RUGBY DOUBLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 172, 23 July 1928, Page 13

RUGBY DOUBLE.

AUCKLAND'S TWO WINS.

THAMES AND S. AUCKLAND BEAtfEN.

LOCALS FLUSH STRONGLY

W*ills against Thames and South Auckland were registered by the Auckland representatives at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon, the>"A's" beating the Thames fifteen by 20 points to 0, and the ''BV walking away from the South province men to win by 24 points to (J. In the main game against Thames the locals were disappointing, and only on rare occasions did the crowd, variously estimated between live and six thousand, get anything like enthusiastic. Tins Thames forwards battled gamely all through and kept Auckland's lead I down to three points until some way I through the second half, but the blue and whites rattled on eleven 'points before the finish. THAMES DOWNED. Thames wont early to the attack, and Moran was just a little outside the u - rights with a penalty from near the sideline. Away went Auckland upiield, tins attack going almost to the corner flag, but Thames were soon at the locals' fioi't door again. From a scrum at midway belfries got his backs going, and the ball went out to L. Hook, who beat his man, but held on too long, and was muzzled. An attack on the opposite flank proved equally abortive, but L. Hook nearly drew blood when he dribbled through, only to Imj beaten for the ball behind the posts.

Clood work by the Thames forwards took them downtield. and an infringement by the blue and whites gave them a chance, but Wilcox's kick failed to rise. Bright passing on the part of the locals took them to midway. An attempt by the Auckland backs to get away was of little use until a dazzling run by Falwasser cut. the defence to pieces, and Thames were in difficulties. The Maori player passed out to L. Hook, who sent on to Jeffries, and the latter gave a filial pass to Minns, who scored near the coiner. The kick missed. Auckland o, Thames 0.

Another pretty run by I'alwasser was a feature of the next Auckland attack, which was nullified by offside play Thames came downfield hard, and if Dufty had had enough pace to catch Minns the locals would have been in i\ nasty hole. As it was the Auckland winger was able to get his kick in. Auckland opened the second spell with a lively back canter, but Brunton was there to take Minns' in-pass and reverse the advantage. Wilcox and (I. Pollock came through at the head of the Thames' side, and Auckland were lucky in getting away with a" force down between the pos's I'll ere was a series of line-outs in 1);<> Thames' twenty-live, with the visitors lighting hard to keep their line uncrossed. Although the Thames forwards wor* standing up well to the Auckland pack the local backs were almost monopolising the open play, and only frantic spoiling efforts kept the local rear division out. But Auckland were liot to be altogether denied. Kecne was seen in a characteristic run, and Anderson flashed up to get possession, and go over as he was tackled. Pacwai missed. Auckland 0, Thames 0.

Thames were in diflicultiea when fast following up by the Auckland forwards , r ot Cameron in a corner, lmt tin* visiting fullback whipped it out to White, who [tut bis boot in. Right on half-time Duftv fielded a high kick in good style, ind fouud the line at midway. Auckland <> Thames 0 Auckland's Scoring Finish. Drizzling lain greeted the teams when they came out to start the second half. After a short-lived attack by Thames . Minns put in a dash, and L. ifook,carried on to the visitors' twenty-live. Here Knight dropped a pass, and a knock on looked to have spoilt the chance, but the forwards went 011 and Cathcart scored. l'aewai's kick missed. Auckland !), Thames 0. Nothing daunted Thames worked their way into the locals' plot and the bl-yo | and whites had a spell defending until 1 Batty headed, a loose rush which went J half the length of the iieltl. Auckland attempted to open up j>lav from a lineout and the position looked rosy enough until Wilcox intercepted Jenkins' pass to L. Hook and sprinted hard before kicking. Thames got the line at the Auckland corner flag, and Gorbey was almost over. Playing hard Auckland [nished them back a yard, but Thames found the line. Immediately following the throw in, the ball was taken over the Auckland line, and K. Hook was unable to get the force, Gorbey going over to fall 011 it for the visitors' first! try. The kick failed. Auckland ( J, Thames 3. j There was a lively opening to the final j twenty. Throwing the ball about well ■ Thames got Auckland bottled in their I twenty-live, and a hot attack ended in a try by Lonias. Dufty missed. Auckland 0, Thames 0. ! A face injury to Brunton caused hi-i temporary retirement. Only three points! in front Auckland livened up, and Cameron had to force. Thames liook"c! j from a scrum just outside their twentyfive line, only to sec Keene come round quick and smother Savage before lie could get rid of the ball. Almost immediately the Auckland backs launched a lively attack, and the ball went out to Minns, whose pace let him clear past Savage and Cameron for a good try. L. Hook's kick hugged the ground. Auckland 12, Thames 0. After Anderson had broken through with the ball at toe Thames we c awarded a couple Qf penalties, but these did not let them out of their twentylive. The visitors were all at sea when Auckland got passing again, and L. Hoi k took the ball from Jenkin to j>o right through the defence and beat Camerr," to score. l'aewai's 'kick had direction, but 110 elevation. Auckland 15, Thames (i. With the game won Auckland romped down the lield, Keene, Anderson, B^t f y, and Palmer being well to the front. There was some willing work right in front of the members' stand, and a couple of forwards Mere seen to trade punches. Following this interlude Thames took a gallop to the Auckland line, bj*t could not score, the blue and whites clearing to halfway. Falwasser shot out in front and gave Minns a run. Right on time, Falwasser got 011 the move again avd passed to L. Hook, whose swerve in left Cameron standing. Jenkin converted, and the g&me ended: — Auckland *20 Thames 0 Mr. C. T. Paull was referee.