A CLOSE MATCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 38, 14 August 1939, Page 15

A CLOSE MATCH

AUCKLAND BEAT HAWKE'S

BAY

fßy Telegraph— Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, August 12

The Auckland representative Rugby team played their fourth fixture of the season at Eden Park today against Hawke's Bay and won 9-0.

With only ihree points separating the scores from seven minutes after the interval, Hawke's

Bay were unlucky not to have added to their tally, as the forwards were superior to the Auckland pack in the last quarter of the match, though scrummage and lino-out honours were against them.

Bowman played a fine game in the visiting forwards, and his fast breaking from the scrum nipped Auckland attacks in the bud McKenzie also worked solidly in the pack, bis defence being particularly safe. Butler headed the dribbling rushes and showed a fine turn of speed. Dyer, at full-back was responsible for Keep ing Auckland's score down through his fine defensive play. He kicked accurately and strongly, but was shaded on the day in tills respect by the opposition guardian. Hare who cleared with kicks that transferred play some' times 50 yards upfleld. The Hawke's Ra.\ five-eighths Rein and Bradley showed sounei ability on the comparatively few occasions' they "were In possession and were better than the Auckland inside players Brady and Pear, man Auckland's five-eighths were not so bril liant as usual, though they executed pretty movements.

Pepper gained the nail from the set scrims for Auckland ?"> times to 11. W. N.Carson was the best of the Auckland forwards, being seen In some fine dribbling rushes, and he was sound on defence Mnffltt Hull, and Me (irnr.v played well. Tries for Auckland were scored b.v Peppei and Pearman. Hare kicking a penalty goal Reid scored a try for Hawke's Bay. and Dyer kicked a good penalty coal from a difficult angle.