FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16191, 30 July 1923, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

EXCITING MATCH

VICTORY FOR. HAWKE'S BAY

(Per Press Association.)

NAPIER, last night.

Hawke's Bay successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield yesterday afternoon' against Wellington by ten points to six, after an exciting match before about 6000 spectators. The weather was fine but- windy, and the ground was in good condition. The visitors won the toss and opened with a fairly strong wind in their favor. Early a back movement by the Hawke's Bay backs ended at a. promising point by one man failing to accept a. pass, and Wellington penetrated to the defenders' 25. Hawke's Bay seemed from a scrum and transferred the ball to the opposite 25 and, from ;i line out, loose forward play followed, till a free kick relieved. Hawke's Bay's 25 was again reached by tho challengers, whose backs were set in motion. From a. scrum the ball went out to the wing, but no ground was made. At. pot at goal was attempted from half-way by Porter, but fell short, and Hawke's Bay were forced. Shortly after M. Nicholis had a shot from a free kick from an acute angle, but failed. Slips by the Wellington hrvk« and smothering and penalties iinu,k-,i numerous onslaughts which were, however, not convincing. A free kick stopped a Hawke's Bay rush when at tho Wellington 25. A very dangerous looking passing rush within tho Hawke's Bay 25 was nitiated cleverly by M. Nicfiolls, but was arrested at the wing man. From a scrum, M. Nicholis again enabled ground to be made, but a free kick saw the leather go out in the Wellington 25. The Wellington backs gave Jackson a chance, but he was thrown out. on the corner by Yates. Another unpolished attempt on tho opposite side of the field was fruitless, the Hawke's Bay forwards relieving. A Hawke's Bay back movement was stopped by one man getting off-side. Wellington continued to hammer away, but there was a lack of finish to their efforts. Two Hawked Bay backs got within the Wellington 25, but Jackson got away with the ball at his feet. Yates saved and then Tilyard spoiled a. chance by a forward pass. Nicholis failed in an attempt at goal from half-way. From a scrum on the lino the Wellington backs secured and Faher scored in tho corner. Tho kick failed. Half-time came with Hawke's Bay attacking strongly. Tho defenders opened tho attack immediately on resuming, soon reaching the challengers' line. However, within a few minutes a couple of Wellington men dribbled into Hawke's Bay territory. Paewae relieved with a good kick and Hawke's Bay forwards were again hammering at the door. A kick relieved, but Yates got possession, and ootted a beautiful goal almost half-way. Wellington reached within striking distance, and opened a promising attack, but Tilyard missed his pass. Soon after Duncan got over, but M. Nicholis failed with the kick. Hawke's Bay wore awarded a free kick, and Nopia piloted the ball over from five yards on his own side of tho half-way line. Faher got jff-side, and Nepia had another shot from an acute angle, but failed. A solo effort by Tilyard transferred play to Hawke's Bay'2s. Smith had to retire injured and was replaced by Hobberley. In some remarkable straggling play the Wellington backs sought to penetrate the defence, but the absence of any sort of system resulted in the failure of the efforts. Hawke's Bay again reached the Wellington domain, but a good tackle by Svenson nipped it in the bud. On a concerted Hawke's Bay advance, Yates was given another opportunity to pot, but did not go about it in the same cool manner, and failed. Kirkpatrick marked in a possible position, and with a good kick added three points to the defenders' score. Nicholis, who had been playing a great game behind the scrum, retired, hurt, and was replaced by Mcßae. Persistent knocking at the door by Hawke's Bay availed nothing, the defence of the challengers proving impenetrable. Eventutally a free kick gave Nepia a. chance, but the ball went wide. Wellington obtained relief by a force down. After a series of scrums and line outs in the centre field the bell rang with Hawke's Bay still in possession of the shield. Mr. "H- J. MacKenzie was referee.

OTHER MATCHES.

(Per Press Association.!

WANGANUI, last night.

After a. fast game, Southland defeated Wanganui by 17 points to 16. Delves kicked a penalty goal for Wanganui in the opening stages. Then Bell equalised with a try after a brilliant run from half-way. "The Southland forwards wore aggressive;, White and Richardson, in turn, scoring, and Agnew converting one try. Delves kicked another penalty, and Ross converted one from a mark. Southland led by 14 points to 9 at half-time. In tho second half, a good passing run let Potaka across, and Delves put Wanganui one point in tho lead as a result of another successful shot from a free kick. In the concluding stages, play was fast and exciting, and within a minute of time Shand set his backs going and the ball worked out to Coaklcy on the wing, and tho latter gave a reverse' pass to Brown, who completed a fine piece of combined play by getting across at tho flag. The hacks were evenly matched, but the Southland forwards were better than the opposing vanguard, White playing an outstanding game. NELSON, last night. West Coast defeated Nelson for the Seddon Shield in brilliant weather and before, a large attendance. The scores, ■l2 points to 8 points, indicate the merits of the teams on the day's play. Nelson was practically the same team that held the shield last year, Priest being the only new man. In the first, spell Mouat scored for Coast after a scramble near the line. Warner failed with the kick. Later, Steele ran through half the Nelson team, scoring a brilliant try amid applause, but he failed with the kick. At half-time Coast were six points and Nelson nil. The second spell opened with Grant getting over, -but ho knocked on. From a free kick,, Jack Byrne put over a fine goal for Nelson. With play in the Nelson 25, Grant went through his opponents, and Snodgrass kicked a magnificent goal from the touch-line. With play in the Nelson territor-y, Moynhan scored in the corner and the score stood at Coast 12, Nelson 8. till time was called, notwithstanding ; great efforts by Jack Bryne and Snodgrass to save the day. Towards the close, Palmer (Coast) was injured in the groin and was replaced by Reynolds. For Coast Steele was brilliant, and Goodall, at halfback, was safe. Hurley and Bannister were prominent in a fine pack. For Nelson, Snodgrass and Byrne were brilliant. Tho forwards were a level Jot of triers. Tho winners had a splendid reception from the crowd.

TE KUITI, last night. Maniapoto defeated Tanmarumii by 20 to 5 after a fast, open game. Maniapoto were vastly superior in the forwards and their backs were quicker to seize chances. Taumnrunui played better in tho second half, scoring 5' to their opponents' 3.