Rugby.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 170, 5 August 1937, Page 13

Rugby.

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rilNAL AtTRUAuito Good Match Between Marist and M.A.C. Anticipated TEST PROSPECTS

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The principal interest, in last week's series of fixtures Was the match between Marist and Technical Old Boys, and with Marist successful and M.A.O. also in winning vein, the way is now cleared for what to all intents will be the championship final between M.A.O. and Marist. This is set down for Hastings' jnext Satmrd'ay, (and it sholild prove to be a match well worthy of the title at stake. Eor a long period in the match between Technical Old Boys and Marist last Saturday it looked very much as if Technical would emerge triumpixaut, but, despite the efforts of thear fine pack of forwards, the Grey rearguard were by comparison poor. and so the forwards, as often happens, were run off their legs. Rarely, indeed, has a more colourless performaixce been given on McLean Rark by a rearguard as that turned Ott by. Technical, but even so it was only in the final stages that Marist got the upper hand. The Marist back division was not too happy at times either, and they Will need to exhibit a more robust defence next Saturday if they are to be successful. Technical forwards, with Dalton and Bowman very prominent, shaded tke Marist pack in all departments- most of the game, but lack of isupport told its tale. The Technical kalf-baok, tke dixainutive Workman, promoted for tke day from the tkird grade, gave a plticky display, but kis paases were always delivered so that Peterson wae obliged to take tkem flat-footed and tkere tke trouh(le commenced, Frequently tke Technical backs lost 30 yards of territory in their passing bouts. Tke only back on tke Technical side that did slxow enterprise wae Byford. -• 1 . *■*'; For Marist Griffin. J. O'Brden, Allsop and Hargraves worked hard and prominently in tke forwards, witk Hanan, Davis and MOss equally so in tke iearguard. Robins was very much off until the concluding stages when ke sparkled Up tremendously. A Fast Game. t, Celtic and Pii-atee, on No. 2 ground, turned on a fast game, made so at times by tke mistakes perpetrated , by both sides. A really bingkt effort was Reid's solo try for Celtic, kis swerving run carrying kim tkrougk from kalfway. Tomoana, at kalf, is not fulfilling last year's promise, possibly because of a decline in tke quality* of , tke Celtic vanguard, for it cannot be said that tke pack even approack that of tke 1936 season. Hannigan stamls out like a beacon ligkfc in every game, and it was' tke same against Pirates witk Maaka also lending a capable kand. Of Pirates it can be said that they throw away scoring opportunities witk tke prodigality that tke housewife scatters corn to her farmyard kens, On Saturday trxes went begging galoro. M6re tkan kalf of the team do not pay attention to tke value of combination and they play as individualistsfl and witk limited knowledge in that respect, too. It is a pity in many ways. and I feel sure that witk good coacking Pirates could be made into a side that would compare favourably witk the good sides that have worn the black jersey in tke pas£. Two Big Wins. Both the games in Hastings on Saturday were one-sided affairs, M.A.C. continuing their winning way to down Havelock North by 23 points to nil, and Hastings Old Boys had a picnic outing against Hastings. Greater interest was taken in the perforniance of the Maoris in view of the importance of their next two engagements, particulariy that set down for next Saturday when they meet Marist. The Maoris were at a disadvautage as regards combined play because it was a month since they had been together. Tho forwards revealed something of their old form, though it was tiot up to their Usual standard, probably because the opposition was not of the strongest. The Maori backs were disappointing. ■Certainly individuals were good on occasions, but on the general run of the game they were not at all impressive. They will need to perform a great deal bet^r next Saturday if they are not to leifc their forwards down. Springhoks at New Plymoutb Taranaki, despite tho disparity in the scores, worried the Springhoks considerably. One forms the opinion at first glance that the South Africans fulfill one's ideas as regards the complete footballer. This impression is heightened when their superiority in scrums and line-outs is noted and also the expertness of Danie Cfaven in getting the ball away. It is all done so well, and one felt wateliing the Taranaki efforts a sort of hopelessness on their behalf. But that is only the first x'mpression. The Springhoks from tkqir grand begxnning fell from gra^o. They were bustled At times by - tke