NORTH DEFEATS SOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 4, 5 July 1926, Page 2

NORTH DEFEATS SOUTH

DESMOND PLAYS AN EXCELLENT GAME.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ATJCKLAND, 4th July.

In the League North Island v. South Island match and trial between two thirteens, most of whom were Auckland players, plus Thomas (Otago), Mundy (Canterbury), Gieson aud Menzies (South Auckland)i was played at Garlaw Park this afternoon, the attendance exceeding 15,000. Interesting personalities io many Rugby Union enthusiasts were Lu. Petersen (South), who represented New Zealand against New South Wales at Christchureh, Jack Kirwan (North), j who was a member of the Hawkes Bay fifteen which lifted the Ranfurly Shield* from Wellington in 1922, and Neil Mouat, a West Coaster, who played for Berhampore one season. The North Island team comprised the successful Auckland combination, W. Desmond (Wellington), centre-three-quar-ter,-being the only outsider in the Northern thirteen. The match opened sensationally, Vorrath intercepting a pass from Peckham, the North half, and a spectacular try was narrowly ' missed. On clearing, Mouat made a fine 'effort to gaol from « penalty on the opposite side. North then set up passing, but a try was lost by Desmond failing to pass out to Davidson The Wellingtonian quickly made amends, however, by scoring prettily, after selling several dummies. North 3. isouth mh South attacked from the kick-off, Dufty having to force. On resuming South were awarded a penalty in the vicinity of half-way, Mouat goaling well. North 3, South 2. Vorrath soon <ed the Whites back. Mouat taking advantage of the occasion to land another penalty. South 4, North 3. Duffy's fine kicking kept South at bay, enabling Kirwan to break away, but being unsupported the try went begging. The next lot of passing broke down at Cole, with the line ahead. North's luck was out at this stage, Avery and Kirwan failing to pick up near the line. After a dribbling rush. South attacked, Wilson-Hall giving Mason a chance. The latter was .hauled down on the line. North then went away with a passing rush, Singe opening up for the forwards, but Avery was off-side. From the kick, the. Whites rushed the Northern sector, Kirwan saving well. Vorrath and Brittenden made a thrust on the left wing, Dufty stopping the movement and clearing. In a solid Southern rush, Cole picked up on his own side of half-way, scoring a simple, try which was goaled by Dufty.. North 8, South 4. O'Connor (Otago) went off injured, Mundy (Canterbury) replacing him. Hickey initiated Souths. nest score, making a good run which Wright and Tallentire continued, the latter getting the try which was converted by Mouat. South 9, North S. Scissors passing between Peckham, Cole, and Davidson gave Cole a nippy try from which Dufty goal- - cd. North 13, South 9. Clarke broke' away for another score, Kirwan crossing and Dufty goaling. North 18, South 9. Vorrath removed the scene to Northern territory, Petersen and Mason carrying on for the latter to goal. North 18, South 12, which was the score when half-time was blown. In the second spell, Kirwan broke down a South passing rush, and dribbled across, Davidson touching down. Play was recalled for some infringement, the White's clearing. Desmond, who had been transferred to the Northern wing, caught the eye repeatedly, and Vorrath was shining ■ for the South. An exchange of kicks between the full-backs, ended sin Dufty getting the rearguard away, Kirwan being grassed near the line. The Southern forwards cleared,' Davidson retaliating with a nice run, Avery, however, losing the try by mishandling. Soon the Black backs were away again, Kirwan making a fine opening for Littlewood's try. North 21, South 12. South looked very tired at this 81320,' giving no appearance of making up the nine points leeway .When fielding a high kick, the Black forwards; coming down on him, Mundy was injured, but continued to play. Then followed a determined eji'ort by Mo.nat, Tallentire, and Wil-son-Hall. Vorrath was hurt in attempting to butt his way over the line, but Dufty and Desmond cleared. Then Kirwan made another brilliant effort for Avery to cross, Dufty goaling.' North 26, South 12. Davidson followed with a runaway try, started by Clarke, Dufty making the score, North 31, South 12. The scoring slowed down, and though South were hard-pressed, the Whites registered the succeeding try. WilsonHall (much of whose work was spoilt by Mouat getting in his way) made an opening for Wright which increased Souths tally. North 31, South 15. Wil-son-Hall here was doing yeoman service, and the crowd expressed disappointment when he was downed a yard short of the line. Clarke raised a determined Southern siege, nearly scoring. Kirwan then knocked over the corner flag. South rushed play to the Northern line, Saunders cutting in and Brittenden dashing over, from which Henry goaled. North 31, South 20. The last two scores had been added after the retirement o£ the Northern half-back, Peckham (who was not replaced), with a broken nose. One of the best.efforts of the game followed, nearly every Southerner handling, until Vorrath was grounded. Hickey was going great -guns on Souths right wing, and enabled the Whites to keep the pace on. Henry goaled magnificently from a penalty try well out. North 31, South 22, the final score. Kirwan came into the North side when Wetherill notified his inability to make the English trip, but proved the outstanding player of 26. Desmond ably supported him, among the Northern backs. Clarke, Singe, and Avery were the star forwards. For the South, Vorrath was always prominent,, while Mouat, Petersen, Mason, and Tallentire were the mainstay of the forwards. There was too much Rugby Union tactics, for which the captaincy of Mouat was at fault.