FAST GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 31 August 1936, Page 13

FAST GAME.

WALLABIES BEATEN. HAWKE'S BAY WIN. SIX-POINT MARGIN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! ■NAPIER, Saturday. Overcast conditions prevailed for the Austrnlia-Hawke's Bay match, but the ground was in splendid order, and there was an attendance of 60015. Hawke's Bay, with the wind, had the advantage in the opening attacks, the forwards pushing the visitors to their own line, failure to pick up losing a royal - scoring chance for the Bay. The home "team continued on the offensive, repeatedly taking play to the danger zone, but the defence was very solid, the visitors favouring the open back game against the fast Bay pack. Bradley just missed a penalty goal, and Le Quesne failed narrowly with a .pot, at this stage the visitors being well bustled. Rankin, who replaced Storey as full-back, was being called on for a lot of hard work.

Bay, taking a leaf out of the visitors' book,* were throwing the ball about in great style, but the visitors lost a great chance when McLaughlin and Hayes broke away with only Hutchinson to beat. McLaughlin tried to sell a dummy, but Hutchinson was not a buyer, and he stopped the rush. Both sides were giving a great display, Bay having the better of the exchanges and repeatedly missing tries by the narrowest margin. Bay were hooking from the scrums, and Australia conceded four force-downs in succession.

For fully ten minutes play was confined to the visitors' twenty-five, but Australia changed the outlook when Richards broke away from the scrum and took play to the other end, where Bay were penalised. Hayes failed with an easy kick, as the wind had now dropped and conditions were perfect at this stage. Hayes- went off with knee trouble and was replaced by Gibbons. Australia were now coming into their own with snappy passing rushes, but a quick change came when lteid, Dalton, Hannigan and Herbert featured a great rush, from which Hannigan_ scored well out. Hutchinson missed with the kick.

Soon nfter, with a penalty goal, Rankin evened tlie scores. A few minutes later a mishandle by Rolls let McLaughlin and McLean away, the latter scoring. Rankin's kick was a poster. The halt-time score was: Australia 6 Hawke's Bay 3 A shower of rain fell at the start of the secoiid spell. The visitors attacked strongly, Bay conceding an early force, but following this a penalty to Bay saw Le Que sue drop-kick a goal five yards inside half-way. ! Australia G Hawke's Bay 6 It was now raining hard, and Bay appeared to revel in the conditions, but a sensational break by Kelaher carried play to the other end, where Apsey came fast and touched down, but to the amazement of the crowd a try was awarded Kelaher. Kankin converted. Australia . 11 Hawke's Bay <5 Bay continued to set a hot pace, repeatedly attacking, but these attacks wore quickly broke up, and a smart counterattack ended in Walden and McLean getting away for the latter to score a good try. Rankin missed. Australia 14 Hawke's Bay (5 Territorially Bay was holding the advantage, and a penalty goal went to Hutchinson's account. Australia 14 Hawke's Bay 9 The slippery surface was proving upsetting to the players, although the rain had stopped. Play became highly exciting as Bay strained every nerve to reduce the leeway, and Bradley raised the flags with a penalty. Australia 14 | Hawke's Bay 12 j Hawke's Bay went all out now to secure the lead, and the crowd was on Its i toes when Le Quesne brilliantly opened the | way for Miller and Apsey, the latter grounding in the corner. Hutchinson missed with the kick. Hawke's Bay 10, Australia 14. Excitement was now terrific, especially when Rolls got ffver for a try, but meantime the referee had halted play for an infringement at mid-field. Play was exceptionally fast, Hawke's Bay giving the visitors no peace, and once more the crowd was wild with excitement. Bradley cut through and passed to Le Quesne, who cut out three men, to score under the bar. Bradley goaled. Hawke's Bay -0 Australia 14 The home team was now playing all over the visitors, j tout Kelaher was pushed out ac the corner flag after a great run. The visitors made a big effort to pull the game out of the fire, but time beat them, the final reading being: Hawke's Bay 20 Australia 14