VISITING RUGBY TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19125, 17 September 1925, Page 12

VISITING RUGBY TEAM.

VICTORY AT TAUMARUNUI.

FAST, EXCITING CONTEST.

HOME SIDE'S GOOD STAND.

[by TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAUMARUNUI, Wednesday. Tho Isew South Wales Rugby representatives gained a narrow victory over tho combined King Country-Waikato fifteen at Taumariuiui to-day. The game which was played in fine weather before an attendance of between three and four thousand spectators was fast and spectacular, both teams playing good football. The final scores were 19 points to 16 in the visitors' favour, Lawton scoring the winning try five minutes before the game ended. The combined t-eam made a great, effort to equalise but New South Wales kept their line intact. The home side / had much the better of play in the first spell, scoring 16 points to New South Wales' 8. However, after the interval the visitors showed better form, the forwards hooking cleanly and the backs combining in spectacular passing rushes. Still the losers had bad luck in not scoring on more than ono occasion. They played with surprising dash, the forwards holding the visitors well and the backs bringing off some bright movements. Tho game had not been long in progress before the home team -opened its scoring account, Howard securing the ball from a line-out in the visitors' twenty-five and diving over near the posts. Lee converted. A little later Carlson made a fine opening bift gave Lee a bad pass and a scoring chance for the combined team was lost Play was uninteresting until the combined backs got on the attack again. Lee and Nicholls were associated ■in a bright passing bout down the side'.line, Nicholls finally scoring amid great enthusiasm. The kick failed. New South Wales attacked from the kick-off Lawton Morrissey away in a promising rush but Reid knocked the ball on and stopped tho movement. The home side was playing with rare dash and Jacob, the fullback, went clean through the opposition, then punting over Toby's head. Morrissey and Reid made a great attempt to clear, but Howard came up fast and scored. Nicholls converted. King Country-Waikato 8 New South Wales .. ... 0 Good line-kicking by Morrissey New South Wales to invade the combined fifteen's territory where Bowers made a great dash down the side line, only to be tackled. Then the visitors gave an indication of their ability, the backs handling the ball in fine style. Lawton transferred to Bryant who went through the local backs to score between the posts. Lawton converted. King Country-Waikato . . 13 New South Wales ... . 5 Play was now in favour of New South Wales, whose heavy forwards were using their weight to advantage. However, Carlson picked up the ball in midfield and cut through until he reached the visitors' fullback. Lee accepted a pass at top speed and scored in tho corner. The visiting forwards swept down in a great rush and when Lawton set his backs going from a scrum near the home team's line Laycock notched a fine try. Lawton failed to convert. Half-time came .with thef scores:—- !_ King Country-Waikato . ~,16 New South Wales . . 8 ■; New South Wales .were quickly in their stride after the interval. Their backs opened up a sparkling attack and eventually Reid crossed the line. Lawton again failed with the kick. The visiting forwards, led by Rigney, Bryant and Telford set up a hot offensive, Jacob saving The combined forwards then replied with a great rush right to their opponents' ; line. Twice in a few minutes the visitors just managed to avert another score. The home/forwards were doing great work in the loose, but Toby repeatedly saved brilliantly for the visitors. Bowers injured his knee and was replaced by Foote. New South Wales were setting the pace and their backs were throwing the ball about-freely. The local defence was good but the visitors were getting the ball regularly from' the scrums and Meagher at last started a great passing rush frpm which Rigney scored. Lawton converted, making the score 16 all. Play became very exciting. The local forwards broke through to the New South Wales line where the visitors were Nicholls failing by inches with his shot at goal. New South Wales set up a strong counter-attack and almost got through. The local tackling had greatly deteriorated. Johnston, a member of the combined team, was injured and was replaced by Haddon. The visitors were not to be denied and at last Lawton went ; through the opposition and scored. He failed to convert and the game ended New South, Wales .. 19 King Country-Waikato . . 16