FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4751, 15 September 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

JUNIOR COMPETITION FINAL. — EAST WINS SHAREBROKERS’ CUP. A large gathering assembled at the Paeroa Domain on Saturday afternoon to witness the final, junior game of the reason, when the East team disposed of the West fifteen to the tune of ten points to nil. The weather was beautifully fine, with a slight breeze blowing. and the ground was dry and a trifle on the hard side. There were several changes in both teams, the most notable deflection on the West side being G. Wells, whose place was hard to fill. East took the field with- , out the services of H. Moore, whose nippy running and goal-kicking tactics are always an acquisition to his side. The teams were fairly evenly matched, the West pack being, perhaps, a little the heavier. The game was hard and clean, and for the most part close formation play was indulged in. Had the game been more open a better exhibition of football would have resulted. Combination was lacking on both sides, the majority of the players preferring to kick rather than make any attempt to open up the game by instituting passing rushes. However, the East team well, deserved its wiu, and again retains the junior championship for the twelfth year in succession. Needless to say, the West team was odds-on favourites. The teams took the field as follows: East—Gibson, Vuglar, A. Thomas, Robson, Treanor, H. Thorp, Vincent, R Smith, F. Thorp, Robinson, Thorburh, Day, J. Neil, V. Smith, N. Neil. West.—McKenna, Mathieson, Walks, Kerr, Swann, L. Neild, Bigelow, Sinnett, McKee, Denton, R. Shaw, Lipsham, M. Poland, Slyfiel.d, Southby. East kicked off, and in a loose rush West carried down to the corner, where H Thorp marked and kicked well up the line. From a loose rush near halfway Nield picked up and passed to Kerr, to Walls, the latter making a good run to East’s twentyfive from which play was carried into neutral territory. In tight forward play East worked into West’s terri-'j tory, where a scrum resulted, the ball ■> going out to Swann, who kicked down the field to Gibson, the latter finding the line in West’s twenty-five. As a result of an infringement in a scrum R. Smith had a penalty, but the kick fell short. Following the change over a scrum was ordered near East’s twenty-five from which R. Smith sent down to the corner, the ball being returned by Mathieson to the twenty-five flag. H. Thorp kicked down from the throw-in and a scrum was ordered on the line, followed by a penalty to East. The ball was immediately returned by R. Smith over the line, .West forcing. After considerable tight play in front of West’s posts R. Smith picked up and dived over. H. Thorp converted. East 5, West 0. At this stage Mathieson was injured and retired, being replaced by Helling. Vuglar also retired. and his place was filled by Couper. From the kick-out a loose forward scramble ensued with an exchange of kicks in neutral territory. From a scrum near West’s twenty-five J the ball was kicked over the line and. the defenders forced. The dropout was immediately returned by Couper going out in touch. Play was restricted to neutral territory for the remainder of the quarter. Fom the opening after half-time play was loose until F. Thorp marked near West’s twenty-five line, after which more forward play resulted. After an interchange of kicks Swann sent down to the corner, Couper clearing inside the twentyfive hag From a resulting scrum West in loose play cleared to the other twenty-five flag. Frmn the throw-in the ball, went to S'wann, who kicked over the line, Gibson forcing. Following a mark by - Vincent the East forwards carried up to the other quarter, but West with a loose rush, returned to past halfway, where H. Thorp checked and Robson returned to the line at the halfway flag. From the tight the ball shot out to the West backs, but Treanor intercepted and kicked to the twentyfive line, from where Couper carried on and sent out near the corner. R. Smith marked near the same position, bin failed to convert, the ball being returned by Nield to nearly halfway. A lengthy kicking bout opened the’ final round. Following a line-out in West’s twenty-five H. Thorp marked and centred, F. Thorp kicking down to the line. West passed back over the line and forced,, and from the ensuing scrum Nield cleared. In a forward rush West worked up into East’s quarter, but H. Thorp, Treanor, and Couper quickly returned to halfway. At this stage the game livened up isomewhat, and became faster and more open. East continued to advance and entered West’s territory. From tight play near the line J. Neil gained possession and with a determined run scored between the posts. H. Thorp converted, making the scores East 10, West 0. From the kick-out East immediately returned to the attack, but from a scrum the black and white forwards carried up to halfway, a loose scramble eventuated. East gradually worked back into West’s quarter, when time was called. Mr E. Smith was referee. THIRD-GRADE. As a curtain-raiser to the junior match the Paeroa school team met and defeated an East third-grade fifteen by seventeen points to nil. Mr C. H. Butcher was referee. THE ALL BLACKS. A WIN IN THE FIRST MATCH. The initial match of the All Blacks in England was played against Devon, at the Rectory Grounds, Devonport, bn Saturday, and resulted in a win for the All Blacks by eleven points to nil. The All Blacks will play Cornwall at .Camborne next Thursday, September 18