AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 12 September 1921, Page 5

AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI

A FAST GAME

AUCKLAND, Sep. 10. Taranaki played Auckland m tho presence of about 5000 people, Auckland winning by 19 points to 9. Tho game was fast and open, there being plenty of incidents, and though Tara: naki was beaten there was not the differonce between the teams that the scores indicate. On the day, however, there is no question that Auckland were the better team. Their backs were faster and more nippy than Taranaki's, whilst the Taranaki collaring was very poor. The passing of the Taranaki backs also lacked snap. The Auckland forwards wore heavier than

Taranaki, but in this department the

visitors held their own, save in scrum work, where Auckland got tho ball in the majority of cases. Of tho Taranaki backs Mickey was tfie best. Lusk

also played very well at full-back until ho had to retire. Hooker was very safo, whilst Berg sfiaped well at hair. All the forwards played well. Auckland kicked off, and Taranaki forwards set up a rush, but U free kick enabled Milliken to line. Then Fryday was prominent in a loose dribbling rush that carried play to Auckland's 26, Milliken again returning. Auckland forwards then took a hand and

carried play to Taranaki's 25, whore Earle set his backs moving. Badeiey brothers and Lucas took a hand, and Wilkinson intercepted, but ho was soon collaret!. Some bursts of passing kept Taranaki busy, as £he Badeiey brothers were beating our centre men, but Lusk, Hooker and Hiekey were defending well and cleared. Whi'ttington and MeCuilough took the Taranaki pack down field, but back came th© Aueklanders, and Wilkinson failing to stem a rush the ball travelled via Earle, V. Badeiey and Lucas to Williams, wlio easily beat the opposition .and scored. V. Badeiey failed to gjoal. —Auckland 3, Taranaki 0. Taranaki forwards took play to the 25, but infringements lot Auckland attack, and Milliken just failed to land a goal from a penalty. Auckland kept up the pressure. The ball was passed out to Hiekey, who lined at the comer. Tnranaki now took a hand at attack, and from a passing rush Wilkinson was nearly over. Auckland carried play back to mid-field as quarter-time sounded. The second twenty opened with Earle setting tho Auckland backs going, but a pass forward spoilt the movement. Taranaki gained ground, but long kicks by Findlay drove them back. Loose play followed. V. Badeley just failed to goal. Auckland kept moving, and a passing *bout Irom Earle, Badeiey brothers, -Lucas, Williams and back to EarTe, saw the latter thrown out in the corner by Hiekey. A moment later Auckland used the otKer side, and the ball travelled to Griorson, who badly beat Wilkinson and scored. V. Badeiey tailed with the kiclc.—Auckland 6, Taranaki 0. A beautiful mark by Fryday checked an Auckland forward rush. Auckland backs executed some clover movements, Lucas kicking and following up, but Lusk was able to line. Malone, with a high kick, had the Taranaki team charging down, bub Findlay checked cleverly, and a moment later Lusk was not found wanting in driving back the northerners. Half-time intervened.

The third twenty again opened with ..the northerners attacking. V. Bade- < ley lined near the corner, where Cam- 1 eron cut through and lined at half- < way. A miss-kick by Grierson was ] taken by Hooker. Allen then shot tho "j ball out to the backs, whose passing | was intercepted by Lucas. Lusk" earned i the plaudits of the crowd by lining ] beautifully, though tackled by Bade- ; ley. Then Cameron got moving, and ] Auckland infringing Hooker landed a 1 pretty goal.—Auckland 6, Taran'aki 3. i Then ensued alternate rushes by the opposing forwards, the fu^-hacks lin- i ing well. From another penalty Hooker < just failed to equalise the scores. Wilkinson then centred to Hickey, who was off-side. Taraaiaki were now j making matters interesting, and Cam- : eron gained considerable ground. Wil~ : kinson was next collared by Badeley. Berg and McCullough were prominent in a Taranaki move, but suddenly the scene changed. Findlay lined near half-way, and C. Badeley shot the ball to Grierson,. who passed to Helander, arid the latter scored, Wilkinson making a poor attempt to collar him. Badeley failed to goal.—Auckland 9* Taranaki 3. Taranaki again returned to the attack, and after a great forward • rush, their backs opened out, the ball travelling via Berg, Cameron, Coutts, Hooker to Wilkinson, who. dropped the pass. Auckland now broke away, being checked by Lust. Williams then made a dash down the side line, being well colfared by Hockey. A little later Lusk had to retire, being slightly hurt. Malone dropped back to fullback and O'Rorke went on. Play was [ now very fast and open, both sides es- | saying passing rushes, "but there wa3 no further score. I The final quarter opened with Auek-! land attacking. After loose play in his [ own territory, Hickey secured and cut down field, and kicking high he again received. When blocked he passed to Birchall. Again securing the ball Hickey passed to McCullough, who was' collared, but Hickey gathered up the leather and pushed his way over m £he. corner amidst great applause. Hooker1 failed to goal.—Auckland 9, Taranaki 6. Auckland backs threw the ball about well. The Taranaki backs set up a counter move past half-way, but at! once Milliken started a move that ended in C. Badeley racing over under! the posts. McCullough goaled.— Auckland 14, Taranaki (J. Taranaki' livened up and attacked. Hickey es-j sayed a pot, but the ball went wide and was forced. Berg was getting the] ball out frequently, and it travelled via I all the backs to Hickey, who was taken! by Lucas after a good run. Another { passing bout saw Coutts kick over his opponents' heads and race over the line after the ball, but he was just beaten1 by the bounce, and Auckland forced. Taranaki kept up the pressure, but could not score. Then Badeley brothers got moving and Taranaki were forced. Lucas next cut in nicely and beat several men untiLtaken by Hooker. Allen, Birghall and Fryday headed a rush , past half-way^ where V. Badeley made - a great opening and passed to Lucas, to Wilson, who raced over and scored, outpacing Hickey. McCullough goaled. —Auckland 19, Taranaki 6. Taranaki attacked on resuming and from a penalty Hooker landed a goal. Time was called soon after with the score: Auckland 19, Taranaki 9.—Abridged i from the News.