JUNIOR SEMU-FINAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 August 1926, Page 3

JUNIOR SEMU-FINAL.

STRATFORD .18 v. FRASER ROAD 3

Eraser Road, the winners of the Hawera section of the mid-week Rugby competition, met Stratford, winners of the central 'unior section, at Eltham yesterday afternoon. Stratford rvon by 18 (six unconverted tries) to 3 (a penalty goal). The game w r as played in a quagmire. Stratford adapted themselves best to a lake of mud. Fraser Road had no defence. Neither side played good w T et weather Rugby.

THE TEAMS.

The teams wore as under: —

Stratford (red and black). —Guy, Phillips, Robson, Sullivan; Davies, R. Hinton; Childs; H. Hinton, Aagaard; Dudding, Tubby, Neal; L. Hinton, Sharroclc (hookers); Nolan (rover). Eraser Road (blue). —Hepburn; Nicholas, Notman, Newell; Loader, H. Wharcaitu, Pohi; Bourke, P. Rangi; J. Rowe, Taniwha, Taylor; S. Penny, T. Wharcaitu (hookers); Zimmerman (rover).

THE FIRST HALF.

Stratford won the toss and defended the town end. The southern team was the first to get into its stride, and, after a brief period of play in mid-field, they launched a series of attacks on the Stratford line, several being stopped near the goal-line. The red and black forwards, led by Neal, 11. Hinton and Sliarrock, were prominent in a series of relieving dribbling rushes. Hepburn, Notinan, and Newell on the ‘blue side laid the foundation of Eraser Road attacks. With the first flash of lightning from a coming storm, Robson sent a long punt into Eraser Road territory which Stratford entered for the first time. Sullivan claimed a mark which was not allowed. lie kicked hard ahead, and the southern team was compelled to force. Heavy rain fell, and the field became a quagmire. Stratford instituted a back movement from the first five-eighths position. The ball went out to Sullivan, who missed it, and a long speculation found touch. Stratford resumed the offensive. When in a scoring position, the Stratford wing three-quarter, Phillips, fielded a kick from Newell, and ran over unopposed. Sliarrock failed with the kick.

Stratford 3 Eraser Road 0 Stratford maintained their heavy pressure, and another score seemed imminent, right in front of the posts. Hepburn grabbed the greasy sphere from the toes of a sudden pack, and brought off a fine save. H. Whareaitu and Notman continued the good work with, a fruitful' attempt at combination. They reached territory from which it was possible to essay a penalty kick at goal. It failed. The blue forwards held the balance of play in their favour for ten minutes, during which the ball went into touch in goal. Sullivan drove back another attack. With the players balancing like acrobats in the slush, play ceased to be Rugby, and the foot alone was employed. Nicholas saved for Eraser Road the next time they were in trouble, Notman and Newell following up his kick to good effect. Stratford had a fruitless kick at goal from a penalty. Eraser Roacl found a fairly firm patch on tlicir own goal-line, and tried a piece of passing there without attendant disaster. A high kick by H. AVhareaitu, and a fast follow-up by his brother, ended to within ten yards of the red and black line. A high kick by Hepburn beat Guy, and the ball went out in a nice position for the blues. The red and blacks got back to half-way, but a free kick, and a missed catch, let the blues remain in Stratford half. Nicholas made a good attempt to goal from a penalty, getting the distance from near touch, but being a little off in angle. Sliarrock, offside, pulled up a red and black forward dash over 75 yards. The Stratford players reinforced cacF other to better effect than their opopnents. A red and black forward rush ended in a heap of players submerging the ball under the Fraser Road posts. From the ensuing five yards scrum, Pohi got the ball. Robson caught his kick, and passed to Phillips. The wing three-quarter ran across near the corner flag. He failed to convert, though the effort was a good one. The spell ended:—

Stratford g Fraser Road o THE SECOND HALF. In the second half a series of good handles by Stratford threatened to increase their lead immediately. Fraser Road forced. There was a brief interlude while the referee coaxed a line umpire back to his job. A. ball bounced out, which the “ref.” thought went out on the full, and lie over-ruled his assistant. A hard run by Robson gave Stratford the attacking position once more, and Sharrock got over near the corner flag. H. Hi a ton Is kick had good direction, but lacked length. Stratford <) Fraser Road 0 A couple of marks and speculations wore all that Fraser Road showed in the way of defence against a protracted series of attacks. From half-way Neal dribbled through to the. blue twentyfive, where Nolan came alongside, gained possession, and passed to Robson, who scored. Sharrock was short with liis attempt at conversion.

Stratford 12 Fraser Road 0 Inside two minutes, the Stratford forwards initiated another loose rush, from which Sharrock scored again. If. Hinton failed to add the major points. Stratford 15 Fraser Rond 0 Late in the spell Stratford forced for the first time. Retaliating immediately, Neal and Sharrock dribbled over, the former touching clown. Sharrock’s attempt let the two points go begging; Stratford 18 Fraser Road 0 . In the last couple of minutes, Fraser Road dribbled into Stratford’s twentyfive. From a penalty for offside Loader kicked a goal. The final score was:—Stratford IS Fraser Bond 3 Air F. Julian was the referee. Stratford' will now play Patea, the winners being duo to play the New Plymouth Boys’ High School in the final.