MID-WEEK RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 June 1927, Page 6

MID-WEEK RUGBY.

HAWERA COMPETITION,

CITY TEAM STILL LEADS.

The Hawera district Wednesday Rugby competition was advanced a further stage yesterday afternoon when, on the Hawera ground, the unbeaten City team held its record by defeating Fraser Road. The other fixture drawn—Whareroa v. Normanbv —was not contested, Norinanby failing to put in an appearance at Whareroa, with the result that the game went, by default, to Whareroa. The pace was willing in the ,CityFraser Road game, in which the honours fell to jOity by eleven points (three tries, one converted) to five. The losers fought gamely, but were fairly beaten in all departments, though City’s superiority lay mainly in hard forward play. Neither set of backs wasimpressive and the City fifteen gave evidence of lack of combined practice during the three, weeks which had elapsed since thenprevious game. The home team chose to defend the, northern goal though a cross wind gave no advantage. From the opening exchanges play liung in neutral territory till R. Tutauha, behind the visitors ’ <sscrum, opened an attack which was pressed by Notman till T. Bay, on the City left wing, made a, speculator which found touch. From the throw-in action, went to the other side where Cannon was noted in a determined dribble for City, but was stopped by Natman. The home half, Cairncross, made a good opening, but Goodwin’s pass was intercepted. The next notable incident was a forward break-away by Penny for Fraser Road whose kick to centre was gathered by the home full-back, Hall. T. Tutauha stopped the clearance almost on the line and in the mixup a defender was ruled off-side. Notman r .seemed to have an easy three points, but a faulty kick lacked distance. For the ensuing fifteen minutes the City forwards maintained a series of dashing raids. Cannon, Hart and Bryant being constantly conspicuous. On at least three occasions their efforts should have been rewarded with tries,’ but fumbling by their backs, with the goal only feet away, allowed Fraser Road to clear. The siege was raised | when 11. Whareitu broke from the I twenty-five and at mid-field lobbed a pass to D. Wliai. 1 The tricky wing carried on to the City quarter whel-c the ball was again secured by 11. Whareitu, who sent Pullen over for a try near touch. The scorer converted. Fraser Road 5; City nil. Two further assaults by the Blues were repelled and the willing Yellow pack again assumed the ascendancy. Points came to them just before half-time when Cannon charged from an attacking group and finished a fifteen yards’ run with a try which Cairncross converted, making the score 5 all. Previously obscured behind a cloud bank the setting sun shining at an oblique angle to the field of play confronted Fraser Road in the second session. City were early in the attack, setting a pace which scarcely troubled the visitors who seldom crossed the half-day zone. • Trying the goal with a mark, Cairncross missed narrowly with a good kick. Vigorous spoiling by the Blue defenders kept the invaders out till Wards, Young and Lay appeared under a failing ball from Mcßeth’s boot and the trio crossed well out for a try by Lay. The kick failed, but City were three points up ailcl from a line-out within five minutes Hart added three more with a try he was unable to convert. Halfway through the spell the Fraser Road backs found their feet, Davidson, Pullen, Notman and Whai, being noted in likely movements. For the remainder of the game the sway of play showed a more even division of territorial honours, but, though the no-side signal found Fraser Road attacking, the scores remained unaltered. ML 11. Cl. Whittington was the referee.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

Tawhiti. v. Hawera Convent. In the southern division of the primary schools Rugby competition.

Tawhiti defeated Hawera Convent at Hawera, yesterday, the scores! being 11 points to nine. J. Rangiwahia, who played conspicuously throughout fan thei winners, scored two tries and converted one, while another try was registered by G. Whareitu. _ Convent’s score comprised three tries, the scorers being Gr.uackshank. Kerrisk and Arden. Mr H. A. K. McNae was the referee.

Okaiawa v. Hawera,

At Okaiawa, the home .school fifteen defeated Hawera by 11 points to 9. T. Toro, who soared two tries and converted one, accounted for eight of the winning points, the other three being from a try by D. Sheared. Tries for Hawera were scored by Gyde,, Horsburigih and Ewington. Mr D. Johnston was the referee.