RUGBY CONTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18814, 15 September 1924, Page 4

RUGBY CONTESTS.

AUCKLAND BEAT THAMES.

EXCITING ONE-POINT WIN.

GAME OF HIGH SCORES.

. Constant changes; of fortune, heavy scoring and an exceptionally close finish were ieaturen c the iuigby contest between the Xnamea i>.„t«Bentauves and tbe Auckland ii team at Eaen Park on Saturday, a penalty goal in the concluding stages giving Auckland a win by one point, with the scores al points to 30. As the scores indicate, tho game wae open, fast and evon. It was by no means a first-class exhibition, but provided plenty of exoitement, especially in tho second half, when, with first ono sido in the lead and then tho other, interest was kept at concert pitch. The defence on botn sides left much to be desired, the tackling' by the local backs as a whole being particularly weak. The Auckland rearguard showed niuoh bettor combination on attack than the visitors, and in tne latter part of the game executed some very fine movements. However, their superiority in this respect was largely countered by the sounder tackling and dashing individual efforts by tho opposing backs, whose tactics often turned Auckland s advances to thoir own advantage. Tho lorwards were evenly matched, tho visiting pack showing up well in hard rushes ana playing with vigour. They were hard to stop. Auckland made more übo of tho linoouts and exeepfc at first held their own in scrums. ~ ~ . A feature of the game was the excellent goal-kicking by Peters and G. Winder, both of whom kicked several fine goals. tho former converted Auckland's five tries and also kicked a penalty goal, while Winder converted three tries and kicked . three penalty goals for Thumes. .By winning tno match Auckland have maintained their unbeaten record at home for another season. Thames hooked the ball cleanly from tho first sbrum, but faulty handling by their inside backs nullified tho advantage and tho Auckland backs started to throw tho ball about. However, oil several occasions it went straight across the field without any ground being gained, the Wing-threcquarters being given no chance. When the ball went astray in one of these bouts, Buchanan snapped it up and got through to tho Auckland fullback, O'Brien, who saved the situation with a eood tackle. Auckland returned to the visitors' ond of the field and a short kick by Sheen had the defence in trouble. Sheen dribbled the ball over tho line and Samways touched down. The home team was on the attack again, when Buchanan intercepted and broke through. Thn ball finally reached Lomas, who notched Thames' first try. G. Winder converted, making 'the scores even. . Then the visiting forwards worked their •way to Auckland's twenty-five, where G. Winder landed a penalty goal. A good kick by G. Winder put Thames on. the attack a few minutes later and tho visiting backs, handling the ball well, woro seen in several handling bouts which kept Auckland penned in their twenty-fire. Crawford oroke through the defence at last and eoored ttr unconverted try, the quarter ending with Thames six polnta in tho lead. Auokland were aggressiv© in tho second Quarter, and though Hook broke away and reached the local fullback on one oocasion, Thames were generally kept on the defensive, A sustained attack was ended by Wiiliarriß flooring" after a tricky run. Keeping up the preeswe, Auokland rushed play to the visitors' twonty-five, whero Lusk put his side two points in tho load with a goal irom a mark. Tho next incident wan a breakaway by Lynch, who sent the ball on to Williams and tho latter just got across the line, the b&lf-time sooroa being:— Auokland 33 Thames 11 Strenuous forward play marked the early part of the third quarter. Auokland were on the offensive for a time, but M. Hayward etarted a handling bout from which Strange scored, G. Winder converting. Playing with plenty of vim Thames had Auckland defending when ari infringement by a local player enabled G. Winder to put Thames one point in the lead with a good penalty goal. Sheen put himself in tho limelight with a great dash, which was well stopped by G. Winder. Auckland were not to bo denied, however, and from a scrum near Thames' line the ball passed through •the hands of the Auckland backs, Williams again scoring. The game became very exciting as Hook intercepted on hia own side of half-way, Hoked past the Auckland fullback, and scored a good try, which G. Winder converted, just as the quarter ended. Auckland retaliated immediately afterwards. The backs swung into action in great ftfcyle, completely beating the defence. Sheen out through cleverly and-sent the ball out to Williams, > who outpaced the opposition and scored his fourth try. Thames set out to make up the deficit, and Hoc*, who was alwava conspicuous, further distinguished himself by anoihor breakaway. He reached O'Brien and sent the hall on to Strange, who registered his second try. G. Winder's kick failed From an infringement a little later Winder kicked a penalty goal, and with the end 01 the game in sight interest bpcania intense. Auckland attacked hotly but could not get over. Then an infringement bv the defemderß paved the way for Auckland's •access. Peters kioked a good goa', which fiave the home team a one point lead and the match, play ending -with the scores:— Auckland 31 Thames , 30

SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES.

AUOKLAND BOYS' VICTORY.

, One of the ourtam-raisers to the match between Thames and Auckland B was played between the Franklin and Auokland primary school representatives, the home team winning by 10 points to 8. Auckland wero •aporior in the first half, and led by 11 points to 0. In the second spell Franklin Showed and had slightly the tetter of matters, Eaoh sido added eight points.

. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. Junior grade Rugby matches played on Saturday resulted as follow:— Seoond Grade.—Grafton, 13, beat Marist Old Boys, 8. Third Open Grade, semi-final.—Marist Old Boys, 11, beat North Shore, 8. Third Intermediate Grade, semi-final. — Ponsonby, 24, beat- Suburbs, 0. Fourth Grade.—Grey Lynn, 16, beat North Shore, 0: Telegraph won from Newton by default; Grafton 16, beat Marist Old Boys 0.

OTAKI CUP COMPETITION. The final matoh in tho Oiaki Cup coranctition was won by Auckland Harbour Board, wno defeated Customhouse Agents by 81 points to 6.

HOUSE MATCHES. GaTagea Cup.—Electrical Construction Co. 8, drew with Gillett Motors, 3. J, T. Julian and Son, 20, beat Georse Court and Sons. 6. *

KING COUNTRY'S DEFEAT.

TEAM GOES TO PIECES.

[3Z TELEGRAPH.--PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CAKTEETON, Saturday. Wairarapa and Kins Country met at Oarterton to-day in fine weather. A westerly breeze was blowing across the field King Country started off very biiskly and hemmed Wairarapa in their own 25 A strong aggressive movement uaw Priestly thrown out at ®the corner flag. Tho homo forwards carried play to near half *r;iy but King Country returned and Carbon attempted, a pot. at goal. Wairarapa forced The visitors continued aggressive and the Wairarapa backs repeatedly mulled. Carlson pioked up at the half way and run through brilliantly to Yateo. the full back, who tackled well. Carlson fell and lost the ball which was picked up by Harty, who scored. Rhodes failed to convert. King Country 3 points', Wairarapa nil. The visitors continued to attack but Wairarapa ware doing better and turned tho tables. From a forward loose rush Vangioni raced through to tho full back, by whom ho was upset. As he fell ho passed to O'Dowd, the latter Bonding on to J. Donald, who scored near the posts. P. Booth converted. Wairarapa 5 points. King Country 3. Ragged play ensued until a minute before half-time, when Donald secured and passed to F. Booth, the ball then going to Oundy and Vangioni, the last-named scoring. F. Booth failed to convert. Wairarapa 8. King Country 8. The second spell was uninteresting, King Cpuntry going to pieces and Wairarapa mishandling badly Within a minute Willoughby ran through and scored a great trv. Booth Tailed with the kiok. Wairarapa il points King Country 3. Yates potted a goal, adding 4 more points, and thra Cirady -ncKed a goal from a free kick. Wairarapa 18 points, King Country 3. Rhodes had a shot at goal for King Country from a free kick but allowed too much windage. Donaid secured from a line-out and ran well transferrins to Willou<rhby, who scored. F* Booth converted. Wairarapa 23, Kine Country 3. The final score came on the call of time, \ales getting over after a fine passing bout The kick was unsuccessful and the match ended, Wairarapa .. ... a uv ,„. 2 f> Jung Country ..■ (i „ . uT(f 3

KING COUNTRY SOLDIEES. fBX TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OHAKTJNE, Saturday. A Rugby football mo.teli between the Raotiki and Ohakuno returned soldiers was won by Ohakuno by 8 points to. 8. A large crowd was present. The gate xnonjsy is being devoted to charitieß.