ANOTHER WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1937, Page 6

ANOTHER WIN

- FOR SPRINGBOKS. HAWKE’S BAY DEFEATED. (Per Press Association— Copyright). NAPIER, Sept. 15. The South Africans maintained their unbeaten record against provincial teams when, at McLean Park, Napier, to-day, they defeated Hawke’s Bay, alter a gruelling contest, by 21 points to 12. In accepting defeat at the hands of probably the greatest side which has ever visited New Zealand, Hawke's Bay can do so in the knowledge that they were pitted against practically the visitors’ Test team, which the -home team, playing with fourteen men •for the greater part of the game, held to a close finish.

The Africans, by reason of their greater weight in the scrum, gained possession, which brought them victory, but the Hawke’s Bay forwards, playing magnificently in rmks and the loose, had slightly the better of this phase of the play. The visitors’ backs won the game, but the Bay forwards rallied so well that the Africans closed the game up in the la s t quarter. The game, which was witnessed by a record crowd, was thrilling throughout, and although the visitors had a strong wind behind them in the second half, they met with a resolute defence and were opposed bv a team of forwards who bustled their backs into errors, which, however, did not prove costlv.

The visitors gained almost three parts of the field with high punts in the second half, and it was then that the Bay forwards were seen at their best, fighting for every yard of territorv.

The visitors’ back line was easily the fastest seen on McLean Park for some time, but the defence on the whole Was sound, tries coming from a quick change of direction, and short punts.

Brand, although showing glimpses of his greatness, did not overshadow Dyer, whose work was marked by an outstanding defence. Lawton and Williams, the speedy wingers, were allowed little room to move, due mostly to the covering work of the Bay forwards. In the 'forward division, the issue was well contested, the spectators being aroused to great heights of enthusiasm by the struggle for possession in the rucks, and Hawke’s Bay’s efforts in the loose. j

A slight shower an hour before the match had little effect on the ground, and when the teams took the field, be fore a crowd of sixteen thousand strong, a westerly was blowing straight down the ground. The sun was sh ning, and the ground was in perfect order. Both teams received a tumultuous reception. After the playing of the National Anthem—Clothier had won the toss —the Springboks kicked off against the wind. THE PLAY. From the kick off, Babrow was well tackled. Then the Springbok forwards, led by Nel, stormed the Bay line, and • Straehnn was brought down inches from the line. With monotonous regularity, South Africa won the ball from the scrums, and from one of these, Craven cut through the Bay forwards with • the greatest ease, and sent Bastard over near the posts, for a good try. Brand converted. South Africa 5, Hawke’s Bay 0. 'ln the typical Hawke’s Bay forward style, .the home team stormed the African line, but the hacks were well tackled when they attempted to open up the game. The South Africans were well penned in their quarter, and a few -minutes later the visitors infringed, and this time Herbert landed a beautiful go-al from forty yards out. South Africa ,5, Hawke’s Bay 3. In a “'magnificent rush, which carried all before them—and the visitors were as versatile on detence as on attack— Hawke’s Bay stormed the African line in a series' of movements, which found the visitors conceding a force down. A strenuous battle ensued between two great packs, with the Africans having to fight hard to hold the tigerish rucking of the homsters. After .Johnson had failed with • another penalty, Robins short punted into the visitors’ quarter, and, from the following line-out; the home forwards surged en masse over the line, where, amidst the wildest excitement Johnson was awarded a Well-deserved try. Johnson’s attempt to convert went wide. Hawke’s Bay 6, South Africa 5. Another easy chance to goal from a penalty by Brand .went wide, and in a magnificent, rush, the Hawke’s Bay forwards covered the whole length oi the ground. Brand having to run over the dead-ball area to save the desperate situation.

In the movement Johnson was injured, and he was carried from the field on a. stretcher. Thus early, Hawke’s Bay’s main bulwark, the forwards, were reduced to seven in number.' The Africans then cleared to pass half-way with a splendid rush, which fanned but into a fiill-fiedged back attack, spreadeagling the home defence, for Lawton to score at the corner: Brand’s attempt was wide South Africa 8, Hawke’s Bay 6. The South African half continued to he the venue of play, and when Robins again short-punted, the defence was hustled, and Reid nearly gave Dyer, the Bay full-liaek, a try, the latter being pushed beyond touch over

the line. Success was, however, for the Bays, for from the following lineout, lteid went over for a try. , Herbert failed to goal. Hawke’s Bay S, South Africa 8. Half time was called no alteration to the score. SECOND SPELL. Africa attacked immediately on the resumption, and a succession of high punts put them right on the Bay line. A scrum went down, and Craven was allowed to run over unopposed under the posts. Brand converted. It was a gift 'try. South Africa 13, Hawke’s Bay 9. From the following line-out, Nel sent Williams away, but his kick went into touch. Success was assured, however. Va, do Vyvcr short punted, and when the ball bounced awkwardly for the defence, Babrow was there to gain a good try at the corner. Bl and’s attempt went outside. * South Africa 16, Hawke’s Bay 9. Against overwhelming odds, the home forwards fought desperately for every yard of territory, hut their work was always nullified by the Africa hacks, who used the wind with long touch finde r s. Hawke’s Bay’s great fight was arousing the crowd to a groat pitch of excitement, and the forwards again came away in another magnificent rush, which had the Africans’ defence at sixes and sevens. Hofmoyr retired, temporarily. It was truly a battle o| giants, with the Bay side more than holding their own in the forward division.

The tackling was deadly and although the Africans, for the most part, were in the Bay territory, they fell before the reaper with a regularity which bespoke of the sound do fence. With a quarter of an hour to end the game, Hawke’s Bay were repulsing attack after attack, with grand forward play, in which Dalton, Bowman, Reid, and Jackson were outstanding. Lineouts, scrums and rucks following in quick succession were hotly contested, but South Africa gradually worked with great stealth to the Bay line, but another splendid recovery saw Hawke’s Bay relieved and bustling the visitors, cleared magnificently per medium of a brilliant movement to the African term torv. The attack was short-lived, Van de Vyver clearing with a niiglity punt to the Bay line. This mighty offensive on the Bay line was thrown back with great vigor, the home forwards combining magnificently. Bowman joined in and sent his forwards and hacks on a grand attack from the home quarter, and although Robins was tackled within an ace ot success, JacksOn was on hand to go over for a great try amidst scones of great enthusiasm Herbert’s attempt went wide. South Africa 16, Hawke’s Bay 12. Africa now rose to great heights, and stormed the home line with an attack, they ferocity of -which was equalled by the home team’s splendid defensive efforts. Three minutes left, and Hawke’s Bay were defending desperately. However, the home team’s hopes of success were dispelled hv a movement from the 'following scrum, Craven in-passing to Lot/, to Bergh, who galloped over the line wide out. Brand converted with a magnificent kick. Springboks 21, Hawke’s Bay 12. South Africa, who were now in no unbeatable position carried play into the Hawke’s Bay quarter, where the forwards' were again matched in another thrilling duel, which concluded when Brand kicked too hard. Apsey made a smart break tin-field,- and just on time Bowman led Hawke’s Bay to the African line in another magnificent rush, which "As only repulsed when Babrow cleared in the tace of +ho forwards. The final whistle wont immediately with the score:SOUTH AFRICA 21 HAWKE’S BAY' 12 CAPTAIN’S COMMENT. Commenting on the match, the Springbok captain. Philip Nel, said that it- was a good game, hut he expressed the opinion that the maicb was no harder than the games against Taranaki, and Auckland, to-day's game being spoilt by wind. Special praise of the for"aids was given by J. Clothier, the Hawke’s Bay captain, who said that in plavmg seven against' their opponents’ eight for the greater part of the game. Hawke’s Bay fanvards played really magnificently'. He also praised the hack line, whose defence, he said, on the day, ably supported the forwards in holding their brilliant opponents. V INJURIES to players. NAPIER, September 15. Tony Haris, the South African back is still being rested with the final test in view. White also has muscular soreness. Van Rcenan • has hi s left hand in plaster, having broken a hone in the Otago match. Sheriff, the unluokicst of all. is apparently resigned to the prospect of playing "no further games. He has' played only twice on the tour. • Several camp followers who have followed the team throughout the tour said goodbye at Wellington yosterdnv. They are leaving by the Awatoa on Fridav. Mr Hay also loaves the Warn shortly. The Ois. Borne match will he the last he will see. WANGANUI IHwELLINGTON 8. WANOANCT. September 15. Showing better condition and slight-.

Ty more pace "in the loose,'Wanganui defeated Wellington in a Rugby match on Spriggens’ Park to-day. The final score was 14 points to 8.