BRITAIN AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue LXI, 12 July 1930, Page 11

BRITAIN AGAIN.

HAWKE'S BAY BEATEN. Desperate Forward Battle.— T - * XT 1.1. J . fl T •

Bay Unable to Score.—Jennings Secures 12 Points. —■ British Backs Superior. (Bv Telegraph—Special Reporter.) NAPIER, this day.' More than 15,000 people packed the stands and terraces at McLean Park; to-day when the British touring team met tlie Hawke's Bay representatives. Although nine of their players had not played in recent matches, and their team was generally regarded as their second best, the British heat Hawke's Bay by 14 points to three. Twelve of Britain's points were secured, by Jennings, who scored two tries and kicked two goal from penalty awards. Hawke's Bay did not score a try, their points accruing from a penalty goal by Grenside. The Bay were captained by Maurice Brownlie, who, as wing- forward, played his iirst big game this season. Xapier's accommodation last night was overcrowded, all the hotels being double-banked. Special trains earae from .'the centre of the province and there were also visitors from as far as Manawatu, Wairarapa and Wellington. McLean Park appeared full at noon, when it was estimated that people were present. Cloudy skies yesterday and light ram last night made the weather outlook doubtful for to-days game, but the morning dawned crisp and clear, and the sunshine which followed made conditions perfect. _ , Britain went straight to the attacK, their backs opening out in several dangerous movements, which took all the defensive power of Hawke's Bay's backs to keep out. It was a great duel between the forwards, the British pack being just a little too good. At every opportunity the backs got on the move, Poole whipping out the ball smartly, but kuowles was erratic, and it was always doubtful whether the movement would be carried on. Brownlies Lead the Rushes. Then Hawke's Bay warmed up, and, urged on by the frantic cheering of their supporters, got to work with grim determination. led by Maurice Brownlie, and with Cyril always handy, the Hawke's Bay forwards rose to great heights. Then- relentless rushes swept 7>lay to the British quarter, where Maurice Brownlie shot out of the loose with the ball under his arm, and there was a great scoring chance, but the Hawker Bay skipper passed forward, and Britain eleared. Time after time the Hawke's Bay backs opened out, their forwards at this stage serving- them well. Each attack was ruthlessly smashed by the fast British backs, who got up on their men with paralysing swiftness. Exciting Football. Then it was "Britain's turn again., Hen drew, Itew raid Beamish were the leaders in a brilliant forward rush, and •then Morley went -flying up the -wing. The next moment play «wuug to "the other flank, and Jennings crashed through a dive tackle by Imru. It was exciting football, with fortunes quickly fluctuating. A penalty came to Britain, and with .a fine kick idfrsm near the touch! in® Jennings kicked a goad. ; Britain " | Hawke's Bay '0 j There was a sensation when Brownlie kicked off. The ball shot out to the! open side, .and South, in a dazzling run, : •caught the British backs at sixes audi sevens. He skilfully trapped the defence; into a false anove, but carried ft too far,! with the result that 11 urn was caught 1 in time. It was all Hawke's Bay's game j now. Their forwards were supreme aud they hammered away at the line, and only magnificent defensive work kept them out. ;

'Grenade Just Fails. There was a gasp from the crowd as Grenside was almost over after he had; ■worked a ruse with J. Gemmell. From: the line-out the hall went to Gemmeil ; in the front row, and -hack to GreusidCv who raced down the line to beat Poole.| He went hard for the corner, but with a terrific crash he was thrown out at the ■corner by Bassett. Grenside Jay, motionless, he but slowly recovered, and gamely went on after his head had been bandaged. As the Hawke's Bay forwards took complete coVmand of the game the crowd shouted and swayed. Attack after attack was launched, and so halftime came, with Britain in a desperate position. Hawke's Bay could not crown their brilliant effort, in spite of the fact that Grenside had liad two attempts. There was tense, exciting play at the start of the second spell, with the Hawke's Bay forwards still holding sway over all. They hooked the ball from the scrum, and heeled from the rucks 'to send their backs away, but always the British defence was sound. There was some desperate <play in midfield for a time. At every chance the British backs threw the ball about in their usual open way, but they were quicklv skittled by the eager Bay backs. Soon Wilkinson shot away, and made a clean bneak through to Evans, the Bay full-back. There the British forward waa in a quandary. It looked a certain trv when he attempted to snort punt over the head of Evans, but he miskicked and the Bay backs cleared. Britain .started whirlwind attacks, and for minutes Bay's position looked desperate as the British forwards hammered away at the line. Much-needed relief came to the Bay when Setford took a clever mark from the feet of the onrushing forwards. The Bav forwards, with Manoa, Campbell and the Brownlies battling grimly, swept play to the British quarter again, and then from a scrum infringement the Bay were given a penalty, and Grenside kicked'a great goal. Britain • 3 Hawke's Bay 3 Britain's Scoring Patch. Britain realising their dangerous position' at the critical stage of the game, started their final great effort, and their backs struck a good patch. Prom a scrum Poole sent the ball to Knowles, to JNTovis, who beat his man, to Jennings, who dived over in the corner as he was tackled. The try was not converted. Kisrht back to the atack went Britain, and Jennings :flew down the line on a solo excursion. He kicked infield, the ball striking the posts. A scrum was formed, Poole shot round the short side, and the ball went to Novis, to Jennings, who again sailed over for Martiudale to convert with a great kick that definitely sealed the issue. , Hawke's Bay's hope faded and died, as Britain launched further attacks. The final score was: — Britain 14 Hawke's Bay . ; 3