WIN FOR AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 221, 19 September 1927, Page 12

WIN FOR AUCKLAND.

DEFEAT OF OTAGO

SEVEN POINTS' MARGIN.

(By Telegraph—Special to "Star.")

DUNEDIN, Saturday.

Under a leaden sky with a bleak breeze blowing across the Caledonian ground, Auckland sparred against Otago for the Northern Union Cup. There was a fair attendance. Early in the game Wade intercepted and "dummied," kicking over the head of Oliver, and Little, on the opposite wing, swept to centre and gathered in to score a comparatively easy try. Dufty converted. Fifteen minutes after the game commenced good luck smiled on Oliver, Otago's speed merchant, wno wriggled through the backs, kicked to centre, and raced Mclntyre for possession. Oliver veritably snatched a try from a possible clearance by Mclntyre, and was successful right under the posts. Sutherland's kick levelled the scoring—five all. A scramble at midfield saw Wade tuck the ball under his arm, draw his opponents, and short pass to Wetherall, who quickly transferred to O'Brien, and opened up the way for this speedy follower-up to find the Otago line, amid cheers from the crowd. Dufty did the trick, making the score Auckland 10, Otago 5. Shortly before half-time the Webb-Wetherall-Wade combination got busy, swung into its stride, and put the crowd on its toes, as Oliver packed on the pace to catch Wade, but he had too long % start, and Wade passed underneath the posts. Dufty added the points. Almost a minute afterwards Oliver picked up a dropped pass by the opposition backs, dummied, cut in to centre and, amid a melee of players on the line, scored an electrifying try. Sutherland his attempt leaving the score Auckland 15,, Otago 8. The next few minutes Otago spent hammering at Auckland's door, and although many attempts presaged danger, the efforts were abortive, due to the hard tackling and team work of the visitors. The second spell opened with several scrambles dangerously close to the Auckland citadel, Townsend, on one occasion, slipping just when *a few yards short of his objective. A subsequent tussle saw Quinn break through to score, but Sullivan's boot failed. Auckland 15 Otago 11 Ensuing play focus3ed sharply on the corner at the home end, resulting in Webb, after the other backs had handled, sweeping over near the posts. Dufty made the necessary addition to the points. Mclntyre, from a scrummage at midway, ran across and transferred to the backs. The ball was flipped from player to player, and finally Little flew to the cornfer flag, but failed in essaying to sidestep Sullivan. He was brought to earth a few yards from the flag. In a scramble in Auckland's territory the home side awarded a penalty for obstruction, resulting in Eckhoff booting a beautiful goal. Auckland 20 Otago 13

GRADE RESULTS

SENIOR B. Ellerslie 11, beat Athletic 3. SECOND GRADE. Mange re 17, beat Richmond .1. Remuera 12. beat Kingsland r>. Devonport 32. beat Newton 0. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 8, beat Devonport 5. Devonport 9, beat Ponsonby B 0. FIFTH GRADE. Akarana 5, beat City 3. SIXTH GRADE. Devonport 30, beat Richmond 0. Athletic 6, beat Akarana A o. JUNIORS AND THIRDS. Devonport juniors 30, beat Newton thirds