FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4846, 29 June 1925, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

POLAND CUP COMPETITION.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE.

Paeroa 8. v. Hauraki Plains 0. Waihi 3, v. Piako 0.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. Waihi 5, v. PiakO 0.

JUNIORS : West 9, v. East. 3

SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES.

Paeroa School 8, v. Wi.ahi School 8. .The first round for the Frank Poland Memorial Cup competition was advanced another stage on Saturday, the Hauraki Plains team meeting Paeroa at Paeroa and the Waihi representatives playing Piako at Te Arolia.

There was a fair crowd of spectators present, at the local fixture, considering the state of the weather. Rain began to fall during the morning and continued dining the period of the ma.ich. As a consequence the playing ‘fields were very wet, and mud abounded.

The Hauraki Plains union was, unfortunate in that no less than eight of the selected players were unable to journey to Paeroa owing to floods and other unforeseen circumstances. The vacancies were filled principally with players from Ngatea, three of Whom were juniors.

The game was fast and interesting, and although the better team won on t.he day, the visitors were by no means disgraced and individual members ot the team played really good football. The teams were fairly evenly matched, but the Paeroa men gained many advantages in the scrums, the forwards working well togetner. The muddy and uneven ground, combined with a slippery ball, mitigated against very spectacular football.

The following were the. teams Hauraki Plains—Murphy, L. Cotter, C. Stretton, W. Whelan, F. Nicol, C. Molloy; Birkenhead, W. Molloy, L. Berncy, Baker Hooper, Taylor, Dalgety, O. Cleave. McPherson. Paeroa. —G. Pullar. C. McNeil, A. Royal,, J. Maloney, G. Royal, T. Pullar, T. Masters, F. Thorp, R. Shaw, J. Miller, G. Fisher, W. Taylor, T. Johnson, J. Morrison, A, Williams. Hauraki Plains kicked off against the wind. W. Taylor returned the kick to Nicol, who failed to held the ball. Stretton clearing. Considerable close play aroung the halfway line followed until T.- Pullar kicked hard over the line and Plains forced. From the drop-out T. Pullar opened a passing rush, but. McNeil was too far out and negatived any advantage. In open play the ball was sent to T. Pullar, who passed to Maloney, the latter making a good run down the line, but he lost the ball at the .corner. flag. Play ranged between tne two twenty-five lines for some time, the forwards doing the work. In close play tire ball shot out to A? Royal, who cut. in and made a good rim down the field, reaching the posts. Play closed up and a struggle ensued on the line. The ball came Thorp’s way, and he snapped up and dived over, W. Taylor converted. Paeroa 5, Hauraki Plains 0.

On resuming after the changeover the Plains forwards immediately advanced into Paeroa territory, but from a throw-in G. Royal cleared to the, twenty-five flag. Molloy received from the line-out and kicked over the line, Paeroa forcing. The visiting forwards determinedly returned the drop-out, a breach cheeking the advance. A man in front spoiled the penalty. The Plains backs received from the serum, but Cotter being out of place upset the movement. Fast open play followed in neutral territory until Murphy had a long dropkick at goal but failed to score. In open play Plains kicked well down the field. G. Pullar was advancing to take the ball when his brother ran across and interfered. This gave Plains an 'opening, and with a rush the ball was carried to the line, where a breach gave the visitors a penalty. Cotter Leek the kick but failed to score. At this stage Whelan retired. Murphy moved up to the wing and C. Wilton went on as full-back. Fast open play continued in midfield until half time.

On resuming after the spell fast open play took place in neutral territory for a considerable period. Eventually the home forwards worked down to tlie corner, where a fiveyards scrum was ordered. Still attacking-, Paeroa sent out near the flag. From the throw-in the ball went to McNeil, who passed in iigain to A. Royal. The latter attempted to drop-kick a goal, but the ball pssaed outside the posts. T. Pullar followed up smartly and dived on the ball, scoring a neat try, Taylor was unsuccessful with tlie kick. Paeroa. 8, Hauraki Plains 0. The visitors immediately attacked with the kick-out and got as far as the line, but the ball ishot out to Maloney, who cleared the position. Masters carrying on into the visitors’ twenty-five. Close play followed round the twenty-five line, opening up into fast open play in midfield, during which a number of kicking bouts took place. ,In the final quarter Plains attacked, and after considerable tight play the ball was sent over the line, Paerqa forcing. The visitors continued to press, and another force was registered shortly afterwards. Open play on Paerca's side of halfway followed until Taylor headed a loose rush into Plains territory. The relief to Paeroa was short-lived, however. Cotter and Berney returning to the home team’s twenty-five. Shortly afterwards A. Royal broke away, but was unsupported and Plains returned to the attack and compelled another force.- Soon after the drop-out Maloney put in a run down the line and eent out at the visitors’ twenty-five flag. From the line-out Plains cleared to halfway. As a result of a mark by Nicol play was sent to Paeroa’s corner, and in close play the homo team was penalised. A struggle ensued near

the posts, the. result being a force. '■ Time was called with play in neutral territory without any further score being registered. Mr S. Dunstan, Waihi, was referee. WAIHI V. PIAKO. This game was also played in adverse weather conditions, but there was a large attendance of spectators. The game was very willing, and was the hardest seen in Te Aroha this season. The teams were evenly matched. In the last quarter Hoopei (Piako) had to retire. Piako were penalised in front of the goal and Agnew placed the ball over the. bar. Waihi 3, Piako 0. Time was called shortly after. Mr R. B. Penlington, Paeroa, was referee. WAIHI V. PIAKO. In the junior representative maten for .the Sharebrokers’ Cup Waihi defeated Piako by 5 points, to 0. Mr 7 J. Cleave was referee. THE JUNIORS. The junior fixture at Paeroa was Eiyyt v. West. This game was played on the Nix 2 ground, a considerable area of which was under water. The teams were evenly matched, and considering the conditions a very fair exhibition was given. The following were the players : — East.—McKenna, J. Adams, C. Vincent, D. McMillan, C. Treanor, J. Gibson, E. Robson. H. Morrison, N. Neil, V. Smith, R. Day. R. Mitchell, M. Beattie, R. Lloyd, W. Hol well. ___ West.—G. Wells, J. Mathiesoli, J. Verran, L. Shaw, R. Swann, C. Parsons, J. Bigelow W, Southby, T. Pennell. M. Poland, Scanlon, W. Pennell, E. Neil, C. Wells, R. Moore. East kicked off with the wind ill their favour, and in a close game in the comer Morrison managed to get. over in the corner. McKenna failed to convert. East 3, Weist 0. Off-side play by Verran gave East a penalty kick, but McKenna’s attempt fell short. In a loose rush West went down the field. McKenna and Me- . Millan both failed to field the ball, and after a five-yards scrum East forced.

Soon after commencing the second quarter Swann had a penalty kick at goal, but the ball fell sliort and an East player got badly offside, giving Swann an easy kick, which lie converted. < East 3, West 3. Following the drop-out, and in loose play, Scanlon obtained possession and carried down the line before transferring to Poland, w'ho crossed neat the corner. Swann failed to convert. West 6. East 3. Throughout this round West remained on the attack, and East, registered several forces. The second half was characterised by fast open play throughout. In the last quarter Southby picked up in theX

'loose and scored a good try. Swann failed with the kick. West 9, East 3. The game ended with play in East’s territory. Mr J. D. Crawford was referee. * I’RIMARY SCHOOL GAME. WAIHI V. PAEROA. This match was played as a cur-tain-raiser to the Plains v. Paeroa re- . presentative match. Both teams made a splendid showing, and clearly demonstrated that sound coaching had been received by the players. Although the Paeroa'boys were handi- . capped inasmuch it was their first game together, they showed clearly by thein knowledge of the game that they had received sound instruction in their respective school .teams. The - tactics adopted at times were of a very high order, being much above the standard often seen in senior club fixtures. The match was evenly contested. and resulted in a draw, each side scoring ieght points. For Waihi two tries were scored by Orchard, one being converted by Johns. K. Wilison and Sanft scored for Paeroa, Fisher, converting one try.. Mr .E Smith controlled the game. ■On arrival the Waihi boys were entertained at luncheon in the Victoria Tea-rooms by the Paeroa Rugby Union, the chairman, Mr J. W._ T. ■ Jones presiding.MATCH AGAINST WAIKATO. TEAM SELECTED. The following will represent the Thames Valley Rugby' Union against Waikato at Hamilton on Saturday l next, July 1: — Full-back: J. Magill (Piako); Three-quarters: J. Maloney (Paeroa), Goldisbury (Piako), Cole( Waihi) Five-eighths: E. Mooney (Waihi),. F. Nicol (Plains). . ■ Half-back : Malt (Waihi). • Rover :' McLeay . (Waihi).

Forwards'. Byers (Waihi), C. Clark (Plains). B. Wallis (Plains),, T. McLaren (Piako), T. Johnson (Paeroa), Goldsbury (Piako), Mclnnis (Piako). Emergencies: Backs, C. Dillamore (Waihi), McDermott (Waihi) ; forwards, T. Magill (Piako), Rolleston (Waihi).