"REP" LEAGUE MATCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10633, 5 July 1920, Page 7

"REP" LEAGUE MATCH

WELLINGTON VICTORIOUS HAWKERS BAT DUFBATED BY 12 POINTS TO 8. Wellington defeated Hawke'a Bay ii» the return match at the Basin Eeserve on Saturday by 12 points to B—comprised of four .tries against two tries, one of which was converted. In the previous test, played at Napier on May 29th, Hawke's Bay won by 28 points to IS. Although the League game does not, as yet, attract large gates in the capital city, it is deservedly popular with thoso who. witness it, because it is usually fast and spectacular. There was a very fair attendance of spectators to witness this, the second "rep." match of the season, and they saw an interesting game, even though it was wanting in brilliancy and thrill. The victory of the home team was merited, as they were slightly anperior in all phases of play. No small credit for their success was due to wing-three-quarters Salisbury—who, in addition to being conspicuous in all offensive and defensive movements, scored a try—and Pukutapu, the best forward on the field. Nicholls, Levi, and Pollock (backs), and Carroll arid Zimmerman also played well. Of the visitors, McCarthy, Fulford, Hewitt, Findlay, and Kennerley (backs), a nd Burrows. Hellyer, and Print* forwards) were most conspicuous. The teams were: Wellington—Full-back, Baulke; threequarters, Levi, Rigby, Salisbury, fiveeighths, Lvnch, "Doc." Nicholls (captain); half-back.'Pollock; forwards. Child. Zimmerman, Reed, Carroll, Scott, Pukutapu.

Hawke's Bav Full-back, Frankhn; three-quarters, Kennerley, Fmdlay, a. Merritt; five-tighths, McCarthy (captain). Exeter; half-back, Pulford; forwards, Pring, Downing, Hellyer. Burrows, Cameron, E. Downing. FIEST HALF.

"Doc" Nicholis won the toss, and "Wellington kicked off from the northern end, the ball being returned by Merritt. Give and take play followed, until the visiting forwards Burrows, Downing, and Hellyer broke through, and the home team was kept busily defending. I<rom a scrummage, the Hawke's Bay forwards got the ball to Fulford, but Merritt dropped McCarthy's pass and a chance was lost. The black and whites maintained the pressure, and they were unfortunate in not scoring, three players in succession failing to hold the slippery leather, thus enabling Wellington to force, and incidently gain relief. As a result of a scrambling movement in the visitors territory. Pollock got a chance and scored first blood—"'Doc Nioholls attempt to convert was not a success. Wellington 3, Hawke's Bay 0. The Hawke's Bay insides broke through, and the ball went out near the corner. It looked serious for .Wellington, but from the scrummage Fulford took the ball when off-side, and therefore his force-down over the blacks line was no use. Following the kick out. Salisbury secured and put his best foot forward until he was well tackled by Baulke. Childs, who had followed up fast, then got a chance and he passed back to 'Scott, who sent the ball on to Eigby—Childs failed to convert. Wellington 6, Hawke's Bay 0. " The next movement was initiated 03' Eigby, and he kicked the ball over the line. In the race for possession, the visiting fullback was successful. Hawke's Bay now began to liven up. and securing the ball from the scrummages, Fulford, McCarthy, and were enabled to participate in several 'passing rushes, none of -which, however, broke down- the- defence. Nicholis got the ball away from the rear of a scrummage and passed to Scott, who gave Carroll an opening, but the latter dropped the ball, and Exeter relieved Hawke's Bay. Pring whipped the ball to Exeter, and the latter closely attended by Pring. made off down the touch. When clanger was threatened by Levi, he passed in to Pring, who carried it to the corner and then sent it.back, but Ereter failed to take it, and Prins relieved. As he was off-side, Hawke's Bay was given an excellent chance of securing a penalty goal. McCarthy's kick just missed the .upright. Prom a scramble near half-way, the ball came in the open, and Burrows, who was playing a great game for Hawke's Bay, broke away with the ball at foot and only Baulke (fulUback) to pass. As the latter made a dive for the leather, the visiting forward shot it past him and, dodging quickly, he whipped the ball up and scored a pretty try. McCarthy failed to add the major points. Wellington 6, Hawke's Bay 3. HOME TEAM INCREASES ITS LEAD. With the opening of the second half the Wellington "reps" force! th© pace, and almost immediately success came their way. Incidentally, the best movement of the match was witnessed. A soruinmuge took place on the Hawke's Bay twenty-five line, and the hookers sent the bail out to Pollock, who passed to "Doc." Nicholis, to Levi. Merritt tackled, and Levi whipped the leather back to Nicholis; the latter returned it smartly, and Salisbury receiving, he made a bee-line for the corner, with three Hawke's Bay backs strivine to head him off. Balisbury won. Bauiloe missed with the kick. Wellington 9, Hawke's Bay 8 Almost straight away Levi cleverly

cross-kicked to the other wins, and .Salisbury, sprinting, secured, and kicked fro ball over the heads of fire visiting backs who were bunched. Folloving up. ho beat them for the leather, and made the line with a Hawke's Bay back holding on. No- score was allowed. A scrummage ensued in front of the visitors goal, and Nicholls scored an easy try. Salisburytook the kick and missed. Wellington 12, Hawke's Bay 3. Thi*s Wellington had outplayed the Hawke's Bay "reps/' but the reverses appeared to liven the visitors up considerably, with the result that over the concluding stages they more than held their own with the local representatives. Fulford sat the backs in motion on several occasions, and Wellington were kept busily defending. Baulke, at full back, was fairly safe, but he was inclined to bo lazy. When the ball came to him he would not run up and kick, but invariably waited until ho was charged by the opposing forces. Ho always got his kick in, but nover failed to lose much valuable ground. In one aggressive movement Hawke's Bay w«re distinctly unlucky. Fulford had passed to McCarthy, who cleverly eluded soveial Wellington backs and kicked over Baalke's head. He then dodged past the local full back and a certain try seemed imminent when he slipped and fell. 'At this stago Bigbyfhurt his leg 'and retired, his placo being taken by Dobson. The visitors continued the pressure, a cleverly executed dribbling rush by Findlay and Merritt placing Wellington in a dangerous position. From a scrummage Fulford j,assed to McCarthy, the latter feeding Kennerly, who was brought down ca tho line by Lynch. Exeter, McCarthy, Findlay and Kennerley next participated in an offensive, but Salisbury came to the rescue of the home team and sent play back. However, the visitors were not to be denied, and from a .vigorous movement in which several players worked well McCarthy scored. Findlay did the necessary Wellington 12, Hawke's Bay 8. The visitors wore now making desperate efforts to equalise the scores, but Salisbury was a sad stumbling block. Over the concluding stages Wellington attacked and three times in succession the visitors sought relief by forcing down. The game ended : Wellington 12 Hawke's Bay 8 Mr G. Bradley was referee, and Messrs Murtin and Goodall touch judges.