RUGBY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16138, 1 July 1924, Page 7

RUGBY.

THAMES v. HAMILTON

THE PEACE CUP

With an ideal day and an attendance of close on 3000 the Hamilton Rugby Union should feel very pleased more especially as their representative teams-left the field winners of the treble, Hamilton Juniors defeating Thames by 27 to nil, Hamilton B defeating Franklin by 9 to 6 and the Peace Cup match by 23 to 9. The teams were:—

Thames (blue and black) — fullback, K. Lockett; threequarters A. Morrisey, G C.osgrove, H. Bax; five-eighths, G. Crawford, L. Hook; half-back A. Isaacs; rover, E. Kelly; forwards, W. Pollock, H .Ensor, M. Hayward, (capt.) M. Hogan, C. Barker, It. Smith, A. Lomas.

Hamilton, (black and gold) fullback W. Mathieson; threequarters, J. MacCormac, 0. Sullivan, W. Bayly; fiveeighths, H.J ohnstone (capt.) R. Kemp; half-back, A. Buckingham; rover, 0. Cassels; forwards, J. Hooper C. Warren, Dr. *J. Gray, P. Courtney, L. Knight, C. Christie, W. Christie.

Thames kicked off against a strong sun and with an adverse wind blowing diagonally across the field. Hamilton returned play to half-way but the Blue pack broke away Mathieson marking. An exchange of kicks followed with play in Hamilton territory. With a slow passing movement Hamilton got in Thames territory where a scrum the Blues being penalised, Gray failing with the kick at goal. An exchange of kicks left play in Thames 25 but a free ‘kick relieved and ‘Hayward found the line near half-way. Play swung infield and for a scrum infringement Hamilton were penalised, Mathieson returned into touch at half-

way. Hamilton adopted bustling tactics and beating the Blues Knight scored in the corner, Gray failing to convert. Hamilton 3, Thames 0. With the drop out Thames took play to the Hamilton 25. The Yellow pack worked hack to half-way but again the Blues got a break. Buckingham stopped them with a mark, and an exchange of kicks followed; play remained in Hamilton territory. A further exchange of kicks and Hamilton swept to the line, a nice passing bout ended in Johnstone scoring. Gray converting. Hamilton 8, Thames o. v

Thames then had a turn and attacked but a free kick to Hamilton for a scrum breach nullified and Hamilton reversed the positions. A free kick to Thames gained a few yards and the Blues worked into Hamilton territory. Hook kicked too hard when endeavouring to give Morrisey a, chance, Hamilton forcing as change over sounded.

For a time* play remained in neutral ground,;'but Hamilton gradually assumed the offensive and the Blues were hard pressed to keep them out. Hook, supported by. Bax, broke away but Mathieson saved when danger threatened. Play swung infield and Isaacs was slow to get rid of the ball and lost possession and Hamilton were hammering away at the line but Hayward briifte clean away and sent on to Bax who made a dash down the line well into Yellow ground. Hamilton swept back but the Blues were equal to the occasion and forced them back on the defensive. From a lino out play swung infield and Cosgrove dropped a doubtful goal Hamilton 8, Thames 4.

Following the kick-off an exchange of kicks ended in Lockett finding the line near half way. Hamilton workinto Blue ground and opening out in a good passing bout were nearly over;

Cassells secured from the edge of the ruck and scored. Gray failing to convert. Hamilton 11, Thames 4.

With play in neutral territory after the kick off Thames were penalised, Johnstone finding the line well down Lomas broke away hut Mathieson returned in to Thames ground; Lockett was called on to clear and was equal to the occasion. From the line out Buckingham marked; the Blues got away but Hamilton worked back again. Thames assumed the offensive and Cosgrove dropped at goal, and a good chance was thrown away. Following the drop out play “ettlecl hi Hamilton ground for a time. Hook marked and with the ensuing exchange of 'kicks Hamilton got into Blue ground. A free kick to Hamilton and Thames forced. Lockett marked Cassells’ return of the drop out and Hamilton started off with a passing bout but good tackling broke it and the Blue pack cleared and gradually worked hack to half way. Isaacs fumbled behind the scrum hut regained to make a nice run. Some inpassing along the line followed and Thames pressed. Hamilton swept back into Blue territory and their backs set off in a passing bout which was topped off by Gray scoring to convert his own try. Hamilton 16, Thames 4. Half time sounded immediately after. With the return of the kick off play went to Blue ground; a free kick to Thames was returned by Mathieson. A slow passing movement by Hamilton in Thames territory was followed by an exchange of kicks which ended in Lockett in finding the line at halfway. A knock on spoilt an attempt

Morrisey blocked a cross kick and the Blues swept into Hamilton ground. Buckingham marked but the kick availed nothing. Hook marked and with the return the Blues went away passing well; a rally on Hamilton’s line. A certain score went west by offside play and Hamilton cleared to the 25. Play swung infield and Lock»tt and Matheison exchanged kicks. Thames were now putting plenty of run into their play and rally after rally on the Hamilton line ensued. Play swung infield and Cosgrove dropped at goal with Morrissey waiting outside unmarked; Cosgrove’s kick was blocked and Hamilton worked out to near half way. A free kick to Thames and Matheison returned in Blue territory. A free kick to Thames and the Blues were at half way; an exchange of kicks gave Hamilton a temporary advantage. The Blue pack broke away and again a hot rally ensued at Hamilton’s line. Play swung across and Hamilton were sorely tried. Cosgrove marked a clearing kick but the ball was grounded too soon/and he lost the kick. The charge very near brought disaster as the ball swung to one side and with most of the Blue pack in a line it looked a certain score, but the Yellows got there in time. Hamilton tried to work a point with the drop out but Hook blocked it and a scrum followed. Hamilton worked into Blue ground and overwhelming the Blues a Hamilton player scored in the corner. Gray failing to convert. Hamilton 19, Thames 4.

Knight marked the kick off but play settled for a time in neutral zone. Lomas broke clean away from the lirie out and Thames were inside Hamilton 25. Thames gained a few yards more but Hamilton cleared and set up a strong attack; holding too long enabled the Blues to break it before troubled threatened and Morrisey intercepted a pass. Play swung across field quickly and with play inside Thames 25. Bax shot away with Hook in support; Hamilton were caught napping badly and four Blue forwards had a clear field; M. Hayward scoring for R. Smith to convert. Hamilton 19, Thames 9. Change over. With the return of the kick off the Blues took play into Hamilton territory. An exchange of kicks ended by Lockett marking; Thames forwards assumed the offensive and had Hamilton busy. Hamilton cleared and off with apassing bout; a forward pass spoiling. Hamilton were penalised for a scrum infringement but play returned to neutral ground. A free kick to Hamilton and an exchange of kicks followed, the advantage being with the Blues. A free kick to Thames way. Fumbling by Isaacs and Knight and Johnstone found the line at half broke away; Lockett, although mistaking found the line . A scrum ensued followed by an exchange of kicks and from a free kick to Hamilton Johnstone had an unsuccessful shot at goal. The drop out was followed by a scrum, and an exchange of kicks in Blue ground ended by the ball going into touch near the 25. A free kick to Thames and the Blues were in Yellow ground. Johnstone broke away but a forward spoilt; Hamilton secured from the scrum but Hook stopped the passing bout. Play swung across field and Bax made a dash up the line and centred; Thames had Hamilton in sore trouble but trying to cut in spoilt an excellent chance and Hamilton cleared. With play in Yellow territory Hamilton started a passing effort which was met by good tackling. A free kick to Thames and from the ensuing line out play sAung infield Buckingham dropped a heat goal Hamilton 23, Thames 9. . With play in neutral zone the Thames pack broke away but a mark stopped them. Hamilton then had a turn at attack but Thames cleared. Back came Hamilton with a passing bout but a forward pass spoilt. An exchange of kicks ended by the going into touch at half way. A scrum followed the line out and Thames were penalised, Johnstone finding the line near the 25. Hamilton kept up the pressure and Thames were compelled to force. Thames had a turn at attack but the defence stood and gradually worked into Blue ground. A free kick to Thames and O’ Sullivan dashed down the line and kicked into touch as time was called. Hamilton 23, Thames 9. Mr Chapman, (Morrinsville) was referee.