RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 September 1925, Page 6

RUGBY.

PLAY-OFF FOR- SHIELD

HAWERA DEFEATED

The Hawera Technical High School was defeated by the New Plymouth Technical School at Eltham, yesterday in the play-off for the shield in the final of the fourth-grade competition. The New Plymouth team was a superior combination, and although tlio Hawera boys more than held their own in forward play, in spite of the fact that weight was against them, they did not display the finish and combination in the passing movements inaugurated by their backs that their opponents did. Furthermore, they frequently kicked the ball into the hands of the opposing backs, when it would have been better policy to have handled the leather themselves. One or two of the tries scored against them could also have been saved if player's had tackled low. On the day’s play, however, the final score, 21 to 6, rvas a fair indication of the merits of the respective teams.

Play opened willingly, Hawera playing against the wind in the first spell. From a penalty a few yards inside half-way Cheevers made a good attempt to goal, the ball falling a bit short. Shortly .afterwards a scrum was given just inside the northern team’s twenty-five, and the half, Walsh, got his backs going in what looked like a very promising movement. Jordan, however, was collared with the ball, and Fenwick, the New Plymouth full-back, relieved. The Hawera forwards then came with a dangerous rush, but a call of mark saved, the referee giving a scrum. The northerners then took a hand, their backs working nicely, and after a series of passing movements McLean scored in the corner. Mcßae failed to convert. New Plymouth 3, Hawera 0. At this stage Vinten was carried off with an injured foot, and Morrissey went on. The New Plymouth forwards carried play close to Hawera’s goal line, but a penalty saw the leather returned to half-way. Cheevers found the line well down, and play hung about the northerners’ .twenty-five line, ’the Hawera backs launching attack after attack. Tutawha made a good opening, and Cheevers followed up the advantage. Gower came close to scoring in the corner, but the ball rolled into touch. Cheevers almost got through, but although the forwards piled on the line they could, not score. Flay was in mid-field when half-time sounded with the score 3 to nil.

When play resumed, a faidty pass gave New Plymouth possession, and a hot attack saw Hawera force. From a scrum in mid-field the leather was transferred to Wilkins, who covered a good deal of ground and placed New Plymouth in a handy position. A line-out in the corner followed, but New Plymouth were penalised on the goal-line and play returned to midfield. An unexpected turn came when Aroa, moving at ton speed, took the ball on the fall and, with a good run, broke through the opposition and scored under the goal. Boswell converted. New Plymouth 8, Hawera 0. Just inside the twenty-five line Hawera were penalised, and Knott put the ball across the bar. New Plymouth 11, Hawera 0. Morrissey had a good opportunity when he intercepted a pass, but instead of attempting to beat the full-back lie kicked and lost the ball. New Plymouth were penalised just outsi'de their twentyfive, and Cheevers kicked a goal, making the score: New Plymouth 11. Hawera. 3. The New Plymouth backs next gave a very pretty display when following a line-out -at half-way, the ball was passed down to Meads, who ran round and scored between the posts. Boswell converted. New Plymouth 16, Hawera 3. Fast following lip enabled Beauchamp to score a rather lucky try, making the score New Plymouth 16, Hawera, 6. Cheevers was unsuccessful with a. long shot at goal, and a few minutes later, in all attack on the Hawera line, McLean got through and scored between the posts. Boswell converted. New Plymonth 21, Hawera 6. Play concluded shortly afterwards.