FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5154, 20 July 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

POLAND (TP MATCH, PLAINS BEATS WAIHI. A drop-kicked goal gave Hauraki Plains a win in the Poland Cup match at Ngatea on Saturday last, when the Waihi representatives were beaten by 12 point* to 8 in a hard, even tussle. The field was dry, and there was a good attendance of spectators. The match was, late in commencing owing to the unpunctual ity of some of the Plains players. The teams were as follows :— Hauraki Plains.--E. Costello, P. Roti, C. Stretton, E. Johnston, E. Smart, F. Nicol, G. Paton, R. Dalgety, W. William*, G. Buchanan, R. C. AbeL F. Mulgrew, R. Hutchinson, T. Rapana, C. Clark. Wi’ihi.--Tubman, Faulkner. Black, McDermott, Gilpin. Saunders, Garvey, Price, Craig, Bunting, Rolleston, Peacock/ Walters, Agnew, Knight. From the kick-off Waihi attacked and play centred in Plains’ quarter until Johnston relieved with a dribbling rush to the other twenty-five,. From a throw-in Waihi rushed . to halfway, where Plains had a free kick, but the ball bounced from the bur. back into the field and Waihi carried into midfield. Hard forward play ensued, and Pla.ins failed to score with a kick from halfway. Plains followed up and a scrum took place in front of the posts. .Waihi hooked and Price returned to the other end of the field, but from a scrum Paton relieved and Johnston carried into neutrgl territory. The Waihi forwards returned to the attack and Dalgety saved by marking and finding the line. Play centred in midfield until long kicks by Plain--- found the visitors out of position. Smart secured fiom a crosskick and scored. Johnston failed to convert. Plains 3, Waihi 0. The second spell opened with an attack by the Plains forwards. Smart retired and Wilton went on ill hFi place. The Waihi backs advanced and a drop-kick at goal failed, Wilton marking. Black failed with a free kick and play remained in Plains territory. Mulgrew broke away in a line-out and with Abel dribbled to the line, Mulgrew scoring. Johnston converted. Plains 8, Waihi 0. Haid forward play followed in neutral territory until Mulgrew and Abel again took the ball to Waihi’s end, where a series of long kicks ensued. Costello secured, and after a good run kicked over the line for. a force. The- Waihi forwards worked up the field and McDermott secured and scored a neat try. Black converted. Plains 8, Waihi 5. Play was in midfield when half-time was called.

The second half opened with loose play in midfield, Plains gaining ground. McDermott secured in his own twenty-five and made a splendid run, punted over the full-back, and was awarded a try on account of obstruction by a spectator. Price failed to convert. Plains 8, Waihi 8. Waihi kept on the attack, the backs proving very dangerous. Mulgrew broke away and took play to halfway, where a kicking bout took place until fhe Waihi backs got going. Abel stopped the- rush and Stretton reached the visitors’ territory. Waihi failed with a penalty kick but followed up. Nicol saved by marking on the line, and play went to neutral territory. Waihi worked back again and Black failed to score with a penalty kick.

Hard, close play about the halfway line followed the opening kick in the final, round, and there was much punting and ma.ny line-outs. In the loose Waihi was superior, but the few outstanding Plains forwards; spoiled their work. Waihi had the best hookers and a very good half-back, who .frequently opened up the game. Honours were even in the line-outs. Play ranged up and down in neutral territory, neither side holding an advantage for. long. When play was about Waihi twenty-five Costello drop-kicked a goal. Plains .12, Waihi 8. From then on. play was much faster. Waihi failed with a free kick and Nicol forced. Play remained in Plains territory, the Waihi rover throwing away a try by bad passing. Mr T. Turner was referee.