FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 22 April 1925, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OPENING OF THE SEASON. NOTES FROM THE PLAINS. SENIORS: Kerepeehi 3, v. United Coast 3. Turua 8, v. West 3. JUNIORS: West 12, v. Turua 0. Waitakaruru. 3, v. Ngatea 0. The Rugby football Beason opened on the Hauraki Plains on Saturday last, when the first of the inter-club matches under the control of the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union were played. In many' cases the matches were largely a try-out for players, and team selectors were busy noting the merits and demerits of new arrivals and the effects of changes in positions. Generally the selectors are well satisfied with the material available, and look forward with confidence to a hard season.

For the first of the season games the play on Saturday was very encouraging, and though innumerable faults and weaknesses could be pointed out these will largely disappear in the next few’ matches, when practice brings combination and the finer points of the game. Except in the case of the United Const Club there appears to be ample players available for selection for both grades.' The Coast club has not been able to find sufficient juniors to form a team, but Turua and West arc in the happy position of being able to put a second junior team in tlie field if matches could be arranged for them. To date some of the clubs have mly registered with the union tiie names of the player,s of Saturday, while some have registered the names of men who possibly may never be selected. The numbers registered are : United Coast, 22 (sfeniors only) ; Turua, 64; Ngatea, 46; Kerepeehi, 37; Waitakaruru, 30; West. 30.

Two of the fields played upon on Saturday proved very rough and hard, and will require attention. At Kaihere, where the West Club matches, will be played until the clay roads become passable, a paddock at the rear of the flaxmill was used, and this, while not as level as is desirable, could be made into an ideal playing field. There is a good sole of grass with a • fair sprinkling of paspalum. The Kerepeehi field bn the showground was very hard and rough, and the Ngatea ground could do with improvement. One serious and several minor accidents occurred during play on Sat-, urday. While playing for the Ngatea juniors E. Jackson had a bone in his -aim dislocated. He was attended by Dr. Valentine, Who anticipates that he will be unable to work for some weeks. B. Baldwin, of Patetonga, received a knock on the hea l from the knee of. a Turua junior, but although the wound bled profusely it bs -not at all serious. At Kerepeehi a senior player, T. Majury, retired with a twisted ankle. A Turua senior, G. McCowatt, on Monday morning was found to have broken a small bone in his foot.

It is the intention of the. Referees’ Association this season to strictly enforce the rule regarding the size ami shape of sprigs in boots, and players would be wise to see that their footwear is hi order-as examinations will in all probability be continued. ' In the United Co.ant v. Kerepeehi match the following were the players :—

Coast. —J. Jones, H. Hale, P. Clark, F. Taylor, E. Perkins, D. Dalgety, W. Knox, B. Wallis (capt.), S. Dalgety, J. Corbett, W. O’Neil, H. Dalgety, E. Wallis, E. Gill, E. Peckham. Kerepeehi.—P. Reti, W. Murphy, A. Murphy, J. Wateiie, G. Masters, P. Randall, W. Kidd, R. Steedman (capt.), J. Baggs, N. Tipa, R. Nathan, L. Hira, B. Moore, T. Cneroa, T. Reneta

Kerepeehi scored a try in the second spell and Perkins evened up the score just prior to the call of time by kicking a penalty goal. Some good indiviudal play was witnessed, but there was much room for improve: ment in individual and team play. Mr. J. N. Andenson was referee. The match at Kaihere was a fast, even one, and was a fair exhibition of the code. The teams were

Turua.—J. Thrupp (capt.), H. Robinson, H. Elvin, A. Elvin, L. Clotworthy’ J. Whelan, A. Charteris, D. Hill, W. Hooper, G. Elvin, G. McCowatt. F. Fox, W, Clark, D. Cosin,. E. Booth.

West.—G. Paton, P. Buchanan, E. Costello, F. Costello,, B. Nolan, J. Silvery, K. Chatman, J. Millington (capt.), R. Wallace, D. Cowdrey, N. Cowdrey, R. Benny, J. Garry, J. K. Milne, C. Wharburton.

The game opened with dash, West pressing hard against the wind, but not scoring.. Turua had the advantage in the second round and secured five points, H.. Elvin converting a- try secured by K. Fox. H. Elvin scored a try in the third quarter, making Turua 8, and E. Costello kicked a penalty goal for West. The game was evenly contested, and ranged up and. down the field. Mr J. Kidd was referee. Selectors for both teams expressed satisfaction. 1

In the junior match at Kaihere West secured twelve points, two tries being secured by G. Matthews and J. Jeancrs one, none of them being converted. Both teams showed promise. The teams were :—>

West. —B. Baldwin (replaced by W. Hubbard), D. Tuhoi, M. O’Connor, N. Mikaere, O. Hannifin, J. Garry, G. Lindsay, D. Penny, J. Tamati, G. Matthews, H, Henry, K. Tohi, J. .leaner,, F. Sedlich, E, Hooper.

• Turua.—H. Aberhart, R. Madgwick, L. Bowden, G. Porteous, L. Zeiglar, C. Young, A. McDonald, W- White, W. Hutchinson (replaced by H. Young), J. Spencer, F. Hamilton, W . Elvin, W. Dally, J. Truelove, H. Baker. Mr G. T. Davidson was referee. The Ngatea-Waitakaruru match W-as a good exhibition, with indications of great improvement in the future. Ngatea’s new players earned their places. Following are the players

Waitakaruru.-rG. Yeager, G. Rhind,

R. McPherson, L. Coxhead, A. Hamiltno, C. Stretton (capt.), EL Dibble, E. Laing, Craig, L. Bcrney, L. Preston, C. Clarke, I. Dalton, W; Quintal. Ngatea,—L. Cotter, R. Harris, Gillespie C. Wilton, F. Nicol, G. Birkenhead, H. McCollum, C. Molloy, T. Alderson, R. Hutchinson, P. Leonard, L. Lipscombe, H. Cook, O. Cleave, A. Phillips.

Playing with the wind Waitakanuii pressed heavily until a penalty took the ball to midfield, from where play ranged up and down in neutral territory. After the change over Waitakaruru again pressed, but the Ngatea backs proved superior Und carried play to thO visitors’ quarter, where a free kick was awarded. Molloy failed, and Waitakaruru secured and scored a try which was not converted. After half-time play was tn Waitakaruru’s territory, and a good passing rush saw Alderson score. Lipset mbe failed to convert. In the last round Ngatea’s score was brought up to 7 with a drop-kick by Alderson. Waitakaruru then attacked and with a penalty kick brought the totals to Ngateja 7, Waitakaruru 6. Talking and rough play on the part of certain players caused comment. Mr A. McClean was referee.

The junior game was an exhibition of individual .play. Many of the players had never played before. Mr J. Reid was. referee.-