TOUCH AND GO!

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20081, 9 August 1937, Page 3

TOUCH AND GO!

PEACE CUP RUGBY. Stern Challenge. A NINE-POINT DRAW. EXCITEMENT AT RHODES PARK. Just over half an hour to go—the challengers nine points up and Thames not on the board . . .! Yes, the outlook for the holders was none too bright, yet, as time wore on, Thames landed a penalty and a try, and then another try which saved the day. It was a great match from the spectators' point of view, and enthusiasm was at a high pitch all the way. The Paeroa team had been boosted a great deal prior to the match, and the fifteen players certainly lived up to the reputation that had been spread for them. They had expected victory—and nearly succeeded. Paeroa's big mistake was in not exploiting the stiff breeze they' were playing with in the first spell. Long kicking with the breeze would have saved their forwards a tremendous amount of hard work. Thames did not play to flie best of their ability. The back never once made a complete movement from half to wing, and their tackling should have been more decisive. Then the forwards were scraggy, not hunting a"s a unit. The team played more determinedly towards the end, however, and the trophy stays where it is for another spell as the result of a draw, the second occasion Thames has staved off defeat in this manner since winning the cup.

The teams were:—

, Thames (blue and' black)— Savage Ake, Davis, Dovell; Solomon, Hamilton; Cleave; Poland, Story, Kussek, Edwards, Hartnett, E. McLoughlin, A. McLoughlin, Percy.

Paeroa (green).—Hanan; Vedder, Swann, Morrison; Manders, Clotworthy; Robinson; McDonald, Hampton, Sutherland, Carrick, Laverick, McCormick, Nicol, Corbett. Eeferee: Mr. E. G. Cichero. The Game.

Paeroa won the toss and played with the stiff breeze blowing from the seaward end of the ground. Thames had a brief excursion to Paeroa's 25, but a penalty put Paeroa on the attack. Manders kicked well down and Savage speculated, gaining little ground. Great excitement reigned among the Paeroa contingent when, from a scrum 15yds. out, the challenging backs swung across the goal mouth sharply, Robinson, Clothworthy, Manders and Swann handling for the latter to draw first blood. The move caught the Thames backs standing. Clotworthy's kick failed.—Paeroa 3, Thames 0. Vedder attempted a field goal froln halfway a few minutes later, but it went a little wide.

Paeroa kept up a solid attack and were camped in Thames territory for long spells. A penalty under the posts to Thames gave relief, but the green forwards rucked it back to the line, Poland and Russek turning the tide. Handling by Cleave, Hamilton and Dovell put Thames on Paeroa's 25. With the ball loose Thames pressed desperately, but a knock-on in another passing bout near the line spoilt ehanees. v Nicol made a good solo dash but was nailed by Davis, and Paeroa was attacking again. Corbett retired injured and Hearn replaced him.

Ake sprinted smartly up the line from his 25, sending Story and Eussek into Paeroa's territory. The ball went loose and Robinson sent Thames back. Prom a scrum on Thames' 25, Robineon cut through nicely and Clotworthy, Sutherland and Laverick handled to send Morrison in for a tighr try at the corner. Swann's kick hit an upright and bounced back. —Paeroa 6, Thames 0.

' Story and Ilartnctt were to the fore, going through with the ball at toe, but Vedder, exploiting the breeze well, put Paeroa down on the 25. Poor handling by the challenging backs lost a good chance and Solomon saved. The- spell found Paeroa down near Thames' line. Hectic Second Spell. Vedder and Hanan changed places for the second spell. Savage attempted a penalty from 10 yards outside halfway, but stubbed his toe when kicking. Thames forwards pressed and Story snapped up, sending Akc away. He cut in well but was dropped by Mandcrs. Cleave recovered the leather, and, supported by Story, went close. Paeroa forwards worked the ball away, but the home backs started off. At the 25 Swann intercepted splendidly nnTt was away. Savage closed in from one side and Dovell was close behind in hot pursuit. Swann's chance lay in making for tho corner, and he got there, outpaeirfg the opposition. The scorer's kick failell.—Paeroa 9, Thames 0. Nine points to leeward, with 32 minutes to go made the position none too bright for Thames, while Pacroa's supporters felt their teaffi was well "aboard the lugger." A smart rush by Cleave and he went

close, but was not supported. Paeroa Jteoro penalised in a scrum right under their posts and Hamilton put Thames on the board.—Paeroa 9, Thames 3. The greens were penalised again soon after midway between the 25 and halfway, and Savage's kick was a good one but the ball hit an upright and bounced back. The holders rucked through to the line but Laverick was allowed to dribble tho ball away from

danger. E. McLoughlin, Hartnett, Russelc and Story combined to return to the attack, but a kick into touch in goal saved for Paeroa. Davis made a good break, but was well taken, and Robinson put his side into the clear. Dovell put Thames back on the 25 with a long kick and the holders followed up, but the ball went dead. Another penalty came Thames' way, but Savage missed narrowly. Cleave left the field with an injured shoulder and Hayward took Akc's place on the wing, the latter replacing Cleave.

Ake sent the backs away with a splendid dive pass, but Solomon, in breaking through, got mixed up with the Paeroa forwards. The local pack carried on and Paeroa were lucky to get out with a force. Thames came back, Hayward in-kicking. The local forwards were right on the ball, and from the tight Poland got across near the corner amid great excitement. Savage missed narrowly with the kick.— Paeroa 9, Thames 6.

The pressure was on, and in a great rush Solomon got in after Hayward had kept the ball in play on the line and beaten the opposition with the ball at toe. Again Savage missed the kick narrowly.—Thames 9, Paeroa 9. There were 11 minutes to go, and the crowd was in an uproar. Thames maintained the pressure and Hamilton shot a field goal which sailed between the posts. However, the whistle had halted play just as he kicked. Next, Ako took a "pot," but it went a little wide, and then the backs handled, Hayward being held "p. Paeroa played desperately to get Thames back off their line, but to no avail. Thames backs handled again and Davis held too long when a trv looked certain.

A minute or two before the end E. McLoughlin retired injured and was re-' placed by Strange. The final whistle found Thames still attacking and the cup still in hand. ,

MIDGET GAME. The schoolboys' game, played as a curtain-raiser to the big match, was thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators, the young fellows giving everything a go-THIRD-GRADERS BEATEN. At Te Aroha, the Thames third-grado team lost to a To Aroha team by 5 points to 3. ON THE PLAINS. The Hauraki Plains competition matches were continued on Saturday. Results: —■ Seniors.—Waitakaruru 0 v. Kercpeehi 3.

Juniors Kerepeehi 3v. Ngatea 0