THE SHIELD.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18480, 7 September 1925, Page 13

THE SHIELD.

j HAWKE'S BAY VICTORIOUS

A GREAT EXHIBITION. ■ ifSESS ASSOCIATION TE:xcnix. WELLINGTON, September 6. In the presence of a crowd of over 22,000 .-pect.'itors and a'fter a thrilling and. brilliant game, Hawke's Bay defeated Wellington in to-day's Kanfurly Shield match by 20 points to 11. Despite a heavy t-hower of rain in the morning, the afternoon v.-as bright and sunny with only a .slight breeze. The Governor (.eneral and Viceregal party, ajuj (lie Prime Minister were present. The tfams were:

"Wellington—Walters, 11 it-key, Svcnpon, Bc-dcll, .Inhnson. Ntcholl?, Warwick, Purler, Young, frottv, ,1. Shearer. »My, ,S. Sheerer and Osborne.

Hawke's Bay—Xepia, (ironside, J. Blake, Falwasser. Corkill. Paewai, ,1. -Mill, J. Walker, (Jemnscll. .1. Ormond. M. Hrownlie, C. Brownlie. M. Mahoney, W. Irvine, Kirkpatrick. Mr Atkinson, Wunganui, made an efficient referee.

Hawke's Bay won the toss and Wellington kicked off against the Pun and with a slight breeze. Hawse's Bay scf up au at tack and (here was a good passing bout between Mill and Corkill, but a wild pass to Blnke went astray. Mahoney, (.remmell and Irvine came through With the ball 'at toe, but V alters saved well with a good kick to midfield. Tho Hawke's Bay forwards were incurring a great many penalties, and from one of these Mark Nicholls found the line beautifully fifteen yards past midfield, and from the resulting line-out Warwick sent out to Porter, who passed to Hickej-, who mado a pretty, swerving run before being forced into touch. A Brilliant Try. At this stage, from tight forward play, Mahoney was carried off injured and was replaced by >Swain. The Wellington forwards now took a hand, and Martinsmith, Sly and >Shea.rer were prominent, in a great rush, transferring play to the Hawke's Bay twenty-five. There, then followed the most spectacular try of the match. Prom play in his own twenty-five Mill picked up and cut through to make a great opening for the speedy Falwasser, who, receiving the ball at full speed at. the twenty-five sprinted down the wing for fully fifty yards and shortpunted over "WaJt-ers;' head. He gathered the ball again and outpaced the opposition, to score a brilliant try in a favourable position just as ho was tackled by Svenson right on the line. Nepia missed the kick.

Hawke's Bay .. .. 3 Wellington .. .. 0 From tho kick-off tho Hawke's Bay forwards swarmed back to tho attack, the Brownlies, Gemmell and Kirkpatric.k in the vaJi, keeping Wellington penned in their own territory for some time. A penalty for obstruction relieved tlic pressure, Mark Nicholls finding touch at the Hawke's Bay twenty-five. From tbe line-out Blako punted right into Svenson's hands in front of tho goal. Svenson, from the mark, equalised the score by" kicking a good goal. Hawke's Bay .. .. 3 Wellington ~ ~ 3 Splendid Back Play.

Play now became very fast and willing, Hawke's Bay, both backs and forwards throwing the ball about splendidly. A' dangerous-looking Hawke's Bay forward rush with Walker, Irvine, C. Brownlio and Gemmell prominent, saw the last-named send out a forward pass, a great scoring chance going astray. Prom looso play Facwai cut through brilliantly and sent to Walker, who passed to M. Brownlic, who was beautifully tackled by Mark Nicholls. After a dash of over thirty yards frpm the scrum near tho Wellington twentyfive, Mill sent-out to Grenside, who set sail for tho corner, but was soundly tackled by Hickey and Walters when almost over the line. The Hawke's •Bay backs, throwing tho ball about splendidly, could not bo kept out. A brilliant" combined passing bout between iVlwasser, Blako and Corkill saw tho last-named dash over in good position. Grenside missed an easy kick. Hawke's Bay .. 6 Wellington •• 3

Play hovered aroufid midfield for a time, where dashing work by Sly and Portor made an opening to send Hickey away on a spectacular side-stepping run, to be forced out at the twenty-five after a sprint of 40 yards. Here, from tight play, Porter was obstructed, Mark Nicholls finding touch with a beautiful kick almost at the corner flag. From tho line-out Hickey came within an ace of scoring, being tackled and losing tho ball when right on the lino, Offside play by Hawke's Bay forwards saw Mark Nicholls equalise tho score by kicking a beautiful goal from about 40 yards. Hawke's Bay ». ..6 Wellington .. 6

From the kick-off Svcnson figured in a pretty dash till solidly upheld by Blake. Headed by M. Brownlie (who played a magnificent game throughout), Kirkpatrick. and Gcmmcll, the Hawke's Bay forwards removed play to the Wellington. twenty-five. A great, passing bout by Ncpia, Corkill, and Blake saw Grensidc forced out, and Walters was iust in t.im&. to save a score. A welcome penalty to Wellington relieved the pressure, Nicholls sending the ball out at half-way. Falwasser, receiving about 40 yards out, just missed potting a gTJIflr from the field. 1 Half-time sounded almost immediately after with the scores: Hawke's Bay .. 6 Wellington 6 Second Spell.

Hawke's Bay attacked strongly on resuming. From a line-out at midfield Mill set the chain of Hawke's Bay backs coing Facwai and Corkill short-punted cleverly, and Swain, following fast, dashed over. Irvine missed. Hawke's Bay .. .. 0 Wellington .. ..6

Hawke's Bay were now having all the better of the 'game, and the stubborn Wellington defence was sorely tested. Mill gave a fiho display behind the pack, and opened up play for the backs. After a passing 1 rush between. Mill, Blake and Falwasser luid been spoilt bv a forward pass, Nepia fielded a high kick and Johnston put in a great run dowA the left wing, prettily eluding the tackle Bedell found touch near the comer Falwasser was prominent in -rcttv fast, swerving dashes. From another fine passing bout by Hawke's Ts,v backs the ball reached Falwasser, who passed to Blake, who, running round Zn the outside of the Hawke's Bay tre made a dash of over 33 yards, ftiitnac'injr the opposition before being beautifuHy collared by Walters a few yH rds from the line. Casualties.

a fpw minutes later .Walters retired hurt, and was replaced by F. Tilyard.

Faewai also had to be carried off, Barelav coming on. \ftcr a bout of neat passing between Mill Corkill. Barclay, and Blake, which was «plendidlv saved by by Uii'kev, Mark Nicholls electrified the huge crowd by pifking up and dashing through an opening i-i the Hawke 3 bay backs. Solid tackling by Xepia saved tho situation, the ball going out at the t-rent'--five. There followed the first real bout bv the Wellington backs. Fr*.ui °a line-out Warwick sent on 1o Johnston, who passed to Svenson. who dashed over in a goon position. xSicho.ls had no difficulty in kicking the goal.

Wellington .. • • Hawke's Bay •• ..9 Fast and Furious. With about twenty minutes to go the rw it omcnt was intense, and the play fast and furious. The Wellington forwards. with the Shearers, Crotty, and Martin-Smith in tho van, set up a hot attack, but good work by Xepia transferred play to Wellington territory. Here Xepia mi.-sed a penaitv kick from a favour able position. A minute later Tilyard cross-kicked, and M. Brownlie, fielding well, initiated a great passing bout from Corkill to Walker, who made a slashing run of over MO yards, paving the way for Gcmmeil, who scored near the posts. Irvine converted. Hawke's Bay .. ..14 Wellington .. ..11

Tho last quaricr of the spell saw JTawke's Bay dominating the play, with Wellington on the defensive. After a swerving run by Grcnside ajid an unsuccessful attempt at goal from a mark by. Blake, from a forward tussle near thn line Swain forced his way over, but Irvine's kick missed. Hawke's Bay .. ..IV Wellington .. ..11

M. Brownlie was especially conspicuous at this stage of the and figured in a couple of slashing individual efforts right on time, following a brilliant piece of play by Ivepia, who ended by finding touch beautifully a .few yards near the Wellington line. From the resultant line-out, M. Brownlie dived over, ("ironside had no luck with the kick. Time was sounded immediately after. Hawke's Bay .. ..20 Wellington .. ..11

The opinion of the critics is that the match was one of the greatest exhibitions witnessed in Wellington for many years. The difference in points may be said to indicate the respective strength of the teams.

TEST TEAM.

CANTERBURY GETS TWO PLACES (press association tblegbak.) WELLINGTON, September 5. The New Zealand Test team to play New South "Wales at Auckland was selected after the match today as follows : Full-back—Nepia (Hawke's Bay). Three-quarters—Sveuson (Wellington), Cooke (Auckland), Lucas (Auckland). Fivc-eighllis—McGregor (Canterbury), Nicholls (Wellington). Half-back—Mill (Hawko's Bay). Wing-forward—Porter (Wellington). Forwards —Front row, Irvine (Hawke's Bay), Lomas (Auckland); l.ock. Masters (Canterbury); supports, A£. Brownlie (Hawke's Bay), Pnilayson; back row. J. Richardson (Southland), 11. Stewart (South Canterbury). Emergencies—Robilliard (Canterbury), Dalley (Canterbury), Kirkpatrick (Hawko's Bay), C. Brownlie (Hawke's Bay).

ASHBURTON SUB-UNION.

HINDS WINS COMPETITION. Considerable interest was taken in tile match between Hinds and Ashburton, in the Ashburton Coiipty Rugby Snb-Uniotj's competition played on the Show Groundss on Saturday. There was a very large attendance, and the game resulted in a draw, each side obtaining three points. The slightly slippery nature of the ground affected the play to a small extent, but tho match was by no means a good exhibition of Rugby. However, Hinds havo played fairly well throughout the whole season, and on Saturday's result they win the banner -with. 10i points. Shortly after the game started Stills (Ashburton) followed up a kick from midfield, and a speculation kick 6n tho part of Good saved an almost certain score. Both sides mixed the play with no benefit to either but the advantage in weight of the Hinds' forwards began to have its effect. The Ashburton team, were hard put ic defending their goal, and the position was becoming very exciting when McDoueall (AfhbuHon) intercepted and kicked down the field. This piece of work removed play into tho White territory, where Stills (Ashburton) dropped a penalty from a third tho length of the field. Ashburton 3, Hinds 0. Although Hinds pLayed solidly in the ensuing play, they did not get quite so much of their own way. Shortly after the change-over Stills had two unsuccessful attempts at. the Hinds goal from penalties, and Hinds forced down. McCormick Bros, and Glassey (Hinds) were responsible for some good individual play in the forwards, but as they were not backed up, their efforts were not rewarded. A very promising rush was set in motion by the Hinds back frotfT a scrum in the Reds' twenty-five, but tho movement broko down with Horgan, who failed to accept a pass. Ashburton carried play to within striking distance principally by good work among the backs, but the Whites rallied and Ashburton wore compelled to retreat and they forced down just prior to half-time. . Barrett (Hinds), who vras injured in the first spell, was replaced by Mann in. the second. When play resumed Ashburton became aggressive, and at a very critical moment Hinds werA awarded a penalty which relieved. Tho contest, by a series of determined rushes on the part of Hinds forwards, was removed to the Reds' territory, where J. McCormick dived over at the corner. He failed with the kick. Ashburton 3, Hinds 3. Ashburton took possession of the play .on the resumption, but Horgan upset the movement. Hinds retaliated With vigorous forward play in which Glassey was prominent; but their opponents tackled fiercely. A penalty kick on the part of J. McCormick in the Reds' twenty-five just fell short of the crossbar. The change-over saw no alteration in th© score, but th© Whites kept up the pressure. A mark gave Wright an opportunity at the Ashburton goal but the ball did not rise. Ashburton managed to keep tho play in the Hmds twenty-five for some time, but to no purpose. A. McCormick broke through the Red defence, but hi was stopped by Stills. Up and down play followed, and Ashburton seemed like adding three more points to their score when Merrin made an attempt at the White coal from a mark, but the ball fall shert. Hinds again took charge of the game ami forced matters. Stills was hard put to defend his side when challenged by three of the opposing forwards about a yard from his own line, and luckily for Ashburtonthe ball went into the dead area The Whites made a further valiant attempt to score just prior to time, but their efforts were unST Mr° A. H. Guiney very ably controlled the match.

» MATCHES AT RAKAIA.

METHVEN V. RAKAIA.

The match between Methven and Rakaia, plaved at Rakaia. resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. The game was very ragged, and certainlv one of the poorest witnessed in Rakaia durin; the present season. Both teams were not up lo their full strength bnt the match was mostly a scramble amons both forward packs. Tbe outstanding; player., in the Methven team were Palton, Goodwin, and while Cornelius, Mead, and Columbus were prominent among the Kakaia fifteen. Mr A. Shannon was refereeJUNIOR MATCH.

A mixed team of junior and third grade players of the Lin wood Club journeyed to Rakaia on Saturday, whore defeated a mixed team of the Rakaia Club by 10 points 10 The came was a good exhibition of Rugby, and was fast and .nippy throughout. For Linwood, Bellamy and Columbus each scored a try, which was converted, while OKeilly and Hooper each secured tries for Rakaia. one of which was converted. Mr J. Cromie was referee.