EXCITING PLAY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 72, 12 April 1937, Page 9

EXCITING PLAY

Hastings Score One-Point Win Over M.A.C. Excitement ran high throughout the game between Hastings and M.A-C. on the No, 1. area at Nelson Park, Hastings, and the standard of play was well above the avei'age, especially for the first outing of the season. There was not a great deal between the two leams, and the soore, 13—12 in favour of Hastings, was a very fair indication of the nierits of the respective sides. The teams were: — Hastings.— iVl. Hyer j H. Horton, J. Nelson, P. Itobinson; R. Brimer, A. Gilliesj N, Cooke ■ A. Howell, 1). Tait, it. O'Brien; L. Wilson, A. Aldridg,e, D. McDonald, B. Wright; C, Muir. M.A.G.— S. Jackson; T. Hemepo, Aubry Walford, Arthur Watford; T. Watford, Kurupo ; K. Newton; E. Jackson, W. Mataira, J. Te Ngaio ; J. Greening, M- Kingi, T. Reid, J. Meaiou; S. Crawford. Hastings settled down first against the wind, and their forwards, with Wright and Muir prominent, pressed hard but found S. Jackson always handy for a clearance. H was some timo before M-A.C. were able to take up the attack, but when they did their forwards went exceptionally well and had the Hastings defence bustled. Crawford, Reid and E, Jackson wero the leading lights of the Maori rusbes, and though Hastings made several good ■ counter-inoveinents the Maoris at this . stage were making the pace. Once the Maoris opened their scoring they renewed with greater vim their d^shing play and brought their backs into aetion, but it was the pack who ■ provided the real thrilling passages of

the play with their det^rmined sweepmg movements and readiness to keep the ball on the move, either by handling or at the feet, Two very good tries .•ajne to S. Jackson and Meafou from forward movements, and a penalty goaj put M.A.C. up uine points to nil at the interval. Hastinge lost no time reducing the rnargin in the second half, and using the wind to good advantage they opened their account with a penalty aiid then began to throw the ball about, baeks and forwards combining quite well at times. The Maoris were spending the best part of their time on defence and finding it no easy task keeping their line clear, for several of the Hastings side, notably Nelson, Muir, Gillies, Horton and Dyer, put in splendid solo bursts. The Maoris' tally was gradually overhauled, two goyd tries being gained by Hastings to make them 13—9, l)ut pt.A.C. rallied well and in the closiug stages they were going l'ull out to rtv gain their leud. Play was strenuous and the referee had to issue a few cautions, this to the forwards, who were j now in control. The margin was evenbually reduced to a point when Newton scored a very elever try from a serum tn the line, and though M.A.C- made a smart bid it failed. The scorers wero; — Hastings: Nelson (try and two conversions), Dyer (penalty gOal), Wright (try). M.A.C.: SI Jackson (penalty goal), E. Jackson, Meafou aud Newton (try apiece), i Mr J. Scott refereed.