This paper describes the modelling and simulation of part of the hydraulic automatic gauge (thickness) control system (AGC) for a single stand, cold reversing mill. Identification studies to validate the model against real plant using correlation techniques are described. An adaptive controller is designed. and tested in simulation. A simple pole-placement algorithm is used in the interests of short execution times. The use of U-D factorization in the parameter estimator, and of the Kucera algorithm in the control synthesis, are mentioned. The former is found to be necessary, and the latter unnecessary, in this application. Finally, some limiting of control action is discussed for practical application.