ROLLER MILLS SHIELD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5319, 29 August 1928, Page 3

ROLLER MILLS SHIELD.

WIN FOR THAMES VALLEY TEAM. HOLDERS FOR THIRD OCCASION. By defeating Auckland C by nine points to five at the Paeroa Domain on Monday afternoon the Thames Valley Primary Schools’ Rugby football team has wQn the Northern Rqller Mills Shield for the third season in. succession. There was a large crowd at the domain, people coming from all parts of the district. Ma,ny local shopkeepers allowed their employees time off to see the match, while in ojne instance at least the premises were closed altogether. Having succeeded in coming thro,ugh the elimination test , the shield-holders were called upon to defend their trophy ag,ainst the Auckland C team, which won its place in the final through the withdrawal of the Auckland B team. The match not as -spectacular as the Thames Valley v. Auckland A match on Saturday, a sloppy ground and a heavy, greasy ba.ll being contributing factors. Nevertheless, the game .was a r.eally goqd exhibition of the Rugby code, an,fl was fds.t and clean. The Auckland pack was tha heavier and showed to great advantage in the scrums. The hookers were clever, and obtained the ball on 'most occasions. In all other. Respects -the Thames Valley forwards more tha.n held their own, and the backs made more opportunities than the visiting rearguard. The winners deserved their victory. Within seven minutes qf the commencement of play the Aucklanders registered their only score in the game, a. try by Campbell which was Converted by P- Cranch. Wly in the second quarter Thames Valley’s account w.a ; s opened by J. Tilsley with a good l try. In the third iiua-rteii Pilkington scored in the corner after, a hard .struggle, but no kick at goal was taken account of the heavy ball and awkward angle. The third try for Thames Valley was scoired '*» the. last minute of the game, when Berryman flushed right through tha opposition to register a great try, making the see,res Thames Valley 9Auckland C 5. -Mr F. T. V. Johnson wa,s referee. There Was much enthusiasm and cheering on the part of the crowd at the conclusion of the game, and there was a generqus response when a cajl was made fo ( r cheers for the Auckland boys. TEAM ENTERTAINED. After the match the Auckland team was entertained to tea at the Victoria Tearooms. The president of theThames Valley Primary School's’ Union (Mr, E. Turner) presided. After full justice had beenj done' 1 to the repast the president extended con!gr.a,tula.t’o.ns to the Auckland on the, clean, majily football they, had played. Although beaten, they were by no means disgraced, and the public had gained a high opinion of the'r behavioun it was desirable- that boys should learn to lose, well before they thought of winning matches. Such competitions aS the Northern Roller, Mills Sh'eld not o ( nly did a lot of good in promoting clean football, but created a community spirit and brought ma,stars and boys together. aS probably nothing els.e did. The Schools Union was, very grateful ,tp the Thames Valley and Paeroa unions for, the help given, and alsei to all those who had assisted to provide for the boysmpid make their stay at Paeroa a happy ope. Special thanks were due to Messrs. D. McWatters, E. P. Fathers, D. Leach, and F. G. Williams for gifts made to the boyfc. The- president paid tribute to the work done by the secretary, Mr J. E. Injsley, who, he said, had wqrkcd most enthus'astically for the-W e lfar,e of the. boys. To him much of the success 'of the competition was due, and teachers apd boys alike were appreciative, of his' efforts. A person who, had every reason to feel proud wag Mr D. McPherop, who had been mttnager of the Thames Valley team on the three occasions when it had won the- shield. In acknowledging the tribute accorded him Mr McPherson said., that he could not help fee,ling pr.oud of ids team ; but he believed the result had been, touch and go that afteiwiioon. He congratulated the Auckland C, tea.m on the fine, effort made. ReferiwMjg to the team as “the Red and; Blacks,” Mr McPhersjon said that they had displayed exemplary behaviour, both at Waihi and Pa.eroa, and had shown themselves to be little gentlemen a,nd thorough showing a fee'lhig of real camaraderie throughout.

>Mr H. T. Robinson, .manager, of the Auckland C team, said .that IPs boys had come to the Thames Valley hoping. to take the. shield liqme with them, but they had also copie to play the game fon the game’s sake. He was proud to know that the public .thought well of his team. Seh’oolboys had a habit of growing up, and 'lie only wished he could, brifig the same team to> Paeroa again next year. The speaker expressed gfia.teful thanks to the Paeroa an;d Waihi people, for All that they had done, and for ,the true sporting manner in which his team had beep received both on and off the .field. They had all thoroughly joyedi tlie trip, and were going home feeling very happy and quite satisfied.

To the Thame ' Valley tenm Mr Ro.binson extended sincere congratulations on its meritorious performance. The boys had played consistently good football, and well deserved! to detain t-he sliiuhl.

Mr J. W. Silcock, president of the, Thames Valley Rugby Union, extended bis hearty cQngratulatiOnjs to, both teams, and said that the schoolboys’ interpretation of Rugby had been a revelation to the public. Since the competition had commciiced. the local people had done little business, so great bad the interest been in the matches. It had been a pleasure to help the boys to, be comfortable and enjoyt hemselves. People who had billeted the bo r vs spoke highly of their good behaviour. It was not a question of “pot-hunting” for the shield, but ra.thor a. matter of good, clean Rugby, without though,!, of reward He counselled the boys to continue to

play the ga.me- f°r the game’s sake, and as they grew' older tq leafip to accept the bumps and knocks with a isim'ile. A tribute was paid to Mr. Turner by Mr Silcock, who said that as selector and coach he had rendered yeoman service in the annals of Rugby, and had every reason to fed prqud of the result of his efforts. Co>ngratula,tion|s were also due to Messrs McPherson and Insley, both of whom had worked indefatigably during the competition. After the captains of the teams —P. Cranph (Auckland) and M. Curtis (Thames aVlley)—had exchanged consra.lulations and good wishes, cheens were called for the various speakers. The Auckland boys then left for the railway station amidst a scene of great enthusiasm and goodwill.