Netherton was worthy of comment. The weather was fine, with a fair westerly breeze blowing. The teams were evenly matched, but the exhibition of football was very poor, especially in the first half of the game. Several of the East players persisted in hard kicking and hanging on too long, and as a consequence lost a couple of good chances to score. The home team deserved its win, especially as eight of the total points were obtained with only fourteen players, Barakat retiring just before the final quarter opened. F. Thorp took his place, but the visitors objected and the referee ordered Thorp back to the line. The teams were as follows : Netherton.—C. Craig, McLoughlin, T. Pullar, Coldicutt, L. Potter, J. Craig, Wpodhall, S. Killgour, W. Lock, Hayward, McMillan, Williams, C. Killgour, Spencer, F. Lock. East.—Gibson, Robson, H. Thorp, P. Thomas, H. Moore, Barakat, Vincent, Treanor, V. Smith, Robinson, J. Neil, R. Smith, N. Neil, A. Thomas. East kicked off, and after a brief exchange of kicks the ball wag sent over the line for Netherton tp force. Following a free kick to East the Netherton forwards dribbled up the line, to be stopped by Moore, who marked. Play was returned to Netherton’s twenty-five, the ball later being sent over for a force. Shortly afterwards Moore failed with a dropkick at goal. The -visitors worked up the field in close forward play, and when in front of the posts F. Lock drop-kicked a goal, the ball striking the bar and falling over. Netherton 4, East 0. From the drop-out considerable loose, play ensued in neutral territory, East gradually working down field, where Moore failed with a penalty kick. The home team continued to press until the end of the quarter.

The second spell opened by •. Smith getting possession and carrying up to near the corner. From the line-out Netheiton broke through and returned to the other end pf the field, Potter eventually picking up and scoring between the posts. T. Pullar failed with the kick. Netherton 7, East 0. Loose play followed the drop-out until Coldicutt picked up and carried to East’s twenty-five. From the throwin Netherton kicked hard over the line, Gibson forcing. Following a loose forward rush near halCway T. Pullar picked up smartly and carried over the line near the corner, but failed to .add the extra points. Netherton 10, East-0. Loose, rushes in neutral territory ensued till half-time was called.

On resuming the visitors attacked, but a long kick by Thorp carried play into Netherton’s twenty-five, where a penalty in front of the posts was awarded to the home team but Moore failed to score. With a big score to overtake, Thorp rallied his team, which turned defence into attack, and in tight play on the line gained another penalty. Thorp converted. Netherton 10, East 3. Open play near midfield followed the drop-out, East gradually carriyng down to the twentyfive, where, after a short bout of loose play, a five-yards scrum was ordered from which Williams cleared to halfway. At this stage. Barakat retired.

The final quarter was the keenest during the, game, and opened with Eaist pressing with great determination. In a loose forward rush R. Smith gained possession and passed to Moore, who lost the ball on the line, but Vincent was supporting and he obtained possession and scored. Thorp converted. Netherton 10, East 8. Following the kick-out the ball returned to the visitors’ twenty-five, and in close play Moore kicked hard over the line, a force resulting. Loose forward rushes in midfield followed, both teams freely handling the ball. At this juncture Potter was ordered off the field. From the line-out a forward rush carried play into the visitors’ territory, where a five-yards scrum was ordered. East hooked and Vincent quickly transferred to Moore, who dived over the line. Thorp failed with the kick. East 11, Netherton 10. The kick-out was promptly returned, and Netherton defended until time was called shortly afterwards. Mr P. E. Brenan was referee. THE CURTAIN-RAISER. The East and West third-grade teams played a match as a preliminary to the junior game, the result being a draw with thirteen points each. Mr C. H. Butcher was referee.