DRAWN LEAGUE GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18736, 16 June 1924, Page 9

DRAWN LEAGUE GAME.

AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES. LAST MATCH IN AUCKLAND. A BRILLIANT DISPLAY. League enthusiasts were treated to a brilliant display of football at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when the third and final match between the touring Australian Universities League team and the Auckland representatives was played, the game ending in a draw—l 4 points all. . In the two earlier matches the visiting team was somewhat decisively beaten by i the Auckland thirteen, and it was felt on all sides that they had not displayed their best form. It was generally anticipated, therefore, that with the conditions more to their liking and J fortified by their experience in the previous matches the Australians would show their undoubted dash and cleverness, . and; in this the thousands of spectators were not disappointed. The game proved to be a sterling exposition of the code, and while the visitors failed to register a win they more than made up for their earlier disappointments and convinced ; tha Auckland supporters of the game that under dry conditions they are masters of the game. Quickly Drying Ground. Tha attendance reached approximately 12,000, and most of these were early on the ground to witness the curtain-raiser between the Possibles and Probables. The air was crisp under, the bright sunshine, and the ground was drying quickly when the teams, lined up at 2.50 p.m. for the principal match. In the first half the Auckland team more than held their own and at half-time had a lead of 14 points. In- the socond half, however, tho Australians rose to the occasion and brought many thrills to the spectators by their dashing and brilliant movements. The Australians fielded their strongest , side, but the Auckland team was without the services of Stormont, Avery and O'Brien (Marist Old Boys}, while later in the ■ game G. Davidson and Poison were compelled to leave the field owing to injuries. The teams were r— Universities.Allman, Ryan, Barry, O'Rourke, Dr. Flattery, Finn, Lane, Sender, Darragh, Bridgman, Moxon, Dunworth, Halberstater. Auckland.—Dufty, G. Davidson, B, 1 Davidson, Littlewood, Wetherall, Laing, Poison, O'Brien (Devonport), Townsend, Douglas, McNeill, Bass. Auckland Leads in First Spell. . Losing the toss and with a strong sun against them, Laing set the ball rolling for Auckland. The local team were soon afterwards awarded a free kick, through Lane not playing the ball. Good passing from half-way. between Wetherall , and Laing saw the movement terminate when B. Davidson missed the pass. Dufty then got possession, and transferred to Poison, but the latter'a pass to O'Brien was intercepted. Another good run by Dufty saw the opposition badly. beaten before he handed on to O'Brien. The latter transferred to Douglas, who' dashed over and scored': a fine. try. Dufty failed with the kick. Auckland, 3; Universities, 0. Fast following up by G. Davidson found Ryan caught with the ball, but Flattery obtained possession and relieved the pressure with a good kick. Auckland were now displaying great dash and a good movement by Laing was spoiled when. B. Davidson knocked on. However, the local men were not to be denied, ana a'strong, attack enabled Poison to get possession and dash over. Dufty's kick failed. Auckland, 6; Universities, 0. Two Players Retire. Shortly afterwards Poison and G. Davidson collided . when endeavouring to take the ball. Davidson had to be lemoved to the ambulance room, and Poison received a nasty cut over the eye. Delgrosso then came on. The visitors again got possession and a fine effort by four of their hacks was terminated by a wild pass to Flattery. Ghent, who had played in the curtain- ; raiser, now came on in place of' Poison who retired hurt, and the newcomer sig- : nalised his entry by starting a good movement among the • Auckland backs. Play ' shifted to centre until an opening by J Flattery gave the visitors a great chance, j but tUn v was obstructed and a free kick 1 given. , McDonald next broke away but | his pass to Bass was missed. However, j Auckland pressed hard and another good run by McDonald saw the ball transferred !to Laing, who was badly missed by O'Rourke and, going on, scored under the posts. Laing failed with the kick., Auckland, 9; Universities, 0. Immediately afterwards Laing again got possession and with a fine run scored Auckland's fourth try. Weatherall converted and tho spell ended with the scores:— Auckland ; . . . . . 14 Universities .. .. .. 0 Universities' Turn at Scoring, "Shortly after resuming Finn set his backs' going and a good movement saw Ryan dash over. He failed with the kick. Auckland, 14; University, 3. ! Lane now delighted the spectators by 1 cutting in on several occasions, but Auckland's defenoe was sound. Delgrosso, ; Laing, and * Davidson made a very (fine ; effort before Bass obtained the leather jto dash over, but he was called back, i Ryan made a brilliant run but a miskick saw the chance lost. Fast and brilliant play was now the order, with Laing and i Wetherall showing up prominently for j Auckland. Lane, O'nourke and Ryan j were making strenuous efforts and a scrum ! close to the line saw O'Rourke dash over after a very clever movement." Dunworth's kick failed. Auckland, 14; Universities, 6. \ Finn,, Lane and Ryan again took part in a fine effort and Barry came on the scene to make a beautiful run before transferring to Halberstater, who scored. Dunworth kicked the goal, making Auckland, 14; Universities, 11. Ryan's Beautiful Try. ; Excitement rat high when Flattery made a run down the line, but Davidson came up fast and grassed his sturdy* opponent. The visitors were getting more than their share of the ball and had Auckland solidly defending. Again Finn set hia backs going and with lightning rapidity, the ball : wisnt ■ through to Ryan, who soored a ' beautiful try. Dunworth failed with the kick. ' Auckland, 14; Universities, 14. ,' The issue was now very open. A fine run by Laing went close to scoring. From an ensuing scrum the visitors cleared but Dufty, gaining possession, made a • thrilling run. Ghent was next to assail the visitors' goal line, but was held up. Auckland made" desperate attacks to get over but Flattery" cleared with a good kick, the game ending shortly afterwards with the scores: Auckland..' .. •• •• 14 Universities .. .. .. 14. . Mr. Ripley was referee.