FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2814, 26 July 1927, Page 6

FOOTBALL

THE JUNIOR COMPETITION.

WINS FOR HAUTAPU AND LEAMINGTON.

In the junior club competition two surprises were created on .Saturday when Leamington secured their first

win of the season by beating City at Victoria Square by 3 points (a try) to nil; and Hautapu defeated the competition leaders, Tauwhare, on their own ground, by II points to 10. Hautapu snatched a well-earned victory in the dying stages of the game. Tauwhare still leads the competition with 13

points, with Hautapu a close runner-up with 12 points. City remain at 10 points, while’Leamington have 5.

There was a very disappointing attendance 'of the public at Victoria Square, consequently the amount to be handed over to the Waikato Hospital Sunshine League will be small. The paucity of the attendance was to some extent due to the Waikato-Auckland match at Hamilton.

Besides the Leamington-City junior match a senior rep. trial was set down

for play, but once again the union experienced a fiasco, many of the seniors failing to put in an appearance. A short practice match of those present was held, and though put poor football exhibited, the spectators were treated to a little amusement.

THE JUNIORS. LEAMINGTON DcFEATS CITY. City and Leamington juniors met at Victoria Square. Chubb set the leather in motion for Leamington and in the opening stages City had the advantage. At length City were penalised in scrum work and a free kick enabled Leamington to get into City’s territory for the first time. Returning to the attack Darrow was responsible for initiating two nice passing rushes. Abel spoiled a good scoring -movement by throwing a forward pass. Coming- back to the centre of the field Shaw, MeFar•lane were seen in a good passing bout for Leamington, the leather being pushed out at the City 25 flag. Keeping up the pressure Leamington had City hard on the defence. From a line-out in the t/ast the ball went straight across the field through the Leamington backs, but the players from over the river could not pierce' the defence. Relief came to Citv through nippy work on * # the part of Darrow. who kicked to the west 25 flag. Abel with a good line kick put City to half-wav, and from here in the loose' the City forwards swept to Leamington’s line. City made desperate attempts to score, but the defence held. The quarter ended without score, the advantage being with :City. Immediately on changing over

City attacked and Butler got away along the east line, being pulled down yards from the line. In the scramble Leamington forced. Continuing on Leamington kept City busy during the remainder of the quarter and in the north-west corner Haworth just pushed out in the nick of time to prevent a score. On resuming the second half play roved about the centre for a stage and then down along the east line Scabourne got away,, but he foolishly hung on with Darrow in aatendancc. The remainder of the quarter was very even, the advantage, if anything, being with Leamington. N. Morse and Chubb were doing good work for Leamington in the tight, while Rowe, at half, and R. Shaw were responsible for some nice passing rushes.

Early in the last quarter Leamington kept up the pressure and in the northwest corner, Shaw nearly pushed his way across. Towards the close of the game Leamington once more attacked in the north-west corner, and after a desperate scramble N. Morse dived over to draw first blood in the game. The kick was disallowed. The final bell sounded seconds later with the score Leamington .3, City 0. Mr H. Vausc refereed. Leamington thoroughly deserved their win, which is the first for the season. In both departments - they were superior. THIRD-GRADE COMPETITION. In the third-grade competition Leamington 6 defeated City .3, at the Loam ington ground. For Leamington Hjorth scored a try and A. Thomas kicked a penalty goal, while Crawshaw ran half the length of the field to score a fine try for City. It was a very even game and some-good play was seen in the second half. Mr Alf. Entwislc refereed. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ COMPETITION. The following arc the results of games played on Saturday morning in connection with the primary schools’ competition: — Hautapu 20 v. Cambridge nil. Combined 5 v. Cambridge A nil. Cambridge B v. Cambridge C, draw, no score.