NAPIER NEWS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 906, 18 July 1907, Page 13

NAPIER NEWS.

My Napier correspondent telegraphs:— What must have been a record attendance assembled on the recreation ground on Saturday afternoon to witness the first rep. match of the season between Horowhenua and Hawke’s Bay, which resulted in a win for Hawke’s Bay by 21 points to 3. As regards weight, there was very little difference between the teams, but in speed the Hawke’s Bay backs were greatly superior, and five of the seven tries scored were due to their fleetness of foot.

In the first spell the visitors got possession from scrums the oftener, but in the second Hawke’s Bay got their share and more. A feature of the game was the unsuccessful placekicking, not one try being converted, though several players made attempts. Thomson captained the visitors and Walshe the home team. Mr. C. Barrow was line umpire for Horowhenua and Mr. Gooseman for Hawke’s Bay. Mr. A. Williams, as referee, gave every' satisfaction to both sides, filling the place of Mr. Pegler, who was originally chosen,

but was unable to fulfil his engagement. Hay, of the Hawke’s Bay team, stood down in favour of Ellingham, who had ridden 30 miles to Waipawa to catch the train and be present at the match, and Hay’s sportsmanlike action was warmly commended by those present. The most noticeable thing in connection with the play of the winning side was the way in which the ball failed to come out from the scrum in the first spell, seeming to hang in the back row. In the second spell it was much better, and completely altered the game. Mclntyre, Lewis, Walshe, Payne and Tomlin were brilliant at times, but Baker, though solid in defence, was uncertain. Of the forwards Scullion and Evans were undoubtedly the best, while Thow and Barley were also conspicuous in a hard-working lot. Potts whs the best of the visiting backs, doing some excellent work, and he was ably seconded by McKenzie and Thomson. Rawiri also did capital work, and Parata and Phillips were the pick of the vanguard. In the evening the teams dined together at the Pronncial Hotel, Mr. E. P. Smith presiding. The sumptuous dinner supplied by Host Berryman was done full just’ce.