FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5156, 25 July 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIORS: West 6, v. Suburbs 3. Waitakaruru 17, v. Kerepeehi 3. Ngatea won by default from West. JUNIORS: East 5, v. West 0. Turua A 9, v. Turua B 6. Waitakaruru by default from Kerepeehi. Ngatea by default from West. FINAL OF SENIOR COMPETITION. WEST AGAIN WINS SHIELD. The Paeroa Rugby Union brought its senior competition’ for the 1927 season to a close on Saturday afternoon at the local domain. The final game in this competition, which carries with it the right to hold the McCullay shield for the season, was played between West (last year’s winners) and Suburbs (Hikutaia). There was a large attendance of spectators to witness' the game, and both teams were well supported by barrackers. The weather was fine, but the heavy rain which had fallen previously made the ground muddy and slippery, while in one or two portions of the field there were deep puddles of muddy water. The ball was very heavy and difficult to handle. The game, which was played in the friendliest of spirits, was fast and open, and the result was in doubt right up to the call of time. The visitors fieldefi the heavier side, and although the weight should have told .against their opponents the forwards appeared to lack the necessary dash to finalise a movement in tight play, and as a consequence several opportunities to score were not made x the most of. However, the forwards played a solid game, especially when on the defence. The West backs played good football, and were mainly responsible for the team gaining its victory. Generally, this match was one of the best senior club games seen at the domain this season. Following were the teams: — West.—H. Smardon, G. Wells, L. Nield, H. Coldicutt, K. Dean, R. Swann, L. C. Masters, M. Poland, E. Neil, W. Edwards, R. Shaw, V. Carrick, E. Greenhalgh, H. McKee, H. Mills.

Suburbs. —C. Heslop, E. Bennett, W. Bennett, B. Rare, J, Watene, p, Corbett, L. Mcßae, A. Morrison, F. Patterson, M. Brown, E. Robson, T. Killgour, S. Wyatt B. Tahu, W. Vedder.

Masters kicked off for West for Patterson to return, but offside play gave West a free kick. Watene received and carried into West’s territory, where Wells picked up and sent to the line. The line-out was scrummed, and offside play gave McRa.e a good chance to line in West’s twenty-five. A loose rush resulted in Wells sending out near halfway. From the line-out a scrum followed. West hooked well, but Masters was unsupported and a scrum was ordered. Masters again secured and sent out at the halfway flag. Wells received from the line-out and sent a long kick into Suburbs’ twenty-five. Morrison picked up in tight play and sent up the field. In a scramble West gained a penalty, but Dean’s kick was blocked. In tight play Greenhalgh gained possession and dived over the line. Swann failed with the kick. West 3, Suburbs 0. The kick-out was sent to the line, and from the throw-in Mcßae carried into West’s territory. Patterson carried on, but Smardon relieved to the line inside- his own twentyfive flag. In the ensuing tight play Morrison picked up and dived over. Wyatt failed to convert. West 3, Suburbs 3. After the change-over a scrum was ordered inside Suburbs’ twenty-five line. West hooked and Masters sent out to Swann, who made a good swerving run to the line. When about to dive over, the ball was knocked out of his hands but Masters, who had followed up smartly, caught it. in the air and scored. The kick at goal; failed. West 6, Suburbs 3. Play hung round -near the halfway line until Suburbs attacked with a loose forward rush, but a penalty relieved. Play went to the other end of the field, where Dean failed with a dropkick and Heslop forced. From a lineout in West’s twenty-five the Suburbs backs started a passing bout, but E. Bennett failed to take the ball, which went out. Rare knocked on from the line-out and the pressure was relieved for a time. Suburbs soon returned on the attack, and in tight piny the defenders were penalised but Wyatt failed to score.

On resuming after half-time play went into West’s territory, but Dean took a good mark and cleared. From a line-out Masters made a good run before passing to Coldicutt, to Wells, who failed to receive, the ball and Vedder cleared. In tight play Corbett secured and sent out to Brown, to Killgour. Masters, intercepted the last pass and sent out near the halfway flag. Brown broke away from the line-out and punted down the field for Dean to clear. In the final quarter West attacked from the opening kick and compelled Suburbs to force. A rush by West was spoiled by Dean holding on and W. Bennett cleared. West returned in a strong attack, and after a hard struggle Wyatt forced. Give and take play followed for some time. In the loose Nield marked near Suburbs’ twenty-five line, the ball being returned by Rare to halfway. A scrum followed the line-out, and in loose play Coldicutt carried up for Killgour to force. Poland headed a loose rush, but offside play negatived the movement, a free kick to Suburbs relieving the pressure. Patterson sent to the line and the game ended without any further scores being registered. Mr D. G. McMillan was referee. THE JUNIOR GAME. To enable the selectors to choose players to form an additional team (City) to take pflrt in the knock-out competition for the Drysdale Cup, the East and West juniors played a friendly game on the No. 2 ground. The game was well contested, and resulted in a win for East by five points to nil. A try was scored by X Walls which S. Williams converted. Mr J. Rackha.m was referee.