RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 215, 9 September 1907, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND B" DEFEATS WAIKATO AUCKLAND, 24;; WAIKATO, 8. (By Telegrapn.—Own ' Correspondent,) HAMILTON. Saturday.

The match between Waikato and Auckland took place at Steele Park to-day. Waikato were weakened: by. the absence of two forwards, Foote and Henderson, while Clarke, the full, back, was also unable to play. He was replaced by Kay, who played a poor game. In the first half the wind favoured Auckland, but their forwards were outplayed by those of Waikato; but hard kicking null— ed a lot of .good work, and gave the Aucklander's the chance they wanted, and they lost few opportunities. During the first spell Gillet played at threequarters, but iv the second spell went up to the wing. He was the best man on the ground, and was responsible for more than one score made by Auckland. Bar Gillett, the Auckland backs showed poor form in the first -spell, but with him near the pack in the seexrad spell, they shone conspicuously. In the first half Aue_land 1 had the local men on the defensive most of the time, but they had a slight wind in their favour. The first try was otbained by Asher, who, receiving the ball, dashed along the boundary line, and registered a try. Auckland attack ed during the greater portion. of the spell, and the second try was scored by Eaton. (Auckland, C points; Waikato, nil.) Shortly afterwards the Waikato backs mulled, and Harris picking up quie_ly from the scrum, dashed over and scored the third try. No goal resulted. (Auckland, 9; Waikato, nil.) In the second spell Waikato assumed aggressive tactics, and owing to advantages made by the forwards, it was thought that the local men would equalise matters. For some time they attack ed strongly, aud had much the best of the play. Then a gexjd passing rush ensued between Devery, Smith, Hughes, and Prince, which took the ball to the line, and from the line out Turner broke through, scoring Walkato's first try. Shortly afterwards the Auckland backs got going, and after the ball had been through hair a dozed' hands, 'Cox' scored a pretty try, which was not converted. Then J Auckland got into Walkato's 25 again. Waikato e?ssayed a passing run, but Prince missed, and Nicholson picking up smartly, dnsfi.ed over the line, scoring a try, from which (Cunningham kicked a goal, bringing the score up to 17 points. Gillet then started a good passing rush, from which Asher scored. No goal resulted, nnd the score rested Auckland 20, Waikato 3. Piny then centred in Walkato's 25, where <Jillctt got a. nice chance from the scrum, and elropped a pretty goal from the field, bringing the score to 24 to 3. Waikato had the best of the remainder of the game, and just on the call of time a good bout of passing from Smith to Hughes, and Hughes to Prince, resulted in a score by Morse, from which kicked a good goal, and the whistle blew immediately, the score b?ing Auckland 24, Waiknto 8.

The Waikato forwards • outclassed their opponents in every department, but owing to the poor showing made by the backs, their efforts were nullified. Smith, Hugheß, and Prince were the best of the backs, while Thompson arid Turner stood out by themselves In the forwards. They broke through" time after titme, and were leading lights in the pact Amongst the Aucklanders Gillctt was worth half the team. His line kicking was magnificent. Asher played a good game, and Bater was safe, more especially in line kicking. Mcllhone was good on the wing, but taking the game as a whole the visitors' forwarels had no chance with the local men. Seldom did Waikato fail to obtain the ball in the scrum, bnt the backs were at fault, and it wa3 heartrending for the Waikato supporters to see the way the splendid line kicking'nullified the efforts of such a hard working pack. Devery at half completely outshadowed Cox on defensive work.

ST. MARY'S CLUB V. SACRED HEART OLD BOYS. The return match between the St. Mary's Chib (Wanganui) and the Sacred Heart College Old Boys' Club took place at the Polo Ground, Remuera, on Saturday afternoon last, in the presence of 200 or 300 spectators. The ground was sloppy, and consequently the.game was not an attractive one. The visitors won the toss, and played, with a strong wind at their backs. Play in the first half was pretty even, and was confined to the forwards. When the spell was about half-way through Sacred Heart secured a try by a good piece of play. Wanganui had a penalty kick at goal in the local's 25, The ball 'did not travel far, and the visiting forwards secured possession and carried the ball on to near the line, where Little nipped in and Intercepted a pass. He ran down beyond rnidfield, and the ball then passed through five or six pairs of hands, Slade eventually scoring near the corner. The kick at goal failed—Sacred Heart 3, St. Mary's nil. The visitors continued to press for the remainder of the spell, and succeeded in equalising the score, Cameron placing a penalty goal. The second half was productive of a strenuous fight. The visitors Invariably secured the ball in the scrum, but in open play were inferior to their opponents. The better combination of the home team told in the long run, and from a forward rush Keyes scored under the goal. Sheehan fail— to convert—Sacred Heart 6 points, St. Mary's 3. For the remaining quarter of an hour or so honours were evenly divided, but neither side succeeded in increasing the score, the local team thus winning by 0 poionts to 3. Mr, It. McGregor refereed. The visitors were' eiite>rtained at a "smoker" in the Hibernian Hall in the evening.

LAW V. INSURANCE. The fifth annual match between the local law and insurance offices was played at DeTonport on Saturday afternoon last) The Insurance representatives assumed the aggressive from the Jump, and the Law forced repeatedly. Off-side play by Dean gave the Law an easy shot at goal, and Robinson being entrusted with the kick, was successful—-Law'3, Insurance nil. The spell ended without further score, and ou resuming La-w attacked. After a forward rush, initiated by Endean, Massey scored Robinson failed to convert —Law 6 points! Insurance nil. Thence onwards the game was .fast, nnd Law eventually won by 6 points to nil. Law and Insurance, in the junior grade, also tried conclusions. Gillies scored for Insurance and Cole for Law, the match ending, in a draw, each side having scored three points. The teams dined'at the Imperial Hotel, and-afterwards attended a smoke concert in the Masonic Hall, Princes-street. The following contributed to a concert programme,' which was much enjoyed: Messrs. H. Light, A. Saunders, J. A. Dyson, O. Farrow j' F. Montague, S. T. Astley, L. Abrahams, Perritt, G,, McM'nn, and the Eroica Quartet, '

AUCKLAND JUNIOR REP_ vV. WArrrKTj. The principal match at Alexandra Park on Saturday last was between the Auckland Jjj ni ? r reps, and Waiuku. The juniors had the b—t of the" game, and won easily. From the klck off the Auckland fifteen commenced to attack, and right through the game they kept their opponents busy defending, the Issue never being in doubt Tries were scored by Shaw, Wynyard, Hardwick, J. Cross, and Vosper, Hardwie_ converting two, and kicking .a .goal from a mark by Stewart, while Donovan potted a goal from the field. Bennett, Herrold, Xiryden, Craig, Len Barriball, and S. Bright were most prominent for the visitors, playing good football. _~,,_<... ; ...

WELLINGTON V. WAIRARAPA. A DRAWN GAME. • - (By Telegra Association.)MASTERTON, Saturday. The Wellington and Wairarapa represe'ntatives'met'at M_iterton to-day. The weather was fine, and the ground in good order,, and a fast and interesting .game, of which Wairarapa'had slightly the'best, resulted. Play was confined principally to the forwards, though "there were'occasional: flashes of back play, Wellington showing to most advantage in this department. In the first spell there was no score. The visitors got on several neat passing rushes in the second half, and from one of these Evenson scored, but the'kick at goal proved fruitless. Shortly afterwards Mackenzie: equalised matters by kicking,- a goal .■ from' half way, and the game ended three all. Roberts and Wallace were not playin it for Wellington.

MANIAPOTO DEFEATED BY ROTORUA.

' ROTORUA, Saturday. The Rotorua and Maniapoto representatives met at Rotorua to-day in fine weather. After a very' one-sided gariie "Rotorua won by 57 points to nil. Rotorua attacked from the start, and within a few seconds scored. A notable feature of the day's play was the splendid goal kicking by H. Mitchell, who was . successful with, nine attempts out of 13. • Rotorua's tertai-consisted of- 13- tries, seven in the first spell and six the second. Tries were scored by tbe following:—Tuoro (3), Pura, Z. Mitchell, and Morse (two each) and Petene, Fitzgerald, Iharaira, and Niko (one each). { — f& PAEROA DEFEATS KARANGAHAKE. PAEROA, Saturday. The football-mat— at Paeroa this afternoon was between the Paeroa and Karangahake representatives, an interesting and exciting game resulting in a win for Paeroa by 3 points to nil. Breoan kicked a penalty goal for Paeroa shortly before the call of time. MARLBOROUGH -DEFEATS NELSON. BLENHEIM, Saturday. To-day Marlborough defeated Nelson by 14 points to 4. The mateh v was played on good ground, and In good weather. Marlborough, whose score comprised two penalty goals, one'try, : and a inverted' try, played a superior game, especially in the backs. Nelson's score-was a potted goal by Smith. THE BRITISH "TEAM FOR NEW; ZEALAND. The "Athletic NeHrws" says that D. Bailey, Davies, J. C. M. Dyke, P. McEvedy, Newton, Pickering, Raphael, A. F. Harding, J. C. Jenkins, A. D. Stoop', and J. F. Williams are spoken of as probable members of the British Rugby team that is |to visit New Zealand next year, ; and adds: "If these are to form the nucleus of the team, it is hard to imagine what measure of success can be anticipated." The."Athletic News," however, is decidedly premature in its-an-nouncement. I have the authority, say's our London correspondent, of Mr George Harnett, the honorary secretary of the sub-com-mittee in charge of the armngjemenfe, to state that the players mentioned above will certainly not form the nucleus of the team, and some of theiiT will not be Invited" at all. Mr Harnett tells mc that the "Athletic News" could not have got its information from any authentic source, ns those in charge of the arrangements have agreed to make nothing known about the personnel of the team until after the sub-e»mmittee have met in September.'

OTHER MATCHES. \ Brown Barrett, Ltd., v. J. Bycroft-. and Co.—Drown Barrett had all the best of this match and won by the large score of 38 points. Birkenhead v. Northcote.—After a very fast game Birkenhead won by 12 points to 11. For the winners, Alex. Clow scored two tries, and Parker potted a goal and converted a-try. Tries were scored for Northcote by Tyer and Brown.