THAMES NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10354, 1 May 1911, Page 2

THAMES NEWS.

FOOTBALL.

THE SEASON, OOPENED 1.

MATCKE3 AT PARA WAI.

The first matches of the season •.111 - dor the auspices of the Thames Rugby Union were .played at the* Pai'awai racecourse on Saturday afternoon. ■ Although the early afternoon, wias ideal very few spectators troubled to go out to P'arawai. Matches in three grades were played between Clity and- Suburbs, the former dub's teams winning the senior and first junior matches, while Sub urtoa proved victorious in the third grade ir.a-tcli. From a spectator's point of view the second junior match was the beyt exhibition, tha second grade matdli proving a one-sided affair, while the senior match provided anything but a good display. SENIORS. In this match hard slogging play was the. order, end) instead of the open exhibition rightly expected by tha oiilookers, the play was tight and close rendered so, presumably,, with the object of assisting 1 some of tba untrained players, and theie were many," whosa !b?lknvs> were in nped of repair.

City kicked off, aaid SuburLs immediately took the play into City's territory. Off-sidle on City's part g'aye Kieki-t several shots at goal, all of which, however, were misled. A mark by Lukey outside the '25 yard* mai 4k gave .S'ubuiiK another, shot, this also being missed.

Shortly after the opening of the second quarter the only „ piece of open play worth recording took place. Suibmrbs' (backs started a passing rush, nd worked well up-fwld. when EL Hayward intercepted. , Hie Suburbs' ■backs, however, took charge again, with the result that the ball went out neiav the comer 1. The hnll came in, and a scrum was formed, from which Fleming secured the bull and passed to Thomas, who got over clo^e to the posts. Rickit converted Suburbs '5, City 0.

The play from half-time on was tight, r biut nothing: of special note transpired until a scrum was ordered almost on Suburb's' line. F. Baywaid, who was in a good' position, took the ball from the scram, and got over. This try was not converted. Suburbs 5, City 3.

' Line-out play followed, and oir City working up field Dare made a dash and got over. Hayward missed the shot at goal. • City 6, Suburbs 5.

The last quarter" was far from open throughout, and although, if

anything, .Su-burlfe' held the! advantage, no further scores were regis tered. Mr Gordon efficiently referred. FIRST JUNIORS. In this grftde City beat Suburbs by 16 points to 3. For City tries weie scored by McCoa-midk (3) aad An drews, while Andrews also kicked a gioal from the field. Bull scored for Suburbs. The gamei was controlled by Mr S. Ferguson. SECOND JUNIORS. Suburbs had the advantage of weight in thia match, and play>.d Well. City's display wasi. a g!ood one, and this team may lbta well up in the Cup .competition at the end of the season despite the faiot that Suburbs loat them fay six pointsi to. nil on Saturday. Poiton and) Strange were I tha try-getters for Suburbs.

Mr Kennedy was the referteie.