RUGBY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 31 July 1911, Page 5

RUGBY.

NORM ISLAND v. AUCKLAND

BY TEZjEGRAPH—PRTSSS ASSOCIi TIOU.

AUCKLAND, July 31. The first match of the combined North Island country unions' representative jteam was played here on SSTurday in very wet weather, the ground being very muddy. The country team made a good showing, and in the final quarter were getting the best of Auckland. The game finally ended in a draWj each side scoring 11 points. Auckland played with the wind in the first quarter, but the countrymen's defence Avas sound, and no score resulted. In the second quarter the visitors opened up an attack from the "blind" side of the scrum, near the touch-line. The ball went across the field through the hands of Montgomery, Morgan, Leonard, and Downing until Barry finally received and scored. McKenzie converted. A few moments'later the Auckland forwardscarried play to the visitors' line, where Power picked up and passed out to McGregor, who sent the ball on to Stewart, and the latter scored a try, which O'Leary converted. Half-time was called with the score five all.

Auckland got in the lead in the third quarter. Harper picked up out of a loose rush and passed to McGregor, who^ent on to Hall, and the latter got across near touch-in-goal by sheer strength. The kick at goal failed. When the teams changed over for the final quarter and the visitors had the advantage of tKe wind, Auckland had an anxious time. Numerous attempts to cross the line failed till just on time, when Barry scored from a hard kick across the line. The kick at goal failed, and the game ended: North"ls* land Hi Auckland 11.