FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4749, 10 September 1924, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

HAURAKI PLAINS CHALLENGE. DRAWN GAME WITH THAMES. On Saturday last the Hauraki Plaints representative Rugby teain played a challenge match with the holders of the Birch Cup. Although the game ended in a draw, each team registering eleven points, it is generally conceded that the challengers should have won. The game was fast and interesting, and though Plains did most of the attacking luck was against them, and the issue was in doubt right up to the call of time, play was somewhat patchy, but, neverthelsea, some brilliant work was witnessed. The ground was in good order, and there was only a slight breeze blowing. The teams were : Thames.—Full-back, G. Cosgrove : three-quarters, A. Morrissey, J. Winder, G. Buchanan; five-eighths.,A Winder, K. Lockett; half-back, A. McCollum ; rover, E. Kelly; forwards, H. Ensor, W. Pollock, J. Strange, M. Hogan C. Abraham, A. Lomas, R. Smith

Hauraki Plains.—Full-back, E. Costello-; three-quarters, C. Molloy, F. Nicoll, F. Costello; five-eighths, W. Molloy. A. Otter; half-back, E. Nolan; rover, L. Ryan; forwards, K. Fox, D. Cowdrey, C. Clark, W. O’Neil, e. Cowdrey ,B. Wallis. C. Ellis. Thames kicked off into, the wind, and an interchange of kicks followed. O’Neil carried play up to halfway, where from a scrum Ryan secured and dribbled into Thames territory. Faulty passing by the home team caused trouble, but Cosgrove relieved by forcing. From the drop-out Plains returned to the attack and close play ensued in Thames’ twenty-five, the defenders eventually working up to midfield. After some open play Wallis secured from a throw-in and carried play to near the corner. A penalty relieved for Thames, and after a kicking bout the ball went but at halfway. A loose rush, in which Ellis and C. Molloy were conspicuous, put Thames on the defensive, and from a scrum another force resulted. Cowdrey secured the ball from the dropout and put in a good run, but his punt was marked by Morrissey. Fast open play followed and Thames again forced. An interchange of kicks terminated in the ball going out in the visitors’ territory. Close play eventuated in that quarter, and a penalty to Thames made the position dangerous. C. Molloy temporarily relieved, in the end Plains had to force. The drop-out went to the home team’s twenty-five and from close play Winder forced. Thames forced again on two more occasions in a very short time, and when change over was called were still defending. j

An -interchange of kicks was followed by a passing rush by the Thames backs which was< stopped by D. Cowdrey. More punting followed until Otter led the Plainsmen well up the ‘field, where the ball, was marked. Clarke initiated another passing rush into Thames’ quarter, but Wallis getting offside relieved the position. Strange followed up but lost to Ryan, who, with Otter, returned to Thames’ line. After a scrum Ryan secured in a passing rush and scored the first try of the day. W. Molloy converted. Plains 5, Thames O'. From the kickout Thames attacked and found the line inside Plains’ twenty-five. A free kick gave Winder an opportunity from which'he scored. Plains 5, Thames 3. The kick-out was returned, and fast following up enabled Lockett to score another try, Winder converting. Thames 8, Plains 5. Smith secured and returned to Plains’ territory, but Costello eased with a line kick. A passing bout by Thames was stopped by Nicoll, and later on W. Molloy marked and cleared to neutral territory, where play ranged until halftime.

On resuming Thames attacked and Lockett had an unsuccessful shot at goal. ‘ After play in midfield Plains lined in the home team’s twenty-five wPh a penalty kick, but an interchange of kicks returned play to neutral ground until Otter, Nicoll, and the Molloys in a passing rush reached to near thej corner flag. Cosgrove gained little ground with a kick, and following tight play A. Winder marked under the goal. Otter returned the ball and by following up W. Molloy secured and scored. Hip kick failedThames 8, Plains 8. Open play ranged from midfield to the Thames line, but free kicks brought the ball into the visitors’ territory. Ryan secured from a line-out and reached halfway, whare Lomas opened up a sharp attack which compelled Plains to force. Another passing rush by Thames was upset by C. Molloy. Clarke secured from a throw-in and relieved to midfield, where later W. Molloy marked. A scrum was ordered and the ball went to Nicoll, who lined within his opponents’ twenty-five. Smart work by the Plains forwards carried the ball to the line, and from a, five-yards scrum W. Molloy secured and scored his second try. He failed to convert. Plains . 11, Thames 8. The kick-out-went to the line and change over was called.

The final spell opened with play in Thames’ territory until J. Winder relieved to halfway. An interchange of kicks terminated in the visitors’ quarter, from where Otter put in a good run but lacked support. Buchanan returned, the ball, and tight play followed until Ryan relieved and the Plains forwards carried to midfield. A free kick put Thames in an attacking, position, and good work by Ensor, Pollock, and Lomas enabled Buchanan to score. Winder failed with the kick. Thames 11, Plains 11. Close play fol-

lowed in Thames territory during which Buchanan, Otter, and Abraham were ordered off. A penalty kick relieved to midfield, but Plains returned to the attack and more close play followed. Cosgrove carried back over the line and Plains suffered a penalty for appealing. Another free kick foi Thames sent the ball to Nicoll, who flailed with a drop-kick and Thames forced. Plains remained on the attack and again a force relieved. The drop-out found the line in Plains quarter, but thei defenders soon returned to halfway, when time was called. Mr J. Buchan was referee.