THRILLING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

THRILLING

HASTINGS 0.8. WIN CHAMP. HOLDERS GO UNDER FAST AND INTERESTING GAME. HASTINGS LEADING AT THE INTERVAL. In a splendid game at Hastings, the championship holders, Hastings,were beaten by Hastings Old Boys after providing plenty of thrills. The match was exception, ally fart notwithstanding the fact that the conditions underfoot were not conducive to fast football.

There was not much between the two teams, though on the day’s play Old Boys deserved their win. The spectators were afforded one of the best games to date, and were kept in a high pitch of excitement throughout.

The fifteens lined out as follows:— Hastings Old Boys—Varton, 0. Jonson, I. Johnston, Graham, Patrick, McCarthy, Botherway, Symonds, Colwill, Hannigan, Milburn, McDuff, Grace, Burton, Thomson. Hastings—Crawford. Calder, Cameron, Thompson, Le Quesne, Jnll, Hutchinson, Ross, Townsend, Wellwood, Collett, McKcnnie, W. Pearson, R. Pearson, Kelly. Hastings set the ball in motion, the forwards, led by Wellwood, and “Dufty” Pearson, bustling Jonson. The Old Boys succeeded in clearing nnd they took up the attack, moving to the title-holders’ quarter-way, where Jonson essayed an ambitious pot at goal. The effort fell short and Johnston followed np to bustle Calder, the ball rolling into the scoring area for Le Quesne to force hastily.

Hastings lost no time getting on the attack, the forwards battling hard though they were never dangerous. Calder essayed an ambitious penalty goal, the ball falling short for Old Boys to find the line at half-way. Here there was a brilliant piece of passing, the ball being handled by Botherway, Patrick, Jonson, Johnston and McCarthy, the last.named being pushed into touch by Crawford, the corner flag being upset in the tackle. Hastings rallied and using their feet well they bustled Old Boys. A kick through saw Patrick and Ross give chase for the touch down, the Old Boy winning the race. However, Hastings quickly returned and from a scrum the ball came out to Hutchinson, who set Cameron and Thompson in action, the last-named racing to the corner for the opening try of the game. Calder tailed to Increase the lead. Hastings ... 3 Hastings 0.8 0 Even play ensued for a time, Hastings maintaining a slight territorial advantage. The play was confined mainly to the forward divisions, who found the going heavy. Calder took a long shot at goal from a penalty and this was the signal for Old Boys, to take a turn at the attack. Led by Hannigan and McCarthy, the Blues hotly assailed the Hastings goal line, the defenders being penalised. McCarthy failed with his kick at goal and Hastings took the opportunity to return play to safer ground. A series of short passing bouts initiated by Hutchinson troubled Old Boys, whose defence collapsed altogether when, from the ruck ,the ball was passed to Calder, who drew the defence and sent Hutchinson going in company with three comrades for a good try behind the posts. Calder converted. Hastings $ Hastings 0.8 0 Old Boys' rallied after this reverse and made several short excursions into Hastings territory, the forwards being prominent in the rucking, which was of good standard. Opening up the play, the Old Boy backs went into ection, the ball going oat to Jonson. The winger passed infield to McDuff just as he was grassed and the forward handed over to Botherway, who landed a great “pot.” Hastings 0.8. 4 Hastings 3 Elated, Old Boys returned and the forwards attacked strongly on the left wing. Suddenly they opened up the game and sent out a long pass to Graham, who just failed to gather in the ball whilst travelling at top speed. Hastings saved by forcing and a minute later they were obliged again to make a hasty force when following a great break by Jonsoir there was a chase for possession, Crawford kicked into touch-in-goal. Back came Old Boys, Graham kicking across the field, where there was a thrilling struggle to gather in possession, Le Quesne eventually forcing with half a dozen Old Boys on top of him. A few minutes later play was in neutral territory when the interval was called with the score reading—• Hastings .............. 8 Bastings 0.8. ........... 4 THE SECOND HALF. * ' The teams did not leave the field at the interval though the edict about replacing an injured player was not enforced, Jim Hannigan replacing McCarthy within a minute of the re-start. Old Boys quickly went to the attack, -ohnston ami Patrick bustling Craw- ■ ird, who infringed in front of the -osts. Graham made no mistake with the kick at goal, reducing the margin Hastings 0.8. 7 Hastings 8 Following a period of even play Hastings assumed the nseendancy, the forwards keeping Old Boys on the defence. The Blues tried opening up the game,

All Blacks 28 Queensland 8

and intercepting a dropped pass Collett kicked into the score area. Another thrilling race ensued, Varton beating Collett by kicking into the dead area. Hastings returned to the attack immediately, Calder just failing to get over on the left wing. Then followed a wonderful rally by Old Boys. The forwards, keeping the ball at their feet, bustled Hastings to the titleholders’ quarter-way where there was a slight check. However, Old Boys were irresistible and, carrying on, they pressed hotly, Thompson eventually getting over to place Old Boys ahead for the first time. The kick by Graham failed. Hastings 0.8 10 Hastings 8 Hastings made a great bid to regain the lead, a forward pass spoiling a very fine effort. Old Boys succeeded in clearing to neutral territory where play remained for a time. Old Boys wsrs playing with more enterprise and frequently made short excursions into Hastings territory but the title-holders showed excellent defence, getting down on the ball and tackling in great style.

Play returned to neutral territory. Hastings made a bright attack only to be crowded out and led by BymOns and Thomson the Old Boy forwards indulged in a sensational dribbling rush. Crawford tried to stop the rush and succeeded in allowing Joll to gain possession. The ex-Old Boy failed to find the line, Graham gathering in to kick across-field, where, in the race for possession, Thompson kicked to the dead area. Jim Hannigan followed up fast to dive on the ball as it bounced a yard from the dead-ball line. With a good kick McDuff placed the issue beyond doubt by converting. Hastings 0.8 .... 15 Hastings »..«>•.«•••••■! 8 Old Boys returned with confidence and setting a fast pace they gave Hastings an anxious time. Making no headway they were forced to retire and Hastings launched a" scries of good rushes. After the backs had failed to make an impression the forwards took a hand, Bill Pearson battling his way over near the posts for a well-earned try. Calder failed with the kick. A minute later time was called with the score reading— Hastings 0.8 15 Hastings 11 Mr. G. A. Maddison refereed.