INTER-SCHOOL RUGBY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 152, 14 June 1935, Page 3

INTER-SCHOOL RUGBY

Hastings Wins Bright Match NAPIER HIGH DEFEATED Twenty-four Points Margin In the first of this season’s annual matches between Hastings High School and Napier High School at Hastings yesterday, Hastings won by 24 points to nil. Hastings played a sparkling and enterprising game in which consistent backing up was a leading feature, and they missed few scoring opportunities. Hastings scored six tries, three of which were converted.

Napier played a hard and honest game from which merit was by no means lacking, but they were without the ability to finish off the few promising openings that they made. There was no doubt at all about their being outclassed. Hastings were very much the better team, and were in a winning mood. Nevertheless, the Napier fifteen should, or could, have scored two or three tries if their handling had been at all certain. Their forwards worked well both individually and in combination, but the passing of the backs and the kicking of the forwards were disappointing.

Time after time the Napier rearguard made promising openings, but spoilt hard work and otherwise clever play by giving ill-timed and ill-directed passes. Twice their forwards dropped the ball right on the goal-line. The visitors saw very little of the ball, and the play was mostly inside their own half-way. On the other hand, excepting the first 10 minutes, when there appeared to be some nervousness among them, the Hastings team played a dashing and clever game. Typical of their enterprise was their willingness to take Napier’s penalty kicks straight into play again from their own goal-line, and to charge every loose kick that was going. In this latter way they made good use of several rebounds, and whenever the ball cumo their way there was someone to make use cf it, and to turn possession to profitable use. BRIGHT FOOTBALL. It was bright football throughout, and not alone on the part of Hastings. Though the Napier team were beaten, they provided no little suaie or the excitement. It is convincing proof of the winners’ superiority that they scored 11 points in tho first hall against a strong wind which was blowing right downfield. Napier lacked sureness and promptness in tackling, whereas Hastings harried Napier without mercy. The losers were weak in line kicking also. 'The match was played in tho most sporting spirit, and it was noticeable that both sides kept the ball in play whenever possible. Hastings’s first try came about 10 minutes from the kick-off, when Davis got possession and passed to Gumbley, who cross-kicked. Howard took tho ball in fine style, and ran through strongly. Clark failed to convert. Hastings 3, Napier nil. The next try also went to Howard, who kicked downfield and followed up fast. In the scramble for the bail on Napier’s goal-line, the defence were found badly out of position, and Howard flung himself on the ball. Clark again failed to convert. Hastings 6, Napier nil. Napier pressed hard for a time and their forwards were showing up well, but it was not long before Hastings again took charge. Clark took a penalty, and was unsuccessful, but Hastings followed up fast to exploit whatever opportunity might present itself. It was a wise move, for How'ard was able to charge down a return kick from one of the Napier backs to get possession, make a great run through the defence and cross. Eves converted. Hastings 11, Napier nil. A THRILLING MOMENT. There was a thrilling moment when Clark missed a long kick near his own goal, and Edmundson came out into a clear field with no one apparently likely to beat him in the race for the ball. He was overtaken, however, and a fine chance went awry.

Napier began promisingly in the second spell, and their tackling showed great improvement for a while. However, Hastings regained the upper hand very soon and Eves scored at the end of a vigorous and almost irresistible attack begun by the forwards. He failed with the kick. Hastings 14, Napier nil. From the new kick-off, the Napier backs went away on a beautifully crisp and penetrating passing bout, but Clarko brought it to an end with a splendid tackle. A little later Westerholme narrowly failed to goal from a penalty kick, and soon Napier were being hard pressed again on their own goal-line. Hastings took part in repeated passing bonts in which the running was swift and the handling clean and accurate, and another try came when Gumbley followed through with a great run, and then Howard got possession. Touhy snapped up the ball when Howard was tackled, and sprinted across for a try between the posts.

Clark converted. Twice Napier crossed the line, only to be called back, and the last try came to Hastings when Howard neatly slipped across between the posts at the end of a passing bout. Eves converted, making the final score: Hastings , 24 Napier 9 Mr Holder refereed. JUNIOR FIFTEENS Score of Six Points,All A match between the junior fifteens of each school was played on tho adjoining ground during the afternoon, and resulted in a draw. The score was six points all. The match was fast and interesting, and it was just on time when Hastings drew level with an un converted try.