FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5026, 13 September 1926, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

RESULTS AT A GLANCEJUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES: Maffijnata 23, v. Paeroa 3. BANNER COMPETITION": West 6, v. East 0. Netherton 11, v. Suburbs. 3. PRIMARY SCHOOL: Netherton 22, v. Paeroa A 5. Paeroa B 28, v. Karangahake 8. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE GAME. Excellent conditions prevailed locally on Saturday for the carrying out of the programme arranged by the Paeroa Rugby Union. Two interesting matches were played, the West and East club seniors meeting in the Banner Competition and the Matamata and Paeroa junior* representatives trying conclusions. The junior game attracted most attention, and a fair exhibition of Rugby was witnessed. The Matajnata boys were far heavier than the local fifteen, especially in the forwards, and as the game progressed this, advantage became of great account. 1 The visitors were a well-trained team, and a,t the finish of a particularly fast game were' as full of go as when they commenced. Always on the ball, the forwards with their considerable* advantage in wteight simply swamped the local van 3 guard. The backs, too, were much superior to their opponents! and in combined movements and general tactics were a treat to watch. Whenever possible Matamata endeavoured to retain the ball amongst their own players and advance per medium of passing bouts, wherea.s the local boys adopted different tactics and generally kicked the ball when the opportunity offered.- The result —23 to 3 in favour of Matamata —was largely the outcome of this detrimental punting of the ball to the opposing side, a style of play for which Paeroa footballers in general ha,ve a penchant. For the first few minutes of the game play hung in the neutral zone. In an opening movement on the part of Paeroa a pass was intercepted by Matamata, and in a loose rush the visiting forwards reached the line. The final kick was too hard, however, and Moore by running back was able to clear. Paeroa remained on the defensive, and in a loose scramble. Moore was penalised for off-side play, but Matamata’s kick passed under the bar. With the help of a free kick Paej-oa passed the half-way line, openplay following in neutral territory. A penalty to Matamata was made good use of and the visitors rushed to the corner flag, the ball _going out in touch. The drop-oxit was returned, aiid in loose play in front of the posts G. Fawcett drop-kicked a nice goal. Matamata 4, Paeroa 0. Paeroa made the first advance in the second round, a forward sending the ball out from some tight Play to Mead, to Conolly, who carried to Matamata’s twenty-five flag. The visitors gained the advantagel in the. lineout a,nd a period of open play in midfled followed. An interchange of kicks ended in favour of Matamata, and when Moore Failed to handle the ball when pressed Richmond took possession and crossed the line, Ega'n converting. Shortly afterwards the Matamata backs were _set going From a line-out at haX-way, the ball passing along to Brown, on the wing, who crossed over in the corner. Egan failed with the kick. PaeDoa sjowly worked up the field,.and when the quarter ended the visitors were defending. The score at half time was 12 to 0 in favour of Ma'tamata. A number of line-outs took place about .the half-way line in the early stages of the third After punting down the line Matamata regained possession and centred for a score to be registered unopposed between the posts. Egan converted. Rackham retired and was replaced by Leach. Paeroa hooked the ba]l in a scrum near the half-way line and attempted a passing rush, but the Matamata vanguard smothered the movement and in a loose rush reached Paeroa’s line, a force resulting. An attack by Paeroa was then set up, a mark on the line saving the situation For Matamata. Pressure was renewed by Paeroa, and after loose play Neil scored in the corner but failed to add the extra points. Immediately afterwards a kick by Conolly was well fielded by Brown, who put in a good run up the line, before initiating a nice passjng bout in which half a dozen men handled the ball, but the last man wa,s ruled offside just as the opposition had been bested. Matamata went on -the attack from the opening kick in the final round,but Paeroa cleared From a scrum. The ensuing throw-in went to Matamata, and the ball was kicked pvei’ the line, a try being saved by' Leach boosting out of play. Difficulties again beset Paeroa when Mead sent a badly placed kick to Egan, who made a dashing run down the field, but his pass was missed by his supporter and the ball rolled out. From the throw-in the attacking backs got moving and Fawcett crossed the line, ma,king the scores Matamata 20, Paeroa 3. In tight play near half-way the visiting forwards broke through and reached the corner. A free kick to Paeroa gave little relief, and from the ensuing tight play on the line Brown added’ another three points to Matamata’s score. Time was called shortly afterwards, the final result being, Matamata 23, Paeroa 3. Mi- R. B. Penlington wa.s referee.

BANNER COMPETITION. WEST V. EAST. The knock-out banner competition match between East and iWesti was played on the Nd. 2 ground, and after a well-contested game West gained a victory by 6 points to 0, the Score being the result of two tries registered ' by Verrah and Carrick. PRIMARY SCHOOL, GAMES.' The matches played in the primary school competition on Saturday resultin Netherton defeating Pa.erba A by 22 to 5 and Paeroa B. gaining a victory over Karangahake to the tune of 28 to 8. The shield has now been won by Netherton for the third year in succession. -