FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5148, 6 July 1927, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

R EITIUSENTATIVE MA TURES.

HAURAKI PLAINS V. PAEROA.

The lluuniki Plains senior ’representative team had a runaway victory from Paeroa at Ngatea on Saturday last in the second Poland Cup match of the season, winning by 20 points to 5.

Heavy rain fell throughout the game, and the field was somewhat wet after the fortnight’s bad weather, and the ball soon became slippery and difficult to handle with accuracy. There was a fair attendance of spectators during the early part of the game, which was very late in commencing on account of the late arrival of the Waihi referee. The teams were as follows: — Paeroa. —C. Treanor, A. Morrison, H. Wright, R. Swann, L. Mcßae, L. C, Masters, R. Hounslow, M. Poland, F. Patterson, H, McKee, R. Shaw, V. Ca.rrick, T. Killgciur, R. Smith, E. Johnson.

Hauraki Plains.—C. Wilton, E. Johnston, C. Stretton, D. Molesworth, E. Smart, F. Nicol, G. Paton, D. Dalgety, P. Clark, L, Williams, R. C. Abel, F. Mulgrew, R. McPherson, T. Rapana, R. Hutchinson. From the kick-off Plains locked like scoring, They followed up to Paeroa’s line and McPherson dived for the ball but missed it, and a force resulted. Play remained in the visitors’ territory until an interchange of long kicks shifted operations to midfield. Smart sent Plains on the attack and Paeroa forced. The dropout was followed up, but Nicol relieved, and by good fallowing up Plains made close play near Paeroa’s line until Molesworth crossed over. Johnston failed to convert. Plains 3, Paeroa. 0. Following a succession of long kicks Johnston made an opening, McPherson carried on, and Mulgrew crossed the line. Johnston failed to convert. Plains 6, Paeroa 0. Plains immediately attacked again, Moleswerth being conspicuous. Paeroa received in a line-out and carried play to the other end of the field, and held it there until the change-over.

Plains were kept on the defensive in the second round until Johnston forced. Hutchinson and. McPherson rushed play to midfleild, whepe close, hard play ensued -until Molesworth secured and, after a sprint down the field, he short-punted over an opponent and dodged and outpaced others to score a very pretty try, Johnsonagain failed with, the kick. Plains 9, Paeroa 0. Paeroa attacked strongly, but could not break the defence. Abel opened up for Plains and Johnston carried the ball to the visitors’ end, but his pass failed to reach MePherson and a try was lost. Paeroa had worked play back io -midfield by half-time.

In open play Poland and Smith were conspicuous. Swann had a penalty shot at goal but failed to score, Plains had a strenuous time defending, and eventually Shaw crossed the line. Smith converted.. Plains 9, Paeroa. '5. Hard play followed. Paeroa making the pace. Molesworth got the ball in his own territory arid ran the length of the field, outpacing all opponents to score. Johnston’s kick was successful. Plains 14, Paeroa 5. -Following an attack by Plains in which the Paeroa line was almost -reached a free kick was awarded the visitors which they followed up and Swann compelled a force down,

In the final round play was fast and open, centring in Paeroa’s territory, and from a. scrummage Smart kicked across the field to Molesworth, who dived, over. Johnston’s kick fell short. Plains 17, Paeroa 5. Paeroa, although awarded several penalty kicks, could not relieve the pressure. McPherson and Johnston carried the ball down the- line, the former scoring. Plains. 20, Paeroa. 5. Masters, tpd a fruitless attack, the ball being- kicked to the de-ad-ball line by Plains. - The kick-out was returned, but Nicol forced in time-

Mr A. W. Dunstan ’(Wai'hi) was referee. THE JUNIOR GAMEHeavy rain prevailed locally on Saturday afternoon, which not only seriou' 31y affected the attendance at the junior representative match beaen Hauraki Plains and Paeroa, but rr -ndered the playing field, a quagmire. Any attempt at handling the ball was futile, on account of the conditions, and the sodden ball mitigated against accurate or long-distance kicking. The visitors had a trifle the heavie-i pack, and exhibited more combination, but on the-day the Paeroa team was the better, although the visitors won by 3to However, under the prevailing conditions it was not possible for either team to play up to form or give anything like a good exhibition of football, The following were the teqms : —

Hauraki Plains. —A. Killgour, T. Ryan, E. Cox, C. Young, J. McPherson, f' Olse-rt, F, Franks, R. Phillips, L. Wilson, iL. Zeiglar, H. Kirkman, A. Fisher,’ «D. Blacklaws, A. Hawera, E. Braizendale.

Paeroa* —A. E. Overall, W. Potter, F. Barakiat, J. Conolly, D. H. Moore, W. Rick, S. Liggins, N. Neil, W, Pennell L. Carrick, R. Snow, W. Richmond, K Williams, E. Williams. Conoll?/- kicked off for Paeroa and made a good ran up the field, a force resulting. In a scramble the visitors worked play into Paeroa’s territory, where, from a line- out, Blacklaws took a mar’s, but his kick was short. In .the second .quarter play was characterised by loo>se dribbling rushes, but for the most part the- game was restricted in the neutral zone. The most outstanding feature in the quarter was a movement by Moore, who picked up from the ruck and, running straight, covered a lot of gro'nnd before sending out to Barakat, who carped on and then passed in agiain to Moore, Unfortunately, Killgour intercepted the pass and cleared! to the line.

'On resuming after ihalf-time the P'aeroa forwards carried; 1 up, but Conolly negatived, the movement by offside play. The followed up the kick, and’ tight play in Paeroa’s

territory was relieved by Neil clearing to the half-way flag. From the line-put Plains advanced ill a loose rush, but Overall took a lucky speculator and cleared. Tight play followed, and Fisher booted the ball into Paeroa’s twenty-five, where Blacklaws snapped up and sent out to McPherson, who scored near the- posts. Blacklaws failed to convert, Hauraki Plains 3, Paeroa 0.

In the last quarter Neil started a dribbling rush and play went to the visitors’ twenty-five, where off-side play gave the defenders an opportunity to clear. The advantage was only temporary, however, for the attack was immediately resumed by Paeroa. From a line-out Moore- secured but spoiled a good chance to score by holding on too long and Cox cleared to half-way. A scrum followed, and Neil and Pennell headed a forward rush which ended in the ball going out near the- corner, flag. A force resulted from the throw-in. The drop-out was followed up by Plains, the rush terminating in a force by Overall. Play then swung to the other end of the field, Neil being responsible, A scramble ensued, from which Moore picked up, but he lost the ball just as he reached the- Hue and Killgour forced. Mr P. E. Brenan was referee.

PRIMARY SCHOOL GAME. As a curtain-raiser to the junior representative match at the- local domain the Paeroa B team played Hikutaia and the game ended in a draw, neither side scoring. The- Paeroa team had a slight advantage over the visitors. Although no score was registered, the game was -fast and interesting, The majority of the boys played without boots and stockings, and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the scramble in the rain and mud. Mr J. Rackham was referee.

The Karangahake team was scheduled to play the- Paeroa A team, but failed tb take the field. Paeroa, therefore won the match by default.