42-Point Margin

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 123, 10 June 1937, Page 14

42-Point Margin

HAWKE'S BAY WIN . Wairarapa Completely Overwhelmed J0HNS0N PROMINENT Hawke's Bay overwhelmed Wairarapa in the representative Rugby fixture played at McLean Park, Napier, yesterday, "by the total of 47 points to five — the second largest total ever made by any teani in the matches between the two provinces since the first game in 1890. The speedy Hawke's Bay backs, given a liberal supply of the ball from a forward pack that was for the majority of the game . far superior to the Wairarapa forwards, found weak places in the opposing defence and piled np points at rapid rate. Tor a portion of the game the Wairarapa forwaids gained the ascendancy, hut for the grcater part Hawke's Bay were able to do as they liked. Play was c^nfined to a tussle between the opposing pack and Wairarapa were twice penalised for scrOm infringements in"the first few minutes. After 10 minutes of play, Wilson smothered a clearing kick by O'Callaghan, the opposing full-back, and regaining possession, went over unopposed near the corner. Johnson converted, and a minute later raised the flags onte more with a nicely-judged penalty from the sideline Hawke's Bay 8 , Wairarapa 0 Soon after, the hoine rearguard swung into action from a scrum at half-way, the ball travelling right alohg the line to Apsey, -who made ground before transferring infield to Robins, who handed on to Bradley, tbe latter

touching down beneath. the posts and cohverting his own score JMore points followed when Robins secured in neutral territory and raced through the del'cnce passiug to Johnson, who scored. Bradley again goaled. Hawke's Bay 18 Wairarapa 0 cood H.B. Handling The Wairarapa handling was in direct cont,rast to the crisp, aceurate passing of^the Bay men, and gaps in the visiting defence were found again and again by the speedy backs. In loose forward play, Wairarapa broke eVen, but their young pack wa.s no match in the tight far tbe more experienced Hawke's Bay vanguard. Robins and Johnson were in the picture again when 6they repeated their previous try, almost to the letter, Bradley again obliging with the extra points. At this stage Eastwood retired hurt, O'Callaghan moving to the'wing position and I. Bond taking the fullback position. Wairarapa made a sortie, but when Brunton niissed a penalty, Hawke's Bay cleared. With a quick change of direction Apsey rau across field and threw a long pass to Dalton, to O'Brien, who passed on to White. Tbe winger put in a typical run to beat O'Callaghan and score. Johnson missed the kick. White again crossed when he caught a pass. from Hannigaq and dived over the line.. Johnson's kick missed and the score at half-time was Hawke's Bay 29 Wairarapa ■ 0 The second spell opened with a Wairarapa forward rush that went to the Hawke's Bay line. Johnson lost the ball, and Varcoe was on hand to fall on it for a try. Brunton connected, and the visitors oncc more attacked, .White clearing in the face of tbe forward. rush. Visiting Pack On Ton Spoilmg work ' by the Green pack stopped many Hawke's Bay back movements, th.e, visiting forwards breaking np very fast, and, at this period of the game, ovefshadowing their opponents. Dycr was working overtime to clcar repeatedly. The Wairarapa, tackling improved inimeuscly, and tirue after time Hawke's Uay altacks were sto]>ped and drivcn back. Rppeatcd attackmg bore fruib, however, when White received in a passing rush and sent Herbert over for a try witli a well-tiiued pass near the line. Bradley converted. rmmediately after, Johnson crossed for his tliird try after Apsey, Robins and Bradley had haudled. Bradley's kick missed, and tbe score was:-— [Iawke's Bay 37 Wairarapa 6 Soon after, Apsey olectrified the crowd, as, with a dazzling burst oi' specd he rau through the opposing temn, drew the full-back, and seut e1

Johnson across under the bar for his fourth try. Bradley goaled. A nice "cut in" near the line gave Robins a well-deserved try, converted by Bradley, and tbe final whistle eouuded with the score Hawke's Bay 4'/ Wairarapa 6 Mr E. D. Berry refereed.