FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17864, 4 June 1926, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

HAWKE’S BAY DEFEATS WAIRARAPA IN RANFURLY SHIELD. I'er Press Association. NAPIER, June 3. A record score for Ranfurly Shield matches, probably also for interprovincial Rugby, was registered by Hawke's Bay against Wairarapa in the first Shield match of the season to-day, when the defenders of the trophy rattled on 77 points to 14. The weather was fine and the ground was in perfect condiWairarapa kicked off and once the game got into its stride a couple of passing bouts among the Hawke’s Bay backs brought play to about half-way, where it remained for some minutes without any outstanding incident. Then Mill got the ball away from a scrum, and the resulting advance took play on to the Wairarapa line. From another scrum the ball went out to Grenside, who was pushed out near the corner. Corkill'picked up from a scramble and handed to Blake, who scored in a nice position. Grenside converted. Hawke’s Bay 5. Wairarapa 0. After some pressure on the visitors’ line, Stririgfellow cleverly intercepted and got right into the Hawke’s Bay twenty-five, where a penalty enabled Fuller to place a good goal. Hawke’s Bay 5, Wairarapa 3. Taking the ball down at their toes from a line-out, the visitors again invaded the home terrirtory, but the ball got too far ahead of the attackers and a force-down resulted. The Shield defenders attacked for a time, but Parker picked up a dropped pass and sent on to Fairbrother, but the ball went out. Some lightning movements followed, and soon the ball shot towards the Wairarapa line. A race between Hood and .Cooke saw the latter touch down in the corner. Grenside converted with a great kick. Hawke’s Bay 10, Wairarapa 3. The visiting forwards dribbled the ball into the Hawke’s Bay twenty-five, but an infringement let the defenders away again. Mill got away with a dummy, and Walker, Corkill, Cooke and M. Brownlie combined in neat in and out passing, culminating in the Hawke’s Bay captain scoring under the posts. Grenside again converted. Hawke’s Bay 15, Wairarapa 3. Cooke, Walker and M. Brownlie were, associated in the next Hawke's Bay attack, and Brownlie again scored. Grenside missed with the kick. Hawke’s Bay IS. Wairarapa 3. Fumbling by the local backs made the challenging forwards look dangerous, but a. free kick allowed Nepia to find the line well over half-way. Hood’s fielding and kicking at full-back were very noticeable, and often changed the complexion of the game. Craven secured from a line-out and scored, Grenside converting. Hawke's Bay 23, Wairarapa 3. Very soon the Hawke’s Bay backs were again moving, and Blake ran right round. Grenside again converted. Hawke’s Bay 28, Wairarapa 3. Blake intercepted a visitors’ passing rush and passed to Tait, who sent it to Cooke. The latter raced away from the Green backs and scored. Grenside missed with the kick. Hawke’s Bay 31, Wairarapa 3. Half-time was sounded soon after. The opening of the second spell was followed quickly by a free kick for the challengers, and Fuller added three points. Hawke’s Bay 31. Wairarapa 6. The wearers of the green kept play in the Hawke’s Bay half for quite a time, but the defence was impenetrable. Donald was not a great success at fiveeighths, being on the slow side. A 'Hawke's Bay forward attack saw C Brownlie hand to Blake, who put in a good run and scored. Mill missed with the kick. Hawke’s Bay 34, Wairarapa 0. Immediately another lightning advance from half-way let Grenside over. The scorer’s kick missed. Hawke’s Bay 37, Wairarapa 6. At. this stage Harvey went off with a head injury and was • replaced by Tatliam. Cooke fielded a long- pass from Craven, made a run. and transferred to Blake, who ran right round. Grenside converted. Hawke's Bay 42, Wairarapa 6. Next Blake fielded a very Jong pass from C. Brownlie and ran in to score fifth try. Gren- , side converted. Hawke’s Bay 47, Wairarapa 6. This was , followed by another back movement, and Tait scored. M. Brownlie converted. Hawke’s Bay 52, Wairarapa 6. Cooke scored the next try and M. Brownlie converted. Hawke’s Bay 57, Wairarapa 6. The visitors made strenuous efforts to reduce the margin against them, but the only result was a couple of force-downs, until at last Booth dived over in the corner. Fairbrother missed with the kick. Hawke’s Bay 57, Wairarapa 9. Corkill scored Hawke’s Bay’s next try and Grenside converted. Hawke’s Bay 62, Wairarapa 9. M. Brownlie scored his third try and converted it. Hawke’s Bay 67. Wairarapa 9. Renewed efforts by the visitors resulted in Fail-brother scoring. Fuller converted. Hawke’s Bay 67, Wairarapa 14. C. Brownlie and Corkill secured the last two tries, and M. Brownlie converted, both. The final score was: Hawke’s Bay 77, Wairarapa 14. Mr G. Maddison, Mayor of Hastings, was referee.