FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5150, 11 July 1927, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCHES. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIORS : East 3, v. West 3. Ngatea 10, v. Kerepeehi 3. Turua 17, v. West 5. JUNIORS : East 6, v. Suburbs 3. West won by default from Netherton. Ngatea 11, v. Kerepeehi 0. Turua won by default from West. Turua B 9, v. Waitakaruru 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS: Netherton 3, v. Paeroa 0. Ngatea 18, v. Kopuarahi 0. Turua 12, v. Kerepeehi 0. After a fine morning heavy rain set in locally shortly .after 3 o’clock and prevailed throughout the afternoon. Still, despite the'wretched conditions, there was a large attendance of spectators at the domain to see what proved to bei the semi-final game in the Paeroa Rugby Union’s senior competition for the McCullay Shield. The. was fought out between the two local clubs, East and West, and proved to be hard, fast, and interesting. Had the weather been fine, and with a dry ball and playing field, the game would probably have been one of the best this season. Even under the existing conditions there were flashes of really good Rugby, and the result of the match was in doubt right up to the call of time, when the game ended in a draw, both sides scoring three points. The teams were fairly evenly matched, and the West backs played a solid game, whether on attack or defence. With L. C. Masters to guide them the backs continually attempted to open up the play, but the smothering tactics of the East forwards regularly checked the movements, and the game was a fair struggle for supremacy from start to finish. In the first half East had the better, of the game, but matters were reversed in the second half, and in the last quarter. West attacked for practically the whole period.

The game having ended iu a draw, West will now be required to play Suburbs (Hikutaia) in the final for the championship. Had East won on Saturday, the championship would have gone to Suburbs by one point. Following were the team*: — East.—H. Wright, C. McNeil, E. Moore, J. Catlin, D. Smith, V. Murphy, R. Hounslow, W. Nealie, R. Thorp, R. Bullock, S. Boyer, C. Treanor, R. Smith, F. Fitch, T. Pullar.

West.^ —F. Smardon, G. Wells, L. Nield, H. Coldicutt, K. Dean, R« Swann, L. Masters, M. Poland, E. Neil, W. Edwards, R. Shaw, E. Greenhalgh, V. Carrick, H. McKee, H. Mills.

Moore’s kick-off for East was ■returned to him by Carrick, the ball being marked. Murphy headed a loose rush to the line in West’s territory. From the line-out Shaw ca.rried play to the other end, McNeil eventually forcing. A scrum in West’s twentyfive gave East a chance, but a breach occurred and Swann cleared to the half-way flag. From the bhrpw-in Carrick received and set up a loose rush, but Moore marked and cleared. From a scrum near halfway the East forwards worked down the field for Masters to force- The kick-out was returned, and East gained a penalty kick which Moore converted. East 3, West 0. Shaw carried into East’s territory, bpt Hounslow intercepted a long pass. He transferred to PUllar, to Wright, but Coldicutt ran across and’ cleared. Fitch stopped a loose rush and Catlin with a high kick took play well into West’s quarter, wherte a free kick brought relief for West. Nealie retired and was, replaced by T. Lovatt.

The second quarter opened with West on the' attack, and play hung round ip East’s territory for some time.' In a loose rush Shaw crossed the line, but he lost the ball, and a force resulted. The kick-out was received by Carrick, who passed to Shaw, but he failed to take the pa,ss apd Moore cleared,to the line. The throw-in went to Edwards, who headed a .rush into East’s twenty-five!, where tight play ensued for some time. Finally Nield marked just outside the twenty-five line but his kick was short. In line play operations shifted into East’s territory, but the defenders were equal to the occasion and by a series of loose rushes transferred play to neutral territory. On resuming after half-time Masters gained possession, but was collared by Treanor, who cleared. In a loose rush West, returned to East’s quarter, from where Dean had an unsuccessful penalty kick at goal- The attack was renewed and East forced. Still applying pressure, West gave East a busy time defending Catlin cleared to halfway. The relief was only temporary, the Westt forwards returning to the attack from the line-out. From a throw-in, near East’s line Swann gained possession and sent Dean away. However, Dean lost the ball when about to cross the line and Wright attempted to -clear, but his kick fell short of the sideline and Coldicutt scored in the corner. Dean failed with the kick. East 3, West 3. West opened the final round with a strong attack. Tight play in East’s territory was relieved by R. Srnfth after a scrum, but the ball soon returned for Moore to gain a respite by marking. A determined rush wajs made by the West forwards whicfci was stopped by Catlin, who cleared tc» the line. After a number of. scrums play was shifted into neutral territory. A dribbling rush took play back into East’s territory, where dose , play ensued until the call of time.

Mr D. G. McMillan was referee.

THE JUNIORS. EAST V. SUBURBS. The East team journeyed to Hikutaia where it defeated the Suburlis fifteen by six point to three. By thife victory East wins the 1927 juniorcompetition.

The visitors won the toss and elected to play with the wind. From the> kick-off Suburbs attacked# and in

tight play S l . Williams saved the situation by forcing. The attack was resumed, and offside play by Vincent gave the home side a great chance, but the kick by T. Rare fell short. Loose play followed in neutral territory' until Suburbs committed a breach, but Williams failed to convert. Again applying pressure Suburbs soon had East in a dangerous position, but E. King relieved with a mark. Tn the second quarter the visitors forced the play for some time, but a long kick by a Suburbs back sent the ball to the line ip East’s territory. From the line-out F. Morrison broke through and crossed the line. The kick by Harper was unsuccessful. Suburbs 3, East 0. Shortly' after half-time the home side was penalised for offside play, but no score resulted from Williams’ kick at goal. Play gradually' worked into Suburbs’ twenty-five, where, in a scramble, F. Barrakat gathered in the ball and scored. Williams failed to convert. Suburbs 3. East 3. Immediately following the kick-out King gained possession and with a good run scored a further try' for the visitors. Moore failed with the kick. East 6, Suburbs 3. During the last quarter play was fairly even, and both teams failed to score from penalty' kicks. Mr J. M. Crosby was referee. WEST V. NETHERTON. The junior game set down for. decision at the domain en Saturday was West versus Netherton. However, Netherton failed to place a team in the field and the gamei went to West by default. PRIMARY SCHOOL &AME. As a curtain-raiser to the senior game at Paeroa the Netherton schoolboys defeated the Paeroa A team by three points to nil. The try was scored by L. Johnson. Mr J. Rackham was referee. The Karangahake team, which was scheduled to pla.y Paeroa B, failed to take the field, Paeroa B thus winning by default. Arrangements have been made for an A and B match to be played at the Paeroa Domain on Wednesday next, at 3 p.m., after which a repre>sentative team will be selected to play Piako at Paeroa on Saturday next, July 16. The.Pheroa team on Wednesday will be selected from boys attending the Paeroa, Netherton, Hikutaia, and Karangahake schools, which comprise the Paeroa Primary Schools’ Rugby Union.