PLAINS FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5421, 8 May 1929, Page 4

PLAINS FOOTBALL.

COMPETITIONS COMMENCE. LAST SATURDAY’S PLAY. The Hauraki Plains Rugby Union’s inter-club competitions commenced on Saturday last in good weather. Turua and Waitakaruru secured wins in both grades from Ngatea and Kerepeehi. Spectators did not anticipate seeing good games, but they were interested to see what players the various teams had attracted on the abolition of club boundaries, and to gauge the strength of the different clubs. However, Saturday’s teams gave little indication, as only one club can, as yet, be considered to be fairly on its feet for the season. Spectators were also interested in noting what referees had been secured since the Referees’ Association had been forced to wind up owing to lack of members. For the matches at Turua the local team produced Messrs A. Tynan and L. Pentecost, while the Waitakaruru Club had persuaded Mr G. Paton to control the senior game and Mr C. Clarke the junior one. The Turua games were played on the Domain, which was in splendid order, while the Waitakaruru seniors played on the. Waitakaruru Domain and the juniors on Mr J. Galvin’s paddock at Pipiroa. TURUA V. NGATEA. The Ngatea players were late in arriving at Turua, and the senior game did not commence until 3.15 p.m. For a first-of-the-season match the standard of play was promising, though it was disappointing to see that both teams included players whose best days were past and who could be better employed by clubs in coaching or refereeing. The teams were fairly evenly matched, and the game was a fast forward one, with only one or two instances of typical back play. The attendance of spectators was up to the usual numbers of the past season.

The teams lined out* as follows :— Turua.—F. Scott, W. McCoid, R. Madgwick, A. McCollum, J. O’Carroll, K. Graham, J. Marshall, H. Schofield, G. McCowatt, W. White, W. Clark, E. Gill, R. Hutchinson, C. Blacklaws, E. Braizendale. Ngatea.—A. Kilgour, W. Williams, T. Wolfe, J. McPherson, G. Birkenhead, R. Phillips, C. White, S. Dalgety, J. Ivan, *E. Perkins, A. Fisher, J. Fraser, W. O’Neil, J. Paich, P. Leonard. Turua kicked off and carried down to Ngatea’s line, where tight play ensued until Phillips marked and lined at half-way. . Williams sent play to Turua’s twenty-five with a long kick, apd McCollum offside lost Tuura a good opportunity of relieving the defence. Play became open and was restricted to neutral ground, Kilgour doing good work with line kicks. A Ngatea free kick was taken by Paich, but no score resulted and Turua forced. Tight play followed in Turua’s territory until a long kick sent the home forwards on attack. A passing rush by the Turua backs gained ground, but the advantage was lost in loose play. O’Neil led the Ngatea pack to the attack only for McCollum to relieve. Poor following up lost Ngatea a chance and Turua forced. Close play followed in the neutral zone, and Turua had worked to Ngatea’s line when change-over was called.

On resuming, play went to Turua’s line and another force resulted. The pace had been very fast for the first match of the season, but it now slackened. Play ranged in neutral ground with Ngatea having the better of it until Blacklaws broke away on his own and punted across Jo Kilgour, who failed to recover the ball. From the throw-iri close play followed on Ngatea’s line until Leonard relieved from a scrum. Kilgour effected a good save, ; and his kick, being followed up, took play to • Turua’s twenty-five, where a chance to score was lost owing to lack of support. The second half opened with a strong Turua attack. Ngatea forwards assumed control and rushed to the other end of the ■ field, where a penalty kick gave temporary relief. Graham and J. O’Carroll were playing sterling games. The pace improved, and .Turua made a sustained attack until Ngatea forced. The final round opened with play in Ngatea’s favour, and on two occasions they were unfortunate not to score. Free kicks to Turua took play to halfway. J. O’Carroll broke away but lacked support. The Turua forwards worked to Ngatea’s territory, and following tight play Schofield crossed the line. Turua 3, Ngatea 0. Open play in midfield followed, Ngatea gaining the advantage. A knock-on after a throw-in prevented Ngatea from scoring. Madgwick broke away but failed to pass Kilgour, and open play ensued at half-way until the close of the game. Mr A. Tynan was referee. NGATEA V. TURUA. The junior game at Turua commenced at 3 p.m. under the control of Mr L. Pentecost. The Ngatea team comprised twelve Ngatea. players and three borrowed from the Turua club. No score resulted in-the first quarter, but before half-time A’. McPherson had scored and H. Kirkman had converted for Ngatea. This was repeated in the third round, but in the same quarter F. Gray scored twice and A. McConnell also scored, two of these tries being converted by G. Hutchinson for Turua.