CENTRAL HAWKE'S BAY.

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

CENTRAL HAWKE'S BAY.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES. WAIPUKURAU’S EASY WIN. A feature of the championship games on Saturday was the large margin of points between Waipuxurau and Taxapau, the contest taking place on Russell Park in the presence of a fairly large crowd of spectators. Takapau was weakened by the absence of several “regulars.” In the early stages play was of an even nature, and the indications were that a fairly close game would result. Takapau initiated a passing attack but being in its own territory was to little purpose. Prebble was prominent in a dribbling attack, and Smales for smart lootwork of which there was too little- Russell came within six inches of goalmg from a penalty about 30 yards distant, hollowing a forward onslaught by Waipukurau near a corner Jim King slipped through a gap and scored cleverly. Joe King was unable to convert. Russell handled the ball well, and cross-kicked to good purpose. Ormond with good effort found the line. Wi Hunter came througu the ruck for Takapau and relieved the pressure then ensuing on the visitors’ goal-line. Jim King dashed across a few minutes later, and secured his second try. Joo King goaied. Oman and Scnerf were gooa m the loose, beading several rushes, Harvey and Bridgeman being in close attendance. Creditable passing by the Blue backs came to a premature conclusion owing to Jim King getting aliead of Russell. Russell hau a funner penalty kick but no goal resulted. Neai the Takapau nne layior attempted to gather the ball and spoilt a good dribbling opportunity. Jim King was next responsible for a good run along the line, and beating his vis-a-vis, scored a fine try. Joe King was unable to convert. Shortly after (he resumption of plav ialtapau were awarded a penalty, and borne kicked a goal from an angle near the 25 Bag- Russell was responsible.for a well placed line kick just prior to half-time, and Toni Geenty for defensive work. Early in the second half Dinan scored a try as the result of a Takapau back kicking high instead of forcing the ball when over his side’s goalline. Russell was unsuccessful with the kick. Scales was prominent with a well-placed kick in midfield, and eventually Jim King dashed over the line for the fourth time. Joe King failed to convert. A pleasing passing effort in which nearly all the backs shared, ended with Russell scoring. His kick, from a long range, was fruitless. A penalty gave Takapau a chance to goal but Borrie was unable to pilot the ball over the bar. Taylor centred again and Waipukurau forwards attacked strongly, but Takapau rallied and invaded the local twenty-five. Later the Red territory was entered once again and Seller!’ from the twenty-five line ran through the opposition and scored. Bridgeman was unable to goal. Jim King came into the scoring line once again but lost the ball after crossing the line, but within a few minutes was successful. Russell failed to convert. Takapau gamely kept battling and was rewarded by V. Maaka scoringBorrie was unsuccessful with the kick. The bell sounded with the scores: Waipukurau 26, Takapau 6. Mr. D. t l . Dinan refereed. JUNIOR MATCH.

A, very interesting contest ensued between rmukino and Waipukurau Ola Boys and towards tile close of the game it looaed as if the home players would equalise the lead maingreater part of the time, but the tained by the visiting side tor the try gained by D. Butler in the first spell was never off-set. Tikokino thus won by 3 points to ml. Mr. J. O Connor refereed. SCHOOL GAMES. The Mahora schoolboys visited 'A aipukurau un Saturday and played the Waipukurau District liigii School primary teams, one game taking place -in the morning aud the other in the afternoon. Mahora A was defeated by the Waipukurau A team, by 18 points to mi. «alker (two tries), Sweeney, Wood, Twomey, and Smales scored the tries involved. Mr fl. A. Kirby refereed. The B fifteen qf the visitors were successful against Waipukurau B, by 7 points to nil, thanks to the goalkicking of Van Asche (potted goal) and Mitchell (penalty). Messrs. L. McCarthy and D. P. Dinan were the referees.

AUCKLAND DEFEATS TARANAKI. WINNERS SUPERIOR EVERYWHERE. New Plymouth, Aug. 13. The Auckland Rugby tourists completely outplayed Taranaki before a crowd of about 7000, the score of 23 to nil being no exaggeration of the difference between the teams on the day’s play- In view of Taranaki's recent matches ,an even contest was anticipated, but Auckland were superior in every department. Taranaki, who obviously played below form, lacked the combination and bright passing tactics in which Auckland excelled, while the tackling of the home team was deplorable. The day was fine, but the ground was still heavy from the recent rain. Early Taranaki looked like making the pace hot, but soon Lucas, Anderson and Hook handled for the latter to score. Berridge missed an easy kick. Sheen dummied his way through and sent Hook away to score. Berridge easily converted, making the half-time score eight to nil. Presently Sheen, who was playing brilliantly potted a fine field goal. Hook broke away, passed to Meyer, who scored in the corner, and Berridge could not convert. A loose sweeping rush by Auckland ended in McWilliam scoring in the corner and again Berridge failed. Wood went on in place of Sheen, and immediately made a great run and sent the bail out for Lucas to score. Berridge easily converted. Every man in the Auckland team played well handling the ball with delightful precision. Taranaki would not go down to their rushes and seldom got going in effective offensive movements but, that can hardly be relied upon as their true form on the tour starting next week.

SEDDON SHIELD MATCH. NELSON (18) v. BULLER (11). Nelson, Aug. 13. . There was sunny weather and a large attendance for the Seddon Shield match to-day. The ground was in good order. For the first 30 minutes it looked as though Nelson had gone to pieces. The Buller forwards, playing tine football, made the game lively and never allowed the Nelson backs to get away. The ball was in Buller territory only once in this period. Buller had scored two tries, one converted, when Nelson rallied and thenceforward their backs dominated the game. the half-time score being: Buller 8--Nelson 5.

Shortly after resumption McGregor opened up play for Nelson and passed to Wallace, who scored. A fine try by Buller gave them the lead again, but they made a further score while Nelson added a penalty goal and a converted try. The Buller forwards showed signs of tiring half way through the second spell, and the final stages of the game were uninteresting. Kearns, the Buller wing, was injured while scoring after half time. The game ended: Nelson 18— Buller 11. Nelson's tries were obtained by Wallace (2) and Snodgrass. Snodgrass did all Nelson’s including the penalty. All the Nel son backs played well. For Buller, Caldwell. O’Neil and Kearns scored tries, Caldwelk converting one. Sherlock and Griffiths were outstanding in the Buller backs, and all the forwards, especially Mcknight, played a fine game. *

SOUTHLAND DEFEATS WANGANUI.

Wanganui, Aug. 13. In a hard, fast game to-day, the Southland touring Rugby team defeated Wanganui by 18 to 14. The visiting forwards were excellent and secured 80 per cent of the ball from scrums and line-outs, but the rearguard was not so efficient and Wanganui’s tackling smothered many attacks. In the second spell the visitors brightened up considerably and nearly always had Wanganui on the defence, the local team cracking up fn the final stages. THE BEBBINGTON SHIELD. Horowhenua, Aug 13. Horowhenua successfully defended the Bebbington Shield at Levin today, when they defeated Oroua by 47 points to 21. The challengers for three parts of the game were hopelessly outclassed. Horowhenua lead half way through the second spell by 44 points to 8, but from then on they appeared to let up. Oroua, taking advantage of the respite, quickly added another 13 pointe to the total. WAIROA LOSES BARRY CUP. Wairoa, Aug. 13. Tolaga Bay Sub-Union representatives defeated the Wairoa team, minus half its best players, to-day and won the Barry Cup after an exciting finish, by 13 to 11. Superior condition told its tale. WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVES. TO PLAY SOUTHLAND. The following is the Wellington representative team selected to meet Southland on Wednesday at Athletic Park:—Malcolm, Elvy, M. Nicholls, Ramson, Rushbrook, Johnson, Kelly, Porter, Oliver, Claridge, Emerson, Shearer, Taylor, Pringle, Edgar. Emergencies: Backs, McKenzie and Lang. Forwards, Thomas and McHardy. WELLINGTON GAMES. Wellington, Aug. 14/ Outdoor sports were continued yesterday on heavy ground in fine weather. In the senior Rugby the keenest interest was evinced in thd Cid Boys-Athletic encounter, as victory for Old Boys would have given them the championship. Athletic’s score came from a foolish kick by Bedell to the wing, where the Athletic right winger was unmarked. Old Boys’ score was by Bedell from a scramble. Result*: Old Boys and Athletic, five points all; Marists beat Varsity, 7—3: Poneke beat Petone. 17—8. The Berhampore-Hutt match was not played.