FOOTBALL SEASON

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXX, Issue 8497, 3 August 1933, Page 3

FOOTBALL SEASON

WAIKATO DEFEAT THAMES VALLEY FOURTEEN POINTS TO THREE ( LOSERS’ PLUCKY FIGHT Under favourable weather conditions and before a crowd estimated at over 2000, the Waikato and Thames Valley Rugby football representatives met at Te Aroha on Saturday. The game throughout was fast, clean and interesting, and the teams were much more evenly matched than the final score—l 4 points to 3 in Waikato’s favour —would seem to indicate. The teams lined out as follows: Waikato —M. Davies, Broderick, J. Aitken, J. Whorsky, R. Johnstone, W. Cameron, L. Denz, J. Leeson, H. Ensor (captain), D. Bourke, A. Cameron, T. Thompson, J. Hedley, A. Storey, C. Cameron. Thames Valley—Barry, Burgess,, Swann, Gloyn, Peake, Ryan, Stewart, Pilkington, Mathers, Radford, Watford, Clark, Waterson, Mulgrew (captain), Rowe. The Valley representatives put up a very plucky showing in the face of a team that has proved its prowess on a dozen fields, and most of the members of which have been practising assiduously for Peace Cup games. In the tight play. Valley easily held their own and strove to keep the game close in order to withhold the ball from the fast line of backs fielded by Waikato, who were undoubtedly superior. This style of play held Waikato over long periods, and at times had them well bustled. Territorially, the game was even and it can be said that Valley did their best in the face of a tried and proven team, and played a good game.

RUN OF THE PLAY Waikato lost the toss. Following a forward scramble near the Thames Valley line Waikato gained possession and both Leeson and Hedley appeared to ground the ball together to open the score. Davies missed with the kick—Waikato 3, Thames Valley 0. On resuming, Thames Valley were hooking the ball from the set serums, but the attack was breaking down at Ryan (five-eighth), who was missing the ball. The home forwards brought play back to within a few yards of Waikato’s line, the ball going out. From the throw-in Gloyn got possession and scored in the corner. Burgess made a poor attempt to convert —Waikato 3, Thames Valley 3. W. Cameron had an unsuccessful shot at goal, and play was taken to the Valley twentyfive, but a good line-kick by Barry sent the ball out at half-way. Waikato gained possession and a splendid passing rush by the backs saw Brodick cross to score a spectacular try. Davies again failed with the kick —Waikato 6, Thames Valley 3. From a loose scrum Swann picked up on the half-way line and ran right through to the full-back. His pass out went astray and Waikato cleared. Half-time came with the visitors attacking in the Thames Valley twentyfive. THE SECOND HALF

Early in the second spell a free kick given to Thames Valley for Whorsky hanging on to the ball, was fruitless. From the drop-out Whorsky got the ball and put in a good run, finding the line in the opponent's twenty-five. Two other penalty kicks for Waikato proved fruitless. Play continued in Thames Valley territory for some time. The Waikato backs got the ball, and Aitken, cutting in, beat three opponents badly to score between the posts. Davies made no mistake with the kick —Waikato 11, Thames Valley 3. Davies got into difficulties, but the ball went out near half-way. Waikato at this stage were taking scrums instead of line-outs. From a loose scrum Denz got possession and, with Whorsky supporting, a good run was made down the side-line. An infringement by Thames Valley gave Davies another shot at the posts, which was successful —Waikato 14, Thames Valley 3. The game was now fast and willing. Davies slopped a forward rush by kicking hard, the ball striking Walford on the head and play being held up in consequence. Thames Valley were awarded a free kick in Waikato’s twentyfive just before time, but the kick went wide, and hte game ended with the scores —Waikato 14, Thames Valley 3. NOTES ON THE PLAYERS

For the winners Leeson, Hedley and Storey were the pick of the forwards. In the back division Davies, Aitken, Johnstone and Denz all played well. Brodrick played well until he received a leg injury, whilst Whorsky, on the other wing, did not get the ball very often, especially in the first half.

For the losers Radford, Mathers and Walford in the forwards, and Peake and Barry in the backs, were the most impressive.

In the .schools team to represent the Thames Valley district in the competition at Pukekohe lor the Northern Roller Mills Cup during the August vacation, Waihi will be represented by Woodland, Haines (hacks), Hughes and Comes (forwards). Mr W. M. Winter, of Paeroa, will accompany the team as manager. After defeating Hauraki Plains by 25 points to nil in the Fleming Shield competition at Paeroa on Saturday last, the Waihi primary schools Rugby representatives were later beaten pointless by Te Aroha in the play-off, the winners also running up 25 points. The team to represent the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union in the match against Thames Valley (at rnuranga) on Saturday next will be as follows:—Full-back, G, Farmer (Te Puke); three-quarters, R. MacKenzie (Te. Puke), Connelly (Whakatane). W. ' Webber (Rangitaiki); fiveeighths, Oswald (Whakatane), J. Bidois (Tauranga); half-back, Trainer (Whakatane); forwards, Moore (Rangitaiki), Fitzpatrick (Tanranga), Joyce (Te Puke). Partridge (Whakatane), Whiteside (Te Puke), Rhodes (Tauranga), Cullimore (Whakatane), C. Cameron (Tauranga). Emergencies: Forwards, Foldsmith (Rangitaiki), Webster (To Puke); backs, Lees (Rangitaiki), Rayment (Tauranga).