PLAINS FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5178, 14 September 1927, Page 1

PLAINS FOOTBALL.

TURUA WIN’S DENT CUP.

JUNIOR SHIELD TO NGATEA.

Th© last Rugby matches of the season on the Plains were played on Saturday last, when the bent Cup senior grade knock-out competition and the junior inter-'Club competition were completed at Ngatea. Rain fell throughout, the afternoon, and the standard of play was greatly affected, neither of the matches being even a fair exhibition of the game. Kerepeehi having won by default from Waitakaruru in the first round of the knock-out competition for the Dent Cup, met the Turua team, which had beaten Ngatea on the previous Saturday. However, as many of the Kerepeehi Maori players did not consider the team of sufficient strength to make a showing they did not play, and the team that took the field was a scratch one of twelve men, of whom ■only four were seniors. The surprising thing was that they did so well, for it was not until the third Quarter that their line was crossed. The Turua fifteen made a very poor showing. For a team which had played almost every Saturday and had won the inter-club competition the exhibition was disappointing, and there were many comments' that had Kerepeehi fielded a decent team it would probably have won the cup. In the first Quarter Catlin kicked a penalty goal. In the third quarter M. Madgwick scored an unconverted try and in the final round R. Madgwick also scored, while a few minutes later A. Nicholson scored for Kerepeehi. Mr D. G. McMillan was referee. ' THE JUNIOR FINAL. The Turua and Ngatea juniors again met at Ngatea on Saturday in the final of the inter-club competition for the Patetonga Shield, this time the game resulting in a win for the home team by 11 points to 0. A wet ball and slippery field made an uninteresting forward game. The teams appeal - ed to be fairly evenly matched, and the scores were not an indication of the play. The following were the players:— Ngatea.—Killgour, Young, B. King, S. McKerchar, J. McPherson, .Wellington F. Franks, R. Phillips, T. Taranaki, L. Wilson, H. Kirkman, Hartley, G. Johansen, B. Kim, H. Barriball. Turua. —J. Marshall, T. Ryan, K. Cosson, W. McCoid, E. Braizendale, F. Olsen, F. Marshall. H. Schofield, W. Bell, W. White, Rangi, S. F.arrant, Leith.art, H. Baker, Hamilton. Ngatea kicked off and close play centred in midfield until Turua gained the advantage and sent the ball out in touch. Following the drop-out play remained in Ngatea’s quarter, and was hard and close until McKerchar relieved from a scrum. The Turua forwards returned to the attack, but Ngatea secured, and in open play advanced to Turua’s line. After a scrum under the posts< McPherson scored. Kirkman failed to convert. Play remained in neutral ground for some time, Ngatea gaining ground and compelling a force. The second quarter opened with hard play in neutral territory, neither side holding an advantage for long. Ngatea eventually assumed control and a force resulted, after which operations were again 'restricted to the neutral zone. On resuming after half-time Turua attacked and quickly compelled a force. More loose forward play ensued in neutral territory until long kicking took play to Ngatea’s end, where close play ensued until Bakei infringed and the kick was sent, out well up the field. From the throw-in the Turua forwards attacked, but Franks marked and sent Ngatea on the attack, and play wasi close to Turua’s line when change-over was called. The last, quarter opened with fast play up and down the field, and from one rush Johansen secured after following up a long kick .and scored. Kirkman failed to convert. Turua attacked and close play ensued in Ngatea’s end. The home forwards assumed control and worked out to midfield., and then slowly gamed ground until Turua forced. Another force by Turua quickly followed, and then a long kick took play to midfield. In close play Turua reached Ngatea’s line, but the defenders worked back again and young secured in neutral territory and scored. Phillips converted. No further score was registered, and the gameended Ngatea 11, Turua 0. Mr J. Kidd was. referee.