RUGBY CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22823, 2 September 1937, Page 16

RUGBY CONTEST

VICTORY FOR iWAIKATO HAWKE'S BAY DEFEATED MARGIN OF TWO POINTS [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT! ' HAMILTON, Wednesday The Hawko's Bay Rugby fifteen to play Auckland on Saturday was today defeated by Waikato by 17 points to 15. The game was an even one, but the standard of football was not high, and, although the Waikato forwards deserve credit, Hawko's Bay was unlucky to lose after scoring thrco tries to Waikato's two.

From tho outset it was plain that the Hawko's Bay back lino was a much better attacking force than Waikato possessed, and throughout the game Waikato had to defend resolutely to keep the visitors back. The Waikato forwards, particularly in tho second spell, kept tho ball much to themselves, and it was through their spoiling game that tho homo team won. Both their tries were opportunist ones, whereas two scored by Hawko's Bay camo from clean attacking movements. Tho Hawko's Bay forwards wero overshadowed in tho lino-outs, but their combined passing rushes woro never attempted by Waikato. Their weakness lay in their slowness to cover up. Elusive Five-eighths Tho best player on tho field was Roid, a fast and elusivo five-eighths for Hawko's Bay. His penetration brought two tries to Hawko's Bay and almost gave tho sido another. His defence was not tested. Bradley played a heady game, and Dwver, tho fullback, made only one mistake in tho whole match, that being in tho last minute, •when ho was caught in possession when trying to open up tho play. His handling and kicking into touch woro excellent and his tackling beyond reproach. Of the forwards Bowman was outstanding on attack, with Kceblo always handy. , For Waikato, Brown, playing his first gamo behind tho scrum, cleared well and defended stoutly, while Roid, on the wing, displayed unusual paco and determination. Wynyard was prominent in tho line-outs and A. Thomson and Flannagan kept wejl up to tho play. Catley's covering up was worth seeing. Waikato Scores First

Waikato opened the scoring within five minutes with a penalty goal kicked by Hawko. Ileid retaliated by slipping past Hawko and. swerving past Carroll to score. Bradley converted. Hawkq's Bay exploited tho weak tackling in Waikato's five-eighths lino. A movement broke down and in a rush by the Waikato forwards Wynyard fell on the ball to score. Hawko converted. Waikato was hemmed down, but tho Hawke's Bay backs swung into action twice without' penetrating. The Waikato forwards, helped by the wind in the second spell, made a sally and Thomson crossed. The kick failed. Reid again left tho defence standing and passed in field to Bowman for Keeblo to score. Bradley converted. Hemmed in their own twenty-five Hawke's Bay burst through again and, after several forwards liad handled, Bradley ran from half-way to score. Hawke's Bay had a four-poiut lead, but with two free kicks Everest gave Waikato six points in quick time. Keid again raced through, but tho movement broke down and the game ended:—Waikato, 17; Hawke's Bay, 15. Mr. S. Heather was referee.

MATCH ON SATURDAY AUCKLAND TEAM SELECTED The solo selector to the Auckland Rugby Union,-Mr. J. H. M. Muir, has chosen the following fifteen to represent Auckland against Hawke's Bay at Eden Park on Saturday:— Fullback. —W. Hare (Training College) . Threequarters.—T. H. C. Caughey (University), D. Solomon (Ponsonby), K. B.verlev (Technical). Five-eighths.—L. Curtayne (Marist), B. A. Killeen (Grafton), captain. Halfback. Frankham (PonForwards. —Front row: W. Moffitt (South Auckland), H. Bond (Ponsonby). A. Brown (Grammar). Middle row: It. F, Anderson (Grafton), It. P. Hull (College Rifles), W. Lange (University), T. Lockington (Grammar). Back row: H. F. McLean (Grafton). _ ■Reserves—Backs: A. T. Prentice (Grafton), E. Moyle (Otahuhu). Forwards: A. Mcßeath (Grammar), F. Solomon (Ponsonby). WAIRARAPA BEATEN TOURING TARANAKI TEAM [BY TELEGRAPH —PREfe.S ASSOCIATION] MASTERTON. Wednesday

The Wairarapa Rugby representatives were beaten 11 —3 by the touring Taranaki side at Memorial Park this afternoon. Wairarapa fielded an impromptu back division, but the forwards rose to the occasion grandly, and gave one of the most gallant and determined displays' seen at the park. Taranaki won because, their backs were big enough and fast enough to take advantage of occasional gaps in the Wairarapa defence. Taranaki had the better of the opening stages, but the Wairarapa forwards soon found form, and the visitors found progress difficult. From a line-out in Wairarapa territory Arnold secured and raced through diagonally for a fmo try. *Ross missed with the kick. O'Dowda was next to score, and this time Itoss converted. Taranaki again found the Wairarapa forwards troublesome in the second half, and McClennand got through and touched down after Smith had failed to make contact, but the referee ordered a drop-out. A bright move followed. Van Praagh collected a kick through and ran to CVilins. He then short-punted, recovered, and went across. for a good try. Henderson missed with the kick. Taranaki rallied, and after a period of fluctuating play the visitors' defence was severely tested until Henderson missed a drop-kick at goal by inches. The Taranaki backs broke through the gap and Itoss improved their position with a penalty goal. Wairarapa had a little the better of the closing stages.