HAWKES BAY WIN

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 222, 31 August 1936, Page 2

HAWKES BAY WIN

AUSTRALIANS DEFEATED j SIX-POINT MARGIN. Bright Display By Home Backs. VISITORS' SECOND LOSS. Press Association —Copyright. Napier, August 30. Before 6000 spectators yesterday the Australian Rugby team suffered its second defeat of the tour when Hawkes Bay defeated it by 20 to 14. The game was one of the best seen at Napier for

many years, the Hawkes Bay backs giving their best performance so far this season.

Hawkes Bay's forwards held supremacy in the first half, Dalton showing well against the hooking of Bonis, but Australia was always ready to make use of its backs for clearing purposes, preferring to pass rather than to kick when defending. When the pressure eased the i Australians revealed their typical style of play in which the backs played a prominent part. Snappy, accurate passing made it difficult for Hawkes Bay to stop them. A medium breeze died down just after the start, while in the second spell light rain fell part of the time, but it was not sufficient to make the ball greasy. Although the Hawkes Bay forwards i maintained hard pressure the rearguard came to light in the second spell,.during which Hawkes Bay scored 17 points against Australia's 8. The Hawkes Bay backs made good use of opportunities from open play, giving an excellent exhibition, despite deadly tackling. The Australian rearguard was always dangerous and the handling was. particularly good. During the first spell Hayes (Australian captain) retired injured from the three-quarter line, necessitating a reshuffle. Gibbons replaced Richards as fly half, the latter rilling Hayes' position. Twenty-five minutes after the start Hawkes Bay opened the scoring when four backs participated in a movement ' resulting in Hannigan scoring near the corner. The attempt to convert failed. Five minutes later Rankin kicked a penalty goal from a sharp angle. From a scrum near half-way Gibbons fed the Australian backs, Lewis, MacLaughlin and McLean handling, and the lastnamed scoring in the corner after a clear run. Rankin's kick failed. Halftime was called shortly afterwards with the score Australia C, Hawkes Bay 3. After warding off several Australian attacks the Hawkes Bay forwards started an attack. A penalty against Australia was awarded, Le Quesne raising the flags with a 50-yard drop-kick. Australia returned to the attack, Apsey endeavouring to force down by speedily following up a long punt, but Kelaher beat him to the ball and scored, Rankin converting with a good kick from a difficut angle. McLean cut in after a rearguard attack to score a try in the corner and Australia led by 14 to 6.

From then onwards Hawkes Bay's backs played superb football, at times completely outclassing the visitors. Hutchinson raised three points from a penalty kick. Hawkes Bay was again called on to defend, but the forwards broke through the attackers to the Australian twenty-five, where Bradley kicked a penalty goal. Australia was called upon to force down to avert trouble, but shortly afterwards Apsey scored after a rearguard movement, and Hawkes Bay led by 15 to 14. Ten minutes before time Bradley sent the ball to Le Qucsne, who cut in to score between the posts, Eradley con. verting.

Mr. H. J. McKenzie, Wairarapa, refereed.