FOOTBALL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 538, 8 June 1920, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. INCLEMENT WEATHER. Results at a GlanceSenior. Clevedon v. Pukekohe—No game Onewhero 11 v. Mercer i\ Bombay 3 v. Tuakau 3. Junior. Pukekohe 6 v. Clevedon 5. Bombay 8 v. Tuakau 0. Patumahoe 3 v. Onewhero 0. The Franklin Rugby Union's competitions were advanced a further stage on Saturday in inclement weather, Rain set in early on Saturday morning, and the officials were optimistic that it would clear off as the afternoon progressed. Instead tha weather oecame worse, and the matches were played in heavy downpours. All matches took place except the Clevedon-Pukekohc senior match, which did not eventuate owing to the late arrival at Clevedon of the Pukekohe, caused by a breakdown of the conveyance.

THE SENIOR GAMES,

Onewhero 9 v. Mercer 8.

The Onewhero-Mercer match took place at Onewhero, and after a fairly good game of Rugby under the circumstances, Onewhero won by 11 points to 0. Bombay 3 v. Tuakau 3. The Bombay seniors journeyed to Tuakau and met the home team. An even and hard but friendly game was fought, finally ending in a draw. Tongi kicked a magnificent penalty goal for Bombay, while Smeed kicked a penalty goal for Tuakau. Mr. I. J. Corin, of Manurewa, refereed. ONEWHERO 11 V. MERCER 0. This match was played at Onewhero under adverse weather conditions, heavy rain falling from "kitKoff" until the whistle sounded 'noside."

Mercer won the toss, and Onewhero kicking off, immediately rushed the ball over Mercer's goal-line, a force resulting. The Onewhero forwards proved too fast and heavy for their opponents, and during the quarter carried the ball over the line several times, hard kicking enabling Mercei to save. r ihe second and third quarters proved similar to the first, and it was not till well into the final spell that the Onewhero forwards rushed the ball across the line, where K. Crawford securing scored the first try. The \ ick at goal went wide. From the drop-out the Onewhero forwards came away again, and J. Dromgool securing dived for the line and scored the second try. The kick failed. A few minutes later Toko llira carried the ball over close to the posts, scoring the third try. Taking the kick he landed a beautiful goal. Shortly afterwards "no-side" sounded with Onewhero still attacking. The game was fast from start to finish, with Mercer defending practically the whole time. The home team's goiU-line was not crossed once. Had it not been for the plucky defence of the Mercer backs, who handled the ball very well indeed considering, the score would have been much greater. The Onewhero team, both backs and forwards, played so well that it would be unfair to single out any individuals for special mention. Mr. Lonergan, of Tuakau, proved himself an efficient and impartial referee, his decisions giving satisfaction to both sides.

THE JUNIOR COMPETITION

Pukekohe 6 v. Clevedon S.

The Clevedon juniors were defeated by Pukekohe on the Domain after a fairly even game. In spite of the greasiness of the leather both teams handled it accurately. The visitors scored a try soon after the commencement, the try being converted. From a passing rush amongst the local backs, J. Moloney scored a brilliant try, but the bick at goal failed. For the remainder of the game the play was slightly in favour of Pukekohe, and just on time L. Fisher scored the winning try. The game ended as above. Mr. A. Cornthwaite refereed.

Bombay 8 v. Tuakau 0.

The Tuakau juniors clashed with Bombay at Bombay, and considering the state of the ground and the ball a first-class exhibition of Rugby was witnessed. Both teams handled the leather in line style, and it would be wise for some of the senior players to witness junior games in order to learn a few fine points. The first spell was very even, but in the second Bombay held the advantage and scored two tries—one by J. Flay, converted by Brownlee, and the other by C. Flay. The game ended 8 to 0. The Bombay boys played well throughout. Julland at fullback, and J. Flay and Brownlee threequarters were the pick of the backs, while Lowry, Mill, Casey, and C. Flay shone out among a good set of forwards. Paki and Parsons (backs), and Ilill:ey (rover) were the shining lights in the Tuakau team. Mr Joe Reynolds controlled the game. Patumahoe 3 v. Onewhero 3.

The above teams played a drawn game at Patumahoe. Mr. F. Burgess refereed. CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. ,

A win counts two points and a draw one point. .

Senior Teams. M.P. W. L. D. Pts Pts Ch for Agt Pts Waiuku 'd <( - 1 23 6 5 Clevedon 2 0 J 18 3 4 Tuakau 3 0 2 9 6 4 Bombay 4 2 ?. 18 26 3 Pukekohe 3 2 0 9 17 2 Mercer 4 :< 0 8 15 2 Onewhero *! •I 0 "17 15 2 Junior Teams. M.P. W. L. D. Pts Pts Ch for Agt Pts Bombay a 4 0 0 40 3 8 Pukekohe 4 '.i 0 1 45 23 7 Patumahoe 4 J 1 2 14 21 4 Onewhero '.', 'J 1 1' 12 32 2 Clevedon 3 (.' 2 1 5 12 1 Waiuku 'J G 2 1 12 21 1 'I uakau i0 V 1 3 19 1