BRIGHT EXHIBITION OF RUGBY AT EDEN PARK

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 September 1934, Page 7

BRIGHT EXHIBITION OF RUGBY AT EDEN PARK

VISITORS HAVE ADVANTAGE IN BOTH DIVISIONS Is •’ Playing with clash and a brilliancy indicative of the province in its most palmy days, Taranaki defeated Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday by the margin of 28 points to 15. Unfortunately for Taranaki, the Kanfurly Shield was not at stake. Taranaki’s points came from six tries (Townsend. Clarke, Sullivan. Sangster, Brown: and Pastier, one each) five of which were. converted by Collins, and Auckland’s from three converted tries, the scorers being Hedge (2) and Caughey, Heazlewood converted all three. i . Despite the fact that Auckland were leading 10—8 at halftime, which was increased shortly afterwards to 15—8, the issue Avas seldom; if ever, in, doubt. The match, for the greater part of the time, was in Auckland’s territory, and the Taranaki pack hammered away relentlessly at the shield holders ’goal line. The Taranaki forwards were brilliant and never let up in the whole of the 90 minutes’ play. The visiting vanguard instituted passing movements with the precision of backs, while led by Clarke and Pastier the dribbling rushes were demoralising to the Auckland defence. Keyed up to fighting pitch and trained to the minute, they finished the game with the same brilliancy of action as they commenced it. The crowd present numbered close on ten thousand, and time and again they rose to the tactics of the visitors, and in an appreciative manner classed the match as one of the best seen in Auckland this season. The match was by no means confined to the forwards, as the backs handled Avell after receiving a goodly share of the ball.