FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5479, 25 September 1929, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SPRAGUE SHIELD MATCH. RAILWAYS V. PUBLIC WORKS. Beautiful weather graced the first match this season of the Sprague Shield competition on Saturday, when the N.Z. Railways team met the Public Works Department’s fifteen at the Paeroa Domain on Saturday. A small crowd witnessed a good game between the two teams, which were even in weight. Following were the players : Railways.—Smardon, Black, McQuarters, McNeil, Rackham, Robinson, Duffy, Brown, Henderson, Laing, Spellars, Benney, Kerr* Young. Public Works.—Tohu, Bennett, Gibson, Goonan, Tukukino, Mcßae, Moore, Pearcey, Bullock, Pennell, Fitch, Ratliff, Wilton, Maxwell, Coromandel. Railways kicked off, and tight play ensued in midfield until Mcßae secured and made a short run before losing the ball. McQuarters punted up the field for Goonan to return the ball for another bout of tight play. Youug broke away and kicked well down the field, where Goonan speculated and managed to return play to Railways’ twenty-five. Smardon opened up the game with a punt which Benney followed up into Public Works’ twentyfive. After Tohu had cleared McNeil showed some of his old dash. Gibson gained possession and passed to McQuarters, who dummied and then passed to Rackham, who returned the ball to McQuarters for him to score a good try. Martin failed to convert. Railways 3, Public Works 0. From half-way Railways advanced, but Tohu immediately returned to midfield.

After the change-over Public Works applied pressure, Robinson eventually clearing to the line. From the lineout Moore set his backs going. When Gibson received he short-punted and with a good dash regained possession to score a nice try which Moore failed to convert. Railways 3, Public Works 3. Moore commenced a solo run at half-way, but was brought down by Duffy, the ball going out. Ragged play then ensued in midfield until Ratliff broke away. Martin cleared. Gibson livened things up a bit when he made a great dash down the field, almost reaching the line. From the throw-in McNeil cleared with a speculator. Mcßae opened up a nice movement with a punt which Piercey followed up. The latter gained control, and after dribbling some distance he cross-kicked to McNeil, who passed to McQuarters. McQuarters dummied two opponents and ran round to score between the posts, finishing up a fine effort by converting his own try. Railways 8, Public Works 3. Public Works attacked, the forwards, headed by Bullock, ‘ making strenuous efforts to cross the line, but Martin succeeded in bringing relief for Railways with a kick to the line.

. On resuming after half-time Moore immediately got his backs on the move, and things looked dangerous for Railways. Young was very busy in the tight play. Smardon eventually obtained an opportunity and relieved with a good kick. Piercey again set off on one of his old-time dribbles until he met Brown. Tohu was ordered off the field for charging Smardon after he had disposed of the ball. Coromandel picked up in the loose and sent out to Mcßae, but Black intercepted and found the line. Another period of tight play followed in Railways’ territory, Benny and Kerr being prominent. Goonan endeavoured to dash over the line, but knocked on five yards out. The defenders were penalised, but Mcßae failed to score. Public Works immediately resumed the attack, and Mcßae put in a solo run only to go down to Laing, who cleared. In the line-out Railways committed a breach and Mcßae made the best use of his kick. Railways 8, Public Works 6. Duffy attempted to send his backs away, but Fitch intercepted and kicked for the line. From the line-out Benney and Kerr dribbled the ball into Public Works’ territory, where Gibson cleared. ‘

, Commencing the final round, Young got the better of the Public Works forwards, but was brought down by Tukukino. Laing, Shelton, Kerr, and Benney led an attack into Public Works territory, where, in tight play the defenders were penalised, but Smardon failed to score. Moore broke away but knocked on and Smardon cleared. Fitch set off on a dribble, but McQuarters took the ball away from him and sent to the line. From the throw-in the ball again went to McQuarters, who kicked too hard, allowing Bennett to clear. Moore and. Wilton relieved the pressure temporarily, McNeil returning the ball with a good line-kick. From a scrum Black gained possession and kicked over the line, Gibson forcing. Henderson failed with a penalty kick, but the Railway forwards followed up well, unfortunately sending the ball to the deadball line. The game then terminated, with the scores Railways 8, Public Works 6. Mr B. Neil was referee.