FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5476, 18 September 1929, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

POLAND CUP MATCH. WAIHI DEFEATS PLAINS. In the Poland Cup Rugby match at Ngatea on Saturday last Waihi beat Hauraki Plains by 11 points to 6 in a game that was much more even than the score indicates. As usual, the Plains back division was not equal to that of the visitors, but the forwards had the better of the tight play.

The day was fine and the field in fair order, but a strong, cold wind blew across the field. The Waihi team was very late in arriving, having been delayed on the road by punctures and a collision between the bus and a cow, the latter delay resulting in a long argument with a drover. Another holdup was caused by the non-appearance of the Thames Valley Association’s referee, a local referee, Mr A. Cleave, being pressed into service. Owing to the lateness of commencing many spectators did not wait for the match and the gate takings amounted to only £3 2s.

The teams lined out as follows :— Plains.—F. Scott, K. Graham, J. Hedley, A. Kilkour, W. Costello, J. O’Carroll, A. Elvin, R. Madgwick, G. Elvin, R. Beasley, C. Blacklaws, P. Clark, G. McCowatt, G. Hutchinson, P. Leonard.

Waihi.— Thornton, McNamara, Hume, Johns, Dillimore, Saunders, Snodgrass, Pankhurst, Sweeton, Radford, Allan, Walters, Jennings, Campbell, Mathers.

Plains kicked off at 3.45 p.m., and from a throw-in at Waihi’s twentyfive flag the visitors gained ground by |tight play and a free kick which Leonard failed to handle. Play went back again, and a fine passing rush carried operations to Waihis line, where a mark brought relief. From a scrum A. Elvin punted high and the wind carried the ball back, Waihi following up into Plains’ territory. Hedley secured from tight play and made a good run and then Waihi suffered for handling the ball in a scrum, but Blacklaws’ attempt fell short. A Waihi rush put the home team on the defensive. A penalty kick by Waihi failed, the ball hitting the post. Tight play in neutral territory saw Waihi gain ground until W. Costello and Graham carried back play to halfway for a short period, after which Waihi again predominated. A keen struggle in Plains’ twenty-five terminated with Dillimore making a nice run and beating several men to cross the line. Johns converted. Waihi 5, Plains 0.

The second quarter opened with close play in the neutral zone, a steady wind helping Plains. The Waihi backs were playing a good open game, and a second try came when McNamara cut in nicely. The kick failed. Waihi 8, Plains 0. A long kick saw Waihi force, and Graham shortly afterwards broke away on his own and punted towards the line, another force resulting. Blacklaws failed with a penalty kick from halfway, but after close play in the visitors’ twenty-five Blacklaws succeeded with a penalty kick. Waihi 8, Plains 3. Then Waihi made a strong advance which terminated in Hume putting in a good run before sending out to Jennings for him to score. The kick was unsuccessful. Waihi 11, Plains 3. Another opportunity was given Blacklaws with a penalty kick, but no score resulted.

The second half opened with fast, open play in neutral territory, the Plains forwards, headed by Clark and Beasley, gaining, ground. A good run was made by Madgwick, followed by a period of tight play in Waihi’s territory. As a result of a long kick well followed up Plains forced. Dillimore retired with an injured leg, Henry taking his place. For the remainder of the quarter play was tight in neutral territory.

Waihi opened the final round with an attack which lasted until Hedley found the line well down the field. The relief was short-lived, however, as Waihi invariably hooked the ball in the scrums and the backs kept pressure up by passing bouts, although the defence was rarely penetrated. McCowatt broke away in close play about the halfway line and sent on to Clark, who scored Plains’ first try. Blacklaws failed to convert. Waihi 11, Plains 6. Play became faster but remained in neutral territory. A long kick by Hedley was forced, and from then on Waihi had to defend but proved equal to the occasion. Mr A. Cleave was referee.