FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 September 1925, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RANFURLY SHIELD

RETAINED BY HAAYKE’S BAY

OTAGO OUTCLASSED.

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. HASTINGS, Sept. 9. Otago p.laved Hawke’s Bay in the final challenge of the season for the Ranfurly Shield at Nelson Park to-day before an attendance of 4000. The weather was fine with a stiff breeze. At half-time Otago were leading by 14 points to three, but in the second halt, with the wind at tlieir'backs, Hawke s Bay added 31 points to Otago s ni-, making the final scores: Hawke’s Bay 34, Otago 14. . Otago made good use of the wind in the first spell, and were holding the Hawke’s Bay forwards. They got the hah from the scrum, but did not make full use of their opportunities, the hack passing being had. Otago kept Hawke s Bay hemmed in. From an infringe-, meat, Donnelly, who played full-back. Hannan taking his place jn the three-j quarter line, put over a good penalty. ; Give and take play followed. Hawke s Bay gradually worked down field, and from a line-out the hall travelled across to G reliable, who kicked througn- with, his knee, ran up, secured again, and passed to Blake, who scored well, out. Yates’ kick missed, making the score three all. . . „ . The visitors’ next points were from a mark, and Donnelly made no mistake. From a scrum the bull was sent out to Townsend and on to Ross, who transferred to AYebb, who scored nicely . Donnelly’s kick was a good one. The Otago backs were now handling better and initiating passing rushes, from one of which AYebb broke away. Yates failed to collar him and AVebb scored well out. Half-time came with the score: Otago 14, Hawke’s Bay 3. . On changing over, Otago stemmed Hawke’s Bay for a few minutes, but Hawke’s Bay gradually assorted their superiority and scored in quick succession. the forwards dominating play. iU Brownlie was playing a great game. Ross got a kick on the head and went off Prehble took his place. Gemmell a 1 so left the field a few minutes before the final. • , . . , . Both forwards and hacks combined in passing movements, which simply defied imposition, and piled on 31 points. Once or twice the visitors broke away and looked like scoring, but the defence was too sound. Mr J. H. McKenzie (AA airarapa) refereed.

N.S.AV. TOyTMNG TEAM

DEFEATS AY AIR Alt AP A

MASTER TON, Sept. 9.

The New South Wales Rugby touring team to-day defeated AVairarapa-Bush combined bv 38 points to 8. The weather was fine', but the ground was heavy and «reasy after heavy rain overnight. The combination of the \Vairarapa pack, which has just returned from an undefeated torn- in. the south, was upset bv the inclusion of three Bush R a yens, and the home forwards never worked £is u te«im. The backs’ oppoitrinities were limited, but their downfall was in their poor tackling, several tries being presented to the visitors. The New South AA ales forwards displayed good hand and foot work, and fed' their last backs, who threw the ball about with abandon. Their threequarter line played splendidly. The scorers in the first spell were Ford, Reid and Crossman. Thom converted one of the tries. In the second Spell tries were scored by Bowers (3). Morrisey, Thorn and Reid. Lawton converted one and Thorn two, while the latter also kicked a penalty goal. Jury scored a brilliant try for AA r airarapa, which F. Both converted, and Fairbrother scored an unconverted try.

WAXROA RETAINS BARMY CIJP. WAIROA, Sept. 9. In the second Barry Gup challenge match of the season, played here to-day, Wairoa (defenders) defeated the East Coast Union representatives by 9 to o, after a fast, evenly contested game. The winners’ forwards gained tlje upper hand in the closing stages of t.ie game and pulled the iniitch, out of the fire. NEl* IA DENIES AtOKE RUMOURS. (uv tkleghapii. —press association.) u N API EM, Sent. 9. Reports have again gained currency that Win, the All Black and note Hawke’s Bay full-back. .is going to England shortly under engagement to nersonally mi the subject this afternoon, Noma cotradicted the report, characterising it as groundless and unwarranted Nepia. will represent Hawke s Ba> at Westport on September 2o and wHI also participate in 'the match Anchland v. Hawke’s Bay, at Auckland Saturday.