WIN FOR STRATFORD

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1937, Page 10

WIN FOR STRATFORD

SCHOOLS' ANNUAL MATCH MARGIN OF ONLY ONE POINT. ADVANTAGE RULE DECIDES GAME. By a try gained under the advantage x-ule Stratford defeated Hawera yesterclay in a match between the two technical high schools played at the Haweia showgrounds. Although at a disadvantage in points for the greater part oi the game the superiority of the Stratford team, mainly in combination and polish, showed in the final score 'of 9—8. Stratford, slightly the superior team in weight and size, kicked off against the wind and sun. Hawera had the territorial advantage for mucli of the play, and early in the game Bemard gained three points for Hawera with an easy penalty goal. Hawera 's work in. thc scrums was good, and from one Hoopei made a clever breakaway but lost a try by passing when on the Stratford line. The Stratford backs frequently showed to advantage and combined well in attacking movements, from one of which Gawith scox-ed. Sfiortly afterwards solid packing by Hawera enabled the forwards to force their way over and Dunlop scored, Hooper converting. Play in Ihe second half was of a ragged nature in parts, although at times, especially in tlxe back work of both sides, some brilliant football was seen. Combined passing rushes by Stratford at times severely tested Hawera's defence. One of the prettiest pieces of work in the game was a scote by Stratford. From a scrum in tlie comer the ball came out to the attackers and in perfect formation the backs swept down the field for Gawith to score on the other comer. Lethbridge failed with a difficult kick. A rush by several Stratford players on the far side culmuxated in a try by Dunlop, after McLeod, Hawera's fullback, had missed his xnan. In spite of ohstruction by a Hawera player during the movement the try was upheld by the referee under the advantage rule. Tlxe kick failed. Although the home backs appeared to be shaping better in the latter stages and at times executed some clever movements no further score was made. The teams were; — Hawera: I. McLeod; B. Mai'shall, RGeorge, R. Head; N. Goodwin, A. Bernard; M. Eden; G. Smart; R. Dunlop, J. Peacock, J. Crawford, R. Hooper; G. Graham, G. Hudson, M. Tocker. Stratford: Manning; Gawith, Lethbridge, Floyd; Anderson, Fevre; Radich; Johnston; Elliot, Trask, Ryan, Drake; Crossman, John, Williamson. One of the features of the game was the prominence of both three-quarter lines, Stratford showing the better sense of combination, although at times lacking polish, especially when on tlie defensive. Hawera did well in that respect and was sounder on defence. Manning, Stratford, was the better full-back, McLeod being caught in possession or bustled several times. Radich at half for Stratford took full advantage of opportunities and in general his handling of the ball was excellent. Hawera's success in the scrums was largely due to the hooking of Hudson. Hooper also was promincnt among the Hawera forwards, while Goodwin played a sound defensive game at second five-eighths. Bernard, at first five-eighths and Eden, at half, often co-operated well to the advantage of Hawera. Dunlop was probably the outstanding forward on the field. Stratford's kicking was of a better standard than Hawera's and much of its defensive sti-ength lay therein. The Stratford backs were inclined to be too deep, and with their short passes lost many opporljunities. When they either closed in or developed their pass they were superior. Mr. S. T. Hunt was referee