RUGBY FOOTBALL

Northern Advocate, 4 August 1932, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND TOURISTS. DEFEAT OF WAIRARAPA. NINE POINTS MARGIN. (Per Press Association.—Copyright.) CARTERTON, This Day. After a week’s line weather,’yesterday broke flue and fair for the Auckland- Wairarapa Rugby match, but at 2 o’clock a' cold southerly shower fell, and it developed into steady rain. The ground became sodden and the ball elusive and hard to hold. Consequently. good football was out of the question. Auckland won by 12 points 1 o .‘l.

Auckland early attacked, but Wairarapa pushed back to outside the visitors’ 23, where, for offside, Wairarapa were awarded a free kick, Fitzgeralds’ shot just grazing the outside of the post. Immediate!}' afterwards, with play in Wairarapa’s 25, Auckland were awarded a free kick, and Heazlew’ood gnaled nicely.—Auckland 3, Wairarapa 0.

Wairarapa seemed unable to cope with the greasy conditions, and the Auckland forwards drove the home team back to its line, where, from a line-out, Palmer fell through, to score. Heazlewood missed the shot.—Auckland (!, Wairarapa 0. Wairarapa were awarded a free kick in a good position for obstruction, but again Fitzgerald just failed. Auckland next essayed a passing rush, Corner, Caughey and Clark taking part, and the last-named scored at the corner. Heazlewood failed at goal.— Auckland 9, Wairarapa 0. Wairarapa staged a couple of likely movements in the backs, but both ended out of touch near the corner flag. The score at half time was:—Auckland 9, Wairarapa 0. Greasy Conditions.

Auckland opened the second spell with a run, both backs and forwards participating in a dribble. Corner picked up and sent Milliken away. Millikcn centred and the ball went right across the field, no one being able to pick it up until Caughey w T as successful, and ho crossed at the corner. Heazlewood failed at the goal.—Auckland 12, AVairarapa 0. Wairarapa were awarded a free kick in a fair position, Fitzgerald made a good kick, but it was short. The AVairnrapa forwards then instilled a. littxe old-time vigour into their work, and dribbled practically the length of the field. The greasy ball defied the efforts of Corner, Caughey, Clark and Heazlewood to pick it up, and Keeble carried on to score AVairarapa’s only try,which Fitzgerald failed to convert frpm a wide angle. Most uninteresting play continued to the call of time. All the players left the field practically looking alike, being mud from head to heels, and no numbers visible on their jerseys. The final score was:— Auckland 12 Wairarapa ,3 Air 11. .1. AfcKeuzie was referee.

WELLINGTON COLLEGE WINS, WET WEATHER TACTICS. (Per Press Association.—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In a bitter southerly wind, accompanied by frequent rain squalls, the AA r ellington College -team defeated St. Patrick’s College in the annual Rugby match yesterday by II points to 6. The AVcllington College team owed its victory to the adoption of sound wet-weather tactics, keeping the ball off the ground and kicking hard. St. Patrick ’a players endeavoured to handle the greasy ball, but the passing bouts invariably broke down.

CANTERBURY DOWN AGAIN. THIRD DEFEAT OF TOUR. (Per Press Association.—Copyrights TIMARU, This Day. The touring Canterbury Rugby team suffered its third defeat on the southern tour yesterday at the hands of South Canterbury by IS points to 3. The game, which was witnessed by a crowd of 2000 spectators, was keenly contested, but was by no means brilliant. The home forwards gave a fine display in the loose and it was their superiority in this department which was the main factor in the game.