AN EASY WIN.

Wairarapa Age, 3 August 1936, Page 3

AN EASY WIN.

WELLINGTON BEAT HAWKE’S BAY. HOME FORWARDS DOMINANT. WELLINGTON, August 1. Indeterred by driving hail, sleet and a bitter south, wind Wellington beat Hawke’s Bay, 25/0 in a gruelling Rugby game on a drenched ground. The stand was crowded but the open seats were empty except for a few spectators huddling in the lee of wall. Five hundred and sixty Hawke’s Bay supporters, who arrived by two trains in the morning, formed a good proportion of the crowd. Play was unexpectedly open and spectacular, a striking feature being the splendid combination of the Wellington pack, which in the later phases overran their opponents. Within three minutes of the kick-off, Fleming passed to Hansen who, avoiding Hutchinson, ran round between the posts. Lamason converted. Then from a penalty kick Pollock sent the ball over the posts. From a scrum near the Hawke’s Bay line Sadler hopped across. Thirteen points for Wellington in-as many minutes. By this time the ball was heavy and greasy, handling became uncertain and back movements began to fall. Griffiths checked a Hawke’s Bay forward rush by a mark. Skilful kick ing took play back into the visitor’s territory. Hawke’s Bay, however, rallied and Aldritch, with the ball at feet, menaced the Wellington line. Hutchinson, kicking from a puddle, missed a penalty kick. Le Quesne was prominent in the Hawke’s Bay backs. A Wellington offensive was thwarted by Apsey forcing. This man on the wing was having the lion’s share of the ball but he was finding the ground difficult. He looked like going over in the corner but missed his footing and fell. Play continued to be very open. The Hawke’s Bay forwards were constantly on the ball, Dalton and .Jackson being outstanding. At half-time the score was 13/0.

Ongley, following up hard in a forward offensive, scored immediately play was resumed. Mataira and Hutchinson each, saved further tries. Then Wells went over from a scrum. The Wellington pack was now predominant, charging down again and again on the Hawke’s Bay line. From a loose scrum, Ongley dashed over for his second try. Ongley carried play back to the Hawke’s Bay 25 and from an opening Fleming made an easy run and scored, Pollock missing the kick. With only a few minutes to play both teams were flagging. Ongley and Lamason made a fine run but the movement proved abortive and at the whistle both teams scuttled for the grandstand giving half-hearted cheers as they ran. -(P.A.)

AUCKLAND. COLLEGE DAY MATCHES. AUCKLAND, August 1. The Auckland Rugby Union’s annual College Day was held on Saturday in perfect weather. Details: Auckland Grammar beat Sacret Heart College, 18/0; Mount Albert Grammar beat King’s College, 13/5. Senior matches resulted: University beat Manukau, 9/6; Grammar beat College Rifles, 26/10; North Shore beat Otahuhu, 8/6; Marisi beat Training College, 19/16; Grafton beat Technical, 15/13.—(P.A.)