RUGBY SIDELIGHTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 121, 7 May 1934, Page 6

RUGBY SIDELIGHTS

NOTES AND COMMENTS Points in Saturday’s Games GOOD STANDARD OF PLAY Surprises were again forthcoming on Saturday when the third senes oi games in the Huwke’s Bay Rugby football senior championship competition were played before good attendances The play generally was of a high stau dard, particularly so in Hastings, where both fixtures proved exciting and interesting. • • • A Wellington visitor who watched the Hastings Celtic game nt; Hastings informed the writer that they . don’t get any better games in the city. ’ ’ • • • The husky farmers from the valley of the Esk are dour fighters and they played their best football in the eeeond half, conceding Marist a six-peißt start. « « • Jack Vartan, rock-like in defence for Hastings H. 5.0.8., collided with a diminutive opponent and took the latter’s head on his chin—a vital epet. even with Camera. • • • Rainbow, fleet of foot, was « eetv stant danger to Napier H. 5.0.8., who quickly recognised the fact and took especial precautions in consequence in their game with Hastings Old Boy» at Napier. « • * Easily the outstanding player in the Hastings games was Dyer, the last line of defence for Hastings. His work was the admiration of all and the concensus of opinion was that he’s a eei tainty for the reps. • • • Saturday’s scoring in both Hastings and Napier was the heaviest to date, due, no doubt to the fact that efforts at goal-kicking were more successful than hitherto. The total points foi th© three afternoons are 98, 108 and 117. • • • M.A.C. staged another of theii grandstand finishes against Havelock North but the Villagers’ fine defence stood up to the strain. The crowd got vastly excited about the final stages when the Maoris tossed the ball about with delightful abandonement. • • • Wattie McKay, ex-Maori All Black and ex-Poverty Bay Rugby, hockey, cricket and tennis representative, was again in form for M.A.C. against the Villagers. He and Staples are an en terprising brace and the mainstay al the ex-collegians. • oo Napier enthusiasts find the numbering of, the players helpful in following the various movements. All the five teams from the Napier district are now numbered, but none of the halfdozen Hastings teams have taken up the idea. • • • In meeting M.A.C. at their own game Havelock North fared better than did Celtic the previous week. The Maoris like the open game and apparently the Villagers do likewise for the ball was in the open for the greater part of the match.

Judged by their early attendance at McLean Park, Napier, spectators np predate a three-star programme. Tech. Old Boys and Pirates provided excellent opening fare the pace being on from the kick off. * • • A bouncing ball over the visitors’ goal line with but two home jersied figures in sight and then from the ciouds as it were came Otto Jonson and the try was saved. It was a close call for Hastings Old Boys and gave the crowd a thrill. » # • The first and only “pot” to date in Hastings was a match-winner. “Tut” Geddis, three minutes before time on Saturday, presented Celtic with a nifty four points that spelt victory to his side again Hastings. It was a great goal, taken from dead on the quarterway, directly in front of the posts, and “Tut” was crowded by forwards, • • • Hastings H. 5.0.8. were definitely on top of their Napier brothers from start to finish. High lights were McCarthy's try for the blues after selling a couple of “dummies” en route and Shirreffs’ effort for Napier Old Boys which landed him over the line at the corner flag. He had four opponents in front of him and finished with three clinging to him like ivy to a wait « • • “On paper” Hastings backs look the best in the competition but they fail to materialise when it comes to action. Saturday saw them get a generous helping of the ball but while they passed well they got nowhere with it. Theoretically, with about 75 per cent, of the ball from the scrums and line-outs, Hastings should have had a clear-cut victory, but didn’t. Why? • • • The difference between the respective scores flattered Tech., as Pirates threw away nine points from point blank range penalties and then Russell fired away a possible five when he elected to pot instead of passing, with the defence well beaten. On the other hand Eric Evans for Tech, landed four goals in succession, his second from a penalty 45 yards out against the breeze wan a magnificent effort. Eric then took himself off and Brown having got the idea then supplied » “fourer” and finally a conversion from the side-line. Dramatic scores wore featured in tho concluding stages of the EskviewMarists game. First was Patterson’s fending run that curried him over a foot from the corner flag to bring th© scores level nnd then Thompson’s grent converting kick to give Eskview a two point lend. following which Was Ma.rists’ dying effort—a hot barrage lasting ten minutes during which Kennv threw away a try by faulty handling. The final net had its comic side. A group of Eskview supporters gathered about the time-keeper and concentrated entirely on the fleeting seconds ticking past, that must to them have seemed like minutes. It is many years since McLean Park haa witnessed such exciting acenes.