SPORTS AND GAMES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1857, 4 September 1923, Page 5

SPORTS AND GAMES.

THE SECOND TEST.

ICING COUNTRY DEFEAT AUCK-

LAND B.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE.

New Zealand 34, v. N.S.W. 6. Aucklandi 16, v. Otago 5. King Country 21, v. Auckland B 16, Southland 16, v. Manawatu 11. Taihapo 28, v. Rangitikei 0. Otago 34, v. Wairarapa. 11.

Saturday was a memorable day in New Zealand Rugby history of 1923, no less than six important representar tive matches being played, including the second test against N.S.W.

Apart from the international fixture, chief interest locally centred in the match between King Country and Auckland B, and the news of the King Country victory was received with much satisfaction.

NEW ZEALAND v. N.S.W. The conditions for the second test between New Zealand and New South Wales, played at Christchurch, were almost perfect, a moderate wind blowing diagonally across the ground. There was an attendance of 18,000, and the game, despite the disparity in the scores, was one of the most rousing and spectacular ever seen in Christchurch. New Zealand’s first score came from an opening made by Petersen, who passed to Beilis, who in turn transferred to Bell, who scored. Sinclair converted. Play was spectacular and fast, and there were numerous flashes of individualism to keep the spectators applauding. Williams scored New Zealand’s next try from a forward rush, and shortly before half time Pringle scored for N.Z., Sinclair converting with a magnificent kick, the spell ending

New Zealand 13, N.S.W. 0

New South Wales were the first to score on resumption, Erasmus running over unmarked after a fine passing bout. Lucas, following up a vigorous forward movement, got the ball, after it had bounded over Northling’s head, and touched down. Beilis was playing a slashing game for New Zealand, leading rush after rush. One was halted owing to a N.S.W. infringement, Sinclair landing a. beautiful penalty goal. Be later had a shot from ten yards inside half way, the ball striking the post. Fast exchanges, in which Mingay zigzagged cleverly, kept the game interesting. Then N.S.W. broke through the scram and dribbled right over the line in face of a weak defence. Marrott scored, but Mingay failed with the kick. Potaka and Peina, by good tackling, stopped several likely-looking N.S.W. movements, and after N.Z. counter-attacks Peina foot-passed to Richardson, and the New Zealand captain brushed the opposition aside, scoring alongside the posts. Peina flayed a prominent part in New Zealand’s next score, running to the N.S.W. full-back before passing to Brownlie, who scored between the posts. Sinclair goaled. New Zealand’s last try was scored by Lucas, Sinclair goaling from wide out, the game ending New Zealand 34, N.S.W. 0.

KING COUNTRY v. AUCKLAND B

This match was played at Auckland, and resulted in a win for King Country by 21 to 16. The game was originally set down as a “curtain-raiser” to the Auckland-Otago match, but for some unexplained reason a college match was substituted, and the match was played on No. 3 ground at Eden Park. After play had been in progress barely a minute, Byrne scored for King Country, Raleigh converting. Carlson, Byrne and Hewitt carried play to the Auckland goal, where, from a penalty, Raleigh scored another three points for Te Kuiti. Auckland attacked, King Country forcing. Keeping up the pressure, Auckland were awarded a mark, from which McCulougli kicked a good goal. The Auckland forwards again got the upper hand, rushing play to the 1 visitors’ 25, one of the former’s backs eventually scoring Auckland’s first try, which was not converted. The Auckland backs began to throw the ball about, and after play had been in mid-field for a brief period, Sinclair made a fine opening, the ball going along the line of backs to enable Park to score, McCullough converting. Changing over for the second quarter, the home team attacked, but were placed on the defensive through good work by Pilkington. Carlson and Nikora were prominent in maintaining the offensive, and a King Country forward rush saw Geange score just before half time, Raleigh converting, making the scores King Country 13; Auckland 11. SECOND SPELL. King Country had all the best of the game from this out. Byrne, who was playing with great dash, touched down three minutes after resumption. Auckland pressed, but the King Country forwards were too strong, and Auckland’s defence was severely strained. The latter worked slowly up to midfield, where Sinclair again got away with the leather and passed to McDonald, to McGinley, who scored under the cross-bar, McCullough converting. Byrne put in a brilliant run for King Country, but was unsupported, and a try went begging. King Country spent most of the last quarter in Auckland territory, and, after missing one or two chances, Bennett scored the try that won the match from a. dribbling rush. Raleigh again converted, the game ending King Country 21; Auckland B 16.

NOTES. (By “Dropkiclc.”) It is understood that the New Zealand team for the third test will not be the same as the team that defeated N.S.W. on Saturday, the selectors wishing to see as many first-grade players as possible in action, in order to facilitate the selection of the team to tour England. Sinclair, the N.Z. full-back, scored 13 points for his side on Saturday. He is considered a certainty for the All Black touring team. Play is reported to have been somewhat fierce in the second test, tlie referee stopping the games to have a talk about it, with both sides of forwards.

Perry, the Otago and N.Z. fiveeighths, is regarded as a top-notcher.

Ford, the Canterbury and N.Z. winger, is now considered to be superior to Steele.

Raleigh scored 9 points out of 21 for King Country on Saturday. .Auckland’s win over Otago by three tries to one on Saturday was not particularly meritorious, as Otago had 1 several of their best men~"engaged at Christchurch, including Sinclair and Perry. Taking a line through the showing of Auckland against Otago on Saturday, experts do not give the wearers of the light and dark blue jerseys much chance of capturing the Ranfurly Shield. Beilis is said to have been New Zealand’s best forward on Saturday. King Country’s win in the match! against Auckland B was not generally . expected locally, after the form shown by the former in the match against Taranaki B. At Auckland on Saturday, in the match against Otago, Ifwersen kicked a goal from five yards past .half way.