M.B.O.B. INCREASE THEIR RUGBY LEAD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 148, 8 June 1936, Page 5

M.B.O.B. INCREASE THEIR RUGBY LEAD

EXCITING MATCHES Hastings H. 5.0.8. Defeat M.A.C. by Big Margin HAVELOCK GO UNDER M.8.0.8.’s leading position in the Napier-Hastings senior Rugby football competition was made more substantial last Saturday afternoon when, by defeating Technical 0.E., they established a four-point lead against M.A.C. and Napier H. 5.0.8., who hold second position equal. M.8.0.8.’s match against Technical 0.8. was full of excitement, the issue being in doubt right up to the final whistle. Marist were the victors by nine points to eight. Napier H. 5.0.8. beat Havelock North by 20 to 10 in a match just as exciting, while Hastings H. 5.0.8. created a surprise by defeating M.A.C. by the big margin of 26 to 8. The CelticHastings match provided even and exciting football, Celtic being the victors by 9—B. In the junior section at Napier, Pirates continued on their winning way and are leading in the competition by three points, Technical being second on the ladder. In contrast with the cold w-eather of the previous Saturday, the day was gloriously sunny, without much wind, and in both centres the matches attracted large attendances. POSITIONS OF TEAMS The positions of teams in the senior, junior and third grades after Saturday afternoon’s matches are as follow:— SENIOR GRADE.

HAVELOCK IN FORM Napier H.5.0.8.’s Narrow Victory Playing splendid football, Havelock North presented unexpected opposition in their game at Napier against Napier H. 5.0.8. Right from the beginning Havelock set about their opponents with a will, and towards the end of the game they so worried Old Boys that victory was within easy reach. The final score was 20 points to 16 in favour of Old Boys, Havelock having bad luck in not scoring three points from a penalty kick a few minutes before time, and in failing to convert a try. The teams were:—

Napier H.5.0.8.—L. Clothier, Butler, G. Cox, Austin, Marr, Bradley, Cooke, Rolls, Craig, Willis, Heffernan, E. Cox, Ennor, Crawford-Smith, Amner. Havelock North.—Huff, P. Gloyn, Roy Joll, Inglis, K. Gloyn, C. Joll, Rangi Joll, Fergusson, Stevens, Small, Ross, Heffernan Coghlan, Russell. The majority of spectators expected that Napier Old Boys would win by a comfortable margin, but when halftime was sounded with Old Boys only five points in the lead the play of the visitors commanded more respect, particularly because Havelock’s backs came to light with some particularly tine movements.

Their first try (unconverted) came from a rearguard movement. From a scrum in Old Boys’ twenty-five the ball came out to the backs, who handled nicely, enabling Roy Joll to score in the corner. Au early try by Old Buys did -not dishearten Havelock. A short puut down field was followed up by G. Cox (Old Boys), who gained possession and scored in a position which Bradley found easy for the conversion. The visitors lost Stevens In the first spell, this player retiring with a sprained ankle. Jago filled the t aeanev.

The best rearguard movement of the afternoon came in the second spell, when Rangi Joll secured possession and raced down the field for 50 yards. He neatly avoided trouble from the offen sive and handed on to Roy Joll, to enable him to score in the corner. The movement was a most valuable one to Havelock, for defence was turned into attack, and five points wore registered into the bargain. In the closing stages of play Havelock had the opportunity of adding a further live points, which would have

won them the game. After Russell scored, Whitehead’s attempt to convert missed, while a penalty kick in Old Boys’ territory also failed. The scorers were:—Napier H. 5.0.8. (20): G. Cox (two tries), Bradley (a conversion and a penalty goal), Butler (two tries), Crawford-Smith (a try). Havelock North (16): Roy Joll (two tries), Whitehead (two conversions), Inglis (a try), Russell (a try). Mr R, M. Hewitt refereed.

HASTINGS 0.8. WIN WELL

18-Point Margin Against M.A.C.

By playing M.A.C. at their own game, and throwing the ball about in a quite spectacular fashion, Hastings H. 5.0.8. beat M.A.C. by 26 points to eight at Nelson Park, Hastings. The Maoris were without Jury Thompson and Crawford, and through their having no emergency to replace Marsh who went off injured half-way through the first spell, they were compelled to play for most of the time with only 14 men.

The following were the teams:— Hustings H. 5.0.8. —McCarthy, Lowe, Apsey, Jonson, Holt, Patrick, Hardy, Shrimpton, Trumper, Blowers, Irwine, Collinge, Redward, Wardrop, Thompson. M.A.C. —Jackson, Marsh, McKay, Walford, Kuripo, P. To Ngaio, Newton, Greening, Symons, Mataira, Stock, E. Jackson,Rawhiri, J. Te Ngaio, Reid. Old Boys, from the kick-off, set a terriffie pace, and it was obvious from that moment that they were in a winning mood. They were scrumming well and following-up fast, and handling the ball with great precision. Their first score was a penalty-kick by McCarthy, and that heartened them tremendously. Passing the ball right along the whole line of backs, and making a merry pace with penetrative attacks, they kept M.A.C. in their owe twenty-five for a long time.

Old Boys suffered the first casualty when Holt went off with an injured leg and was replaced by Quigley. A little later M.A.C. lost Marsh and had no one to replace him.

The game quickly developed into a walk-over for Old Boys, to whom just a little luck would have given two or three more tries. The Maoris made great efforts to establish a concerted attack, and Tori Reid and Joe Te Ngaio were extering themselves brilliantly to try to lead their team mates into a scoring movement. Individual efforts, however, availed nothing against the swift running, the clean and crisp handling and the vigorous attacking of Old Boys, and, try as they might the Maoris could not got the upper hand. A mix-up occurred when a ball from the adjoining ground was taken into play by mistake, and four M.A.C. players and three Old Boys carried on with it almost down to Old Boys’ goal before the mistake, if it was one, was discovered. In the meantime Solomon scored for M.A.C. with the other ball, but the try was not converted. Old Boys had established a lead of nine points to three by half-time, ano after the spell the game resolved itself into an incessant attack by Old Boys and a sustained defence by the Maoris, who scored a final try just before time. In the last stages the winners were scoring almost at will, and were unfortunate in not getting at least two or three further tries. It was a fine exhibition of back play, and was far more than the Maoris could cope with.

The scorers were.—Hastings Old Boys (26): McCarthy (a penalty, a field goal and two conversions), Quigley, Thompson, Jonson, Wardrop and Lowe (each a try). M.A.C. (8): Solomon (a try), and Greening (a try and a conversion). Mr D. It. Graham refereed. ONE-POINT VICTORY M. 8.0.8. Defeat Technical Scoring a penalty goal within 10 minutes of the final whistle, M. 8.0.8. defeated Technical 0.8. at Napier by nine points to eight, thereby holding on to their leading position on the senior championship ladder. Although the opening stages of play were rather uninspiring, the football improved after interval, both sets of backs seeing plenty of the ball and the final issue remaining in doubt until the call of time. On two occasions in the last few minutes Technical were unlucky in not scoring, but on their play during the second spell Marist probably deserved their win. The teams were: —■ Technical O.B.—Thompson ; W. Johnson, Byford, Reid ; Peterson, Rossiter ; Jane; R. Johnson, Mataira, Brooks, Morrissey, Bowman, McAuslin, Dalton and Poynter. M.B.O.B.—Brewer; Griffiths, McIvor, Reid; Benson, Hannan; Moss; Armstrong, Wagg. J. O’Brien, Ireland, M. O’Brien, Hardgraves, Barker and Exeter. The football was patchy during the first quarter of an hour, the back play being conspicuous for bad handling. Technical’s forwards put in some useful work, however, and kept Marist on the defensive. The good tackling of the latter team was a delight to watch. Technical’s custodian, the burly Thompson, drew applause from the spectators when he made a solo effort in Marist’s twenty-five. He had this opportunity after he had tried for a penalty goal well out. The kick was a splendid one, but tho ball struck the upright and bounced back into Thompson’s arms. He bullocked his way through tho opposing forwards almost to the line, where he was tackled, and Marist cleared. It was a narrow escape for Marist, however. Technical’s first points—the first in tho game—were gained by Thompson 10 minutes later. Krom a line-out infringement he kicked a splendid penalty goal. A further five points came t't Tech, when Morrissey scored as the result of a back movement, and Thompson added two additional points by converting the try. One of Marist’s excursions bore fruit when M. O'Brien goaled from a penalty kick. When Marist lost Brewer (full-back) in the first spell, a re-shuffle of the backs was necessitated. Allen came on to the field as second tive-eightbs, Benson became first five-eighths and Hannan dropped back as custodian.

Towards the end of the first hall Mclvor gave Marist three additional points, From a scrum 30 yards from Technical’s line Moss sent the ball out to Benson, to Allen, to Mclvor, the latter pushing through to the line fairly well out. M. O’Brien’s kick went wide. The interval sounded with the scores: Technical 0.8. 8, M. 8.0.8. C. Marist opened the second spell with a most determined attack, and a likely opportunity lor the backs was missed when Benson failed to take an easypass irom Moss.

Play was tar more open _’n this spell, both sets of backs being fed frequently. Marist’s hookers had slightly tho better of the set scrums, but Technical’s backs were on to their opponents like a flash, nipping many of the rearguard sallies in the bud.

With only a quarter of an hour to play, and the half-time score of eightsix in favour of Technical still standing, Marist made a desperate effort to gain the lead, but sound tackling by Technical repeatedly quelled the opposing rearguard attacks. Their efforts were rewarded, however, when M. O’Brien put over a penalty kick, placing Marist one point in the lead. Opeu play made the game most exciting in tho closing stages, when R. Johnson (Technical) retired hurt and Hutton replaced him. Both sets of forwards worked hard, but the final whistle sounded with the scoie unaltered.

The scorers were: —M. 8.0.8. (9): M. O’Brien (two penalty goals), Mvlvor la try). Technical 0.8. (8): Thompson (a penalty goal and a conversion), Morrissey (a try). Mr. McGlashan refereed.

CELTIC BEAT HASTINGS Hard Struggle in Final Stages The last quarter-of-an-hour of the match between Hastings and Celtic was an anxious time for both side. Only one point in the lead and with Hastings doing and able to do most of the attacking Celtic were not at all in a safe position. Hastings had the better of the play during that time and were going great guns for the try that was often so near but did not come to them. It was a good game and quite the best that has been played on the No. 2 area of Nelson Park this season.

The following were the teams:— Celtic. —Colebrook, Scanlan, Pullen, Garvey, Galgey, Harvey, Geddis, Bowers, Meachem, McHardy Maaka Calnan Kelly, Hollander, Hannigan.

Hastings.—Dyer, Horton, Nelson, Collins, Gillies, MeLelland, McVeay; Holt, Tate, Wright, Aldridge, Wilson, Collett, McNab, Muir. Celtic were tho aggressors from the kick-off and their pace and dash made it appear that they were going to register a pretty good score. Their first try, which was scored by Garvey, came from bustling forward play about five minutes after the beginning, but from then on Hastings asserted themselves and gave Celtic as much as they received. Playing a bustling game, Celtic compelled Hastings to force a little later, but Collett’s leadership, watched against Hannigan’s fine play, brought the Yellows into the limelight with a series of well-planned forward rushes.

Both teams appeared to be very fit, and the pace was fast. The Hastings backs were launching some spirited and well-planned attacks, but those movements were countered by the Celtic forwards, who were giving their opponets a busy time and who more than once came very near to scoring. The first half ended with the score even at threeall, Nelson having put over a penalty goal. By tho same means Pullen put Celtic ahead again shortly after the interval, but Hastings put on another five points when Muir, charging-down a kiek by Geddis 15 yards from the Hastings goal, scored a splendid and enterprising try. It was now Celtic’s turn to take the defensive, and Hastings, playing a hustling game, had them in trouble for a good while. The game developed into a fine exhibition on both sides, each making great efforts to break clear and send the backs away. Bowers scored from a scrum in a handy position, but Pullen failed to conver. Thus in the lead again, Celtic tried hard to give themselves a safer margin, but they were compelled to play a defensive game for almost tho whole of the remainder of the time.

The scorers were—Celtic (9): Garvey (a try), Pullen a penalty goal), and Bowers (a try). Hastings (8): Nelson (a penalty goal and a conversion), Muir (a try). Mr J. Gcenty refereed.

NAPIER-HASTINGS TEAM Players for Wairoa Following is the Napier-Hastings Rugby team to play Wairoa at Wairoa next Wednesday:— Backs; Dyer (Hastings), Jonson (11. H. 5.0.8.), Nelson (Hastings), Howe (JI. H. 5.0.8.), Walford (M.A.C.), Petersen (Technical O.B.), C. .Toll (Havelock North), Hardy (H. H. 5.0.8.). .Forwards: Muir (Hastings), J. O’Brien (Marist), Te Ngaio (M.A.C.), Barker (Marist), Greening (M.A.C.), Exeter (Marist), Keeble (Pirates), Jackson (M.A.C.), Hannigan (Celtic) captain. The players will leave tho Post Office corner, Napier, at 6.30 p.m. on luesday, returning on Wednesday. JUNIOR GRADE. Hastings Section Hastings (17) v. Havelock North (15). —The game was remarkable for the number of field goals, of which Hastings scor»d two and Havelock one. For Hastings Brimer potted two goals and kicked a penalty goal and Hood scored a try. Hastings were awarded an obstructions! try also. For Havelock Boyee scored a try, converted one and potted a goal, and Clark and McKenzie scored tries.—Mr F. Duigam refereed.

Hastings H. 5.0.8. won by default from Celtic. In a friendly match, Haumoana easily beat Matapiro by 24 points to nil.— Mr A. Kirkpatrick refereed. Games at Napier Technical 0.8. (15) defeated H.S.0.8. Colts (nil). Scorers for the winners were: Garuharm (a try), Kauter (two tries and two penalty goals). M. 8.0.8. (14) defeated H. 5.0.8. (nil). Marist’s points were gained by the following: Falvcy (a try), Hulford (a try), Benson (a try), Hayes (a try and a conversion). Pirates (9) defeated Eskview (3). Scorers were. —Pirates: Thompson (a try and a penalty goal), T. Grouden (a try). Eskview: D. McGlashan (a try).

THIRD GRADE

Hastings Section Hastings (8) v H. 5.0.8. (g). r High School (30) v Celtic (nil).

Napier Section High School (44) v M.8.0.C. (fl;. Pirates (24) v H. 5.0.8. (3). FOURTH GRADE Hastings Section H. 5.0.8. (32) v. Hastings (nil)’. High Schoo! (17) v Havelock (13). Napier Section High School (25) v H. 5.0.8 (5y M. 8.0.8. (18) v High School B (31. Technical 0.8., a bye.

M B.O.P. p 7 W 6 L 1 Pts. Pts. Ch. for agst. pts. 67 50 12 **Napier H.S.O.B. 7 3 2 75 G5 8 M.A.C. . 6 4 2 75 58 8 O.B. 6 3 2 90 54 7 Celtic ... 6 3 3 G9 70 6 Hast. H.S.O.B. 6 3 3 70 68 6 **Havelock North 6 1 3 57 90 4 *Hastings 6 1 4 48 55 3 6 5 28 G9 2 *Drawn game. D'NJOR GRADE Napier Section Ps Ps Ch P W L 1’ A(? Ps Pirates ... 7 7 0 82 17 14 •Tech. O.B .. 7 5 1 88 11 Eskview .. 7 4 3 55 27 8 •Al.B.O.B. .. 7 3 ,) 50 34 7 H.S.O.B. Colts (> 1 □ 17 112 H.S.O.B. .. 7 0 7 19 103 0 •Brawn game. THIRD GRADE Napier Section TS Pa Ch P W L F Ag Ps Tech. O.B. □ 0 82 9 10 High School .. 6 3 1 116 18 10 Pirates ..6 4 47 74 4 H.S.O.B. . . . . 1 4 13 92 M.B.O.B. • • 6 1 5 35 137 £