Page 7 Advertisements Column 2

Northern Advocate, 20 August 1928, Page 7

LAST-MINUTE DRAW.

’KARA ME A AND HIKURANGI.

Under perfect football conditions, Maungakaramea and Hikurangi drew at Maungakaramea on Saturday after a hard-fought, but oven gamp, each side scoring an unconverted try. The play iwas keen and interesting throughout, and Hikurangi’s sensational last-minute score which put the teams on an equal-footing, will place the “senior competition in a very interesting position. The ’Kardmea forwards played a 1 .typical rushing game and gained most of the scrums, but the backs were too well marked to give their wings much chance of scoring. There was no score until almost half-way through the third quarter, which is ample illustration of the evenness of the respective teams. ' -V ’Karainea’s back line played well on the whole and worked perseveringly, but the defence was very sound and every likely movement was frustrated. There is no .doubt that . the score correctly represents the strength of the teams. ’Kararaea set the ball in motion and followed it closely uphold to HikurangUs twenty-five, but clever play saved the .situation, and after a spell of forward work the ball came back to midfield, where Hikurangi looked like breaking through, Sound tahkling stayed the attack and the irresistible ’Karamea forwards again took charge, but, following a breach for which a scrum was awarded, the half sent their backs away in a good run which failed against accurate tackling. From a free kick Hikurangi snapped up the ball and a struggle ensued on the line. ’Karamea cleared and play settled down amongst, the forwards. Almost immediately afterwards Hikurangi broke 'through again, but lacked the necessary finish to crown their movenients, and the first quarter closed without score.

After the change-over ’Karamea took up tlio offensive 4 and stormed their opponents ’ line, .both backs and forwards handling well., Paki, who ’vfrais playing a splendid game, was instrumental in starting a passing bout shortly after, though faulty handling again spoilt a likely chance. Hikuraugi were getting the ball better, and with their backs handling well they gave 'Kararnea an anxious time until Kerr centred, relieving the pressure and’reversing the position. They continued to be aggressive until halftime, 'Which was called shortly afterwards.

After the interval the game developed into a fierce struggle, with the Hikurangi forwards to the fore In some fine attacking movements, though frequent knocks-on -by both sides spoilt some fine openings. They kept up their hard pressure, and on several occasions nearly worked over the line. The third quarter closed tvith both sides making fruitless attempts to score. The same fierce forward struggle continued, and following a rush 'Karamea opened its account, Cossill crossing the line for the first try of the game. The kick failed. Play appeared to slacken o.V but shortly after the most sensational incident of the match took place, when Hikurangi equalised the score. The Hikurangi forwards pressed hard and, breaking away, Meyers took the ball upfield with a splendid short kick, which enabled Cunningham, who was handy, to snap it up and score easily behind the posts. An easy kick failed. Time was called two minutes later. During the last quarter, Wlutelaw, of Hikurangi, left the field with an injured leg. Mr E, Dennis was referee.