HAWKE'S BAY WINS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 228, 25 August 1938, Page 9

HAWKE'S BAY WINS.

CANTERBURY BEATEN. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH Aug. 24. A pack that played with traditional fire in the loose and hacks who, given a feast of the ball, handled well and ran determinedly, kept the touring Hawke’s Bay ' Rugby team on top throughout the match with Canterbury to-day. Played in perfect conditions at Lancaster Park, the game w r as fast and spectacular. Although Canterbury’s indifferent form was disappointing to supporters of the home team, Hawke’s Bay’s margin of 15 points to 6 fairly represented the respective merits of the teams. Big things were expected of the Hawke’s Bay pack, which contained five men who played for New Zealand in the last two years. Its performance was fully up to expectations. Heavier than Canterbury, and with an experienced hooker opposed to a stopgap, the Hawke’s Bay scrum was able to win the ball almost at will. The forwards should be able to match with any pack in the country. Sound as the visiting- backs were, they lacked one individual who could consistently give point to the attack. Still the whole line handled well and was quick to take advantage of any disorganisation of the defence. A last-minute change in the Canterbury team through the indisposition of G. T. Nolan gave Heazlewood this chance of representing Canterbury. This veteran player had represented Otago, Wellington, Auckland and both Islands, and a Canterbury cap was a fitting reward for his play this season. The star of the Canterbury back line was Hooper, just returned from the All Black tour of Australia. His phenomenal speed off the mark and his almost unbelievable nimbleness of foot enabled him to weave his way through the defence on many occasions, but most of his efforts had to come from breakdowns in the opposing attack. Scorers for Hawke’s Bay were Fox (a try and two penalties), Wilson (a try), Bradley (a penalty). For Canterbury Foley scored a try and Heazlewood a penalty.