A CLOSE GAME

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 15

A CLOSE GAME

WAIRARAPA BEATS AUCKLAND BY A POINT BRILLIANT TRY BY COOKE WINNERS IMPROVE IN SECOND HALF Dominion Special Service. Mastertoil, August 1. By the narrow margin of one point Wairarapa, holders of the Rantiirly Shield, were to-day successful m defeating Auckland by 14 points to lo—one converted and one unconverted try, and •two penalty goals to two converted tries and a penally goal. The result came somewhat as a sinprise, as Auckland led by 13 points to at the end of the first spell, after outclassing Wairarapa in both, departments of the game. However, Wairarapa resumed play in a manner which was a great contrast to their earlier play, : nd they had the visitors continually on the defence. The home backs had the ball practically all the. time, and seldom was their twenty-live invaded. The deciding factor ot the game was Cooke’s brilliant try, which he brought off. after a passing bout, with one ot his swift diagonal runs through the defence, which beat all the opposition, and saw the ball grounded under the posts for an Ca AucSand S gave a display of good team work. Their outstanding player was 1. Hook, centre three-quarter, who was always ready when wanted, and who was continually on the attack. He contributed two tries and a penalty goal to the Auckland score. . , . . . Auckland took the field as picked, but Wairarapa were without the services of I. Roach nt full-back, and of W. Irvine in the forwards. The teams lmed x out .m f ° Auckland.--Paewai, Minns, I. Hook. R. Hock, Falwasser, T. Jenkin, Cat ter, I let cher, Anderson, Knight, Catheait, Batty, Wanoa, Palmer. Finlayson. . Wairarapa.—Cormack, R. Jury, Stringfellow. Yates, Cooke, Gundy, Hart, 1 arker, S Willoughby, McGregor, Reside, Quesiie, M. Willoughby, Q. Donald, Reid. In the second half Sharpe .replaced Cundy, who was injured.

I’lay Commences.

Auckland kicked off against a bright sun, and were soon on attack. Wanarapa secured hardly at all from the scrums, and the attacking was all byAuckland. Minns was showing great speed on the right wing, but the tackling bv Wairarapa broke down the movements of the visitors. Cooke was the mainstay of the defenders; time and again he saved a tight situation and was responsible for some great line-kicking. Had it not been for his work, Auckland would no doubt have broken through. . The opening score came when Wairarapa were awarded a penalty kick, Cundy sending the ball over. Wairarapa “ Auckland u Soon after, with Auckland on the attack, I. Hook got over from a passing movement, but was recalled for throwing forward. Reid and Willoughby were breaking through the scrum a lot for Wairarapa, while Carter was proving a good scrum half for the visitors, Auckland were launching a succession of attacks and evened the score when I. Hook drop-kicked a penalty goal from near half way. o Wairarapa .. " .Auckland • “ Auckland were called upon to defend against a quick passing bout, but the attackers prevailed, Cundy sending the ball to Cook, who transferred to Stringfellow, who went over. Cundy narrowly missed the kick. Wairarapa » Auckland o From now on, Auckland dominated the play. Cooke saved his side many times, but the visitors could not be warded off. Th°y secured from a scrum and Falwasser handed to I. Hook, who short-punted to recover and go across with Cooke close behind; Jenkin converted. Auckland 8 Wairarapa o Cormack was playing well at full-back for Wairarapa, and bringing off some good line kicks. Stringfellow, Yates, and Parker were associated in an attacking movement, which was averted by Minns. Auckland were throwing the ball about freely, and in a passing movement I. Hook accepted a pass out from Falwasser, and ran round to score under the posts. Jenkin made the goal. Auckland Wairarapa Wairarapa Improve. In the second spell Wairarapa took a new lease of life. On only a few occasions did Auckland invade their twenty-five. They launched a succession of attacks in open fashion, in which Yates particularly was prominent.' Gaining more frequent possession from the scrum, Wairarapa penned up their opponents for the whole spell, and prevented them from scoring again. Wairarapa were awarded a number of penalty kicks, which they failed to turn to account, but the sun wqs still in their eyes. , , Fifteen minutes after resuming Cooke brought off a spectacular try., From a scrum near halfway, Hart passed out to Sharpe, who transferred to Cooke. The latter cut right through the defenders to score a beautiful try under the posts, leaving Paewai'standlng. The same player converted. Wairarapa 11 Auckland 13 Falwasser was proving of great value to Auckland with the sound defensive game he was now playing, while Paewai could be relied on. Nevertheless, they were hard pressed. The deciding score of the game was made, when Wairarapa were awarded a penalty kick on the quarter mark, and Yates sent the ball over. Wairarapa 14 Auckland 13 Mr. W. Grantham was referee. VICTORIA COLLEGE DEFEATED BY CANTERBURY COLLEGE WELLINGTON TEAM UNLUCKY By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, August 1. Canterbury College defeated Victoria College, Wellington, at Rugby to-day by 16 points to 13. It was a fast, open game, often exciting, but lack Of finish prevented many movements from being effective. . Most of the honours of the game were with the Victoria College team, which persistently attacked at every opportunity, but faulty handling at critical moments Jost them the match. Canterbury were slower and less enterprising, but more reliable. For Canterbury College tries were scored by Hawks (two), Calder, and Grant, Loveridge converting two. For Victoria College, Irwin and Ramson scored tries, Ramson converting both, also kicking a penalty goal. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ RUGBY At the Hutt Recreation Ground this afternoon the Hutt Valley B representatives plaved their third and final match against the Wellington B team (Sst. 71b. limit), and won a close and exciting match by 3 points to nil. As in the two previous contests between these teams, fast, following up and deadly tackling characterised the play,- and It was not until near the end of the second spell that Williams scored for Hutt after a fine forward rush. The Wellington team is to play the Horowhenua representatives at Levin next week.