RUGBY TITLE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 August 1930, Page 3

RUGBY TITLE

TARANAKI PREMIERSHIP OLD BOYS DEFEAT HAWERA. FIFTEEN POINT VICTORY. The play-off for the Taranaki first grade provincial Rugby championship between the Old Boys (New Plymouth) and Hawora teams —northern and southern division leaders respectively —eventuated yesterday afternoon on Victoria Park, Stratford', and resulted in a win for the northerners by .15 points to nil. Conditions were favourable to a fast open game and both clubs fielded full strength. Quite a holiday or representative match crowd was in attendance and was regaled with a succession of stirring incidents. Not the least of j these was the sensational enforced retirement. front the field of the rival captains, at the order of the referee, during the latter half of the first spell. Prior to commencement of the second half of the match, the captains (H, W. Brown, Old Bovs, and W. Robinson, Hawera) were seen to approach the referee and after a short consultation shook hands with each other and the referee and were permitted to resume their places on the field.

The game was not. a brilliant exposition of the code and was possibly robbed by the seriousness of the issue of what spectacular element each team was capable in less weighty circuni--stances. As it was, the struggle for supremacy hinged on the superiority of the winning team’s backs and the Hawera forwards. There was not. a vast difference in merit ot: the two vanguards, but the combination and cleverness of the Old Boys’ rearguard was in marked contrast to that of the southern leaders and cleverness won the day. The ox-AU Black, H. W. Brown, was the most forceful unit on the field and the originator of most of the scoring movements. He was ably supported by Galbraith, Medley and K. Fookcs. The unerring line-kicking of Priar throughout the match (and at times also that of Galbraith) was the outstanding feature in a game where linefinding w r as far from being a novelty, for Chcevers excelled himself in this phase. Of a willing band of Hawera forwards, W. Robinson was the shining light. The teams were:

Hawera (Amber and Black) —J. Chcevers (full-back); S. Grotty, N. Hunter, I). F.kdahl; C. Hammond, J. Cameron; 8. F. Riley (half); K. -bil ,! > (rover); L. Robinson, T. Malcolm, K. Williams, E. Murphy, B. Murphy, W. Robinson (capt.) and E. Gibson (hookers). Old Boys (White)— R. Priar (fullback) ; J.' 8. Medley, H. W. Brown (capt.), K. Fookcs; >l. Galbraith, B. Mace; E. Mason (half); S. Fookes (rover); 8. Beck, D. Slyfield, Iv. Perry, E. Luxton, C. Binder. I. Crawford and .T. K. Clark (hookers).

Brown’s kick-off was taken by Williams, who marked and kicked well down, the return lining at. the Amber 25. From open play Brown broke through and unwisely kicking too hard and straight, forced Hawera. Old Bovs gained ground from the kick-out. with a beautiful line-kick bv Galbraith. Following a penalty to the Whites, the Hawera forwards with a fine rush carried the game to the opposite side of half-way. but the play swung across and Old Boys’ forwards surged upheld in a great rush. In the sortie a forward knocked on and hostilities reverted to Old Boys’ lino. Here. Priar effected a fine clearance, running 25 yards and effectively kicking to touch. A moment later Priar gained every available inch with a lino-finder to Hawcra’s 25. Brown took a high return from Choevers and setting sail was forced to find safety by lining. Both full-hacks wore playing safety to the extreme and their kicking was ’wonderfully accurate. Iv. Rilev essayed a shot at goal from a penalty at the 25, failing to got, the distance. The compliment was returned shortly after, Crawford missing from the quarter-line! Securing from a loose rush Mace gave a sure pass to Brown, the latter drawing the defence for a clear passage to Medley, who, clapping on the pace, ran round Chcevers to touch down too far out for a conversion.

Old Boys 3—Hawora 0. By this time it became apparent that the game would resolve itself into a battle between the White backs, and the Amber forwards, the advantage gained by one division being promptly nullified by the other, with the shade of a balance in favour of the northern rearguard. Twice the Old Bovs’ flying brigade broke through 1o the 25, but wild passing and sure defence stayed further progress. In a third sortie K. Fookes kicked across to Medley going at top in front, of Hawera’s goal. It was a. sure thing if the connection had been made, but Cameron intercepted smartly and cleared to safety. Keeping up a series of determined onslaughts, the Whites came within an ace of, crossing on two occasions. Brown, who was the mainstay of the northern backs, got away and became involved in an exchange of incivilities with W., Robinson. Before either had risen from the ground the referee created a mild sensation by standing the pair on the touchline to the accompaniment of mingled cheers and bootings. With the two captains off the field anything might happen, and it very nearly did so before the close of the spell, when fv. Fookes crossed and was recalled. Thrust and eountcr-tbrust, with no material gain to either team, occupied the intervening five minutes to the breather.

The change over saw the re-entry of Brown and Robinson to the game and a sensational run by Medley. From a serum the ball travelled rapidly from Mason to Galbraith, Brown and Medley, the last-named cutting in nicely at. tlie 25 to run into the arms of Chcevers. Mason was prominent in a solo dash through. Repeated attempts to pierce the Amber defence failed signally until, at the quarter-line, Galbraith sent a pass to Fookes with a

I clear passage for a try. Crawford’s j great attempt at goal from a long i angle struck a post and bounced infield. Old Boys 6 —Hawera 0. Excitement ran high when K. Fookes again secured possession at the end of chain passing and with plenty of dash got to Chccvers. Within a minute the crowd was on its toes as Mace dropped jat goal, the ball sailing serenely over I the bar. ■ Old Boys 10 —Hawera 0. Hawera were full of vigour and following the kick-out gained touch at the Whites’ corner from a superb punt by Cheevers. In clearance the Old Boys’ forwards played splendidly in unison, demonstrating their ability to successfully combat the rushing Amber brigade when put to it. Play swung up and down rapidly, the Ambers actually crossing from a spirited loose rush, but were unable to ground in a melee over : the line. The Old Boys’ backs broke I away and Medley must have scored j from a beautiful piece of passing but [ for Crotty overhauling him with a surprising burst of speed. However, from the scrum S. Fookes sent Galbraith away, and the latter at the right moment gave it to K. Fookes. Punning round he made the shot at goal easier for Crawford. Old Boys 15—Hawera 0. Hawera took a new lease of life and pressed to the attack. In succeeding sorties Beck (Old Boys) and W. Robinson (Hawera) suffered disablement and left the field, the latter being replaced by Clements. Priar’s line-find-ing and sure defence repeatedly checked the Amber forward rushes, though the Whites were twice forced. .Hawera had much the better of the exchanges in the later stages, but there was no further score. At the closure Cheevers had found touch at Old Boys’ 25 flag. Mr H. C. Johnson was the referee.