FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5020, 30 August 1926, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIORS: Piako 17, v. Hauraki Plains 6. Waihi 6. v. Fferoa 3. JUNIORS: Thames 13, v. Hauraki Plains- c . PRIMARY SCHOOL: Thames Valley 40.-v. Sou-.h Auckland 5 PIAKO V. PLAINS. The decisive match of the Frank Poland Memorial Cup competition fur the season was played at Te Aroha on Saturday, when Piako 1 beat Plains by 17 points to 6 and thereby became three points ahead of the runners-up. As there is only one more match to be played Piako will retain the cup. The game was an interesting, hardfought contest, but the scores- did not indicate the respective strengths of the teams, for although the Piako backs were better individually and in combination, the forwards were hot up to the class of the visitors from the Plains. The luck of the game, perhaps> more than anything else, was responsible for Piako’s victory, though they undoubtedly made the most of every opportunity. The field was wet and well worn.Jjut not as slippery as would be expected. A strong wind was blowing ..along the field, a,nd the .wetness- made the ball heavy and difficult to handle and kick with accuracy. F. Goldsbury was the Outstanding .Piako player, with Stoupe, McQuarters, and Arkle also conspicuous. On the whole’ the Piako pack ha.d the advantage in the scrums. Molestworth played well as full-back-for Plains-. Smart was good on the defensive, but Walters and Chapman were a little disappointing. With the exception of Gill and Booth the Plains forwards played excellently, McPherson and Cleave being outstand-

ing. The, teams were as* follows .:— Piako.—Thorne, S. Goldsbury, H. Stoupe, McQuarters, Samson, Arkle, Tai, F. Goldsbury, Grice, Luxtbn, McLaren, Montgomery, Ryan, Samson,

Mulgrew. Plains. —Molesworth, Walters, Molloy, Buchanan, Madgwick, Smart, Chapman, Duncan, Gill, Booth, P. Clark, Hutchinson, C. Clark, Cleave, McPherson. Plains kicked off, and play was in midfield until Arkle, Stoupe, and Goldsbury carried into Plains’ territory, where Molesworth stopped' the rush. Play remained in that quarter until Duncan short-kicked, to Stoupe, whoj passed to Samson for .the latter to score near the corner. The kick was unsuccessful. Piako 3, Plains- 0Piako rushed play to the visitors’ territory. Tai opened another rush which Molloy’ stopped. Despite good dribbling bouts the visitors were kept on tlie defensive until by close play they worked to the other ond of -the field. After a flve-yards> scrum and close play under the posts Piako worked back to midfield. The home team’s three-quarters attacked, the ■movement terminating in a force. Piako remained, on the attack. Several ' five-yards .scrums followed, aiid then a penalty to the defenders, but ‘Piako returned and the visitors were defending when the quarter ended. The Plains forwards; gradually gained ground in close play in th® second round, but they lost the advantage in the opeii. Plains attacked, and after close play Piako forced. Chapman secured from tight play at hall-way and passed to Smart, who kicked to the corner where Stoupe saved by kicking the ball out of 'Buhands. A fine passing rush by Molloy, Smart, Cleave, and Walters ended in the latter scoring. Molloy failed to Convert. —Piako 3, Plains 3. Gill returned the kick-but to McQuarters, who opened an attack for Piako; From a throw-in the Plains forwards dribbled to Piako’s twentyfive, where close play ensued near the line. McQuarters initiated a passing rush which Cleave stopped, but in open play Piako gained ground. From a line-out in Plains’ twenty-five Duncan and Cleave dribbled to the other end of the field. Goldsbury secured and started a forward rush which terminated in a good try by J. Samson. Stoupe converted. Piako 8, Plains 3. Piako opened the second half with an attack which Molesworth repelled, play going to the other twenty-five. Stoupe gained possession in the open and was hot brought down until he had reached the Plainsi* line. For some time the visitors defended, Molesworth’s kicking being good. Molloy and Duncan relieved for a period, but Piako soon returned and from close play near the line, F. Goldsbury scored. The kick was disallowed. Piako 11, Plains 3. From a scrum at Plains’ twenty-five line Piako kicked, and Buchanan and Mulgrew sent the ball to; the dead-ba,ll line. More close play followed near Plains’ line, terminating in a force. Tn tight play the visitors worked up the field for a force. Cleave returned the drop-out, and Piako gained a penalty. McQuarters followed up the kick and too<k it on the full, running from his own quarter to score in the corner. Goldsbury failed to convert. Piako 14, Plains 3. Open play continued in neutral territory for the remainder of the quarter. Plains attacked in the final round, the ball going to the dead-ball line. After tight play near Piako’s line Montgomery relieved to half-way, where play became ‘tight again. Stoupe secured, and after a good run passed to S. Goldsbury, who scored.The kick failed. Piako 17, Plains 3. The kick-out went to Molesworth, who passed to Buchanan to carry down the field. A Plains penalty kick was marked aiid lined, play following near Piako’.s line. A long kick went out at half-way, but from the throw-in the Plains forwards attacked and a force resulted. Play went to midfield until Chapman sent to Piako’s territory, froni where McPhertson scored after close play- ■ C- Clark failed to convert. Piako 17, Plains 6. Mr A. W. Dunstan was referee.