FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4982, 2 June 1926, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

HAURAKI PLAINS COMPETITION. LAST SATURDAY’S GAMES. The third series of the matches in the second round of Plains Rugby competition were played on Saturday in good weather. Turua defeated Ngatea by 8 points to 6, while United Coast forfeited to Plains West.

TURUA V. NGATEA. Very great interest was taken in the Ngatea-Turua. match, at Turua, owing to the closeness of the points of the two teams and the fact that the; match was expected to be the deciding one of the competition. The attendance 'at Turua was very large, as football enthusiasts from all. parts of the; Plains were present. Play was very fast and hard, but the game, was, not spectacular. There, was no Wind, the field was slippery, and the ball was heavy and hard to handle. The teajns were as follows :— ■ Turua.—L. McCoid, A. Elvin, H. Elvin, Daniels, Madgwick, E. Johnston, G. Elvin, K. Fox, G. McCowatt, Madgwick, E. French, W. Clark, R. Hutchinson, E. Booth, L. Peckham. Ngatea.—Wilton, Buchanan, Molloy, MvCollum, Nicol, Pilkington, Birkenhead, Duncan, Hawera, Hutchinson, Cleave, Speccer, Leonard, Cook, McPherson.

Turua kicked off, fast play eventuating' in midfield. A free; kick to. Ngate.a sent play to Turua’s twenty-five, and open play ensued in that area. After close play in midfield Elvin sent play to Ngatea’s territory, where more close play terminated with French scoring near the corner. Johnston failed to convert.

The second round opened with a series of long kicks, followed by close play in Turua.’s territory. A forward rush relieved the pressure and compelled Ngatea to force. The visiting forwards dribbled to Turua’s line, where, several five-yards scrums .took place before a force, was registered. Nga ; tea immediately returned to the; attack, and McPherson made an opening a.nd, after a good run, passed to Molloy for him to score. Molloy failed with the kick, the scores at halftime being three all.

Play after half-time passed from one end of the field to the other fol a considerable time, until a,n attempt to drop-kick a goal from the field caused Turua to force. Play remained in Turua’s quarter for t,he rest of the' round, the defenders forcing several time?. From a line-out shortly after commencing the final round Nicol. se.cuied and sent to Molloy, who tried for a goal but. failed a.nd Hutchinson scored. The kick was not successful. After considerable line play the game fluctuated between the twenty-five lines, From a throw-in Madgwick secured and made a ; good run before punting over the full-back’s head for Johnston to score. H. Elvin converted, making the scores 8 to 6 in Turua’s favour.

Mr D. G. McMillan was referee. REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. The following team has been selected as the Hauraki Plains representatives :— Full-back, F. Nicol; three-quarters, J. Adlum, Wilson, Buchanan; five.eighths, D. Molesworth, A. Otter; half-back, Sma.rt; rover, H. Duncan ; forwards, L. Berney, W. O’Neil, C. Clark, E. French, K. Fox, O. Cleave, R. McPherson. Emergencies : Backs;, C. Molloy, Pilkington; forwards, D. Dalgety, B. Cook. A match will be played at Ngatea on Saturday next between this team and a second representative team- to enable combination to be effected. Two teams may be required on the following Saturday, a,nd it is expected that keen interest, will be taken in the try-out on Saturday.

MATCH AT PAEROA. JUNIIOR REPRESENTATIVES. The junior representative match played on the No. 2 ground between Paeroa and Thames on. Saturday was an interesting contest, and. resulted in the visitors winning by eight points to nil. The teams were evenly matched, and the game was fast and open. Thames kicked off, and the; home, team immediately went on the attack, the full-back saving. The visiting forwards followed up, but Lee cleared in good style. From a loose, rush J. Conolly secured, and after making a good run passed to Moore, a scrum resulting on the line. A forward rush by Thames was stopped by Rackha.ni. In opening the second quarter Paeroa attacked, but suffered a penalty for a breach and T. Henderson kicked a good goal. Thames 3, Paeroa 0. Play after half time was even. The visitors followed up the kick-off and carried down the field, but Potter returned play to neutral territory. The home forwards carried on, but were over-anxious, the ball going over the dead-ball line. The visitors advanced in a, loose rush, and T. Henderson broke away and scored a try which he afterwards converted. Tha ; mes 8, Paeroa O'. The game ended without any further score. Mr E. Smith was referee.

PRIMARY SCHOOL GAMES. The Netherton school, played the Paeroa school B team at the loca.l do<main on Saturday morning, the visitors winning by 38 to 0. Mr W. Lehph was referee. The Hikutaia school team journeyed to Karangahake and defeated that school’s fifteen by 14 points to 0.