FOOTBALL.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 159223, 12 September 1923, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

AUC'KLAN v THAMES VALeEY. A fair crowd was present at the Domain Paeroa to witness the match Thames Valley v Auckland. Thames! Yalley (Blue? and Guild) Poland, Samson, Niccoll, Campbell, Mollioy, Williams, Nooney, MlcLeay Nilson, Graham, Magall, Heath, T. Johnson, Millington, Goodacre, Park, Don Wallis. Auckland (Blue and White) Gillespie, Stewart, Pratt, Anderson, Pollock, Angel, Brooker, Muiff Batley, McCullough, Lamb. Thames Valley kicked off and a free kick to each side followed Niccoll carried play to Aucklands line but the white forwards cleared a free kick to Thames Valley and they were back, McCullough marked and Auckland pressed Valley were penalised McCullough failing at goal. Mooney marked and Valley took play to Auckland territory. A free kick to Valley and Molloy had an unsuccessful shot. Valley ha'd Auckland busy on the defensive a passing bout by the Blue and Gold forwards ending in MjdLeay scoping Mollov failing with the kick. Thames Valley 3 Auckland 0. Following the kick off the Auckland backs started a movement which good tackling spoilt. A free kick to Valley and they cleared temporarily. Auckland were attacking but were twice penalised and Valley assumed the offensive and compelled Auckland to force. Auckland swept onto Valley territory but two free kicks to- Valley kept them out. Play was in neutral territory as change over sounded. Park led Auckland to Valley 25 and throwing the ball about had Valley in trouble. Johnson started a rush and sending on to Magill to Wallis the latter looked certain to score but the pace of the, white backs saved. A bout by Valley backs looked dangerous but the defence stood. Play swung into midfield but kicking to hard allowed Auckland to force. Valley kept hammering away but could not itpjeak through. Mctfloy; Campbell find Niccoll being responsible for good attacking movements. Pollock led the Auckland pack to halfway and two free kicks helped them. Each side had a turn at at-, tacking and then an exchange of kicks followed in Valley’s favour Auckland forcing. Valley set up a hot attack and Campbell beating two tacklers scored a good try in the corner Molloy failing to convert. Thames Valileyfi/ Auckland 0. Play settled at halfway for some time till Wallis came through Auckland forcing. Half time sound ing as the kick off was to be taken. The Auckland team livened up considerably and aided by two free kicks assumed the offensive. C. Anderson sent to Pollock to Batjley who '.scored M]cCullough converted. Thames Valley 6 Auckland ft. Play swung into Auckland territory and Auckland being penalised Molloy goaled. Thames Valley .fi Auckland 5. Auckland swept to the / attack and Valley being penalised McCullough kicked a fine goal Thames Yalley fl Auckland 8.

Shortly after the kick off Auckland were penalised Bilooker’s return sent play to Valley territory and led by Muir Auckland took play to the line. A clearing kick came out to Gillespie who sent to Park to Williams who sent a reverse pass to Park to score a good /try. McCullough goaled. Auckland 13 Thames Valley 9. Near halfway Valley were penalised but Valley bustling hard put the whites on the defensive. Batley and Pollock carried play to halfway. A free to Valley and Auckland in possession got to Valley 25. Auckland pressed and Pratt badly fooled the ’opposition scoring well out. McCullough goaled with a great kick. Auckland 18 Thames Valley 9. Play wits at half way when Park kicked high ~Samson's return was blocked by Brooker and in a loose rush Auckland went to the Valley line. MjcCtijlSough 'scoring to fail with tho kick at goal. Auckland' 21 Thames Valley 9. A free kick to Valley at halfway gamed no ground. A free kick to Auckland followed but was called back for a scrum. Auckland attacked and Valley being penalised McCullough had an unsuccessful shot at goal as change over sounded. With the return of the kick Valley pressed Gillespie maaked but Valley came back Pollock clearing An exchange of kicks followed ending (in Valiev (favour. Auckland cleared and took play to Valley ter ritory. Valley came back ami a Lot rally inside Auckland 25 followed. Campbell slipped at a critical stage. Campbell again made an opening was talked solidly. Play swung across field and Samson

veered. Mblloy failing w(ith the kick. Auckland 21 Thames Valley 12. Poland returned the kick oh to halfway. Park broke away but Valley again attacked Nelson sent a high pass out to Campbell who sent to Johnson to Wallis the latter scoring. Molloy failing with the kick.

Auckland 21 Thames Valley 15. Following the kick off Valley attacked but the Auckland pack took play to halfway. A mark to Muir was followed by one to Heath and play settled in neutral territory. A high kick by Park caught Valley out of position and following a loose rush Lamb scored. McCullough failed with the kick. Auckland 24 Thames Valley 15. > Vajlley kept Auckland (busy defending but could not break through and the game ended with the score. ' Auckland 24 Thames Valley 15. Mr R. Penlington was referee.

The following will represent Thames in the match against the Hauraki Plains on Saturday:—Fullback-G.Coss-grove- (P). t-R.McLean (P),B.Harrison (C) ,A.Mofr is ev (C. >O. B.). \f-KLockett, (C.«O.B.),A.Tatton (R). -l.A.McCollum, (Ramb) ,Rover -L.Hook, (o.o.B.).forwards W. Pollock (P), R.Smith (C) .0. Hudson,(P) M.Hogan (C),W.McMahon, (R),A.Lomas (C),B.Burkhardt (Rand)) Emer.forwards E.Kelly,(COß)A.O’Hara (Ramb), H.Ensoiy(GOß) .Backs:- L. Hughtonj(P) ,E.Elliot (C) A.Laurent'. W. Strange, L. Stewart. W. Ryan, and Goodwin were not available owing to 'injuries and richness while M. Hayward has ><ec n «elrcterl to play aganst Wellington at Auckland on Saturday 15th mst.