FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5139, 15 June 1927, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

HAURAKI PLAINS COMPETITIONS.

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

Bad weather prevailed for the interclub matches on the Hauraki Plains on Saturday last, and as a result the West team was unable to travel to Waitakaruru to fulfil its engagements and the matches at Turua, and Kerepeehi were mud scrambles. Both fields were in very bad order and the standard of play was much affected. It had been hoped that the TuruaNgatea matches would have been played at Ngatea, where the field was dry as the Ngatea club had made a good offer and the Turua players were mostly in favour of the change. However, the executive of the Turua club considered that it would not be fair to the supporters, seeing that the game was the last of the season to be played at Turua. TURUA V. NGATEA. The senior, game was a mud scramble, in which neither team could show to advantage. Rain fell during the greater part of tire match, and it was impossible to handle or kick the ball with any degree of accuracy. There were several casualties during the game, but none of them was serious. Although the game was hard there was no rough play. The teams were as follows:— Turua.- —L. McCoid, E. Johnston, M. Madgwick, R. Madgwick, L. Ryan, W. Blacklaws, H. Elvin, K. Fox, E. Booth, H. Hill, E. Hill, R. Hutchinson, E. French, G. Elvin, G. McCowatt.

Ngatea—C. Wilton, G. Buchanan, H. M: McCollum, H. McCollum, F. Nicol, Hawera, Birkenhead, W. O Neil, K. McCollum, P. Solomon, R. C. Abel, R. McPherson, J. Riddell, D. Hutchinson, P. Leonard.

Turua kicked off and pla.y centred in neutral territory until a free kick found the line in Turua’s quarter. Play ranged from end to end of the field, and Ngatea failed to score with a free kick, close play following in the home team’s territory. Turua forwards were gaining ground when the Ngatea backs commenced handling the ball. However, the Turua forwards again secured, and close play followed on Ngatc.a’s line until a force resulted.

Turua opened the second round with ail attack, and after a scramble on the line Ngatea forced. Ngatea attacked and H. McCollum, following up a free kick, scored. Wilton failed to convert. Ngatea 3, Turua 0. After close- play in midfield in the second half Turua gained ground and held the visitors in their territory until Johnston followed up a punt and evened the scores. H. Elvin failed with the kick. Ngatea 3, Turua 3. Play ranged up and down the field, neither side holding the advantage for long. Johnston failed with a free kick, as did Elvin later in the game. Mr E. A. Mahoney was referee.

MEETING OF PLAINS UNION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR’ TEAMS. The management committee of the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union met at Ngatea on Monday evening, the president (Mr H. Dent) presiding over Messrs P. R. Henry, C. W. O’Loughlin, F. Rogers, H. L. Berney, G. L‘ Griffiths, C. Bertelsen, C. S. Foster, E. A. Mahoney, and W. Wylde (secretary). PIAKO MATCH. The tender of Mr G. Connell for the transportation of the representatives to Te- Aroha. was accepted. The bus will leave Waitakaruru at 11.30 a.m., and players will be picked up en route. Mr H. Dent was appointed manager, and a resolution was carried giving him sole authority to instruct the movements of teams while away from home. NGATEA MATCH. Mr C. Bertelsen was appointed manager of the junior team, which will play Piako at Ngatea. on Saturday next. The game "'ill commence at 2.30 p.m., and permission was given the Hockey Association to play a cur-tain-raiser at 1.30 and take up a collection in aid of its touring fund cm the understanding that it* was to be explained to contributors that the money was for the association and not for the Rugby Union. TRANSFERS . The transfers of E. Laing and RPhillips from the Ngatea. to the Waitakaruru club were approved, subject to the prior sanction of the Ngatea club. REGRADING. Messrs R. Whelan and S. Baigent of the Turua club, were regraded from senior to junior. SELECTION. Mr E. A. Mahoney was elected a senior grade selector for a month, while Mr R. H. Cameron is .absent from the district.

It was decided that after the selection of any representative teams, including the emergencies, the matter of making adjustments in the placing of the players be left entirely in the

hands of the captain and the manager. - INSURANCE. In connection with the union’s scheme for the insurance of players against accidents a committee, comprising Messrs. Dent, Mahoney, and Bcrney, was appointed to draw up rules, and administer the scheme. It was decided that representative players would have to contribute at the same rate, as in club matches to be entitled to benefits under the scheme. RULES. A letter from the Thames Valley Rugby Union asking for a copy of the sub-union’s rules for registration drew attention to the necessity for revising them, and it was decided that the matter be given attention at the next meeting. FINANCE. The secretary reported that the receipts for the season to date totalled £24 15s, and the expenditure was £l3 12s fid.