AUCKLAND'S LUCKY WIN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1867, 27 September 1923, Page 5

AUCKLAND'S LUCKY WIN.

KING COUNTRY'S GREAT FORWARDS. The match between the Auckland and King Country Rugby football representatives, played at Taumarunui on Tuesday, provided one of the most exciting contests of the season. After a game which was characterised by strenuous forward tactics by the local pack and back play on the part of the visitors, the Aucklanders emerged the victors by a margin of 18 points to 9. The visitors were extended fully by the local men, but added another victory—a lucky one —to their already lengthy record in the last five minutes of play. The weather was gloriously fine and the ground was in splendid condition for fast open play. Although everything was in the visitors' favour they were not allowed by the King Country forwards to use their rearguard as well as might have been expected of them. However, when the ball shot out from the ruck the local men had always to look for trouble for the Auckland backs were fleet and clever. The King Country men acquitted themselves remarkably well, and managed to keep the visitors always in trouble by means of hard forward play and deadly tackling. Cooke, the Auckland centre, was the outstanding player on the field, and was largely responsible for his side's win. Buckland, at half, was exceedingly nippy, but he was greatly troubled by the King Country forwards. Ifwersen, the captain and second five-eights was not on his best form, but his goal kicking was a treat to watch. The remainder of the backs played well, but not up to Ranfurly Shield standard. The forwards were a smart lot, but the home side's pack gave them no peace throughout. Of the King Country backs Byrne and Riley were the most prominent, and were always solid on the defence and attack. Byrne was responsible for some brilliant work. McDonnell did good work at times. It is exceedingly hard to separate the forwards, for all of them were at all times on the ball. Their rushes were exceedingly brilliant and they combined splendidly throughout. S. Harty, Pilkington and Geange were probably the most prominent on the day's play.

Kh-fg Country attacked in the opening stages, and from a scrum in the Maroon's twenty-five the home side's forwards dominated the game and dashed the length of the field with the ball at toe. The visitors' backs went down like ninepins and the brilliant forward effort culminated in S. Harty diving over in the corner amidst great excitement. Raleigh's kick failed to reach the uprights. King Country 3, Auckland 0.

The visitors now hustled operations into the Maroons' territory, but Young cleared momentarily. Buckland and Fogarty set their side once more on the offensive, where the ball shot out to Cooke, who made a fine opening and then transferred to Malloy. The last mentioned player gathered in the ball nicely and with a good sprint, beat off all opposition and scored in the corner. Ifwersen found the posts with a beautiful kick.

Auckland 5, King Country 3,

From a line out the Auckland backs were set in motion, but Parrant robbed Ifwersen of the leather and returned play to midfield. From a scrimmage Riley came round the blind side and passed to Byrne, who cut in cleverly and made a fine clash down the line. He short punted over Gregory's head and McDonnell, with a fine burst of speed, dashed in to score in a handy position. Raleigh kicked a poster. King Country G, Auckland "5. - After a melee Bennett cleared momentarily. Auckland again assumed the offensive, and passing between Twomey and Cooke saw the latter score in the corner. Ifwersen's kick —a good one —failed. Auckland 8, King Country G. Jones broke away from the pack with the ball at toe and sent play to the visitors' last line, where S. Harty and Geange carried on the good work. Geange picked up nicely and scored near the corner. Byrne's kick proved unsuccessful. King Country 9, Auckland 8. The excitement at this stage was very high. The visitors livened up and their forwards rushed to the attack, but Carlson found the line with a good kick. With about five minutes to time Auckland set up a passing rush and the ball went to Cooke, who dummied McDonnell and, after a good run, passed to Knight, who scored an easy try under the posts. Ifwersen made no mistake with the kick. Auckland 13, King Country 9.

The visitors, encouraged by their recent success, set up a final rush, but Parrant held them up momentarily. After an interlude of loose play Buckland received the ball and putting in a good run passed to Cooke, who scored in a handy position. Ifwersen converted the try and the game ended with the scores:—

Auckland 18, King Country 9,

Mr J. Brown controlled the game