Sports & Pastimes

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1446, 31 July 1933, Page 1

Sports & Pastimes

Football.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH.

Waikato 14, Thames Valley 3.

Drab Game at Te Aroha.

Waikato played Thames Valley on Saturday and won by 14 points to 3 in a game which could only be called dull. For half the game the heavier Waikato forwards were lifeless and Thames Valley held their own. The only bright spots in the match were the displays of J. Aitken at centre threequarter and A. Story in the Waikato forwards. The Thames Valley team was not as selected, but it gave a remarkably good account of itself, particularly with the forwards, who played right up to the whistle. The teams were:

Thames Valley.—Barry; Burgess, Swann, Gloyn; Peake, Ryan; Stewart ; Rowe, Mulgrew (captain), Clark, Walford, Radford, Mathers, Filkington, Waterson.

Waikato.—M. Davies; Broderick, J. Aitken, J. Whorskey; W. Cameron, R. Johnstone; L. Denz; D. Bourke, H. Ensor (captain), J. Leeson, A. Story, J. Hedley, T. Thompson, A. Cameron, C. Cameron. Mr. H. Vause (Turua) was referee. The Game. Waikato quickly got into the Thames Valley 25. Hedley joined in a movement and sent to Aitken, who was blocked on the line. From the resultant loose play Leeson dropped on the ball, putting Waikato in the lead after three minutes’ play. Davies’ kick failed. Waikato 3, Thames Valley 0. Thames Valley got to the Waikato 25 line from the kick and Ryan did good work, but found Denz an obstacle. In the scrum work Thames Valley were coming round over quickly. A. Cameron and Leeson again led to the Valley 25, but play was quickly transferred by loose forward play. Gloyn received and ran across field and Whorskey made a feeble attempt to tackle, the Valley winger getting over at the corner. The kick failed. Thames Valley 3, Waikato 3. Waikato immediately made tracks and W. Cameron had a pot which went low. Valley were beating Waikato in the tight forward work and the backs were fumbling. In the loose the Waikato forwards were superior. Barry, a last year’s junior forward, playing fullback for Valley, was called upon for a good save to send to halfway. The next score came from a brilliant movement. W. Cameron cut out a man and sent to Aitken, who ran Broderick into. position to get over unopposed. Davies’ kick failed narrowly. Waikato 6, Thames Valley 3.

Waikato attacked consistently for some minutes, Aitken and then Denz being caught just short of the line.. An infringement by Waikato ultimately gave Valley relief. Stewart led to just over halfway, where Swann took a good but unsuccessful kick at goal. Valley forwards worked right to the visitors’ line, where they were penalised for picking out of the scrum. At this stage the home forwards worried Waikato in the loose play and they maintained an atack near the Waikato line until again penalised. They went back again and Burgess had an unsuccessful kick. From a period of midfield play Swann cut clean through the weak defence to the fullback, where he sent a blind pass to Peake and the ball was smothered. Valley were having all the better of the play, but the backs spoilt their efforts by taking their passes standing. Swann again cut

through but was stopped by Davies, who got in a kick to send Waikato into the Valley 25 for the first time in eight minutes. After a further period of midfield play Stewart put Valley into the Waikato 25, until Leeson broke through to halfway.' After an even half the score was: Waikato 6, Thames Valley 3. Davies was responsible for a clever mark from the fast Valley forwards soon after the turn round and Denz transferred play to the Valley 25, where Waikato were penalised. W. Cameron twice missed his pass from Johnstone and let Valley through but Davies retrieved each time. Denz, Aitken and Broderick were responsible for a good movement, but the winger was held up on the line and Peake sent to his 25, and Stewart made further progress with a line kick. The Valley forwards were still holding Waikato and the inside backs of both teams with the exception of Denz were weak. Valley had to force from Story, but the next movement looked promising to Valley until Whorskey got Gloyn when he was on his way to the line. Denz and Leeson were prominent in a Waikato movement which went to the Valley line, but Swann gathered and put in a good kick. Waikato were penalised through Denz and Swann had a kick at goal which was well short. The Waikato forwards now commenced to take charge and Davies and W. Cameron had unsuccessful kicks at goal. Waikato backs and forwards indulged in a passing bout which was stopped by an infringement, but the score ultimately came from Aitken, who received in centre field, side-stepped and bustled his way over under the posts. Davies converted. Waikato 11, Thames Valley 3.

Waikato took scrums instead of line outs from this on. Denz cut through beautifully on the blind side and ran to within a few yards of the Valley line to send to Whorskey, but the latter did not move quickly enough and was collared. The Waikato next score came from a penalty which Davies put over. Waikato 14, Thames Valley 3. Barry then had to stop W. Cameron, Story and Leeson with a good kick, but Waikato went back to it and only good defence kept them out. After a period of play in safe territory Valley were given a kick close in, but Stewart failed, and the game ended: Waikato 14, Thames Valley 5.

WAIKATO “REP” MATCHES.

Trip to Taranaki. Auckland Game Arranged. At the Waikato Rugby Union meeting on Friday the following inter-provincial matches were confirmed:— August 12 —v. King Country, at Taumarunui. August 16 —v. Taranaki, at Eltham. September 6v. Auckland, at Hamilton. September 20 —v. Wanganui, at Hamilton.

UNIVERSITY MATCH. Word has been received by the Matamata Rugby Union that the University team, of Auckland, which has a bye on Saturday, is keen to come to Matamata on that day. Mr. J. E. Cummings, chairman of the Matamata executive, and Mr. J. H. Hawes, were in touch with Auckland on Saturday morning, and as a result a game with Matamata representatives has been fixed up.

WAIKATO RUGBY UNION.

Committee Meeting.

A meeting of the committee of the Waikato Union was held on Friday night, delegates from all sub-unions with the exception of Raglan being present. Rotorua Delegate. A letter was received from the Rotorua sub-union intimating that Mr. C. H. Mclntyre (Morrinsville) had been appointed its delegate to sit on the management committee. Maori Footballers. Mr. A. Joseph, a selector appointed by the Maori Advisory Board, wrote stating that James Wilson (Matamata) and R. Jackson (Waipa) had been selected to represent the Western Districts Maori team against Northern Districts in a match for the Prince of Wales Cup, on August 2. The writer stated this was the first step towards getting Waikato Maoris into the next Maori touring team. Footballs for Schools.

It was decided that in future school footballs shall be distributed early in the season, so that the schools may have full advantage of the balls.

Representative Player Cautioned. A player who had been ordered off the field in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty match was before the union. It was decided to administer no further punishment, but to inform the player that the union did not apapprove of its players giving the referee any chance to enforce the penalty. Rough Play. - A letter was received from the New Zealand Union regarding rough play, and it was decided to send a copy to the sub-unions. Cambridge Colours. The Cambridge sub-union was given permission to change its colours to Cambridge blue with eight-inch white bands on body and sleeves. Travelling in By Rail. Alternative schemes, by rail and motor bus, for conveying representative teams to King Country and Taranaki were before tlite meeting.

Mr. Yardley said he thought wherever possible the union should support the railways. The railway in this case was cheaper than the bus, and was far more comfortable for long journeys. On his motion it was decided that the journey be undertaken by rail. Mr. T. Thompson was appointed manager of the team.

REFEREES APPOINTED.

For Finlay Cup Games.

Referees have been appointed for Finlay Cup matches as follow: — August 12. —Morrinsville v. Matamata, at Matamata, Mr. S. E. Senior (Hamilton); Putaruru v. Rotorua, at Rotorua, Mr. Wrathall (Matamata). Mr. B. Chapman (Morrinsville) will referee the Hamilton-Cambridge match.

DRAW FOR THE PEACE CUP. Saturday. Morrinsville (holders) v. Thames. August 19.—Holders v. winners of Hamilton-Taupiri game. September 2.—Holders v. wmneis of Rotorua-Putaruru game. September 9.—Holders v. Waipa. September 23. —Holders v. Matamata. September 30. —Holders v. Maniapoto.

WAIPA SENIOR TEAM.

Drastic Action Proposed.

Rescued by Chairman.

Drastic action with the Waipa senior representative team was narrowly averted at the Waikato Rugby Union meeting on Friday. The voting on an amendment that the team be suspended for the season was equal and it was left to the chairman’s casting vote to decide against the amendment. The matter under discussion was the withdrawal of the Waipa subunion from the Finlay Cup competition conveyed by letter.

The chairman said the letter was the outcome of an attempt to compromise on the matter of the venue of the Waipa-Hamilton Finlay Cup match which had been set down by the Waikato Union to be played at Hamilton. Mr. Haselden said his committee felt that the Waikato Union should have dealt with the complaint. The chairman further stated that for the past two years Waipa had had the final games at Te Awamutu. Mr. James said the Waipa Union had committed a grave error. He wanted it made plain as to whether Waipa or Waikato controlled the Finlay Cup draw. If any other subunion adopted the same attitude the competition could not go on. He was of the opinion that Waipa should be suspended for the rest of the season.

Mr. Yardley said he did not think Mr. James’ remarks were too strong, but he would not agree to the suspension of the sub-union, as this would also affect the juniors and third grade. He did, however, think the other sub-unions should refrain from playing Waipa this season. A member asked whether Waipa intended to withdraw its Peace Cup challenge also. Mr. Haselden: That is another question which has been discussed by my committee. It is of the opinion that the Finlay Cup is overshadowed by the Peace Cup. Mr. Chapman said certain unions complained that they could not afford to travel with their senior teams for the Finlay Cup, yet they played outside unions and sent their juniors and third grade teams chasing other cups. This was equally, expensive.

Reverting to the match Hamilton v. Waipa, Mr. Speight said Hamilton had offered a friendly match at Waipa if the latter fulfilled its Fin-, lay Cup fixture. A motion was put to the meeting that Waipa be written to regretting its attitude, and an amendment that the Waipa seniors be suspended from playing any sub-union in Waikato this season. The voting for the amendment was equal and the chairman voted against it. A further amendment, “ that a committee be appointed to write a letter giving' the Waikato Union’s views on Waipa’s action,” was carried.