HAWKES BAY CHAMPIONS.

NZ Truth, Issue 931, 29 September 1923, Page 8

HAWKES BAY CHAMPIONS.

Decisive Win Against Auckland. ", (By M.E.W.) Never m the history of Hawkes Bay v/as there such interest taken m a' Ranfurly Shield match as was the case when the Bay withstood the challenge of Auckland. Hawkes Bay thrashed the visitors fore and aft and pounded them by the exact methods that left, the gay city, almost unbeatable m its day. How we remember the Seeling-Nicholson-Tyler-Long pasing rushes tjiat swamped and carried everything before them! Last Saturday Hawkes Bay gave the Blue and Whites a taste of this department of the < game, and the Caseys, the Fogartys. and O'Briens were scattered and battered to a standstill, while Ifwerson and his splendid little men behind him could , not, despite the utmost courage and resource, stem or stop the ever- recurring pounding. The short quick pass is. the new power, and nothing short of a machine gun could stop the fine Bay pack when they got going. On Saturday's game no team m the Dominion could stand up to them, and few teams, if any, m the glorious past would have beaten them forward — All Blacks and the great Auckland and South Island teams of 1902 included. Such is the i great Hawkes Bay pack of 1293. ) Hawkes Bay now ocpupy the proud position that Auckland held for so long, but they have a long way to go before they eclipse the work of the <?reat Blue and White Union. However, they are starting well, for at the invitation of Mr. Gunson, the Mayor of Auckland, and the Auckland Rugby Union, to play a match at Auckland m aid of the soldiers' memorial fund, has been accepted, and on October, G the two teams will foregather. Auckland has always been proud of its executive and players, but the spontaneous and prompt acceptance of the Hawkes Bay executive and every player of tho invitation is one of the finest things that has been done by Rugby followers m New Zealand. Auckland people will never forget the ready response. Despite the lateness of the season and gruelling football, * every player is ready to pack his swag and shift- north to help the cause. Auckland will be a fine place to be m on the 6th, and every follower of "the fittest 'game In the world" be proud of their players. Mr. Maddison, Mayor of Hastings, and 1 a splendid referee, will probably be asked to referee the match.