How Auckland Beat Hawke's Bay Team

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1065, 1 September 1930, Page 6

How Auckland Beat Hawke's Bay Team

SLIGHTLY BETTER BACKS FORWARDS WERE EVEN

Special to THE SL'X NAPIER, Saturday. The Auckland Rugby touring team defeated Hawke’s Bay by 8 points to € today. It could he said that the game resolved itself into a struggle between two even sets of forwards and the slightly superior Auckland backs. Corner, behind the pack, was much ahead of his vis-a-vis, Geddes, shooting the ball out to his backs with almost monotonous precision; but he found that his supporting backs were of little use when it came to that essential of back play, penetration. However, it is said that possession is nine points of the game, and by having the ball in their hands they prevented the Black and Whites from making use of it. At times during the game it looked as if the visitors must assuredly score; but it was their inability to thrust home their attacks that prevented them from placing a greater margin of difference in the scores between them and their opponents. In the forwards, it would be difficult -o say which of the two packs held the ascendancy, as the line-outs favoured the Bay, while the scrums went in favour of Auckland. Hadley and Palmer' did yeoman service to their side in the matter of getting the ball from the scrums, and as the referee was over-liberal with his whistle, this contributed largely to Auckland’s success. In the line-outs, Cyril Brownlie was as prominent as ever, and proved to be invaluable to his side; but his backs failed to take the fullest advantage of the opportunities that were given them. From the point of view of the spectator, the game was a decidedly dull one, as it lacked the sting and pep which should characterise a game between two provincial representative sides. With the exception of a few. instances during the last 15 minutes there was seldom seen a movement in which the ball was handled by every player from the halfback to wing, dropped passes marring many promising movements. The tackling of the Bay team, both back and forward, could be attributed to the Yellow’s failure in the rearguard department, as it was this that was responsible for the downfall of many of their movements. At times, especially in the dying stages, the game was somewhat willing, and the referee, Mr. H. Kidson. was called upon on several occasions to administer a warning to the players.

WELLINGTON BEATS OTAGO WIN ON GREASY GROUND Press Association DUNEDIN, Saturday. The Wellington touring Rugby team defeated Otago today by 18 points to 8. The match was played at Carisbrook before an attendance of about 10,000. The ground was very sticky and the ball was greasy. Rain fell for most of the first spell. The Wellington forwards hooked the ball with monotonous regularity and the backs had many chances, whereas the Otago backs saw little or nothing of the ball from the scrums. Cooke and Olliver were the pick of the visiting backs, while McLean was easily the best forward on the ground. Bradanovieh and Fookes did well for Otago and Christie and Sonntag were always useful in the forwards. Soon after the start the game was held up for a few' minutes ow’ing to an injury to Cooke. Foley sent his backs away and Olliver set out for the line, being pulled down by Lindsay five yards from his- objective. McPherson followed up fast and picked up to score. Heazlewood’s kick failed. The Wellington backs got away again and Olliver made a great run, being cleanly tackled by Bradanovieh when be looked most dangerous. From a scrum Foley secured and passed to Olliver, who scored at the corner. Heazlewood’s kick missed. Otago set up a series of attacks and eventually Bradanovieh “dummied” and scored in a handy position. Lindsay converted. Wellington then attacked and only selfishness on Page’s part prevented an addition to the score. At half-time the score was:—Wellington, 6; Otago, When the second spell started the Wellington forwards rushed play to Otago territory and the visiting backs made frequent dangerous onslaughts. The defence was sound, however. Miller, at this stage, retired hurt and was replaced by Jackson. Foley electrified the crowd w'ith a brilliant run. being pushed out a few yards from the line. The Otago forwards broke aw r ay but Heazlewood fielded smartly and potted a beautiful goal from 35 yards out. Price retired hurt and was replaced by DeidrichA few minutes later Cooke picked up

60yds downfield and raced for the. line, passing Lindsay and scoring at the corner. Heazlewood converted with a magnificent kick. The Otago forwards started a dribbling rush and Christie caught Foley with the ball, Hore coming up to score right on the corner. Lindsay’s kick was a poster. The next score came in a minute. Olliver broke away and, swerving past Laing, McSkimming and Lindsay, scored at the corner. Heazlewood’s kick missed. Giles collided heavily with Pollock, the latter being carried off. There was no further scoring, the game ending:—Wellington, 18; Otago, S.