FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5008, 2 August 1926, Page 3

FOOTBALL

WAIKATO V. THAMES VALLEY.

VISITORS WIN BY 31 POINTS TO 6-

Playing conditions at Paeroa were perfect on Saturday for the Waikato v. Thames Valley Rugby football match, the first representative fixture of the; local union this season. In view of the approaching tour by the Thames Valley representatives added interest was. created in the match, as the final selection was to be made on the day’s, play. Consequently the crowd which assembled was one of the largest of recent years seen at a. football match on the local domain, and the gate takings totalled to a sum exceeding £9O. Slight alterations were made to the, original selections, and the following composed the teams : —

Waikato.— Robson, Buckingham, Kemp, Paki, Anderson, Dare, Mitchell, Howard, Courtney, Thomas, Carter, Benne.tt, Bourke, Montgomery, Chapman.

Thames Valley.—Johnston, McQuatters, Towers, Buchanan, Nicol, Malt, Masters, F. Goldsbury, Patterson, Young, Robinson, Keohan, McPherson, McLeay, Peacock. The home team kicked off and immediately afterwards gained a penalty, the ball being sent out at the twenty-five flag. Kemp received from the line-out and made a run to halfway, where the forwards joined in and carried, on to Thames. Valley’s twenty-five. In the ensuing close play the defenders committed a breach and Dare opened the scores with a good goal. Waikato 3, Thames Valley O'.

With play in midfield the Waikato' backs initiated a passing bout, Mitchell, the last man to handle the ball, in the movement, sending out in the corner. Operations gradually worked back to half-way, from where Thames Valley had an unsuccessful shot- at goal. A penalty kick, to both sides gave the advantage to the home, team, and line play ensued in Waikato’s territory. Howard intercepted a pass ’from the throw-in, and with a loose rush the Waikato forwards crossed the line, Carter scoring. Waikato 8, Thames Valley 0.

Play wept to the visitors’ twentyfive, and after some close forward work Masters broke away with McQuartera in support. With a- clear fled McQuarters received from Masters and ran across the line, but was brought back for a breach. The free kick was well followed up, and play swung to the other end df the field. A penalty brought relief and McPherson placed Waikato oh the defensive by carrying to the twenty-five line. Play became clos.e, and l was restricted to neutral territory for the remainder 9f the quarter.

The second rdund opened with a passing bout between Anderson, Buckingham, and Howard, the latter unfortunately knocking on. Thames Valley remained on the defensive until Johnston neatly side-stepped ah opponent and with a long kick cleaned to the other twenty-five. Waiktao \tr.ansgress.ed, but* Johnston did ho good with the kick. Masters, received from a line-out, and sent tb| Malt, to Nicol, but with a splendid opening Towers failed to take, the ball when deivlered by Nicol. The defending forwards, broke through and kicked past Johnston, but Towery covered nicely and made' a good save, Buckingham, Anderson, ahd Mitchell then took part in a passing rush, which broke down at the twenty-five line owing to a forward pass. Malt came away in tight play and sent dolwn the field, McLe,ay finally kicking over the line for a force. Close play in midfield terminated with a forward rush by Thames Valley which reached the corner. Temporary relief for Waikato came with a mark, McPherson immediately leading the home forwards back again. Chapman eventually cleared, and play remained in neutral territory until the bell rang for half-time.

Taking the field .after half-time Campbell replaced Buckingham. Commencing play, Peacock and McPherson followed up the kick-off and entered Waikato’s territory. The defenders suffered a penalty, but Johnston failed to goal from a good position. Goldsbury returned the dropout, and following up regained possession and pass.ed to PeacOck, who threw the ball but to an open field. Tight play termintaed with ‘another unsuccessful penalty kick by Johnston. The forwards then had a struggle in midfield until McPherson and McLeay broke away with the ball at toe, to the posts, the former scoring. Keohan failed to convert. Waikato 8, Thames; Valley 3. During hard fOrlward play in midfield Bennett was injured and was, replaced by Finlayson. Waikato gained the upper hand and carried down to the line, where a scrum was ordered. The ball ‘came but to Howard, who dived over, Dare adding the extra, points. Waikato 13, Thames Valley 3. The game opened up for the remainder df the quarter, a number of kicking bouts helping to swing operations from one end of the field tb| the other.j Finally Waikato instituted a strong attack, but off-side play checked the advance on the line. The next movement was a passing rush by Dare and Pa.ki which the end of the quarter.

7 The final round brought the collapes of the hbime team. Follolwing the opening kick Montgomery picked up and with a run down the line he beat the opposition to score under the posts. Dare converted. Waikato 18, Thames Valley 3.

Malt received after an exchange of kicks and started n; passing rush for the home team, but when a try sieemed likely Buchanan failed tci take a pass. A penalty wept to Thames Valley immediatley afterwards and Johnston converted. Waikato 18, Thames Valley 6.

Shortly afterwards Howard intercepted and made a good run before transferring to Anderson, who; touched down between the posts. Dare added another two points, making the scores Waikato 23, Thames Valley 6.

Howard lost ho time in again breaking away, and with Campbell

gained a lot ot ground before the ball went out. Play remained in neutral territory for some time, .the Waikato backs indulging in many passing bout£ but without result. Campbell and Howard had a line-out on their own and lost no time in making for the goaj-line, but were; brought back fo'r another throw-in. Paki, on the other wing, next put in a run, only to be pushed- out near the corner. Play returned -to halt-way until from a line-out Montgomery broke away and passed to an open field. Campbell nipped in and took possession of the ball and crossed the line. Dare converted. Waikato 28, Thames Valley 6. The Waikato forwards lost no time in resuming the attack, but Johnston was the stumbling block and he cleared. The relief was only temporary, however, for from the line-out Courtney broke away and beat all opposition. Dare failed with the kick and the, ga:me ended Waikato 31, Thames Valley 6. Mr R. B, Penlington was referee. THE CURTAIN-RAISER. The curtain-Haiser was a match between the Waihi and Piako primary schoolboys, and a victory was registered for Waihi by 16' points to 9. Mr C, W. T, Sheen was rdferee. THAMES VALLEY TOURING TEAM. MEMBERS SELECTED. The following players have been chosen by the selector, Mi- W. White, to represent the Thames Vajley oh tour :— Backs McLeay, Malt, Gilpin, Waihi ; L. Masters, Paeroa; Cleave, Hauraki Plains ; Stoupe, S. Goldsbury, Towers, Piako. Forwards F. Goldsbury, Young, Piako; Patterson, Robinson, Taylor, Paeroa ; McPherson, Hauraki Plains ; Peacbtek, Keohan, Crimmins, Waihi. One back and one forward have yet to be selected. The team is to assemble at the Palace Hotel, Te Aroha, at mid-day on Wednesday next.