FORWARDS WIN DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 21 July 1934, Page 12

FORWARDS WIN DAY.

Defenders Outplayed by Magnificent

Pack.

BAY BACKS VERY SOLID.

Canterbury Rearguard Unable to Evade Grim Tackling in Second Spell.

C CANTERBURY have lost the Ranfurly Shield, which they A have held since 1931, the defenders going down to Hawke’s Bay by nine points to nil in a splendid game at Lancaster Park this afternoon.

The Canterbury players put up a magnificent fight but, for comparatively short periods, were out-played by the heavy Hawke’s Bay forwards—a magnificent pack which kept its dash throughout a hard game on a heavy ground, and was definitely the deciding factor. The Canterbury backs saw a fair amount of the ball, and put in some good work, but, soft and greasy after the recent rain, the field gave the Canterbury “ fliers ” little chance—and the splendid tackling of the Hawke’s Bay line gave them less. Hawke’s Bay’s three tries to nil was no more than a fair indication of the play. The tune was called by Collins, Steere, Reid, Mataira and company, whose great weight—ten pounds per man heavier than Canterbury’s forwards—was enhanced with speed in the loose, great dash and a high degree of skill.

The Canterbury forwards played splendidly. Manchester, Andrew’s, Howell and Cottrell played right at the top of their form, at times with desperate brilliance. But they were up against the best forward combination that Canterbury has had to face for many years, and they just could not make the grAde. Charlie Oliver was the outstanding back on the ground, but Evans, of Hawke’s Bay, marked him grimly. Billy Oliver played a good game behind the scrum for Canterbury, but, though Hazelhurst played doggedly all through, he missed * several passes. Mortlock had practically no chance to penetrate at any time, as Le Quesne was looking after him closely. The chief feature about the play of the Hawke’s Bay backs was their soundness. At no time did they make a mistake that let Canterbury well away. Clothier, Bradley and Le Quesne, as well as Evans, the centre, tackled and. went down to rushes like machines and kicked with great judgment. Apsey was very sound on the left wing, and Smith, the big Maori on the right wing, produced a fend that took him past many Canterbury men and made him the outstanding attacking wing on the field. The full-back play of Vartan and of Nolan was almost without fault.

After the game the Ranfurly Shield was handed to the visitors by Mr A. E. M’Phail, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, and a crowd of spectators gave the successful visitors a hearty round of applause. The game was the fifteenth played between the two provinces. Up to today Canterbury had won five and lost nine.

Even though a fair amount of rain fell during the morning and the ground was on the soft side beforehand, it was decided to play a curtain-raiser before the game, and before the big match started the field was badly churned up in many places. There were from 12,000- to 15,000 people on the ground at the commencement of the game, and the additional accommodation on the bank came in very handy. The teams were:— Hawke’s Bay. Full-back—J. Vartan. Three-quarters—E. Apsey, E. Evans, C. Smith. Five-eighths—C. LeQuesne, L. Bradley. Half-back—L. Clothier. Forwards —Front row, M. Miller, T. Skittrup, M. Kelly; second row, H. Mataira, E. R. Steere, W. Collins, T. Reid; third row, H. Rolls. Canterbury. Full-back—G. T. Nolan. Three-quarters—W. Mann, C. J. Oliver, C. W. Tweedie. Five-eighths—K. S. Mortlock, R. ITazelhurst. Half-back—W. Oliver. Forwards—Front row, K. Brown, A. I. Cottrell. O Hattersley; second row, W. W. Francis, G. H. Howell, A. Brownlee, J. E. Manchester; back row, A. H. Andrews. Cottrell captained the Canterbury side, with C. J. Oliver as vice-captain, while Steere captained Hawke’s Bay. When the teams lined up the difference in weight, ten pounds per man so far as the scrums were concerned, was very apparent. THE PLAY. won the toss and defended t“ southern end. Nolan’s kick-off was fielded and kicked out at half-way, and the first set scrum saw Hawke’s Bay hook the ball quickly and cleanly. Clothier sent on to Bradley and Le Quesne, the second five-eighth being bustled by Mortlock. W. Oliver failed to get the ball away from two hard chances, and when he did send on to Hazelhurst, he was surely taken. Fumbling by Hazelhurst let the big Hawke’s Bay forwards through, neat work by Mann saving Canterburv from bad trouble. The greasy surface and the heavy ball were proving hard for the backs to handle, and whenever Canterbury got the ball Mataira, Reid and Clothier were quick to come round and smother. In stopping a Canterbury rush led by Andrews, Evans was badly jolted by K. Brown, but continued with a minute’s spell. Apsey, on the Hawke’s Bay left wing, looked dangerous when Rolls followed up a kick, but Nolan just managed to save. Bay Forwards on Top.

So far the Bay forwards had called the tune. From a scrum on the line, Clothier whipped the ball away, but Bradley had no chance. Again

Clothier fed his backs, and Le Quesne

cut in and sent on to Evans, a knockon spoiling a good chance. From a scramble in front of the goal Le Quesne picked up, and had a good snapshot at goal, the ball going barely outside the post. Canterbury, trying to open up play, found Hawke’s Bay very fast to back up on de-

fence. In one rush C. J. Oliver was taken with the ball, but in the next one he made ground with a good line kick. With a jinky run through a bunch of forwards, W. Oliver put Canterbury on the attack for the first time in the match, sending on to Andrews, whose pass was smothered within ten yards of the line. Apsey looked dangerous on the Bay left wing, but Nolan was cool at full-back, and returned the ball with one of his high kicks with interest. 'C. J. Oliver, with an excellent rush and kick, drove into the Bay territory, but at the head of the visiting forwards Collins staged a splendid rush which again put Canterbury on the defensive.

It was apparent at this stage that on the heavy field the Hawke's Bay forwards presented one of the biggest problems that Canterbury had struck in the defence of the Shield. The visiting backs were always on the look-out to go in-field again and to give the heavy men a chance. Andrews stood out in one good rush for Canterbury, but Vartan’s useful boot nipped the effort in the bud. Andrews started the Canterbury backs going, and this time Mortlock made useful ground with a good linekick. Hazelhurst marked well in the face of a kick and folio,w-up by Smith, and the referee dis- ,

•regarded a very fair catch, and Bradley and Le Quesne made up the leeway with a quick dash and line-kick. Nolan was playing a very safe game at full-back, and rose to the occasion when once more the Bay kicked and followed up. Clothier and Bradley used

the short punt to let their forwards battle down to the Canterburv twenty*five. Manchester sent the Bay back by following up fast to tackle Le Quesne, the Bay fiveeighth hanging on till a free-kick was awarded against him. Evans saved neatly when Andrews, Howell and Manchester bore down, taking advantage of a bad pass from the scrum. From a scrum in midfield, Clothier and Bradley worked the blind side well, 'but, when a score seemed possible, Bradley’s pass went well behind Apsey. . When next the Hawke's Pay backs got the ball away, Andrews, Mortlock and Hazelhurst burst through and Vartan just saved in time. Play was terrifically hard. K. Brown led the Canterbury forwards in a good rush to the Hawke’s Bay twenty-five, and an infringement saw Manchester fail to find the line, Hawke’s Bay managing to clear. Canterbury Attack.

Hazelhurst made a good opening on the blind side, and a neat pass in to Howell made the position good for Canterbury, but off-side play gave the Bay a respite. Nolan brought his side to the attack again, fielding well and following up his kick to catch Vartan in possession, and then W. Oliver ducked through a ruck only for his pass to Howell to go astray. Wild passing spoilt another Canterbury effort, and the big Bay forwards, led by Steere, Reid and Rolls went through again till Mann sent them back to the twenty-five. W. Oliver received a nasty jolt, but was able to continue. A neat kick by Bradley saw Tweedie and C. J. Oliver have a lot of trouble to save in the face of the fast-following Smith, and then Mataira bustled Nolan and Hazelhurst. Vartan again shone with brilliant fielding and kicking, but Tweedie gave Canterbury another respite when he kicked and followed up to catch Smith in possession. Canterbury made many efforts to open up the play, but conditions were all against the fast backs, and nearly every attempt saw a pass dropped and the Bay forwards break back. Tweedie again kicked and followed up well, and the Canterbury backs let the ball out, C. J. Oliver fielding and

running brilliantly. Apsey collared him, and in doing so saved a sure try. Playing a splendid game, Collins broke back for the Bay, but in a flash the Canterbury backs were away in the best rush to date. W. Oliver started a rush, the ball going to Charlie Oliver, who made a good opening for Mann, who put in a brilliant run on the wing and passed in again to Charlie Oliver, who went over the line tackled by two desperate defenders. Missed by Fraction.

From the stand it looked a try, but a scrum five yards out resulted.. Two minutes later Canterbury again missed by a fraction. Mortlock kicked judiciously, and C. Oliver followed up to bustle Vartan. Tweedie kicked through, and the ball went down .by the corner flag. The Canterbury left wing followed up in fine style, but was thrown out just as he was going to fall on the ball, a twenty-five resulting. Thrills came thick and f? st. Mann and C. Oliver turned defence into attack with clever work, and then a dropped pass let Smith, the big Hawke’s Bay right winger, away with almost a clear field in front. Hazelhurst was the only man to stop him, and he went hard and low, succeeding in no uncertain fashion. Tweedie was kicking very judiciously, and another of his short punts let Brown ard Manchester bustle Hawke's Bav, the ball going out at the twenty-five. Whereas Hawke’s Bay had had all the advantage at the start, Canterbury were now holding their own m evfry department, and getting a fair share of the ball. Nolan and W. Oliver were prominent ior excellent defence. Apsey and Evans combined well when Hazelhurst kicked, finding the line in Canterbury’s territory, *_>ollins helping the visitors along with a neat kick to a gap. Manchester helped Canterbury return, but in a passing rush Le Quesne and Bradley, though tackled, were well backed up and kept the ball going. The light Canterbury backs tackled determinedly, but Smith got a\va> lor a twenty-yard burst and passed infield to Reid and Steere. The big forwards wml* down to a solid ta.-.kle by

W. Oliver and Nolan, but Collins was there to take a pass and go over at the corner for a fine try. Evans’s kick failed. Half-time came immediately with the sccr*.; Hawke’s* Bav 3, Canterbury 0. Second Spell. After the interval Brown marked the Hawke’s Bay kick-off, and Manchester thudded down to take play into the Bay’s territory. The Canterbury rush broke down at Hazelhurst, and the return gave Nolan some hard thinking. In another brisk back sortie Mortlock cut in nicely and made a lot of ground. Then an ill-judged pass let Rolls intercept and the Bay returned play to neutral territory. Vartan was safe when Hazelhurst kicked through. Play was held up for a couple of minutes while Andrews had a fresh pair of shorts, and the throwing in the air of the discarded garments raised the customary laugh. Loose play at mid-field ended in Hawke’s Hay’s favour when Bradley burst through with the ball at his toe to the Canterbury twenty-five. Andrews nipped in the bud an attempted Hawke’s Bay rush, and fast following up by Manchester, Howell and Francis took Canterbury past half-way. Again Vartan drove Canterbury back after a kick by Hazelhurst, and a Canterbury rush broke down in the face of solid tackling. Persistent Attack. The Bay forwards were fast away from the scrum. Canterbury were in grave danger when Apsey cross-kicked accurately to Evans, who handed on to Smith. The big wing handed off Tweedie and C. Oliver, but his in-pass went forward. Steere and company kept breaking through, and worked play well into the twenty-five before Nolan marked neatly to clear. Obvi-

ous off-side play by Rolls saw Cottrell choose an up-and-under kick instead of letting Nolan find the line, and the return kept Canterbury on the defensive. Howell and Francis bustled the Hawke’s Bay backs to gain temporary relief, but again the Bay forwards worked their way

yard by yard along the line, and Clothier gave Smith a chance. The winger was smothered, but the forwards carried on, Kelly, Skittrup and Mataira penetrating right to the Canterbury line before a penalty ■ gave relief. As in the first of the first spell, the Bay were right on top. Still another punt by Hazelhurst went right into Vartan’s hands, but next time Canterbury secured it was Mortlock who used the boot, and a gap was found, fast following up taking Canterbury to half-way at last. Then a poor pass by Mortlock to Oliver let the big winger, Smith, away again. He ran down the wing, inpassed to the forwards, and in the scramble picked up again to dodge between two men and score a fine try. Evans failed to convert. Hawke’s Bay 6, Canterbury 0. Solid Defence. Manchester led the Canterbury forwards in a desperate effort to retrieve the situation. Attack after attack failed against the rocklike Hawke’s Bay forwards, while their backs had excellent defence, and when Cottrell and Howell went through in a promising rush over-eagerness led to a free kick, which killed the movement. Evans made sure of C. Oliver when next the Canterbury back line went away, and a free kick was well fielded by Le Quesne. The Hawke’s Bay forwards played right up on the Canterbury backs, and I

in the next rush they smothered Mortlock and kicked through to Nolan. Smith fielded and put in another smart run down the right-hand side, Hazelhurst stopping him solidly. Another penalty to Canterbury took play into the visitors’ territory, but again the Hawke’s Bay backs got right up on Mortlock, when the backs tried to get away. Tweedie put in a good rush down the left wing, and in another good movement C. Oliver was unlucky to knock on when a try was right in sight.

Following up in brilliant fashion, Howell, Andrews and Manchester drove a wedge into the Hawke’s Bay twentyfive. The visitors were just as desperate on defence as were Canterbury on attack, and a well-placed kick by Le Quesne, with fast following-up by Apsey swung play to the other end of the field, but not for long, for with a brilliant burst Cottrell tore through the ruck and controlled the ball well, keeping it at his toe till Le Quesne

picked up and found the line in Hawke’s Bay country. Still the Bay had something in reserve, and after Evans and Apsey had gained ground Steere broke through to the Canterbury tw-enty-five. There Collins secured from a line-out, and only a dropped pass prevented another try. ’ Saved a Try.

Hawke’s Bay secured from the scrum on the Canterbury line, but desperate tackling staved off a try, and when Clothier cross-kicked to Smith, Tweedie and W. Oliver cleared at the twentyfive. A good cross-kick by Hazelhurst found Apsey and Vartan capable, and play again settled at half-way. The Hawke’s Bay five-eighths and halfback were proving rock-like on defence, and Canterbury could not break through. There was no mistake made to give them the chance which counts. Francis took a hard smack on the nose, but was able to continue. Andrews was everywhere, and it was he who broke away to give Canterbury their next chance, which an infringement spoiled. Cottrell, Hattersley and Manchester carried on well into Hawke’s Bay territory, but as soon as the big Bay forwards got back to cover up the movement stopped. More Canterbury Rushes.

A wild pass held up another Canterbury back attack, but Nolan covered up and kicked through. From a blind-side movement Hazelhurst penetrated and bustled Vartan into touch ten yards from the Hawke’s Bay line, but from the scrum W. Oliver’s pass to Tweedie was wild. Then offside

play by the Bay gave Canterbury a penalty within striking distance, but Nolan’s attempt at goal failed. The kick hit the upright and bounced right back, but * the Canterbtiry forwards were a second too late for the opportunity.

Nolan secured and centred again, but this time Le Quesne marked steadily to clear. Canterbury were playing with terrific vim, but found the Hawke’s Bay forwards and inside backs exceedingly steady. Another passing rush saw Evans stop C. Oliver and Smith again fended off Tweedie to clear.

Poor lob-passing let Le .Quesne and Evans block another Canterbury back attack, Evans clearing to the line, and the Canterbury advantage was lost. Smith ran round behind the scrum to set his backs in motion, and twice Apsey, on the left wing, went within an ace of getting away. Then, from a scramble on the line, the capable Apsey seized his opportunity and snapped up to hurl himself over for a try wide out. Evans failed to convert, but Canterburys hold on the Shield was already gone with the score:—Hawke’s Bay 9, Canterbury 0.

The Bay inside backs used the line to keep Canterbury from staging any last-minute recovery. Cottrell started a rush in which the ball went from Hazelhurst to Mortlock, to Andrews, to C. Oliver, who was well and truly downed. Another fine rush wept away after W. Oliver sent away Hazelhurst and C. Oliver and Mann* but Rolls came across at a terrific pace to throw the winger into touch, ancj time was Called with the score: HAWKE’S BAY 9 CANTERBURY 0 Referee: Mr S. Hollander.