THE FOOTBALL SEASON

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7906, 24 September 1929, Page 3

THE FOOTBALL SEASON

VISIT OF IHUiW CITY CLUB TEAM WAIHI WIN 23 POINTS TO 9 A DISAPPOINTING GAME The enterprise shown by the Waihi Rugby Football Union in arranging for visits of outside teams with a view to popularising New Zealand’s national game in this district is commendable and deserving of a better fate than has been experienced this season, especially as far as the teams from Auckland city are concerned. The “Marathons,” who played here a month ago failed to give the bright and sparkling display spectators were led to expect on the reputation claimed for the side, and still less impressive was the exhibition given of the code by the Auckland City Club team which played the Waihi senior representatives on Saturday. Clearly the Aucklanders did not field their strongest fifteen, and the play was, to say the best for it, patchy and erratic, particularly in the back division, where clean passing bouts were conspicuous only by their absence. Evidently by some of the visitors the trip was regarded in the light of an outing and the game as one that just had to be played—indifferently—through the allotted time rather than as a match calculated to impress onlookers with the finer points of Rugby and prove an education to the country team. In these circumstances it is not surprising that the home fifteen had the better of the play throughout, especially on the attack, and finished up 14 points to the good, winning by 23 points to 9. Rugby. football can hardly be expected to flourish and claim public support in Waihi unless better exhibitions are given by the visiting teams than was the case last week-end and on August 24th.

RUN OF THE PLAY The play calls for little description. Following a penalty against Auckland, from which Mathers had an unsuccessful shot at goal, Thornton opened the scoring for Waihl with a try near the corner peg, Johns failing to add the extra points— Waihi 3, Auckland 0. In the succeeding loose play the visiting forwards worked their way into home territory and with the aid of a penalty evened up the score, Hardy kicking a nice goal —Waihi 3, Auckland 3. Driving the local men back again City got to within striking distance and Knight went over to score near the corner. The try was not converted —Auckland 6, Waihi 3. With the figures against them the Waihi team livened up and carried the ball into the visitors’ quarters, where Mathers got possession and registered a good try, which Johns failed to convert —Waihi 6, Auckland 6. Keeping the pressure on Waihi had their opponents on the defensive for some time and a few minutes before half time reaped the reward of their efforts, Johns kicking a fine penalty goal—Waihi 9, Auckland 6. THE SECOND HALF Play livened up somewhat in the second half, during which the home men were again most prominent in attacking work. Dillimore was the first to go over the visitors’ goal line, but was recalled for a breach and from a line out pass a few minutes later Thornton sent the ball along to Johns, who scored nicely in the corner, but failed to increase the total with his kick —Waihi 12, Auckland 6. Rallying, the Aucklanders took a turn on the attack, but after an unavailing shot at goal from a penalty —the leather striking the crossbar —they were driven back again Waihi getting possession as the ball bounced back, and breaking away, Dillimore winding up the movement with an excellent try. Henry was entrusted with the shot, but the ball missed the bar —Waihi 15, Auckland 6. The same player made another but fruitless attempt shortly after to increase the figures with a penalty kick, but the home men kept Auckland busy defending and from a passing bout Johns registered his second try. Dillimore failed to convert —Waihi 18, Auckland 6. Following the kick off the visitors became aggressive and Farrell forced his way across and scored with three players hanging on to him. The shot at goal proved futile —Waihi 18, Auckland 9. The attack, however, was short lived and Waihi getting into the visitors’ quarters Saunders opened up a passing bout from which Thornton scored a really good try. Johns converted and shortly after the final bell sounded with Waihi winners by 23 points to 9. Mr J. Mannix controlled the game capably. The “curtain raiser was between the Waihi schoolboys and Hauraki Plains, and resulted in a runaway win for the former by 28 points to nil. For the winners the try-getters were Seath (3), Luther (2), Cavanach, Rudd and Paterson. Two of the tries were converted. Mr R. Walsh was the referee. ______