Bay's Early Lead

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1947, Page 2

Bay's Early Lead

The Bay were five points up after 15 minutes. The ball went along the back-line to J. B. Smith, who sidestepped his opposite number and, clamping on the pace, went clean through the defences for a tr - y which Sappy Clarke converted. Whnngarei’s first blood came when Hook intercepted a pass from Paewai and raced for the goal-line. Sappy Clarke tackled him as he crossed- but when' Hook lost the ball, Taylor was there to touch down for the try. Cunningham failed with a fairly easy kick.

The holders gave their supporters a lot of confidence when Gordon Smith and Paewai combined to break down the Whangarei defences brilliantly and Jack Smith was there to take Paewai’s pass and go over for a good try. Sappy Clarke trimmed.

Ragged passing among the Bay inside backs paved the way for another try by Whangarei before the interval. The ball was dropped and Beazley snapped it up and sprinted into the clear and over under the bar. E. Child converted. Just before this, Cunningham was astray with a rather simple penalty shot. In the first spell, which ended 10—8 (he Bay's way, the challengers had been awarded eight penalties to the home side’s one.

The first half of the second stanza was good, solid football with the Whangarei pack dominating. The try which put the visitors in front came when Cunningham broke clear and Beazley cleaved further into the defences with a sizzling run. Cunningham took the pass on the outside and was tackled inches short. Slater was there, however, to snatch the ball and score. E. Child failed with the kick.

A minute later Richardson was almost over and then Paewai figured in a typical run. He cross-kicked to Pearson's wing but Pearson was tackled by Cunningham midst great excitement.

Then Johnny Smith made a beautiful break and cross-kicked but this time Broughton got Brown inches short of the goal-line. The vital try came however when the Bay forwards gave their backs the ball from a scrum and Johnny Smith drew Cunningham in and sent Pearson over in the corner.

Sappy Clarke kicked a perfect goal from touch to make it 15—11. The Bay kept up the pressure and a scrum went down five yards out. Pearson again found Cunningham out of position and sprinted over. Clarke’s long-angle shot this time did not raise the flags.

On top of the world now, the Bay backs went into action again on their own 10-yard mark. Johnny Smith again side-stepped and. in a flash, was through. He swerved past O'Hagan and showing brilliant speed, raced 50 yards for a glorious try. Smith made the next Pearson try by picking up a dropped pass, running to the fullback and then unloading to the winger. Clarke goaled and it was 26—11. In the last minute. Slater kicked a penalty goal for Whangarei and a good game ended 20—14 the Bay's way. Mr R. Somerville refereed.