RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1936, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CANTERBURY v. AUCKLAND

[PEB PBESB ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, August 10

Canterbury representative Rugby team showed good form in its first home engagement of the season at Lancaster Park to-day, beating Auckland by 24 points to 15 in a fast and often brilliant game. The home backs were, as a combination, superior to their opponents, but they saw less of the ball, and consequently had fewer chances. The hand-to-hand passing rushes of the Auckland forwards, often in combination with their backs, constantly spelt danger for Canterbury. "but. apart from one or two lapses, the home team's defence was equal to the task. Auckland took the field without two of its best, men, B. Killeen and T. Lockingion. who have been included in the North Island team, they having been compelled to return early to their home city. The visitors, no doubtmust have been a little travel-worn after their tour of the south, but there was no lack of fire and dash in their play, and their form did not belie their excellent record. There was a crowd of about 9000 The weather was perfect, and the ground firm. Although the play was not always up to the highest standard it was never dull, and many of the movements, not confined to those which brought scores, were superb. Canterbury scored five tries, three of which were converted, and one penalty goal, to Auckland’s three converted tries. Canterbury won the match in the first few minutes of the game. The home team opened with two magnificent passing rushes, and from one of these came a converted try. Another try shortly after gave the home side an eight-point lead, and, although Auckland for the remainder of the game made heroic efforts to overhaul their opponents, Canterbury invariably replied with movements just as effective. For Canterbury, Eathorne scored a try in the corner, McAuliffe converting with a great kick- Then Milliken scored, after receiving from Rankin, in a movement started by Manchester, McAuliffe failing to convert. Auckland attacked strongly, and Curtayne broke through and handed on to D. Solomon, Cooper, and Anderson, the last-named scoring under the posts. Bush converting. Then came a solo try by Rankin, McAuliffe converting. Bush came into the Auckland three-quarter line to score and convert his own try. Then McAuliffe kicked a. great penalty goal from the twentyfive near the touch-line, and Hart scored a try. Bush missed an easy penalty. Frankham scored a solo try, Bush converting. Finally, Manchester scored a try, McAuliffe converting, the final scores being: Canterbury 24, Auckland 15.

SOUTH ISLAND TEAM.

THREE COASTERS INCLUDED.

The South Island selectors (Messrs. A. A. Adams, W. Pearson, and J. T. Burrows) have named the following team to meet the North Island at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, next Saturday:—

Full-back; G. D. M. Gilbert (West Coast).

Three-quarters: W. Maun (West Coast), N. A. Mitchell (Southland), T. Morrison (South Canterbury).

Five-eighths: C. C. Gillies (Otago), G. Gaffaney (South Canterbury). Half-back: H. Simon (Otago).

Front Row: O. Hattersley (Canterbury), G. Orman (Buller), C. Quaid (Otago). Second Row: R. Ward (Southland), R. R. King (West Coast), H. Milliken (Canterbury), F. Green (Otago). Loose forward: J. G. Rankin (Canterbury) .

Emergencies—Backs: K. S. Mortlock (Canterbury), W. A. Black (Otago). Forwards: W. Parkhill (Otago), J. Strang (South Canterbury), Mitchell will captain the team, with King vice-captain.

J, E. Manchester and G. F. Hart, who will not be available for the test matches against the touring Australian team later in the season, were not considered by the selectors. All three nominees from the West Coast, Gilbert, King, and Mann, were chosen.