RUGBY FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 3049, 5 September 1929, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND DEFEATS KING COUNTRY.

BY 17 POINTS TO SIX. IN FAST OPEN GAME. There was a large number of spectators at the Domain yesterday to witness the game between Auckland and King Country. Although some of Auckland's best men were not available for the trip, Auckland fielded a strong team, which was expect ed to run up a big score. The King Country team, especially the forwards, gave of their very best and there was a margin of only eleven points between the teams at the finish. The game was clean and exceptionally fast and open, and the spectators were treated to the type of football which is going to make a big difference to the support accorded League. The King Country pack, ably led by their skipper, Faulke. more than held their own in the tight and the loose, but Auckland were superior in the majority of the scrums and line outs. The Auckland flying division was fast and clever, and well fed by their hefty forwards, saw a great deal more of the ball than King Country and they staged innumerable passing rushes, the ball travelling from one player to the other with wonderful precision. The The inside backs were well marked and unenterprising, and many of the movements were sticky, little or no ground being gained, but on other occasions Bell, the flaxen-haired centre, was able to outpace the opposition to make openings for Stoupe and Falwasser, the speedy wings. The local backs did not see much of the ball, but when the opportunity offered they were not afraid to sling the ball about, and several of these passing rushes went verv close.

Mr. Joseph controlled the game in his usual masterly fashion.

THE GAME. The following teams were fielded: Auckland: Goodacre, Stoupe, Bell, Falwasser, Weir, Jamieson, Corner, Fletcher, Palmer, Heywcod, Knight. Anderson, Peacock, McGuire, and Satherley. King Country: Weo Wetere, Hartwell, Rata, Kino, Jones, Plank, Finlay, Faulke, Ronaldson, Eden, Eady, Roddick, Skilton, Wind, and Meredith. Playing against the wind King Country attacked from the outset, and for a considerable period were hammering at the line. « GREAT TRY BY FAULKE. The opening score came from a scrum in Auckland's quarter. Faulke went through with the ball, but Corner took it oft" his feet and punted for the line. The kick was charged down, and Faulke snapped the bt.ll up and went ovtr near the corner flag to draw first blood for King Country. Roddick's effort was a good one, just missing the uprights. The Auckland backs were beginning to find their feet, and Jamieson and Stoupe, with short, snappy passing took the game into the home side's territory. A hot attack developed, but a force down brought much needed relief. Jones and Faulke then made a great 'opening, and Plank and Rata gained a lot of ground before the ball was sent to Hartwell. The latter made a brilliant run to the corner, but unfortunately his support could not foot it with him, and a try was lost. Rata obtained the ball and sent it back infield, but Stoupe intercepted and cleared well down.

FALWASSER EVENS THE SCORE.

Peacock then sent his backs away, and a pretty piece of passing, in which Bell, Jamieson and Falwasser took part, resulted in Falwasser racing over well out. The kick was disallowed. Auckland returned to the attack, Corner and Stoupe, and Stoupe and Bell being associated in two dangerous thrusts down the line. Up and down play followed, two over-kicks being forced by Weo. Knight fielded the "drop-out and passed to Bell, who lined at the 25.

AUCKLAND TAKES THE LEAD. Falwasser obtained and, running infield, sent out a long pass, which Jones just failed to i-itersopt. Bell gathered the ball in and. with the speedy Stoupe. in attendance, set off for the line. .He passed to Stoupo and accepted the return pass and scored near t l '©- corner. Stoupe failed with the kick. Auckland 6; King Country 3. The visiting backs immediately started to throw the ball about from the kick, but Hartwell obtained aind, shaking off Bell, sst sail down the line, putting a foot out at the 25. The game wja-s taken to the corner where a foiite down resulted. Auokland, carrying all before them, set off from the drop out and kept up a* sustained attack and it was only' solid tackling that kept them out. ANOTHER TRY TO BELL. Finally Palmer obtained and sent the ball on to Fletcher who transferred to Falwasser. Falwasser drew the defence and passed on to Bell, who went over unopposed for his second try. Corner enhanced with a good kick. Auckland 11; King Country 3. From this on till the end of the spoil, the Auckland backs tested the King Country defence in every way. Jones' kick to the half-way Hag was the signal for half time. Bell set the ball rolling and the ball went into touch at the 25. The lengthy Auckland forwards obtained and sent their backs away, but offside play halted the movement. .Hartwell fielded the return and centred high. The h:me forwards rushed the b:J! to the line at the corner. Kino obtained, and with Jones, went very close, the latter being grassed just short. King Country kept at it, but two penalties in quick succession gave Auckland the chance to clear their line. Jono sent them back and, obtaining from a scrum, Finlay rummied his way through to the full-back but hung on to the ball too long and a great chance was thrown away.

THIRD TRY BY BELL. Falwasser, with an electric burst, trans erred play to the oth?r end where the forwards sent the back division away/" The ball travelled out to Stoupe who passed infie d to send Bell over in a handy position. The kick missed. Auckland 14; King Country 3. The King Country forwards were then associated in a brilliant rush which penetrated far into Auckland territory. A scrum was formed on the 25 and Auckland hooked the_ ball. Meredith, however, .got Corner in possession and Corner hung on and was penalised. Roddick had a shot and he landed the ball on the bar from a short distance inside half way. The ball brunced back and Falwasser cleare<! to Weo. A free kick enabled Jones to send Auckland back, but Heywood got the ball out to his backs and a great run by Bell took play to the other efeid, Weo glassing Bell and Stoupe just on the line. Weo obtained tho ta'l and cleared to Goodacre, rrho ran up and started his backs away on the side. The ball was handled by Weir, Bell and Falwasser, but the latter's pass in was taken offside. Two free kicks transferred the game to the other end where Faulke, with a dodgy run, made an opening but had no support. Goodacre lined at half way. The King Country backs then made two thrusts, faulty handling spoiling the movements. Fletcher was again penalised and Roddick's shot went very close. Another free kick was lined, at the corner flag and the home side got the ball. A pass was intercepted, however, and a brilliant counter attack was halted by a good tackle by Weo.

ANDERSON OVER NEAR POSTS. Auckland were not to be denied, and a pretty bit of passing by Goodacre, Bell, Stoupo, alnd Anderson saw the latter score in a handy position. Jamieson missed an easy kick. Auckland 17; King Country 3.

The Auckland backs were going great guns and they were associated in many brilliant passing movements. Finally Jones, Hartwell and Skelton transferred play to Auckland territory and a penalty, Stoupo boing_ offside, gave Roddick another chance. He made no mistake this time atad raised the flags with a splendid kick. Auckland 17; King Country 0.

From this on till "no side" was sounded, the Auckland backs made repeated thrusts, some of them going very close and. on occasions, it was only offside play that brought the home side much needed relief. The game onde'd in Auckland territory. For the winners, Bell, Stoupe and Falwasser were the outstanding backs, and Anderson and Palmer the best forwards.

The King Country team did exception! Uy well against their speedy opponents and it would not be right to single any players out for special mention.

During tho game Auckland were penalised on 23 occasions' and tho home team on six.

TEAMS ENTERTAINED.

DINNER AT GRAND HOTEL

The teams wero the guests of tho King Country Rugby Union at a dinn?r given in the Grand Hotel last ovenirg. The president of the Union, Mr R. Webster, was in the chair and during" the dinner a number of toasts were honoured.

INSURANCE CUP FINAL.

PUKEWEKA SHIELD CONTEST. It wais previously announced that the final for the Insurance, Cup was to be played on Saturday next. This match lias, however, been postponed till Saturday week. The final of the Pukeweka Shield will also be played on Saturday week, Nehe (holders) still having the right to challenge the winners of the final.