Win for Taranaki

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 August 1926, Page 3

Win for Taranaki

Auckland Wholly Outclassed HOME TEAM AT ITS BEST FORWARDS PLAY SLASHING RUGBY BACKS ADD FINISHING TOUCHES Playing before an estimated attendance of 5000 people at New Plymouth on Saturday, the Taranaki Rugby fifteen defeated the Auckland representatives hy six tries (two converted) to two tries (one converted), the game being the home team’s fourth successive victory this season. The threatening weather prevailing earlier in the day gave place to fine, mild conditions and, though the ground was heavy, players were able to present a swift, sparkling exhibition, sustaining interest throughout. The Taranaki men played a remarkable game reminiscent of their form against Wanganui, and practically dominated both spells. Presh from their game with the All Blacks, Auckland, who fielded the same team, with the exception of one player, might have been expected to overshadow the Taranaki combination, but were fairly beaten in all phases-of play. While the northern backs showed excellent capabilities, they were behind a well beaten pack and, owing to the ruthless smothering of Taranaki’s vanguard, were unable to show to advantage. V, Each of the home forwards played sterling Rugby though, as the most consistent, Kivell and Dean merit mention. Batty was the only Auckland forward who would bear comparison. An outstanding feature of the rear division play was the exhibition of Bourke who, even when engaging All Black Lucas, showed superiority and was brilliant throughout. With the exception of the half the middle backs gave the best exhibition seen this season, Roberts, Johnston and McAuliffe combining with evident understanding.

The team s were : —- AUCKLAND. (Blue and White) Full-back:. Butler. Three-quarters: Hook, Goodaerc, Lucas (captain). Five-eighths': Freeman, Canumielc. Half-back: McManus. Rover: Batty. Back row: Casey, McCarthy. Sides: Catlicart, Finlayson.” - Lock: Webber, Hookers: Hadley, Palmer. TARANAKI (Amber and Black) Full-back: Coutts. Three-quarters: Bourke, McAuliffe, W. Hohaia. Five-eighths': Johnston (captain), EB. Roberts. Half: Julian. Rover: Guy. Back row: Dean, McCready. Sides: Kivell, .Walter. Lock: Graham. Hookers: Robinson, Young. Johnston sent the. visitors on to face the sun. Auckland made the: initial invasion, and!, after a turn of exchanges, iCammick, Goodacre and Hook showed in a bright passing bout, which tested Bourke. Taranaki returned to midi-field, where McAuliffe centred. Dean, following fast, spoiled the defender and kicked across, but was easily beaten for the touch down. In a following forward rush, Robinson and Dean, flashed into the Auckland tweaity-five, but Dean over-ran the ball when a score seemed imminent, .and from the ensuing mix-up Freeman cleared with a penalty. Johnston, Roberts, McAuliffe and Hohaia gained ground: with a rapid! exchange started at mid-field, but Hohaia went straight into the waiting Lucas. The Taranaki van held the ground and forced a passage to the scoring area, where- another bout ended in Hohaia being thrown by Freeman. The Yellows continued to hold the advantage, and another dashing on- • slaught by their vanguard resulted: in Dean handing to Kivell, who touched down near the posts. Johnston failed with an. easy kick, and after 15- minutes the score was— Taranaki 3 Auckland 0 From! the line-out in the Taranaki quarter, Kivell cleared to liis backs, tho ball going through the chain, to . Bourke, who made a splendid burst to the Bl,ue twenty-five, where he fell to Butler la tackle. Goodacre and Lucas wcreAwstrumental in putting Auckland in a good' position, but the Amber forwards came again, and in. the Blues’ area Roberts made a pretty opening, sending the ball via Johnston to McAuliffe, who, with a brilliant side-step-ping run, went round behind the posts. Again Johnston missed what looked a certain two points. Taranaki 6 Auckland 0 . Auckland showed to advantage when Hook ran through with a swerving run. Results seemed certain till Coutts intercepted; practically on the line, and. Taranaki returned with another swift exchange, which broke down 15 yards from the objective, the ball rolling loose. Bourke, however, snatched up and dashed in between the posts for a try which Coutts converted thirty minutes from the kick-off. Taranaki 11 Auckland 0 Coutts tried a drop from a mark, but the ball went wide, Auckland forcing. (Butler retired with an injury and Goodacre dropped to' full-back. Lucas went to centre, Freeman to the ■wing, and Bradanovich came on as second five-eighth. From a screwed serum in the Auckland twenty-five, tho home forwards cleared with the ball, Guy and Kivell being right on Bradonoviclr when he. forced. The kick-out g,avo place to another scrum in the Auckland, quarter. Julian cleared .smartly to Roberts', Johnston, Me-. Auliffe: and 'Bourke, who flashed over in the corner. Coutts failed to convert, Taranaki 14 Auckland .. 0 Auckland’s attempts' to' take the initiative were ruthlessly smothered by the (Taranaki spoilers, the home van•guand coming repeatedly in smashing onslaughts, while, infield the RobertsJohnston combination was sorely taxing tho Auckland defence. Auckland,’s endeavours met success just before half-time, when Lucas, Batty and Cammick caught Taranaki napping, ■and a- return pass to Batty let 'him in between the posts. McManus converted, and at half-time the board' showed: • # - ’, Taranaki ...... 14 Auckland! 5

Opening the second, session, the' Auckland rearguard made a snappy exchange, which looked likely till Hohaia intercepted and Graham led Taranaki to the assault. Handling gamely in the' danger zone, Auckland’s middle backs set Lucas racing, but Bourkei proved equal to the All Black flier. From the line-out, Auckland forced their way into the home twentyfive, where McManus and Batty gave spectacular exhibitions, but McAuiiffe and Johnston proved hard to pass, and the aggressive Graham and Dean forced the invaders to mid-field. With splendid dash, Auckland came again, Coutts and Bourke having to show in tricky defence. A heady line-kick caught the Taranaki pack on the other side of the) field, and, (before they could form, up, a quick throw-in’ to Batty let him over unopposed near tile corner. McManus failed to goal. Taranaki ; 14 Auckland 8 In marked comparison with their earlier showing, the Auckland backs essayed a bright series of open-order movements, Taranaki being hard presstd for a vigorous ten minutes. Batty, the Auckland rover, was playing an outstanding game, combining with forwards or backs as required. Taranaki’s defence gave place to successful attack when the forwards worked to Blue territory, and a combined rush gave a try by Kivell ten yards from touch. Coutts’ conversion was a gem. - * Taranaki 19 Auckland, S Returniug the 'kick-off, Taranaki pressed immediately, Roberts, Guy and McAuliffe showing in an exchange capped with a try in the corner by Bourke. The ball rolled as Coutts kicked it. Taranaki 22 Auckland' S Both sides maintained surprising speed, though the honours showed in the homo side’s 1 favour. Fielding at the twenty-five, Coutts made a .fine drop, which, swerved in between, the posts, but fell a foot beneath the bar. Home supporters were enthused when Roberts broke away at midfield and transferred to McAuliffe, who sent to Bourke, 'but the GPatea star stumbled. Almost immediately Hohaia was charging on the other wing, but Goodaerc checked him, and Freeman came through till stopped by Coutts. With eight minutes to go, Taranaki, both forward and back, were controlling play, but their swerving attacks were doggedly stemmed, a force-down only resulting. Auckland rallied in the dying stages, Hook -showing in two premising dashes which, however, were foiled by Bourke, and full time sounded with Taranaki 14 points to the good. Mr F. J. Eggleton was referee.