RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 June 1927, Page 9

RUGBY.

WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. WHAREROA 6 v. CITY 0. The long expected meeting between Whareroa & and City eventuated yesterday afternoon at Hawera, when the country team prevailed alter a strenuous strugglo on a sloppy field by the above margin. W'hareroa, winning the toss, elected to defend the southern goal. A rapid interchange of kicks ended in Brown marking tor the Blue and Blacks, hut the resulting kick was ineffective. Shortly afterwards W’hareroa was awarded a free kick, but- Hughes failed to goal from a handy position, City responded with a good forward rush, which was stopped by Spragg marking. The town team now pressed hard, but Brown cleared temporarily, though W'hareroa were presently' compelled: to force. Good passing by the country team enabled them to transfer the attack to their opponents' territory, and City were obliged to force, Whareroa returned to the attack, but the City full-back, Hall, repeatedly saved the situation. The Blue and Blacks, however, were not to be denied, ancl after a concerted rush Bootten scored a good try, Hughes failing to add the major points. W'hareroa 3, City 0. On resuming, a free kick for City, and consequent vigorous play by the Amber and Blacks, endangered the Whareroa line, but the latter team finally cleared with a great rush. City were now wanning up to their work and collaring well, time and again checking the individual rushes of French and Lsloor. In strenuous forward play, Bryant, of the local team, was temporarily knocked out bv colliding with an opponent. Just before half-time City were again in danger, but Hall saved brilliantly,, and the whistle sounded with the ball in midfield. At the call of the whistle City bounded away, and presently almost scored as the result of a free-kick. Whareroa, however, almost immediately turned the position, and the town team were obliged to ground the ball thrice in rapid succession. Then a good forward movement culminated in pressing back the men from the country on thenown line, bit tlie latter’s weight and own line, but the latter’s weight and and from then on they held tlie upper hand, except for intermittent rallies by the local men, and good individual play by Champion, Wards, Bryant and Hall. A mark in a good position by Hughes looked dangerous for City, but tlie ball failed to rise to. the resulting kick, {shortly afterwards Whareroa being awarded a free kick on the local territory, Hughes drove the ball well and truly between the uprights, making the score 6 to 0. City now made the game more open, and put forth a line oifort to retrieve the position, on one occasion Cowan almost getting through. Eventually the whistle sounded with play in a central position. On the day's play the weightier and better-trained team prevailed, and they were aiso favoured by the heavy going on the sodden turf. Had the game been played on a dry held the score would probably have been much more even than indicated by the result above shown.

OHANGAI (3) v. FRASER ROAD (0)

A HARD-FOUGHT CONTEST.

Played! on a ground which, as the game progressed, became more and more sodden, the meeting between Ohangai and Fraser Road resolved itself mainly into a. struggle between the forwards, ' where the only possible play was “kick and follow on.” It was an example of this style of play that resulted in the only score secured, a try by Lee. The match opened with a rush hv the Road, which was repelled. They returned, however, and faulty play spoilt a good opening. Then Ohangai attacked, and a Road hack, failing to take a kick, Lee got an opening and, kicking over the line, went on to score a try. The kick failed. Ohangai 3, Fraser Road 0. Play went up and down field, each side alternately being called on to defend its line. Then Ohangai set up a rush, and only a had pass lost an almost certain score. They continued to press, and kept their opponents penned on their line till AVhai relieved and centred, and half-time was called.

Turning round, the Road forwards made a strenuous attack. and had Ohangai busy on defence for some time. On one occasion Mahony just failed to get across at the corner, and then again Hogan when in a winning position lost the advantage by a had pass. Ohangai then took a turn in attacking, and they had Rond line in danger. A forward rush, relieved' the latter, and they set up a series of keen attacks which looked' very likely, but good defence by Tidswell ou several occasions saved his side. Play was then even for some time and, the hall going out, no-side was called, leaving the scores— Ohangai 3 Fraser Road 0 Mr. L. H. Clapham was referee.