FOOTBALL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 552, 27 July 1920, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

F.R.U. COMPETITIONS. CLEVEDON MEET THEIR WATERLOO. PUKEKOHE, BOMBAY AND ONE WHERO WIN THE DOUBLE.

Ideal weather conditions prevailed on Saturday for the continuation of the Franklin Rugby Union's competitions. Notwithstanding the counterattraction at Auckland—the Rugby League match between Auckland and England, at which a number of local football enthusiasts were present - the local supporters took advantage of the beautiful weather, and attended the various grounds in large numbers. Pukekohe 10 v. Clevedon 8. The chief attraction was on the Pukekohe Domain, and there was a large attendance to see the unbeaten Clevedon senior team clash with the Pukekohe seniors. Clevedon were hot favourites, and the general impression was that they would run over the home team. On the other hand, however, members of the team had not overlooked the fact that owing to an accidental breakdown in a conveyance they did not reach Clevedon in time to meet the home team in the first round, and the union awarded the match to Clevedon. An appeal has been lodged by the Pukekohe Club, but so far the match has not been settled, owing to the fact I have authority to state, that the secretary of the Union has been indisposed, and the delegates were not called together. However, Clevedon met their Waterloo on Saturday. If the match is to be played, it should provide an interesting contest. The Game. Clevedon won the toss, and Pukekohe, with the sun at their backs, set the oval rolling. The home forwards immediately rushed the leather to the visitors' territory, and for a few minutes the defenders' goal-line was doomed. Clevedon was penalised, and H. Leighton had a shot at goal from an easy position, but the ball failed to go between the uprights. The reds returned the drop-out, and again invaded blue territory. They maintained a vigorous offensive, but knocking-on spoiled likely chances. From a scrum in the visitors' twenty-five, Schlaepfer obtained the ball and dived for the line. He was collared when about a foot from the line, transferred to C. Wilson, who got over, but the pass was a forward one, and a scrum remlted, from which Clevedon gained the advantage, and H. Alexander was instrumental in transferring play to midfield. From a scrum the blues rushed the ball over the line, compelling Pukekohe to force. Pukekohe forwards swooped down the field, and the ball was kicked to J. Alexander, Clevedon's fullback, who mulled. L. Wilson, who was handy, snapped the ball up, and touched down. H. Leighton converted:

Pukekohe 5 Clevedon 0 The reds returned the kick, and play followed in Clevedon territory, but the visitors by a neat passingrush among the backs, took play to the home goal, where L. Wilson was penalised for off-side play. J. Alexander's kick at goal, although an exceptionally easy one, was fruitless. Clevedon continued to press, and had Pukekohe in difficulties for a time, the reds being compelled to force. Ifwerson obtained in Pukekohe territory, and after a fine swerving run scored in a good position. J. Alexander added the major points: Pukekohe jj Clevedon ° The first quarter ended soon after without any alteration in the scores Fast, even play followed in midfield. From a scrum, J. Blake secured, nassed to Schlaepfer, who uent on to Leighton. The latter attempted a pot, but the ball missed its mark, and Clevedon forced. The blues continued to force the pace, and had the home team defending. W. Crum, the red fullback, saved his side time and again. He obtained a timely mark, and Higginson found the line near the half-wav flag. Higginson and Wilson Bros, were playing great games in the forwards, and repeatedlv broke away, but through overeagerness they overran the oval. Half time sounded with play in midfield, and the scores: Pukekohe 5 Clevedon 5

Upon resuming both sides exhibited plenty of dash, and the ball travelled up and down the field at a rapid pace. Leighton, at five-eighths, for the reds, was playing a sterling game, and was repeatedly opening up matters, and proved a thorn in the visitors' side. Undoubtedly he was the best back on the ground, saving ugly situations -repeatedly. On two occasions he received minor injuries, but continued playing his great game. The blues drove the homo team back to their own territory, and for an infringement Pukekohe was penalised, and H. Alexander piloted the oval between the uprights amid great enthusiasm: Clevedon 8 Pukekohe 5 From a scrum in the home twentyfive J. Blake secured and set his backs in motion. The ball travelled to Schlaepfer, to Leighton, to Flavell, and on to Sutton, who made a great run down the line. He was collared on the line, and from the subsequent scramble W. Short got over. Leighton took the kick, and the ball went just inside the posts amid deafening enthusiasm: Pukekohe 10 Clevedon 8 The third Quarter ended soon after. The final spell was even more willing than the others, each side endeavouring to enhance. G. Lucas was instrumental in taking the ball from his own twenty-five to the Clevedon goal-line, and was unfortunate in not getting across, the ball going into touch. H. Alexander secured from the throw-in, and broke away, but was grassed before he could get far. The reds returned, and from a scrum in midfield Short broke away and went right to the. Clevedon line. A scrum followed right on the line, but Clevedon cleared. The red forwards came again, and were within ,an acre of scoring, but Clevedon saved by the remainder of the speE had Pukekohe !l2apEton. Blake and Crum savtsfe, the situation by clever play. Just before time was sounded J. Appleby had to leave the field owing to an injury to his knee. The game ended:

Pukekohe 10 Clevedon 8 Mr. Bert Clarke refereed. The game was undoubtedly the best seen this season. Both teams were out to force the pace, and they did as the ball travelled up and down the field rapidly. The form displayed by the home team was a great improvement on previous exhibitions. The tackling of Leighton, Oum, Blake, and Syme being very deadly, they never allowed their man to go far. Another outstanding feature wsa the smothering of the ball by the home team, this alone being responsible for the failure of the Clevedon back to get going. On the other hand, the visitors did not play with' their usual confidence, the backs did not handle the ball at all well. This was due to the alertness and fast following-up of the home forwards. Both teams were evenly matched. Leighten was the best back on the ground, and he played a sterling game for the winners. Crum and Jim Blake were brilliant on the defensive, while Syme, Flavell, and Sutton showed glimpses of brilliant play. Schlaepfer played his usual nippy game. The forwards were an even lot, and more than held their own with the visitors. It would be difficult to individualise, as all played sterling games.

H. Alexander and R. Ifwerson were the shining lights among the visitors' backs. The forwards worked well together, A. Afexander bein« seen to advantage in the line-out. Bombay 9 v. Tuakau 0. The Bombay-Tuakau senior match eventuated at Bombay, the hom» team winnin£,by 9 points to 0. Tries were scored by L. Balme, Malcolmson, and J. Moffitt. Mr. Joe Reynolds refereed. Mercer forfeited to Onewhero.

THE JUNIOR CONTESTS. Pukekohe 6 v. Clevedon 5. Pukekohe juniors met Clevedon at Clevedon, and after a hard game won by 6 points to 5. Jim Adams scored for the winners. Bombay 17 v. Tuakau 0. Bombay had no difficulty in defeating Tuakau by 17 points to 0. Mr. W. Taylor refereed. Onewhero won by default from Patumahoe. CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER.

Senior Teams: M.P. W. L. D. Pts Pts Ch for Agt Pts Clevedon 9 8 1 0 56 24 16 Waiuku 9 5 2 2 83 51 12 Pukekohe 9 5 2 2 83 51 10 Tuakau 8 3 3 2 "44 17 8 Bombay 10 •> 5 2 71 <i4 8 Onewhero 9 4 5 0 51 80 8 Mercer 10 1 9 0 8 34 2 Junior Teams: i M.P. W. L. D. Pts Pts Ch | for Agt Pts | Pukekohe 10 9 0 1 104 40 19i Bombay 10 9 l 0 93 24 18 ! Pat'm'hoe 10 3 5 2 31 51 8! Onewhero 9 3 4 2 32 79 8i Clevedon 9 3 5 1 40 49 7 Tuakau 9 2 (i 1 24 67 5 1 Waiuku 9 0 8 1 16 45 1