ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17295, 20 October 1919, Page 5

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

MILITARY TEAM V. AUCKLAND.

SOLDIERS SCORE 16 TO 6.

The New Zealand military football team defeated an Auckland representative team at the Show Ground on Saturday afternoon, by 16 points to 6, after a fast and open game. The military team handled the ball much more accurately than their opponents, while their work, both on attack and defence, was greatly superior to that of the Auokland team. The first spell was all in favour of the military team, and at the interval they were leading by 11 points to 0. The Auckland team improved considerably in the second half, and scored 6 points to their opponents' 5.

The military team had the sun at their backs at the commencement, and imme-

diatoly invaded Auckland's twenty-five. Burns secured a mark, and play returned to ] mid-field, where Auckland were awarded a | free kick, and Stormont had an unsuccessful shot at goal. The Auckland forwards com- j menced a loose rush in mid-field, and carried play to the soldiers' line. A scrum ensued, the ball being eventually kicked over and forced. The military team then attacked in good style, but offside play gave Auckland a chance to relieve. The military were soon back again, but another free kick allowed Auckland to repel the onslaught. O'Brien later secured nossession and found, the lino at the corner flag. A melee ensued from the throw-in, th ball being kicked over the lino and forced. The military team continued to attack. Roberts obtained the ball and centred to Stohr, who scored a good try. He failed with the kick: — Military Team 3 Auckland • Auckland were again on the defensive almost immediately, and from , a line-out Kissick secured the ball and got over. Stohr was unsuccessful with the kick: — Military Team 6 Auckland 0 A good run by Nicholson allowed Auckland to invade the military team's territory, but a forward rush by the visitors reversed matters. Poison, however, who had been putting in a lot of good defensive work, gained possession, and repelled the attack. The military were scon back again, and Lucas was nearly over. A little later Stohr got the ball and, after a good run, scored near the corner. He converted the try, making the score at half-time: — Military Team 11 Auckland 0 . On resuming, Lucas and Stohr started a passing rush, which was -only stopped on. the line. A melee ensued. Ford eventually scoring a try, which Stohr converted: Military Team 16 Auckland . . . . 0 Auckland then attacked' and Stormont had a penalty shot at goal, which was unsuccessful. Auckland continued to press, and Polson sent out to Badeley. who was nearly ! over. From the loose play that followed, I Auckland were awarded a* free kick, and I Stormont registered a goal:

Military Team 16 Auckland 3 Bellia broke away -with the ball and took play to Auckland's line. A scrum ensued. and Auckland were awarded a free kick, which allowed them to remove danger. Play was in the soldiers' territory a few minutes later, and from a mark by Nicholson, Siormont had an unsuccessful attempt at grf>al, the ball falling short. It was returned by Stohr, and sen,t back by Wilson, the wingthreequarter. Three of the military team fumbled the ball in front of the posts. Wilson, a forward, gained possession, and after a good run scored. Stonnont failed 60 convert, and the game ended: Military Team Auckland Mr. A. Wetherilt was Teferee. 1

16 .. 6

PONSONBY V. ST. STEPHEN'S. The Ponsonby lourth grade team played St. Stephen's College at the Show Ground on Saturday afternoon, and won by 36 points to 0.