FOUGHT TO FINISH

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1934, Page 2

FOUGHT TO FINISH

HOB A HOB A WIN AGAIN,

Although play in the senior match ax Rugby Pari; seldom reached high standard, It was- sufficiently bright and varied to hold the interest of a fair crowd. Horn. Hora again won out against Hikurangi, the score on this occasion being (5—3 in their favour. The teams were:—

Hora. Hora. —Wells, Cammick, Courtney, Patterson, Harrison, Ford, F. Hollows, Ftotonga, Jones, B. Hollow’s, Dunn, Rika, Bedw'ood, Bimlon, To Pna. Hikurangi.—Rarity, , Bedw’ood, J. Hamilton, Griffiths, Cooney, .Lawrie, Raisbeck, Elliott, Afclnnes, Brydon, McConnell, Harris, Dickson, Finlayson, Kennedy.

Hikurangi applied pressure right away, and Finlayson feeding his backs, the ball w’ont. out to Hamilton. The versatile Jgc, not dismayed at the failure of his drop-kick, next attempted to land a penalty with equally unprofitable results. The drop-kick habit seemed to be contagious, and Rarity was the next to try, his shot just going outside. Led by Te Paa, playing as a loose head, the Hora. Hora fonvards fought back, and when the backs were given a chance Harrison cut out Cooney and Lawrie, .but the pass was intercepted by Hamilton, who knocked on. The shrewdness of Hamilton again had its influence on the game, w'hon he side-stepped, retailed a flying dummy, and .sent Griffiths away in a scorching run. ■Courtney was up to block further progress. The way wais paved for a. Hikurangi try, when Rcdw'ood ran to within a yard of the line, hut his pass to Hamilton went astray. Ford was instrumental in clearing, and later his well placed kick made things awkward for Rarity, who was cheered for retrieving. When Lawrie intercepted a pass, the Hikurangi backs hunted in full cry, Redwood not having the speed to keep up with the rest. P. Gardner went off with a leg injury, his place being tilled by. Hercwini. Harrison’s well planted kick put Hora Hora on the attack, and when be was given the ball from a scrum, F. Hollows sold a clover dummy. Practically over himself he mistakenly passed to Harrison, who was buried in the grass.

For ten minutes Hikurangi attacked without much purpose. After Cooney had attempted another field goal, Utotonga and Ford relieved, and the tables were turned iwhen Harrison exploited the stab kick to the best advantage. Raisbeck succeeded in carrying the ball behind. The danger was still present, and Hikurangi being penalised, Jones landed a penalty from in front of the posta. The bell had rung for half-time, when Hikurangi started a passing movement. Realising that his winger was jammed, Hamilton short-kicked to the corner. The strategy worked, and after several Hora Hora men had jumped for the bgll, Griffiths gathered it and fell over the line. Hamilton’s kick from the sideline was a good effort, but left the scores efpral, and the way was clear for an interesting sec omF half.

Play re-openod with some brilliant following up by Brydon and AlcTnnes. The latte? actually gathered in the ball to be well stopped by Ford. Hora Hora worked back to midfield. Harrison tried to emulate Hamilton’s tactics, and as ho kicked to the corner there was a. thrilling race between Patterson and a bunch of defenders. The flying winger actually got to the ball, but slid in attempting to pick up. Play gingered up when Finlayson opened to Hamilton, who developed his old pace, but unloaded an atrocious pass. There was no stopping Bindon and Te Paa, who were breaking through every second line out. Trapping the ball like a 'Soccer player Bindon carried play almost to the line, where his henchman quick to seize the opportunity. The kick by Jones just grazed outside, — Hora Hora 6, Hikurangi 3.

Hiknrangi now threw their utmost into a final attempt to overcome the leeway. The hookers gave them the ball cleanly, and first the half and then the wing found the defence watertight. Taking a. penalty ’from Avide out, Hamilton had the disappointment, of seeing the ball pass outside the posts. The teams were obviously tiring, but Hikurangi fonvards rallied in a stingfnl attack, surging right to the line. Again it was Ford who saved.

This time Hikurangi could not beat the ball. After it had sounded, the backs, fighting to the last, handled, but Raisbeck’s drop-kick never cleared the mud and the game ended: Hora. Hora (’> Hikurangi 3