FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5168, 22 August 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCHES. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Bay of Plenty 6, v. Thames Valley 3. Thames 9, v. Paeroa 5. INTER-CLUB MATCHES. SENIORS : Turua 3, v. Waitakaruru 0. JUNIORS: Ngatea 3, v. Turua 3. PRIMARY SCHOOLS: Kerepeehi 5, v. Turua 0. THAMES VALLEY BEATEN. MATCH WITH BAY OF PLENTY. The match between the Bay of Plenty and the Thames Valley at Rotorua on Saturday was keenly contested, the visitors having hard luck to lose. The scores were : Bay of Plenty 6, Thames Valley 3. Thq Valley team scored from a penalty in front of the goal in the first 20 minutes. Kelly, for the Bay, scored near the' corner flag in the second quarter. No goal resulted. Play wa* even for the- remainder of the game. Nicholson secured the ball in the last half-minute and scored, the game ending: Bay of Plenty 6, Thames Valley 3.

Prominent for the Bay were Black, Haupapa, Nicholson, Kelly, and Hawkins, and for Thames Valley Goldsbury (full-back), Mcßae, Black, Rolleston. and Craig.

THAMES DEFEATS PAEROA.

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH,

On Saturday afternoon a Paeroa representative team played a Thames team at the local domain. The game was very even, and was played in the friendliest spirit. Unfortunately the soaked condition of the ground militated against the players being able to perform at their best, and mud and slush prevented a number of “heady” movements being brought off. Not only was the pace of the players affected, but the ball was heavy and slippery. There was a fair attendance of spectators, who witnessed a very interesting game. The combined play of the visitors, especially in the back division, won them ungrudging praise fropi the public, and Thames eventually won by nine points to five. The following were the teams : —

Thames. —C. Cameron, F. Moran, A, Winder, H. Donnelly, B. Harrison, T. Dufty, C. Grubb, J. Benney, A. Lomas, R. Smith, J. Strange, H. Ensor, M. Hayward, W. Percey, W. Pollock. Paeroa. —K. Dean, G. Wells, R. Swann, H. Wright, D. Smith, L. C. Masters, Watene, A. Morrison, Tahu, F. Pitch, R. Shaw, T. Greenhalgh, V. Carrick, M. Poland, S. Wyatt.

Hayward kicked off for Thames. Masters received and, heading a loose rush, carried play into the visitors’ territory, where, after a brief spell of tight play, Cameron forced. The kick-out was returned to Dufty, who quickly transferred play to Paeroa’s twenty-five. Several scrums were ordered in this area, and finally the ball shot out to Dufty, who had an unsuccessful drop-kick from near the twenty-five line. From tight play Wright made a nice opening, but offside play by Shaw negatived the movement. The kick was followed through by Moran, and in a scramble Wells forced. In tight play in front of the posts Winder failed to take a pass and Masters cleared. Keeping up the pressure the visitors returned play to Paeroa’s territory, and in a scramble Benney dived over and scored a good try. Winder failed to convert. Thames 3, Paeroa 0.

Play in the second quarter was characteristic of that in the opening one. Shortly before half-time Donnelly opened up a loose rush for the visitors, but Masters cut across and, intercepting a pass, scored a nippy try. The kick was taken by Swann, who added the extra points. Paeroa 5, Thames 3. Give and take play followed until the end of the, quarter. On resuming after half-time Hayward headed a close forward rush, and eventually the ball shot, out to the wing for Moran to score near the coiner. Strange failed with the kick. Thames 6, Paeroa 5. The' kick-out was followed up, and the home team was kept busy in defensive play. A ragged rush headed by Fitch and Carrick took play into the visitors’ territory, where, a passing rush was initiated by Paeroa, but a forward pass to Swann spoiled a certain try. A close forward rush by the visitors quickly transferred play to the opposite end of the field, and from a scrum Harrison secured and sent out to Dufty, who gave Moran a bad pass and the ball went out at the corner. At this stage a player on either side was ordered off but were immeiliately reinstated.

Directly following the kick-out in the final quarter Lomas headed a loose rush and, beating the opposition, scored a good try at' the corner. Moran failed with the kick. Thames 9, Paeroa. 5. Play went to Paeroa’s quarter, where Tahu marked and sent out at halfway. Thames; applied pressure and after close play Paeroa forced. A dribbling rush followed, in which Carrick and Fitch were prominent, but Dufty gained possession and found the line in the home team’s territory. From the iine-out Watene marked, but the- advantage gained was negatived by offside play. Several scrums followed, and Harrison opened up a good chance for Thames to score, but Swann whipped across and sent to Masters, who cleared. The game ended with’play in neutral territory. Mr J. M. Crosby was referee.

COMPLIMENTARY 7 .DINNER

In the evening a complimentary dinner was accorded the visitors at the Commercial Hotel by the Paeroa Rugby Union. In the- absence of the chairman (Mr C. T. Mettam), for whom an apology was tendered, Mr H. M. Shand presided. A hearty welcome to :be visitors wa.s extended by Mr Shand, who congratulated them on their win that afternoon. He assured the. Thames players that the local footballers were eagerly looking forward *0 the return match, and he hoped that the better team would win. The Paeroa Union

was handicapped for a suitable ground if wet weather preceded a match, and he was sorry the game that afternoon had been played under adverse conditions.

On behalf of the visitors and the Thames Rugby Union Mr T. Manning returned thanks for the welcome and hospitality shown the players.

Mr J. M. Crosby, who refereed the game, congratulated the visitors on their victory, and expressed the opinion that more inter-union matches should be encouraged. The game had been played in the friendliest of spirits, and although, naturally, hewould have been glad to see the local team victorious-, he believed the better team had won on the da.y.

The presi'dent of the Thames Valley Rugby Union (Mr J- W. Silcock) also added his congratulations to the winners. From the kick-off that afternoon he. thought that Thames was going to defeat Paeroa by 20 points. Continuing, Mr Silcock ventured the opinion that it would be in the best interests- of football if the Thames Union could see its way to amalgamate with the Thames Valley Union. There might be opposition to the suggestion, but he believed it would be in the best interests. At the present time the two unions were able to put out fair representative teams, but if an amalgamation was brought about he saw no reason why the district could not easily produce a Rnnfurly Shield team. He expressed the- hope that a conference would be called and his suggestion considered seriously. The captain of the visiting team, M. Hayward, returned thanks for the heart}' welcome accorded the visitors. He said that iris teqm had thoroughly enjoyed the game, and were looking forward to the return match. He was inclined to favour the suggestion put forward by Mr Silcock, but pointed out that it would be rather hard to break associations with Auckland after nearly forty years. However if an amalgamation was- brought about he believed it would stimulate the interest in the game in the district, and undoubtedly a great team could be selected.

Other speakers were the captain of the local team (L. C. Masters), the selector (Mr W, H. Taylor) and Mr T. Royal, member of the Paerd.t Rugby Union.

HAURAKI PLAINS GAMES.

CUP FINAL MATCHES

The Hatnaki Plains Rugby Union staged three matches at Ngatea on Saturday which should have been the finest games of the season, being the finals in the. three grades, but on account of the atrocious weather of the past week the playing fields- were half under water, and the games by no stretch of imagination could be likened to Rugby. A large number of spectators huddled along the sidelines, drawing their overcoats tightly about themselves to keep out the rain and the bitterly cold wind while they watched the thirty unfortunates wallowing in the- mud, shivering with the cold, striving desperately to attain an end designed for different conditions. Rugby is a winter game and tiie Plains players are used to mud, but Saturday’s games were the most unpleasant from the viewpoint of players; and spectators alike experienced for a very long time. Being Cup finals, interest and effort were sustained until the very end. In the senior game Turua secured one try, the result of good play and a lot of luck, and won the game, though Waitakaiuru had the advantage for the greater part of the time. The junior game resulted in a draw —three all—and Ngatea and Turua will play again for the Patetonga Shield. The Kerepeehi and Ngatea school teams; will also meet on a date to be arranged for the Terrill Cup.

INTER-UNIOxN MATCHES.

TEAMS FOR NEXT SATURDAY.

The following teams have been selected to take part in the inter-union competitions on Saturday next. The Paeroa and Waihi seniors will meet at Paeroa and the juniors at Waihi, and .the- Plains, and Piako seniors will play at Ngatea while the juniors meet at Te Aroha :—

Paeroa Seniors. —Full-back, K. Dean ; three-quarters, R. Swann, H. Wright, C. McNeil ; five-eighths, D. Smith, L. C. Masters ; half-back, L. Mcßae ; rover, A. Morrison ; forwards, R. Smith, F. Patterson, R. Shaw, V. Carrick, E. Greenhalgh, M. Poland, S. Wyatt. Emergencies;: Backs, G. Wells and L. Niehl; forwards, F. Fitch and A. Mills.

Hauraki Plains Seniors. —Full-back, E. Costello ; three-quarters, D. Molesworth, C. Stretton, R. Walters; fiveeighths, W. Blackl’aws, E. Johnston ; half-back, Catlin ; rover, D. Dalgety; forwards, Williams, P. Clark, R. C. Abel, R. ’ McPheirson, F. Mulgrew, R. Hutchinson, T. Rapana. Emergencies : Forwards, B. French and W. Clark ; backs. L. Cotter, F. Nicol, M. Madgwick.

Paeroa Juniors.—Full-back, L. sinnett ; three-quarters, A. Salby, F. Barakat, J. Conolly ; five-eighths, D. Brown, A. Fulton ; half-back, R. Mead; rover, H. R. Williams; forwards, B. McGuire, N. Neil, W. Pennell, R. Snow, L. Carrick, H. Mayo, G. Helling. Emergencies: C. Vincent, Robinson.

Hauraki Plains Juniors. —Full-back, A. Killgour ; three-quarters, T. Ryan, E. Cox C. Young; five-eighths, J. McPherson, F. Olsen; half-back, F. Franks; rover, R. Phillips ; forwards, L. Wilson, L. Zeiglar, H. Kirkman, A. Fisher, C. Blacklaws, Schofield, E. Braizendale. Emergencies: S. McKerchar, Hartley, T. Marshall, Cannon.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ UNION.

REPRESENTATIVES SELECTED.

At a curtain-raiser to the Thames v. Paeroa match at the local domain on Saturday two teams selected from boys attending schools affiliated with the Thames Valley Primary Schools’ Union played a game; on the No. 2 ground. The game was fast and willing, and although combination was lacking the lads threw the hall about freely and gave, a very fair exhibition of Rugby. The A team won by

three points. Mr T. C. Arnold was referee. At the conclusion of the match the following team was selected to represent the Thames Valley schools in the Northern Roller Mills Shield competition, which is to be played at Hamilton during the coming school holidays :— Edwards, Vowles, Curtis, Corbett, Hislop, Johnson (or Gleeson), from Paeroa: Berryman (3), Nichol, Luther, Stace, Johns, Glasgow, from Waihi; Willis. McGlashan, Stewart. Cole, Burgess. and Hynes, from Piako. After the team had been selected the president of th union (Mr J. Elliot) presented the Fleming Shield to the Waihi team. In handing the trophy to Johns, captain of the Waihi team, Mr Elliot congratulated the boys on their victory and also on the consistently good football they had played during the season. He reminded them that it was greater and better to play good football and to foster and cultivate a spirit of good sportsmanship and gentlemanly behaviour rather than to win trophies. The union was very grateful to the ilohors, Messrs W. Fleming and Son, Ltd., Paeroa, and he hoped that the keen competition would prevail and that the boys would ever remember to play up and play the game. On behalf of the winners Mr D. Me Pherson thanked the president for his congratulatory remarks. The Waihi boys were naturally proud of their success, and the handsome trophy would receive an honoured place at the school. The shield would certainly provide a.n added incentive to play the game for all it was worth, and it would not be for want of trying if Waihi lost the> shield next year. In conclusion Mr McPherson expressed thanks to the Thames Valley Rugby Union for thei encouragement and assistance given to school football.