REPRESENTATIVE MATCH.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15620, 24 July 1922, Page 5

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH.

AUCKLAND V. THAMES

VALLEY,

A croAvd estimated at 2000 assembled at the Paeroa Domain on Saturday to Avitness the representative football match betAveen Auckland and Thames Valley. A light breeze and a warm .sun made the occasion pleasant for the on-lookers and, combined Avith a dry turf, gave the players every opportunity of showing their b e st- form. The game de\ T eloped info a battle between the Valley forwards and the Auckland backs, but play Avas fast and open. The Auckland backs dominated the game throughout, their passing rushes showing flashes of brilliance, and although Thames Valley put up a good defence, in all-i’ound play they were not up to the standard of the visitors. The teams were:

Auckland (Blue and White,): Backs, Goodacre, Wade, Malloy, Matson, Earlly, Gregory, Wright (capt.); rover, Lynch; forwards, Eagnall, Peters, McDonald, Lamb, Eelander, Marshall, Somerville. Thames Valley (Black and Gold): Backs, Windei', K. Dean, Garry, J. Magill McDermott J. Gilpin, Nieols (capt.) ; rover, Goldsbury ; forAvards T. Johnson, NeAvdick, McMahon, K. Atkins, Halley, Riley, Heath. Referee: Mr. A. W. Dunstan, of Waihi.

Auckland set the ball rolling and immediately pressed. Heath got in a good kick, and the return was secured by Magill who took play to the Auckland 25 where it remained for a short period. Then Earlly snapping up the ball, raced from his own quarter along the touch line to score a brilliant try within 1:avo minutes of the commencement. Peters com r erted.

A uckland 5; Thames Valley 0,

Heath found the line with a long punt and the ball coming in was secured by N.icolJs who whipped it out to McDermott. Valley carried the ball along, and from an infringement in Auckland quarter Magill kicked a goal. Auckland 5; Thames Valley 3.

Auckland attacked vigorously, Winder fumbled but saved. Again Auckland got going and the threequarter line started a passing movement, Wade streaking for the line. He Avas tackled by Winder and carried over the touch-in-goal. Play veered across the field, both sides taking a turn in attacking, and when Auckland looked dangerous Gilpin marked to save. Matson sprinted down field till he was grassed, then the Auckland forwards pressed in a series of attacks till an infringement gained temporary relief for Valley. From their own quarter the Black and Gold pack dribbled the ball to centre, where Auckland started a passing irush, Goodacre to Earlly to Malloy to Matson, the latter being downed by Winder near the line. Auckland, however, attacked stronger than ever, play still being in Valley quarter, till Gilpin broke clean away and the sphere of play switched to Auckland’s side of the midway, where Goldsbury put in a run, and Valley were still on the offensive . when the first quarter ended.

SECOND QUARTER. From a penalty Heath had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Auckland were upset in "a' passing bout that nearly let. Valley in, Wright, the Auckland skipper, saving with a kick into touch. Atkins went through the opposing backs till he was grassed, and Auckland sent them back with a long kick. For a time Valley looked dangerous, Garry racing for possession as the ball rolled over the line. The Blue and White backs got going again ending their rush at half-way. Goldsbury following .tip. quickly grassed the man in possession. Fromi a throw-in Matson sprinted down ‘the line, Winder flinging him into touch. Quickly recovering the Blue and White team pressed vigorously and from a pass from Earlly, Malloy,dived over. /Peters converted.

Auckland 10, Thames Valley 3

Play travelled up and down field the Auckland backs passing well, till Winder stopped them. From a scramble in Valley "qumfor Peters marked and kicked a fine goal. Auckland 13; Thames Valley 3.

Auckland backs again got going, handling the ball well. Just outside Auckland quarter, a mark for Valley saw Magill have an unsuccessful shot at goal. The home team pressed, Goldsbury downing an opposing forward and carrying on to the visitor's 25, where the ball went into touch as the half-time bell sounded.

THIRD QUARTER. Auckland set their backs in motion, Malloy carrying on to the fullback, Winder, who pushed him into touch. Auckland backs again got going in a pretty passing boiu till an infringement pulled them up. Goldsbury sent then* right back with a long kick and the Black and Gold forwards got within scoring distance, the leather going into touch a few yards from the line. Auckland got over a torrid time by forcing. From a struggle in midfield Dean broke away and raced to the opposing quarter. From there Auckland sent the leather back but Atkins put in a brilliant run. Valley made repeated attempts- to score,

at goal; the ball just going outside the uprights. Gregory set his backs in motion but the rush was broken up, then Goldsbury got away and , Auckland forced. The third quarter ended. LAST QUARTER. The last quarter opened Avith, dribbling rushes, Valley doing the forcing. T. Johnson was injured and the game temporarily held up; On resuming Valley, ■attacked, but? the visiting combination was 'too strong and nothing came of their efforts. Wade made a great sprin't but his pass was missed and Val- £ ley seizing the opportunity bore doAvn but Wright marked. Hard, v forward play followed in Valley territory till Dean started a bout that ended in the visitor’s 25, where : a stiff struggle ensued. Lynch took the ball at bis : toe followed by Helander and Somerville who kicked. ' over the line and in the race for ' possession, Winder, Dean and Somerville dived, the last named J landing on top of the ball and. scoring. Peters added the extra! ; j points. Valley made a great effort and the game was fast and open, i* but there was no further score, and | the final whistle blew a few min- | utes later with the score: Auckland 18; Thames Valley 3. 4

CURTAIN RAISER. As a curtain raiser to the big match Paeroa third grade defeated Waihi High School by 8 points to 1 3, after a fast and exciting tussle.