BAY’S TRIUMPH

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 111, 1 August 1927, Page 11

BAY’S TRIUMPH

FORWARDS IN FORM POSSIBILITIES FOR AUCKLAND DUE HERE AUGUST 27 C Special to THE SUN.) NAPIER, To-day. Played before only a moderate attendance, the game between Hawke’s Bay and Manawhenua on Saturday was the finest exposition of wetweather football seen in Napier since the prosperous regime of shield-pos-session started. Despite the fact that sheets of water lay over the playing area, and rain pelted down practically throughout the game, the play was quite bright for tlie majority of its course, and at times was quite fast. In the first quarter of an hour the Bay forwards took all before them, M. Brownlie, S. Gemmell and R. Tankard playing sterling games. The first Bay score, however, ended their period of domination in the first spell, for after that the solid Manawhenua van held sway, S. Parsons, P. Payne, O. Galpin and D. Tatana being conspicuous at the head of the red, white and blue van, whose dash tested the Bay defence severely. YATES RELIABLE Here G. Yates, who had been dragged from his retirement to fill the custodian’s job left vacant by the departure of the great George Nepia, answered every call, so that at halftime T. Corkill’s solo dribbling try, converted by B. Grenside, was the only score. After the lemons the Bay changed their tactics, and for the first ten minutes the giant forwards, led by M. Brownlie, G. Brownlie and W. Barclay, battered the defence and then let the ball out to the backs. Notwithstanding the slippery state of the pigskin, the home chain handled beautifully, and staged many exhilirating passing L>outs. A sparkling bout between W. Edwards, J. Blake and B. Grenside paved the way for a scrum near the visitors’ lino, whence M. Brownlie dribbled the ball over and fell on it. Only a few minutes had elapsed when C. Brownlie leapt aloft in a lineout, and flung the leather to Te Ngaio, who opened a great rush for T. Corkill, J. Blake and W. Huxtable to handle, the young winger, who was only in the junior ranks last year, streaking away for a great try in the corner. This youth is showing promising form here, and the last try was a direct result of a clever move by him. Blocked on the side-line by three men, he stab-kicked over their heads, followed through fast, and dribbled the ball over the line, to fall on it at the corner. M. Brownlie closed a great day’s work by kicking a splendid goal. The big fellow is showing slashing form just now. BARCLAY AS ROVER Figuring now in the role of rover, W. Barclay kept on the ball all the time, leading in the loose rushes of the forwards, and joining in the passing bouts of the backs. C. Brownlie, and J. Swain also played well for the Bay. In the Bay backs W. Edwards, a young native boy, was as solid as a rock at half. A great little defensive player, he opens the game up nicely on attack. The brilliant but inconsistent J. M. Blake was on form in this game, and made electrifying solo dashes, in addition to running his wingers well into position. B. Grenside played a sterling game all through. Always dangerous, though well marked by H. Darragh, the solid Manawhenua winger, the Bay galloper is another strong candidate for All Black honours, for he maintains his great scoring record, in addition to being a consistent goal-kick. The veteran TI. Jacob still has dash, and S. Parsons and O. Galpin are two solid packmen, who played well for the visitors. Their backs lacked attacking initiative, but were rock-like on defence, where S. Hunt, D. Brophy and J. Williamson were noticeable for solid tackling and long line-kicking. Two young Bay forwards who are tipped here as possibilities for higher honours took little part in this game. C. Campbell, a young Hastings dairyfarmer, has been showing great form this year, but against Taranaki last Wednesday he got an old cut over the eye opened, and could not play on Saturday. Only 22 years of age, he is a bustling loose forward, and also a good packman. One year his junior, G. Conrad, the new Bay lock, has turned out a find. Scaling 14st. 71b., he is a splendid figure of a man, and vesy fast for his weight. He locks the scrum well, and uses his height to advantage in the line-outs, in addition to being a great exponent of fol-lowing-up tactics. BAY FOR AUCKLAND The Bay team disbanded after the match till August 24, when they meet Wanganui prior to playing Auckland at Auckland on August 27. As this latter game is only three weeks before the first All Black trial match at Napier, it is expected that the Bay possibilities for the South African tour, including M. Brownlie, C. Brownlie and B. Grenside, will make the trip to Auckland, with a view to working into form for the trial games. Rugby Players for Rep. Training MR. MEREDITH’S LIST TWO SENIOR B MEN In view of forthcoming Rugby representative matches, the first of which will be played against South Canterbury at Eden Park next Saturday, the sole selector of the Auckland team, Mr. V. R. Meredith, has chosen the following players for practice: Backs. —Paewai (Grafton): Lucas, Hook, Woods, Berridge, McMaqus (Ponsonby); Sheen (College Rifles); Meyer (Training College); Badeley (Grammar Old Boys); Wright (Marist). Forwards. —Hadley (Marist), Palmer (Ponsonby); B. Fletcher (Waitemata); Righton (Ponsonby); Cathcart (Grammar Old Boys); McWilliams (Ponsonby); Fell (City); Knight, Batty (Grammar ‘Old Boys); Linton, Keene (University); Wanoa (Grafton). It will be noted that two Senior B forwards are included in the list, Fell (City) and Fletcher (Waitemata). After Butler’s fine game in the representative match at Whangarei recently, his omission from the 22 players chosen will cause surprise.