FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5159, 1 August 1927, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RESULTS OF INTER-UNION GAMES.

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

BOLAND CUP COMPETITION. Paeroa 6, v. Hauraki Plains 3, Waihi 11, v. Piako 3.

SHAREBROKERS’ CUP. Hauraki Plains 20, v. Paeroa 3.

THIRD GRADE: Paeroa 12, v. Thames P.T. 12. PRIMARY SCHOOLS: Waihi 16, v. Paeroa 3.

The Frank Poland Memorial Cup and Sharebrokers’ Cup Rugby football competitions were advanced a further stage on Saturday afternoon. The principal local attraction was the senior game Paeroa versus Hauraki Plains, which was played on the No. 2 ground .at the Domain. The afternoon was fine- barring for one. slight shower of rain at the beginning of the game. The playing field, however, was in a shocking state. Mud abounded, and in portions of the ground were muddy pools of water. In addition to the mud, which in many parts became a quagmire and about the consistency of porridge, the ground was exceptionally slippery. After about ten minutes’ play it was a difficult matter to recognise the players by their faces, and the- black and white Jerseys of the visitors and the green of the- home team became much the same colour, especially among the forwards, who were prominent in the mud. Considering the wretched state of the field and the heavy, greasy ball, really good football was seen, and the large crowd pf spectators was not slow to show appreciation of the players’ efforts. The home team showed considerable improvement on former matches, and had the better of the game until the last quarter. The Hauraki Plains forwards- were heavier than their opponents, and it was in the final quarter that their weight was felt to Paeroa’s disadvantage. Following were the teams:— Paeroa.—K. Dean, G. Wells, RSwann, C. McNeil. D. Smith, L. CMasters L. Mcßae-, A. Morrison, FPatterson, R- Shaw, V. Carrick, MPoland, E. Greenhalgh, R. Smith, CWyatt. Hauraki Plains. —E. Costello, F. Costello, R. Walters, D. Molesworth, M. Madgwick, E. Johnston, F. Nicol, D. Dalgety, P. Clark, R. Williams, R. C. Abel, R. Hutchinson, T. Rapana, RMcPherson, F. Mulgrew.

Plains kicked off and play went into Paeroa’s territory. Hutchinson received from the line-out, and in the tight a breach occurred and brought relief to the defenders. A forward rush headed by Patterson and Carrick was negatived by a knock-on, and Molesworth cleared. By a series of short rushes Paeroa gradually worked play into the visitors’ quarter, and a short kick by R. Smith looked like a score resulting, but Nicol cut across and forced. Play was returned to Plains’ territory, until a free kick relieved. The visitors gained considerable ground, and a breach gave Johnston an unsuccessful shot at goal from which Shaw cleared. A scramble followed ;] lineout near halfway until the home forwards kept close and in a nica movement R- Smith picked up and dived over the line. The kick by Wyatt went wide. Paeroa 3, Hauraki Plains 0. Short rushes about the halfway line followed until the end of the round.

Following the change-over Masters set Paeroa going, but the rush was stopped by McPherson, who sent to the line. In the tight play which followed Plains had a penalty kick on account of Mcßae hanging on to the ball. Wells received, but his kick wa, s blocked. The home forwards worked up the field, but Wells knocked on. Swann received from the kick and sent out to D. Smith, who made a good run and gained a lot of ground. In loose play the visitors advanced into Paeroa’s twenty-five, where a couple of scrums took place. Paeroa hooked well and Shaw broke through with the ball at toe and carried play into neutral territory. A free kick by Morrison • was well followed up, and after some tight play Poland gained possession and scored a good try. Wyatt failed to convert. Paeroa 6, Hauraki Plains 0. The visitors then attacked, a force resulting. The pressure was again applied by Pla.ins, but the Paeroa backs held together well and another force was recorded. On resuming after half-time Paeroa carried up the field by short rushes for Walters .to mark inside his twenty-five and clear. Swann received the ball and sent out to D. Smith, to Greenhalgh, to R. Smith, who had hard luck in not scoring a second try. Plains attacked, and several scrums eventuated Jp Paeroatarritory. Eventually McNeil gained possession, and after a good run found the line past the halfway flag. Plains attacked again, find some tight play among the forwards was seen until the ball shot out to Clark, who scored near the corner. Johnston’s kick was unsuccessful. Paeroa 6, Hauraki Plains 3.

In the final quarter Plains advanced and tight play ensued in Paeroa’s territory, the defenders eventually forcing. The visiting forwards returned with a passing rush, Rapana, Abel, and Hutchinson handling the ball well. A scrum near the posts gave McPherson an opportunity to score, but McNeil just beat him for the ball. Walters centred for Masters to relieve with a. long kick. The home side instituted a passing rush, but Greenhalgh was penalised for holding on and Nicol cleared. The Plains forwards were working well together, and play was kept close. Abel and McPherson were prominent in a rush, but the former over-ran the ball and Swann cleared to the line. Clark received from the throw-in, but did not get past the local backs and D. Smith found the line. Determined rushes were made by the- visitors for the remainer of the game, but although the Paeroa men were hard pressed their defence was sound and no further score was added. Mr W. Jonas, Te Aroha, was referee.