Poverty Bay Trounced By North Auckland

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29295, 29 August 1960, Page 16

Poverty Bay Trounced By North Auckland

(New Zealand Press Association)

WHANGAREI, August 28 A completely superior North Auckland side successfully retained the Ranfurly Shield when it beat Poverty Bay 24-3 at Rugby Park, Whangarei, on Saturday. More than 6000 persons braved the weather to see the home side overcome light rain and a muddy ground. North Auckland, which led 11-0 at half-time, adapted itself well to the conditions. The backs, well served by the half-back, L. Townsend, who returned after a lay-off through Injury, used every opportunity to open up play. If the ball was not sent along the chain, where the three-quarters, N. Erceg. R. Yates, and H. Phillips, made full use of it. It was crosskicked to them. They were helped by the weak tackling of the visiting backs. Only Bright Spot The only bright spot in the opposition was the Poverty Bay fullback, J. Hata, whose kicking, handling and positional play were outstanding. Northland spectators saw an evenly-matched contest between him and New Zealand Maori fullback. M. Walters. Walters, who contributed 11 points in North Auckland’s 17-11 win over Auckland the previous week, notched 13 in Saturday’s game with three penalty goals and three conversions.

North Auckland forwards dominated the line-outs through D. Hewitt and L. Russell, but were held to only one tight head in the scrums. Their speed to the loose ball, with T H. Ross, V. Yates and K. Murphy Srominent, and their raids among te visiting backs, soon slowed down Poverty Bay.

Never Gave Up Led by D. Fee, H. Myenhuls and F. Atkins, the Poverty Bay forwards never gave up, and fought back gamely. Two or three times early in the second half they came close to scoring, and again near the end of the game. They started off well, but overeagerness cost them five penalties in the first 16 minutes. Two of these were successfully kicked by Walters, who just missed a third attempt. Half-way into the spell. North Auckland opened the game up as the forwards gained mastery, The opposition tackling was weak, and North Auckland nearly crossed on three occasions.

Short-lived Excursion Poverty Bay had a chance with a penalty goal, but Hata missed, and the excursion into North Auckland territory was short lived. Just before half-time N. Erceg came in from the short side of a line-out and completely baffled the whole Poverty Bay back-Rne to dut out five men before scoring. Walters converted to make it 11-0 at halfPoverty Bay came back, and F. Atkins was pushed out just short of the line. Phillips booted North Auckland out of trouble long enough for Walters to kick his third penalty goal, after ■ line-out obstracu Poverty Bay fought back to North Auckland territory, but then faded.

In three minutes North Auckland raised its total by 10 points when two tries in which both forwards and backs participated were scored by N. Erceg and A. J. Bennett. Walters converted both. Phillips was prominent in several North Auckland raids, but was held up by C. Williams, who replaced the injured B. P. Johnson. Poverty Bay’s only points came when Hata kicked a penalty goal seven minutes before the end.