LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16073, 25 August 1924, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CNBEAN SHIELD GAME. LOWER WAIKATO SUCCESSFUL. HAMILTON’S FUTILE CHALLENGE. The Hamilton Rugby League representatives unsuccessfully challenged Lower WaiJjtito for the Endean Shiold before a fair attendance at Huntly on Saturday. The game, while by no means a brilliant exhibition was fast and exciting throughout and a distinct improvement upon that provided by the previous meeting between the two teams. The Lower. Waikato thirteen showed far more combination than their opponents and on the day’s play fully deserved to retain possession of the shield although the difference in the scores perhaps exaggerates their superiority. As a curtain raiser to the big game Huntly juniors met the Western League (Maori) team and after a spirited . contest ran out winners by 1 points to 3. The Big Game. Dufty kicked .off for Hamilton and play remained for a time at mid-fleld until a good run along the line by S. Rayner took the leather into Hamilton’s twenty-five. The black and whites forced and a succession of kicks sent Lower Waikato back to the defence. Good spoiling tactics by Payne kept the tri-colours’ backs from getting away. A good kick by the Waikato full-back, Patterson, again placed the holders in an advantageous position where they were awarded a penalty, Patterson goaled nicely. Lower Waikato ..- 2 Hamilton .. .. ..0 The Lower Waikato backs were showing more dash and initiative and it was only the deadly tackling of Hamilton that kept them at a distance. S. Rayner came through but kicked too hard and the ball went into dead territory. Strong, following up by Payne put Hamilton on the offensive but a timely mark by Hutt sent them back again. Buffett was given a great chance on the blind side but failed to take delivery. Play remained in neutral territory for a time, but eventually Hemmingway opened up a chance for the challengers, but lack of support nullified his effort. Jackson and Allan led a good clearing movement that completely changed the venue of play, -a knock on by Allan spoiling a certain try. Hamilton gradually worked back to Lower Waikato’s half of the field where Dufty had an unsuccessful kick from a penalty. Hafnilton attacked determinedly, vigorous play in which Payne and Dufty were prominent keeping the shield holders on the defence. “Ginger” Hamilton and then Hemmingway were nearly over hut eventually a force sent the attackers back to a safe distance. Dufty nearly got away with a solo effort being grassed near the line. Play swung down field and on to Hamilton’s line but from an infringement Dufty found the line well up field. S. Raynor snapped up at about mid-fleld and beating the opposition badly ran llirough lo score between the posts. The same player added the extras. Lower Waikato .. .. -..- 7 Hamilton 0 Fast following up by Payne resulted in Raynor carrying the ball back and a scrum was ordered on the line. ■ The Lower Waikato’s defence, however was too sound and the half time bell went shortly afterwards with play in -neutral territory. The Second Half. For the first few minutes of the second half play was willing at midfield until a solid forward rush by Hamilton introduced proceedings into the holders’ end of the field. Timms saved with a kick into touch and midfield once more became the scene of play. A break away by Dally put Hamilton on the defence but they cleared again to neutral territory. Picking up near the Hamilton twentyfive Raynor slipped through along the line lo score in the corner. Ilutt sent in a beautiful kick from a difficult angle wo tin although a. rather doubtful goal was given as such by the referee. Lower Waikato .. .. .... 12 Hamilton 0 From a mid-field scrum practically all the Lower Waikato backs handled but the movement gained hut little ground. Hamilton were given rather an anxious time for the succeeding term. The defenders were penalised, but Hutt’s effort to goal failed, and Dufty and Payne led a rush that' tookMhe scene of operations out. of the visitors’ twenty-five. Payne broke through with the hall at his feet, but. knocked on, Unis spoiling what promised lo he a fruitful effort. A little later Buffett carried the leal her on to the home citadel hut the holders’ defence proved equal to flic occasion. Miki was prominent in a movement’ that sent’ the ball back lo Hamilton’s end. Jackaways made a

good opening but threw ofit a wild pass to Miki and the effort was lost. The holders kept the black and whites confined to their twenty-five for some time. Hutt taking the ball on fho full ran through, but was brought down inches from the line. Then Jackson secured possession in the midst of a melee and ran through to touch down between the posts. Patterson piloted the ball between the posts. Lower Waikato .. .. .. 17 Hamilton 0 The sh;eid holders maintained a continued a Rack and from a scrum near the line Jackson cut la cleverly to enable Steffemon to siore. Hutt failed to add the extras'. Lower Waikato . . . . 20 Hamilton 0 Hamilton livened up for a time and set up a strong attack on Lower Waikato’s line. Just on tho call of time the visitors were awarded a free of which Hemmingway fully availd himself, the game ending— Lower Waikato .. .. 20 Hamilton 2 Mr Waring was referee. Teams Entertained. After the match tho members of the teams were' the guests of the Lower Waikato Rugby League at dinner. Mr T. Hill, who presided, congratulated the players upon tho fine spirit in which the game was played. For the sake of tho League he was in a sense sorry that Hamilton had not carried off the shield for their success would have done much to strengthen the code in South Auckland. However, he trusted that their defeat would serve to stimulate them for next season when he hoped they would prove successful. Mr V. Brady, manager of the Hamilton learr. and Mr McGertcher, manager of the Lower Waikato team also spoke, after which cheers were given for the losers and victors. JUNIOR GAMES. RICHMOND DEFEAT HAMILTON. At Hinemoa Park the Hamilton junior representatives met a Richmond (Auckland) junior team, bofbre a fair number of spectators. Weather conditions were Ideal, and the ground in first class order. The game itself was a spefttacular one from start to finish, the visitors backs giving the onlookers a treat by their continued open play, and excellent passing rushes. Richmonds’ forwards —a fine pack for a junior team —more than held their own in the scrums and tight work. With consistent possession from the scrums, the team threw the ball about in fine style. Hamilton juniors, almost to a man, played sterling games. In consequence the exhibition of League football, was interesting throughout, a.id reverse passing, when not resulting in points, gained considerable ground for the visitors. The score at half time was five points all. In the second spell, however, Richmond showed to even better advantage than in the first spell, and ultimately ran out winners by 17 points to 15. ' Tries were obtained for Richmond by Jenkinson (2), T. Brough (2) and W. Brough, Jenkinson converting one try. For Hamilton Everest, Spencer and Price scored, whilst C. Taylor and Brown each converted a try, and Taylor kicked a penalty goal. Mr S. Saunders officiated as referee. NGARUAWAHIA COLTS BEATEN. The game between Hamilton juniors (under 10 stone) and Ngaruawah’ia colts also provided a good exhibition of the code, and was decidedly interest throughout. The local boys, however, showed to better advantage, and ran out winners by 17 points to'6. For Hamilton Smith (2) Childs, Fowlds, and Coombes scored, Tapp converting one try. Bravo (2) scored for Ngaruawahia. Mr C. Bezar controlled the game. Marists 16, v. Ponsonby 10. Devonport 32, v. Mangsre 13. Newton 11, v. Richmond 5. City 10, v." Ellcrslie 10.