League Football

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 230, 11 September 1922, Page 2

League Football

A CLOSE CAME. HAWKE’S BAY (15) DEBEAT SOUTH AUCKLAND (13). About 1500 spectators witnessed the match between the above representatives at McLean Park, Napier, on Saturday. It was a good game, Lui not as brilliant as the match i gainsr Auckland last season. The Hawke’s Bay forwards were better than the visitors, but the latter were superior in the backs. It was a good thing Hawke’s Bay forced the pace in the first half and ran up 13 points to the visitors’ 15, for during the last fifteen minutes of the match they tiled pretty badly. A feature of the match was that the visitors’ three tries were scored by individual runs from halfway, and in each case Hawke’s Bay tacklers were side-stepped in a remarkable way. THE TEAMS.

Hawke’s Bay—Exeter, Atkins, Fulford, Hiha, McCarthy, Gibson, Mitchell, Morgan, Shanahan, Adams, Burrows, Downing and Gillies. South Auckland—T. Mahuta, W. Whelan, S. Raj nor. B. Paki, W. Hall, F. Jackson, T. Peckham, L. Hutt, F Raynor, F. Dent, P. Bishop, W. Paki, and J. Peckham. THE GAME. South Auckland kicked off, and McCarthy returned. Even plaj followed in mid-field. Hawke’s Bay set up a passing rush, but the ball was thrown forward. From the scrum Hawke’s Bay secured, but South Auckland were penalised for off-side play. McCarthy made a splendid attempt at goal. South Auckland forced play to the other end, but the Bay forwards soon sent them home again. At this stage the fielding of the ball by both sets of backs was good. South Auckland secured from a scrum and set up a hot passing rush, but a bad pass spoilt a good chance. From a high kick Burrows followed up fast and just missed scoring. Hawke’s Bay still kept up the pressure, their forwards smothering the Auckland backs. Mitchell started a splendid passing rush which ended in a scrum on the line. The Bay forwards still continued to press and, headed by Burrows and Shanahan, were swarming over South Auckland. Hawke’s Bay secured a free kick, and McCarthy just missed, the ball striking the cross bar. South Auckland rushed play to half-way and here the Bay backs started a splendid passing rush, the ball travelling through all their hands and Atkins was pushed out at the corner flag. Even play followed about half-way, both full-backs playing very safe. Now Hawke’s Bay set up a great attack, but Burrows knocked on when a score looked certain. Hawke’s Bay kept up the attack and Mahuta saved his side nicely. Hawke’s Bay were awarded a free kick for obstruction and Downing made no mistake.

Hawke’s Bay 2, South Auckland nil. South Auckland set up an attack, but Fulford intercepted and took play back to the 25. Here the Bay forwards missed a great chance to score through hard kicking. From the ruck Shanahan passed to Gibson, to Fulford; to McCarthy, who scored in the corner—a nice piece of play. Downing missed the uprights. Hawke’s Bay 5, South Auckland nil. South Auckland rushed play to the Bay line, but the forwards soon shifted the scene to half-way. Here B. Paki secured and made a brilliant run, sidestepping and beating several of the Bay tacklers, and scored in a good position. Peckham made no mistake. It was the first glance we had of Paki, and what a dangerous man he is if fed. Hawke’s Bay 5, South Auckland 5. Exeter sent play back to Hawke’s Bay’s 25 with a beautiful kick. Here Burrows secured and passed to Mitchell, to Adams, to Gibson and back to Adams, who scored in a good position. The kick was a dud. Hawke’s Bay 8, South Auckland 5. Shortly after Mahuta just missed a goal from a free kick. The Bay forwards continued to keep the Auckland backs in their place, smothering any attempt they made at passing. Mahuta missed a high kick and Adams, folftiwing up fast, scored a splendid try. Gibson made no mistake. Hawke’s Bay 13, South Auckland 5. Half-time saw the scores unaltered. Play hovered at? mid-way for some time after recommencement. Mahuta sent play to Hawke’s Bay’s 25. Here iPaki secured and made another splendid dash, but was pushed out at tne corner. Tucker secured and made a great run to half-way. Raynor snapped up and made a great run, but he lost the ball and Atkins picked up and ran to half-way. Hiha secured and made another great dash, but was downed on the line. A free kick to the Bay and Gibson put the oval over.

Hawke’s Bay 15, South Auckland 5.

The Bay forwards were now beginning to tire and Auckland made things very willing, the backs opening up the play in great style and they just missed scoring on several occasions. From a scramble Gibson secured and made a good* run, hut he was not supported. A free kick saved South Auckland. Auckland rushed back to the attack, but Tucker and McCarthy, who were both playing a great game, gave their side another lead, but they were not supported and a chance was lost. Auckland attacked once again, but Exeter was too solid and drove them back to half-way. South Auckland were at it again, but off-side play spoilt their chance. Auckland made another hot attack, but Fulford marked. The kick went to Paki at half-way and off he went full speed, side-stepping and wriggling like an eel, beating man atfer man and scoring a brilliant try behind the posts. It was a splendid effort 1 and there is no doubt but that he is a izreat player. Peckham kicked the goal. Hawke’s Bay 15, South Auckland 10. South Auckland continued the attack and a bad kick by Fulford gave them a chance, which they did not accept. A free kick relieved Hawke’s Bay. South Auckland continued to press and were making things very awkward for the Bayites and their supporters. The Bay forwards were getting very tired but playing with great heart and Auckland were having the worst of the luck. At half-way Raynor picked up and made a sensational run, beating at least seven of the Bayites and scoring at the corner. Mahuta’s kick failed. Hawke’s Bay 15, South Auckland 13. From now on the Aucklanders kept up a hot attack, but they could not get over the line and the bell rang, leaving Hawke’s Bay the winners by 15 to 13. For the winners McCarthy, Tucker, Exeter and Adams in the backs and Burrows and Shanahan in the forwards played good football. For the visitors, B. Paki. W. Hall and Raynor in the backs, and Raynor, Peckham and Paki in the forwards were the pick of their side. Mr. Joe Beach made a capable referee. CURTAIN-RAISER. As a curtain-raiser to the big event, a match was played between an Auckland sixth grade team and Westshore thirds. When the teams marched on the field it looked as though Westshore would have an easy victory, as they were considerably heavier than their opponents. Hawever, as has often

been demonstrated, it is not always the weight that counts, and before the game had progressed very far it could be seen that the northern boys had the (speed and combination and the fasthess of their backs soon wore down the Westshore boys. There was sotjie brilliant play by both sides at times, but faulty passing spoilt many chances. The tackling on both sides was sure and deadly. The northern boys are a fine team and they used their heads to advantage on several occasions. Their nippy passing bouts were a pleasure to watch, and their tries were well deserved, because it was real first-class play that gained them. Westshore were unable to cross their opponents’ line, although they were within an ace of scoring a few times. A good game ended with the scores: Auckland 17, Westshore 0. For the winners Ninki (2), Draffin, McLeod and O’Donnell scored, and Christmas converted a try. Mr. L. Tronson controlled the game.