REP. RUGBY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4739, 29 August 1935, Page 7

REP. RUGBY

THAMES VALLEY v. KING COUNTRY. WIN FOR VISITORS. After a hard struggle at Paeroa on Saturday last, during which both teams played good football, King Country proved too strong for the Thames Valley representatives and the final whistle saw King Country the winners by 22 points to 16, says the Hauraki Plains Gazette.

King Country kicked off against a cross wind, and after a short exchange the ball went to Swann, who found touch. Coming in again play ranged up and down field, Bathgate getting in a nice run only to be stopped by Moore. Valley were awarded a penalty kick in a handy position, but, but Masters' effort was not allowed. Play ranged round the visitors' 25 until offside play by Valley brought the visitors to the. Valley line, and after a sharp exchange Valley forced. A nice passing rush by King Country Was spoiled by a bad fumble and Valley, securing the ball, sent Childs away to score near the corner flag. Masters' kick failed. Shortly after a penalty gave Valley a free kick, but again Masters was unsuccessful. Offside play from a scrum gave King Country a free kick and Pickrang found touch. Comin with both sides packed round hard, a scrum was ordered, and from a knock-on Dovell got in a nice run, but was brought down just short of the visitors' line. Close, hard play under the visitors' goal saw Childs score. Masters converted. From the kick off the ball came out to Moore, who found touch. A scramble from the line-out brought a scrum and the ball went to Barton, who came up fast; however, he lost control of the ball, which was sent out. From a scrum which followed the line-out Sergeant cut in and with a fast run down field scored under the home goal. Barton con-' verted with an easy kick. From the kick-off, play was kept round the half-way line until a favourable chance sent the King Country line away,/ the ball finally going out to Howie who scored right on the corner flag. Barton's kick failed.

The points now being equal, the home side carried their attack with vim. A nice passing mavement saw Dovell nearly on the visitors' line. Masters, however, proved equal to the pressure and found touch on his own 25. The ball coming in, Keenan started a nice movement, but failed i through lack of support, the ball going to Bathgate who found touch with a nice kick. Valley kept up the pressure and a few moments later the visitors had to force. Dropping out from 25 King Country made desperate efforts to clear their line from the repeated attacks. Sergeant finally secured and with a good kick found touch at half-way. A free kick here carried the ball well into the home territory, but just as the position seemed critical a penalty gave Valley relief. Still pressing hard Valley again carried the play into the visitors' 25 where a penalty saw King Country in turn able to relieve the pressure. From rucky play, Swann secured and dived for the line, being forced out, however, right on the corner flag. Prom the lineout Moore secured and found touch, gaining a few yards. Determined efforts, however, made the visitors force again. Dropping out -from 25 play was loose and somewhat scrappy until Barton, getting possession, started a beautifully executed movement ably supported by Bathgate and Crossman, the latter finally scoring right under the Valley goal. Barton converted.

Shortly after, Sergeant cut in and right across and carried play to the home line, but was unable to score, Valley finally forcng. At this stage Barton received a knock which held up play for a few moments; however, after being attended by the ambulance, he was able to continue. Play remained in Valley's 25 until Childs broke away but lost possession, the ball, going out at the 25, King Country territory. Offside play from a scrum gave the visitors a free kick, the ball going right down to Masters, with King Country following up hard. Again offside play spoilt the movement and gave Valley a free kick. The first half ended with loose play in mid-field and the score, 13—8, in favour of King Country. ~

Second Half.

From the kick-off the play was carried right up to King Country's 25 where Fulton, getting possession, made a dash for the line. Bathgate however, was equal to the occasion and a passing rush by King Country carried play right up to the home litae. A free kick, however, eased the position, Masters' kick going right down to Barton. Play was again held up, this time for Edmonds who, after receiving attention, was able to continue. A good deal of rucky play took place and from a scrum Edmonds got possession and made a nice run only to be beaten by Howie who kicked

into dead ball area. From a passing rush Childs got possession but was unable to get across, a penalty kick, however, gave Masters a chance and his kick just got there, nearly grazing the goal post in doing so. From 25, Bathgate developed a beautiful movement but failed for lack of support, loose play ensued, Valley finally getting possession and a passing rush saw Swann dive over. Masters added the extra points. King Country now made valiant efforts to add to their score and a free kick just outside Valley 25 gave Barton a long chance which, however, was unsuccessful. Shortly after ;play recommenced, King Country were awarded another kick, but Barton again failed to score. A knock-on brought a scrum almost on Valley's line, but the ball was successfully cleared. Barton secured and tried a pot at goal, he also failed. Dangerous play developed right on the home line, Barton again getting possession and another shot, this time 'from a fairly good position, missed. Hard play by both packs ensued, Howie finally got possession on the Valley 25 and with" a wonderful run carried to the home line, finally getting over near the corner. Barton's kick hit the goal post. Howie's run was one of the most brilliant efforts of the game.

Play again ranged up and downfield, penalties being awarded against both sides. From a scrum, Crossman cleared, the ball going to Dovell who passed to Swann near the visitors' line. Swann was taken in possession and the opportunity passed. After scrappy play during which both sides handled the ball freely, Valley were awarded a free kick which relieved pressure. The sun came out for a short while and the home team were playing straight into it. Dovell broke away from a scrum and carried the ball into the enemy 25 but King Country succeeded in clearing. Crossman made a beautiful run, beating Dovell badly, but kicked too hard and the ball went right into Masters' hands, who found touch at half-way with a nice kick. A scrum right on the home line gave a few anxious moments, but a hard kick by King Country sent the ball to dead area. From the 25, after a hard tussle Sergeant secured and flashed over the line to score between the corner flag and the goal posts. Barton failed to add the additional points. Valley fighting hard broke away, but what seemed like a certain score was spoilt by a knock-on. Again Valley broke away, Swann making for the line, but Crossman brought him down right on the corner, Swann appearing to land fairly hard. Play was stopped while he received attention, and he was able to continue. From the line-out Swann again secured and tried a pot at goal but was unsuccessful. From half-way the home, team again broke away but were unable to gain much ground, Bathgate clearing with a nice kick which found touch on the home 25. From heavy play, Howie secured from a nice movement by Sergeant and dived over, running round between the posts to force. Barton's kick proved unsuccessful and the game ended with the score 22 to 16 in favour of the visitors. Mr. A. Eklund was the referee.