SOCCER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4860, 5 August 1925, Page 4

SOCCER.

GAME AT KEREPEEHI. ANOTHER WIN FOR THAMES.' The Kercpeelil team entertained Thames in the last match of the cup competition on Saturday last and suffered defeat by three goals to nil' after a good game. Kerepeehi dominated the play, for the first half-hour, but, as 'usual, could not score. Grover, the Thames goalie, was brought to the ground to save from a good shot in t,hc ten minutes, and do what they would the local men could not score. Burt te the left wing put in two good drives, and Hands and Carson both tried hard but had no luck.. After 30 minutes’ play Thames began to come into the picture and made a raid on the Kerepeehi goal, where a splendid centre from the left wing was quickly pounced on by Hughes and goaled. This reverse roused the hoitfe boys, who rushed to the Thames goal area, but it was fruitless.

After the Hpell Thaems played better, and the game became very fast and hard. From a foul given against Kerepeehi Galley placed the ball nicely and Hughes, following up, beat Beagle and scored his second goal. The ball travelled quickly from end to end of the field, and after a pass from Kerepeehi’s right wing Craig, Burt, and Carson had potis a,t goal but failed to score. Thames made another raid into Kerepeehi’s territory and Hughes, receiving from Hatley, scored with a long shot, thus performing the hat-trick. Kerepeehi attacked again and tried hard to reduce the lead. The Thames men were penned in their goal area, and were hard pressed when the whistle sounded fdi time, leaving Thames the winners by three goals to -niL

For Thames Grover pl.ayed his usual game. Lang appeared the better of the two, backs, as Welch did not seem to settle down to his game. The half-backs worked hard, and were the mainstay of the team. Galley’s play, on the right wing needs and there is no doubt as to who will have that position in the representative team. The forwards played well as a line, and Hughes in performing the hat-trick appears the right man for centre-forward, and he follows up j well.

For the home team Beagle in goal wais not at his best, and evidently plays better and safer with a dry ball. Garrett and Callendar, the backs, got through a tot of work in good style, bust must get a little-’ more understanding between themselves. Thompson at half played his best game of the season, but is a 'little top robust in charging his man and must not jump at an opponent. Otherwise he was a great stumibling-block to the Thames left wing.; Buswell and Tilbury played their usual game, helping the forwards as well as their backs. McCollum on the right Would be -more effective if; he centred quicker. Hands played well, but.should try more pots at goal,-as he can-shoot well. Carson played his usual game, and had hard luck getting two-of his' shots charged down. Craig played well, and practise is all he requires. Burt, the new outsiide left, played a great game for a novice,' and when he knows the game thoroughly and keeps his position he will be a great help to the forward line. Two of his shots in the fii’st half.'deserved betters results, and were the best of the match. It is ,a pity for Kerepeehi; he did not start earlier in the season, as with ,a little more practice he would make a good outside left.

The junior teams met in a curtainraiser and 'made a draw with bne goal each. The local team is lucky in iliaving srfch a number of good young players. ' The Nicholson Bros, play ■well as Macks, and will be hard to replace, -Crisp plays a good game as outside .right and should eobn be in the sento rs. Thompson and Newdiek also play 1 well. Newdick scored the goal for His side. Jones the new boy, should sti'engthen the line cofisideratoly.