LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15330, 3 September 1923, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ENDEAN SHIELD MATCH.

HAMILTON RETAIN TROPHY.

GREAT GAME AT STEELE PARK.

Before a particularly large attendance which thronged every point of vantage at Steele Park on Saturday, Hamilton, after a game which could, without exaggeration, be described as spectacular in the fullest sense, successfully withstood Lower Waikato's challenge for the possession of the Endean Shield. From the kick-off to the final bell, play was intensely exciting with scarcely a dull moment detracting from the interest. It is a long time since a game more productive of brilliant solo efforts has been witnessed in Hamilton, but the combined work was not quite up to the standard that might have been expected. Towards the finish, with the challengers only a few points behind and constantly threatening danger, excitement ran high, but Hamilton, after a stupendous struggle, maintained their lead and left the field victorious by 27 points to 20. A feature of the match was the great game played t*y Dufly, who compiled the first 14 points in Hamilton's favour. During the progress of the play Lineham received an injury and had to retire,' his place being taken by Hume. Th s Play. From the kick-off play hovered at mid-field for a term until a good kick by Mahutu introduced operations to Hamilton's end, where Lower Waikato were awarded a free, the Maori fullback making a really good, but unsuccessful attempt at goal from a difficult angle. Almost immediately afterwards forward passing by Hamilton gave Mahuta another chance, the fullback putting.the ball over with a beautiful kick. Lower Waikato ...... 2 Hamilton 0 Hamilton now attacked determinedly and from a scramble in front of ihc visitors' line'Corleson lost a great opportunity by failing to take a pass. Then Hamilton were awarded a free kick, Dufty with an effort that brought forth the plaudits of the crowds, goaling from an acute angle. Hamilton- 2 Lower Waikato ...... 2 After this play.veered up and down ' the field at a fast pace each side taking a hand at attack. Good play by Peckham and Dufty saved Hamilton from a particularly dangerous position and play was taken to mid-field where holders were awarded a free which took the leather into the visitors' quarter. At this stage Whalen was responsible for a good run which brought play still nearer the tri-coloureds' citadel. In the ensuing scramble on the line Hamilton were unlucky in not scoring and in the excitement of tiie moment Lower Waikato infringed, Dufty taking full advantage of the opportunity. Hamilton .. ...... 4 Lower Waikato .... 2

From the drop-dut Hamilton again attacked but good play by the Lower Waikato men in which Davis and Alien were prominent, transferred the scene of operations to Hamilton's end when the holders were given a term at defending. An accidental knock-out by Miki lost a good opportunity. Not to be repulsed Lower Waikato continued the pressure, a nice movement initiated by Holly resulting in Walson diving over near the corner. Mahuta's kick failed. Lower Waikato ...... 5 Hamilton '. .. 4

One of the features of the play during the next few minutes was the good effort made by Dufly to pot a goal from the field. A short t!ime later when Lower Waikato were attacking, Jackson was obstructed, but in accordance with the advantage rule the referee allowed play to continue, Jackson scoring a good try. The shot at goal failed. Lower Waikato ...... 8 Hamilton 4

Play was particularly hard and fast at this stage. Hamilton were awarded a free, Dufty making the most of the opportunity by putting the ball over with a beautiful kick. Hamilton .. 6 Lower Waikato 8

Excitement ran high as Davis gathering up in good style in his own twenty-flve, ran with the leather to Hamilton's territory. An infringement stopped Lower Waikato's advance and play was transferred in sensational manner to the visitors' end, where from a scramble on the line Dufty fairly forced his through several men to score a great try between the posts. The same player failed with the kick. Hamilton 9 Lower Waikato 8

Following this reverse Lower Waikato attacked determinedly but Hamilton getting the ball out smartly from a scrum near their line cleared in good style. Mahutu fumbling, the tension on the Hamilton citadel was relieved for the nounce. The challengers were .however, not to be repulsed, but eventually a free kick brought relief to Hamilton and play was taken to mid-field. Davis and then Holly moved away but the latter when threatening danger, was run out, Again the holders were sorely pressed to defend their citadel, several exciting moments being witnesesd on the line.' Eventually from a scrum Peckham cleared wUh a good kick and Dufty following up fast raced through several men for the greater length of the field to score a magnificent try! The veteran fiveeighths capped a fine effort by adding the extras. Hamilton .. .... ;. 14 Lower Waikato 8

Play became fast and furious during the next few minutes. Lower Waikato, if anything, holding the upper hand. The leather came out to Don Johnson and the speedy three-quarter put in a particularly fine run to score a great try between the posts. Miki added the extras. Lower Waikato ...... 13 Hamilton 14

The half-time bell went shortly afterwards with no alteration to the scores. The Second Half. Lower Waikato was the first to attack after the resumption, but a good lino kick by Whalen transferred the scene of operations lo the other end where Hamilton were awarded a free of which Dufty failed to take advantage. Further offside play by Lower Waikato gave Dufty another chance with the ball but he again failed to materialise. At this stage the visitors were being given an anxious lime defending their line, but Hamilton were unable, to pierce their defence and play was once more transferred to midfield. | A good break-away by Pockham opened up an opportunity for Hamilton. The.half-back transferred to TlumeV who in turn fed out. lo Gorleison and the three-quarter taking delivery safely sailed over the line to score near the corner. Hufly's kick hit the post and rebounded. Hamilton 17 Lower Waikato 13 ■Strong determined play in which all the members of the visiting team led by Jackson, and Wilson participated, look play to the Hamilton end where the visitors were awarded a free. Miki

with a god effort put the ball over. Lower Waikato 15 l •/' Hamilton 17 Whalen was a short time later responsible for a good run which threatened danger to Lower Waikato, but the visitors repulsed the invaders and play was transferred once more to inid-flolrt. Dufty obtained possession and kicked into an advantageous position. Whalen picked up from the loose and heading the opposition badly raced through to score a fine try between the posts. Dent made no mistake with the kick. Hamilton 22 Lower Waikato 15 The Hamilton forwards broke through in an irresistible rush ■which took play to within inches of the visitors' line. A free kick to Lower Waikato relieved the tension but Hamilton, mainly duo/ to a good effort by Corleison, were again on the scene. From a scrum near the line Peckham obtained possession and feeding to Gawn the. last named dived over. Dufty's kick failed. Hamilton 25 Lower Waikato 15 Spurred on to renewed efforts by the turn events were taking, Lower Waikato rallied for a resolute effort but sound defensive work by the Hamilton team kept them out. Near the half-way line Jackson picked up and racing through almost uninterrupted, scored a good try between the posts. Miki converted. Lower Waikato ...... 20 Hamilton 25

Excitement ran high as both teams fought resolutely for the ascendancy. Hamilton took play to the visitors' end, but just as quickly the challengers drove them out. Play swept down field at a fast pace and Jacques kicking ' erratically for the line the tricolours look the leather within inches of Hamilton's goal. Several minutes of exciting play was then witnessed on the Hamilton line, the local men eventually clearing by means of a free kick. The challengers, however, were not to be repulsed and gave Hamilton another term of anxiety before a good defensive rush led by Stewart turned the tide of attack. Play was transferred to mid-field where a strong Hamilton rush in which Hume was prominent, resulted in Gawn crossing over. An infringement, however, was. noticed by the referee and the try was not allowed. Lower Waikato were awarded a free but were unable to gain much ground, Hamilton again setting up a determined attack. Closely hemmed around by several players Dufty, who was in close proximity to the posts drop-kicked with coolness and precision, the ball sailing over amidst loud applause. The final bell went shortly afterwards with the scores:— Hamilton .. ...... 27 Lower Waikato ...... 20 Mr Herrick was referee.

THE CURTAIN RAISER.

A -curtain raiser was played between Whitiora and Huntty juniors, the champions of the Hamilton and Lower Waikato junior 'competitions respectively, for -the Hickey ox-head. The game evolved itseif into something in the nature of a scramble, Whitiora winning a rather ragged game by 11 points to nil. The feature of the game was the goal-kicking of L. Taylor who lacked three penally goals and converted the only try of the game which was scored by Hogg.

TEAMS ENTERTAINED.

After the match the Hamilton and Lower Waikato representatives were entertained by the Rugby League to a magnificent dinner in the Commercial Hotel. The board fairly groaned wita good things from roast turkey to oysters, and despite the keenness of their appetites after the hard struggle on Steele Park the players found that the preparations for their creature comforts more than equal to their onslaughts. The chairman of the management committee of the Hamilton Rugby League (Mr R. H. Wood) presided over a most convivial gathering.

After the repast a few short speeches were delivered, reference being made to the fine sporting spirit in which the game had been played by both sides. The game itself was a splendid exposition of the code, and an eye-opener to non-supporters of the League. Lower Waikato officials referred in eulogistic terms to the strides the game was making in the town, remarking that the Hamilton League, although really only an offshoot from the Lower Waikato body had in a couple of years so improved as to put a team in the field that could carry off the trophy which had been held by the other district for the last ten seasons.

During the evening the Hickey Ox Head Shield for junior competition, which was won by Whitiora, was presented to Cliff Taylor, the captain of the winning team.