WELLINGTON v HAWKE'S BAY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7392, 19 August 1889, Page 6

WELLINGTON v HAWKE'S BAY.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] WELLINGTON, August 17. Over 2000 persons attended Newton Park ; this afternoon to witness the football match between Hawke's Bay and Wellington. A piercing cold wind was blowing all the afternoon, and towards the end of the first spell a sharp shower fell, but it was otherwise fine. The game, which resulted in a win for the local team by i 3 goals and 3 tries (12 points) to ml, was onesided and uninteresting throughout. Sim (back), and Stuart (forward) supplanted Dixon and Sullivan, of the local team, as it was found at the last moment that the latter was unable to play. Lowry, the Hawke's Bay captain, won the toss, and selected to defend the western goat, having slightly the beet of the wind. Immediately after the kick off the visitors' territory was invaded, and, owing to a high kick of one of their team, Fraser obtained a mark just outside the twenty-five-yard flag, though directly in front of the goal posts. The ball was placed for Collins, who put it well between the posts, amidst great cheering. After the kick-off, the visitors got on a fine rush, but through kicking too hard only a force down resulted. For a few minutes the leather remained in neutral ground, but then the Wellington forwards, who had much the best of the scrums, carried the ball well into their opponents' twenty-five, and Collins, a local three-quarter, making a pass to Fraser Lamer got in near the corner flag. Mclntyre made a ccrand but unsuccessful kick at goal. Score—Wellington, 4 ; visitors, nil. Soon after this Mclntyre, Reich, Johnson and Cockroft headed a fine rush. Beich passing to Mclntyre he got within a yard or two of the Hawke's Bay line, where he was collared, but handing the ball to Cockroft, the latter fell across the line alongside the post. Nicholls, the local skipper, took the kick and scored the major point. Wellington had then scored seven points within a quarter of an hour. Up to this time it appeared likely that Wellington could run through their opponents, but Lowry calling on his men, headed a fine rush and for a time the Wellington line was in danger. Thompson, at three-quarter, having mulled the ball the visitors obtained a free kick in Wellington's twentyfive, but no score resulted, the ball going into touch. Moorhouse relieved the Wellington goal, and for the remainder of the spell the visitors were acting on the defensive, but, owing to the fine play of Lowry and Taku (three-quarters) and Lequesne (full back), no further score was registered. Immediately after the game was resumed Hawke's Bay was again compelled to act on the defensive, and Thompson, of Wellington, had the ball passed to him when in front of the goal, but the leather did not rise off the ground. Morrison, Robson, and Hawkins headed a fine rush up in the local team's twenty-five, but the oval was soon back again, and although Taku, Lowry, and Lequesne prevented scoring for a time at least, Reich got in at the corner flag. Collins took the kick, but failed to increase the score. After some give-and-take play, during which the game was first within one twenty-five and then the other, Moore, a local forward, along with Stuart and Johnson, got through the visitors' backs, and the former touched down between the posts. Nicholls kicked an easy goal. Score—Wellington 11 points, Hawke's Bay nil. From this out the local men had the best of the game, and a few minutes before no-side was called Sim carried the ball over the line, where Moorehouse fell on it. Mclntyre was entrusted with the place, but the ball went wide. Aβ stated, the game was uninteresting, inasmuch as the visitors were on the defensive nearly the whole time, and although occasionally getting, up a fine dribbling rush play was soon again in their territory. Several of their forwards showed a disposition to loafing, and this threw extra work on the backs, who, although running well, were very weak in collaring. Lequesne saved the team more than once, and Lowry also removed danger on several occasions, but was badly supported in his rushes. The local men played with better combination than against Wairarapa last Saturday, bat at times their passing was very wild. Continually the advantage obtained by a loose rush was neutralised by throwing on or kicking too hard. Johnson, Cockroft, Reich, and Mclntyre weie the pick of the forwards; while Thompson at three-quarters was shoulders above any on the ground. Sim also played a fine game as three-quarter, and it was chiefly due to his and Thompson's efforts that the Hawke's Bay forwards after pissing the fullback were prevented from scoring. The visitors are entertained at a banquet this evening, and at midnight leave for Blenheim, there to play a match on Monday.