SPARKLING RUGBY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 210, 23 August 1926, Page 3

SPARKLING RUGBY

AUCKLAND’S SHIELD CHALLENGE

Dogged Stand by Visitors

SMASHING ATTACKS BY HAWKE’S BAY

Another Big Score Registered

Despite the fact that genera! interest was not so keen as that evinced by the match with Wellington last week for the Ranfurly Shield, a large attendance of approximatey 8,000 greeted the Auckland representatives on Saturday, and were rewarded by seeing one of the hardest fought, and most determined games ever seen at McLean Park. Although the margin of points was so much in favour of the Say, the Aucklanders were most unfortunate in not scoring more than eleven, as time and again the visiting forwards had the home team pinned to their line, and it was only the dogged resistance and solid defence that repeatedly saved the Hawke’s Bay side. The Aucklanders went into the game from the start with a tremendous rush, and did not let up for scarcely any part of the first spell. In the second half, however, the pace began to tell, and the superior physique of the home team asserted itself, the scores coming fast in the last twenty minutes.

THE TEAMS. Hawke's Bay.—Full-back, G. Nepia (Nubaka); three-quarters, B. A. Grenside (Hastings), J. Blake (Celtic), A. Jensen (Dannevirke); five-eighths, A. E. Cooke (T.C.0.8.), L. M Johnson (Celtic); half, J. Mill (H.S.IJ.H.); wing-forward, J, Walker (Dannevirke); hookers, W. R. Irvine (Waipukurau), A Kirkpatrick (Hastings) ; lock, M. Mahoney (M. 8.0.8. breakaways, M. Brownlie (Hastings), C. Brownlie (Wairoa); back row, E. Single (Pirates), J. Swain (T.C.0.8.). Auckland. — Full-back, Butler; three-quarters, Hook, Lucas (captain) Ifwerson; five-eighths, Cammick, Freeman; half, Wright; wing-forward Batty; hookers, Hadley, Palmer; middle row, Cathcart. Webber, Knight; back row, McWilliams, Finlayson. VISITORS SCORE FIRST. Auckland won the toss, and Cooke kicked off-. Lucas secured and cut across, gaining a lot of ground before being pushed out. Cooke secured from the line-out and, passing to Johnson, the latter saved well by finding the line. The game was very fast, with the visitors forcing the game, when Grenside got possession and put in a great run, being stopped just on the line, and Wright eased the position bv sending the ball well down the field and going out near halfway. From the line-out Auckland were awarded a free kick, but Nepia secured, and Hook returned the ball to midfield. Here McWilliams secured and put in a spurt only to he grassed, and Nepia again relieved bv finding the line. From the throw-in, which was in the Bay’s twenty-five, Freeman, the Auckland five-eighths, took a mark in a good position and scored with a good kick. Auckland 3 Hawke’s Bay 0 NEPIA EVEN’S UP. Almost immediately after the kickoff Auckland were penalised by Batty being offside, which gave Nepia a chance to even up. A great kick saw the Bay back send the hall over to the accompaniment of wild cheering. Auckland 3 Hawke’s Bay 3 A MAGNIFICENT GOAL. The kick-off saw the ball taken by Irvine, who marked, but his kick was smothered. Blake got possession and passed out to Cooke, but Lucas intercepted. The latter was penalised shortly after for handling on the ground The kick was taken by Nepia, when, from almost halfway, he dropped a. magnificent goal, bringing the scores to: Hawke's Bay 6 Auckland 3

Irvine was on the job and tried to gam ground hy marking. However, his kick was again smothered. The visitors were making things very willing, when Nepia saved well by a great kick, finding the line at centre. Auckland got away with the ball from the line-out, but were penalised for offside. Butler fielded well, but his kick was returned smartly. Lucas secured and with Ifwerson in close attendance they gamed a lot of ground, but Cathcart knocked on. From the scrum. Mill sent the ball out smartly to Johnson, who passed to Cooke. The latter shot over under the posts, Nepia converting, Hawke’s Bay 11 Auckland 3 SPECTACULAR PLAY BY BAY TEAM. The pace at this stage was a cracker, the visitors being very aggressive in attack and the home side had to step lively. From a lineout Auckland gained considerably, and a free kick a little later took the play further in Hawke’s Bay’s territory. From the throw-in the ball went to Nepia, who got in a mighty punt down-field. Knight secured but his pass was wild and the Bay forwards took the ball at the toe to Auckland's line. Butler eased the position slightly with a kick to the line inside his own twenty-five. From a scrum the Bay backs got away, but Lucas again intercepted Johnson’s pass to Cooke, sending the leather well down, only to see M. Brownlie retaliate with a good liner to centre VISITORS PRESS HARD. The visitors kept up the pressure, as from the line-out the ball went to the Bay twenty-five. Jensen secured and sent the ball out again at centre. The Bay got the advantage of the throw-in and Grenside was unlucky bv knocking on. A scrum five yards out saw,'Mill get the ball out smartly to Grefiside. who transferred to C. Brownlie who went over to score a. nice try. Nepia failed to increase the score. Hawke’s Bay 14 Auckland 3 A few moments after. Auckland were awarded a free kick for obstruction, but Butter missed a very easy one. Cooke took the ball and sent play well down, hut the visitors gained ground by Wright sending a powerful grubber, which found the line. The throw-in saw M. Brownlie

break through, and with a clear field he looked like scoring, but the visitors had the pace and he was grounded. Auckland took the play by good passing right to the home line. Here Nepia relieved by forcing down. The play went back to Auckland’s twenty-five where from a scrum the Bay secured but were penalised. Lucas’s kick was well fielded ,by Jensen, but the latter was caught. BAY ON THE OFFENSIVE. Awav went the ball again towards the home end but Irvine relieved, once more placing the Bay on the offensive, which took, play back to the visitors’ line. A sc -mble took place and the Bay look' kc scoring, but Auckland relieved orcing. IFWERSON SCI ES NICELY. The kick-off saw the ball go to Hook, who sent the leather back and C, Brownlie got th© hacks away, only to see Blake upset bv Lucas, the Aucklanders getting the ball away well and gaining a lot of ground. However, Nepia was playing a great game, and with a mighty kick found the line again at centre. From the Ime-out C. Brownlie secured, but knocked on and from the scrum Mill secured McWilliams was on the Bar half like a flash and Ifwerson toni the ball along, but stumbled and dropped it with hardlv no one to pass. However, he picked up again and dived over in a handv position. Butler mad© a very poor attempt to convert. Hawke’s Bay /H Auckland 6 GIVE AND TAKE PLAY. Resumption of play saw the home backs get away, and a lucky kick saw the ball bounce out in Auckland’s half. The visitors got the better of the line-out, but were penalised for offside, Nepia sending play back to the visitors’ end. The Bay were penalised shortly after by Mahoney being offside. The kick was well fielded by Nepia, who sent the ball out in the visitors’ twenty-five. From the line-out Auckland got possession. Nepia fielded the kick, but was grounded by Lucas, who followed up fast. Auckland looked like scoring, but Cooke relieved. Auckland were playing well, especially Cammick, who got away and passed to Knight, the latter getting over, but was held np on the line. A scrum five yards nut saw Auckland get the advantage, hut Grenside marked. Lucas was knocked out by a collision with another player, and the game was held up for some time. Taking his kick, Grenside sent the ball to halfway, the bounce badly beating Ifwerson and going out. Shortly afterwards M. Brownlie secured from a line-out and passed to Irvine to Grenside, the latter being pushed out when a score looked likely.

AUCKLAND GET AWAY. Auckland got awav again and play was kept in the Bav half for some time, when Cammick delighted the spectators with a nice cut through and pass to Lucas. The latter was blocked and took a kick which was marked by M. Brownlie. Auckland fielded the kick, and back went the game to the Bay end, where a scrum took place on the home line. Wright secured and tried to force his way through, but the Bay were relieved by Grenside who cleared with a strong kick. The visitors seemed to have the best of the game and came back to the attack. BLAKE’S PRETTY RUN. Another free kick to Auckland gave McWilliams a chance to increase the score, but the ball went wide. Cooke, securing, found the line about halfway. The Bay got possession from the throw-in and Cooke broke away to pass to Blake, who made another pretty run, beating several opponents to score under the posts. Nepia converted. Hawke’s Bay 19 Auckland 6 The kick-off saw the Bay get possession. Cboke got the ball, but was upset. Next, C. Brownlie got offside and Auckland were awarded a free kick, but nothing was gained, as Brownlie returned the kick which sent the ball well down. LUCAS’S BRILLIANT TRY. Wright returned the compliment, and Nepia retaliated but Ifwerson took the hall and initiated one of the prettiest exhibitions seen during the game, the ball going from Ifwerson to Lucas to Cammick and back again to j.vverson, who in-passed to Lucas again, the latter scoring a brilliant try. McWilliams took the kick and being allowed a free kick for being charged too soon, increased the score. Half-time sounded with the scores: Hawke’s Bay 19 Auckland 11 THE SECOND SPELL. The second spell’ commenced with Auckland setting up a very strong attack, only to lie held up by being penalised, which gave relief to the Bay. Nepia sent the ball well down and Cammick fielded well, sending

Hawke’s Bay 25 Auckland .. 11

the game back to the home half. Cooke relieved by finding the line. From the throw-in, O. Brownlie got away, closely followed by Cooke, who took the pass but was quickly bowled over bv Butler. Auckland were again penalised and M. Brownlie gent the ball well down, only to be returned, the Bay relieving by forcing. Hook took the ball from the kick-off, and the visitors were again close to the home line. DISPLAY OP KICKING. A line-out tn the Bay twenty-five saw the visitors get the ball and for some time there wag nothing but an interchange of kicking np and down the field. Auckland again pressed hard and there w,re several line-outs in the home side’s twenty-five, but at last Cooke was sent away by a nice pass from Nepia. The ball went to M. Brownlie to Blake to Grenside, who was beatep for the ball right on the line. A scrum saw Wright secure and send the ball away, but the Baykept up the attack. From another scrum in the Aucklanders’ half M. Brownlie secured and by sheer weight and strength forced his way over to score. Nepia made a good attempt but just missed. Hawke’s Bay 22 Auckland 11 The kick-off again saw Irvine mark. Blay. was for some time in neutral territory, then M. Brownlie got possession and passed to Cooke. C. Brownlie was next to handle the ball, but the movement was spoilt by Auckland getting offside. Nepia took a pot, and a great kick ended in a poster, • COOKE ADDS HIS QUOTA. The visitors opened up a nice movement when Hook, Hadley and Lucas got away in a nice passing rush, but M. Brownlie upset the latter and the ball went to Johnson, who put in a good sprint, taking play to Auckland’s line. The visitors were relieved by a free kick. It was seen that Cooke was lying in the middle of the field, and play was held up for some time. However, Cooke continued with a bandaged leg. The visitors took the free kick, but did not get a great advantage, the ball going straight across the field and out over the line. From the throw-in Hawke's Bay secured, and Walker looked like scoring, but was downed. C. Brownlie. Cooke, Blake and Johnson all handled in a nice passing bout, the ball goinc back to Cooke who dived over well' out. Grenside failed with the kick.

The game was not so fast from this on, and it was evident that the terrific pace set up began to te|J on the visitors. Blay was taken to the challengers’ twenty-five. However, Hadley relieved by a good mark, and a little later a free kick brought them relief which enabled Hook to get away, only to be collared by Cooke. JACK BLAKE AGAIN. From a scrum Swain got the ball away to Walker who sent it on to C. Brownlie, the latter passing to Blake, who cut out several of his opponents and went on to score another try near the posts. This time Grenside put the ball over. Hawke’s Bay 30 Auckland 11 The Bay next got an advantage when Mill got the ball out of a scrum smartly to Cooke, who made up a lot of ground with a good line kick. Ifwerson made a great save from the line-out, but the advantage was spoilt by obstruction bv Finlayson. Nepia gained with a good kick, but again Ifwerson upset the movement by badly beating Jensen. C. Brownlie secured but knocked on, and a little later Grenside took play to the Auckland line, when a penalty gave the Northerners relief. BLAKE SCORES HIS THIRD TRY. McWilliams looked almost certain for a try, but Matty was ruled offside, Nepia relieving, which put the Bay again in an attacking position. Auckland tried hard to hold up their end with Batty and Cathcart attempting to turn defence into attack, but a good passing bout between Irvine, Johnson and Blake saw the score in. crease when Blake went over again. Grenside’s kick was charged too soon, and being given a free, Bert landed a beauty. Hawke’s Bay 35 Auckland 11

A scrum immediately followed the kick-off, and Walker getting offside, Lucas found the line. From the throw-in Grenside secured, but was downed quickly, the ball again going into touch. M.’ Brownlie secured from the line-out and made a great run, eventually passing to his brother, who in turn transferred to Mahoney, the latter going over unopposed. Grenside could not add the extra points. Hawke’s Bay 38 Auckland 11 THE FINAL SCORE. Although it was seen that the visitors were done to a frazzle, they played on pluckily and doggedly. Luca s opened up a likely movement tor his side by initiating a passing rush to Freeman to Cammick to Hook, but the latter was pushed out. From a scrum later Walker got away with the ball, but C. Brownlie was offside and Freeman taking the kick, sent play to Bayls twenty-live. From the line-out. Walker again got possession and passed smartly to C. Brownlie, who when tackled by Lucas transferred to Swain. The latter had a clear run and scored a try well out. M. Brownlie took the kick but the ball went wide. The game ended two or three minutes after with the scores: Hawke's Bay 41 Auckland H Mr. R. Paton, of Wellington, controlled the game in a very capable manner. _ MIDGETS’ GAME. During the interval a midget seven-a-side was played between teams representing Mahora and Hastings West Schools, resulting in a victory for the former by 3 to nil. Mr. A. Mcßride refereed. Rugby in Other Parts UNIVERSITY TEAM AT SUVA. DRAW WITH FIJI. Suva, Aug. 21. The Auckland University team v. Fiji first test was a draw, eight all.

The * Varsity scorers were Stewart (unconverted try), Dunn (try) and N. Jenkins (converted). For Suva, M. Gray scored two tries and one was converted by Freeman, The Governor and a big crowd were present. Al! ’he visiting team are well. —(A. ana N.Z.) THE MAORI ALL BLACKS, London, Aug. 22. The Maori Rugby team arrives at Marseilles on September 3. They will play preliminary matches on September 12 and 16, and then the first big game at Lyons on September 19.— (A. and N.Z.) ROSS 6HIELD"COMPETITION. DANNEVIRKE - (9)" v.. WAIPAWA 0). Dannevirke, %ug. 21. The semi-final in the Ross Shield competition was played in Dannevirke to-day between primary school teams under the jurisdiction of the Waipawa and Dannevirke Sub-unions. A good game resulted in a victory for the Southern Hawke’s Bay team by 9 to 3. They play the winners of the Napier end in the final. SEDDON SHIELD MATCH. Motueka, Aug. 21. After a keen game Nelson defeated Golden Bay for the Seddon Shield by 17 to 14. The losers had much the best of the first half, although -Nelson led by 9 to 8. WAIKATO (20) v. NORTH AUCKLAND (13). Hamilton, Aug. 22. Waikato defeated North Auckland by 20 to 13 in a splendid game. The Waikato forwards, a tine pack, smothered the visitors’ backs. Waikato did most of the attacking. Buckingham (two), Bourke, Courteney, Campbell and Montgomery scored for Waikato, Dare converting one. For the visiters Webber kicked three penalties and Gould potted a goal. SECONDARY SCHOOL MATCH. New Plymouth, Aug. 22. A sterling Rugby struggle between the representatives of the Auckland Grammar and New Plymouth Boys’ High School yesterday before 5000 spectators resulted in a meritorious win for New Plymouth by 22 to six. WELLINGTON RESULTS. Wellington, Aug. 22. Yesterday’s Rugby matches resulted:—University 19 v. Poneke 6, Athletic 26 v. Petone 22, Oriental 9 v Marist 3, Wellington 14 v. Old Boys O, Selwyn 12 v. Hutt 6. University and Athletic play in the final match next Saturday.