IN CENTRAL H.B.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 82, 23 April 1937, Page 8

IN CENTRAL H.B.

"Referee.")

Prospects Considered Very Bright WELCOME THIRD GRADE

(By

With a record entry of teama, Rughy prospects in Central Hawke's Bay are very bright. Nine senior, six junior, and six third grade teams have been nominated for the local competitions. The welcome re-establishment of a third grade competition, affer a laptee of several years, is a sign o'f better times. Although three senior matches were played last Saturday, the grounds were so hard- that it would be unfair to criticise play or players. In all three games the scores were identical: Takapau 6 v.. Otane 3, Old Boys 6 v. Tikokino 3, and Waipukurau 6 y. Onga 3. The narrow margins augur well for an interesting season. Otane, probably the fittest team in this district, offered strong opposition to Takapau, senior champions for the last three seasons. In country clubs training is usually negleeted, but the Otane players deserve great credit for their consistent evening training during the past month. Of the two new senior teams, Omakere defeated Te Aute by default, and Porangahau drew a bye. In friendly matches last winter Omakere beat several of the local senior teams, and their entry in this grade will add interest to the coming season. The East Coast Sub-Union is no longer in existence; two of its teams are playing in Dannevirke and a third, Porangahau in Central Hawke's Bay. While this team is reputed to be a strong one, its players will be handicapped by the amount of travelling necessary. Te Aute, with their customary heavy Rugby programme arranged for the coming winter, defaulted rather than risk injury to their players on the hard grounds. With at . least ten of last year's' seniors available, this season 's College team should be a strong one.