LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15294, 23 July 1923, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ENDEAN SHIELD MATCH. HAMILTON’S EASY WINThe challenge submitted by the Taumarunui representatives for the possession of the Endean Shield, which Hamilton a fortnight preciously had narowly wrested from Lower Waikato, who had held it for eleven years, was coped with with consummate ease by the local thirteen, at Hinemoa Park, on Saturday. The visiting team, which was composed largely of Maoris, was a heavier combination than the Hamilton side, but it proved no match for the local thirteen, who emerged victorious by 43 points to 7. The challengers showed lack of practice, another department in which they were lacking being that of speed. However, they wore the makings of a good team, and put up a stubbord fight against the Shield holders, the manner in which •they disputed every inch of ground maintaining the interest of the large attendance until the close. When the game opened the ground was on tbo 'heavy side, but several torrential downpours during the progress of play made matters unpleasant for players and public alike. The bail was of course decidedly greasy, which naturally was not conducive to highclass play. Hamilton 43, Taumarunui 7.

The game opened up at a fast pace, with the visitors showing a decided tendency to force matters. Early in the game, however, it became evident that the Hamilton men were not likely to lose the Shield that day, for their combination when it came to concerted movements always gave them the advantage. Shortly after the commencement the local men had the visitors hemmed to their own line, and from a loose dribbling rush which resulted in the leather crossing over the chalk ■line, Stewart 'touched down to draw first blood for Hamilton. Dufty added the extra two points. Hamilton 5, Taumarunui 0.

For a term a little up and down field play was witnessed, the forwards of both sides attempting hard to open the game up for their hacks. After a brief tussle the Hamilton forwards prevailed, a good movement amongst the local vanguard resulting in Dent diving over to score a try which Dnfty failed to convert. .Hamilton 8, Taumarunui 0.

Almost immediately afterwards the Hamiltonians, without allowing the ball to enter their territory, set their backs in motion, Dufty, after >a neat passing rush, getting over to score a try which toe was unable to convert. Hamilton 11, Taumarunui 0.

Encouraged by the fairly substantial lead obtained so early in the game, the local team again moved away, Peckham putting in a good run and passing to Stewart,- to Dufty, to Hume, who dashed over to score an unconverted, try. which made the scores Hamilton 14, Taumarunui 0.

Following this series of reverses the Taumarunui players brightened up considerably and on more than one occasion were unlucky in not scoring. However, they were over-anxious, thus throwing away several good opportunities. Then Hamilton once more took a hand in matters, and completely changing the venue of play they were successful in adding still another try to their already fair-sized quota. Hamilton 17, Taumarunui 0. Spurred on to renewed efforts, the challengers attacked strongly for a short time, but the holders, largely through the instrumentality of Peckham, who put in one of his characteristic tricky runs, cleared in good style, and in a trice completely changed the venue of play, a good back movement resulting in Whelan diving over. No extras were added. Hamilton 20, Taumarunui 3.

Following this play hovered at about m'id-fleld for some time, with honours even between the two teams. Then the King Country team made an aggressive movement, and were awarded a penalty kick, Singe making the most of the opportunity presented. Taumarunui 2, Hamilton 20. Fo.r the next few minutes play was kept at about the half-way line, but a good dribbling rush headed by Gnown, carried the leather into Taumarunui territory, the player mentioned following up fast to score a good try, which Jacques converted. The half time bell then sounded with the scores, Hamilton 25, Taumarunui 2. The Second Half. Upon the resumption Hamilton immediately went to the attack, and confined the King 'Country team to their quarter. Following determined play on the line, the home team was almost over, but eventually Taumarunui broke away and completely changed the venue of play and carried the ball down to the Hamilton end, where they were unlucky in not getting over. The Black and Whites cleared; however, and as the result of good play carried the leather through the opposition, Loughlin gathering up to score. Dufty’s kick, a good one, failed to materialise. Hamilton 28, Taumarunui 2.

Following this play assumed a much more even character, hut the visitors’ want of pace lost them several good scoring opportunities. They pressed for a term and were awarded a cauple of free kicks, which brought them into a position that threatened danger to the Shield holders. They were unable, however, to hold the advantage, and the Hamilton team broke down their attack, and clearing in a manner which left no doubt as to their superiority, swept down field in a movement which ended 'in Loughlin again scoring. The same player took the kick, but failed to add the extras. Hamilton 31, Taumarunui 2.

For the next few minutes the visitors had if anything the best of play, putting in some good work which resulted in them almost reaching the home line. From a scramble near the posts, Cherry obtained possession, and touched down, Singe adding the extras. Taumarunui 7, Hamilton 31. Within a few minutes Hamilton returned the compliment, Payne diving over to score a try which was not converted. Hamilton 34, Taumarunui 7.

The home team were apparently not going to leave anything to doubt, for they immediately moved away to a good passing rush, and from give and take play on the line, Payne gathered up and dived over in the corner. Whelan’s kick failed. Hamilton 37, Taumarunui 7.

Hamilton still continued to press, and a free kick awarded to the visitors gave them but slight relief, and the local team once again swept down on the Blues’ line, Gawn getting over to add yet another try to the home team’s quota. Du fly failed to convert. Hamilton 40, Taumarunui 7. Play was now entirely in Hamilton's favour, and the ball was kept continually in the visitors’ territory. Eventually the ball came out to Corleison, and the speedy three-quarter, racing from the line, scored near the posts. Peckham failed to convert. Hamilton 43. Taumarunui 7.

The following few- minutes of play were rather more cveil and the visitors, after rather a considerable interval.

took play into the home territory. Their aggresiveness, however, was short-lived, Hamilton clearing and carrying play to the mid-way line, where it remained, as time was called with no alteration in the scores, Hamilton 43 Taumarunui 7 Mr Saunders was referee. Junior Game. A good, even match was witnessed between Huntly and Hamilton Juniors, in which Clio players from the mining town ran out winners by 9 points to 8. For Huntly Pcckham, Broughton, and Rangi scored tries, while for the home team Andrews and Gough scored tries, Taylor converting one. AUCKLAND, Saturday. City 35, v. Newton 3. Devonport 19, v. Richmond 10. Athletics 17, v. Ponsonby 9.