Bright Game at Hikurangi

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1939, Page 2

Bright Game at Hikurangi

Bright football was staged in the second spell of the City-Kikurangi game, although the first half lacked colour. In the early stages, City showed that they were out to make a fight of it, and, despite a much lighter pack behind him, Hirtzell was hooking consistently. so that City spent much of the first spell in Hikurangi ground. With a scratch team, however, they lacked the combination to penetrate a determined defence, while Hikurangi scored twice from swift rearguard raids. Early in the second half City had pared the deficiency down to 6—5, but the closing stages saw Hikurangi asserting themselves. City were without the services ot Murray, Vaughan, Parkes and the Payne brothers. On the Hikurangi side, Pickerell, their best winger, was on the side-line. Hikurangi won the toss and played against wind and sun for the first spell, which, however, was without great incident. Stringfellow Scores Twice. Early in the spell, Stringfsliow, on the wing, collected a pass close in and dashed over.

Play was of a mediocre nature, with backs and forwards of both sides sharing in the attacks. In the closing stages, Hikurangi backs came to light and brought play close to City's line. From a scrum Stringfellow came through fast to snap up and ground the leather for his second try. Sensational Try.

The opening of the second half was sensational.

Hikurangi backs went away, and were within striking distance when Wallbank, coming from nowhere, intercepted inside his own 25 and was away before the home team knew what was happening. He only had the full-back to beat, and, with Bradley in support, ran right up to Sabolinsky before handing on. Bradley outstripped Rod Hamilton in a 40-yard dash for the line and scored under the posts. The same player converted a thrilling try, and the tally was 6—5. With the forwards transferring the ball out to the backs smoothly, Hikurangi returned to the assault, and held play in City’s ground. With a deep punt, Phil Child found touch close to Hikurangi’s line, and from the scrum B. Hollows crashed through, but was held off the ground, and Hikurangi were saved by a free, kick. City maintained the pressure, and F. Hollows might have instrumented a try had he been supported. Both Sides Score. v Then Hikurangi were away on another expedition, and from a clean movement R. Hamilton ran round to score. C. Hamilton converted from wide out with a beautiful kick. City were striving hard to make up the leeway, and Rewa, who was going well on the wing, sold a smart dummy and came through to send on to bank and Chetham, but the latter was crowded. From half-way Chetham broke through and centred in front of the posts. When a scramble on the line had been sorted out, Bradley was awarded his second try, but his shot at goal struck the cross-bar. In the closing stages, with proceedings at white-heat in City’s backyard, an infringement gave Hikurangi a free kick, and C. Hamilton goaled. to make the final score: Hikurangi 13, City 8.