Rugby Football

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 206, 15 August 1927, Page 3

Rugby Football

SATURDAY COMPETITIONS CELTIC DOWN HASTINGS. PIRATES TOO GOOD FOR H S.O B. Rugby fans got the surprise of their lives on Saturday when Celtic put Hastings under by 21 points to 12. Next Saturday Hastings have a bye. and Pirates mtst M. 8.0.8.. who hayg not won a game this season. <o it looks as though Pirates are going to head the championship table. Pirates and Hastings each have 18 points each, with Celtic next with 14. In a junior representative match at Hastings, Napier proved too wood for Hastings, and won bv 21 points to 3. A BIG SUPRISE. A win to Hastings was essential on Saturday if they wanted to maintain their advantage Celtic 21 in the championship. v. and when the teams Hastings 12. took the field their chances of winning looked bright. The ground was soft and there was a strong wind blowing down the field, Celtic having this in their favour. What happened in the next 80 minutes is now written in the annals of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union—Hastings were beaten 21 to 12. Hastings took the initial kick facing the wind, and a dozen Celtics, and within a few minutes of the start Grenside drew first blood with a good penalty goal in the teeth of the "ale. This,, and the additional three juniors. set the Celtics going from a scrum on the quarter-wav Geentv < at round the side of the pack to sell a couple of pretty “dummies” before passin" to Priestly and 3. Blake lor the centre to scoge in a handv position for White to convert. 5—3. Taking every advantage of the wind and all dropped passes or mistakes bv the Yellows. Celtic kept up the attack, but the Y'ellows made a few excursions, and it was from one of these that Jack Blake intercepted a dropped pass in his own twentv-hve. and drawing off the last line of the defence to himself gave Priestlv a clear field to score White a'-am added the extra two points. The fight for some time was waged between the quarter-ways before the Celts made the pace pretty hot. The Green backs made great attempts to score, but failed, and the forwanrs then took a hand. Nesbit almost getting over from the ruck, but a scrum on the line was ordered. From this the ball rolled out. and R. Blake fell on it quite handv to the posts for White to again goal. Following up the kick-out the Yellow furwards, led by Campbell, who played a great game all through, took the game in hand, but Geddes rook the best course and lay on the ball. Grenside again had to kick hard against the stiff wind, and gained a "ood goal. Then Celtic gained a rare try, The kick-off went to White, who ran down the field, the Hastings men letting him go as if they were in a stupor, but Grenside made n halfhearted attempt to tackle. White' bursting through the embrace to score a, simple but good individual try in the corner, He took the kick again, but failed, and a minute later the interval was called With rhe s-. re reading: Celtic 18. Hastings 6. HASTINGS’ GREAT FIGHT After the “lemons,” Hastings had the “breeze” up and set to work on reducing the somewhat big handicap. Turning the wind to their advantage they went straight to the attack, the forwards carrying play to the quarter way. from where Grenside was -iven his third free kick, to once more add three points to tjie Y’ellows’ tally. Celtic then took up the cudgels, and for a while the Yellows were hard pressed, Jack Blake and Eddy each makin" a great run. but the Greens were forced to retire. Hastings set to work with a vengeance, and they threw the ball about in great style, opening up the game in true seven-a-side manner to give the fans plenty of cause for enthusiasm. Time after time the Hastings rearguard went into action, but the Greens were always there, and their tackling was deadly. The Yellows then tried out the forward division. Brownlie and Campbell doing the work of four men, but still the Greens brought them to Mother Earth in a manner that won for them the sympathy of the crowd, so game and deadly were they on defence. Hastings were given a free kick, and Grenside attempted to goal from five yards inside the half-way. but the effort fell short. A mipute later Brownlie had a go at it, but his direction was at fault. After this lull Hastings returned to the fight, and a great dribblin- rush was stopped bv White forcin." in a hurry. Then he -neetators were given a treat—one of those that are given once in a lifetime Starting from a line-out on the left wing the ball went through the Hastings backs to the other wing, but still no opening could be found, so back it came again, forwards and backs handling beautifully. for Grace to streak for the corner, but he was hauled out with the flag. It was a great effort, practically every member of thg Hastings brigade handling the ball, some of them three times. A few minutes after this effort the Y’ellows were again given a free kick and Grenside landed his fourth goal out of five attempts. Needing seven points to win. Hastings again tried to force the issue, but the Celts were on their mettle and drove them back. Then, just on call of time. Priestlv broke away from the half-way to elude the attempts to tackle him and score a great try near the corner. White failed with the kick, and time was called with the score sheet reading: Celtic 21, Hastings 12. Mr G. A. Maddison refereed. A GREAT GAME. A stirring contest was provided on McLean Park Napier, by Pirates and High School Old Boys Pirates 8 With the wind at their v. backs Pirates at half H. 5.0.8. 5. time had the advantage of three points, and on changing over the prospects for Old Boys looked promising, but the Blacks proved quite as tough opponents against the wind as with it, running out victors by eight points to five. Some nice play by Steere, Strachan and Batchelor gave the Whites an early advantage which, however was only temporary. Following a fruitless attempt to pentrate, the Blacks steadily drove the Whites back. McFca fielded a nice centre kick, and looked likely to score but Barclay knocked on. Pirates kept up the at-

tack but faulty handling and passing nullified many of their attempts. The next dash Try Yates, McLea and Huxtable was fruitless through mishandling by Neal. McLea, however, found a hole in the defence with a' short kick which he followed through, and gaining possession passed to Yates and Bussell, the latter grounding in the corner. The angle proved too difficult for McLea. Then followed the best piece of play by Old Boys. They were hemmend in on their own line when from a scrum Strachan and Batchelor broke through with a ball at their feet, carrying all before them and sweeping down the field, but unfortunately the ball went into’touch five yards from Pirates' line. An infringement on the lineout lost to them the advantage and Pirates were again attacking as halftime was called. Shortly after resuming a slip by Chetwin very nearly let Pirates in, Heffermau and Batchelor saving by getting the leather ut their feet. Old Buys now took a turn at attacking, but lacked the necessary finish to their efforts. Pirates came again when Barclay and Graham paved the way for Huxtable to score in a handy position. McLea goaled. Old Boys again made a determined assault on Pirates’ line and from a line-out Batchelor secured and dived over, Bolls adding the extra points. The final stages were keenly contested without change in the score. Mr N. A. McKenzie referred. T.C.0.8. TOO GOOD FOR M.A.C. The game between T.C.0.8. and M.A.C. on McLean Park. Napier, attracted but little T.C.0.8. 14 attention from the V. public. The Greys won M.A.C. nil. the toss but elected to play against a stiff breeze during the first spell. Taking advantage of a free kick soon after play was started Watene narrowly missed opening the scoring account for the visitors from near halfway with a beautiful kick. The Greys were soon on the attack and the visitors, being penalised. Manning placed a nice goal. The Collegians at times indulged in some of their spectacular rushes which on several occasions had the Greys in difficulties. From one of these I?eti was almost across when he was thrown into touch, and half-time sounded when in this position, thus spoiling a good chance for the Blues. On resuming Old Boy s carried play to their opponents’ line and within a minute Burrows was over to score an unconverted try. With the wind in their favour Old Boys were playing improved football. Swain gathered up near the visitors twenty-five and added a further score to Old Boys' credit. Manning was again unable to convert. Following a period of even play Swain, from halfway, broke off to score a runawav try. Manning converting. Further interesting plav followed but neither side was able to improve and Old Boys ganied a victory by 14 points to nil Mr, G. Collins refereed. * JUNIORS AT PLAY. NAPIER DEFEATS HASTINGS IN REPRESENTATIVE GAME. Following precedent the Napier junior representatives easily accounted foi the representative fifteen from Hastings on Nelson Park on Saturday when the home team danced to the tune of 21 points to 3 set by the sea-siders. The display given by the yellow and blacks was disappointisg but they were hopelessly outclassed in every division and the Napierites, even with the wind against them •» the opening spell, had little or -io difficulty in coming to light with a score. At the outset Napier attacked but three offsides kept them at bay and aided by a long kick by West the Hastings forwards carried the play to the corner. Here from a line-out Hannah gained possession to dive over and score. His own kick nt goal was fruitless. For a while the Yellows were spurred on by this success but the wearers of the magpie jerseys turned them back and assumed the attack. From a scrum in front of the posts the ball traversed the whole back line to Martin, who scored in the corner. With a truly wonderful effort Johnson converted. Napier continued to more than hold their own for the remainder of the spell which ended with the scores reading: Napier 5, Hastings 3.

After the change-over Hastings did not have a “look-in” as Napier, making every use of the wind, gave the Yellows a gruelling time. Within a few minutes Johnson landed a good penalty goal but a minute later he missed in a more ambitious effort. Napier kept at the attacking and once again the back line swung into action for Martin to make his second contribution near the corner flag. Johnson, who was in great form with his boot, also added a cotinle of points to the effort. The Black and White forwards then took a hand and one of their heavyweights. to wit. Palmer, found his way to score between the posts, giving Johnson an easy kick for the goal. Napier then seemed set on having the other winger score as they made several efforts towards that side. Finally they were able to allow Prebhle to have his say in the left corner where he deposited his visiting card after a good run. Johnson failed with the kick and shortly afterwards time was called with the scores reading: Napier 21, Hastings 3, Mr. E. J. Calnan referred. THIRD GRADE. Taradale (19) v. Clive (5). H. 5.0.8. A (3) v. M. 8.0.8. (3). Pirates (20) v. H. 5.0.8 B (3). Celtic (11) v. M.A.C. (3). Hastings (26) v. Hastings H. 5.0.8. (nil). FOURTH GRADE. High School A (20) v. Technical 0.8. (nil), M. 8.0.8 (3) v High School B (nil). Taradale (9) v. H. 5.0.8. (3). Technical School (30) v. Pirates (nil). Hastings High School A (19) v. Celtic (nil). Hastings H. 5.0.8. (3) v. Hastings (nil). FIFTH GRADE. Technical School A (18) v. High School B (nil). Pirates (11) v. Technical School B (nil). High School A (9) v. High School C (3).