RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

DOINGS OF THE WEEK THE FIRST TEST MATCH. COMMENT ON BEBBINGTON SHIELD GAME. (By “Rambler.’’) The fitfeat of New Zealand in the First Test at Sydney last Saturday could not be regarded as a surprise to those who have marked the continued improvement of our cousins across the Tasman in playing the game of Rugby.

To-day an All-Australian fifteen is more representative of that t great is. land continent than ever. Last Saturday Australia called on representatives from three States —Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria—and from the published report of the game, each State contributed men well worthy of the term of Rugby international.

Of interest to Bay enthusiasts is the fact that Victoria’s pair, Bridle and Cowper, both played against Hawke’s Bay at McLean Park last winter. Reports of the game insofar as the play of our own men are conflicting, but the handicap of failing to gain possession in the scrums was a severe one. Providing, however, that this weakness can be overcome, the result of the second Test can be awaited with confidence. Australia deserves every congratulation on the meritorious victory. Last year Bush, the Otago full-back, kicked New Zealand to victory in the solitary Test played against Australia. At the commencement of this season Bush returned tp his home town, Auckland, where he was unfortunate in suffering injury that prevented him being considered for New Zealand honours. He has now recovered, and last Saturday, playing full-back for the Auckland B reps, against South Auckland, contributed goals worth 10 points, which, by the way, represented the difference between winning and losing for his side.

Heazlewood, on the same day, was full-back for the Auckland A team, and it would appear that Selector F. Sutherland considers the ex-Wellingtonian the better man for the position.

In track pace, the fastest man in the New South Wales Rugby team which gave the All Blacks such a hard battle, is A. Martel, one of the forwards. When the New South Wales team was in Queensland recently a sprint championship was held. Wing three-quarter W. White narrowly beat M. Grace, another wing, for first place in a heat confined to the backs. Martel was the fastest forward, with “Wild Bill’’ Cerutti second. In the final Martel beat White. Bebbington Shield Game. The Dannevirke Sub-union representatives defended their newfound possession, the Bebbington Shield, successfully last Wednesday against Rangitikei.

The game aroused much interest and a big crowd of enthusiasts came over from Marton to give their champions moral support. In addition Pahiatua sent up a large quota, mainly, I think, to note the play of the challengers, who were boomed as being above average. However, the game had not long been in progress before it was apparent that the holders were too good fore and aft for the challengers.

A feature of the game was the accurate goal-kicking by Peeti, for Dannevirke, and Potaka for Rangitikei, the former guiding six across and the latter three penalties. On three different occasions the ball struck the crossbar and bounced over, a remarkable sequence in one game. Included in the Rangitikei team were three men who are reported to be included in this year's New Zealand native team.

Both rearguards threw the ball about but while there was thrust in the home team’s efforts the visitors passed in wild fashion, due to the speed which the Dannevirke forwards exhibited in getting to their opponents. Peeti was not nearly so impressive as against Bush in the previous game at Pahiatua. The bright light was undoubtedly Ayres, who went on as emer. gency when Tu Tere was injured. Ayres, who is but a youth, scored three tries in great style, exhibiting speed and resource on each occasion. On one occasion when Peeti unsuccessfully attempted a goal from a penalty, Sinclair, the Dannevirke wing three-quarter, followed up fast and regained possession of the ball in his opponents’ in-goal. There was not a Rangitikei man within ten yards of him, and Sinclair, plainly in a dilemma, failed to make the try —he turned to walk back to the goal line still carrying the ball. A quick-witted Rangitikei player approached and asked politely for the sphere, and it was handed over with alacrity and just as quickly forced down by the thankful Rangitikeite. Why Sinclair did not complete the job he set out to do is a mystery, but apparently it was too easy and for a moment he thought there must have been a catch in it—there was. Referee G. A. Maddison gave complete satisfaction with the whistle and in consequence his services will again be in demand when Bush visit Dannevirke later on.