WEDNESDAY RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 May 1928, Page 6

WEDNESDAY RUGBY.

j. hawera district competition. l " SEASON’S OPENING GAMES. n The 192 S season of the Hawera district Wednesday Rugby competitions opened in wintry weather and on wet grounds yesterday afternoon. On the Hawera ground (Jity and Eraser Road •’ played a nine point draw, while at U'hareroa the home fifteen was defeat- ’ ed by Ohangai, the semes being six to nil. CITY 9 v. FRASER ROAD 9. On the Hawera showgrounds the City and Fraser Road fifteens prodded an interesting game which kept che issue in doubt and resulted in a - draw, nine points all, Ciity registering t three tries and Fraser Road a try anil I two penalty goals. In handling movements the City backs gave the better - exhibition, but the advantage was off- - set by the bustling tactics of the [ heavier vanguard fielded by Fraser Road. Fraser Road’s kick-off ball was re- ■ turned well down by Morrissey and following a line-out the Yellow forwards were swarming on the line, dakere made a clearance, but the home Jacks swung into- line with a bright oout which broke down in the danger zone where Morrissey sacrificed the ground gained, allowing a force through an ill-advised pot. For a period the game was waged mainly between the Blue forwards and the Amber backs, but it was left to the Amber forwards to open, the account, j Young and Ward getting through a scramble for a try by Young. Hart’s I rick from wide out struck the upright, just below the bar. The reply came following a sustained Blue assault which was .successfully stemmed until c. penalty allowed Rumbal 1 to equalise the score. Almost immediately an opening by the City half, Clark, paved the' way for a rush which terminated in l force by Newall. In passing bouts the City rear division showed better precision thau their opponents, whose ill rusts were made mainly in forward sorties, though one pretty bid with crisp passes by Pullen, Newall and Fawhi was unlucky in failing to get results. Stoppages for minor injuries extended the session for several minutes, out the soell was signalled with the •ores still showing: City 3 Fraser Road ; 3 The early part of the second spell found Fraser Road holding territorial honours, but fumbled passes meant the loss of frequent opportunities. Followug a strenuous ten minutes in City’s half play veered to the Blues’ territory. Just inside half way Morrissey effect- . ed a spectacular interception, punted over the full-back and raced on to reovor the ball and notch a meritorious try. From fin front of the goal Cairn- ( cross seemed to have a certain two points, but failed to raise the ball. s Again Rumball’s boot exploited a pen- ? alty and the scores stood even. Show- ■' ng the strain of the earlier pace the big Blue pack was penned in defence ' for a lengthy period, but the seige was c raised and eventually Notman found a v hole in the Amber rear division, and v sent Simon Pene on a; 20 yards dash a to score. Rumball’s kick 'failed and u scores showed : Fraser Road 9 j City 6. f The next incident of note was a fine * dribble from half way by Ritter who, however, was stopped in the danger, /.one by TawJii. The final stages found City pressing again and just on full ( time the leather shot via Clark, Mo,r- c rissey, and Standish. to Townsend, who t, spedl across in the corner. Hart’s lack t failed and full time was called with s the scores showing nine all. o Mr. .A, Sprsttt w.as the .referee, I

OHANG AI 6 v. WHAREROA NIL. Early in the first spell of the Oh a n gai-Whareroa, game on the latter s ground the home team lost the services of Crooks who had to retire with an injured shoulder. The game in the first spell was of a very even nature, there being little to choose between the teams and the score was not opened when the change over was called. Ohangai were #ie more aggressive, in the second session and unconverted tries by Hinga and Lander gave the visitors a six point margin at the call ftf time.