REP. RUGBY MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17520, 12 July 1920, Page 7

REP. RUGBY MATCH.

W l -' — * ' S|NEW ZEALAND V. AUCKLAND. § "MATCH RESULTS IN A DRAW.' <z' a n* - i - EACH SIDE SCORES 11 POINTS. ff*; The New Z ? ealahd Rugby team that is to ,-tour Australia played Auckland at Eden ?£;" Park on Saturday afternoon, the match resulting in a draw, each side scoring 11 points. The weather was fine during the early V portion of the afternoon, and, as a result. - * about 9000 people assembled. However, be- • fore the match commenced the sky became overcast, and the first spell had not been completed when heavy rain set iff and continued with little intermission during the second half. The lain on Friday had made "!f* the ground heavy, but in the opening stages this did not affect the handling of the ball to any appreciable extent, and the " All j "Blacks ' threw it about in good style, giving | » . the public an idea of the brilliancy of | » their backs, and their capabilities in combined rushes. 'ltie score stood at 11 points to 'A in their favour when the interval arrived. 'the ground was very heavy in the second spell, and in consequence the ball was so greasy it was impossible to handle it accurately. The game became a close forward one, and the Auckland vanguard made it so willing that the New Zealand backs had little chance to operate, and when all is considered the visitors were lucky Jo make a. draw of it. However. while not detracting from the merits of Auckland's play, the New Zealand team would have more than held their own if the weather had been fine, judging by their display at the commencement of the match, as their backs are far too speedy »nd expert for the Auckland fifteen. The wet. weather and the tenacity of the Auckland forwards altered matters. The New Zealand team opened the game, but V. Badeley returned the ball to halfway. Flay was then taken to the visitors' twenty-five, where Tilyard gained possession and kicked out in midfield. A little later A tsar eot the ball, and sent out to Steele, who was stopped by Kingston a few feet from the line, the bs-11 going into touch. From the line-out Brown got possession, and transferred to Tilyard, who was collared by Kingston on the line. McLean, who was following up fast, snapped up the ball and touched down. Baird failed to convert^ New Zealand mm ■■ «• »• 3 Auckland . « »„ ..0 "Hse "All Blacks'* again attacked, but Kingston took a mark. O'Brien eventually sending the ball out in midfield. Carroll gathered up and sent the ball to Algar, but he failed to hold it, and a scrum followed near Auckland's twenty-five. The New Zealand forwards, headed by Jacob and Donald, then had Auckland in difficulties, but toe removed danger with a useful kick. The ball was gradually -worked back again to the home team's territory, C- Badeley eventually finding the lino at tho corner. A forward rush by Auckland, headed by Lomas. Taylor, and Alexander,.shifted operations to the neutral zone, where Auckland ware awarded a free kick and Badeley had » shot at goal, but the range was too long far him.. Tho visitors were soon back again. * forward rufeh, with Duncan and Donald prominent, resulting in the ball going out in Auckland's territory. Moffitt was injured at this stage*, and was replaced later by Bellis. From a scrum that ensued a good passing rush was spoiled by Algar failing to hold the ball. Boss sot in and cleared. The Auckland forwards then attacked strongly, and Singe, getting possession, set Prnsaing, Griereon. Badeley, and Nicholson going, the last-named being pushed out by Steele a fewfeet from the line. From the throw-in the Auckland forwards hustled their way over. Bayward scoring. Singe failed to convert. New Zealand _» . . aa *.5 . Auckland - > ». . . » 3 Bain ee-i in at this stage* and it fell steadily for the remainder' of the spell. Shortly after the lack-out Steele -put in a great run and passed to Tilyard. who kicked out in midfield. Brown then broke away with the ball, and passed to Donald, but {he latter failed to take it when a few yards from the line. Tilyard. who was handy, dribbled over and scored, Baird failed to convert. • New Zealand » • .« ■■ ■■6' Auckland «• «« • • »» 3 Good work by Bair3 and Carroll had 'Auckland on the defensive again, but Grierson, gaining possession, carried play to the half-way flag, where O'Brien kicked out. The New Zealand backs tiffin got going. Storey snapped up the ball and passed -to Algar. The latter Gent on. to Tilyard. who returned it., and Algar-; ran right, round and scored between .the .posts. O'Brien converted, making the half-time eoores;. • New Zealand. • • ma mm salt Auckland .. .. .« »» 3 On resuming, the rain . had eased off though it soon set in again. A free kick to Auckland allowed V. Badeley to find the lino in New Zealand's twenty-five, but the visitors' forwards shifted play to midfield, and gradually carried the ball to Auckland's territory. Good work by Grierson. relieved. New Zealand were penalised, and V.; Badeley bad an unsuccessful shot at goaL Another fre«j kick saw Algar take a mark in his own twenty-five, but the Auckland forwards qriickly rushed the ball to New -Zealand's line. ' A scrum ensued, from which the visitors were penalised and V. Badeley kicked a goal. New Zealand x« », .. 11 Auckland .. .. •• J . 6 A passing rush by Tilyard and Storey had Auckland defending, the ball being eventually kicked over and forced. A little later the ball was kicked back to O'Brien, who failed to hold it. and Singe was on. him before he oould recover it. Lucas, who was handy, carried the ball at his toes to the line. where it was kicked into touch. From the line-out Lomas gained possession and ioroed his way over. Badeley converted. New Zealand .. .. .. 11 Auckland •. •« . . . - 11 Play now became exciting, the Auckland forwards attacking strenuously. However, O'Brien sent them back to mid-field. Kingston gathered up and kicked to Storey, who was a few yards from his own line. Kingston followed his kick and _ collared Storey before he could dispose of it. the hall going into touch. A strenuous few minutes' -work saw the visitors clear. Auckland again attacked but O'Brien, relieved with a kick. Close work followed in mid-field. Fletcher having to retire at this stage owing to an injury to one of his ankles- McLean took his place and immediately. in company with Lucas, he carried play to New Zealand's twenty-five, a force eventually resulting Auckland made strenuous efforts to add to their score, but were ■unable to again cross the visitors' line, and the game ended : New Zealand •. mm « « 11 Auckland .. . , ■> »■ 11 Mr. A, "Wethcrilt was referee.