AUCKLAND V. HAWKE'S BAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 197, 19 August 1895, Page 3

AUCKLAND V. HAWKE'S BAY.

A VICTORY FOR AUCKLAND

(BY TEI.EGRAT-H—SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Napier, Saturday.

The in terprovincialfootball match between Auckland and Hawke's Bay was played here this afternoon, resulting in a win for Auckland by 10 points (two goals from tries) to 3 points (ono try). The following were the teams :—

Auckland : Full-back, Masefield ; threequarters, Abaalom, Riley, Surman ; halves, Ronayne, Braund, Sbepbenson ; forwards, Brown, Mills, McMillan, Murray, Gittos, Brady, Speight, and Clarkin.

Hawke's Bay: — Full-back, J. Coghlan ; three-quarters, McDonnell, J. Laws, and M. Macfarlane; five-eighths, J. Donnelly ; half-back, W. O'Connell ; wing forwards, S. Jago and S. Downey ; forwards. Woodward, A. Malcon, Barr, Geordine, P. Kelly, J. Toohey and A. Cheer.

Auckland won the toss, and took advantage of the wind and sun. After the kickoff, scrum ensued at centre, from which Laws kicked well down the field, bub Murray returned to Eawke's Bay's 25. Auckland started a passing run, which Coghlan stopped, and the Hawke's Bay forwards took the ball back to centre. A passing run between Braund, Stephenson, and Abaalom was spoilt by throwing on. Murray had a shot at goal from a mark in a good position, bub missed. From a scrum in front of Hawke'e Biy's goal, Jago came through and dribbled to Auckland's 25. The Auckland forwards heeled oub splendidly, but Ronayne mulled the pass, and a scrum followed at centre. A free kick for Hawke'a Bay was here taken, bub the return being ppoilb, a neat pass was made to McDonnell, who dashed through his opponents and scored in a good position. No goal resulted. Hawke's Bay ... ... ... 3 Auckland 0 After kick-off Braund kicked down the field, and a passing run enabled Absalom to run oub near the corner flag. Several kicks were then exchanged which ended in Auckland getting a free kick for off-side play. Absalom essayed at goal, but without success. Macfarlane stopped a rush by Auckland forwards, and Ronayne ran to Hawko's Bay 25, but spoilt bis chance by a wild pass. Hawke's Bay then took the ball to centre, but a passing rush by Auckland backs brought play back to Hawke's Bay 25. At centre Surman broke away, but Macfarlane dropped him, and play again centred, half-time being then called.

SECOND SPELL.

In this epell Ronayna wenfe threequarter and Surman half. Murray led off, and McDonnell making a poor return, Hawke's Bay were forced. On resuming, Brady and McMillan initiated a rush to Hawke's Bay '25, bub Kelly took the ball on the line out and ran Co pentre. From here McDonnell, by a bullocking ran, enabled Jago to dribble close to the Auckland line, but the forwards took the play back to the half distance. Mactarlane kicked well up the field. Fast following up spoilt Riley's return, and matberß looked dangerous for Auckland, but McDonnell missed Laws' ' pass, otherwise a certain score would have resulted. Clarkin and Murray headed a rush, but Laws picked up and ran to Auckland's 25. The local men, however, had the best of the ensuing play, and Coghlan, mulling a kick, fche play was transferred to Hawke's Bay's 25, where Braund passed to Surman, and the latter to Absalom, who rushed over the i line, bub lost the ball, and Hawke's Bay were forced. On resuming, Stepbenson dribbled from the centre to near the lino, Here Ronayne picked up and scored. Absalom essayed ab goal successfully. Auckland 5 points Hawke's Bay 3 points Macfarlane made a splendid abbempb ab goal after the kick off' at centre, but Sbephenson responded with a good run, but failed to pftßS. Laws returned well up the tield, and Masefield missing the ball Auckland were closely pressed. Braund brought relief by kicking down bbc line. From an ensuing scrum, Bround passed to Surman, and a fine passing run between him, Riley and Absalom saw the last mentioned cross the line, but owing to his knocking down the corner flag, a scram was ordered five yards out. Braund again secured, and making a neab pass to Absalom, the Suburban three-quarter was more successful, for he ran round and touched down behind the posts. Absalom again converted. Auckland ra ... 10 points Hawke's Bay 2 points

From the kick off, McMillan and Mills had a rush to tbe Hawke's Bay line, but) local men worked the ball back. McDonnell ultimately gob away wibh a strong run and passed ail backs bub Masefield, who dropped him-in time, Toohey and Jago made strong efforts to score, and Macfarlane forced Auckland by having a shot at goal. Taken all round, Auckland's display was disappointing. The forwards heeled out well, bat the backs mulled terribly. Their

tackling was very iveak. Absalom was our bosb three-quarter. He took his passes, ran well, and kicked with judgment. ■Surman'a leg gave way early in bhe game. Ronayne and Riley mulled passes frequently, bub the latter shopped rushes well. Sbephensou, on bhe other hand, played a dashing game, both in running and in handling the ball. Braund, as half, passed oub splendidly and also kicked well. Masefield played a good game. He invariably reburned well, and stopped a certain ecore by bringing McDonnell down on one pecaoion. Mills, as wing, also played a good'game, but Brown appeared out of place on wing, and was not seen to advantage. McMillan, Brady, Murray and Clarkin were tho besb of the forwards. The lasbnamed is suffering from a bad knee.

Of Hawke'aßßarsyrs team McDonnell proved a very strong runner. His weighb is 14sl; and when he bullocks through he is hard to stop. Macfarlane collared and kicked well, while Jago, Woodward and Toohey were the most prominenb of the forwards.

The referee, Mr A. C. Bennett, was very strict for knocking on. However, he gave satisfaction. Among the spectators was ** Scciler " of the New Zealand nabive team, who was loud io his barracking for Auckland.

Wellington, this day. The team had a rough passage to Wellington, the majority being eick. Surman is nob likely to play again during the resb of the trip, his leg having been further injured in the match. The Wellington footballers returned from Lyttelton yesterday by the Penguin. The Auckland footballers left Wellington yesterday for Lyttelton by the Omapare.

D. Gage and W. T. Wynyard lefb this morning in the a.s. Takapuna to overtake the Auckland team ab Dunedin and play in the remaining matches.