FAST, OPEN GAME

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 130, 4 June 1931, Page 22

FAST, OPEN GAME

HAWKES BAY- BEAT WAIRARAPA (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, This Day. In the first Rugby representative fixture of the scusou in Napier, Hawkes Bay defeated Wairnrapa by 27 to 13 in n fast, open game at M'Leun Park, before an attendance of about 5000 people. ' The match held particular interest as a test of strength of the Hawkes Bay^ team. Wairarapa crossed the homo team's line only once, the balance of their score being compiled from two penalties and.a field goal. Both sets of backs worked together well,. but the home sida was superior in both divisions. A. K. C'ooke once again- played for Hawkes Bay, and played a sterling game, saving many dangerous situations by splendid line-kicking. The first try of tlio match came to .Hawkes Bay a, few minutes after the commencement, a good movement by their backs, in.which Sctford and Cooke were especially .prominent, resulting .in the former crossing well out. Evans converted well. Following a period of up and down play, the Hawkes Bay forwards set up a hard attack,. Eoaehc, Hie Wairarapa fullback, having to force twice in quick succession. After a good run by Campbell a few seconds later,, the ball was transferred' to Steere, who scored an unconverted, try. The next ..points went to Wairnrapa from a penalty on the twenty-five yard line, Williams scoring an easy goal. Two tries were then secured for Bay in quick succession by Steere and Campbell, both being unconverted. Wairarapa then began several .offensive movements which, however, were unsuccessful. , The spell ended with no further score. The second half was characterised by fast play by both sides. After a period of hard play, Crawford crossed for the Bay, his try being unconverted. Some time later, when Bay Avere hard pressed, one of their players sent a "speculator" to Koachn, who snapped up and kicked a splendid field goal. Cooke a few minutes later flashed over and scored for Bay, Setford converting. Ou resumption, an easy chance was given to Wairarapa, Williams • kicking a penalty, this being followed shortly afterwards by a try for the same team when Oliver crossed in the corner. The concluding try in the match came, to Hawkes Bay as a result of a rush from one end of the field to the other, Crawford scoring in an easy position J'oi- Setford. to convert, mailing the final score 27 to 1.3. Mr. G. A. Maddisou was the referee.