RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 179, 29 July 1907, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

JTHAMES Y. AUCKLAND.

AUCKLAND; .WINS BY 26 to fi.

lie- inter-union match between EThamea and Auckland was piayed at Alexandra Park on Saturday afternoon. The weather was- fine, and there -was a lacse aitemiance. f^..*^ was *»•«•>•* B**J*n* •nter, end light breeze «was iasaUtetent to interfere with, the piayj. '-Che -visitors -won the toae and chose the iwestern eed ef the tielil. Hail's kick off went behind-the goal line, and Choate tacked out well inside the 25. The advantage was thrown away, however, by Wilson's failure to field a kick by Snowliug, and by a free kick given against MacCormici for off-side play, Choate finding touch at midneld. Hbea the blue and -blacks' had a turn in attack, good work by Hoaghton giving them a tooting inside,the,2s. Floyd got offside,' however, In endeavourieg to put the finishing touch on a ran, and the penalty relieved the pressure, a good dribble by Kinder returning play to centre. The visitors went back again with a rush, and Auckland' were hard pressed, but Autridge's final kick sent tbe leather into-touch-in-goal. Kinder and MaeCoriniek were< in the van of another rush, -vv-Mch carried play to centre, and a clever foit of wNk by Wynyard, assisted by MacConniek, saw the ball in. the Thames 25. A solid rash, 'by the blue and white forwards took the ■ball ■ close to the line, and Trevarthen, picking up, slung ont to Wynyaxd, to Magee, to. Twiname, who, using his pace, ran round the Thames backs asd scored in a good position at the end «£ 12 minutes' play. Magee landed an easy goaL (Auckland, 5; Thames, nil.) Wynyard returned Hay ward's kick out at centre, and from the throw-in the ball handled by Kiernan, Magee, Twiname, and Murray, the last named scoring, after a dashing run from the 25 line within a minute of the first score. Magee took the kick from a difficult angle, and just missed the .uprights. (Auckland, 8; Thames, nil.) Newdick's drop <mt was returned near the Thames Une by W. Tyler- ■ The blue, and white backs got under- i weigh again, but a faulty pass by Magee was fielded by Kitching, who kicked out at centre. Baker, Autridge and Hayward were together in a rush into the Auckland territory, and Hayward followed this .up with a dribble for the line. Wilson wag slow in picking np, and was collared with the ball, the home team being penned'in their own 25. A free kick was awarded Thames, and McColram took the kick. The shot was unsuccessful, and Kiernan picking up, raced up the field instead of fore- : ing, and catching Thames napping, kicked out at centre. Wynyard was mainly responsible for putting Auckland on the attack again, but McCoUum headed a rush, which removed the danger. Only temporarily, however, MacCormick, Trevarthen, •and Tyler being in the front of a sweepj ing rush, which Newdick checked .in the 25. Prom a scramble here McDonald pickled up, and passed to Hall, who hurled himself across the line, though, tackled by three opponents, and scored a fine tryMagee converted. (Auckland, 13; Thames, nil.) Kinder, McDonald, and Hall were together in a rush which threatened the i line, but Hayward broke away, and dribbled back to the 25, McCollnm and McKeown heading a loose rush, which took the ball into the home 25, Wilson, running Baker into touch in time to avert a score. The attack was broken up by MacCormick aud Kinder dribbling to midneld, but the blue and blacks came again, and Autridge picking up in the open passed out to Snowling, to Kltctting, to Floyd, the wing scoring near the goal. The run was a fine one. McCollum added the minor points. (Auckland, 13; Thames, 5.) Murray •was knocked out in tackling, receiving concussion of the brain, and being unconscious for half an tour. His place was taken by Redwood. Newdick forced Hall's kick off, and then, encouraged by their success, the men from the mines rushed to the attack again, Twiname stopping with a pretty mark. Thames came again, and Snowling made a fine opening, end after a dashing run, passed to Floyd, who had, the bad lnck to send the ball into toucWn-goal. The epell ended direct] v after.

The blie and blacks naa tne Setter of the deal at the opening of the second half, and a free kick being given against Auckland, Magee misfielded. Wilson picked up, bat his kick, a low one, was rushed down, and •a scrum was formed ioeWe the home 25. McDonald getting offside, McCollum had another shot at goal, but the ball flying "wide, Miller forced. Auckland then took a turn in attack, the forwards working the ball into the blue and blacks' 25. Here Wynyard nicked up, and after a dodgy run passed to Dunning, to Kinder, who scored between the posts. Magee again converted. (Auckland, 18; Thames, 5.) On resuming Klernan commenced a back attack, but Wynyaid's pass was blocked by Newdick, and the home defence was again tested, the forwaTds, headed by Hayward, threatening the line. A lucky speculator 'by Twiname, however, found touch near the 25. Here Snowling got the ball again, and making a nice opening, passed to Kitching, who sent on. to Choate. A score looked imminent, but Hall dropped in in time to collar the wing, and a long kick by Wynyard reversed the position, Magee losing a chance of scoring by failing to hold a rather difficult pass from the scrum. Another good run, in which McCollum, Snowling, Kitching and Floyd figured, raised the hopes of the Thames supporters, but the Auckland defence was too strong, and the ball found touch near the home 25. Play hung here for some time, till a mark by Wilson returned to midneld, and w. Tyler and Hall Improved the position. Wynyard made a likely opening, but Newdlck fielded well, and kicked out in the Auckland half, and Redwood f ailing to fleH, Auckland were again on the defensive. Prom a scrum Klernan spooned the ball away to Magee, who passed to Twiname, the centre putting his foot over the line at the start of a run, which otherwise would have meant a score. Tyler maiie a fine ■ run from the throw in. being bronght down by Newdlck well inside the Thames 25. The forwards •worked back, but Wilson picking np smartly, ran and passed to Redwood, who. after a clever Aodgy run, sent on to Ball, the forward running round and scoring his second try. Magee landed an easy goal. (Auckland. 23; Thames, 5.) Thames rallied, end Newdick kicking over the line. Hayward followed up fast, but Miller got there in' time to force. WHson and MacCormlck put their side on the attack again, And Kiernan, Wynyard, and Magee were together in a run, -which was ended by Magee being collared with the bail. A penalty let Thames .out, and a dribble by Snowling saw Auckland defending, Magee whipping in and kicking oat at the quarter. Baker, who has a "footballer's knee," received a knock on the injured limb, and had to retire. A centre by Wynyard, well followed up by MacCormick and, Kinder, penned Thames on tneirTine, and McKeown getting off side, Macee took the penalty kick, and landed another fine goal. (Auckland, 26; Thames, .5.) The whistle eounded no eHe shortly after.

NOTES ON THE PLAT.

The game was more even than the scores indicate, but Auckland had decidedly the •better team. The forwards aid most of the wort, and on both sides there was a lack of proper combination in the open. The winners were the better team in the nick, but their scrum work was faulty, not from any lack of trying, but the ball did not come out cleanly or quickly. Auckland had nothing the better of it on the line out Time and again they allowed the old trick of throwing the ball in low and back at once to the wing to be worked off on them, and there was a general lack of finish about the line play. To a man, they worked hard, the main fault being a lack of cohesion in the open. Kjeruan did good work behind the scrom, and Wynyard, after starting poorly, played a fine heady game. Magee was not up to his best form, his passing, generally good, being erratic, while he did not get going well. His ■ defensive work was good, and his goal kicking was remarkably successful, five out of six kicks being successful, and the sixth being perhaps the best kick of the lot, although it did not cross the bar. Twtname played a useful game, but Wilson was very, much below par. Murray was playing well when liurt, and Miller played a sound game at fullback. Of the visiting forwards. Hayward, although not as' prominent as in the Buller match, was the pick, and Autrldge also played a fine game. Baker, .on the wing," used his head well. McCollum went back from wing forward to flve-eighths shortly after the game commenced, and played fairly. SdowUdr was the best of the" backs, and he made some -eery good openings for his side. The <■ three-quarters were moderate, and Newdick, at fallback, played a much better game than, in the match agajast tie- -BnJler iCFnton.

cmrnti ifViv^rßß-

St_»p*trjek'e-v- St. Benedicts.—Tke>4otmer •won by 22 points to dU. U Little. C. UtOe (2), Armstrong (1), Heighten (2). Bizkenaead v. - St. - JamesL—Btrkeaheail "wvii this niarcJi =by defaultN.Z. Boot factory v, Chefces.—The New Zealand Boot Factory won by 17 points to a Tries were scored for Chelsea by Skinlas and Vincent, O. Skinlan coaveattoc one. Northcote v.. Pnkekohe.—After a very in-. terestfng game Pukekohe won by 18 to. 5. For Pukekohe Waller, Blake, Poy, and Blake (2), and for Northcote £. Jactoon scored, aad. Tremain oomvezted.

HAHn/ran matches.

HAMILTON, Saturday. The match to-day, Mokai v. Hamilton, resulted in a win for Hsmtttoo by 17 points to 8. MokaTs score was registered. Jo. the, first spell. Hamilton livened tilings up. ta the second -spell, and ran up 17 points.

SOUTHERN CHAMEIONSHIPS.

DtTNEDIN, Saturday. The senior football matches to-day resetted as follows: University (25) points) beat Xtanedin (5 points), Alrmmhra (3 points) beat Ztagari Richmond (nil), Pirates (18 points) beat TJnion (nil), Tateri Bovene (10 points) best Kaikoral (3 points), Sonthcrn (6 potato) drew .wlta Port Chalmers (6 petata*. ' .'.. . ._ .... MASTBB3SON, Saturday. The Carterton seniors defeated Masterton on Saturday by nine points )three penalty goals) to' five (converted try). This practically decides the senior championship la Cartexton'e favour.

WAIHI FOOTBALL.

<Bz Telegraph.—Own CooeSßoadcnU , VfAJSJ, Saturday. Tbe Busby Union fixtures were continued to-flay, wheq Waitele defeated City by three points to nil. A try was secured by W. Darby. J. dark failed with the kick. Neither stde had their best* team, and several vacancies had to be filled. City were witaont the services of- Ccptain F. Forster, who has been laid up all the week in consequence of a severe blowon the head, received last Saturday, when he collided with an Auckland player. The first juniors* match between Mataura and Waitete ended in the former winning by 14 points to 6. Waitete third juniors defeated Waihi by 9 points to nil.

PAEKOA, StlOlSAlili.

CByrletegrsph.—Own Correspondent.) PAEROA. Saturday. This afternoon. the Rugby cup matches were resumed, when East met West in the senior division. The ground was very heavy, and a good exposition of the same was greatly retarded -in consequence. The match ended in a draw, neither side scoring. There was practically no difference in the teams on the play, each side being in difficulties on several occasions. At half-time Tremain, who had been playing a good l'oi East, bad to retire owing to an injury to his shoulder, caused through colliding with one of his opponents. Brennaa was the pick of the Bast team, and Shaw and Tomlinson of the West, the latter playing a. dashing game from start to finish. The junior football, West v. Suburbs, resulted hi a draw, three points each.

MANAWATTT DEFEAT WANGANTTI.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Saturday. The Wanganui representatives met Mana•watu before a large crowd of spectators to-day. Before play had been going half a minute Meuli (Wanganui) scored. Manawatu then warmed up and kept on the attack -with vigour. After a splendid forward rush,Wingate scored for Manawatu, and Downs converted, making Wanganni 3, and ■Manawatu 5. Play for the next 15 minutes was up and down-the field, Waaganui beatltjg Manawatu in the loose The Wanganui forwards brought the ball from a line-oat to the goal line, and Jones scored a. try, which was converted, making Wanganui 8, and Manawatu 5,. just as- halftime sounded. On resuming the ball was carried down to WanganoTe 25, and loose play gave McNae an opening, by which lie added three mere points to Maoawatu'3 score, mating 8 all. Play then .became choppy for a considerable time. Wonganui was on the defence, -when Downes from a free kick added three more to Manawatu's total. Ko further score resulted, Mjuurwatn lietng 11 points, and Wangauui 8. Both, teams were on a par as regards weight. Manawatu was far superior In the line-out to Wanganni, whose backs on several occasions gave a. poor exhibition of passing In the first spell, but improved to--waTds the end of the game. The Jianawatn backs were also defective.

AUSTBAUAX FOOTBALL SPORTS

The annual kicking and running competitions of the Auckland League of Australian football were held on the Domain on Saturday afternoon. The officials were: Judges. Messrs D. Callinan, C. Liversldge, J. F. Maguire, and W. Stevenson. Messrs J. Hegarty and W. Harrison were the hon. secretaries. The following are

Seniors.—Goal-kicking: E. L. McKeon 1 Race, goal to goal: E. George 1, W. Montelth 2, H. Wells 3. 75yds race with, footba'l: Inman 1. R. Yule 2.

Juniors.—Goal-kicking: Harley 1, Jacka 2. Long-kicking: Jacka. 52yds, 1; Mayall 2; Gi'lespie, 3. Running with ball- T* Mason 1, Ivfl 2, T. Cole 3. Race, once round the ground: Crouch 1, Foley 2 Cossey 3. '

Second Junior Events.—22oyds- Eden Ciub, Cuipan 1, Barnett 2; Imperial Clnb E. Pintay 1, C. Badeley 2; Austral Club," J. Callinan 1, A. Nicholson 2. 220 yds championship: V. Simpson 1, S. Wine •» H. Elliott a Long-kick: A. Inkster 1 Matthews 2. Goal-kicking: C Lonergsn l' TattersaU 2. Running with ball: H El' liott 1, Procter 2. lOQyds championshinBarton 1, Martin 2. lfiOyds club rat» : Carney 1. Bartley 2. "

The two open kicking events for the championship of Auckland -were postponed until Saturday next.