FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4828, 11 May 1925, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

«. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIORS: Netherton 9, v. West 0. Suburbs 3, v. East 0. Ngatea 13. v. Turua 0. United Coast 3. v. Wiatakar.uru 0. Plains West 6, v. Kerepeehi 0. JUNIORS : Karaiigahake 14, v. East 0. Netherton 8, v. Suburbs 3. Ngatea 5, v. Turua 3. Plains West 6, v. Kerepeehi 6. THIRD-GRADE : Eastern 3. v. Western 0. Fine weather prevailed locally for the opening of the football season, and a fair crowd of supporters assembled at the new ground at the Racecourse. Since acquiring a portion of the Racecourse the union officials, with the assistance of the Jockey* Club’s caretaker (Mr Eugene Shaw), have held a working bee. and the ground has been knocked into something like a playing area. Although very uneven, there is a good sole of gross, and the tick! should stand the plav in weather better than did the domain last winter. The facilities for the players in which to change were rather crude on Saturday, but it is understood that matters in this direction arc to be improved, as the union is negotiating with the Jockey Club for the use of a room in tlie people’s stand. EAST V. SUBURBS. The chief attraction on Saturday was the East v. Suburbs senior match. As usual, the game was very late in starting, but it is, only fair to mention that the visitors took tlie field almost on time. The home team was very slow in getting out, and the referee was just on the point of declaring the game for Suburbs by default. when the players hove in sigtit. The following were the teams : —

East (yellow and black).—Sullivan W. Smith, F. Thorp, G. Royal, D Smith, H. Thorp, W. Bottomley (captain). C. Treauor. H. Mitchall, Glover W. Xealie, G. Neil, M. Pennell, V. Vuglar. A. Williams.

Suburbs (maroon). —R. Rare, E. Benncit. P. Corbett, T. Bennett, K. Samson. A. Royal, L. Rice, A. Bennett, A. Morrison, J. Smith. C. Reed, T. Kiljgour. V. Young (captain), F, Patterson, J. Miller. ~ Combination in both teams was lacking, and the game was mostly a scramble from ‘sta.rb to finish. Being the first match of the season, the finer points of the game could hardly be expected. Suburbs had the advantage in the scrums, and this year that team has some good individual players. The team as a whole shows promise, and should he somewhere near the top at the close of the season The home tram had some difficulty in get’ing a fifteen in the fieid, and at the last moment had to substitute a couple of players who had just come off the field after playing in the junior match. There were players in both teams who were not at home in the positions allotted to them, and several were obviously sadly out. of training, and the game, which was -;f two 35-minute spells, told on their plavirig abilities. Although lackingin science, the game was fairly fast and clean throughout. East kicked off, and after an interchange- of kicks D. Smith -set his backs in motion and a passing bout between Smith. Neil, and Treanor resulted in the ball going out nt the corflag From the line-out a free: kid was given against the defenders, but H. Thorp’s kick went wide. Play was transferred to East’s twenty-five, where a penalty kick brought relief Loose play was indulged in until halftime was called. Loose rushes marked the opening stages of the second half, until G Royal picked up in the ruck and carriei! into Suburbs’ twenty-five, when a scrum was ordered, resulting in the ball going out at the corner flag. At thi.-i tstage Bottomley retired and was replaced by J. Walls. East livefn ed up considerably, and several passing rushes were essayed by the backs, only to be nullified by the opposing forwards, and a period of give and take play followed. From a scrum near half-way H. Thorp kicked up the field, and, following up, was unlucky not to score. Following the drop-out Suburbs committed a breach and G. Royal had a shot at goal, but the bail fell short and was returned to midfield by Rare. A loose forward rush by the visitors broke down and East cleared to the corner. From the line-out a live-yards scrum was ordered, and Neil returned to the line: A bleach by an East player gave Suburbs a penalty from near ihe twentyfive line, and Rice kicked a good goal. Suburbs 3, East 0. East pressed strongly, and just lacked sufficient dash io bring off a score on seveiai occasions. The game ended without any further score behig registered. Mr J. D. Crawford was leferee.

THE JUNIORS

EAST V. KARANGAHAKE.

The junior match East. v. Karaugahuge was played on the Racecourse’on Saturday as a curtain-raiser to the senior game. The visitors had little difficulty in disposing of the home team, and they deserved their win. It should, however, be taken into consideration that the Karanganakc boy’s had already played several matches this season, and their combination on Saturday afternoon, together with the fact that they were the heavie.” side, gave them the advantage throughout the game. The local team put up a good showing, however, although outclassed. The following were the teams :—

Karangahake.— E. McLeod, J. O’Brien, J. Rackham, B. King, Mead, J. H. Rackham, B. Hardman, Ratliff, McGuire, Lee, M, McLeod, J. J. O’Brien, L. O’Brien, W. Griffin, J. Carlton. ,

East, —McKenna, Walls, Sullivan, Butcher, Robson, Keighley, Morrison, C. Treanor, W. Holwell, H. Mitchell,