VICTORY BY A POINT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 142, 1 June 1936, Page 3

VICTORY BY A POINT

Hastings 0.8. Down Hastings A bright game that was productive of some excellent play despite the fact that conditions were not of the best was forthcoming with the meeting of Hastings and Hastings H. 5.0.8. in the main attraction at Nelson Park, Hastings. In all divisions the teams were evenly matched and the score, 9—B In favour of Old Boys, was a very fair indication of the merits of the respective teams. The teams were:— Hastings: Dyer; Horton, Collins, McNab; Nelson, Gillies; McLennan; Muir, McLeay, Aldridge, Wilson, Howell, Collett, Tait, Holt. Hastings H. 5.0.8.; McCarthy; Jonson, Apsey, Quigley, Patrick; Hardy, Shrimpton; Irwin, Flowers, Redward, Thompson, Collingc, Wardrup, Frapks. With the wind at their backs in’the first spell, Hastings were first on the attack. The backs went well, and later the forwards showed their paces, a series of excellent movements culminating in Tait scoring a try. This score stung Old Boys, and their backs came to light with a fine scries of movements and the first quarter found the scores even, Jonson having paved the way for Apsey to score.

Despite having the wind to contend with, the Old Boys backs, and forwards too, were shaping well, being possessed of more speed than the opposition, who nevertheless were instrumental In putting in some great work in long rushes down the middle of the field. Tho Hastings backs, too, were displaying better combination than usual, and frequently the wingers were called upon to show their paces. On the whole, though, tho kick and follow-up tactics of the Old Boys forwards were the predominant features of the play. These led to Thompson placing Old Boys ahead with a try, but it was not long before Hastings had retaliated. A succession of fast movements by tho forwards, with Collett and Muir taking a prominent part, kept the Old Boys backs strenuously on defence and at times somewhat bustled. Collett was rewarded with a good try just before the interval, when the score was R—o. After the change-over Hastings again held a territorial advantage in the earlv stages and the going was exceptionally fast under the eircum stances. Unable to find an opening, Hastings retired for a time, and Old Roys set about regaining the lend. Success dirl not come until after a lengthy period of interesting play, and then only as the result of a mis-kick by a defender which enabled Jonson to score a fry near the corner.

The job of attacking was then upon Hastings, and they provided the crowd with plenty of excitement as they cast aside the defence and a certain amount of caution with a view to breaking down the Old Boys defence, first by means of forward rushes and then by good passing bouts, but they wore unable to find a loop-holo and time found them a point behind after a really excellent match. The scorers were; Hastings 1T.5.0.8. (9): Apsey, Thompson and Jonson (a fry apiece). Hastings (S): Tait and Collett (try each), Horton (nonver ”r .1. Scolt referee.