RETAINED BY WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 25, 29 July 1920, Page 11

RETAINED BY WELLINGTON

HAWKES BAY UNSUCCESSFUL.

For the fulfilment of their Rugby Shield challenge yesterday afternoon the Hawkes Bay representatives were favoured with glorious weather condi-, tions at the Athletic Park, and the conteat attracted over three thousand spectators. The claim of Hawkes- Bay was supported by a fairly vigorous combination, though hardly sufficient to make an impression, for the -holders—not playing up to their best form —won with comparative ease by a margin of fifteen points. There were times, , however, when the visitors made matters. willing, their forwards making some fine looss rushes and the backs Individually showing bright work. Open play was more freely indulged in by Wellington, but it took them a long while to settle down. Many chances were lost through erratic passing. y The teams were as follow: —Wellington : F. Malm, F. Tilyard, J. Ryan, Barker, Corner, M. Nicholls, H. E. Meholls, W. Malm, Standen, Hughes, Price, Harkhess, Wilson, Calcinai, and S. Shearer. Hawkes Bay.—Kuru, Mapu, O'Donoghue, Stainton, Barclay, Tvivell, de Castro, Batchelor, Hebberley, N>orth, Johnson, ■ M'Nab, Anderson, Davis,-and Kirkpatrick. Hawkes Bay won the toss, and immediately after the commencement the 'Wellington backs handled the leather attractively, although making little headway. In subsequent play othei passing bouts frequently opened-up were in. many instances spoilt by erratic passes. Occasionally during a period of loose play the visitors broke away, but the advances were only temporary. After a succession of Wellington attacks, in which the forwards were mainly concerned, Price followed up quickly and fell on the ball as it passed over the line. STo try was allowed, the referee ruling Price off-side., Aggressive tactics v.ere continued and finally rewarded, after J. Ryan had failed by indies to get across. W. Malm picked up from the loose, and then Calcinai handled but lost the ball. H. "Nicholas next tried to dive over, and finally Malm again made an opening for Harkness, who opened Wellington's account. . M. Nicholls failed to convert. 3-0. For the remainder of the spell Hawkes Bay were hard pressed. Just before half-time better . success attended an effort by Cal(rinai, who picked up from a loose scramble and scored near the corner-flag. -: Shearer failed with a difficult kick. >-0. On resuming* play hovered inmidfielcl or a time, but gradually Wellington -ained ground. O'Donoghue removed ilay from a dangerous quarter, and ■hen J. Ryan missed a pass Barclay uickly gave the Bay a further aduntage. Ensuing play was marked by ound defensive work and fine line-kick-ng on the part of Kuru, the Bay fulluick. Then advantage was taken of ■eckless passing by the Wellington ■acks, O'Donoghue, M'Nab, Mapu makng good use of opportunities. It was at this stage that the Haivkes Bay forwards showed more Vigour, while -the Sacks, though not collectively, were jiving support. Once an almost certain try .was missed by the ball being thrown forward. Other . efforts . found M-alin quite safe, and at length, the position was cleared by Corner kicking .'downfield. The ball- beat the .full-back, and J. Ryan, who had followed up .fast, gathered in the leather to score behind the posts. M. Nicholls ■inverted. '11-O. From then on Wellington had matters their own way. Tries were scored by F. Tilyard, r. Barker, (who. -cleverly -held: s, bad pass), and Ryan. . The attempts, at ;;oal failed. It was just on tKe call of time that one of the brightest pieces of play during tho game took, place. O'Donoghue suddenly emerged .from a aeramblo near tha Bay line, and aitoa* racing up the line passed, with good judgment to Mapu, who completed a fine dash by scoring. Kuru goaled. The final whistle then sounded with, the score: — Wellington 20 Hawkes Bay :.... 5 During the second spell de Caetro received a nasty scalp wound, and was replaced by Thomas.. Mr. L. Simpson was the referee.