FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5006, 28 July 1926, Page 1

FOOTBALL

MATCH AT NGATEA.

THAMES TEAM DEFEATED.

A stiff breeze blowing diagonally across the field made, conditions unpleasant for the Thames v. Plains game at Ngatca on Saturday. There was a large crowd present, and the Plains victory was well received, for although the match wap, won with a goal from a mark by Duncan, the home team had the better of the game, and Thames seldom looked like the team which Plains met at Thames on the occasion of the. first match. The teams we,re as follows : Thames. —L. Mcßa,e, F, Moran, B, Harrison, H, Donnelly, L. Goodwin, A. Morrissey, J, Pratt, E. Kelly, L, Stewart, C, Attwood, H. Ensori, D. Fitzpatrick, J. Thomas E. Hayward, W, Woofe.

Plains,,—E, Costello, W, Williams, C. Molloy, F, Costello, D, Moieiswclrth, O, Cleave, B. Nolan, H, Duncan, E, A, Booth, R. Spencer, W. Clark, C, Stretton, R, Hutchinson, J, Garry, E, French.

Thames returned the kick-off and attacked, Stretton relieving to halfway, where the visitors initiated a passing rush. Costello intercepted and negatived the movement. The Thames forwards worked down the field, but Spencer opened an attack for the home team which relieved to half-way. Cleave, Molesworth, .Costello, and Molloy then, took part in a passing rush to) Thames’ line, the defenders eventually forcing. The a-ttack was immediately renewed, relief coming with a mark which cleared to mid-field. Costello repulsed a Thames attack, and Nolan, securing from a scrum, transferred to Costello, who; with Cle;ave “and Molloy, carried oh until Thames inter- - cepted and sent back to half-way. The Costello brothers returned to the visitors’ line, the quarter ending with the force by Thames. Hutchinson a,nd Spencer were prominent in ap attack which fcfljpiwed the opening kick in the second quarter, arid Thames forced. A free kick by the visitors was mulled by F. Costello, and Thames, had a good opportunity, but the home forwards rallied and with a loose rush returned to the other twenty-five, Molloy saved the next attack by kicking to 1 the dead-balll line. Play then wqht to Thames territory, where Stretton marked in 'front of the posts, but his kick went wide. Considerable close play ensued in the corner untiPa penalty relieved. Commencing the second half Molesworth and Williams carried up the field, the ball going out. Nolan marked from the throw-in and made an opening for Plains, but the defenders relieved with a mark. Thames then advanced, Costello saying with a line kick in his own twenty-five. Considerable open play followed in neutral territory until a combined Thames, attack had the home team hard pressed. Relief came with a penalty. The visitors, immediately returned and Plains forecd.

Fast open play 'followed the kickoff in the final round. French and Cleave carried into Thames territory, where Duncan marked and kicked a. good goal. Plains 3, Thames 0. Play became faster and Thames had to force. Prat secured and 'reached halfway. Nolan received from a scrum and passed tel Moleswoith, who lost possession. Thames put ini a long kick, which was returned 1 , by Costello ■and followed up, Thames again having to force. The pressure was again 'applied by Plains, and close play on the line followed until time was called. Mr G. McMillan was referee, JUNIOR MATCH. THAMES V. PAEROA. The Paeroa junior representatives' journeyed to Thames oh Saturday and played against Thames in the Johnsen Cup competition. The g'ajme wasfast and open, especially during thefinal quarter. On the day it is, understood that the Paeroa team held its own against the homeMifteen, and it was due to bad luck that the scoreswere not reversed. Thames defeated the visitors by 11' pointe to 6, For Paeroa J. Rackham scored a try and kicked a penalty goto!.