THE WORLD OF SPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1926, Page 11

THE WORLD OF SPORT.

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND TOURING TEAM. WIN OVER WELLINGTON. SIXTEEN TO TWELVE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. In the representative Rugby match, Auckland versus Wellington, played on Saturday, Auckland proved the winners by 11j points to 12. About 8000 people witnessed the came. The weather varied during the afternoon, and some showers fell, but the ground was in good condition. The teams were as follow: — Auckland. —Butler, Hook, Lucas, Ifwersen, Freeman, Cammick, McManus, Finlayson. MeWilliams, Cathcart, Casey, Knight. Hadley, Palmer, Batty. Wellington.—Taylor, MaeKay, Grenfell. Svenson, MacKenzie, Corner, Bramwell, Barry, Thomas, Edgar, iloffit, Tyree, O'Regan, Warde, Murphy. , The first live-out gave the Auckland backs a chance. Hook's short kick was fumbled by Taylor, but Thomas saved. Again the Auckland forwards obtained possession of the ball. McManus handed to MeWilliams, who dummied his way almost to the line, where he transferred to Finlayson, who opened Auckland's account. The kick failed. Auckland 3, Wellington 0. Wellington attacked strongly. A scrum in the Northern twenty-five saw Bramwell cut in nicely to pass to Svenson, who equalised. O'Regan's kick failed. Auckland 3, Wellington 3. Another good effort by the Wellington forwards saw them in enemy country, but Butler saved and a good run by Lucas transferred play. The blue and whites came again in a dangerous nssault on Wellington's line, but tlic situation was saved by a penalty. Murphy gathered from the scrum, and Bramwell in turn handed to Svenson. who lost possession. MacKenzie, from a line-out, went through cleverly, only to be grassed. His pass, going astray, enabled Lucas to force. Wellington in Front. Auckland now forced their way down the field, and Hook had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Piay again went to Auckland's end, but Lucas corkscrewed his way right through, to be grassed in a spectacular fashion by Svenson. From a line-out just inside Auckland's half the Wellington backs obtained the ball by beautiful passing, and a clever opening by MacKenzie enabled Svenson to dash over. O'Regan's kick again just missed. Wellington 6, Auckland 3. From outside half-way O'Regan had an attempt from a penalty, but it fell short. The Wellington backs got away and MacKenzie again cut in, but his pass went forward. A certain try was lost at this stage. Hook retired, and Loft took his place. For a while play hovered in mid-field. However, the Wellington forwards were playing a great game. Bramwell sent to Svenson, who passed Loft and crossed to score a good try. O'Regan failed with the kick. Wellington 9, Auckland 3*

Two excellent tackles by Taylor again took play to Auckland's stronghold, but the blue and white forwards sent it "back to mid-field, where a long kick again took the scene of action to Auckland's quarter. A free kick gave temporary relief, but a long kick by MacKay gained ground. However, Auckland relieved, and again play returned to half-way. Auckland got possession, and nice passing, in which the forwards comIbiued, saw Knight ground the ball between the posts. Ifwersen's kick was successful. Shortly afterwards the halftime bell was sounded with the score:— Wellington 9 Auckland 8 Auckland the Better Team. With the commencement of the second epell, Auckland's forwards brightened- up getting round on Bramwell, but Bell gave temporary relief. Moffit, who had been injured, gave place to Bnrns. Wellington attacked but MacKay failed to take a long pass and Auckland turned defence into attack. A good kick by Thomas found the line well up field, but the Auckland backs came well downfield.

A free kick gave Butler a chance and the Wellington forwards took play upfield, but Lucas ran right through and the ball went out of play at Wellington's twenty-five. In a pretty piece of passing from McManus the ball travelled through all the backs to the wing, Caminick, who passed in, raced round to receive again and went on to score. Loft converted. Auckland, 13; Wellington, 9. The Wellington forwards took play to Auckland's twenty-five, ijbut Bhovt passing rushes soon brought it back. A fine dribbling rush in which Thomas, O'Regan and Burns figured prominently, took play to Auckland's twenty-five, but the advantage was lost by O'Regan's attempting to put over a penalty kick. Wellington were now hard put to it to defend, but Svenson, MacKenzie and Grenfell put in a lot of Lard work. Gradually play was carried to half-way. From here Grenfell and Svenson carried on and a free kick by put Wellington up. one point behind. Auckland, 13; Wellington. 12.

An interchange of kicks left Wellington at a slight disadvantage, but their forwards came through with the ball at toe. Lucas secured and ran right through. Cammick lost a certain try When Taylor cleared. Wellington were almost continuously on the defence, but occasionally the forwards came away. They were gradually forced back on to their line. A line-out saw McManus cut through and pass to Palmer, who grounded the ball in a handy position. Butler's kick failed. Auckland, 16: Wellington 12. Auckland continued their attacks and Wellington forc«d. Wellington managed to keep their line frt-ict until the final bell rang a few fe"tVC*9 later. The final score was: Auckland 16 Wellington 12 THE GAME REVIEWED. AUCKLAND FORWARDS TRIUMPH. The first spell was notable for the great game of the Auckland forwards against the wind. It wae evident that they have brought the short-paesirig game to a high pitch of perfection on tour, and the try scored by Knight represented the culmination of several previous attempts to drive home this form t>f attack which failed only hy mishandling of the greaey ball in a tricky wind. End the cleverness of Wellington's spoilig efforts. Considering the disadvantage, the Aueklanders laboured under, with

the wind against them in the first spell, it was a great performance to get within a point of .heir opponents' score before the half-time bell. But for the weakness of Freeman at first five-eighths on the defence Auckland would certainly have been in the lead. A Find for Wellington. It was Mackenzie, his vis-a-vis, who transferred the Welington rearguard from a rather ordinary combination into a dangeroua attacking unit. The latter is a University player, who only got a game at the eleventh hour through the inability oi Mark Nicholls and then of McKay to take the field. He is one of the most promising insidi backs the writer has seen for a long time, and besides handling well he possesses the knack of hard, straight running, reminiscent of Lance Johnston of Hawke's Bay. He was directly responsible for .wo of Wellington's tries by brilliant cutting in, and perfect linking up again with his outsides. Throughout the first sp°U Lucas was a tower of strength to the visitors, for although beaten by Svenson on one occasion: his quick recoveries and well judged kicking saved Auckland repeatedly. The Wellington backs were also very much at sea in endeavouring to stop his fast side etepning down the centre. In the second spell it was soon evident that the Auckland forwards carried too many guns "'or their opponents, Knight, Batty and Cathcart showing out in some great loose rushes Their dribbling was first class, and they showed a splendid knowledge of linking up with their backs for sectional passing 'jouta, which repeatedly had Wellington in trouble. Lucas a Favourite. In the closing stages, Auckland were unlucky in not scoring at least two more tries. Only the fact of the ball being mishandled at the critical moment prevented the visitors from scoring. The inside backs showed out better on the defence. There were do break-away runs, such as Mackenzie and Svenson made in the first spell. The game as a whole waß a first-class one to watch, and the closeness of the scores retained the interest of the crowd right up to the time of the final whistle. The match can be summed up as being essentially a victory for the Auckland forwards, who were the main attacking factors throughout. They received splendid support from the threequarter line. Lucas was right at the top of his form, his brilliant attacking work delighting the crowd on quite a number of occasions. In this spell. Loft played a great game on the wing and Ifwerson and Cammick were always dangerous to the opposition. Butler was very sound as a fullback and had hard luck with some of his shots at goal. The victory was well recived by the large crowd present and the refereeing of Mr. R. Paton was again marked by decision and promptitude. TARANAKI CHAMPIONS. TUKAPA BEAT MARIST BY TWO POINTS. Tukapa, the premier team of Taranaki, beat Marist Old Boys at Eden Park by 10 points to 81 Although It was not a brilliant exhibition, the game was Interesting throughout, and both sides threw the leather about in attractive style. Marist had easily the 'better of the game in the first spell, the local forwards playing far better football than the visitors. The backs, too, were superior to the visiting van, and it was only the deadly tackling of the Tukapa team that kept the local team from running up more than eight points. Tukapa livened up and played far better football In the second spell. They threw the leather about freely and the pace became a cracker. 'The teams lined out as follows:— Tukapa.—Prior, Newell. Hooker, 11. Oliver, Dlneen, K. Oliver, Jeffries, G. Stagpool, Gay ton, 'Evans, K. O'powda, M. O'Dowda, Hunter, McLean, Hammersley. Marist. —Cornthwaite, Johnson, Stuart, Moore, Stltchbury, Brandanovich, W. Cornthwaite, Broderick, Culpan, Hadley, Cotter, Rule. Butler, Carroll, Kelly. A forward sortie by the Marist forwards and a fruitless movement by Tukapa ended with a melee in midfield. After five minutes of ragged play, Johnson, the fast Marist winger, caught the whole Tukapa team out of position and raced away to scoye a good try. Bradanovich missed the kick. Marist 3, Tukapa 0. A bright flash came when Bradanovich and Stuart gave a sparkling display of passing, reverse-passing, sidestepping and dummying, which ended in Bradanovich running round to score under the pasts. The same player improved the score. Marist 8, Tukapa 0. When the teams changed ends, Tukapa livened up considerably. The Marist backs were throwing the leather about in attractive, style and a number of spectacular movements brought play to Tukapa territory. Prior, the little Tukapa fullback, took a clearing kick cleanly and potted a beautiful goal from the field. Marist 8, Tukapa 4. For the remainder of the session Tukapa kept pegging away at tlie Marist line. Half-time sounded and The score board read:— Marist -s Tukapa 4 Tukapa played Improved football in the second spell, a forward rush carrying play to MaTist territory. From a scrum there, H. Oliver snapped up the leather and made a determined dash down the side line to score at the corner. The scorer's kick failed. Marist 8, Tukapa 7. Continuing to hold the upper hand, the Tukapa backs threw the ball about freely. Hooker making a good run from half-way and passing to Newell, who bad a clear run in. 11. Oliver missed the kick. Tukapa 10, Marist S. Play had become exceptionally fast and the hall travelled up and down at a high speed. Quiet play was seen in the early stages of the last session, neither side bowing to any great advantage. Later on the game livened up again and the Marist backs showed one or two bright flashes. Bradanovich \ broke through in a brilliant 6010 effort and he was tackled when within a couple of yards of the line. A couple of runs by the backs of both sides ended in a scramble in midfield. Tho last few minutes of the game saw Marist making strenuous efforts to score, but the final bell sounded before more points were registered. Th score board read:— Tukapa 10 Marist 8 SHORE'S GOOD EFFORT. Although beaten, North Shore made a creditable showing against Grammar Old Boys, the final scores being 12 —9. In the early stages of the game It looked likely that the Old Boys would have an easy victory. Following a scrambling rush, Whelan scored a try that was not converted. Within a few minutes the whites gave another taste of their best, and a movement in which both backs and forwards participated ended with a try by Eady. Again the kick missed. Six points to the bad. Shore rallied and evened up the figures per medium of Stokes, who kicked two penalty gonls. After the breather the greens pressed, and an infringement by Grammar allowed Stokes to kick his third goal. Shore taking the lead. The Old Boys replied with a rearguard ' movement. Wilson touching down for a try. Eager for more Grammar came again, and following a dash by Hook, Monteith raced over. Knight's kick was successful but was disallowed, there being a player in front. During the final twenty Shore had slightly the better of the game, and on several occasions narrowly missed a score, but their own mistakes and good tackling by the whites nullified their efforts.

REFEREES BEAT KAIPARA REPS. A team of Auckland Rugby referee? journeyed to Helensville on Saturday tn play their annual match with the Kaipnrn junior reps. After n good game the referees won by 11 points to 9.

COLLEGE RIFLES V. UNIVERSITY. After an even start College took play to the University end, whore smart work by Anderson aud Teape enabled the latter to score. Another spell of even play and Gillespie kicked a penalty goal. Just before half time Miller put in a great rush and made au opening for Cashmore, who scored. College Rifles li. University 3. Karly in the second half Speucley started a line passing movement, in which Teape, Wilson. Anderson and Ricketts also took part. The last mentioned scored behind the posts and Gillespie converted. The blues played up. but they could only hold the opposition temporarily, aud from a melee within a few feet of the line Gillespie got over. College Rifles 14. University 3. University now set up a strong attack, and twice College were forced. Just before the bell rang Wilson added another four points with a potted goal, making the final score:— College Rifles 18 University 3 Mr. D. V. Moore was referee. MANUKAU V. GRAFTON. Grafton set the pace from the start, and within five minutes of play liuru snapped up aud got away to score. Austin converted. Manuuau livened up now and concerted movements gave Fletcher a chance, and he raced away to score. Hargreaves converted. The second quarter saw Mauukau still going strongly, and a determined break was made, aud resulted in Md'lusky scoring an easy try. Hargreaves converted. A strenuous tussle near Manukau's line ended in a penalty for Grafton, which was successfully taken by Austin. Forcing still, Manukau made things move, and Housham picked up out of the ruck and scored. Hargreaves converted. Just on half time Taylor rushed away to score au unconverted try. The second spell was fast, with Grafton attacking strenuously. In the last quarter Grafton certainly made a hot pace, and were constantly rushing play to Manukau territory. Repeated attempts were at last successful, and Austin scored an unconverted try. The game ended with the scores:— Manukau 18 Grafton 11 RUGBY IN THE PROVINCE. PAPAKURA. Manukau reps. played Pukekohe at Papakura, the game ending in a draw, each side scoring three points. I'apakura Juniors IU, beat Manurewa Gymnastic Club 15. HAMILTON. In the final of the Sage Cup, City, with 12 points, beat old Boys 0, after a good hard game. Auctioneers 16, beat Hamilton 11. Hamilton Junior reps, beat Auckland Junior reps, by 8 to 3. TE AROHA. The Poland Cup competition was continued on (Saturday between Piako and Hauraki Plains. Light showers prevailed, but the ground was in fair condition. Mr. Dunstan (Walhl) was referee. The teams were:— Piako.—Thorn, Goldsbury, Stoupe, McQuarters, Samson, Arkle, Tai Goldsbury. Grice, Luxtoa, Montgomery, Ryan, McLaren, Samson, Mulgrew. Hauraki Plains.—Molesworth, Walters, Molloy, Buchanan, Madgwlck, Smart, Chapman, Duncan, mill, Booth, Hutchinson, P. Clark, C Clark, Cleave, McPherson. In the first quarter Plains' forwards were hard pressing Piako when Chapman sent the ball out to Molloy, who mulled. Goldsbury secured and sent to Arkle, to Stoupe. back to Goldsbury. who passed to Samson, who scored. Goldsbury failed with the kick. Piako 3, Plains 0.

■Some fine passing was witnessed by botn sets of backs during the remainder of the quarter. The change over tool; place witu Piako hard pressing on the line.

In the second quarter a due passing bout by Molloy, Smart anil Waiters resulted i" the latter crossing at tlie corner. Molloy failed with the kick. Very fast play by both sets of forwards ensued. Kr<*n v line-put Cleave and Duneau carried play to Piako's twenty-tlve, where Uoldsbury secured, passing to McLaren, who kicked over thu line, uud Samson, by quick following, touched down. Stoupe added the points. At halftime the score was: Piaku 8, Plains 3.

Aftei half time PiaUo tuuU complete charge. Stoupe secured in l'ialiu territory, carrying play to the Plain's lino, where Uoldsbury, in tight play, crossed tlie live. The kick was disallowed. I'lako 11, Plain.* 3. Frum the Uick give and take play ensued. The Plains on their llutpwere vena Used, and from the tree Cleave secured and cross kicked. McQuarters intercepted, running the full length of the tield, uud scoring. Goldsbury's shot at goal failed. Pinko U, Plains v. Plains endeavoured to make up the leeway, but the rearguard of l'iako were too struug. From a Hue out Tui secured, and sent out to Arkle, to Stoupe, to Arkle, to "Ginger" Uoldsbury, who scored at the corner. Montgomery failed with the kick. Plako 17, Plains 3. In the last few minutes of play Clark came through tue stcuin und carried play to l'iako line, where In a iiielue McPherson crossed. Clark failed with the kick, and tie game ended:

Pip.ko , 1" I'laius tf By defeating. I'iaius, riako seniors are winners of the" I'uluud Cup competition. WAI PA. Heavy rain on Saturday made the playing areas in Albert Park quagmires, and as o result play was mostly confined to the forwards. The chief attraction was the meeting between St. George's (Auckland) and the United Club's fifteen, and after an even game the visitors were defeated by 11 points to 6. United were the first to score, Bryant kicking a penalty goal. Shortly after, G. Balme scored for United, and then ft nice piece of back play resulted In Field scoring a try for St. George's. In the second spell Shepherd scored for United, Head converting. Near the end of the game Lawson, after a good run. scored for St. George"s. The conditions were against the visitors, whose backs gave glimpses of good play. Mr. G. B. Melrose referred. The Waipa third-grade reps, defeated Cambridge by 9 points to 6 after an even nnd interesting game. Horan and Bromich scored tries, nnd Kivel kicked a penalty goal for Waipa, and Chubb scored, and Morse kicked a penalty gonl for Cambridge. Mr. S. A. McNamara refereed. WHANGAREI.

For the Brake Shield. Whangarei (holders) 9, beat Bay of Islands 3, at Kensington Park. Whangarei. The competition is open to sub-union Juniors in North Auckland. The game was played under most unpleasant conditions, cold rain showers makinK the ground very muddy, and the ball difficult to handle. Both teams were evenly matched, but the game was uninteresting-. Iv the first quarter McKay scrambled over for Whangarei. On the change over K. Mcßae equalised with a well deserved try for the Bay.

In the later stages there was a great deal of infringement, till McKay, by dummying the opposing backs, scored his second try, followed by McQueen notching third try for the home side. K. McKae was the outstanding player in the Bay team. \ "" GAMES IN THE SOUTH. MASTERTON. Hawke's Bay juniors IS, beat Walrarapa 13 In senior club football, Greytown 6, beat Carterton 3. TAIHAPE. In the football match for the Pownall Trophy, Rangltikel 3, defeated Taihape 0. PALMERSTON NORTH. In the Manawatu Rugby competitions. Kaitea 17, beat Western United 6. Old Boys 6. beat Woodvllle 0. thus winning the championship. WANGANUI. Wanjranul Old Boys It. beat Pirates 3. Kalerau 11. beat Technical Old Boys O.WELLINGTON. For tlie Myers Cup. Newmnrket Workshops defeated Petone Workshops .by 13 to 0. Tries were scored by Townsend (2). and I.ipscombe: and Loctie dropped kicked a goal.