Representative Rugby HAWKE’S BAY IN SHIELD FORM

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 20

Representative Rugby HAWKE’S BAY IN SHIELD FORM

(New Zealand Press Association! NAPIER. Hawke’s Bay greatly enhanced its Ranfurly Shield chances with a 34-6 win over Counties at Napier on Saturday.

With backs and forwards taking every chance to pass the ball, Hawke’s Bay scored three tries before half-time, in spite of playing against a stiff breeze, and at the break, led 11-3. Counties seemed to lack imagination and its backs did not possess the pace to take advantage of the few opportunities that came their way. For Hawke’s Bay, D- Smith (2), K. Crawford. K .R. Tremain, T. W Johnson. M. Duncan. and N. W. Thimbleby scored tries- I. R. Bishop kicked five conversions and a penalty. For Counties. P. H. Worrall kicked two penalties. SEVENTH DEFEAT For the third match tn guceession. Auckland could not score a try and was humbled. 23-15. by the strong Wellington team at Eden Park. Wellington scored a goal, three tries, two penalty goals and a dropped goal and Auckland once more had to rely on its brilliant. 20-year-old full-back. D. Laurie, for all tts points from five penalty goals. Tn Its last three matches, acainst North Auckland. Bay of Plenty and Wellington. Laurie has scored all 45 of Auckland’s points In that time Auckland has conceded no fewer than 10 tries and is heading for ite worst record in years. Its record is seven losses, a draw and five wins, with two matches to play. The dynamic Wellington forwards outclassed Auckland In the first half, made the breaks for three tries, and led. 29-9. at half time. Auckland recovered tn the second half with two more goals front Laurie, but Wellington added the fintshine touch when I. N. Maetwan crashed over after a wheeled scrum. There was an ugly Incident lust after half-t’me when G. C. Wtl’lams. the WeP’ncton No. S. rained a series of punches on the Auckland No. 8. L. W. Fell, who was in the ruck Fell, who bad to be restrained from at. • arktne Wti’iams. had to leave the field w'th b’eod streaming from a head cut. ,

For Wellington. R. L. Gray. T. N. Lister, B. A. Coulter, and Mac Ewan scored tries, and M. W. WHliment kicked a conversion. two penalty goals, and a dropped goal. OTAGO DOUBLE Otago completed the double against South Canterbury with a 23-9 victory at Carisbrook. Otago led. 9-6, at half-time. The Otago forwards had almost complete control in the loose, line-outs and rucks, but it was only in the second half that Its backs settled down. They were given fine service by the All Black. C. R. Laidlaw, whose generalship had much to do with the win. Otago’s points came from tries bv D G. Peddle. K. J. Prain. Laidlaw, E. S. Taylor, and M. P. CoHins. a conversion and two penalties by Tavlor. For South Canterburv. G. Brown (two) and J. B. Beardsley kicked penalty goals. POOR RECORD Southland's poor record against North Island teams continued at Invercargill when it was beaten. 13-9. by Waikato. The tourists deserved full credit for their displav, especially tn the second half. After ’eading. 10-3. at half-time. Waikato faced a determined South’and assault, but its strong defence held out. For Waikato, tries were scored bv W. Bartram and R. A. Flanagan. D FlaveH kicked a penalty and two conversions. For Southland, G. A. Townsend kicked three penalties. OTHER RESULTS At Oamaru: North Otago 9 <P. Woodgate try; N. McKentie, 2 penalties). Mld-Canter-bury « (A. H. A. Smith. 2 penalties!. At Te Aroha: Thames Valtey 10 (J. Hodge. J. Carter, D Brewn. triee: G. Vnwles. 2 conversions. I penalty). East Coast 14 fT. Taare, A. Reedy, tries: V. Takarangi. 1 penalty. 1 conversion: H Henare 1 penalty). At Gisborne: Wellington B 6 <W. Barrett, trv: B. Nicholls, penalty) Poverty Bay 3 (M. Jones, try). At Palmerston North: Manawatw IP <D. Kitehen. J. Rumball tries; Taitoko two conversions. Penalties). Malbpruugh lIS (K. Marfell. p. Clarke tries: L. Sparks three penalties).