WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 43, 19 August 1918, Page 3

WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND

FORMER WINS AFTER A CLOSE

GAME.

(BI TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 17th. August. The Aiickland-Wellington representative. E.ugby match was played at the Domain to-day in. fine weather and in the presence of ten thousand people. Auckland kicked off with their backs to the sun. '

Following five minutes of even play, Wellington were compelled to force. An infringement gave a free kick to Auckland, but' the shot failed. Play was carried up to, Aiickland's twenty-five, where a- scries <«f scrums and line-outs took place, and from a scrum on the line a free kick was awarded to Wellington, Porter kicking a goa.l: Wellington 7>, Auckland 0. A' movement from a line-out between Thomas and Gasparrish resulted in the latter getting over near the corner. The kick failed: Wellington 3, Auckland 3. Wellington were immediately compelled to force twice in quick succession. Morris got the ball from the scrum inside half-way, and ran through, but was'brought down near the posts. Two free kicks were awarded to Wellington. The first failed, but Porter put the second over: Wellington 6, Auckland 3. Wilson started a. move-" inent, put his men on side, and play went down the field. The ball again came out to Wilson, who ran over at the corner. M'Lean converted: Wellington 6, Auckland 8. From midfield the Wellington backs started a brilliant rush, but a faulty pass let Wilson in, and ho earned play to Wellington's twenty-five. The "Wellington backs soon after gpt in motion, and Scott scored, but the kink failed. Wellington 9, Auckland 8. Almost immediately the visitors carried play into Auckland'); tev ritory, and Nicholis, running round the blind side of the scrum, ■ scored a, try, which was not converted. Wellington 12. Auckland 3. This \vas the score at half-time.

On resuming, play remained in miflBekl for some minutes, and Gasparrish dribbled the ball up the field, finally gathering it up and scoring. The kick failed. Wellington 12. Auckland 11. Although a^ sharp shower fell, at this stage, it did not interfere with the play. Wellington were soon compelled to fore'e, and then they carried play to Auckland's twenty-five by a scries of line-kicks. In this position they failed to take advantage of two. free kicks awarded them, and play went right down the field, where "a free-kick was awarded to Auckland, M'Leiui putting tho ball over. Wellington 12, Auckland 14. Neither side could gain further advantage until within ten miuutos -of time, when an irresistible rush by the Wellington forwards placed Auckland on the defensive in their own twenty-five. The ball was- handed out to Thomas, who scored an unconvevtod try near the corner. Wellington li>, Auckland 14 ._ Both teams attacked with tho utmost vigour in the last few minutes ami close to the call of time Porter add«l another try for Wellington, the game ending, Wellington 18, Auckland 14.