CANTERBURY GOES DOWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 21 August 1939, Page 12

CANTERBURY GOES DOWN

BACK ATTACKS FAIL HAWKE’S BAY PACK ON TOP (Per Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. Through maintaining a territorial advantage generally throughout the representative provincial Rugby game played at McLean Park, Napier, on Saturday, Canterbury was unable to make much impression on the very solid defence. Hawke’s Bay score of 11 points to three in the" Bay’s favour, represents fairly accurately the merits of the twe teams.

Canterbury predominated _in the scrums and line-outs. McAuliffe, the visiting captain and half-back, served the back line in brilliant fashion. Canterbury’s passing was clean and snappy, but the backs lacked penetration, the movements travelling laterally to break down under solid, accurate tackling of Plawke’s Bay in the first half. Canterbury tested the Bay defence severely, Dyer, the full-back, having much more to do than Nolan, his Canterbury vis-a-vis. Dyer’s handling was superlative. He proved to be one of the rocks on which the attacks were shattered Right on half-time, the Bay opened the scoring from a penalty kick. Torrid Forward Battle After the interval, Canterbury commenced a series of vigorous attacks. The forward battle at some stages became torrid, with Hawke’s Bay having a clear advantage in the loose. Again the visiting backs failed to penetrate when within a few yards of the line where scrums and line-outs afforded several opportunities. Hawke’s Bay then moved in to the attack, the forwards sweeping down the field for Natusch, a three-quarter, to go over after following up a long speculator kick. Hard following up again was responsible for the next try when Frazer beat Nolan to the ball which was swept to the .line by a forward rush.

The Canterbury back line again showed up in a desperate fighting finish with splendid snappy passing, but the fast-breaking Bay forwards and determined tackling of th Bay backs prevented the moves from gaining much ground. The Bay were now leading by 11 points ,to nil clearly had the upper hand, though the initiative was largely with Canterbury in attack. Near the end of the game, McAuliffe scored for the visitors diving round a scrumi and through the defence almost unopposed. Numerous Penalties A feature of the game was the number of penalties awarded to Canterbury usually following scrum offside infringements by the Bay fbrwards. Several opportunities for scoring were presented in this way. Some were not difficult, but all the kicks failed.

Cartwright, the visiting winger, though fast, had no penetration and the Bay attacks were mostly concentrated on his side. The visiting forwards generally were good but were overshadowed by Hawke’s Bay who maintained the traditional standards. There was better combination among the visiting backs, but little inspiration in their play. McAuliffe was outstanding while Burgess played sound football. Nolan was good, but was slightly overshadowed by Dyer. The game generally was somewhat disappointing. The scorers for the Bay were Bradley, a penalty, Natusch a try and Frazer a try, Bradley converting one. For Canterbury, McAuliffe scored a try.