A LUCKY WIN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 August 1928, Page 9

A LUCKY WIN

Taranaki’s Rugby Victory DEFEAT OF HAWKE’S BAY Five Points to Three

Taranaki’s Rugby representatives notched a lucky win at New Plymouth on Saturday, when they snatched victory from the Hawke’s Bay team by a converted try to a try.. The Magpie stalwarts, who consisted of a bustling set of senunmagers, supported by a steady rear division, held the balance of power for the greater portion of the game, and only a sensational lone-handed try by the battling Opimake wing, W. Hohaia, capped with an equally sensational conversion by the Stratford last-liner, A. Collins, robbed the visitors of the decision. Hawke’s Bay’s strength lay in the shock tactics of its willing forwards, but a tendency to get off-side at critical junctures prevented the exploitation of opportunities, though on the general run of play they were superior to the Taranaki vanguard. Taranaki’p power in the rear division was materially weakened by the absence of the resourceful middle back, D. Johnston; .and without this player the home backs were shaded by the, set from Hawke’s Bay. While the ideal weather conditions were not reflected in the standard of play, the game sustained the interest of a big crowd owing to the closeness of the scores and the possibility of anything happening. The victory was the fifth recorded this season by the Taranaki team, which is so far undefeated.

T'lie -teams were a.s follow: — HAWKE’S BAY. (Black and White) Fu i 1 -ibtuc k: Yates. Three-quarters: ITuxtable, Bennett, Russell. Fiive-ei'giht'liis: Get-ford, .Smith. Half-battik: Botha way. Rover: S. Gcmnnell (captain). Ba'ek row: Hefferman, O ’Dowd. M-i'ddlei row: Campbell, Steers', Wilson Hookers: Dennis, J. GcmnrcJl. TARANAKI. (Amber aln'cl Black) Full-back: A. Collins. Three-quarters: IV. Holiaia, H. W ■ Brown, K. Cookes. Five-eighths: C. Holiaia, E. Owen. Half-back: S. Court. Rover: A. Guy. Back row: J. Smith, B. Espino Middle row: ,T. Walter, Ike. A. Kivel'l (captain). Hookers: W. Robinson, O. Murphy. The, ,tosfe of the coin allowed t'lie home skipper to line 1 his ten,nr out to take advantage of the sun in the opening session. Following the kick-oil exchange, Brown raced to mid-heikl nlud punted palst Yates', who made a recovery, but was able to clear, and tiro ball sped across' the home backs till the transfer to Brown was spoiled by 8. Gennmdil. A bid opened 'by the Magpie rear division left Huxtable rating tilt blocked by W. Holiaia in the twenty-five zone and play swung to neutral territory, where Brown gained ground with a- penalty. Taking an inpass from H'uxtablc during another ba'ck movement; Bennett punted ho the line. A sdruin was ruled 'and ga.ve possession to the visitors, but S. Gcniniell marred the opportunity by getting offside.

A penalty kick sent Taranaki to the attack, and from a punt' by Brown, Yates made the, first force-down of the game. A demonstration by the crowd against a Black and White hustler, with cries of “Take him off,” was made when Court wa's incapacitated during a' midi-field melee, but, after a short respite, the Taranaki half resumed play. Fierce milling by the respective packs kept close order play in neutral territory for several minutes, neither rear division being allowed' to introduce open order tactic's. Eventually a high bail from Bennett gatve a mix-up in the home twenty-five, and a defender was penalised. Yates made a, brilliant attempt with a touch-line plaice kick, the ball sailing with ample height just a foot or so on thee wrong side of the post. ;

Am Amber forward charge led iby Whiter and’ Robinson avus <die next incident, wad thirty yards out a. penalty waw taken by Collins, who also 1 missed by a small margin. A sensational clearance by Cray during a hard struggle on Taranaki \s line, suml a clover mark iby Court in the nick of time were features of hhe next few minutes, in which Hawke’-s Bay •made itfoe play, while 'attempted pots by Yates and I-luxtaible fell short, and Dennis, plunging to score, was recalled for an offside pates.

Long kicking exchanges left play without decided advantage until Smith made a dash, only to be stopped l by Cookes in the corner, where a hectic battle twaiged 'between the massed forwards till Taranaki, were penalised and Bothaiway made a weak attempt with a. drop-kick. The Bay 'held the ground, however, and wore almost over Avihem Huxtaible fell to a lucky tackle by W. H'ohaia', ami Sotford, dashing in to give support, had an open line, but was unable to- gather the roiling ball before it found touch.

Though play had been ragged, the advantage territorially throughout the spell had to be coded the visitors when hntl'itiri'O was signalled with the score unopened.

THE SECOND SPELL. Tlie first incident of the second spell was a solo dribble by Guy avlio Avas chocked by Huxtable, and from an ensuing line-out, S. Gimmell put action back in Tla ranaki’s territory, Avhere from 40 yards out Yates again failed to raise the flags Avith a good penalty kick. C. llohaia ’s return was accepted by Bennett and a critical situation developed for Taranaki till Ike smothered the last man in the attackers’ chain. A forward ass'ault by the Black and Whites was stopped with a force down, blit Gemmell came again te start O'Dowd (who appeared offside), Campbell and Dennis in an exchange of short passes, which let Dennis over well out from the goal. Yates failed to convert. Hawke's Bay 3 Taranaki 0

With the kick-off Taranaki went promptly 'to the assault, W. Holinia ami liubinsuu getting Yates into difficulties, but the full-back retrieved. E,elding a kick from the home ‘Jo LI ur table left three Taranaki men standing and flashed along to the corner for what appeared a likely try, but W. llohaia's simultaneous dive resulted in the award of a force down.

Exploiting the short pass tactic, the Bay. forwards made continued excursions Avliich threatened the Taranaki line, bul. were stopped as much by the attackers’ fumbling and over-running the ball as by the steady defence anaintained by the Amber rear-guard among whom the shining light whs Collins. After several uarroAV escapes Taranaki appeared in the visitors’ territory.

The Bay backs wore opening a counter when the sensation of the match eventuated, a pass sent to Hu stable being intercepted just inside half-way by \Y. Holiaia., who made a thrilling run to score' just, as Yates nraiclo a flow dive to tackle. Collins’ goal with a kick from practically on the touchline was a classic. Taranaki o Hawke’s Bay 13

111 the Bay is next serious sortie S. (iemniel! got offside a, few yards from, the line. Collins, took the penalty, but the ball! screwed infield and Campbell ntia.de a weak attempt lor four points. A,n attempted pot by Yates also went astray, though shortly after the fullback caused ;au anxious moment to, Taranaki’,s supporters when lie tried a penalty place- kick from a forty yards range and sent the ball dropping just beneath the-bar.-

Fritie.iipally through the medium of .Brown’s punting, Taranaki made brief sallies- into -the Bay’s area, but territorially the play favoured the visitors. One of the latter Is bids appeared par-tii-uladly dangerous when Dennis took a reverse,, pass from), Russell aind w,asthrown over the touch Hug by Walter. From the line out Guy made a handy / leairance in. a forceful dribble.

A moment llater Guy and Robinson were being Cheered for a willing breakaway from the Taranaki twenty-five, but again Yates ivas sound. Stemming the counter Brown was called on for a spectacular mark. Botli O. Holiaia and bis battling brother on the wing were noted in putting stoppers to further -relentless forays by the visitors’- vanguard but the final! few moments found the latter flagging and Taranaki were taking a fair share of attacking honours, when. n:o side was signalled with the tally still showing : Taranaki 5 Hawke’s Bay 3 Mr G. Hooper was the- referee.