A GREAT WIN

NZ Truth, Issue 979, 30 August 1924, Page 9

A GREAT WIN

HAWKES BAY DEMOLISH'AUCKLAND.

Shield Sure to Stay m Napier. Even the most optimistic Hawkes Bay, supporters never expected Aucklarid would he So decisively defeated as they 'were on Saturday last at Napier, when. the score was 23 to 6 against them. The weather' was perfect, the ground fast, a factor that was considered would admirably suit both the holders and challengers. • On the two teams taking the field, it was easily noticeable that Auckland were the heavier team, being the reverse to that of last year. Auckland was first to draw blood by a very clever piece of work. Hooking the ball from the scrum, Wright passed to Karl .Ifwersbn, who hopped around on the blind side; Finding Grenside out of place, he raced down the line, beautifully drew Yates, the Bay fullback, and then passed to N. Ifwerson, who ran m to score at the corner, undpposea. This was the cleverest piece of work of the match. Hawkes Bay immediately rushed down the field, and from a line-out Korkill set ■ his ,backs going, all the backs handling, terminating m Grenside scoring m a handy position, Yates converting?. Shortly afterwards the same player landed a penalty goal. For Auckland, Kirwan, from a mark, drop-kicked a goal, and so the first spell ended with - Hawkes' Bay leading by 8 to 6. - . ■' ■ , ; The play m. the first Spell was fairly even,' the Bay having slightly the better of it, but : their flve-elghths were fumbling badly. f • In the second spell Auckland were completely outclassed both m the forwards and backs, and only once did they look like scoring. Hawkes Bay added a further 15 points — four tries and a goal from a mark by Corkill. Two of the tries were scored under the do As, but were not converted. The Auckland backs did not show up as well as expected, Walker, the Bay wing-forwai'd, being mainly • responsible for this, his play being of a brilliant nature, as Don Wright no doubt can vouchsafe. Karl If werson's play (on account of the many thing's recently written anent him) was closely watched by the fans. It is safe to say that he is not the Karl of old. Don Wright, with a winning pack and side, may be as good as his northern reputation, but on Saturday's form is no marvei. ' Goodacre.at full, was the best of the Auckland backs, outshining Yates throughout; and It would not be surprising to see him gaining higher honors next season. :. The Auckland ■ forwards played a hard game, but their team work was not as good as that of the victors. McLean was most conspicuous .m the open. Lintott, as rover, was fortunate m getting away with as much as he did. < ; . Hawkes Bay are fortunate m finding such a half as Corkill to take Mill's place. Last Saturday his play was of a very high standard. Undoubtedly the best back on the ground was Jack Blake. Once, when Auckland was attacking strongly near the Bay line, Blake, getting possession, raced right through the whole of the Auckland team and was only grounded a few feet from the line. It was a magnlflcient aolo effort. The last try Hawkes Bay gained again showed him a champion. Near the Bay's twentyfive, Auckland hooked the ball, but a low pass by. Ifwerson to l£irwan saw Blake dash m and intercept with his toe. He gathered up, to pass to Falwasser, to Kivell, and back to Blake, who cleverly evaded two opposing 1 backs and raced m behind the posts. The two wingers, Grenside and Falwas«er, were really good. The latter received very few chances, but the one he did get he showed a clean pair of heels to his opponents. Marden and Kivell, at five -eighths, were only moderate. All the forwards played up to their best form, but Walker and Ormond were easily the best on the ground. Wyiie and Kirkpatrick were m great form m hooking, getting the best of 80 per cent, of the scrummages.