RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 220, 31 August 1932, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

GAMES IN HAWKE’S BAY THE BEP. MATCH AT GISBORNE. COMMENT ON SATURDAY’S PLAY.

(By

“Rambler.”)

The representative fixture at Gisborne last Saturday between Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay was a very ragged display, and the assembled onlookers found it very difficult to work up any enthusiasm at all.

The accident to Colin Le Quesne disorganised the Hawke’s Bay bucks somewhat, as Ireland was brought out of the front row and took over the first five-eighth position, Howell going to second.

In an experience of football that extends over 35 years, this was the thir-.i occasion that I had witnessed a player breaking a leg. Le Quesne’s happened at the termination of a swerve. When he realised he would be tackled, lieattempted to kick the ball, crossing legs with Haisman. The two breaks that I had previously seen also happened in a similar way. It is expected that Colin will be able to leave the hospital in about three weeks’ time. The outstanding back for the Magpies was Vartan, who fielded and kicked in great stylo. His only weakness was his attempt to stop Haisman, who, on this occasion, bv the way, continued on in full flight and gave Carrington a walk-over. Neither wing threequarter got much in the way of chances, although Ayres on one occasion allowed himself to be tackled by the full-back when a pass to Grant would have given the latter an easy run in. Eddie Howell, at second five-eighth, ran too far with the result that he was generally swamped, and Lambie. suffering a head injury, appeared at times unable to see the ball. Chief of the forward line were Drummond, Wilson and Beck. The last-named on three occasions held up the Poverty Bay pack and saved what looked like being sure tries. As in all previous games in which he has played Drummond took the honours in the hooking department.

The good reports that have reached here of the play of Haisman, the Poverty Bay five-eighth, were fully borne out. Only a youth, he contrived to be in everything that was going and his first-spell try was obtained after a very determined run. At half-back the veteran, Piki Smith, has at last given way to youth, and Kingi, a bright young fellow, filled Piki’s shoes well on Saturday. The Poverty Bay forwards were a rugged sot —much heavier than the visitors, and McPhail, Tpm Dennis and Milligan were the most prominent. Carrington (nicknamed Hunting Song) played as a straight-out wingforward, albeit he scrupulously observed the’ offside rule. Much was expected of him, but he was spasmodic in his play.

LANE GUP GAMES. NAPIER CONTEST FINAL. (By “Kick-off.”) The “weeding-out” process for the Lane Cup was continued on Saturday, when the joint runnersup for the championship, Technical Old Boys and Marists, played true to form and earned the right to contest the final for the trophy.

Early in the game at Hastings between the ex-Collegians and Hastings it appeared as though Tech, were due for a “walk-over,” but later in tho spell Hastings rallied and on actual play had the better of the first half. The second spell saw the honours alternate more frequently, eventually resting with the ex-Collegians on the call of time. Taken all through Tech, deserved their win. At all times the Grey backs were dangerous. They possessed more speed, better combination and greater initiative. Hastings defended solidly, but it was t/e Yellow forwards who showed up to the best advantage, and the fact that Hastings almost “pulled-off'l a surprise was entirely due to them. Although there was not the brilliance that has been a feature of a number of games this season, the match was ever interesting, the concluding stages being very exciting. The Greys made a heroic effort in the last four minutes and it was in this period that they notched seven points to give them a margin of four on the final count. Goldsmith was the pick of the Hastings backs, showing surprising ingenuity and initiative. Tom Evans and Setford were the best of the Grey rearguard, the former being as prominent on attack as Setford was on defence. Among the forwards Kelly played an outstanding game for Hastings, and was well supported by Collett and McKennie. Champion played like one in the Grey pack, the remainder being very even, though Muskett was prominent at times in clevet breaks from the nick. The Napier Mitch. As an entertaining spectacle general opinion agreed that the Junior Cup final between Technical Old Boys and Hastings Old Boys

should have been given pride of place on McLean Park last Saturday. The juniors gave a bright exhibition and for winning the combined championship the Greys are to be congratulated, while the losers may console themselves with the fact that the victors played a game "out of the box.” The tussle between Marlst and Hastings Old Boys was at times a wearisome spectacle, although there was one continually bright spot in Heifford, the Tykes’ full-back. AU day this young fellow played faultlessly, his positional play being extraordinarily accurate and his dropped goal a justified reward for his display which was the finest seen on the Park this season. The remaining Marist backs paled into insignificance compared with their last line of defence, and they generally left everything to the forwards, amongst whom a newcomer in Exeter shaped very well. For Hastings 0.8., Otto Jonson was not quite as convincing as usual, and the best of the backs was Porey Botherway.

In view of the possibility of several challenges for the Hawke’s Bay Challenge Shield being received, Hastings Old Boys, as defenders of the trophy, will need to keep in form for a few weeks longer. HASTINGS SUB-UNION. WEEKLY MEETING HELD. The usual weekly meeting of the Hastings Bugby Sub-Union was held last evening, Mr B. M. Hewitt presiding over a full attendance. An application was received from the Hastings Registered Unemployed Workers’ Association for permission to play a game at Nelson Park on Thursday, September 8, against a team representing the Waipawa unemployed.— Granted. As there is only one game on Nelson Park next Saturday, September 3, for the final of the third grade championship between Technical Old Boys (Napier) and Hastings H. 5.0.8., it has been decided to select a team from the Hastings and Celtic clubs to play the Hastings H. 5.0.8. senior team on No. 2 ground at 3 p.m. As a curtain-raiser to the Challenge Shield match —Napier H. 5.0.8. v. Hastings H.5.0.8.—t0 be played at Nelson Park, Hastings, on September 10, it has been decided to play a Possibles v. Probables third-grade fixture to select the third-grade representative team to meet the Napier representatives as a curtain-raiser to the Wanganui match On September 17.