A CLOSE WIN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 96, 10 May 1937, Page 9

A CLOSE WIN

Hastings Win Over Napier H.S.OB. A BR1GHT GAME Hastings and Napier H.S.O.B. occupied the No. 1 area at Nelson Park, Hastings, ahd turned on a, bright, even and exciting game. f The play was exceptionally even s . throughout, with Old Boys holding the advantage on points right up to the last minute wsen a fine conversion of a try gave Hastings a deserved win by ei'ght points to seven. The teams were as folfow: — Hastings— Dyer; Sparks, Robertson, Wright; Brimer, Nelson; Cooke; iVilson, Aldridge, McDonald, Tate, O'Brien, Howell, Croft, IMuir. Napier H.S.O-B. — Mitchell ; O'Rourke,- 0. Cox, Butler; Macey, Bradley; Clothier; Amner, Bhmor, Griffiths, Baines, Smith, Crawford-Smith. 1 Willis and E. Cos.

The early part of the game was confined mainly to between the qnarterways, with the Old Boys backs obtainLng a fair measure of success with the ball, but flndiug the Hastings tackling very determined. The forwards of both sides were indulging in exciting loose rushes that took a lot of stopping. Territorially Hastings had the betfcer of the spell, their forwards shaping better in the loose and thtey made .much use of the side line. Towards the ehd of the spell they were frequently close to the scoring line, forwards showing up better than backs when it came to short passing bouts. Hcw ever, the honoun of leadug at the interval fell to Old Boye", whose 1-acks came to light with a succession of promising) passing bouts, and just on the call of the interval Old Boys were pressing strongly near the posts. A clever piece of play by Clothier and Bradley enabled the latter to pot a field goal and half-time was called uith the score 4—0. Old Boys sought to iiuprove tlieir posifcion early by medus oi rearguard morements and for a long tiine they kept Hastings defending strcnuousiy. Graduolly the Hastings loiwaids cleared the decks and Cooke engineered a pretty try, having to sell a couplo of "dummdes" en route, but the effort brolse down at the corner. Hastings were now on top and setting a iast pace and were xewarded somewhat when Nelson kicked a penalty goul, lt was a lucky gain, for ihe ball stluck the near upright, and bounded on to and over the bar.

The second half of the spell was £u]l of interest, with both sides goiug lull out to place the issue beyond dono;.. Old Boys were successful in improving their tally when Smith went over at the tail-end of a passing bout. Then Hastings made a last effort, and a long pass by Howell to Cooke enabled the latter to battle his way over near the corner. Nelson, with a remarkably fine effort. converted and timo was called immediately afterwards, leaving Hastings 8 — 7 ahead- . The scorers were: Hastings, Nelson (penalty goal and conversion), Cooke (try); Napier H.S.O.B. : Bradley (field goal) and Smith (try). Mr D. Graham was referee.