LEAGUE CODE

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 22, 26 July 1920, Page 4

LEAGUE CODE

ENGLAND v. AUCKLAND

VICTOHY TO LOCAL TEAM

(JT TBU9St?».—?KMS MIOCUTIOX.)

AUCKLAND, 24th July.

The League match, England v. Auckland, was played on the Domain to-day, in perfect weathei. A light breeze blew across the ground, which was in perfect order. ■ The attendance was estimated at 40,000.

Following were the teams: —

England: Pull-back, Gwynn Thomas (11.6); thfee-quarters, W. J. . Stone (11.2), D. Hurcombe (10.3), J. A. Bacon (1.3.1), S. Stockvvell (11.8); halves J. Rogers (11.4), J. Parkin (11.7); forwards, J. Oartwright (14.10), W. Cunliffe (13.10), E. J. Skolhorne (12.9) F. Galkugher (13.7). A. Johnson (14.0), D. Clarke (15.2).

Auckland: Full-back, W. Davidson (11.7); three-quarters, W. Oloke (12.0), K. Ifwerson (11.5), C. Woolley (13.0), E. C. Grey (10.5); five-eighths, M'Lymont; half-back, C. Poison (10.5); forwards S. Walters (12.4), W. Somers (12.9), Stomont (12.7), B. Avery (13.7), Wilson (12.7), N. Bass (12.8).

Early in the game a weakness in handling by the English backs was disclosed, and this was taken full advantage of by the Auckland forwards, \yho followed up remarkably well, frequently smothering the returns of the Englishmen by this, means. Auckland kept the visitors defending for a considerable portion of the first spell. The Auckland forwards frequently dominated the play for a time, their dribbling rushes and passing movements being punctuated by brilliant passing boute by tho English backs. The opportunities that came to Auckland by good following up were taken advantage, of, and the Auckland] scores came chiefly through these movements. In the second spell England gave a better display, but evidently felt the loss of Rolgers, their passing movements being repe.xtedly nipped in the bud by the Auckland backs. Midway through the spell the visitors gave a taste of their quality in combination and scored two brilliant tries, but were unable to sustain their efforts, the Auckland forwards continuing to show superior ■ form.

Auckland kicked off against the sun, , and soon carried play to'the English line, where Bass got. over within the first three minutes. Ifwerson failed to convert. Loo3e play in midfield followed, from which' Rogers obtained the ball. He was tackled hard, and as a result had to be carried off with strained muscles in the leg. The Auckland forwards seemed to i have the better of the game, and soon had play in England's twentyfive. Parkin here obtained possession, and a, passing rush between him, Stone,. Hurcombe, and Stockwell took play right to the line, where the latter was collared. The ball fell clear, and Parkin, following up fast, got over. Stone converted. The Englishmen continued to attack, and eventually the bill, was kicked over and forced, xluckland forwards then, assumed the offensive, and )i loose rush'ended in Somer3 scoring. Ifwerson converted. Auckland continued to attack, and from loose,.play in midfield Ifwerson made, an cpening. The ball was secured by Walters, who started a passing rush with Avery, Grey, and Woolley. The latter was tackled, but kicked across to M'Lymont, who dashed over and scored. Davidson converted. Almost immediately, Stormont started another passing.rush by sending., "out. to Ifwerson, who" passed to Somers,' who was tackled in goal. Walters, dashing, up, scored, and Davidson converted. A little later, Gfey kicked. across to Thomas, who; however, failed to take it, and attempted to kick into touch-in-goal, but missed. Cloke, following up.fast, touched down. Davidson failed with the kick. At half-time the score was: Auckland ;.. 19 England 5 On. resuming, Auckland attacked, but Parkin broke away, carrying the ball to midfield, where Stone gained possession, and, side-stepping about six opponents, ■ rushed over. Thomas failed with the' kick. Play was then taken to the English twenty-five, where a passing rush Left Bacon in possession. He put in a good run and sent Vie, ball to Parkin, who outpaced the Auckland backs' and scored. Thomas converted. After play in midfield, the Auckland forwards carried the ball by a, passing rush to the English twenty-five, where, from a, melee. Walters scored, Davidson converting. Play became very exciting, England showing some beautiful combined rushes. Eventually, from a scrum in the Auckland twenty-five, the ball went out toParkin, who passed to Stone, from whom it went to Hurcombe, then to Bacon, ' who scored a good try. Thomas converged, making the final score: Auckland 24 England 16 THE\nEW ZEALAND TEAM. AUCKLAND, 25th July. The New Zealand League team to play the Englishmen next Saturday comprises mainly Aucklanders. The only alterations'to the Auckland team are that Cloke goes out in favour of Saunders, of Canterbury; Pollock, of Wellington, replaces Poison, pvho is emergency, and M'Clymont replaces Stewart. The pack remains,! with Scott as first forward emergency and Herring second.