FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5473, 11 September 1929, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

INTER-UNION MATCHES. PIAKO DEFEATS PLAINS. The match between the Piake and Hauraki Plains seniors at Te Aroha on Saturday was disappointing, and could not’be termed a good exhibition of Rugby. Infringements were far too frequent, and the play seemed to lack the proper objective. With the breeze behind them Plains kicked off. The Piako forwards quickly got going and rushed up field. From a penalty kick N. Ifwersen essayed a shot at goal, the ball going shoi’t. Graham bustled through but was stopped by Rackham. A fine loose rush by Dalton, McLaren, and Brown gained ground. From a scrum the ball went out to Nicholson, thence to Arkle, the latter being tackled by Masters, who found the line. A kick at goal by N. Ifwersen failed. F. Costello showed up with a nippy dash, but F. Goldsbury got in a long kick and Plains forced. Goldsbury’s next spurt through was stopped by Costello. Piako then showed combination among the forwards, and although the visitors’ defence was strong P. McLaren crossed the line. N. Ifwersen’s kick was unsuccessful. Piako 3, Hauraki Plains 0. Payne and Riddell dashed away, and a sprint by Arkle was held up by Elvin. S. Goldsbury took a mark and made a well-judged line kick. Plains took up the aggressive, but McLaren and Brown came to the rescue. A smart run by Rackham brought the play to neutral territory. Nicholson, the Piako halfback, retired, K. Munro taking his place. Arkle and the two Ifwersens were seen to advantage in a passing bout, Masters stopping the movement. Cleave put in a pretty piece of play only to be pushed out at the corner. A mark by Masters gained little advantage. Plains pressed hard, but some of the strenuous efforts were nullified by Riddell, Dalton, and Rackham. From a scrum the ball spun out to Hedley, who made a sprint through to Piako’s twenty-five. The forwards ably backed this up and the defenders had to force. A dash through the opposing forwards by Payne and Dalton livened up matters. A strong effort by Carroll was met by F. Goldsbury, who sent the ball into Plains’ territory. Clean passing by Munro, Arkle and K. Ifwersen followed, and from a penalty kick N. Ifwersen again failed at goal. McLaren and Payne got to work and made headway, and then F. Goldsbury snapped up the ball to cross the line. The kick was unsuccessful. Piako 6, Hauraki Plains 0. Soon afterwards Arkle with a clever run made an opening and passed to N. Ifwersen, who evaded two of thp opposing back and scored behind the posts. He converted. Piako 11, Hauraki Plains 0. In a strong dash Blacklaws failed to pass S. Goldsbury. Piako put on the pressure and soon reached the visitors’ line. McLaren and Dalton put in some good work, but Masters cleared to the line. A long kick by Hedley went to Payne, who made a determined dash through the pack. Even play resulted, but towards the finish Plains fought hard to score. The Piako defence withstood the onslaught, and just on the call of time the home forwards rushed to the other end of the field, a force resulting. Mr W. J. Jonas was referee.

THE JUNIORS. An interesting game was witnessed at Ngatea on Saturday, when the Hauraki Plains and Piako junior representatives met in the first match of the second round of the Sharebrokers Cup competition, The field was dry, and on the whole the game was fast. The Piako backs were much superior, and the game was made open on every opportunity. Piako kicked off, and close play ensued in midfield, the home team gaining the advantage, but then suffered through infringements and indifferent handling of the ball. The tackling by both sides was good, but the hooking was poor. Open play and long kicking took the ball to Plains’ twenty-five, where Piako had a free kick, Baker’s shot hitting the bar and bouncing back into play. Gibbs opened the score with a fine run from midfield, but the kick failed. Piako 3, Plains 0. In close play the home team again gained ground, only to lose it by infringements. The game was fast and interesting, as both teams were following up well. A long kick resulted in a force by Piako. The Piako backs essayed many passing rushes but gained little grounnd. The second half commenced with tight play in neutral territory. Piako then threw the ball about and gained ground until Stanley, K. Caie, and Pett broke away and sent play into the visitors’ territory. A penalty kick did not relieve, and after further tight play Kirkman broke away from a fiveyards scrum, but he lost the ball and Piako forced. Plains immediately resumed the attack, and another force resulted. Murray and Phillips again put Piako on the defensive, which terminated with Kirkman being successful with a penalty kick at goal. Piako 3, Plains 3.

Early in the second half the Piako backs indulged in a passing rush, but lost the ball to Findlay, whose long kick was followed up to Piako’s twenty-five line, Stanley and A. Nicholson then increasing the advantage with a good run. Offside play by Piako’s rover after a five-yards scrum gave Kirkman the opportunity to kick a good goal. Plains 6, Piako 3. After uninteresting play in neutral territory Troughton initiated a passing rush which had Piako in difficulties. The defending rover again infringed, and Kirkman made the best use of his kick. Plains 9, Piako 3. The home forwards were pressing hard at the change-over, had had been hammering away on Piako’s line for a lengthy period.

Play was dull for a considerable time in the final round. Troughton retired, V. McPherson taking his place. A penalty for obstruction was

awarded Piako and Baker ,was successful with his kick. Plains 9, Piako 6. Piako continued to press; but failed with an easy penalty kick. Another Piako rush terminated in a force, but the next effort saw McGurr cross the line. The kick failed. Plains 9, Piako 9. Play went to the othei’ end of the field, where Kirkman failed with a penalty kick. Mr A. Cleave was referee. PLAINS RUGBY UNION. MEETING AT NGATEA. The Hauraki Plains Rugby Union met at Ngatea on Monday evening, Mr H. Dent presiding over Messrs N. Clay, C. S. Foster, W. Green. C. Bertelsen, and W. Wylde (secretary). Arrangements were made for the Poland Cup motch with Waihi at Ngatea on Saturday next, and for the visit of the junior team to Waihi. The secretary was instructed to endeavour to get the Waihi Union to have its team arrive early in the afternoon