FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5044, 27 October 1926, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

BANNER COMPETITION FINAL.

narrow win for west.

The Rugby toolball season was muugiu to a close at Paeroa on Sa<-Ux-day afieiiioon in perfect weaxhei. j. lie nxiuie set down was the i e Playing of die match West versus Netherton, which was ordered by the muon owing to the unfortunate conclusion that marked the game tlie two teams met previously. Tn© game on Saturday, which was tha imal in the banner competition, was cleanly played, apd, taking everything into coinsideration, as good a game us, has been seen, among the local senior players' this season, lire teams were evenly matched, and play w.as fapt and interesting, the result being in doubt right up to the call of .time. That West were lucky to defeat Netherton. by 8 points to 6 there can be no doubt. Honours were with the visitors up tQ the last quarter, when the home team rallied aud turned defeat into a narrow victory. It is interesting to record that the whole of the eight points were sewed by R. Swann, who played his best game of the season. This young player received a great ovation from the spectators, and was carried shoulder high off the field a,t .the conclusion of tlie match. The-teams were as follows: — West.—K. Dean, J. Conolly, R. Swann, J. Verran, L. NieM, L. ,C. Masters, J. Bigelow, W. Taylor, E. Neil, H. McKee, H. Shaw, M. Poland, V. Carrick, Gtonhalgh, T. Dawson. Netherton—G. Pullar, E. Potter, W. Potter, L. Potter, Wright, J. Catlin, H. Burt, Hearfield, T. Richmond, J. MoiTisG'n, E. Johnson, B. Johnson, Hayward, R. Morrison, T. Pullar. - Netherton kicked off and followed up, the position being relieved by Swann marking. The kick was, returned, and ip a scramble the visitors were penalised, but Taylor’s kick was' short. A 'forward rush by Netherton, in which B, Johnson and Hayward weto prominent, was stopped? by Swann kicking to the visitors’ twentyfive line. From the line-out Masters received and made a good opening before sending out to Swann, who misled the pass and allowed Netherton to force. A passing bout between. Burt and L. Potter gained, a lot of ground, but the movement w.as negatived by Ver.ratn intercepting and clearing. In a loose rush West carried up, but Wright save with a line kick. In loose play near half-way Conolly gained possession and made a great solo run only to be pushed out within a couple of feet of the line. Thej lineout went to Richmond, who cleared, with a long kick. The second round opened with the visitors on. the attack, and what looked like a, certain score was cleared by Taylor kicking out of bounds. A period of tight play followed ip front of the posts and resulted in E. Johnson receiving a long pass from T. Pullar and scoring a good try. E. Potter failed with the kick. Netherton 3, West 0. Up and down play ensued until the end of the quarter, the home team being continually on the defence. - I

On resuming after half-time tight play followed*inside West’s twenty-five, and resulted in a, force. The kick-out was immediately returned by HeaFfleld for another force. Keeping up the pressure a line-out was scrummed in. West’s twenty-five. In the following tight play the ball shot out to Hearfield, who made no mistake about scoring a good try. E. Potter failed to convert. Netherton 6, West 0. From the kick-out Swann gained possession and sent out to Mastera, who made a, good run before transferring to Conolly, on the wing, but a good chance to score was negatived by the> latter stepping over the side line.Nothing daunted, West instituted another rush, with Verran and Nield in: the lead, when Burt cut ii and cleared! to the corner.

The final quarter opened with tight play on the half-way line. Carrick picked up 'a,nd sent to Greenhalgh, who was forced over the side line. The line-out was cleared by Catlin marking. Offside play inside Netherton’s twenty-five gave Swann a kick from a difficult angle and he landed a beautiful goal. Netherton 6, West 3. The kick-out was carried! up by the visitors, but the movement was spoiled by Hayward giving a forward pass and Taylor cleared. In a rush the b.all was passed from Swann, to Ccnolly, to Verran. G. Pullar intercepted a pass and cleared to half-way. During a scramble inside Netherton’s twenty-five a breach occurred; but Dean’s kick missed and Wright returned play to neutral territory. Almost immediately the visitors were again penalised, and this time Swann failed with the kick. In tight play in the visitors’ territory a scrum was ordered. West hooked the ball; which was s’ent to Swann, who made a nippy run and scored well behind the posts. Swann tobk the kick and made the scores West 8, Netherton 6. The game 'ended shortly afterwards with play in Netherton’s territory. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee.