PLAINS FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5427, 22 May 1929, Page 4

PLAINS FOOTBALL.

COMPETITIONS CONTINUED. LAST SATURDAY’S PLAY. Those who thought that they could pick the form of football teams on the Hauraki Plains received a shock on Saturday, when the Waitakaruru seniors went to pieces before the Ngatea team of thirteen players and the Plains West seniors secured a win by a margin of ten points from the Kerepeehi team. The games were played in fine weather on wet fields, and the balls were greasy. The play was not of a high standard, but the game at Kerepeehi .was very interesting. Kerepeehi depended on the pack, but the Patetonga forwards were almost as good, while the backs were much superior* and both sections played as they had seldom done before. W. Costello scored three tries and J. Garry one, the latter also converting two of the tries. Kerepeehi registered two tries. NGATEA V. WAITAKARURU. Ngatea’s strength at Waitakaruru was in the fine set of forwards, all great workers, who stuck together and wedged their way through all opposition. In the back divisions Ngatea was the better on the whole, though the home team had some good men who would do well in better company. The game was clean, and there were no accidents. The teams lined out as follows :— Ngatea.—F. Nicol, McPherson, C. Molloy, E. P.erkins, A. Kilgour, C. White, J. Fraser, J. Ivan, M. Martin, Paich, P. Leonard, A. Fisher, Awanepe. Waitakaruru.—K. Angus, K. Findlay, C. Wilton, J. Lyes, T. Rawson, C. Stretton, N. Marshall, J. Faulkner, Beasley, K. McCollum, A. Dow, H. Dimmock, Hill, K. Caie, J. Millington. Waitakaruru kicked off and Ngatea followed up the return to the goal line, Wilton and Angus failing to pick up the rolling ball. Play remained in Waitakaruru’s twenty-five and Fraser failed with a penalty kick from a good •position. From a line-out at half-way Fisher broke away and after a good run passed to McPherson, who opened the score. Fraser failed to convert. Ngatea 3, Waitakaruru 0. Waitakaruru quickly showed superiority in the scrum, but the inside backs were weak. By close forward play Waitakaruru worked to Ngatea’s line, where a long, hard struggle and several scrums ensued until a penalty to the defenders allowed them to relive to neutral territory. Ngatea gained ground in close forward play. The second round opened with play in Waitakaruru’s twenty-five until a force resulted. An interchange of kicks terminated in favour of Ngatea, Leonard and McPherson doing good work on the home team’s line. Play opened up, and Waitakaruru relieved and then attacked, but could not pass Nicol. Kirkman and Stanley, of the juniors, went on for Ngatea. Piay remained in neutral territory until half-time. On resuming, Waitakaruru attacked strongly, but a free kick for offside returned play to midfield, from where McPherson and Kilgour carried the home team’s twenty-five fo** Wilton to find the line. P. Leonard secured from the throw-in and passed to Kilgour, who sent it on to McPherson for him to register another try. Kirkman failed with the kick. Ngaieu 6, Waitakaruru 0. Close play followed in neutral ground for a long period. Molloy took play to Waitakaruru’s mid, and a penalty gave only temporary relief, play being in the home team’s twenty-five until the change-over. Fine open play in Waitakaruru’s twenty-five opened the final round. C. Stretton was sent to the line for striking a player. A long kick Look play to Ngatea’s end for a short time, the home team then having a busy period on the defence. Fisher,, who was playing a sterling game, worked through to be stopped eventually by Lyes. Play was generally in neutral territory for the remainder of the game. Mr J. Kidd was referee. The Other Grades. A verj’ even junior match was played on an adjoining field, under the control of Mr A. Cleave. The only score was a try by K. Caie for the home team. Ngatea and Waitakaruru thirdgrade teams played before the other matches. Ngatea scored four tries (G. Clark 2, P. Foster, and R. Williams), and Waitakaruru registered eight points, with tries by 0. Hayward and C. Eden, one of which was converted by M. Pitt. Mr A. McClean was referee.