RANFURLY SHIELD

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12155, 4 June 1925, Page 5

RANFURLY SHIELD

FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON HAWKE’S BAY BEAT WAIRARAPA EX-ALL BLACKS PROMINENT Per Press Association. NAPIER, June 3. The first Ranfurly Shield match of the season was played here to-day in fine but dull weather, Hawke’s Bay beating Wairarapa by 22 points to 3. The ground was a trifle heavy, following the recent rains. The attendance was close on 10,000. IJawke’s Bay kicked off, and the first open movement came when from a scrum Mill set the, backs going. All of them handled till Grenside took the ball offside. The resultant free kick took the play to midfield. A spell of forward play followed, during which

the defenders wore awarded two free kicks for offside breaches. Yates got down to a loose Wairarapa forward movement effectively. Play, however, remained in _ the Bay territory until Qyril Brownlie appeared where his opponents did not expect him, and cleared. From a scrum near midfield Desmond came away with the ball at his feet, but Paewai intercepted beautifully, and play went into the challengers’ territory, where Nepia had an unsuccessful long shot from a free kick. Hawke’s Bay again attacked, but the Wairarapa forwards several times came through the line-out, by which means ground was gained. There was little advantage to either side in the exchange of kicks, and the series of line-puts and scrums that characterised the next ten minutes. Then Kivefl found an opening, but Gemmell lost the ball on the line, and a force-down resulted. The Wairarapa forwards came through splendidly, and reached Bay territory. A free kick in an easy positon gave F. Booth a chance, and Wairarapa drew first blood. Wairarapa 3; Hawke’s Bay nil. MILL “DUMMIES'” THROUGH. Falwasser then originated a movement which ended in Grenside scoring after several backs and forwards had handled the hall. Nepia missed the kick. Desmond continued to lead his forwards in penetrating loose work which called for solid defence from the Bay backs. Kivell got anpther chance, and this time passed in well, with the result that several handled until Mill cleverly dummied his way to left and right out of the loose pock and scored under the posts. Nepia converted. Harwke’s Bay 8 points. Wairarapa 3 points. Earljr in ths second half the superiority of the defenders become more marked, and their attacks worried Wairarapa. Mill smartly secured from a scrum near the line and let Grenside over. Yates missed the kick. Hawke’,j Bay 11, Wairarapa For a brief spell Wairarapa attackel, and Falwasser was compelled to force. Then a long kick by Nepia took the ball up-field, and from ' a line-out Wylis passed to Brownlie, who gathered the ball with one hand and scored. Yates missed the kick. Hawke’s Bay 14, Wairarapa 3. When next in striking distance- Nepia attempted a “pot,’ hut unsuccessfully. The visitors valiantly assailed the home territory, but their hacks did not shine, and the defenders were really not seriously hampered. Wylie marked well out in front of the posts and placed a good goal. Hawke’s Bay 17, Wairarapa 3. The visiting forwards continued to shine in the loose work, and were unfortunate in not having more assistance, otherwise their attacking movements may have borne fruit. Falwaseer chased up his own kick before stumbling, and than Mahony took up the running and scored. Miller converted. Hawke’s Bay 22 points. Wairarapa 3 poiDts. Mr Atkinson (Wanganui) was referee.