THIRD GRADE FINAL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 August 1928, Page 4

THIRD GRADE FINAL

THE SEASON’S PREMIERS. VERDICT TO TUKAPA. STRATFORD SCHOOL’S FINE BID. As a curtain-raiser to the irep. game alt. New Plymouth this afternoon, Stratford Technical High School and the Tukapa thirds met to decide the third grade premiership of the province, 'the decision going to Tukapa by the narrow margin of three points (a try) to nil. The tea/ms were as follow: Stratford (Black) —V. King; J. Garryer, J. Whiting, J. Cowley; G. Ross, E. Townsend; C. Grossman (ha,lf); D. Hark ness (rover); D. Shannon, G. Wellington, P. Ford, T. At ills', W. Ferry, B. McMillan, I’. Fustier. Tukapa (Blue and White) —M. Fenwick; C. Lobb, J. Morris, H. Wyatt; McLean, Dickson; H. Boswell (half); B. Knott (rover); G. Reid, C. O’Dowda, J. Sped d i ng, R. Sole, J. Hare, C. Gilbert, M. Pope. The school team had the advantage of the sun and a fight 'breeze in the opening spell and held a 1 narrow margin of territorial honours, thougu uri j able to penetrate. Well served from the base of the scrum by Cross man, who | consistently received the ball from his hookers, the Stratford backs md jlged repeatedly in passing rushes, tut a. tendency to make “lob' 1 transfers allowed their opponents to frustrate the attempts with unfailing regularity. Playing against the sun in the- second half School were kept mainly on the defensive, and the northern backs came to light in a series of sparkling .movements which sorely tested Cross-» man, Whiting and King. Clever interception and snre tackling and fielding by the Stratford backs kept the invaders out, though anxious moments ■were caused through a succession of "pots” by the northerners, two. of which skimmed past the uprights. Seven minutes before time a Tukapa attack broke down close to the line, and the mix-up gave* possession to Boswell, who dived over tor an unconverted try. A moment later Mills made a fine attempt with a midfield penalty awarded to Stratford, the ball dropping just in front of the bar. Tukapa made; •the play for the remaining period 1 , but no side found the score still shoving— Tukapa 3 Stratford High School .... 0 Mr L. Gennhoefer was the referee.