A GREAT DISPLAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4144, 8 June 1949, Page 5

A GREAT DISPLAY

LOCKYER CUP MATCH

PAEROA BEATS TE AROHA SPECTACULAR FOOTBALL The inter-union Rugby football match between representative teams from the Te Aroha and Paeroa Rugby unions, played last Saturday on the Paeroa domain for the Frank Lockyer Memorial Cup, was one of thrills and excitement ending in a victory for Paeroa by the narrow margin of 8 points to 6.

Not for many years has there been seen on the Paeroa domain such a high standard of play. It was spectacular football. Both teams possess a wealth of Rugby talent and spectators were given an entertainment of fast open play full of exciting moments provided by the dash, skilful handling and .tackling of the players. No individual player on either side was permitted to elude many of his opponents without being heavily tackled.

In Hayward at half and Gibson at five-eighths Te Aroha possesses two outstanding backs whose play earned much applause. R. Dickson at wing threequarter for Paeroa has all the dash and determination which delight .A crowd and time after time he gave a thrill to the spectators. He has a strong fend and i» a difficult man to stop. Only sound tackling prevented 'him from scoring on several occasions.

A. McMillan, Paeroa’s captain and centre threequarter, showed himself full of dash and thrust. He is a heady player but he just lacks that precision and care in giving passes that made Kurtovich so dangerous and useful in combined play. Many of his

splendid efforts were brought to a sudden end by his merely getting rid of the ball instead of seeing that his pass was so timed and directed that it could be taken by those in support. Te Aroha kicked off. Good work by Gibson took the play close to Paeroa’s goal-line. N. McMillan relieved and Bilkey sent his team away in a passing rush. Dickson flashed into the picture with a spectacular run down the line. He in-passed to Waring, Paeroa’s fullback, but he was well tackled. Finlay led another rush but Gibson came to light and turned the tables. It was Paeroa’s turn to be in trouble. Gibson was playing a great game and was making every effort to set his backs in action.

A. McMillan then sent Dickson away on another dash which brought the spectators on the grandstand to their feet. A brilliant tackle brought him to the ground. Te Aroha returned to the attack but a nice passing back movement was cleverly intercepted by A. McMillan who was racing for the line well supported with only the fullback to pass. A try seemed certain but McMillan’s pass was such that it could not be taken. Then came one of the many clever movements. From the scrum Harrison sent to N. McMillan to Martinovich to A. McMillan, who sent the ball to Carmichael. He in-passed to A. McMillan who sent the ball back to Martinovich who was grassed in the nick of time to save a try. A penalty kick to Te Aroha -relieved but Paeroa returned to the (attack and this time

it was N. McMillan who initiated the rush.

At this period of the game the ball was being thrown about with great confidence and skill by both sides though in this department of the play Paeroa W’as undoubtedly superior.

From a scrum Harrison sent Martinovich away on the blind side but he was tackled on the goal line. From a penalty an excellent kick by Hayward found the line past half-way. Te Aroha launched an attack in Paeroa’s twenty-five. They threw the ball about but deadly tackling time after time smothered their efforts. From his own twenty-five Martinovich initiated a brilliant movement which carried play right into Te Aroha’s twenty-five and only solid tackling saved a score.

Play swept back to half-way and from there Hayward, with a great kick, found the line at Paeroa’s corner flag. Then followed four smims and three line outs almost on Paeroa’s goal line. Te Aroha made desperate efforts to score. Hayward time after time sent the ball to his backs but every attempt to get under way was smothered by Paeroa’s backs who were on top of each man as he took his pass. Play was still hanging in Paeroa’s territory when the half-time whistle blew with no score by either side.

The second spell was crammed full of incidents. There were as many as five or six splendid passing rushes by either one side oi' the other within the space of three or four minutes. Many spectators declared they had not seen anything like it for years. Shortly after play commenced Carmichael was away on a long run to within 10 yards of the goal line. At this point he was tackled but the ball came back to Martinovich who scored under the posts. Martinovich converted, making the score

Paeroa 5, Te Amha 0

Te Aroha swept play int > Paeroa’s twenty-five and was awarded a penalty right in front of the goal posts. Hayward goaled, making the score Paeroa 5, Te Aroha 3.

Play moved rapidly from one end of the ground to the other, N, McMillan intercepted a passing rush by Te Aroha on the half-way line and after a brilliant run was thrown out on the corner flag. N. McMillan with a run and a high kid: followed up and had Te Aroha in trouble. Hayward with another good kick found touch at halfway. Paeroa was once more on the defensive and Te Aroha was pressing hard. Harrison passed out in his own twenty-five, McMillan kicked high and Dickson following up fast caught Buckthought in possession light in front of Te Aroha’s goal posts. For holding the ball a penalty was awarded to Paeroa and Martinovich goaled, making the score Paeroa 8, Te Aroha 3.

Almost immediately Te Aroha was awarded a penalty right in front of Paeroa’s goal posts and Hayward sent the ball over the bar. This brought the score to Paeroa 8, Te Aroha 6. Te Aroha went to the attack. Play 1 was fast and open and tackling deadly. The ball was thrown about by both teams in great style. It was a great exhibition of Rugby. Wilson and Duncan, McKain, Bilkey and Finlay—in fact all were playing splendid games—were each in turn prominent. Then came another sensational run. Carmichael picked up on his own side line. He ran right across the field and swung round to head for Te Aroha’s goal line. He connected with Dickson on the 1 other wing and after a long run sent Dickson racing for the line to be heavily tackled near the corner flag. Harrison sent his backs away time after time but deadly tackling brought his efforts to nothing. Martinovich was heavily thrown by two backs and hurt.

Te Aroha swept the play to Paeroa territory and fought desperately to score. Hayward was throwing the ball out in grand style but every attempt to score by means of a bad; passing rush was smothered by the Paeroa backs. Excitement was high fcr either team could have been victorious.

McMillan stopped a dangerous rush with a clever interception. He kicked high to Buckthought at fullback and following fast caught him in possession. Hayward, who wa- playing a great game, returned the compliment and caught Waring in possession. X. McMillan saved. Te Aroha was now fighting hard to score. The pace was fast and the game was hard. Gibson was hurt and had to retire. Harrisi n was huit and also retired. Warin who had received some hard but quite accidental, knocks, was out for a time as was Wilson. • Te Aroha backs again and again swung into action but they were given

no cha'ice- and no room in which to work. To Aroha was nearly over and a penalty to Paeroa relieved the pressure. The whistle blew for time with the score

Paeroa 8. Te Aroha 6

Mr 11. T. G:ant was referee

The teams were as follows: — Te Aroha: H. Buckthought. R. Burns, R. Slattery, C. Savage, B. Gibson (captain), E. Voysey, R. Hayward, J. Doughty, M. Smardon, R. Osborne, J. McCabe, V. Stuck, J. Paton, Broder>on and A. Pou.

Paeroa: Al. Waring. R. Dickson. A. AlcAlillan (captain), F. Carmichael, F. Alartinovich. N. AlcAlillan, AV. Harrbon, W. AlcKain, Al. Oilington, R. Bilkey, P. Fathers R. Nevin, R. Finlay, C. Wilson, W. Dunean.

JUNIOR MATCH

WIN FOR NETHERTON The junior Rugby match between United and Netherton played on the Paeroa domain on Saturday resulted! in an easy win for Netherton by 25 points to 11. Mr L. Vercoe was referee. THIRD GRADE GAME HIGH SCHOOL IMPROVES The third grade Rugby match played on the Paeroa domain last Saturday between Netherton and High School ended with the score High School 14 and Netherton 0. Mr W. P. Corrigan was referee. The school team has during the past month showed a remarkable improvement in play. Tries were scored for High School by T. Nield and I. Gillespie. K. Parker converted one try and kicked two penalty goals. * JUNIOR REPS. PLAYERS SELECTED The following junior players have been chosen to train for selection in the Paeroa junior representative Rugby team to meet Waihi on Saturday next: — Backs: R. Beale, G. Powell, R. Laurent, K. Handley, T. Williams, M. Grey, and E. Davison. Forwards: F. Treanor, A. Davison, R. Burkhardt, G. Heappey, M. Morrison, R. Milne, D. Fear and R. Jessen. Emergencies: W. Barraclough, E. Cailton, K. Miller, M. Wigmore and J. Bradley. v A practice of both junmr and senior players will* be held on the Paeroa domain on Thursday evening at 7 o'clock.

THIRD GRADE

POSSIBLES v. PROBABLES The following two third grade Rugby teams have been chosen to play in the Possibles versus Probables match to be played as a curtain-raiser to the junior representative match between Paeroa and Waihi on the Paeroa domain next Saturday:—

Possibles; T. Manga. ('. Foster, J. Schuler, G. Spinks, T. Martinovich, I. Gillespie, P. Harrison. R. Masteis, P. Geary, Pakinga, T. Xield, M. Goodwin, D. Hill, B. Handley and K. Parker.

Probables: R. Lipsham, T. Mita, D. Pou’.ter, D. Johansen, R. Sewell, T. Xieholls, J. Sewell, G. Pope, 0. Smith. M. Saundei', C. Johnson, J. Doran, G. Poulter, W. Vince and R. May. Emergencies—Backs: Walmsley an 1 V. Quayle. Forward.'-.: A. Knu.h and Williams.