PAEROA BEATEN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32301, 18 August 1943, Page 5

PAEROA BEATEN

te AROHA WIN 9 TO 3

MATCH PLAYED IN RAIN GAME A FORWARD TUSSLE • t "Sf __ In the only match played at Herries ■iPark, Te Aroha, on Saturday, the Te Aroha representatives defeated Paeroa 'by 9 points to 3, states the Te Aroha News. Owing to the heavy rain which preceded the game the ground was in its worst state and the match developed into a- predominantly forward tussle with Te Aroha, particularly in the second, half, doing most of the attacking. There was a number’ of good individual dribbling rushes by forwards of both sides in which fine control of the ball was shown. Paeroa could only field 13 men and >. the team was further handicapped when Byall, playing at first five-eighth received an .injury to his head and was forced to retire. Speechlay, the Paeroa fullback, gave another neat display and was very reliable in spite of the tricky state of the ground and ball. The Te Aroha pack was greatly strengthened 'by the inclusion of Poihipi, an Army player who arrived last week. F. Johnson (fullback) and J. Johnson (five-eighth) were two •Springdale players to impress. Ht was their first appearance in Te Aroha this season. Generally speaking the backs played a sound game, but had the opposition been at full strength it is safe to say they would not have gone so far with their passing rushes. The teams lined out as follows : — Paeroa.—Speechlay, Crosby, Fraser, Jamieson, Ryall, R. Baker, Chaney, Murphy, Pearson, (Hansen, 'Strong, C. Baker, Niven. Te Aroha. —F. Johnson, Ainsley, Feaver, Hopkins, J. Johnson, Cornes, Meta, Waugh, Hoffman, Fitzgerald, Matchett, Green, Poihipi, Powell and Scott.* The Game Te Aroha kicked off with a strong wind. Far forward play, followed, first one side and then the other having the advantage. After a passing bout Cornes short-punted and Powell and Poihipi were prominent among the forwards to carry play to the Paeroa line, but 'Speechlay saved with a good ■ line kick. From a set scrum Meta < .-sent a neat pass to Cornes who was most unlucky to knock-on when he had a clear run. A series of scrums followed close to the line when Poihipi secured and sold a dummy pass and literally barged his way over. Te Aroha 3, Paeroa 0. The Te Afoha backs were tossing the-'ball about in a cheeky manner and Speechlay again stopped a dangerous movement. The visiting forwards- now took a hand and play was transferred to the other end of the field, and from a -scramble in front of Te Aroha’s goal Crosby slithered over the line. Pae- ' -roa 3, Te Aroha 3. The second half of the match •started with the Te Aroha forwards putting plenty of vigour into ’ their work. The next score started from tight play at midfield’ when Poihipi ■shot a long pass to Cornes; this player ran across field to transfer to Hopkins who, outpacing the opposition, touched ■down near the corner. There was no conversion. Te Aroha 6, Paeroa 3. Both sides were stirred to greater action and it was to the credit of the visitors that they held up the many Te Aroha forward onslaughts. The final score was the result of a crosskick by Cornes to Ainsley. The ball bounced just right and the winger ■gathered in, threw off two challenges and scored wide out. . The game ended: Te Aroha - - - 9 Paeroa - - - — 3 Mr A. Whatford controlled the -game.

TEAM FOR SATURDAY MATCH WITH THAMES The following junior team will represent the Paeroa Rugby Union in a match against Thames to be played at Paeroa on Saturday:— Fullback.— Speechlay. Three-quarters. —C. Fraser, W. Shilton, S. Douglas. Five-eighths.—K. Byall, .R. Baker. Half-back.—F. Chaney. Forwards. —G. Murphy, R. Pearson, N. Hansen, W. Strong, R. Neil, J. Jamieson, W. Vinnicombe, W. Niven. Emergencies.—'Ricketts, Smith, McKain. A practice will be held Thursday •earning.