FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4754, 22 September 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACKS’ THIRD GAME. NARROW WIN OVER SOMERSET. News was received in Paeroa shortly after nine o’clock yesterday morning that the All Blacks had defeated Someiset by six points to nil. The next match on the programme is against. Gloucester on Thursday. CUP FINAL ON HAURAKI PLAINS. JUNIORS MAKE DRAWN GAME. A match to decide the winner of the Patetonga Shield was played at Ngatea on Saturday between the juniorgrade teams of the Ngatea and Turua clubs, each of which had secured the same number of points in the season’s play. It resulted in a draw, neither side scoring, so it remains for the Rugby Union to decide what shall become of the Shield,

The game was a hard-fought one, and a friendly spirit prevailed. Play was fast and confined to the forwards. If anything, Turua had the better team, but the wet field and slippery state of the ball precluded brilliant play. The field was under water the previous day, and was still very wet. The teams lined out as follows : Turua—G. Johnson, W. Madgwick, G Hayes, G. Porteous, A, : Elvin, I. Jones, W. Johnson, F. Clotworthy, W. Elvin, L. Zeiglar, E. Hill, R. Frisken, F. Olsen, J. Spencer, W. Taylor. Ngatea.—B. Phillips, B. Hayward, A. Cleave, D. Hutchinson, W. Blacklaws, A. Courtenay, G. Birkenhead, T. Alderson, H. Stone, B. Cook, P. Solomon, T. Mitchell, S. McKay, M. Martin, T. Taranaki. .

Turua kicked off and Ngatea immediately opened up and secured a free kick for obstruction within Turua’s quarter, but failed to score and Turua forced. Ngatea returned to the attack, and fast play ensued in the visitors’ territory. A. Elvin opened up with a good kick from a throw-in at halfway and sent play to Ngatea’s twenty-five, where Blacklaws relieved from a tight corner in front of the posts. Turua returned to the attack, but Ngatea worked out again in line play and Courtenay put in a good kick, sending the ball over Turua’s line for a force. From the drop-out play went to halfway, and from 9 throw in Ngatea secured and sent to the opposing line, another force being the result.

Ngatea attacked in the second spell until a penalty to the defenders relieved to neutral territory. Jones retired and was replaced by W. Taylor. After a short period Ngatea had a penalty kick which was returned over the line and forced. Turua failed to score with a free kick, but the forwards followed up and compelled another force. From the drop-out play ranged from Ngatea’s line to halfway, and another force was registered just prior to half time. On resuming Turua immediately forced. Play remained in Turua’s quarter until, by line play, the visitors worked up-field, where much close play ensued, which terminated in an open rush by Ngatea to Turua’s line for a force. Play went back to midfield, where it remained for the rest of the quarter.

The final round opened with more close play in neutral, territory. Finally Turua gained a penalty, and after an interchange of kicks had another kick from a good position but failed to score. A long kick from halfway was forced by Ngatea. Play was in midfield when time was called, no score being registered throughout. It was suggested to continue the game for another ten or twenty minutes, but this did not meet with the approval of the players. Mr J. Kidd was referee.