SENIORS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 24 June 1912, Page 5

SENIORS.

HAWERA (7) v. OPUNAKE (3). The above match was played at Hawera on Saturday. The Oimnake -team was late in arriving, and the game in consequence did not start until close on 4 o'clock. But considering the distance the visitors had to travel and the rough weather tliey had to face their delay was excusable. The Hawera team was^ without the services of several prominent players, and recruits from the juniors had to bo brought into requisition. The ground was in a very soft condition, but notwithstanding the game was a very interesting one. both teams playing strenuously. ° Shortly after the game started Yearbury initiated a massing rush atict transferred to J. Robertson. The latter was able to ground the ball over the line in a difficult position. Webb took the kick, but no goal resulted. The visitors were not long in equalising matters. Their backs opened up the play, and after a brilliant run, G. Paki managed to force his way over the line. The major Boints were not added. Hawera had Opunake penned in their twenty-five for some time, but after being forced down the greens came within an ace of scoring shortly after the kick out. One of the backs held on to the ball, instead of passing to a comrade, who would have had a.clear run. Thus what looked like a oertnin score dir? not come to pass. A mistake on the part of Oounake's full-back occurred later on. He kicked the ball into a Hawera forward, and Webb taking it on the rpbound, essayed a shot nt goal, in which he wns successful. This >avo Hawera a le^d nf four points. No further score resulted.

The second suell should h??ve seen Ooiinake score two other tries, but their lurk appeared to be ont. .Tust at the critical moment they lost the ball, and Hawera. on each occasion were forced down. Martin, of Ominake, nearly Treated Webb's performance by pottine: a goal, the ball just missing the po^s.

Mr W. Cowoer Md the whistle and mado a capital referee.