RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 133, 8 June 1925, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

UNIVERSITY TEST MATCH.

SYDNEY V. NEW ZEALAND. NARROW WIN FOR BLACKS. LAST MINUTE VICTORY. One of the most exciting finishes seen for many a long day at Eden Park characterised the third Test match between New Zealand and Sydney Universities' teams on Saturday. The crowd of 7000 spectators were on their feet cheering almost continuously for the last quarter of an hour while the New Zealand team in that time ran their score from a deficit of 11 points to a credit of a mere two points, the winning effort being a penalty goal landed just as tlie bell sounded no-side. The final score was Hi-17 in favour of New Zealand, but the Sydney students were decidedly unlucky to lose. The turf was in good condition, and the ball was dry, but a stronfr breeze swept down the ground, and playing with it in the first spell New South Wales put on 14 points to 6; with the positions revcrEed in the second spell New Zealand scored 13 points to 3, all the lucky thirteen coming in the last ten minutes. Scoring in Turn. Generally speaking the football was not by any means classy, though it was very fast, and marked by constant quick changes of attack and defence. The ball was thrown about recklessly on both sides, and mistakes in handling, taking and fielding were responsible for the quick fluctuations of fortune, practically the only players to show consistent good form being the halfbacks Pratt and Brodie. After twentyminutes of very scrappy play, in which the visiting forwards regularly got the ball from the scrum, and their backs as surely messed up good scoring chances by bad handling, the score was opened by Shaw, who was playing a highly inconsistent game at second five-eighths for New Zealand, fielding the ball brilliantly on the run and giving Malfroy a chance, the Wellington winger finishing a determined dash with a try that was unconverted. At once the visitors responded when MeDermott broke away and was supported by Tilbury, Newton and Wiseman, the last-named topping off a fine bout with a try that Williams converted, flood loose work by the New Zealand forwards, had the visitors at their line, and twice the ball was sent out to the backs and Gilberd was stopped in an endeavour to barge over J the line. Again the New Zealand scrum secured, and Brodie worked the blind side, to let Olsen score. O'Regan failed to convert. Sydney Take the Lead. From this point the Sydney forwards, with Wiseman ever prominent, showed their best form, and their backs using the wind to advantage, they kept New Zealand constantly defending. After a number of handling attacks had been stalled off, Williams landed a penalty goal. A brief attack by New Zealand ended in Tilbury cutting off a pass, and transferring to MeDermott, who outstripped all opposition and added another try for .Sydney. Almost immediately 6nappy work by Pratt, and a bout of short-passing among the Sydney forwards ended in Hill scoring a try that was not improved, and the spell ended with the visitors leading 14—6. The second spell opened with a long series of attacks by New Zealand, who were almost continuously on the Sydney line, but Gilberd and Shaw were monotonously stopped in efforts to cut-in, and bout after bout broke down at that point. Occasional breakaways were ( made by the other side, but Tilbury more than once lost chances by inability to take his passes at speed. The New Zealanders continued to throw the ball about, and Mile 3 and McKenzie were prominent in supporting their backs, but though Malfroy made several good dashes the efforts always broke down just short of their objective. A Sydney breakaway made the New Zealand chances seem hopeless, for after getting up to the blacks' line, MeDermott took a mark in the ruck, and put his side further ahead by drop-kicking a goal. A Hurricane Finish. Another New Zealand handling attack ended in Malfroy losing tbe ball in a tackle as lie was crossing the line. Then Williams was caught in possession at the line, and the New Zealand forwards . rushed the ball over, Miller scoring a try that O'Regan converted. Keegan was responsible for instituting another attack, and after a fine footrush the New Zealand backs got the ball up, and a passing bout gave Malfroy a try, which O'Regan topped off with a fine goal. Amid excitement the New Zealanders made a last desperate rally, and after Murray had been stopped at the line the visitors infringed the offside rule, enabling O'Regan to pull the game out of the fire by placing a beautiful goal ju3t as tbe bell rang. Mr. C. F. Faull was referee. Last Game of The Tour. ' The Sydney team will play the last game of their tour at Kden Park on Wednesday, when they will meet the Auckland University College team. So far the only individual college team that has beaten them has been Victoria College, which won by 16 points to 8. They drew with Otago University, 14 points all, and beat Canterbury College by 17 points to 16. NORTH SHORE V. KING'S 0.8. There was little advantage either way in the first spell, but after ten minutesplay a long kick by King's found Anderson the only one of his side following up. He got his reward, for the Shore full, slipping at the psychological moment, lost possession and gave Anderson an easy kill. Charter took the kick, und, despite a gusty wind, landed a nice gaol. King's 5. Shore nil. Immediately after another fumble In the Shore back division almost let I their opponents through. Just before the j spell ended the Shore forwards got a fine ! rush right past the opposing pack and I Rvkers scrambled over the line. Johnson ! failed to convert. The wind was a distinct i factor in the game and as- they changed ends j for the second spell Shore were promptly on attack, and a pass was smartly taken by D. Reid, who crossed the line, the major points being added by his namesake M. Held, , placing the Shore in the lead by & points i Even play for some time, then Stokes 1 broke through the King's pack. Linton followed lt up and Boswell scored, the try being converted by M. Held. From the kickoff King's Old Boys made a strong rush right down the field, and Stewart bullocked his way across. Charter made a fine but unsuccessful shot at goal. Shore started the last quarter with a "nandy lead and the wind favourable. Immediately the forwards got busy and took play to their opponents' end where Elliott secured possession and drop-kicked from an awkward angle right between rbe bars-Two free kicks evened up matters in King's O. B.s favour and then a nice cross kick b.v Stokes was well taken by Rvkers. who raced over. M. Eeid failed to convert. Shore 20 King's 0.8. —...•.._. 8 • _Lr. -vy". -Meredith wa3 referee. .___ *