BAY’S GREAT PACK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 141, 5 September 1927, Page 6

BAY’S GREAT PACK

CANTERBURY’S DEFEAT PLAINSMEN DOMINATED (Special to THE SUN.) NAPIER, Saturday. THE might of the Hawke’s Bay pack gave it dominance over the Canterbury forwards in the first match/ of the northern tour of the men from the plains, and it is safe to say that all traditions of Hawke's Bay forward play were upheld to-day. Although it strove hard, the Canterbury van was unable to make headway against the speed, and weight, and superior combination of the magpies. • Hawke’s Bay assaulted continuously, and the Canterbury forwards, because of indifferent tackling and a lack of initiative, were overwhelmed. They crumpled, and Hawke’s Bay won a fine match by the margin of 11 points to 8. The Canterbury backs, however, saved their side, and gave a sterling exhibition, hampered as they were, and overworked in defence. Had it not been for a mistake by the referee.

Canterbury would have won the match, for J. Harris, fullback, chasing a long Bay kick, forced twice to make sure of things; Dut G. Conrad, the Bay lock, following up, touched down a third time, and the referee (Mr. U. Batchelor), thinking that Harris had not forced, gave Conrad a try, which B. Grenside converted.

CANTERBURY BACKS DO WELL The match was a duel between Canterbury backs and Bay forwards, with Canterbury forwards doing honestly in the tight. Canterbury backs went well, every man. and the All Blacks, W. Dailey, N. P. McGregor, J. Steel, and A. C. C. Robilliard. were right on form in all departments. Dailey played a fine game, and is sure of a trip to South Africa. McGregor tackled well, and, despite lack of opportunities, made some flashing runs. He kicked well.

Robilliard made W. Huxtable, the Bay winger, look foolish when he scored a characteristic try, streaking along the touchline.

H. Lilburne, who is looked on as a certainty for the fullback position for the All Black team next season, had to retire early in the second half. He played at second five-eighth, and was invaluable on defence, kicking and tackling nicely. J. Harris, fullback, was uncertain at times in ground fielding, but did not make a mistake. He should go close to the New Zealand team as well.

The Bay backs were disappointing as a whole, but good individually. B. Grenside, the winger, played a great game, a,nd ran with plenty of dash and determination. His defence was first-rate.

J. Blake was brilliant at times in the first half, but did not shine in the second so much.

T. Corkill, first five-eighth, played a fine opportunist game until retirement at half-time. Others, except G. Yates, fullback, were disappointing. W. Edwards, the Maori half, was too slow in getting the ball out, though he was good on defence.

The title of “the best pack in the Dominion” is still held by the Bay on to-day’s showing. Every forward played a great game, and the pace right through was a cracker. GREAT FORWARDS

The dominating forward on the ground was Maurice Brownlie, and he played a wonderful game in all departments. His brother Cyril was not far

M. Brownlie T. Corkhil! behind, but. lacking the finish of Maurice, was the fastest man in the Bay team, and played a great line-out game. G. Conrad, the new lock, is a fine forward, not very big, but strong and powerfully built, at home in loose and tight alike. G. Campbell and J, Swain both must be considered as choices for the All Black team.

W. Barclay played a fine wing for ward game.

When the Bay recovers its back form it will once more be the premier province in the Dominion. The side is still dangerous, though, and likely to trouble the best of teams. Canterbury forwards were off-colour, and the tackling was weak. They went fairly well in the tight, with hooking honours even, but in the loose they were not a force to be reckoned with.

The best forward was J. T. Burrows, hooker, and New Zealand University and South Island representative. He played a fine game right throughout, and time and time again smashed his way through the whole Bay pack with the ball.

G. T. Alley shone at times in the open, but failed to make sufficient use of his weight. His form was disappointing in view of his displays i:. Christchurch. The other forwards were off form excepting G. Scrimshaw, wing, who played a fine game in the second half.