FOOTBALL

Putaruru Press, Volume XVI, Issue 895, 5 September 1940, Page 8

FOOTBALL

WAIKATO WIN Handsome Margin Final Scores 29 Points to 8 Childs and Perkins in Form Although they wont down to Waikato on Saturday at Morrinsville, the Thames Valley representatives put up a game showing. Thames Valley backs and forwards showed enterprise, but lacked the finish necessary against a team of Waikato’s calibre. The final score of 29 points to 8 in Waikato’s favour provided a fair indication of the merits! of the respective teams on the clay. Amply served with the hall from the scrums Waikato backs were responsible for some very fine combined work in which the hall invariably reached the .wingers, Childs and PerJdns, both of whom were in great form. The Inside backs, j. Everest and Carroll, teamed well, and' made frequent brilliant openings before sending on to Aitken, who, on oecasion, drew the defence cleverly lb-fore feeding his wingers. The teams lined out as follows: ' Waikato Fullback: D. G. Ensor (Morririsville). Threequarters: G. H. Childs (Matamata), A. J. Aitken (Morrinsvilla), C. Perkins (Hamilton). Five-eighths: J. Everest (Hamilton), W. Carroll (Matamata). Halfback: J. Brown (Matamata). Back Row: M. Hewitt (Cambridge). Middle Row: C. Satherley (Hamilton), M. J. Johnson (Hamilton), A. Thomson (Waipa), W. H. Warrender (Matamata). Front Row: J. M. Taylor (Taupiri), E. H. Catley (Taupiri), P. Farren (Taupiri). Thames Valley Fullback: Sherman, Threequarters: L. Wilson, R. Miller, W. Baker. Five-eighths: Clark, J. Woodland. Half: M. Furey. Back row: Trembarth. Middle row: S. Walford, J. Kotara, Taylor, Finlay. Front row: Kneebone, Heenan, White. Aitken opens scoring Waikato kicked off and Everest and Childs were immediately prominent with smart dashes which early had Thames Valley on the defensive. From a scrum Catley raked back to Brown, who set his hacks moving, the whole line handling hefefre Per-

kins made a dash for the line. Wilson was handy, however, and he upended the flying winger in no uncer-

tain style and returned play to Ensor who found the line. Again the Waikato baefls flashed out in a great passing rush which was only pulled up When Childs’ reverse pass was not gathered in. A moment later and Waikhto had opened itsi score as a result of Aitken finding the posts with a penalty. Waikato 3, Thames Valley 0. Following the kick-off the Thames Valley backs had a run, Furey making a nice opening from the hase of the scrum to send on to Baker, who was forced out in the Waikato 25. Solid rucking followed and from a scrum Infringement Woodlandsi had a shot which fell short, and Aitken fielded cleanly to send Child away, but on reaching Wilson the winger’s pass . infield went begging. Satherley earned applause for solid work in the lineout. Again the Waikato hacks opened out, but Aitken wasi brought down near the twenty-five. At this stage play was held up temporarily while Woodlands received attention from the ambulance men. Carroll made a nice opening for Waikato and sent on to Aitken and Childs for the big Matamata winger to outpace the defence for a splendid try, which Ensor failed to improve. Waikato 6, Thames Valley 0. Thames Valley forwards swept downfield, and Woodlands had a chance from a penalty, hut he kicked a poster. Solid work among the forwards followed and after play had see-sawed up and down field Thomson increased Waikato’s lead. Waikato 9, Thames Valley 0. A penalty against Farren for offside play enabled Thames Valley to penetrate deeply, hut Ensor returned to beyond halfway, and first Childs and then Perkins were prominent with strong dashes. From a scrum Brown shot the ball out to Carroll, for the latter to make ground before transferring to Everest, and the Hamiltonian heat his man to score a good try near the posts. However, the kick missed. Waikato 12, Thames Valley 0. Warrender was penalised for offside play and Taylor had hard luck with a shot which just dropped under the posts, and Waikato cleared temporarily. Back cime the Thames Valley forwards -in a determined rush, but Aitkep gathered nicely to Clear. At this stage (he’ visiting forwards were displaying ' inore dash, with Kneebone standing cfut for good all-round work. Satherley, Warrender arid Hewitt initiated a great rush Which culminated in Childs gathering nicely to score a fine opportunist try, which Ensor could Rot improve. Waikato 15, Thames Valley 6. Waikato hacks continued to make the play and just before half-time was whistled Aitken sent Perkins away for the speedy Hamilton winger to cross near the corner. Carroll missed the kick. Waikato 18, Thames Valley 0. - The Second Spell Upon resuming the Waikato forwards went away -in a great rush which was frustrated by Baker, who gathered smartly to find the line. Baker was again prominent with sound defensive play, and then Furey sent Miller away for the latter to short kick when confronted by Childs, and follow through to catch Ensor in possession, hut the fullback managed to get his kick iu. At this stage the Thames Valley team was showing much more enterprise but were being kept out with strong defence. until the Waikato backs changed defence for attack and swept downfield in an irresistible rush which had its reward when Perkins crossed for a great try which Aitken converted. Waikato 23, Thames Valley 0. Immediately afterwards Waikato suffered a reverse when Miller, an ex-Kereone player who had formerly represented MorlnsvUle, when away •

in a great hurst which left the defence standing to score a fine try which he also converted. Waikato 23. Thames Valley 5. Heartened by their success Thames Valley again attacked and Waikato obtained relief when Perkins- hooted out. Waikato then ‘ took a turn on attack and increased their lead when Perkins crossed for a try which Hewitt failed to convert after kicking a poster. Waikato 26, Thames Valley 5. Bustling tactics by Thames Valley forwards had the defence worried, and the deficit was reduced when Morrison, who had replaced an Injured forward, earned a try. The kick missed. Following the kick-off Waikato initiated some torrid forward rushes, from one of which Catley scored an unconverted try, and the game ended shortly after with the scores: Waikato 29, Thames Valley S. OPPORTUNITY LOST Trying New Material New Blood Wanted in Forwards Although Waikato achieved a handsome victory at the expense of Thames Valley on Saturday it was evident, a® it has been in other representative games this season, that time is taking steady toll of the athletic abilities of many of the older stalwarts of the team, and in view of this fact it is to be regretted that the sole selector, Air. H. P. Ensor, has not yet seen fit to commence a process of team-building by the infusion of new blood, particularly in the forwards. The Thames Valley match, usually considered a reasonably easy one from Waikato’s point of vie.w, provided Mr. Ensor with an admirable opportunity of trying out some of the more promising of the younger forwards, but apparently it is considered that the old brigade will go on forever. There is an old saying that it is mighty hard for a man to get his place in a team, but once in it is harder to get out. Certainly Mr. Ensor included young players in V. Ensor and W. Walker, of Morrinsville, as reserves, but it isconsidered in many quarters that players- of such promise should have been given their chance of gaining actual inter-provincial experience. Apart from the two players mentioned there are others in the various centres from which the Waikato representative team is chosen who have displayed distinct promise, and who, in the interests of the game, should be given their chance when such an opportunity offers. For instance, iSatherley, Taylor. Thomson, Aitken and Carroll could easily have been given a rest in this match to give

promising new men a try out. Waikato’s representative record thisi season has not been so impressive as to warrant retaining the older packmen.