Bays Thrilling Recovery To Hold Harding Shield

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1947, Page 2

Bays Thrilling Recovery To Hold Harding Shield

A THRILLING last-quarter recovery enabled Bay of Islands to retain the Harding Shield in the match against Whangarei at Moerewa on Saturday, the holders winding up winners by 2G ] joints to 14. There was nothing like 12 points between the teams and it was easily the most exciting shield game of the season. Half-way through the second spell Whangarei led 11—10 and appeared to have the measure of the Bay, but then Sid Pausina rallied the home forwards magnificently. Johnny Smith saw more of the ball and, rising to the occasion in typical style, he carved the Whangarei defences to pieces and sent winger Keith Pearson across for two tries which put the issue beyond doubt.

Had the Whangarei pack, which was chiefly responsible for the bottling-up of the Bay side, not allowed itself to be bustled and loosened, the shield might easily have changed hands.

The Bay forwards did not pack wail and were outclassed in the rucks. The visitors kept a solid formation and heeled the ball well. Richardson, Hook and Slater, the three inside backs, cooperated magnificently, Hook especially being a thorn in the Bay's side with his deadly line-kicking and piercing runs with the ball. When the crisis came, however, the Whangarei pack was not equal to the occasion.

When Johnny Smith came into the picture with all his attacking brilliance. Cunningham, the Whangarei winger, committed the gravest of sins by neglecting to mark his opposite. Pearson, and enabling Smith to give the winger a clear run. This happened twice within a few minutes. Cunningham did exactly the same thing when playing for Northland against Auckland, and so lost his place in the side which played £>tago for the Ranfurly Shield at Dunedin the following Saturday.

Up till that stage on Saturday Cunningham had played splendid football and it was a pity to see him make these fatal errors at such a critical stage.

Credit, of course, must go to Smith for drawing Cunningham away from Pearson, who, once the opening had been made, used his speed and safe hands to full effect.

This was largely attributable to the fact that it lacked a fighting- leader. Philpott, who was given the job. is a first-year senior, lacks experience and also the the devil and fire necessary in the make-up of a forward leader. On tlic day, the Bay thoroughly deserved its victory although it has to thank largely one man, Johnny Smith. The great centre scored two tries himself and was chiefly responsible for ihc three scored by Pearson. His brilliant side-steps and swerves were too much for Beazley, the Whangarei centre, who was frequently left groping by his All Black confrere.