Communities square off in annual battle

There was no day off for the Lake Hawea and Hawea Flat communities yesterday as they met on the battlefield at Hawea Flat School in the annual Town v Country match.

During the event, now in its 14th year, both communities square off in various sporting challenges on Waitangi Day, from golf to netball and petanque.

Young and old competed throughout the day before coming together late in the afternoon for tug of war, egg-and-spoon races and lolly scrambles.

Town competitors and supporters were from anywhere inside the Lake Hawea township zone, an area bordered by Muirs Rd, Gladstone Rd and the lakefront, while Country competitors and supporters were from anywhere outside that zone, such as Hawea Flat, Johns Creek and the Maungawera Valley.

Pictured is Country's Phoenix Apa taking on two Town defenders in a game of touch rugby.