SATURDAY'S MATCHES,

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 15 May 1922, Page 4

SATURDAY'S MATCHES,

The weather was perfect and so conduced to good football. In most of the matches, however, play was patchy evidence of the early part of the season Hawera disposed of Clifton pretty easily, but the play, with the exception of a few bright spots, was very ragged Opunake gave *he crack Tukapa team a good tussle and were beaten only by a small margin. * Senior results were as below:

A GR.4TYE. Hawera 16 v. Clifton 3. Tukapa (5 v. Opunake 3. Patea IS v. Kaponga 11. Okaiawa IS v. Waimate 13. B GRADE. Old Boys 6 v. Star 0. Okato 3 v. Eltham 3. Inglewood 6 v. Lepperton 3. HAWERA (16) v. CLIFTON (3),

Clifton won the toss, West kicking off for Hfiwera. The ball was returned well by Jones and Hawera set up a good forward attack. Fogarty, Sutherland and Robertson were prominent for good play, which took play into Clifton quarters. From a scrum Atkins secured and passed on the blind side out to Hughes. After a good dash he_ transferred to Osborne, who made a brilliant run right through the forwards and touched down, drawing first blood ior Hawera. Hughes converted Hawera 5, Clifton 0.

Spurred on by this reverse Clifton forwards dashed down the field, and Colman made a flue attempt to goal from a ( penalty. .Immediately after for offside -play Hawera were penalised, and Colman's kick almost succeeded, the ball .striking one of the posts. Hawera cleared, as the result of fine play by Sutherland, and Atkins sent the ball out well down. Fogarty and Murphy were associated in a good dash, the latter by good following up nearly getting over the line. Fogarty made a good run and sent on the Teather to Purcell and he to Bailey, who looked likely to score, but Avas called back. Good play by Clifton put Hawera on the defensive, but Jenkins saved brilliantly, and Hawera attacked strongly. Just after, as the result of loose rush Taylor dashed across and scored. Tlie kick failed. Hawera 5, Clifton 3.

Hawera soon attacked again, and but for fine defence by Hickey would have scored They were not to be denied, however, and after a fine back passing rush that just failed to notch a try, Atkins secured and passing well to Robertson, the Hawera five-eighths finished a brilliant dash by getting across. The kick was not successful. Hawera 8, Clifton 3.

Just after Osborne made a fine dash and nearly got over. Hawera were on Clifton's line nearly all the time, but could not score, mainly owing to fine defensive work by Hickey. Then Clifton broke away, Colman in the van, and looked dangerous until Robertson intercepted and put in a brilliant run. Giv.e and take play continued until half time was sounded. Hawera opened the second spell with a strong attack, which Colman repelled. Again they returned in a good passing rush, all the backs taking a hand, but Sutherland was tackled, and a good chance was lost. Clifton retaliated and, thanks to fine following up by Campbell, almost scored. Hawera cleared their line, and after a great forward rush West got across and scored. His kick failed. Hawera 11, Clifton 3.

Hawera were now getting all over their opponents and should have scored easily but for stubborn defence by Clifton. At length they got away and gave Hawera backs a busy time defending. A great dash by West, Day and Lavery took play up field again, but Clifton were playing a better game and put in some nice passing rushes. Play went up and down field, Clifton playing with more dash than their opponents. Time and again both back teams got away, and faulty passes spoilt many promising movements. Towards the end Hawera forwards got into their stride and penned Clifton on their line. Clifton kept them out until Hughes heading a forward rush, followed up fast and beating the defence for the ball scored a good try. He kicked a fine goal. Hawera 16, Clifton 3. Prom this point until the end of the match Hawera dominated the play, and the ball going out the whistle blew for no side, without further score. Mr F. Hooker was referee.