RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 181, 3 August 1931, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND BEATEN.

MATCH AT NEW PLYMOUTH

TARANAKI WIN 11-9,

NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday

The ground was well cut up by the previous game before the Auckland and Taranaki teams took the field. Auckland initiated the first back movement, the ball travelling through all the backs till I Caughey failed to take a pass, after coming round on the outside. The blue torwards carried on until the defenders threw the ball back to Collins, who found the line A Taranaki back movement stopped at Fookes. Watson short-kicked and Jones upset Conway while in possession only to have the Auckland forwards dribble away in a bunch until Bunting was caught off-side, from a scrum Stewart secured and"sent to Solomon, who beat a couple of men and passed to Conway, who was thrown out near the corner. Gudgeon got in a quick kick, and play ranged to the other side of the field, where Gudgeon sent Hunter away on the blind side. Caught by the arm, he sent in to Peterson and Walter, who gained a good slice of ground in a likely-looking movement. The Taranaki backs looked dangerous until Watson was caught in possession when trying to run Jones into position. A quick change came over the scene when Solomon dashed away, and threw in to Souter, who was jumped on by Hunter from behind. Gudgeon set his backs in motion, all handling for Jones to slip between Caughey and Stuart, only to be laid low by Davies before he could regain his balance. Then came the first try. From loose play Guy tried to throw the ball out to his backs, Caughey dribbled round, kept in, and as they reached Collins, Solomon gave a hefty boot over the line. Four men raced for it, and Solomon was fastest, scoring just before the dead ball line was reached. Xewdick's kick missed. Auckland t 3 Taranaki 0 Suddenly Fowler and Guy came clear with a great dribbling rush that gained almost 50 yards. Auckland increased the score when, after the home backs had handled, Watson tried to cut in, ani then sent back a wild pass, which Milliken snapped up to send to Smith, to Vear and to Solomon, who went away to run round and score his second try under the posts. Davies missed an easy kick. At this stage, Watson, whose injury had not improved, retired. Auckland 6 Taranaki 0 The second half had not been long in •progress when Taranaki opened their account from a line-out. Gudgeon, the half-back, eluded several tacklers and raced round the blind side before handing inlicld to Guy, who scored. Collins converted. Auckland 6 Taranaki 5 Auckland then increased their lead when Milliken sprinted down the side line, threw infield to Satherley, who shook off a high tackle and scored. Davies missed the kick. Taranaki got to within one point of the leaders when Collins kicked a fine goal from a free kick. Taranaki finally went ahead, when, after a succession of scrums in the corner, a defender kicked to midfield. Fookes, Hunter, and Kinsella handled, the latter beating three men to score near the corner. The kick failed, leaving the final scores: Taranaki 11 Auckland D