FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5177, 12 September 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE.

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. Waikato 17, v. Thames Valley 3 Thames 15, V. Paeroa 0.

KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION. Turua 9, v. Kerepeehi 3. CLUB MATCH. Ngatea 11, v. Turua 0. WAIKATO Y. THAMES VALLEY. ANOTHER WIN FOR WAIKATO. The Waikato and Thames Valley representative Rugby teams met at Te Aroha on Saturday, and a victory was registered by the former to the tunc of 17 points to 3. Although the ground was in fair order the weather conditions' were bad. Shortly after the commencement of the match drizzling rain set in, and conditions gradually got worse, culminating in a heavy downpour which lasted for the whole of the last quarter. Under such conditions a high standard of play was not to be expected. The tactics of the home team made for a close forward game, and in this style of play the vanguard more than held its own. All the open play was contributed by the Waikato, backs, and many good passing rushes, were indulged in by these of whom Carter and Clemett were -the pick. Thomas, the full-back, also played a fine game. In a fairly even set of forwards Keightley and Cameron were prominent. The Thames Valley backs were weak, and showed no combination, Black being the best of these individual players.. Price as rover quite held his own against Bayly. Mc : Pherson played a sterling game, and was the best forward on the field. Mulgrew and Rolleston were also prominent. McPherson, Price, and Mulgrew should receive consideration in the trial match which is to take place before the selection of the South African touring team.

The following players took the field :—

Waikato.— S. Thomas, Clemett, Kemp, Quin, Carter, Fitzgerald, Tuck, Bayly, Welch, Dagg, Courtney, Montgomery A. Cameron, Charlston, Keightley.

Thames Valley—S. Goldsbury, Lipsey, McDermott, Black, Saunders, Mcßae, Price, McLaren, Young, Rolleston, Walters, McPherson, Mulgrew, Smith. Black’s kick-off was returned by Cameron to Mcßae, who found the line. From the throw-in the ball went across the field to Clemett, who was tackled by Goldsbury, a free kick going to Thames Valley. The ball went to the Waikato backs, who advanced in a goood line, but the movement broke down and Black with a solo run carried play into the visitors’ territory. A penalty kick by Black fell short of the postsr, and a rush by Waikato was only stopped at halfway by sound tackling by McDermott. Starting from a scrum in midfield the Waikato backs entered the home team’s twenty-five. In attempting to clear Lipsey, who had changed positions with Goldsbury, made a faulty kick and Quin nipped in and scored a nice try behind the posts. Thomas converted. Waikato 5, Thames Valley 0. • Play remained in neutral territory until Black received from a penalty kick and with a tricky run entered Waikato’s twenty-five. The visitors hooked in a scrum, but Price downed Carter and gave his forwards an opportunity to score, but the finishing touch was missing and the ball went out near the corner. A struggle then took place in front of the posts until Carter broke through and started a passing rush which went the whole length of the field. Kemp, Clemett, and Fitzgerald took part ii) the movement, Fitzgerald being the one to crossi the line. Thomas failed with the kick. Waikato 8, Thames Valley 0. Thames Valley advanced in the second quarter, but Cameron reversed the positions and Carter was about to set the- Waikato backs going when he was solidly tackled by Black. The Thames Valley forwards worked back into neutral territory and Towers punted the ball to Thomas-, who was tackled immediately he took the catch. A short struggle on the line ensued a force eventually being registered. Black with a badly placed kick put his side in difficulties, and Carter, Kemp, and Clemett handled the- ball in turn for a try. Thomas failed to convert, Waikato 11, Thames Valley 0. The Thames Valley forwards showed to advantage in close play and several times worked into Waikato’s twenty-five, but on each occasion the visiting backs cleared or the advantage was lost bj r bad handling when the home backs joined in. After half-time Thames Valley pressed, but the backs mulled the bah and Clemett returned play to midfield. A kicking bout followed until a hard punt by Clemett resulted in a force. Pressure was applied by Waikato, McPherson bringing relief with a fine dribble into neutral territory. From loose play the ball was kicked out to Goldsbury and with a good kick he found the line in Waikato’s territory. Tight play followed in the corner. Rolleston eventually crossing the line. Black’s kick was unsuccessful. Waikato 11, Thames Valley 3. The Waikato forwards lost no time in the final quarter, and following the opening kick they .went with an irresistible rush over the line for Keightley to score. Thdmasi failed with the kick. Waikato 14, T. V. 3. A lengthy period of open play then ensued until a hard kick sent the Ball over Thames Valley’s line for a force. After an exchange of kicks a five-yards scrum was ordered in the home team’s twenty-five from which the defenders worked back into midfield. Here Fitzgerald gained possession and passed to Carter, to Kemp, to Clemett who finished the movement with a fine run over the line near the corner. Thomas again failed to convert. Waikato 17, Thames Valley 3. A few minutes only remained for play, and during that time Young and Courtney ♦ransgressed and were ordered off the field. No further score resulted, and the game terminated with play in neutral territory. Mr T. Turner was referee.