RUGBY FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 217, 11 September 1905, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THAMES V. AUCKLAND. ANOTHER CLOSE GAME. (Thames 7 points, Auckland 6.) The Auckland representatives played their return match against the Thames at Uie Parawai racecourse, Thames, last Settfrday. The attendance numbered about 1000 people. About 300 people made the excursion trip by the Wakatere on Saturday morning, returning to Auckland on Sunday afternoon. The game was played in delightful weather, but although the ground was in perfect order the game was Dot a fast or Interesting one, the play being confined to the forwards, who kept It very close. The teams were as follow:—

Thames. — Full-back, Dnfty; three-quar-ters, Newdick, Quarterman, J. Honghton; five-eighths, Winder; half-back, A. ilotigfaton; wing forwards, McColhim and Baker; forwards. White, McKeown, McDoff (captain), Dunlop, Autridge, Dobson, and Hayward.

Anckland.—Full-back. Mag*e; three-quar-ters, Gerrard, Todd, Twiname; irve-eigbths, O'Meara; half-back, Young (captain); wing forwards. W. Tyler and Doran; forwards, Herring, Dunning, Francis, McGuire, Trevarthen, Marshall, Eaton. Mr P. Flynn gsvc satisfaction as referee. Thames won the toes, but there being scarcely any wind this gave them little advantage. Eaton set the ball rolling for Auckland. By fast following up the Thames forwards prevented Gerrard from returning, and a rush by the local vanguard was stopped by the Auckland forwards, who then turned the tables and carried the attack into opposition territory. Give-and-take play between tb« two 23's followed, and then Thames secured an advantage by good forward play, and, Twiuame making a rather poor attempt to take the ball, his side was in danger. Magee saved by gathering np the ball while running at top and kicking out on the half-way flag just as he waa tackled by Houghton. A kick by Winder rebounded from the Auckland forwards, but Dufty succeeded in finding the line at Auckland's 23. After close line play Ancfcland were penalised, and Dufty took a shot at goal, but failed. An exchange of kicks was in favour of Thames, but eventually, after uninteresting play, Auckland gained the half. Here Young got the ball away to Todd, who kicked across to Gerrard, but the last-named, who was snrronnded, failed to secure. Newdick (Thames) kicked the oval into touch. Even play at centre ensued, and then Houghton, the Thames half, found the Auckland 25 line with a long kick. Gerrard picked the ball up from a Thames rash, and after a nice rnn kicked ont on the Thames side of the half. A loose forward rush carried play back to neutral ground, and Quarterman improved the position by kicking out in the Auckland 25. Baiter following up well prevented an Auckland return, and by a lucky kick the Thames forwards too* the ball close to the visitors' line, but Magee saved by kicking out. Thames kept np the attack. Doran was penalised for off-side play,' and the angle being an easy one Dnfty had no difficulty in kicking a goal. .Thamwt , % , ihitkiud flu

Auckland almoet immeaiateJy assumed the aggressive, and from a fair position Francis had a penalty kick at goal, bnt the ball - went wide. Quarterman played the ball, but for an Infringaient "his side wae again penalised. Francis had another shot at goal, but the ball fell short, and Houghton kicked out in his 25. The-backs kicked the ball to each other for a while, and then Twiname placed Thames on the defensive by a neat bit of play. The Auckland forwards carried on the attack, and Tyler beatins MeColluni badly on the. line-out made an opening for Francis,, who, receiving the ball on the line, scored an easy try. The score was not converted. Auckland ■> Thames 3 Dufty, who lias a reputation for diopkieking, found tlin Auckland 25-line with the kick out. Francis secured the throw in, end sent a long' kick to Dufty, who made a good return, the ball again going out in Auckland's 25. The next bit of interesting play was a passing run by Winter, Quarterman and J. Hougtrton, but the sonnd tackling of Toaa, wno collared the last two, saved, and the bine and white forwards petting possession, charged down the field. They were diiven back to their 25 by the Thames vanguard, and then a kick by -Magee rebounded, anil the bnll went behind the goal, but Gerrard forced iD the nick of time. A free kick to Auckland transferred play to the Thames side, of the half. After' considerable neutral play Todd forced after a long kick by one of the Thames forwards. Day was again nPßtral, and then McCollum had a pot shot at goal, but the ball went low, ana Auckland forced. Shortly after IJnfty tried to kick a goal Trom the field, bnt the ba4l went wide, and the spell ended with the score even. SECOND SPELL. " Todd got his side in diflicultles by failing to take a pass from- O'Tkleara. but Magee saved with a timely kick. Playing loosely the Thames forwards looked dangerous. MeDiiff made a fine opening, but Gerrard Intercepted his pass and ran to the half way. After several minntes of uninteresting line play on the AncKland siijp of tlie half. Thames were awarded a free kick in frent of the goal, but -Dufty made a poor attempt. Quartermati returned the kick out to the -5. After line play. Quartermau an-1 Newdick carried the ball up to th<> Auckland line, where their forwards took possession. After a tnsele on the line Qnarterman secured, and made a dash for the lin<» on the other side of the goal posts, but he W46 collared, and O'Meara kicked into touch. Then from a line nut at half way, Trevarthen kicked across the Thames line, and Dufty forced.. The Aucklanflers kept the local* penned in their 25, and from a scrum neat the line. Young, got the ball away to Gerrard on the blind side, and the lasr named scored a "weil merited try. Eaton failed to convert. Auckland M 6 Thames 3 Honghton intercepted a pass between the Auckland backs and sent a "spwnlator" up the lield, but Twiname raced with him, and succeeded in sending the ball out near the half. The Thames forwards attacked the Auckland line, and then their backs, and after a passing run Newdick kicked a goal from the field. / Thames 7 Auckland 6 "With but a few minutes to go the Aucklanders atacked vigorously, but were unable to penetrate the defence. The backs made persistent efforts to score, but their handling of the bail was faulty. The game ended without further score. NOTES. Right through the first spell and well into the second the game was characterised b> , close forward play, an«l was decidedly nninterestiug. The Thames vanguard was more than a match for Auckland in sheer push and shTve, and they were also superior on the line ont. Having these advantages they kept the play very close, and tbe roSaequence was that the play was chiefly between the half ana Auckland's 25. Bnt although the Thames were thus practically attacking a great part of the Wmc, the game wns not so one-sided as this might lead one to believe. The Auckland forwards contested every inch, of ground, and whenever they succeeded in opening out the play their opponents were no match for them. The honours were fairly even in the scram work. The Thames teem lacked the ability to pat the finishing touches on their play, and thte lost many chances. That Thames were rather lucky in winning is «hown .by the tact that the issue was in doubt throughout. The Auckland backs contented.themselves wiin. finding the tonch line, 'and generally gained considerable ground. There was not a passing nm between the backs on either side in the first spe-U, and In the .second half except towards / the close/ there was v«y little back pl»y of note.

Francis was easily the best of the Auckland forwards. Hγ Rhone on the Hue out and was prominent in all the rushes. None itf the other forwards stood out pronrineno ly. but all must have worked very hard. MtDntr and Antridgc played great games on the Themes side, and had. a hand in uearly all the work, th.c former In particular. Tyler and Dornn outclassed thw opponents as wing forwards. Magee gave a fine display at full back for Auckland, quite the best he has yet given. He is always considered n cool and safe player, but on Saturday he got rid of tile ball quicker than lip i 6 wont to. Twtname and Gerrard, in the three-quarter line, were safe. The first named showea considerably improved form. Todd was not very successful at centre thn»e-qnajrter. but he defended well. Young did everything that »as asked of him. but us the forward? were holding the ball In the pack he did not have many opportunities. All the Thames backs played fair, and Newdick was probably the best of the bnech. VOLUNTEER. TJXIOH MATCHES. First Regiment Auckland Mounted Riflr» v. No. 3 Native Rifles. —Mounted Rifles won by default. First Regiment Auckland Mounted Rifles v. Engineers.—This match was arranged on the ground, both teams having won their matches by default. The Mounted Rifles won by 15 to 5. For the winners tries were scored by Bodle (3) and Flolden (2). No. 9 Co. G.A. V. v. NeTvton Rifles.—Nβ. 9 Co. won by 34 points to nil. Tries were scored by Edwards (2), Little, Patrick, L. Bickerton, W. Bickerton. and Mclntyre (1 each); Edwards converted three tries,"Woodward kicked a penalty goal, and Grace kicked a goal from the field. Engineers (No. 4 Co. N.Z.R.V.) v. Submarine Miners The Engineers won by default. „ A Battery r. 'So. & Co. G.A.V.—The A Battery won by 18 points to nil. Tries were scored by Coghian, S. Bennett. Wilkinson, and Ballantyne; W. Bennett converted three tries. College Rifles v. Gordon Rifles. —College Rifles won by 6 points to nil. Tries were scored by SeUars and Dickeson. TJKUTDS' MATCH. Tbe Auckland Druid Lodges phiyed the No. 10 GoldneJds District (Paeroa) Lodges at the Metropolitan Ground on Saturday afternoon. Play was fairly even, but just before half-time Auckland scored, and shortly after changing ends the local men scored again, the try being converted, the score standing: Auckland 8 points, Paeroa nil. No further addition was made, though both teams played hard. STTJTDAY-SCHOOLS LEA SUE Alexandra v. Edwin.—Alexandra wen by 3 points to nil. OTHER MATCHES. Thames Old Boys (Auckland) v. Rovers II. —This match, played at the Thames, resulted in a draw, three points each. Edwards scored for the Old Boys, and Jones for the Rovers. Central Mission v. Red Rose.—This match resulted in a draw, no score. Northcote v. Kntrican and Co.—The gome resulted in a win for Northcote by 6 points to 3. Entrican's team obtained a goal from a penalty kick, while A. Hurley and Miller each secured a try for Northcote. St. Daviofs v. Onehunga Presbyterian Bible Class.—This match, played at the Pah, resulted in a win for the Onehunga team by 7 points to 6. For the "winners, H. Perry scored a try. and H. Watkins dropped a goal from the field. George scared for the losers.

Northern Stars v. Pirates.i-This game ended in a draw, each side scoring G points A football match took place at Alexandra Park on Saturda between West End and St. George's Rowing Clubs, which resulted in a win for West End by 12 toll. Tries were scored for the winners by Annitage" Hopkins, Cowan, and Stokes, and for the losers by Forgie and Fenton. one of which was converted by Foster, who also kick-id a penalty goal. After the match both teams diced at the Albion Hotel, where an excellent dinner was provided by Host Molloy, after which a musical programme was (rone through, a most enjoyable evening termfmrHag jyitlutfce singing of "AuW kXU£ SZP&r , ...... '-'-„■