TRAINING TRIUMPHS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 11

TRAINING TRIUMPHS

Hawke's Bay Beats Wairarapa in Science and Physical Fitness NOTES ON GREAT RUGBY GAME (.Special to THE Sf-V.) MASTERTON, Saturday. VUAIRARAPA’S brief reign of the Rugby premiership was "f disappointing to its supporters, but the holders relinquished possession of the Ranfiirly Shield to a better team. With a victory of 21 points to 10, the Hawke’s Bay XV. showed a vast improvement on the team which Wairarapa defeated on June 3. Every man was trained to perfection, and infused a devil into the play which was not to be denied.

THE game was hard and frequently - 1 - rough, there being a lot of unnecessary hard and at times terrific dumping of players. Both sides were at fault in this direction. It was unfortunate for Quentin Donald and Maurice Brownlie that they were given a passage, for neither could have been accused of vicious practice. They were caught on the side of the scrum in spmething slightly more than a loving embrace, and as the game had up till this stage baen rather willing, Referee Bert McKenzie took no chances and gave them a hasty berth to the sideline. The forwards were responsible for Hawke’s Bay's handsome victory. They hooked and heeled the ball with a monotonous precision, and in the loose play combined like a machine and handled the ball like backs. Cyril Brownlie at times reached his best form and was * splendidly supported by Swain and Campbell, and Conrad Edwards, behind the Bay scrum, had every opportunity to shine, but his penchant for diving into the pack robbed his backs of many chances. Te Ngaio was moderately good. Barclay, second five-eighths, was always dangerous, and paid a lot of attention to Cooke, catching the exAucklander on many occasions. Blake, the stylist, was generally sound in attack, but was too frequently caught turning his back to the home forward rushes. He was also faulty in fielding the ball when under pressure. Huxtable, for a comparatively young player in big football, performed creditably, though he was partly responsible for Wairarapa’s first try. * * * Grenside, on the other wing, reproduced his old form, though he was obviously nursing injuries he received at Napier on the King’s birthday. Though Grenside has failed, when given his opportunity in big football, his form this season suggests that he must be considered for the South African tour. Tommy Corkill did his best, but is not a fullback. Roache was the hero of the day for Wairarapa. The Bay forwards gave him a frightful gruelling, and twice temporarily incapacitated him, but he came through the ordeal with flying colours. His opening try was a wonderful example of resourcefulness rewarded. Cooke was presented with a nastry bump early in the game, which took the sting from his play, but he was still the mainstay of the Wairarapa backs. At least twice Wairarapa would have had good scoring prospects had his colleagues backed him up. Toward the end of the second spell, when Bay was six points ahead, Cooke could be seen at his best contriving to swing his repertoire of tricks across the Bay team, but the challengers were just one too many for him. Had his own team supported him there is just a chance that he might have pulled the game from the fire; but the home backs, in the main, lacked vision and anticipation. * • * I-lart was unsteady in the first spell, but did some good work toward the latter end of the game. Cundy was nursing a badly damaged hip, but for all that he got through a heap of work when opportunity came his way. Wairarapa’s second try, though scored by Cooke, was entirely due to Cundy’s efforts, for, after taking the ball from Te Ngaio. he cut through the whole of the Bay team, leaving Barclay and Blake standing. * * • The trip to the Sydney Show did Jim Donald no good from a physical

point of view, and of the Wairarapa team he was in the poorest form. However, he went as well as could be expected, and much of his opening up of the play was lost through Barclay's speed in getting: up to the five-eighths before they got into their stride. Irvine was the lion of the Wairarapa forwards. Though often beaten for the ball in the scrum he compensated his side by his remarkable dribbling, tackling and following up. Fairbrother. Reside and Harvey were the best of the remainder, but as the home pack was completely overshadowed by the challengers, tbev were only spasmodically in the picture. • • • Mr. Norman McKenzie can be com* plimented on the great improvements in the formation of the forwards, but the backs have still several weak links. Had Wairarapa forwards played the game as a team. Wairarapa must have retained possession of the shield, for the Wairarapa backs would have done the rest.

FORWARD TUSSLE EVERY INCH FOUGHT WAIRARAPA OUTSTAYED Ureas Association. MASTERTON', Saturday. The ground was soft and the weather fine for the Ranfurly Shield match. Wairarapa won the toss and Hawke’s Bay attacked, but the Wairarapa defence stood. Huxtable got away and cross-kicked, but Wairarapa forced. Vigorous forward play on both sides followed. Then, after each side had forced, Corkill missed the ball and Roache came through with a kick and followed up. Grenside fell over th.* ball and Roache kicked on and scored. Cundy converted. Hawke’s Bay came away to attack and the forwards, playing great football, caused Wairarapa many anxious moments. The defence of the Wai r rarapa backs, especially Cooke and Roache. was good. Hawke’s Bay several times was within striking distance, but Wairarapa by free kicks worked play down to Bay territory, but the forwards returned play to the centre. Then M. Brownlie and Q. Donald engaged in blows and both were put off. From a passing rush. Grenside, Blake, C. Brownlie, to Huxtable. who scored. Grenside converted, . making, the score at half time: —> Wairarapa 5 Hawke’s Bay 5 Hawke’s Bay started the second at a great pace, and did most of the attacking, the Bay forwards putting in splendid work. Wairarapa fought each inch of the ground, but the Bay forwards were too strong. From a penalty in a good position Grenside kicked a goal. Hawke’s Bay 8, Wairarapa 5. After this Hawke’s Bay did most of the attacking. Cundy intercepted and passed to Cooke, who scored under the goal. Cnudy converted* and Wairarapa led by 10 to 8. Wairarapa now livened up and attacked for some time. Then Barclay scored from a scramble after a good run, and Grenside converted. More exciting play followed. Ngaio scored a try which Grenside failed to convert. Keeping up the attacH, Grenside passed to Gemmell, to Huxtable, who scored. Grenside converted. Wairarapa had now done its dash and the final whistle sounded shortly after, leaving the Bay winners. Hawke’s Bay 21 Wairarapa 10