PACKS' HARD STRUGGLE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 346, 29 April 1935, Page 2

PACKS' HARD STRUGGLE

HAWERA BEAT OLD BOYS TERRIBLE WEATHER CONDIIN FIRST SPELL. Teams playing in South Taranaki on Saturday found conditions much worse than those engaged elsewhere in the province. At Hawera where Kawera met Stratford Old Boys the teams played in .torrential rain and stinging hail- for the greater part of the first spell. The home team won by 9 points '(3 tries) to 6 (2 tries). The Hawera forwards displayed a slight advantage over the visiting rnck, working with more uniformity and precision. Although neither set of backs came into the picture a great deal Hawera's line handled well on several occasions.

The teams were: — Stratford United Old Boys: Adlam, Lash, Cochrane, Cook, McKenzie, Bar]ow, Harris, Hunwick, Heath, Hughes, Murphy, Thurston, Walker, Goodman, O'Keefe.

Hawera: Stratton, Ciapham, N. Hunter, McDonald, Dymond, Rumble, Halloway, Hayman, R/>bifcson, Butchari. i '

Play commenced hi a deluge of rain, Hawera early assuming the offensive. . Adlam and Cook effectively stopped a Hawera rush, United (following the advantage to half-way. Heath was prominent in two forward rushes into Hawera territory, a«u then in rain so heavy that the players in mid-field could hardly be afeen from the stand Hunter dashed away along the sodden ground with Clapham in attendance. The winger lost the pass and Adlam cleared. A long kick by Adlam from half-way to intide Hawera's twenty-five gave United a temporary advantage. Play .stayed for some time at half-way, both packs putting in solid work.

The rain abated and Hawera carried play well inside United Old Boys' twenty-five. From a scrum Guy shot the ball to Dowdle, Dymond and Hunter, wwlio scored in a good position. Guy's kick hit the post. A change ot play into Hawera territory saw the United forwards working hard to break through, Heath crossed but was recalled, and Hawera relieved. Guy sent Clapham away down the line from Hawera's tw/enfv-rivc, and in the subsequent five minutes Hawera's backs handled well in the heavy rain .'•gain falling. Their efforts were rewarded when Guy sent Brown away from a scramble, the forward going through and scoring well out. Guy's kick was too low. In United's territory Hawera's backs opened up, but Hunter missed a low pass. Dymond attempted feebly to get to 1 lie ball, and two United men rushed the ball over the line, Stratford forcing just be ioro half-time.

Cochrane and Cook were responsible for a nice combined effort from near half-way. They drove well Into Hawera territory, but the movement broke down after being dangerous for Hawera. Acllam's line-finding twice drOve Hawera back, and there was a succession of line-outs close to Hawera's line before Murphy scored from a scramble. Barlow.'s kick was low. Hawera drove into enemy territory, but a scrum infringement gave Adlam a chance to gain ground. Sterling play among United Old Boys' forwards saw play go close to Hawera's line, but Hawera responded. United forwards pressed again, and there were stubborn forward battles close to Haweras line. A free kick gave Barlow a chance to equalise tlio scores, but the shot at goal missed.

O'Ktefe retired hurt and Gorritige look his place. After an exchange of kicks Hawera'."- backs went away from halfway, the forwards carried on and Guy opened his backs out, but the opposition was 100 strong. Hawera continued the offensive and was rewarded when after a scru'm several forwards dived across, Garvey touching down. Hunter's kick was wide. United carried the ball to Hawera's line, where from a scrum McKenzie flashed over. Goodman'.s kick was low. It looked as if Hawera would score again, but a speculator saved. Hawera kept up the pressure and was attacking at the whistle with the final score: Hawera 9 Stratford United Old 80y5..6 Referee; Mr. S. T. Hunt.