A RAGGED MATCH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 125, 13 May 1935, Page 5

A RAGGED MATCH

Pirates Account For Eskview Pirates defeated Eskview at McLean Park No. 2 by 11 points to three alter a ragged game. Conditions did not permit of a bright display. Eskview ar e slowly but surely improving'against the manifold difficulties of training and team work involved by the size of the district from which their fifteen is chosen. The teams were:—Pirates: Lopdell, Oswell, Russell, McGlashan, McKnight, Dowrick, McKinnon, Fryer, McKenzie, Cooke, G. Keeble, Gunn, Marshall, B. Keeble, Frank. Eskview: Weatherly, Williams, Kemp, Al. Smith, Thompson, Kurupo, Stanford, 1. Smith, Howell, Dennett, Lc Quesne. Brookes, Le Bas, AlcGlashan, Poppelwell, Eskview lost a chance not long after the opening, when Le Quesne broke away. Pirates cleared and sent play back and kept up a steady pressure on the Pirates line. From a dull piece of play came the opening points when McKnight dodged round behind the scrum and scored well out. The angle was too great for Lopdell. Pjrates 3, Eskview nil. Pirates were *given a chance from a penalty well out at the twenty-five, but .McKinnon’s kick fell short. Pirates kept up the pressure, but Eskview profited by a fumble by Russell, and Kurupo ran well up with the ball at his feet for Ivan Smith to pick up in a handy position and, with three men in support, outstrip the remainder of the defence to score, M. Smith’s kick bounced back from the upright. Eskview 3, Pirates 3. Not long after, Dowrick retired from the Pirates side with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Grace. McKinnon, with a fair share of luck, added another try to Pirates’ tally not long alter. Ivan Smith dropped on the ball to check a forward rush, but in doing so kicked the ball up in the air with his heel. McKinnon, following fast, took the ball as it bounced and ran round unopposed to score under the posts. He converted his own try. Pirates 8, Eskview 3. There was no lurther score up till half-time, which came with Pirates attacking.

Pirates resumed the offensive after the spell and were frequently within striking distance. On one occasion McKnight attempted a field goal from a handy position, but the ball failed to rise. Eskview eventually took a turn at attack, but with no result. Le Quesne attempted to goal from a penalty midway between the twenty-five and the half-way, but the kick lacked direction. Le Quesne later afforded Eskview a fine opportunity for a try, but a long pass out to the winger, Williams, went to waste. Play continued in the same strain until Pirates were awarded a penalty on the Eskview twenty-five. ■ Bob Keeble goaled. Pirates 11, Eskview 3. 'There was no further score. Pirates 11 Eskview 3 All 8. Tucker refereed.