RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 22072, 4 July 1935, Page 4

RUGBY

AUCKLAND BEATS NORTH AUCKLAND The Auckland fifteen, which won the Ranfurly Shield from Hawke’s Bay towards the end of last season, successfully defended the trophy against its first challenger, North Auckland, at Eden Bark, yesterday afternoon. The score was 29 points to 8, but it was only in the last quarter of an hour that the shieldholders dominated the situation. Up to that stage the score was 0-8 in favour of Auckland, and the crowd hod been kept in a state of great excitement.

The first spell was evenly contested. Auckland scored at the end of four minutes’ play, and about halfway through Bickering, the North Auckland centre and captain, equalised with a penalty goal. Thus the score remained until half-time. Auckland added to its total almost immediately the game resumed, and a few minutes later increased its lead with another try. At this stage Auckland looked to have the game in safe keeping, but a clever interception on the part of Bickering led to a try by Cooney, and when this was converted Auckland’s lead had been reduced to one point. North Auckland was attacking strongly, but a kick by Cooney (second five-eighth) enabled Bush to gather in the ball, and with a characteristic dash through a bunch of attackers flush sent the ball to Hedge, who made much ground before reaching the opposing full-back. Here Hedge passed to A. Brown, one of the forwards, who had a clear run in between the posts. This was really the turning point of the game, and it afforded an example of how the team should retain possession of the ball when on attack. Thereafter the Auckland team was definitely in the ascendancy, and another 15 points were added in as many minutes. Two All Blacks, Brown and Corner, were compelled to leave the field with leg injuries. Tries for Auckland were scored by El. Brown, M'Lean, F. Solomon (2), A. Brown, D. Solomon, and Currey, Bush converting four. For North Auckland Pickering kicked a penalty goal and Cooney scored a try which Bickering converted. WAIRARAPA BEATS BUSH The Wairarapa-Bush match, played at Carterton, was uninteresting, but improved as the game progressed. Wairarapa won by 18 points to 14. Bush scored four tries (one converted) in the first spell to nil. Wairarapa brightened up considerably in the second half, and in fairly rapid succession scored three tries (two converted). After being one point down, C. Stringfollow (captain) scored, and F. Fuller converted, which turned defeat into victory. Mr H. J. M'Kenzie was referee. SOCCER OTAGO JUNIORS V. SOUTHLAND Owing to Berry (Northern) not being available, Bennett (Caversham) has been selected to fill the vacancy in the Otago junior team to play Southland on at Invercargill. EMPIRE GAMES Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, July 3. Sydney sporting bodies intend to make a strong effort to have the British Empire Games held in Sydney on the occasion of the centenary of the city in January, 1938. An application is being made to the State Government for an advance of £IO,OOO to cover the expenses of bringing competitors to Australia, the Government to be reimbursed from the gate receipts. WRESTLING WADE WINS AGAIN IT am UsmiD Pitas* Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 3. Glenn Wade beat Sam Bannister by a fall in the seventh round in a professional match to-night. The contest was even, with much showmanship and frequent instances of the wrestlers failing to press home an advantage. M'CREADY BEATS BLOMFIELD CPn Uhitbd Prim Association], AUCKLAND, July 3. A contest between Earl M'Cready, the Canadian who claims the heavyweight championship of the British Empire, and “ Lofty ” Blomfield, of Auckland, ended in the sixth round, when M'Cready picked np his opponent and slammed him heavily to score an easy fall. Blomfield was still lying on the mat when the gong sounded for resumption, and M'Cready was declared the winner. It was a scientific exhibition between two men of great strength.