FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5304, 25 July 1928, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

GAMES ON THE PLAINS.

THE DENT CUP MATCHES.

The annual knock-out competition foir the Dent Cup was commenced at Ngatea on Saturday last, and wins were secured by Waitakaruru (3) from Ngatea (0), and by Turua (5) from Korepeehi (3). These' teams will play off at Ngatea on Saturday next.

Fine weather, prevailed, and thefie was a large attendance. A strong breeze was blowing from end to end of the playing field throughout the two games.

The first, match was between Waitakaruru and Ngatea, and was late in starting, the result being that the second half was reduced to two spells of ten minutes each. Waitakaruiru played eight, men in the scrum and did without a rover.' The players were as. follows :—

Ngatea.—R. Phillips, W. Williams P. Reti, A. J'. Simpson, C. White, J. McPherson, A. Killgour, S. D.algcty, L. P,Ockham, R. C. Abel, P. Leonard: M Martin, J. Hartley, H. Kirkman. Waitakaruru. —C. Stretton, G. Hill, C. Wilton, M. Caie, D. Molesworth, C. Clark, G Paton, G. Hill, E. Pett, KCaie, J. Dobbs, V. Hayward, A. Craig, J. Mill’pgtoiL L. Cox,head.

Ngatea kicked off against the wind and play was in mid-field) till S. Dalgety broke away and, supported by the forwards, took play to thei Waitakaruru end, where a free kick relieved. Other free kicks, and long punts followed. Pett marked, but failed to goal, and close forward followed in the home team’s twentyfive, till Phillips relieved. From the throw-in Millington secured and sent out to Molesworth, who scored in the Corner afer a good run,. He failed to convert.

After changing ends Waitakaruru was kept op the defensive, Stretton doing good work. Kirkman failed'with a free kick and Stretton lined. Waitakaruru forwards carred play to halfway and Killgour secured from a serum and a passing rush ensued to -the visitor 8 ’ lin,e In the close forward play Waitakaruru had the best, of the game. Paton maii'ked un,der his goal sent play to midfield. Ngatea gained ground and Kirkman again failed with a free kick. Hayward and Molesworth broke through and ran to Ngatea’,s end, where C. Clark failed to score with a free kick. Play returned to Waitakaruru’s end and Molesworth made another fine run, but lost to Killgour, whose kick was followed; up, and play was on. the visitors’ line at the call of half-time. After .half-time play was in midfield until Molesworth secured from a throw-in and nan for the line, £>ut on punting to pass Ret.i the ball bounced out of play and a sure try was lost. Ngatea secured from rthe throw-in and returned play to neutral ground. Waitakaruru forwards attacked again and again an,d Ngatea forced twiefe, and were relieved with free kicks. Ngatea, with its usual final dash, opened in the last quarter with a strong attack and tight play followed. Waitakai'unu ihad several free kicks, but play always came back to the line. McPherson failed with a shot at goal and Stretton forced. The drop-out was returned to the line and time was called with t,he scores Waitakaruru 3, Ngatea 0. ( Mr J. Kidd was referee. TURUA V. KEREPEEHI. The following were the teams : — Turua.—F. Scott, W. MeCoid. M. Madgwick, R. Madgwick, J. Catlin, L. Clotworthy, W. Elvin, A. Schofield, TWhite, G. ftlcCowatt, W. Clark, CBlacklaws, A Fishel", A. Kelk, G.-Hut-chinson,. Kerepeehi.—E. Potter, Coldicutt, Baggs, S. Rangi, H. Wright, A. Bunt, W. Kidd, F. Mulgrew, T. Ren,ata, H. Elvin, E. Fislre.r, R. Hutchinson, R. Fisher, R. Smith, A. Courtney. Jn this game Kerepee'hi’s heavy pack endeavoured to take charge and for the first part, of the game the play was fast and hard. Towards the, o,nd the pace became slow and the game uninteresting. Unlike the former game there were many infringements .and many stoppages for injuries.

Kerepeecilii kicked off and! rushed play into Kerepeehi’s side where op&n play followed. Play was fast right from the kick-off. A long, kick compelled Catlin to force. A player in • front cause.d a scrum, from which Turua secured and lined. A free kick by Kerepeehi was followed up but Catlin relieved. The Kerepeehi pack again, assumed command but a long, kick took play towards Kerepeehi’s eml, and from a scrum Rangi relieved. Elvin lined at half-way. Fisher broke 'away from a senum an.d Clotworthy made an opening and passed to Catlin, who scored under the posts after a good run. Catlin converted.

The second quarter opened with play in,, midfield. A Tuuma penalty kick from halfway failed and Wright forced. After open play in neutral territory Kelk secured ini a linte-out and put Kerepeehi on the deifensive. A fii'ee kick by Kerepeehi gained little advantage, and tine Turua forwards worked to near the posts. Following another free kick by the defendci’S Catlin failed to score with a penalty. Shortly after resuming Rang! made a good run to Turua’s twenty-five. The forwards kept up the pfiQspure, and a passing, rush again saw Rang’ forced out after a good run. Play remained on Turua’s line until Catlin, relieved with a long kick. Securing froin a scrum, the Kerepeehi backs, led by Burt, made a good passing riisjh and Rang,) scored. Turua 5, Kerepeehi 3. The Kerepeehi backs again, indulged in a passing rush. but. Madgwick re r turned play to neutral tenritory. Catlin then saved tli o situation from a forward rush. -M. Madgwick .retired and McCormick went on. Turua received from a line-out and R. Madgwick carried io Kercpedlii’s end, but a long k'ek returned operations, to Tur,ua,’s end. In the last, quarter Tui'tia returned and followed up the kick-out. From a scr,um Korepeehi gained ground but lost (he .'idvantnge by an infringeinent. 11. Elvin kicked to Turtle’s

line, where a scrum was ordered. Kelk relieved, and from a another scrum Catlin, found the line at half-way. Burt made a dash down the line, but the Turua forwards worked back again. Play was in Kerepeehi’s quarter, and there were many stoppages for injuries. The pace was slow, and Turua played the lide. Mr E. A. Mahoney was referee.

THE PAEROA JUNIORS.

MATCH AT TAURANGA.

One of the teams to visit Tauranga on Saturday last was the Paeroa jun,ior fifteen, and' the game resulted in an easy victory for ti'e Tauranga juniors. The. winners played an open game, and their backs handled well. Early in the first'spell Cambie scored, and this gave the home team an early start. The Tauranga backs threw the ball about, and soon raised! their total to 11 points. The Paeroa forwards then woke, up, and fast following up saw Slyfleld get over. At. half time the score stood in favour of Tauranga at 11—3.

After the spell the Tauranga backs again handled well and Cambie scorted again. The Paeroa forwards held their own in the forward play, but would not. keep the. ball down. A penalty against Tauranga saw Rackham land a nice goal, .making Paeroa’s total 6. Tauranga again attacked 'and added another try. The Paeroa team seemted to be' demoralised, and the fast home backs scored two, more tries in quick succession, brlinging t|he total up to 23, as agains* Paeroa’s 6. Mr B. Hill was referee'.