RUGBY CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 208, 3 September 1938, Page 21

RUGBY CONTEST.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

ROLLER MILLS SHIELD,

VICTORY FOR AUCKLAND NORTH. Tlie Roller Mills Shield was won yesterday by Auckland North, which defeated North Auckland by 8 points to 0 at the Show Grounds in the final of the primary schools' Rugby football tournament. Watched by a large number of spectators, the match was played on a sodden tield. with the result that it developed into a struggle between the rival packs, the wet ball making passing movements almost impossible. The ball had to be kept on the ground, and in this respect the Auckland team used the better tactics, many of its loose dribbling rushes troubling the opposition. North Auckland offered spirited resistance, and. in view of the unfavourable conditions, butli teams did extremely well in providing a game that was always interesting. There was no score during the first spell, in which play was even. In tlie second half the teams played vigorously. Auckland North would have scored early but for good defence by North Auckland near its line. North Auckland gradually worked its wa.v upheld, a force-down saving the opposing team after a fine forward rush. Holding a territorial advantage. Auckland North pressed hard and dribbled the ball for nearly half the length or th» field iinii over the line, where Darrow was awarded

a try. From midfield the Auckland North forwards dribbled to the line. In a scramble for possession Mcl'lke fell on the ball for a try. The ga.uie ended:—Auckland North. 8; North Auckland, O. Mr. A. M. Matlieson was referee.

After the game the shield was handed to the winning team by Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the New Zealand ltugby Union. The chairman of tlie Auckland Primary Schools' Rugby Union, Mr. A. B. Flovd, welcomed Mr. Dean and Mr. H. Fro'st, president of the Auckland Kugby .Union, Mr. A. A. Baker, chairmun of the management committee of the Auckland Rugby Lnlon, Mr. Harding Deaf, who, with Mr. Dean, was a manager of the New Zealand Maori team on its visit to Fiji, and Mr. J. -B. Donald, chairman of directors of the Northern Roller Milling Company. Limited, which donated the shield. Mr. Floyd mentioned that it was the fourteenth annual tournament, and congratulated the teams on their exhibition. The North Auckland team, which was drawn from a widely-scattered district had played a splendid game and had been second to none in showing the right spirit A tribute was paid by Mr. Floyd to the work of the secretary. Mr. J. Box. He also expressed thanks to those who had billeted the visiting boys.

After complimenting the teams on their game and tine spirit, Mr. Donald asked Mr. Dean to present the shield. In congratulating the teams, Mr. Dean said he thought the winners had used the better tactics and added that he hoped within a few years some of the players would gain tiie highest Rugby honour of representing the