UNEXPECTED ENDING

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 285, 28 August 1933, Page 11

UNEXPECTED ENDING

Auckland beats Taranaki A SECOND-HALF REVIVAL By Telegraph.—Press Association. New Plymouth, August 26. The Rugby match in which Auckland defeated Taranaki by 22 to 17 was an extraordinary one. In the first half there was only one team in it. Taranaki completely outplayed Auckland in every department, and led at half time by 12 to nil. In the second spell there was still only one team in it, but that was Auckland. The Taranaki forwards and .tackling had deteriorated. Auckland gained the ball from the scrum, and with slashing attacks piled on the points. In the last few minutes the scores, 17-all, looked like a draw, but Auckland scored and converted another try, and snatched a victory from what had seemed an impossible position. The only difference in conditions in the second half was that a bright sun troubled Taranaki, whereas the sky was overcast all through the first spell. On no occasion in the first half was Auck--land dangerous. All the Taranaki men played an excellent game, with Rutherford at centre outstanding. It seemed that Taranaki had solved the forward problem which had troubled the side all the season. The backs were well supplied with'the ball, which was very capably handled. Later Auckland hooked the ball regularly, and Corner fed the backs, who were then always dangerous. Taranaki gave a remarkable display of kicking in the first half, but lost Collins, the full-back, in the second spell, through an injury. Auckland improved their game through Berridge going to full-back, and Bush to centre. Rutherford early scored a .magnificent try, and Ross converted. Ross kicked a penalty goal. With Taranaki continually attacking Collins kicked a fine field goal. After half time, when Taranaki led by 12 to nil, Rutherford received a pass and scored another fine try. Ross converted, and Taranakijed by 17 to nil. Auckland then began to hook the ball and attacked. Corner secured the ball. He was pursued by Taranaki’s diminutive half, Dymond, and the two tiny men raced for the line, Corner winning to score. In a counter-attack most of the Taranaki team handled. S. Fookes was over, but an Auckland forward also had his hand on the ballt Bad tackling let Pearson through to score, and Jamieson converted. Jamieson then potted a fine held goal. Most of the Auckland, team handled, and Solomon dodged his way through to score. Jamieson converted. A good movement by Taranaki sent Rutherford away again. He handed on to Edwards,’ who dashed over, but the ball flew out of his hands as lie attempted to touch down. Thus Taranaki had lost two tries by the barest margin. Auckland continued its open attacks, having a constant supply of the ball. Jamieson dashed over and converted just on time. WANGANUI WINS Match With King Country By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui. August 26. Bulloek-Douglas was the outstanding player in a Rugby representative match played here to-day, in which M anganui defeated King Country by 15 points to 3. The All Black winger scored a nice try, and potted a goal. The better team won. but were roughly eight points better than the opposition, not 12, as indicated by the scores. The winners secured three tries, one of which was converted, and a field goal, to an unconverted try .