HASTINGS JUST MISS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 149, 12 July 1937, Page 14

HASTINGS JUST MISS

Battle of Forwards with Napier H.s.O.B. HUTCHINSON KICKS WELL Hastings were unfortunate to lose to Napier H.S.O.B. in a dour struggle at McLean Park, Napier, on Saturday. The visitors scored , three- tries to their opponents' oue, and it was the magnificent kicking of the Napier H.S.O.B. full-bpk, M, Hutchinson, who pcored eight points, that gave the final victory to his team by 11 points to nins. The game was eonfined for ;he major uart to a battle between the forWards. The teamc wero:— H.S.O.B. (White). — Hutchinson, Austin, G. Cox, O'Rourke, Rees, Marr, McK-innon, Butler, W. Clothier, Smith, Willis, E. Cox, Max Hutchinson, Craw-ford-Smith, Amner. Hastings (Yellow and Black).— Dyer, Robertaon, Nelson, Horton, Gillies, Cooke, McVay, Howell, Tate, Wilson, McDonald, Croft, Wright, Muir Aldxidge, The game had not l"ng beea in progress when Old Boys, playing with the wmd, broke away into enemy territory, Crawford-Smith and Clothier leading a fine rush. . Hastings wero penalised, and Hutchinson, with tho wind at a slight angle behind hira, lifted the ball well and truly over the bar from 40 yards out. Almogt dmmediately afterwards, Hutchinson essaycd a penalty from tho half-way line, but although the kick was powerful enough, it went outside the posts by a short margin. Old BoyS spent the first half of the spoli in Hastings territory, and made repeated efforts to score, that were stopped^ partly by good defenee, and partly by the poor playof theiT back line, which, with Bradley and Clothier absent, laeked its usual combinat'-on. Little by little Hastings pushed forward, however, and from close quarter-s Aldridge whipped over for a good try. The wind carried Nelson 's kick astray. Soon after, a stray Mck by Old Boys found its way into the hands of Gillies, who put in a dorlging run 'and touched inider ihe Nelson missed an oh.ij

two pointflj, and at the interval Hastings were three points in the lead. Although the Old Boys forwards played well, it was by me&ns of another penalty that they drew level. Hutchinson kicked a magnificent long-range goal against the wind. Hastings crossed, but the referee ruled the try out, and Old Boys attacked once more, W. Clothier scoring well out, for HutehinBon to convert. Aldridge retaliated with a fine solo tryin the corner, but repeated efforts to make Up their lead by Hastings were of no avail. Scorers; Napier H.S.O.B. (31), M. Hutchinson (two penalty goals and a conversion) ^ W. Clothier (try). Hastings (9) Aldridge (two tries) and Gillies (try). Mr W. Forrest refereed.