AUCKLAND 24, TARANAKI 21

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28619, 23 June 1958, Page 9

AUCKLAND 24, TARANAKI 21

Exciting Game At Eden Park (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 22. Taranaki, the Ranfurly Shield holder, was beaten by Auckland 24 to 21 in a sparkling Rugby match at Eden Park yesterday. The game, part of the Auckland Rugby Union's 75th anniversary celebrations, was watched by a drowd of about 23,000 and produced much brilliant and exciting Rugby. Auckland scored three goals and three penalty goals to Taranaki’s three tries, three penalty goals and a dropped goal. Taranaki led 12-8 at half-time and 15-8 soon after the break, but Auckland dominated the closing stages. The Auckland team had a young and new inside back combination of R. Doidge, half-back, and A. Clarke, first five-eighths. Clarke was an outstanding player His tricky running brought two tries and gave the Auckland backline a marked superiority. The forwards were fairly even, with Auckland winning more possession in the line-outs. Taranaki had several fine backs, notably R. H. Brown, the All Black first five-eighths, and the two wings, P. L. Penn and E. Keith, but the backline did not settle down to full efficiency. K. Briscoe had trouble with his passes, and J. McCulloch, second five-eighths, drifted crossfield too much. J. Bayly, the full-back, kicked well with his left foot, but was not so competent with his right when under pressure. D. McKay, T. R. Lineen, and Clarke scored Auckland's tries. T. J. S. Riley converted two and J. Sibun one, while Riley also kicked three penalty goals. E. Keith, I. Flavell, and K Briscoe scored Taranaki's tries, Bayly kicked three penalty goals and R. H. Brown droppad a goah The teams were:— Auckland.— T. J. S. Riley; D. McKay. F. R. McMullen, J Sibun: T. R. Lineen. A. Clark; R Doidge; M. Goodwin. J. B. Buxton, R. Blockley, I. Sapich, B. A Nepia. G. C. Perry, D. S. Webb. J. B. S. Hutchinson. Taranaki.— J. Bayly; P: L. Penn, T. O’Sullivan, E. Keith; J. McCulloch, R. H. Brown; K. Briscoe; B. E. Duffy, J. Carroll, P. S Burke. W. J. Orr. B. J. O'Neill. I. MacDonald, J. Graham, I. Flavell.

Results In Ellesmere Competitions

Results of Saturday’s Ellesmere Rugby Sub-Union competition matches are as follows:

Senior.—Lincoln College A 22, Waihora 6; Irwell 31. Lincoln 3: Southbridge 11. Dunsandel 6; Leeston 29. Lincoln College B 6.

Junior.—Prebbleton 20. Peninsula 0; Dunsandel 11. Burnham 8; Southbridge 9, Lincoln College Diploma 6; Lincoln College Degree 29, Lincoln 0; Leeston beat Waihora by default; Irwell a bye.

Third Grade.—Prebbleton-Waihora 11, Lincoln 0; Southbridge 23. Peninsula 8; Leeston a bye.

Fourth Grade.—Prebbleton 3. Lincoln 0; Leeston 11. Dunsandel 6; Southbridge-Irwell a bye. Fifth Grade. —Southbridge 6, Waihora 0; Irwell 45, Burnham 0; Prebbleton 14, Leeston 0; Lincoln 9. Dunsandel 3. Bantam.—Leeston 6, Prebbleton 0: Dunsandel 12, Lincoln 0; Southbridge 0, Waihora 0; Irwell 3, 3.