HAWKES BAY RETAIN SHIELD.

Shannon News, 8 September 1925, Page 3

HAWKES BAY RETAIN SHIELD.

EXCITING MATCH IN WELLINGTON WELLINGTON, Last Night. Close on 25,000 people saw one of the most exciting contests for the Ranfnrly Shield exer witnessed in Wellington. They saw

two great sides clash, and saw the better team win. The Gladiators. Wellington: Walters, Hickey, Svenson, Bedell, Johnson, Nieholls, Warwick, Porter, Young, Crotty, J* Shearer. Martin-Smith, Sly S. Shearer Osborne. Hawke’s Bay: Nepia, Grenside, J. Blake, Falwasser, Corldll, Paewai, J. Mill, J. Walker, S. Gemmell, J. Ormond, M. Brownlie M. Mahoney, C. Brownlie, W. Irvine, Kirkpatrick. Hawke's Bay owed the victory to its great forward pack, who, in the heavy ground, dominated play. Only the magnificent defensive work of the Wellington backs kept them out on several occasions. Falwasser Scores First Try. In the first spell, after a Bay attack, the Wellington forwards dribdied up-field and were hammering on the Bay line, when Mill secured from the scrum', shot round blind side and passed to Falwasser who i’an up to Walters, short-punted, secured possession again, and raced the last 50 yards to score a sensational try. The kick failed. Two Goals to Wellington. Wellington returned to the attack and just as the Bay forwards were relieving, Svenson marked off theit toes, and kicked a great goal.—3—3, Wellington now had a-long spell on the 'defence. The Bay forwards were getting the ball from the scrums and line-outs, and giving the backs every opportunity. Falwasser fielded in an attempt to clear and veered infield.' He passed to Paewai, to Corkill, who dashed over under the posts. Grenside failed to convert. —6 —3. Back came Wellington, Nieholls gained ground by line-kicking, and a penalty on the side-line saw him land a beautiful goal.'—6—6. Great Bay Forwards. Early in the second spell, the Bay forwards carried all before them. Swain scored, but Irvine failed with an easy kick.—9 —6. 1 Wellington shot ahead as the result of a beautiful solo run by Nieholls, who then passed to Svenson to score. Nieholls goaled, and the score way 11—9 in Wellington’s favour. The game was now exciting, but Hawke’s Bay soon put the issue beyoni doubt. A foolish cross-kick let Swain through and Irvine goaled.—• 14—11. Then followed a great’ passing rush by the Bay forwards, which resulted in Gemmell crossing. Grenside failed to convert. Just on time, when Bay was pressing bard, M. Brownlie bullocked over from the line-out, and the game ended 20—11. Mr Atkinson refereed. »;