FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5193, 19 October 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SPRAGUE SHIELD FINAL.

PUBLIC WORKS BEATS RAILWAYS.

Fortunately no 'heavy rain fell on Saturday afternooon last, but the dull and threatening weather conditions no doubt prevented many persons being present at the Paejroa Domain to witness the final Rugby game in the Sprague Shield competition. The issue was between a Public Works Department team and a fifteen selected from Thames Valley railway • employees. The match was willing, but uneven in that the Public Works forwards were much the heavier, while the Railways backs were superior and showed more combination than, their opponents. The game ended in a win for Public Works by 11 points to 8, and the victors have the right to hold the Sprague Challenge Shield for the season. Had the Railway team had its regular players, including R Smith and Greenhalgh, there is every probability that the scores would have been reversed The only regrettable incident during the game was that Tabu, a Public Works forward, was ordered off the field in the last quarter for rough play after being warned a couple of times. Tries for Public Works were scored by H. Wilton, H. Moore, and H. Pennell, and Moore converted one try. The scorers for the Railway team were McQuairters and L. McNeil, H. Smardon converting one try. Mr F. T. V. Johnson was referee. ODDFELLOWS DEFEAT DRUIDSAs a curtain-raiser to the Shield game the Netheyton Oddfellows Lodge met and defeated the Paeroa Druids Lodge by six points to three. The game proved rather a fiasco, as tihe visitors took the field two men short, while the local team comprised eleven men only. For the Oddfellows T. Johnson and J. Woodhall scored tries, and J. Verran scored a try for the Druids. Mr L. C. Masters was referee.

In the evening the members of the Thames Valley Power Board and Railway football teams were the guests of the Public Works Department at a smoke concert held at the Soldiers Club. Mr W. Turner presided, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent.