RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 111, 12 May 1924, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACK TRIAL. ! __ i A GAME OF THRILLS. WOK BY AUCKLAND PROVINCE. TIIE PUBLIC DEMAND "IFFY.'' TRIBUTE TO POPULAR PLAYER. The Ml Black trial match which was played at Men Park on Saturday in" tho presence of I'i.OOO spectators provided enthusiasts with one ot tbe most strenuous and thrilling-games that have been played in Auckland for many voars. In many respects, with the exception of tbe conditions, it was comparable with the memorable Auck-land-Hawke's Bay game played in thrTlomaiii last year. Incidentally, it produced an unprecedented ovation from the crowd to K. lfwersen. the popular "c-?neral" of the Grammar Old Boys team, when he was called on to fill a place in the Auckland side as a result of an injury to V. Badeley early in the gaiiic. Eventually, after many thrilling incidents, Auckland Combined won by IS points to 0. The game from beginning to end was the most strenuous class of football, and hesitation on the part of the players left the offender without any chance of recovery, so fast was the pace and ruthless the* tackling. When the | Bay team had the w:nd and sun behind them in the first spell, the local team had a gruelling time on defence for practically the whole time. Their defence was desperate, but it was the added fact that the Bay attack lacked finish that kept the score down to six points. In the second spell the Auckhinders appeared to greater advantage. They were unable to pin tbe crashing forwards from the Coast down to defence as they had been pinned, but wlien the Auckland backs got going to' open up the play their forwards came to light when the whole weight was off them, and in combined loose play compared quite favourably with the pack of the other side. There was also more pace anil finish in the Auckland attack, with the forwards doing their part in carrying on the thrusts, the result being that scores came in a manner that carried the crowd off their feet. The only disappointment of the crowd was that lfwersen had a day off as regards place-kicking, though he made some amends by bringing off a very neat potted goal. After the match the crowd rushed the ground and "chaired" Cooke, Peters, lfwersen, and others of the local team. DETAILS OF THE GAME. The teams were: — Auckland Combined: Malloy, Lucas, V. Badeley, Kirwan, Cooke, C. Badeley, Wright, Clarkin. Lonias, Pcter.s, Kighton, Emiiierson, McLean, Knight, Gray. Hawke's Buy: Langlands, Barclay, Blake, Grenside, Paewai, Nepa, Mill, Gemmell, Irvine, Kirkpatrick Cupples, McXab. M. Brownlie, C. Brownlie, Matthews. Visitors Show to Advantage. Hawke's Bay- played in all white; and Auckland in their blue and white colours. \.n oblique breeze was behind Hawke's Bay, when V. Badeley kicked off for Auckland, and Cuppies was muzzled at his twenty-live line. In loose play' the visitors rushed to the centre, and a centreing kick by Paewai had the Auckland backs in trouble. C. Badeley was penalised for hanging on, and Nepea placed a goal from 40 yards out. Hawke's Bay ' 3 Auckland 0 When they restarted a penalty against the visitors put Auckland on the attack, and when a pass by Grenside went astray Cooke cut in and punted on for Knight to dribble to the line, where he lost the ball. An Auckland infringement let the visitors clear, and playing open football they attacked. When Auckland screwed the scrum Paewai got the ball away, but the Auckland backs stopped the movement, and immediately afterwards there was a great thrill as the Bay backs got away, and Barclay's pass was intercepted by Kirwan, who sent to V. Badeley, who centred, and Lucas was downed at the line. Making every use of the wind and sun at their backs, with high kicking, the visitors set up an insistent attack, which pinned Auckland down to the most strenuous defenceThe white forwards came away with a great rush, when M. Brownlie beat Wright from the scrum, and were f topped luckily at the line. They still ;ept the ball in play, Mill making a great effort to dive through his sheltering pack to the line, but was stopped. In the melee Cupples picked up' the ball and forced his way over for a try, which Nepea failed to convert. Hawke's Bay 6 • Auckland 0 From this point on till half-time, with the' exception of one breakaway by the Anckland backs engineered by lfwersen (who had replaced V. Badeley) the local team had the warmest time of it in stopping the big Bay forwards and their Backs, who were successfully-stalled oil. Auckland Takes a Turn. When Auckland had.the wind in the second spell the positions were reversed, and C Badeley and Ifw'erseri showed up in iast play. A passing bout among the , visiting backs and a punt took the game into Auckland's twenty-five, where Paewai and Mill had a run which was stopped just in time, and Auckland got a free' kick after a live-out. An exchange of kicks resulted in Paewai starting a run, but Hawke's Bay again infringed, lfwersen finding a spot downfield, but Brownlee got it on the bounce, and, joined by Grenside, started a fine passing bout between the Hawke's Bay forwards, C. Brownlie, Mattflews, and Gemmell being prominent, but a .knock on spoiled it. Then lfwersen initiated a movement which brought Auckland their first score. He threaded his way through the rush with the ball at toe, and sent it out to Cooke, who passed to Kirwan, and the latter reversing to Cooke, the five-eighths ran through under the posts. lfwersen goaled. , Hawke's Bay 6 Auckland 5 lfwersen Drops a Goal. Hawke's Bay's forwards attacked strongly from the kick-out. but Lucas saved by kicking, and then came- Into the picture again with a burst down the line, kicking to Paewai, who marked. The ball was returned after an exchange of kicking to Badeley, who made a tricky run, and, joined by Kirwan, took the game to just past half way. Here lfwersen had a long penalty kick, which went along the ground, Badelev coming into tbe picture again by making a run on ____. W H_wtJ h V eiUrn ' but *tre°nuous play A «gi «' em HAln on P th.

territory. The home team turned defence into attack by one of their characteristic dashes, Cooko running into the 1 twenty-five. From the line-out Wright ' started his backs off, and when the i ball reached lfwersen, at centre, he ' drop-kicked a spectacular field goal. Auckland 0 j, Hawke's Bay C Amidst great excitement the visitors rushed back to the attack, and endea- , vourcd to open up a passing rush, which the home forwards- broke down. Wright pulled up his hi" opposing forwards, and j kicked to tlie line, but Hawke's Bay . immediately opened up their backs, i) If worsen,- however,- intercepted, and throwing, back to Malloy, enabled tlie ' latter with a fine kick to get the half i way flag. With great determination tlie blue and white vanguard increased their j advantage, strenuous forward play fol- , lowing in Hawke's Bay territory. i Two Quick Tries. Then Wright gave Lucas a chance, I and the winger sped down the line, and I when collared by Langlands threw in to , Knight, who scored wide out. lfwersen c made a splendid but unsuccessful i' attempt to convert. Auckland '. -12 ' Hawke's Bay 6 Good defence pulled up the Hawke's , Bay backs when they attacked and Wright securing from"the scrum punted down to Langlands, getting his side to the twenty-rive flag. Before Hawke's , Bay realised what.had happened Auckland had scored again as the result of | a tricky movement on the blind side. Wright sent ( out to Kirwan, who reversed to the Auckland half-back, who I scored. lfwersen failed to convert. Auckland 15 Hawke's Bay 0 A Rattling Finish. The kick-out was taken by Hawke's . Bay forwards to Auckland territory,!: and carried on to Malloy, who found ,' the line. Hawke's Bay forwards were ' working'like tigers. They gave their jj backs another opportunity, Blilke kick-, ing across to Grenside, the leather, going out of bounds. Hawke's Bay were ~ attacking in Auckland's twenty live ; when Clarkin came round too quickly Ji in the scrum, and Nepia had a shut • from a handy position, but it fell j fhort, Cooke returning it away down the field to Langland9, whose return found !i the line, and play came back. | From a scrum at half way Mill broke , ! through prettily, running to Malloy, j: but his transfer was lost, and a likely r try averted. Strenuous play followed, I and Auckland were on the attack, Nepia i, pulling up tlie forwards by lining. A penalty to Hawke's Bay was followed by a run by C. Bvownlie who snatched the ball from the Auckland forwards and sent to Cuppjes, and out to (Ironside, who scored in a good position. Xepia's kick failed. Auckland 1 o Hawke's Bay 9 Hawke's Bay forwards came to the attack again in a groat rush, which ! took them into a handy position, Wright | kicking from a scrum to Langlands, who i returned to Wright, whose return went infield, and Hawke's Bay started a passing rush which tested Auckland's defence. The visiting forwards were pressing for a try when they infringed once, apain. and Cooke with a gtiod • kick took the game to half way. Again the. visiting forwards got off-side, and Cooke gained another twenty-five yards, j Auckland being now in an attacking j position. Mills made a dash from the; . scrum and punted t& Lucas, who re- ! turned it 'to. Langlands,. back to lfwersen, who 'kicked right across the goal mouth, and Hawke's Bay forced. C. Badeley . took the kick-out and broke clear through the opposing forwards, sending on to ► Knight, to Kmmerson. and then to Cooke who scored. lfwersen failed with the kick. Auckland 18 Hawke's Bay 9 Tiie bell sounded immediately afterwards amidst great excitement. lfwersen, who had acted'as skipper since he came on the field, was "chaired" from the field. •■; Mr. Sutherland was referee. SECONDARY SCHOOLS V. THE FLEET. The curtain miser to the All Black test was provided by teams representing ■ the Secondary Schools and the Fleet. The schools drew first, blood, Macmilliiii getting possession after a .tcriod of loose play, und cuttinf; in to score an unconverted try. Secondary Schools 3, the Fleet O. The visitors then put up a -trous attack, and the local lads' were compelled to farce as the chance-over whistle blew. The play was not of a high standard, the passing in particular being weak. Shortly before halftime Mactnillaa scored number try (or the | schools, and Hulchescm converted. , Secondary Schools 8. the Fleet fl. ' j The third quarter was devoid of incident, there being no alteration in the score when the last quarter was commenced. At this stage, the visitors were combining better, anil play hung in mldficld fur some . time. After some ragged play on tbe Fleet's line, Hutcbesun slipped across, but failed to convert bis own try. Secondary Schools 11, the Fleet 0. The schools' forwards rushed the Fleet's kick into their twenty-five, and an infringement nllowecl I-I ii tenesmi to add a further three points to lhe tally as the game ended with the -scores: —Secondary Schools 14, the Fleet 0. Mr. Muldoon was referee. COUNTRY MATCHES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) DARGAVILLE. Kaihu seniors defeated Pukehuia by 6 , lo 3. Ariipobue juniors beat Kaihu juniors by 9to 0. c ' KAIPARA. Senior. —Waimauku 10, beat Parakal 0. For Waimauku, Wightman kicktM a goal from the field, and scored a try, and 11. Fletcher scored a try. For Parakai, Wlrthlngton and Vcrcoe each scored a try. Junior. —Kaukapakapa 15, beat Paraka nil.; Maoris t_ beat Waimauku 3. WHANGAREI. At nensington Park or« -raturday. In the" senior match Kaino 11 beat Maungakaramea 6. An evenly contested game. For. the winners, McLeotl. kicked a penalty and Salmon secured a try. A spectacular try was scored by "Bunny" Finlayson, ivho intercepted a pass between two opponents, bci!>- about half the field In a clever run, ih-ving a nice turn of speed, nnd finally tO-Cheej down between the posts. McLeod converted. For the losers, tries were scored by Sheridan nnd Bain Finlayson. Mr. O. S. Hill was referee. Juniors. —High School Old Boys 11, beat V.M.C.A. 0. ..iadner and Cowan scored tries, Webber kicking a penalty goal and converting one try. Mr. H. S. Smith waß referee. HIKDRANGI. In the senior Rugby competition, Hiku- j rangi 12, beat High School Old Boys 3. For the winners. Tavlor kicked a field goal, and Hamilton scored 2 tries, one being converted. Dickson scored for the losers. In tbe junior competition, Hikurangi A drew with Whakapara, S point- all. TDKEKOHE. The Pukekohe Rugby competitions were continued on Saturday in threatening weather. Results: — Seniors.—Ramblers 13 beat Patumahoe '9; City 19 heat Paerata 3. Juniors.—Ramblers 6 beat Paerata 3; White Star 13 forfeited to Wesley College; White Star A beat Patumahoe nil. WAIHI. Senior.—Slataura 3, beat City nil. Gor- _ don kicked... penalty goal for the winners. Junlor.=-Mataura 3. drew with City ii; Waiklno nil. drew with Waipepe nil.

WAIKATO. The match. Old Boys and Maxista was played at Steele Park, Hamilton, on Saturday, resulting in a-win for Old Boys by 10 to 3. The scores do not indicate the run o£ the play. Mariete- quite held their own, and had the better of play in the third spell. Old Boys shone in the loose work, ,Ind . O , Sullivan was the medium by which Marists were defeated, he repeatedly turning defence into uttaeU. Mr V. Brydon was referee. A match was played at Whatawhata, between Frankton and United. The result was: Frankton 10, beat United nil. TK AKOHA. The Piako Kugby Union senior competitions were continued at the showgrounds, Herriesrtlle, on Saturday. Walhou Seniors and Terriers. A tried conclusions, both teams having even points for the cup. The ground was very muddy, and play was not the best on either side. For Terriers Clarkin scored a try from a good forward rush, the kick at goal being unsuccessful. For Wailiou Pat O'Douoghue scored between the posts, and Vosey converted. Frazer Millar kicked a penalty goal, the liual score being:—Waihuu 8, Terriers 3. CAMIiItIDGE. The Cambridge Itugby competitions were continued here on Saturday, In cold, bleak weather. Ou the Leamington grounds Leamington Seniors beat City by 1G to nil. For Leamington tries were scored by McUou&h, Uusso, Fishery Makill, and Dave Bourke. C Kobcrtsou couverted two tries. In the junior games City defeated Horahora by 3 points (a try by Wood) to nil. Monuvale O (tries hy Cossey and Cubis) beat Uuutapu 0. Leamington 14 beat Mataugi 0. Tries were scored by T. Hall (2), Hodgson, and Douglas, the latter converting one try. Third Grade. —High. School 8 beat Cadet 3; .Matangi 3 beat Leamington 0. On Victoria Square Cambridge-llautapu Seniors beat City by 13 to 3. ROTOnU.A. I City v. Kahukura.- —This match was n 1:1 Jed at Kotorua on Saturday In wintry weather, l'lay was very even throughout, Willi City slightly the better team. The result was t'lty 0 points, Kahukura 3. WAIPA IIUGRY UNION. lv t'ne senior competition Te Awaniutu and l'uahue played n Keenly contested liaaio, in-wry going to rliu Te Awamutu iviuu in the last few mlnuii-x b.v I) points to 'i!. im- the winners, Ileal), Holmes and iKllij s.nred tries, and fur I'uahue Camp!- --! ln-11 &iul Jackson scored, ik.sic- of which . ttlTB "unviTli'd. I Sirul'H:" 1 •■<■■.r-«l a di"ci»lTo win over the IHKt >"-iis<>n'i> champions --i'lrunglii— winning by l'j polui* 'o O. i !n Uu- Junior competition Methodist reItnltiiMl iho'.r nnhpHtun record by dofeatinz iJ'irot'Xla li.t 0 points lo :». Patterson and |Slif|iti>;nl Kror'.iiK for the wi/iutrs, and (.'.'inri.'ton for lMroncia. Tl! Awiiiuotu and i'uahuo played a drawn IKiituf-0 all. SlcUletu-ntiy mid Mayne scored it'ir Tβ Awnmnru; l'ua.iuu soured a try 'ttud n I'oaali.v goal. 1 l'.ikunl dofeatbd Olmipo b.v 0 poluts to in. r'.ie Obaupo team being ordun-tl off the I In" the third Rrnde Punhue defented ll'lriioiclu by 0 points to 3. H'.Khwp and Piirlsli '«i-iml:i' for the former and 'l\iri:er for the P" ! • , I SOUTHERN MATCHES. ! <I*.v Telegraph.—Prcse Asfloclation.) J ' MASTF.IITON. Sailor Championship. — Jlasterton 11. rli-.-w" with Fiatheriston 11; Gladstone 13, beat Itcd 5. cnuiSTcnriJcn. ' Old r.ovs r,O. boat Sydenham 0; Merivale ! "(i IM-at Varsity 11: Albion 11, beat North I Ca'nttuUury v; Clirlstcliurch 10, beat Llni wood 0. ' PALMKRPTON NORTH. Old Vtoys in, beat Wpstpm United 14; FfUding -O, beat Woodvllle 11. WELUINGTON.' IJerliomnnre » beat Marlst 3: Poneke 18. hunt l.'idvurslty 0; Oriental 18, beat Old I I'.iivs t); I'ntono 8, beat Selwyu 3; Athletic li'U,"btut Wulllngton 0. j DUNEDIN. I University B 47, beat Union 0; Pirates S, lii;!it Boulhuru 0; Duuedin U, bent SUngarl 3; i Kktlcnrtll 'J, beat Alhaiubra 0; University A \'Sj, bent Talerl 3.