SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5319, 29 August 1928, Page 2

SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

ROLLER MILLS SHIELD GAMES. THE COMPETITION AT PAEROA. [Contributed.] During the past week milch time has been devoted to watching and enjoying delightful games of football played on ,the local domain by primary school tennis representing. Auckland, Hamilton, south Auckland, Waipa. ;i,nd Thames Valley. The competition is an annual fixture for teams of the above-mention-ed district;? playing for the Northern Roller. Mills Shield. The conjditionfi attached and imposed as a Qualification for boys to play are that each bqy mutt be, in the primary classes ami must not exceed 9st hi weight and be under 16 years of age-. Such .were the conditions under which these sturdy little embryo All Blacks filed on to the field of play on Tuesday of last week to commence a series of contests in a twb-ro,und tournamenit. The teams opposed one another in tlie following order. Waipa y. Thames Valley, Hamilton v. Auckland A. at PacrGa ; whilst Auckland B and King Conn try aißl Auckland C and South Auckland played at Te ArMia a.m! Waiiii respectively. It is, however. of tlie, local games I de.s;i.i\e to make a, few passing comments. In the. first round of the series Thames Valley defeated Waipa aiiyl Auckland A won against Hamilton. This left Auckland A. anjd Thames Valley in the second round, and tide, game that was played between these two teams to qualify foi- the fiu,al was rS,imply superb. It produced Hue of the most exciting and finest exhibitions of the Rugby code of football 1 have ever had the pleasure to witness. " - One outstanding and pleasing feature of the games was the goodnatured and manly spirit displayed by tlio boys throughout their titanic struggles. Indeed, to me their perfect conduct n'W- hue discipline was a revelation worthy of emulation by the older generation of our footballers. Again an.il aga'n they swept up and dojwn tho field, straining every .nerve, forcing, their way hither, and thither to. gain the. much-desired advantage, And when-at last the bell rang out ■ts warning that time was up, tlie scores were even. How, .tlie.n, were they going to decide the momentous issue. Eventually it was decided to play another game on the following day. Again they filed o t ut and faced each other. Again they nallieil their ifojrces and stormed ea.ch other’s goal liiiie. And at the, call of time neither side had gained victory. In an endeavour to reach finality is wag decided to play for. a further fifteen miinjutes. The titanic struggle was continued, but all to no purpose, a.nd it was. -nbt until these two teams had met, yet qnce again that a decision was reached and Thames Valley came out victors of the section. The final of the .tournament* between, Thames Valley and Auckland C came up for decision on Monday afternoon, a.ijd! after a. close, clean, and interesting g.ajne the Thames Valley boys agtiin proved their superiority.

As an old footballer I feel I should offer iliparty congratulations and greetings to the Thames Valley team for their merit onions victory. I also congratulate the Auckland teams for their fine display of football and their manly conduct. I would also express appreciation of the work done by tlio teachers engaged as coaches and sclectors. and heartily compliment them on the complete organ,isation of .the tournament and the creditable pcrfornuute of tlie tea.nis engaged in tlio competition. Thanks arc due to the Paeroa and other Rugby unions for the arrangements made fon. tho hoys’ accommodation and general comfort, ami also to those who kiiid-ly assisted in billeting a, number of the

visiting, boys. Altogether, the coinpetion was a huge success, and will, in my opinion, be far-reaching in the promotion a,nd fostering of wide interest in school football. Let us hope that, when this competition is again due to be played, the same good-natured spirit that was so manifest among -I the players during this tournameiit will predominate Hie games. 1 frel sure that if such line conduct is encouraged, it would to some extent tend to elimiiija.te that more, aggressive element in the. pres-ent-day contests o f “win by any means,” po matter what questionable tactics may be employed.