TWELVE TO EIGHT

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

TWELVE TO EIGHT

Marist Beat Pirates in Fast Game Wearing their brilliant new jerseys. M.B.O-B. defeated Pirates at McLean Park, Napier, on Saturday, by 12 points to eight. Although Pirates had a definite advantage in the scrums, they failed to use the high wind that favoured them in the first half, aud this factor, combined with the ability of Marist in open play, caused their defeat. The teams were: — Mi.B.O.B.— P. Brewer; V. Mclvor, A. Hansen, W. Davis; H, Benson, G, B0'3" ins ; E, Moss ; C. Hardgrave, M, Griffiu, C. Sorensonj M. O'Brien, F. Armstrong, K. Exeter, J. Allsopp, J- O'Brien. Pirates. — S, Boardman • L. Patchett, D. Dowrick, V. Thompson; J. Watts, A. Lopdell; R, Listerj B. Bliss, R. Keeble, H. Fraser ; S>. McKenzie, J. Cooke, J. Rossiter, S. Hardgrave; B. Hill.. "Eyebrow tackles"' were all the rage in the opening. stages of the game, during which Pirates gained a monopoly of the ball from scrums, The Marist forwards, with ball at toe, drove back a rush which had reached their line, and for a time play consisted of a series of scrums through handling infringiements. Pirates took scrums in preference to line-outs, and the speed with which Keeble raked the ball through to the newcomer, Lister, fully justified the choice. Twice in quick succession Brewer was called on to clear. Hansen was very unlucky not to score when the ball rolled into the dead area after ha had stalled off two m.en in a race to toueh down. After J. O'Brien had dribbled the ball up to the line, Marist were presented with a penalty, and Hardgrave made no mistake, with the easy kick. Soon after, Pirates forced their way across, but the ball rolled into touch. Smart work by Moss and a lucky bounce gave Marist the next try. Mosa secured at half-way and kicked straight ahead. Sorenson followed up very fast, aud, when the ball hounced- into his arms, romped over for a very good try. O'Brien' s kick misSed. " A swift bout of passing drew the eurtain on the first half, when the large vyiuger, Davis, rushed through the Pirate team, and, reverse-passing all the* way with Robins, took the ball to the ljne before being stopped. O'Brien then. missed a penalty. A forward rush soon after the resumption of play saw Hardgirave dash over, but once more O'Brien missed the kickMarist then began to maue use of the wind, which Pirates had neglected in xhe first haJf,- with the result that chey kept for the most part on attack, A lew moments of torrid forward work resulted in a casualty, and Sorenson was warned by the referee. A period of hammermg by Pirates then had the desired result, as McKenzie went over for a fine try. Dowrick converted, to bring Pirates within reach of victory, and play iivened up after a period or slaelsuess. Patchett then put in a typical dash down the line, and, thougli tackied, grounded the ball in the coraer. S, Hardgrave missed a difficult kigk. Then from a line-out at the Pirate twenty-five J. O'Brien surged through and transferred to Hardgrave, who scored. M. O'Brien missed the kick. Marist were on attack at the tin.nl whistle, The scorers were: — JM.B-O.B. : G. Hardgrave (two tries and a penalty Sjoal) and Sorenson (try). Pirates (8; : McKenzie (try), Patchett (try), and Mr N- Gilchrist was the referee. Dowrick (conversion) .