RANFURLY SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 37, 13 August 1923, Page 10

RANFURLY SHIELD

HOLDERS DEFEAT POVERTY BAY.

{■I TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

HASTINGS, 11th August. Playing for the Ranfurly Shield today Hawkes Bay easily defeated Poverty Bay. The ground was sodden after two days' heavy rain, and a light drizzle which fell during the piay made the ball difficult to handle.

The visitors began with considerable <3ash, and Hawkes Bay were forced. When the local forwards settled down they dominated the game, the Poverty Bay backs being disinclined to stop them. From a scrum Mill set his backs going; the ball went to Kivell, who cut in and nearly scored after a great run. Play settled round about the Poverty Bay twenty-five, the local forwards makiny many attempts to score, until 0.. Brownlie dived over from a line-out; the try was unconverted. Shorty after Grensi'de relieved when Poverty Bay set up a sustained attack. The local forwards, renewing the pressure, gave Mill a chance to work' his backs and Mapu scored after an attractive passing bout; the kick failed.

On changing over Eawkes Bay continued their-.; rushing tactics,, and Nepia broke'through with' ih'e ball iii iqb, beating the full-back to score; no goal resulted. The visitors now took a turn at attack, but Batchelor broke away in a great dribble from the corner. A scrum resulted near the line and Mill gave n. series, of dummy passes, scoring a clever try ; the kick-failed.. The ball

was so greasy that- handling became very difficult. Nevertheless, the local backs gave some neat-displays of combined play.N; Gemmell headed■a rush■by the local forwards, Grenside carrying on, when Mapu dropped a pass. From a line-out Dalv scrambled across to score Hawkee Bay's fifth and final 'try; the kick again"; failing. ~ The' Poverty Bay forwards showed renewed dash on resuming and at the close of the game they were vigorously attacking. The final score was: Hawkes Bay, 15; Poverty Bay,"o.

; Mr. E. Freeman (Masterton) was re. ieree. •■; ■ .".'■'''