SOUTH JUNIOR FINAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 19 August 1929, Page 6

SOUTH JUNIOR FINAL.

HONOUR WON BY OKAIAWA. AETER A KEEN STRUGGLE. A fast and interesting match between Okaiawa and TTawcra juniors took plaice on Saturday for the premiership of South Taranaki in that division resulted in Okaiawa securing the honour iby a narrow margin. It. was anybody’s game until right up to the end, a good game being witnessed bv a large body of spectators. The teams 'were: — Hawer a.—Busing, Jackson, Pama, Jordan (capt.), 'Guy, Walker, Rawcliffe, P. Eaves (rover), Roberts, Hodge, Clements, Joyce, Tait, Standish, aVEat'keson. Okaiawa. —‘Blair, Clark (capt.), Ngaia, Hooper, Murdoch, James, Skipper, Tito (rover), Poole, Watson, Wilkinson, Rakei, Barclay, Nuku, Bailey.

The play opened with a will, an indication of the keenness of the players. Hawera went aw r ay with a rush, hut Okaiawa securing, set up a good passing rush and Hooper kicked when he looked to have an excellent chance of getting round the “edge” of the opposing three-quarter line. The result was that Haiwera forced. From the kick-out. play was in mid-field for a time, both teams striving hard get away. 'Clement headed a rush of Hawera forwards, but the defence was sound. At length the reds *set u,p a loose .rush among the forwards, Wilkinson and Barclay leading, and they took the play almost to Hawera is line. A mark by Busing gave the yellows relief and his kick went out at the twenty-five flag. Immediately following the throw out, Jordon got clean away and ran right through to 'the fullback where a faulty pass gave away all the advantage. From a scrum Okaiawa forwards broke through and the ball went out to Murdoch, who sent it to Ngaia and from him the ball went on to Hooper, who was well 'collared at the .twenty-five flag. For a time play veered up and down-field in fierce loose rushes, both teams playing a fast game. Okaiawa, playing a anore combined game, got away in a loose forward rush and the ball came out to James and from him to Murdoch, and then to Ngaia, who beat the opposition and scored. Skipper converted.

Okaiawa s—Hawera 0. Hawera, making the pace hot, put on a fine dash, Eaves, Joyce and Tait in the lead. Hand hailing spoilt the opening and an excellent kick by Murdoch just -went out at half-way, giving the reds welcome relief. They carried through, but just afterwards Eaves took and put in a brilliant dash. He kicked and Hawera forwards had only to pick up to get across. Okaiawa set up a counter rush and Murdoch taking, ran to the twenty-five and transferred to Clark, who was taken just on the line. A forward rush 'gave the yellows relief, only for a minute, however. iby (Rakei securing initiated a forward rush and they had a hard time defending. This continued until halftime Avas called.

Fast exehanges' marked the opening of the second spell till Murdoch, kicking cleverly, sent play out at the yelioAvs ’ twenty-ftoe flag. Flay centred and then a red rush invaded Hawera quarters and a counter movement gave the yellorvs an advantage. The reds, hoAvever, continued to press and in a dashing run Murdoch secured and sent the ball on to Hooper, who just failed to cross the iline. A forAvard rush gave the vclloAvs relief, but once more the reds got aAvay, Murdoch initiating a good moA’cment, and after kicking he secured on a rebound and was taken just on the line. The yellows went up-field to the tAventy-five, but the rush Avas not .supported and OkaiaAva backs once more attacked, Murdoch again showing a nice turn of speed. A yellow forward rush Aveht to the twenty-five, but Ngaia’s kick Avas safe and lined at half-Avay. The OkaiaAva backs swung into action, as the outcome of smart Avork by James. The ball Avent on to Ngaia and from him to Hooper, who Avas collared in the corner. The yellows rolioA-ed with a gjood dash, lbut it ivas 'only temporary for good runs by Hooper and Clark the reds on the attack again. A yclloAV back passing rush- ended in Jackson putting in a brilliant dash almost to the line, but his pass Avas faulty and a great chance Avas lost, HaAvera pressed the attack and, close to the posts, .Taelcson had a shot that almost succeeded. As the result of a rush (Raivcliee took a mark and kicked a pretty goal.

Okinawa H—Haw era 3. Pram the outset of the resumption of pla v both sides made the play fast, the forwards working like Trojans. Good kicking ,l>y .Busing and Jordan gained much ground for the yellow’s, but a forward rush sent them back and in a good position iSkippcr Gi'ad a shot from a mark. Busing returned the kick and a vigorous yellow rush ended at half-way. Haw r era carried on and looked likely to score. The reds’ defence was sound and their forwards 'carried play to centre. A good mark by Ngaia saved Okaiawa, when the yellow forwards broke through almost to the line. Play returned to the centre and shortly afterwards the whistle went for no-side with the final score: GTCaiaiwa s —-Haw-ora 3. Mr IT. G. Whittington was referee.