FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5316, 22 August 1928, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

PLAINS BEATS PIAKO.

SATURDAY’S POLAND CUP MATCH.

The Hauraki Plains senior, representative footballers played an indifferent game on Saturday last at Ngaitea.,, but considerably better than on the previous Saturday, and their win by 20 points to, six was due more to the weakness of the Piako team than to the play of the local men. The' day was fine, tile field dry, and there was iio wind ; nW was the weather so hot as on the previous Saturday. The attendance a,t tlie match was small even for the present season. Both teams were much, weaker than u s ,ual. Of the 20 Plains players selected o r iily 13 turned up. Williams and Fox we he unable to play as a result of injuries received in the Thames match, and nOjD.c of the Patetonga players put in an appearance or sent advice of inability to play. The vacancies were filled by Ngatea players. As the Thames Valley Union’s selectors were present to, pick the: team to represent the combined 1 Piako and Plains unions against the PaeroaWajhi team at Paeroa on September 8. the: teams- were altered several times to enable players to be iseen in different positions. The teams lined ojut as, follows : — Plains. —H. Wrighjt, J., McPherson, P. Roti, J. Dobbs, L. Clotwqrthy, J. Catlin, L- Khlgour, A. Courtney, W. Clauk, L. Peckham, R. C. Abel, A. Kelk, F. Mulgrew, C. Blacklaws, A. Fihiser. Piako.—Sykes, S. Goldsbury, Munro, Reid. Lipsey, Stewart, Nichqlson, 0. Cleave, Fife, Mace, Luxford, Clankin, Wallace, Riddle, T. Goldsbury. Pia.ko kicked off, and* opein forward play ensued in midfield untjl a free kick went to. the line in Plains quarter. For picking the ball qut of scrum Plains was penalised and T. Goldsbury opened the secret Blacklaws,. Kelk, and Reti carried from halfway to Piako’s line for Mulgrew to score. Catlin failed, to convert. Piako 3. Plains 3. The Plains forwards worked up-field, and in close play Cleave: made an opening but a forward pass gave Blanklaws a chance to add three points to Plains’ score, which he did with a gqod kick. The kick-out went to Plains’ line, and Kelk an'd Dobbs relieved. Open play followed. Abel led his, team into the visitors’ territory, and a good passing rush gained more ground. A penalty kick relieved the pressure. A succession of long kicks followed, piako gaining ground until Reti secured and made a good run,. Dobbs cross-kicked to Cleave, who sent well down the field, but Wright .cleared. Mulgrew carried play up the field, and Abel and Kelk were responsible for a thy which Blacklaws converted. Plains 11, Piako 3.

On changing oyer Piako attacked, Cleave doing good work. In open; play Piako invaded the home team’s territory and compelled a force down. Close play followed, and' Piako failed with a penalty kick at goal. Coufitney and Mulgrew broke away and travelled almost half the ilengitfi of the field, to score a fine try. The kick was disallowed. Plains 14, Piako 3. Open, play with long kicks followed. Piako failed with a shot at goal, and for the remainder of the quarter the hopne team was defending.

On resuming after half-time there was close play in Plains’ territory until Kelk relie,ved. Long kicking followed, Plains gaining ground. A mark wa.s returned by Mulgyew and McPherson fallowed up. The ball rebqundbd off Ills chest and he went on to score. McPherson failed with the kick. Plains 17, Piako 3. The. Plains backs took play to Piakops epdi in a good passing movement, and after some long kicking open play ensued •'n neutral territory until McPhetfeon put the visitors qn the defensive. Roach broke qway a ; n;d and reached halfway before being overhauled. A penalty kick put P'ako into difficulties, a iid after a scramble Blacklaws crossed 'the line but failed to add the extra points. Plains 20, Piako 3. Early in the final round Cleave and another broke away a,long the touch line and put. Plains on the defensive. A penalty kick brought no scqre to Pialoo and the home team forced. Open play follojwed, and Refid mk'de a good run, but was stopped by Blacklaws. After, a period of hand defensive play the Plains forwards worked to the other en,d of the field and compelled a force, down. Piako attacked in open play and Nicholson crossed the line. Cleave failed tq convert. Plains 20, Piako 6. ■Mr. F. T. V. Johnson was referee.

Compared with the previous .Saturday’s exhibition, the Plains forwards showed great'improvement. Courtney and Mulgrew played sterling games, and Clark. Abel, and Kelk were also good. Among the: backs McPherson deserves coihmcirt fo(r the game he Played on the wing. After the indifferent games he played at Pa.eroa and against Thames, the improvement shown in this position would justify placing him on the wing on; future occasions. Wright was weak at fullback, and at half-back Killgo,ur was not a success ; but when these two had changed to their usual places an improvement was shown, though not enough to warrant their being selected for the 1 Thames Valley team. P. Reti, one: of the Ngatea Players picked up on the field, justified his inclusion, and it is a puzzle, to ma,ny that, he was not selected previously. Catlin and Clotwo,r.thy played their usual games.