FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5313, 15 August 1928, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

BIRCH CUP MATCH AT NGATEA. EASY WIN FOR THAMES. On Saturday la,st the Thames Rugby Union sent the Birch Cup snd its defending teani to Ngatea, and a very large number of Thames supporters travelled with the team to, witness what .turned out to be a walkoyer for the defenders of the trophy. Th.® game was the dullest and most uninteresting, exhibition seen on toe Plains for a 'long time, f$ the challenging team did not seem to be able .to do anything right. While it is generally admitted that this season the Tha;mes representatives are playing, better football than the Plains has been able to show for many years, and that, it is an adage tha.t any team can only p'lay as well as its opponents will let it, there was no dojibt that. on Saturday the Plains, team played such poor football itihat had the visitors been given instructions tejose the cup they could hardly have done so. It seemed that the Thames team only scored when there was nothing else to do. It was a shock to the Plains supporters to have so clearly demonstrated to them tihe low standard to which play has this season fallen. It was generally adhnitted that the team was weaker, this year than, has, beep the case for some years past, but there was little or no adverse criticism of Mr ,D. G. McMillan’s selection, for it is recognised that there are no better players available. However, Saturday’s match not only showed up the weak spots in thg. team, but ajso, showed a very

lamentable lack o ( f .team play. It was tlie lack of combination more than anything else that accounted for the poor showing. All the tries by the visitors were secured when the Plains men were right out of position, and when a Plains player, broke away he so lacked support that no score resulted.

The teams lined out as follows :—

Thames. —A. Winder, E’. Wells, B. Harrison, T. Dufty, A. Gorby, W. Savage, G. Pollock, R. Smith, A. Lomas, W. Brunton, M- Hayward, W. Percy, G. Pollock, G. Burress. Ha'uraki Plains.—A. Killgour, J. McPherson, J. Hedley, W. Williams, J. Catlin, L. ClWworthy, H. Wright, A. Courtney, W. Clark, A. Kelk, R. C. Abe-1, F. Mulgrew, A. Hutchinson, R. Benny, A. Fisher. McPherson returned the kick-off, and close for,ward play ens-ued in midlield until Clotwonthy, Catlin, .and McPherson carried to the visitors’ twenty-five. From a scrum Plains was awarded a fr.ee kick, but Catlin failed to score. Thames folloiwed' up the drop-out, but Courtney stopped the rush ancl McPherson found the line. After several scrums in Thames’ territory Mulgrew broke away on his own. Williams received the ball from a Thames -mark and ma.dte a good kick to the line. Securing from the threwin, the Thames forwards play to the other side of halfway for the first time, the advance being stopped by Catlin. Long kicking followed, the home team gaining territory until the Thames backs got Killgour stopped the rush, but the visiting forwards pressed steadily, and a long kick compelled a force. Thames returned the drop-out and entered Plains’ territory. Following a line-out- the defenders -cleared to halfway, but Harrison secured and passed; to White, who scored an easy try between the pqsts. From ,a scrum at 'halfway Gorby and Dufty got going, butt failed to pass Killgour. Kelk gained possession in- the- tight and made a good run to the other, end, where the opposing forwards sec tired ,gn<i came down the field and scored against -little opposition. Winder converted, and the quarter ended with the: scopes 8 to, 0 in favour, of Thames.

The second round commenced in Plains’ favour, for in open play ground was gained -until Williams kicked to the dead*-ball line. After. elose play in neutral territory the P.ai’ns forwards broke through, and a long kick saw Thame's, force. Two free kicks g.a,inecli ground for Plains, but the Thames backs soon reversed positions. ’A strong rush by the visitors was stopped by Killgour and Wright. From tight play in midfield Catlin broke away, but being 'unsupported he ha,d to kick and was beaten in the race- for the ball by Winder. A dribbling rush by Mulgrew, Abel, and Courtney terminated in ,aj try, which' Catlin failed tQ convert. Thames 8, Plains 3. Open- play in midfield was the order for the remainder of the round.

On resuming after half-time play was slow in midfield. Gradually the Plains forwards worked to the visitors’ line, and in a scrummage a score was registered. The kick was disallowed, as the kicker handled the ball twice. Play swung to the home team's side of halfway, amt was slow and dull. Brunton, Percy, and Hayward broke away and scored without opposition. The kick was dUsallowed. The first incident of note after the-change-over was a mark by . Catlin which resulted in a scrum in front of Thames’ posts. Thames forced. After more dull play Smith accepted a, crosskick at halfway and scored without much opposition. Dufty converted. That was the' final score, and the game ended with the points Thames 16, Plains 6. Mr J. Buchan was referee.