WEDNESDAY JUNIOR RUGBY

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1929, Page 5

WEDNESDAY JUNIOR RUGBY

WHAREROA 18 V. FRASER ROAD 9. Whareroa defeated Fraser Road at Hawera yesterday by IS points to 9 after a bright, willing game, in which good kicking, good passing and fast play were features. The game was quite as interesting to watch as many a senior match, and play was open and aggressive on both sides. Having the wind >. their favour, Fraser Road notched a try within five minues, after neat passing from Pikau to Hau, Rahiri and A. Newall. The latter got over and converted his try. Whareroa made a good sortie and pushed hard to Fraser Road s 25, where, after a wild scramble, F. Guise drop-kicked a goal from the field. Newall made a dashing breakaway, but slipped just near the goal. Play centred in Whareroa’s 25 until Poi drop-kicked a goal from the field, the ball hitting the bar and bouncing over. After half time Fraser Road pushed hard, Whareroa being compelled to force. Whareroa then battled hard and Murphy, kicking the ball well over the line, followed up and touched down. He failed to convert. Another drive down the field was made by Whareroa, but the ball went over the dead-ball line. Shortly followed some neat passing from Clarke to Murphy, the later breaking away and scoring near the line. Hughes missed the kick. For some minutes Fraser Road had Whareroa hard pushed in the corner, but the home team retrieved, and after a good kick down the field Murphy picked up and again grounded. His kick missed. Further good passing from Joyce to Hayward and then to Murphy ended in the latter, by a turn of speed, slipping over once more. He converted just as Mr. E. Hurley blew his whistle. OHANGAI 4 BEAT CITY 3. STRENUOUS, EVEN STRUGGLE. City suffered defeat at the hands of Ohangai by a margin of one point in a fairly even game. A strong wind throughout raked the field from end to end. City had the advantage of mo«t of tho scrums, while their backs handled slightly better than Ohangai, who, however, adopted more spoiling tactics.. J. O’Shea played a good, open game, being always in place. Tainarapa and Kahu each played useful games. Morrissey, Calvert and Norris for City also played good football for so early in the season. City, playing with the wind, were occupying the visitors’ territory within a few minutes. Cariicross marked to no purpose. A forward dribbling rush was held up by R. Church, City, however, losing their dash in a force. A passing rush, in which all the backs handled well, was turned to account when Calvert scored a good try in a handy position, opening City’s account. Hart failed to convert. Ohangai livened, and Kahu and Tamarapa led the forwards to the home side’s twenty-five line, but loose play and non-support lost the advantage, Ohangai being content to play a defensive game for the remainder of the first half. City opened the second spell with an advantage notwithstanding the wind. Their backs, being tho more finished, troubled Ohangai, who were extended in keeping them out. Morrissey tried several drops, to find the wind against him. Ohangai were given a penalty in a fair position, Leo’s kick falling short. Keeping up tho pressure, P. O’Shea dropped a goal from the twenty line, making the game from then onward very keen. City forwards dribbled to half-way and were given a penalty, Hart’s try going wide. Ohangai cleared. The last stages found each pack trying hard to score without success. Mr. J. Hurley refereed.