GREAT FORWARD GAME

Grey River Argus, 16 September 1937, Page 3

GREAT FORWARD GAME

AGAINST SPRINGBOKS Hawke’s Bay Beaten 21-—l2 UNFORTUNATE LOSS OF FORWARD. I Per Press Association], NAPIER, September 15. The South Africans maintained their unbeaten record against provincial teams when, at McLean Park, Napier, to-day, they defeated Hawke’s Bay, after a gruelling contest, by 21 points to 12. In accepting defeat at the hands of probably the greatest side which has ever visited New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay can do so in the knowledge that they were pitted against practically the visitors’ Test team, which the home team, playing with fourteen men for the greater part of the game, held to a close finish. The Africans, by reason of their greater weight in the scrum, gained possession, which brought them victory, but the Hawke’s Bay forwards, playing magnificently in rucks and the loose, had slightly the oetter of this ,phase of the play. The visitors’ backs won the game, out the Bay forwards rallied so well that the Africans closed the game up in the last quarter. The game, which was witnessed by a record crowd, was thrilling throughout, and although the visitors had a strong wind behind them in the second half, they met with a resolute defence, and were opposed 1o a team of forwards who bustled their backs into errors, which, however, did not prove

costly. The visitors gained almost three parts of the field with high punts in the second half, and it was then that the Bay forwards were seen at their best, fighting for every yard of territory. VISITORS’ SPEEDY BACKS. The visitors’ back line was easily the fastest seen on McLean Park for some time, but the defence on the whole was sound, tries coming from a quick change of direction, and short punts. Brand, although showing glimpses of his greatness, did not overshadow Dyer, whose work was marked by an outstanding defence. Lawton am Williams, the speedy wingers, were allowed little room to move, due mostly to the covering work of the Bay forwards. In the forward division, the issue was well contested, the spectators being aroused to great heights of enthusiasm by the struggle for possession in the rucks, and Hawke's Bay’s efforts in the loose.

ATTENDANCE OF 16,000. A slight shower an hour before lhe match had little effect on the,ground, and when the teams took the field, before a crowd of sixteen thousand strong, a westerly was blowing straight down the ground. The sun' was shining, and the ground was in

perfect order. Both teams received a tumultuous reception. After the playing of the National Anthem — Clothier had won the toss —the Springboks kicked off against the wind. THE PLAY. From the kick off, Babrow was well tackled. Then the Springbok forwards, led by Nel, stormed the Bay line, and Strachan was brought down inches from the line. With monotonous regularity, South Africa won the ball from the scrums, and from one of these, Craven cut through the Bayforwards with the greatest ease, and sent Bastard over near the posts, for a good try. Brand converted. South Africa 5, Hawke’s Bay 0. In the typical Hawke's Bay forward style, the home team stormed the African line, but the backs were well tackled when they attempted to open up the game. The South Africans were well penned in their quarter, and a few minutes later the visitors infringed, and this time Herbert landed a beautiful goal from fortyyards out. South Africa 5, Hawke’s Bay 3. In a magnificent rush, which carried all before them —and the visitors were as versatile on defence as on attack— Hawke’s Bay stormed the African line in a series of movements, which found the visitors conceding a force down. A STRENUOS BATTLE. A strenuous battle ensued between two great packs, with the Africans having lo fight hard to hold the tigerish rucking of the homsters. After Johnson had failed with another penalty, Robins short punted into the visitors’ quarter, and, from the following line-out, the home forwards surged en masse over the line, where, amidst the wildest excitement Johnson was awarded a well-deserved try. Johnston’s attempt to convert went wide. Hawke’s Bay 6, South Africa 5. Another easy chance to goal from a penalty by Brand went wide, and in a magnificent rush, the Hawke’s Bayforwards covered the whole length of the ground, Brand having to run over the dead-ball area to save the desperate situation. HAWKE’S BAY LOSES FORWARD. . In the movement Johnson was in-

jurefl, and he was carried from the field on a stretcher. Thus early, Hawke’s Bay’s main bulwark, the forwards, were reduced to seven in number. The Africans then cleared to past half-way’ with a splendid rush, which fanned out into a full-fledged back attack, spreadeagling the home defence, for Lawton to score at the corner. Brand’s attempt was wide. South African 8, Hawke’s Bay 6. • HAWKE'S BAY LEAD. The South African half continued to be the venue of play, and when Robins again short-punted, the defence was bustled, and Reid nearly’ gave Dyer, the Bay full-back, a try, the latter being pushed beyond touch over the line. Success was, however, for the Bays, l-’.r from the following lineout, Reid went over for a try. Herbert failed to goal. Hawke’s Bay 9, South Africa 8. Half time was called with no alteration to the score. SECOND SPELL. Africa attacked immediately on the resumption, and a succession of high ;

punts put them right on the Bay line. A scrum went down, and Craven was allowed to run over unopposed under the post-. Brand converted. It was a gift try. South Africa 13, Hawke’s Bay 9. From the following line-out, Nel sent Williams away, but his kick went into touch. Success was assured, however. Van de Vyver short punted, and when the ball bounced awkwardly for the defence, Babrow was there to gain a good try at lhe corner. Brand’s al tempi .went outside.

South Africa 16, Hawke’s Bay 9. Against overwhelming odds, the home forwards fought desperately for every’ yard of territory, but their work was always nullified by' the Africa backs, who used the wind with long touch tinders. CROWD BECAME EXCITED. Hawke’s Bay’s great fight was arousing the crowd to a great pitch of excitement, and the forwards again came away' in another magnificent rush, which had the Africans’ defence at sixes and sevens. Hofmeyr retired, temporarily. It was truly a battle of giants, with the Bay side more than holding their own in the forward division. DEADLY TACKLING. The tackling was deadly and although the Africans, for the most part, were in the Bay territory, they fell before the reaper with a regularity which bespoke of the sound defence. With a quarter of an hour to end the game, Hawke’s Bay were repulsing attack after attack, with grand forward play, in which Dalton, Bowman, Reid, and Jackson were outstanding. Lineouts, scrums and rucks following in quick succession were hotly .-contested, but South Africa gradually worked with great stealth to. the Ba.v line, but another splendid recovery' saw Hawke’s Bay', relieved and bustling the visitors, cleared magnificently per medium of a brilliant movement to the African territory. The attack was short-lived, van de Vyver clearing with a mighty punt to the Bay line. This mighty offensive on the Bay line was thrown back with great vigor, the home forwards combining magnificently.

FINE HAWKE’S BAY MOVEMENT. Bowman joined in and sent his forwards and backs on a grand attack from the home quarter, and although Robins was tackled within an ace of success, Jackson was on hand to go over for a great try amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. Herbert’s attempt went wide. South Africa 16, Hawke’s Bay 12. Africa now rose to great heights, and stormed the home line with an attack, the ferocity of which was equalled by the home team’s splendid defensive efforts. Three minutes left, and Hawke’s Bay wree defending desperately 7. However, the home

team’s hopes of success were dispelled by a movement from the following scrum, Craven in-passing to Lotz, to Gergh, who galloped over the line wide out. Brand converted with a magnificent kick. Springboks 21, Hawke’s Bay-12. South Africa, who were now in an

I unbeatable position, carried play 7 into I the Hawke’s Bay quarter, where the I forwards were again matched in another thrilling duel, which concluded when Brand kicked too hard. Apsey’ made a smart break up-field, and .just on time Bowman led Hawke’s Bay to the African line in another magnificent rush, which was only' repulsed when Babrow cleared in the face of the forwards. The final whistle went immediately' with the score:— SOUTH AFRICA 21 HAWKE’S BAY 12 CAPTAINS’ COMMENTS. Commenting on the match, the Springbok Chptain, Philip Nel, said that it was a good game, but he expressed the opinion that the match was no harder than the games against Taranaki, and Auckland, to-day’s game being spoilt by wind. Special praise for the forwards was given by J. Clothier, the Hawke’s Bay captain, who said that in playing seven against their opponents’ eight for the greater part of the game, Hawke’s Bay forwards played really' magnificently. He also praised the back line, whose defence, he said, on ( the day, ably supported the forwards in holding their brilliant opponents.

SECOND TEST GATE. — CHRISTCHURCH, September 15. Over 40,500 people paid for admission to the second Test match at Christchurch. The gate takings wore £9365, a New Zealand record. WANGANUI 14 —WELLINGTON 8. WANGANUI, September 15. Showing better condition and slightly more pace in the loose, Wanganui defeated Wellington in a Rugbymatch on Spriggens’ Park to-day. The final score was 14 points to 8. INJURIES TO PLAYERS. NAPIER, September 15. Tony Harris, the South African back, is still being rested with the final test in view. White also has muscular soreness. Van Reenen has his left hand in plaster, having broken a bone in the Otago match. Sheriff, the unluckiest of all, is apparently resigned to the prospect of playing' no further games. He has played only twice on the tour. Several camp followers who have followed the team throughout, the tour said goodbye at Wellington yesterday. They are leaving by the Awatea on Friday. Mr. Day also leaves the team shortly. The Gisborne match will be the last he will see.

Grey railway team to play Christchurch railway team on Cobden Domain on Sunday' next at 3 p.m. is as follows: Rae, Ellis, Currie, Hunt. Lithgow, Morgan, Anderson, Howell. Thomson, Kirkwood, Baxter, Griffiths, Mackel, Devlin, Henderson, Tully, McSherry, and Sorenson.