RUSH TO GROUNDS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 205, 15 September 1937, Page 6

RUSH TO GROUNDS

liiiermittent Showers Before Match Starts CONTROL OF TRAFFIC The gates into McLean Park. Napier, were opeped half an liour before tlie sclieduled time this raoniing because tlie queues of speetators wai t ing to gain admission to the Hawke's Bay v. South Ai'rica match were so large as lo interfere with traffie in the locality. From 10 o'clock onwards the turnstiles cli&ked at ever-increasing speed, and the available unreserved seats and stauding room were rapidly occupied. It is estiinated that at least 12,000 saw the kick-off. Notiiing better in the way of condiLions i'or the match could have been hoped i'or during the morning. The weather was fine and wurni, and Ihe sun skene brillianlly until shortly before oue o 'clock, when heavy clouds banked up and iiitennittent showers of rain began. Fears of a sodden ground were eiiterlaiiiod by the speetators, but the rain had not made a noticeable diit'eroiice when tlie game began. A iiesli south- w-esterly breeze gave a eertain advantage, but varied ofteu in strenglh. "Leave your cars at home," was tlie fervenl prayer '-f the various officers 011 duty coulrclil \ r traffie .iu the business area and near the grounds. Lu tiiis work, oliicers of the Aulomobile Association co-operated with the loeai authorities in the difficult tusk of kcLqiing under control tho streams of buses, bicycles, private aio tor ea rs, trucks, and taxis that eonverged upon the grounds in everincieasing numbers as the star. ing timo approached. Very eflicient work was perfornicd by the olllcers, although at the end of tlie game all the streets adjoining the park were lined on both sides by inotor vehicles. No serious hold-up occurred aud, with the co-operation . of tho motorists themselves, the arrangements for the control of trnflic. were quickly carried into effect. With all tho main stands and temporarv stands full, Ihe reinaining speetators quickly occupied •most of tho otiier seating acconimodatioii. Others with boxes and ladders took up positions on the grass. banks at the eastern end of the ground and in the open space between the banks and tlie gute. The teams were acco'rded a great ovation as they ynarched on the field. The teams were: — ^OUTH AFIllCA. Full back 4 G. H. Brand. Wing-Threequartors. D. (). Williams. S. U. Hofmeyr. Centre-Threequarters. Babrow. A. D. Lawton. cjtaiul-off Half .D F. van der Vyver. iScrum Half D. H. Craven. Back Row B. Du Toit. Middle Row W. E. Bastard. 10. J. Nel, W. F. Bergh, L. C. Strachan Front Row S. C. Louw, J. W. Lotz, M. Al. f.ouw. HAWKE'S BAY. Full back Al, Dyer. Threequarters V. Herbert, 11. Devine, E. Apsev. Five-eighths C. Robins p. Reid IlaJf-back Clothier. 1 Back Row W. Johnson ? Middle Row P. Smith, 'P. Reid, II. ^owman, C. Wilson. Front Row E. Jackson, D. .Dalton, L. Hanuigun