HAWKES BAY.

NZ Truth, 7 June 1924, Page 12

HAWKES BAY.

Two serious accidents occurred during last Saturday's matches, Darby of Marists breaking his collar-bone, and Maurice Blake fracturing his log above the ankle. Darby had N been selected to play against Wairarapa as centre three-quarter, the mishap thus robbing him of the chance of demonstrating his ability among a good set of backs.

The Blake family have been very unfortunate this season. Bill, with a severe kick m the kidneys, is unable to play again this season. Roley, m the Te Mori Rose Bowl match, received injuries to his ankle which will keep- him off the field for a few Saturdays, and now . Maurice will take no- further part m Rugby yet awhile. .

Result of the sixth series of the first round of the senior competition: Pirates drew with Old Boys (6 all), Marists (9) beat Te Aute (8), Hastings (14) beat Celtic (nil), and M.A.C (17) beat Havelock 11).

Pirates apparently are slipping, as Havolock (a weak team) nearly beat them a few Saturdays back, and now last week Pirates could only draw with Old Boys. Less Dine will have to make a come-back if the wearers of the skull and crossbones wish to have a say m the competition.

Marist had a close call with the Te Aute lads, just winning by a point. The Greens' backs without Mill are punk, and, to make it , worse, Darby was lost to them. Gemmell, m the forwards, played a great game, being well assisted by Mahony and Swainson.

"What was looked upon as being the star game — Celtic v. Hastings — was a most lagged affair and a disappointment to the big Hastings attendance. Hastings won by 14 points, but there was little difference m the merits of the two teams.

At times a good bit of "dirt" could be seen m tight places. Two representative players (who should know better) were doing their share on more than\one occasion, one going as far as to use his "dook." Unfortunately, these affairs happened behind the referee's back.

Bert Grenside was too well marked to do a thing; I<e Quesne, the Celtic full-back, grassed him on every occasion. This young player, on the day, was the best back on the ground.

M.A.C.'s match with Havelock was the brightest of the day. The Collegians desired to open up the game, and the villagers' long-range kicking made it a fast one. In this game, Havfilock was robbed of a ; try m the last few minutes, but luckily 'it would have made no difference, even if it had been converted, to the final result.

The above referred to Instance was as follows: A .Havelock player ran m, and endeavoring to run behind the posts was tackled when about five feet from the dead line; he touched down, but the very slippery state of the ground caused him to slide oVer. lii awarding no try the referee was wrong. A similar incident came before the International Board at Home last season for a ruling, when the board ruled it a try. Also (undersimilar weather conditions) if a player, when a few yards off., the goal line, should b^ grassed and slides over tho line, it is a try, was another ruling made at the same time.

A Hastings -Napier team was selected to play against Waipawa SubUnion as a curtain-raiser to the Shield match. Such selection created anything but a favorable impression. In justice to Mr. N. "McKenzie, let it be known he did not select that team. How Mitchell (obviously one of the weakest full-backs m these parts) should be selected m front of Le Quesne is what fans are trying to fathom.