FAST, BRIGHT RUGBY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4308, 24 July 1950, Page 8

FAST, BRIGHT RUGBY

T. Fisher made an opening and G. Coxhead carried on right to the Waihi line where a sacks-on-the-mill scrum resulted. In the ensuing scramble Plains were penalised and the kick gave the defenders respite. S. Fisher, who was kicking most attractively, again found the line right on the Waihi corner flag. Plains secured from the lineout and O’Neil came up to make an extra man and appeared certain to score, but he attempted to change direction and was brought down - only a few yards from the line.

Gilbert and D. Hume broke right through the Plains defence and Hume to be unlucky when he raced for the ball over the, Plains line, "but failed to steady it. '

Clark again caught Waihi unawares and raced round the pack to get almost cleat. T. Fisher came in with the ball, short kicked when challenged, but was unlucky to knock-on when attempting to collect the ball again. , Plains Keep Up The Pressure

Clark, assisted by Millington, broke through when a Waihi passing rush broke down, only being stopped right on the Waihi line. Lawrence and Babich were the next to attempt to force their way over, but without success.

Plains were hammering steadily on the Waihi line and T. Fisher came in behind S. Fisher to take the ball,' then change direction and was nearly over when stopped.

Waihi now took a turn at attack, but the Plains forwards rallied and drove them back. Plains were penalised for offside play just inside their own territory, and W. Hume attempted a kick but did no good. Time was called shortly after with no score, and it was arranged to play a further five minutes each way. Winning Score

Plains continued to force the pace and had Waihi worried. Plains broke through in front of the Waihi posts and D. Hume went down to stop a dribbling rush only a yard or so from his goal line. Although he stopped the rush he* was injured and had to retire being replaced by J. O’Shea. Although Plains continued to hammer, the first five minutes ended without score.

Shortly after the change round came the movement which gave Plains victory, K'. Millington collected when a Waihi passing rush broke down, and raced away with T. Fisher and N. Reddy in support. They each handled in turn and then the ball went back to Millington who turned on a pretty burst of speed to score under the posts. R. Lawrence had no difficulty in scoring the major points. Plains continued to force the pace and time was called with them ’ still attacking.

The referee was Mr C. Wallace of Cambridge and he controlled the game in a manner which pleased the public. The teams-were as follows: — Hauraki Plains: B. O’Neil, R. Lawrence, T. Fisher, P. Mataroa, N. Reddy, S. Fisher, B. Clark, K. Millington, A. Fisher, T. Babich, O. Wood, H. Fawcett, B. Coxhead, R. Murray and G. Alach.

Waihi: J. Mitchell, D. McCracken, E. Gilbert, D. Hume, W. Dunstan, W. Hume, F. Newlands, R. Ashby, EJ. Berryman, D. Samson, W. Nettlingham, J. Heke, D. Robertson, L. Samson and J; Bloor.