FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 July 1925, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH. ELVY NOT PLAYING. (BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 20. Elvy is unavailable for the interisland match, and has been replaced b.v Wise. STRATFORD (9) v. OPUNAKE (s>. The Victoria Park, Stratford, was the scene on Saturday of a stienuous contest, in which the home fifteen defeated Opunake by three' tries to a converted try! Ideal weather conditions ruled, and a fast, spectacular game was presented. In the early stages the honours of play went almost wholly to the home players, who, it appeared’, would eventually secure the verdict by a big margin; but in the second speil the visitors rallied, and in both back and forward play gave an exhibition which fully r extended the group leaders.

Facing the sun, Stratford set the ball rolling, and, promptly went to tho attack, Opunake having a trying 10 minutes, during which the * Hohaia brothers, Mason and Bonnington were prominent in good defence. Eventually the attackers were rewarded when, from- a line-out at the 25,, the ball went to J. Walter, the All Black, who, cleverly evading two defenders and fending off a third, dashed in to open the score with a try three yards from the. corner. J. Sangster ’s kick went a foot outside. Play continued in Stratford’s favour, but sound tackling kept them out until, at the head of a characteristic forward rush, Hinton threw a long pass which was gathered by A. Walter, who raced on to touch down by the goal post. Again Sangster’s kick failed. Ensuing play saw the greens make a determined offensive and, following his own kick, W. Hohaia was just beaten for the touch down by Dossott. Fryday’s kickout was smothered ’by J. Lusk, who raced to the goal, but his pass went astray, and in the scrimmage Stratford were penalised. Bonnington’s kick struck the upright. At this stage play fluctuated rapidly, but, though the advantage rested with Stratford, no further results had been achieved when half-time sounded, tho score then being: Stratford 6, Opunake nil. Stratford commenced the second spell by severely testing tho defence, and after a prolonged assault J. Walter made a line dash from just outside the 25. Tackled by Bonnington, he let the ball out to Coulton, who returned it, and Walter went round for his second try five yards from the post. No goal resulted. Other aggressive moves headed by Bond, Walter and Fryday found Bonnington in position, and eventually Opunake Opened up a series of stinging counter-attacks. Within an ace of scoring, R. Lusk was held up by Dossett. A. Sangster cleared, but the coast forwards came again to threaten the line, and after a gruelling period O’Brien broke from a scrum 10 yards from the line and handed to Norgate, who got over three yards inside the touch line. W. Hohaia converted with a brilliant kick, making the scores: Stratford Opunake 5. The home forwards retaliated with a dash led by Kiyell, but Brooker returned with a clever dribble, and Stratford had to find relief with a succession of marks. A penalty taken by Fryday sent the reds assaulting again, and from a scrum in the visitors’ quarter J. Sangster, Dossett and Henry essayed a bout, which ended in the latter being checked right on the line. From the five yards scrum W. Hohaia retrieved with a clever mark, but the reds came again, Kivell and O’Keefe in turn just failing to beat Bonnington. A penalty taken by J. Sangster fell just under the bar, and the red forwards rushed, only to be beaten by W. Hohaia, who made a sensational run. to midfield, where the green backs showed in a pretty attack, which was given a timely check by Coulton. Fast exchanges eventuated as attacks and counterattacks were developed in quick succession. A powerful breakaway by J. Lusk almost let O’Brien over, but J. Sangster saved, and almost immediately R. Lusk was held up in the corner by Dossett. From the line-out W. Hohaia marked in front of the goal, and a. further three points for Opunake appeared certain till the ball went a few inches wide. The visitors dominated remaining play, but were unable to penetrate, and full time sounded with the scores Stratford 9, Opunake 5. Mr F. Julian was referee.

FOURTH GRADE. HAWERA T.H.S, 30 v. WAIMATE 3 Saturday saw the Hawera Technical High School A team at its best, when it defeated Waimate fourths by 30 points (seven tries, three converted, and a penalty goal) to throe (an unconvterted try). The game was very fast, and was an exhibition of highgrade Rugby. The Waimate backs were hopelessly outclassed by the superior School team, which showed the result of hard training. On two occasions tries were scored by long runs from near the three-quarters -.line Cheevers shone out as the pick oj' the home team. and. lie scored three tries and one penalty goal and converted three tries. Other scorers for the School team were Tiitawha (two tries). Church and Gower (one try each).