WAIKATO BEATS AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26510, 27 August 1951, Page 8

WAIKATO BEATS AUCKLAND

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

HOLDERS FINISH STRONGLY

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, August 26.

The Waikato Rugby representative team proved itself to be a worthy holder of the Ranfurly Shield yesterday, when it beat Auckland by 14 points to 3. It was a convincing win, by two tries, a conversion, and two penalty goals to one try and one penalty goal. Waikato’s supporters were always confident that their greatest hurdle would be to win the shield from North Auckland. There were many, however, who were concerned that the team might not last the distance against Auckland because the players had been hurriedly called upon to defend the shield after being home only five days from a 400-mile trip and a particularly hard game against North Auckland. The Waikato team rose to the occasion magnificently, and over the last quarter of an hour was in complete control of the game. Waikato’s well-deserved victory was all the more impressive in that D. B. Clarke, the full-back, was not available, D. E. Grant was on the injured list, and J. Bullick, the first five-eighths, was carried off after the first quarter of an hour. The grand showing of the replacements is a clear indication of the strength of Waikato Rugby this year. Auckland was beaten in the forwards, its backs w>ere only allowed limited attacking opportunities, and they found it extremely difficult to pierce Waikato’s excellent cover defence. Auckland had every chance, as the ground was surprisingly firm and the ball dry for three parts of the game, and they won 38 lineouts to 18.

For the first time in very many years the Waikato back line was better than Auckland’s inside backs and played the better football. With E. H. Catley in grand form, Waikato won 24 scrums to 12, the former All Black giving the most polished display of hooking he has yet produced. The hero of the match was the replacement five-eighths, G. R. Brunskill, who, besides showing great speed and penetration, kicked two grand goals after several easy ones had been missed by Bullick before his retirement and by Adams. Reid, the All Black half-back, was another Waikato player who played a really fine game. Cowley and Kurtovlch were most reliable, and Adams made few mistakes at full-back.

All the forwards played with sustained fire and spirit, with perhaps Nola, McLaren, and Robertson the best of them. Scott was again a tower of strength to Auckland and is still the finest full-back in the country. Whiteman, on the wing, was easily the most impressive Auckland back. Tanner made two good breaks, but was excellently marked and could make little impression. The All Black threequarter line was well contained, while the Auckland inside backs, Vernon and Gumbley, were never allowed to settle down by Waikato’s forwards. The Auckland forwards, led by Skeen, were impressive in the line-outs, but were no match for Waikato in their rucking and general play. The play was very hard at times, and the referee, Mr J. Frood, of Otago, who gave a fine exhibition, took a firm control of the game at a critical period. There were 12 penalties to Auckland and 11 to Waikato. The Scoring Waikato scored first with a penalty goal by Bullick, and Auckland evened with a try by Whiteman in the corner. These were the only points in the first half. Waikato went ahead again with a try by Nola, which Adams failed to convert, but the air was electric when with 20 minutes to go Scott kicked a fine penalty goal to make the scores even again. A grand break through the centre of the field by Reid put Waikato on the attack, and when the backs worked efficiently from a scrum Cowley cut through beautifully and Roberts was with him tn score. When Brunskill converted, the crowd, estimated at 18.000, a record for the ground. roared approval for some minutes.

Steady rain had just started to fall at this stage, and Waikato was the only team in it until the end. Brunskill gaining a penalty goal, and twice Waikato narrowly missed scoring. The strong finish of Waikato was as thrilling as it was unexpected.