RUGBY FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 217, 12 September 1921, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TAKANAKI V. AUCKLAND. li A YYIX FOR .UTKLAXD, 'l' t TARANAKI RACKS WEAK. J The first of the annual home and home s motohea between Taranaki and Auckland q was pWyed at Eden Park on Saturday after- n nii.m in line weather and before an atten- , ' .lnm-e of about 5000 spectators. With the ground hard and dry the conditions were set for a fast, attractive game. The Tara- : naki forwards proved to be a speedy, uutir- t ing pack in the open, but their backs failed ■ ? w> support them in a satisfactory fashion, * and Auckland had much the better of the , first spell, though rheir attack was not up to rep. class, and the first spell was rather nnraterestiug. Auckland had a lead of six ' points to nil at half-time. In the second ' speil both teams sharpened up their game. : and the football was exciting aud fre- i quently of good standard. Pressed by the ; continued harrying of the Taranakl forwards anil an improvement in the visitors' back ■ •phiy. the Auckland backs and forwanis played np to form and put ou thirteen more points from tries, while Tarunaki scored , nine ipoinis by a try and i wo penalty goals, , leaving Auckland the winners by nineteen , io nine. THE GAME IN DETAIL. The teams were:— Tara naki—Lnsk, Hickey, Hooker, Wilkinson, Cnineron, Courts, Berg, Malone, Friday, MeCullough. Allen, Hunt, Vircball, Witting- ! Auckland—Flnlay. Griersnn. Lucas. Williams, V. BadeJey." C. Badeley, Earlc, Milliken. Nicholas. Arnold. McLean. Mclunos, MeGluley, McCullough. llelander. AUCKLAND GET-3 A LEAD, j Milliken led the Auckland team out. and Hooker the visitors, who played in the opening spell with a -liirlit oblique wind in their favour. The tirst few moments of play wore routined to tlie forwards. Auckland forwards carrier, play back to the twenty-five, but Campbell broke through lo Finlay, the latter player relieving again later with a good line-kick. The Auckland backs were throwing the ball about, and Mie forwards, too. were making It open, MoCullough and Nicholas smothering an opposing liack. and an opening was made i for the bine and white backs, enabling Williams at the end ol the bout, to use his j speed and score at the corner. V. BadeJey's kick dropped under Che posts. Auek- I land 3. Taranaki 0. j A knockback from tne line-out let ; Cameron and Hooker carry the advantage into Auckland's tweuty-nve. and the visitors were attacking strongly when a forward infringed, and V. Badeley sent them I hnpk past the twenty-five. A pass by | Witringtou and a line-kick by Lusk. how-' ever, brought Taranakl back into Auckland's twenty-live, just as the quarter, sounded. ! An excellent opening by Earle, who ran round breaking an interchange of kicking, was spoiled by a return pass by C. Badeley offside, and play remained in midfield. Earle opened out to C. Badeley, who beat bis man, aud passed to his brother, who sent It out to Williams and Earle coming round took the ball again to be pushed out at the flag. Auckland were not to be denied, and immediately afterwards Williams fielded a loose kick, and ronning into the centre passed to Milllken, who s<*it it on to Badeley to Lucas to Grierson. who Tor once showed a little brilliancy and ran through and round behind the posts but V Badeley failed with an easy kick. Auckland 6. Taranaki 0. Taranaki attacked frequently* but were nnable to get through before half-time came. TARANAKI'S IMPROVED FORM. Auckland were in Taranakl territory until Coutts sent a long kick to Finhiy, who returned near half-way, but this only temporarily pulled up Tnranaki'e invasion bustling by the yellow and black forwards taking the game into the home twenty-five Here Taranaki opened up, but Lucas frustrated Hooker's pass, and tnough Lusk came round and essayed a drop at goal it went wide, and C. Badeley relieved with a nicely-placed kick. The visitors came back agafn with passing among both backs •nd forwards. Wißlngton being at the head •r the movement when it reached the corner. Hereabouts Hooker took charge "t a penalty awarded bis side, and a nice kick from about 30 yards opened th° visitors' score: Auckland a, Taranakl 3. Berg and Finlay in turn distinguished themselves with good kicking, but the Auckland full-back got the ndvantage, and lateY saved when a passing movement by Auckland's backs broke down at Lucas, but Hunt broke through from the line-out, putting bis side on the attack, McGinley and Donald- defending by breaking through. After Grierson, who took a penalty shot from Hooker under the posts, and Lucas tortP combined in a run down the line, Finlay and Berg interchanged kicks, which gave Taranaki an advantage, but V. Bndeley countered this with a kick past half-wa» Once again Hunt broke tbrou-gh from the line-out, and Taranaki backs, opened np, the ball travelling to W'llkinson. who was collared by Grierson. Then came a sensational change. C. Badeley, with One of his characteristic runs, turned defence into attack, and, breaking througQ* into the centre, transferred to Milliken, who was well supported by his forwards: he passed at the opportune moment to Helander. who scored near the posts. McCullough's kick went slightly wide. Auckland 9. Taranakl 3. Taranaki came back to the attack with a strong passing movement, but good play by Earle and McLean, and a mark by Milllken, repulsed them. The game was fast, Lucas and Williams raising a thrill by dashing down the far line. Here Lnsk, who got a bump when pulling np McLean a lew moments before, had to leave the field, and was replaced by O'Ronrke, who went into the forwards, and Malone went to fullback. On resuming Auckland backs came away with a splendid, bout. Grierson running to near the line, but Milliken unfortunately dropped the pass which would have given him a try. The game assumed a very open phase, Auckland backs attacking in a succession of movements which were generally countered by individual breakaways by Taraiiaki. but Auckland were still attacking when the last quarter sounded. The last quarter bnd only been started when Hiekey broke through from bis own territory and beat Lucas, 'Williams and Finlay in turn. He was joined by a companion near the line, and finished off a splendid effort by getting possession again on the line and pushing his way over. Hooker's kick failed. Auckland 9, Taranakl 6. FAST SCORING FINISH. A good opening by Milliken was spoilt by hard kicking, the ball going into touch. In a hot scramble V. Bedeley's and Earle's relieving kicks were smothered, and Hunt carried the gam# into Auckland's twentyfive. Though Auckland worked through from the line-out Berg sent his backs away, but tne defence was sure. Taranaki were attacking when C. Badeley snapped it up and "broke through, and when he got to the full-back he transferred to Milliken, and the latter player eluded defending players coming fast from behind by giving a reverse pass to Badeley, who ran in unopposed from about forty yards out. It was a thrillin" try, and McCnJlough fittingly converted it. Auckland 14, Taranaki 0. From the drop-oat Auckland** pressed momentarily, but the Taranaki Torwards bunched successfully and came riffhit through to the Auckland twenty-five, but here a passing bout was frustrated, and Hickey had a drop at goal, which Grierson marked and found the line. Taranaki name back again, and after Hiekey had made a dash he short-punted to the centre, the ball beating Finlay, Coutts being unlucky in missing a dive for the ball under the posts, Auckland forcing. Allen charged down 0. Badeley's kick-out, but V. BadeJey dribbled through, being pulled up by Malone. Then Lneas cut through the defence, but Hunt got him from behind, right on the line, when he looked certain to score. The ball came back to Finlay after a scrummage, and the full-back transferred to Lucas, wao attempted a drop at goal which went wide, Taranaki forcing, in the final stages Auckland came away with another bout in Tnranaki territory, Lucas giving several men the dummy and passing in-Held to Milliken, who knocked on Success came a moment later, Earle, at half-way, making an opening with a pass through his legs to C. Badeley, who transferred to Lucas, to Williams, who took the bail at top speed and beat the opposing wing, and then swerved past the full-back to score under the posts. It was a splendid try and McCuilough goaled it without difficulty. Auckland V), Taranaki 6. Taranaki, then took a hand in the attack, and when Earle picked the leather out ol the scrum in front of the posts they were •lw'irded a "free," which malone turned to account. Auckland 19, Taranakl 9. A couple of infringements assisted Tarunaki back on the attack, but the venue changed rapidly, and the game was seeRawing about when the bell went, tearing Auckland victorious by 19 points to 9. Mr. Sutherland was referee.

AUCKLAND TOURING KEFS. The following players have been selected :o make tlie Southern tour with the Aucksnil Rugby touring team, ploying matches t-gainst Wellington on Wednesday, Septeiuiici- 21, and Tarauaki on Saturday, Septeni>cr :>4:—Bucks, KinUlay. Williams, V. Badeloy, Ifwersen, C. Badeley, K-arle, W. F. Smith, J. llughes, \V. Ijunb, Mulr; forwards, Mlllikun, MTCuiiouffb, McLean, Mcliuies, Tresize, Nicliolls, ArnoM, Knight, llcJandcr, Rightou. Any player unable to make the trip is requested t 0 notify the secretary of the .Auckland Rugby Union. I layers chosen for the Wellington aud rarauaki tuatclK-s are requested to assemble M lou.souby shed at eight o'clock ou Thursday evening. REFEREE'S V. JUNIORS. A game between the referees and a junior team was fast and exvltiug throughout the juniors winning eventually by lti p,..i:iis to PRIMARY SCHOOL REPS. Auckland primary schools reps, defeated WhangnrH schools by nine points to three, alter a very brijjhl and inu-restiug game. 111 which the Whangurel boys gave quite as guini a display as that of the city lads. SACRED HEART COLLIDE. The annual Past v. Present matcli of Mi red Heart College was played at the ' '>.ii-kp grounds on Saturday, when the n.U lioys won by 16 points to 11. Marist Brothers' Old Boys defeated St Marys (Hamilton) by IS points to 11. HOUSE MATCHES. Kohiniaramn 15, beat St. Heller's (5. For the losers Diamond kicked two penalty goals, lor the winners Clark scored two tries, Forsyth, W. McLaren, aud Mitchell uiie each. National Electrical Co. 21, beat Miller's Garage and Gillett Motors S. Smith and Caughey 6, beat George I ourt 3. Auckland Country and Town Commercial iravellvrs played a drawn game at the Show Ground, each side scoring an uncou verted try. Telegraph Linemen v. Mechanicians.— This match was p-hiyed at Dyers paddock. Pamnure. and resulted in a win for the Mechanicians by 13 points to 0. Tries were obtained by Tapp and Gallagher for the Mechanicians, each being converted by Gallagher. For the Linemen, Wood. Munro and Perkinson scored a try each. Mr. Knsor officiated as referee.

FIXAL OF THE CLABKE CUP. A SENSATIONAL FINISH. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON. Saturday. I The final of the C'.arke knock-out competition tools place on Steele Park before a large crowd of interested spectators , between Frankton and City. Tbe teams were fairly evenly matched, and a fast irame was witnessed. A. Hamilton, fcm Frankton, scored early in the ganie. mid .Johnson converted. Short It afterwards Frankton were penalised and Bench gualed. , Iv the second spell City forced tie' pace, and from a serum the Frankton lock. Hooper, got over, making them 8. City then made the pace, and came within an ace of scoring, but being over-eager were penalised. Sowman. for City, broke away and scored, Bucking-hum converting, anil ninking them 8 nil with ten minutes to go. I'lay then became keen, the ball going backwards and forwards, and City getting rather the best of It. When the bell went the score remained unaltered. According to the rules a live minutes' spell was given. The captains tossed for position, and another 15 minutes' spell was l played. ■Both forward divisions were now playing hard. Eventually Frankton got a penalty, the kick missing <by an inch. Immediately afterwards City also got a penalty, and this fell Jnst below the bar, AVhen the bell went there was stUl no alteration in the score, so ends were changed, and the excitement became intense. The players seemed to be tiring, with Frankton pressing, when suddenly Mat Johnson Intercepted a Frankton pass and kicked hard. Cyril Clarkin, following up, quickly got the' ball and raced for the line, chased by Cassells. Cassells dived and missed bis man by an inch, and Clarkin scored, giving City the Clarke Cap. The finish was as it sbonlfl 'be, the two Walkato representative three-quarters fighting it but. Clarkin was carried off shoulder high. Everybody played- well, and for the winners Clarkin, "Sowman, Buckingham, and Matheson stood out, while Cassells for Frankton was very sure at full-back, and Bnyley, Brown, Hamilton, Hooper, and Straw were always in the thick of the fight. Mr. T. French made a very fine referee. TAURAMJA COMPETITIONS. TAUKANGA, Saturday. The fiual oi the Jordan Cup competition was played to-day between the Te Puna I and Tanrangaiclubs. The game was keenly contested.: Te Puna winning by 18 points ,to 3. Tauranga led at half-time by S to 0. In the second half Te Puna played with great dash, tries being scored by C. Faulkner, T. Tarau, and Tom Tangitu, D. Borell converting two? \V. Pearcey kicked a penalty goal for Tauranga. In the junior grade for the Oliver Cup Te Puiia beat Tauranga by 16 to !>, and Cadets defeated Rangataua by 9 to 6. TVAIHI V. THAMES. 15 THAMES, Saturday. The fourth match of the season for the Peace Memorial Cup was played at I Thara'es to-day, between Wailil (ehalleu- ' gers) and Thames (holders), under ideal weather conditions. The attendance was '■ large, and a fast and interesting game I resulted in a win for Thames by 3 tod (a ■penalty goal T>y Smith). Thames were superior on the day's play, and Waihi were •fortunate in finishing with such a small score against them. PIAKO V. PAEROA. JUNIORS. (By Telegrarph.—Press Association.) PAEROA, Saturday. The match Piako Juniors against Paeroa resulted in a win for Paeroa bj' 12 points to 6. This is the final match for the goldfields International cup competition, Paeroa holding the trophy. WIN 'FOR AUCKLAND JUNIORS. TOHANUAKEI, Saturday. Auckland junior' representatives s<*ored an overwhelming victory to-day over a mixed senior, and junior team at Whangarei, the final score being 25 to 3. KING COUNTRY BEATS MANIA.POTO. (•By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) TALTMARUNUJ, Saturday. King Country defeated Maniapoto by IS to 7. For King Country Tipene, B. Thotnas, Lee and Lelievre scored, and N. Thomas kicked a penalty goal. For Mania--1 poto RonaWson kicked a penalty, and ' Maatn potted a goal. CANTJvRiBUTt?" BEATS 0T.A.00. (By Telegraph—lfc-ess Association.) OHRISTCHUIBCH, Saturday. The match betwen Otago and Canterbury was played at Lancaster Park to-day iv the presence of about 4000 spectators. Can- ' terbury won an interesting game by IE points" to 14. but a draw would be a fail i indication of the merits of the teams. Canterbury were the first to score, Ellis i breaking away from a line-out and toncu ing down. The kick failed. Otago soon equalised the scores. The/forwards carried a scrum, and the ball reached Stewart, i who eluded Orchard, and grounded tehinO the posts. Watson's kick failed. Otagc 1 pressed, but were soon sent back, and from a scrum on the line E. Cummings obtaineo ■ possession, and scored for Campbell tc ■ goal. A pretty piece of play by Henry, who beat several opponents, saw Canter bury's score Increased to 13. Campfoel ■ belli? successful in goaling. Canterbury at 1 this stage were outplaying their opponents 1 A minute later Otago worked the blinti ■ side, and Stewart scored wide out. Nc 1 goal resulted, and the spell ended witl 1 Canterbury leading, 13 to 6. • In the second spell Otago played mucl ; better and early added to their total. Mc ; Naujjbton passed to Stewart, who raced 1 across, but Harley was unsuccessful wltl ' thte kicli. Tight play followed for som< time, and from a penalty for obstructioi , Henry landed a fine goal. Otago rallied t but the defence was equal to the strain > and the visitors were forced back. Mullin: > goi possession from a scrum, beat th< opposition with a dummy pass, and scoret . a brilliant try, which Campbell failed tc . convert. Just on time Wilson broke awaj '. for Otago, and passed to Ward, who scorec - ibehiud tbe posts for Owles to goal, mak ' ing tbe final points: Csnterbosr 19, Otasc 14.

RANK I'lt LV SHIELD CHANGES HANIDS. WELLINGTON IVKAT SOCTHIjANiD. (By Telcgra'ph—Press Association.! WELLINGTON, Saturday. The R.-mfnrly Shield football match played here to-day resulted in Southland losing the trophy. Wellington winning by 2S points to i:t The attendance was fully 10.000. The Governor-General and Uuly Tellicop were present. As an exhibition of Rn»by the game was not equal to first-grade standard. It was npcn and fast and contained' many good ' passing rushes, imt at times extremely r ragged. Each side showed little corahinn- c tion. .Many glaring mistakes were made * by the hacks. The Southland backs were " unreliable and seldom fielded Hie ball, 0 c'eanly. The visitors kicked off with the sun and .' breeze at their backs. Soon after starting ■ IHocb scored in n sr.vorf position and Agnew ' converted. .Southland .".. Wellington l>. I ' A run by Jackson was carried on by 11. • Nicliolls, De Clifton. King, Maxkham. and c Hutchlnson. who scored. King missed ' with the kick. .Southland ">. Wellington :'.. '' During a loose forward rush by Wellington. Mark Nicholls picked up the bail, passed well out to S Shearer, who trans- ' ferri'd to Aljrsir, ami the latter kicked along l the line. Brown fumbled, "v.l King scored. " His kick failed. Wellington 0, Southland :>. ' From a loose scramble near tlie Welling- * tfn line, Lopdcl] picked up and ran across. ' ■His kick at goal fell short. Southland S, » Wellington 6. , * In the second half the game opened with ' an attack by Southland. Then King bad ' a shot at goal from a free kick without .' success, but from a marl; by Nicliolls he 1 found the cross bar fimn near the centre ] of the field. Wellington 0, Southland S. During a further attack by Wellington ] Hell got otrside and Mark Nicholls goaled. ' Wellington 12, Southland S. l< Y\ elliiiirtou was jjraduallv gaining the , upper hand. A well-judged pass from H. Nicholls to his brother was sent on fo ' ■Ilutctilusim. who beat the opponents and J scored under the posts. Mark Nicholls ' converted Wellington 17. Southland S. ' Shortly afterwards Ilutchiu.-ou goaled ' from a mark. Wellington JO, Southland 8. : Wellington's next try was obtained by J Cialr, Nicholls again waling. |' Within ten minutes of time, H. Brown ' caught the local hacks ua)>plng. and scored ' an eusy try. which Agnew converted. A rush by the Wellington forwards saw ■' ■S. .Shearer force his way over. Nicholls' kick fallei ami the game ended: Wellington 2S Southland 13 REDMOND CUT. (By Telegraph.—Special to "St-.ir.) VASTKKTOX. Saturday. In the match between Masterfion and Gladstone seniors for the Redmond Cup this afternoon Gladstone won by 21 points to 0. IJUArBIIL" BEATS WANGANT'I. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) OHAKUN.K, Saturday. The rep. match. AV'anganui v. Ruapehu, at I Raetihi to-day, was played before a record attendance, under perfect weather conditions. After a fast game Ruapehti won by , a try (scored by Young) to nil. Mr. Kelsall j was refer«-e. The teams were entertained at a banquet at Raetihi.