RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19141, 6 October 1925, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. j DEFEAT OF TARANAKI. AUCKLAND'S GOOD SEASON. By their overwhelming victory over Taranaki on Saturday the Auckland Rngby representatives placed the seal of merit on their list of engagements for the season and also showed that they are now playing at the top of their form. In view of the performances of the two teams this season a win for the visitors would have come as a great surprise, but there is reason to believe that if tbey had been able to field their strongest side the margin of points in Auckland's favour would not have been the large one of 37. Taranaki were by do means at full strength as several of their best players were unable to make the journey north. The visitors were placed under the additional disadvantage of travelling far afield to meet one of New Zealand's foremost provincial teams on its home ground where it has not been defeated for three years. So limited was the number of Taranaki players available on Saturday, that the visitors had to call on the services of the bus-driver who brought them from New Plymouth. The game developed into a procession in the first spell, the visitors being practically powerless against their (opponents who tosssa the ball about in great style and established a lead of 30 points before the interval. Ihe assistance of the wind in the second half gave Taranaki a better grip of the game but they hs.d spent their dash earlier and their play became ragged, although the forwards did not go under without a hard struggle. The Auckland Backs, Goodacre was not called upon to do much work in fullback position for Auckland, but when the occasion arose he picked up cleanly and brought relief in a finished manner. The threequarters, Olsfin, Lucas and Maitson, all shared in scoring movements, although Olsen did not get as many opportunities as the other two. Mattson's breakaway try was one of the best sole efforts of the game. In CooKe and Sheen Auckland has two brilliant five-eighths, whose play together in future contests should again prove a thorn in the side of the opposition. Sheen has excelled in his last two games and gives the impression that he has studied the methods of his companion to advantage. Both were seen in some splendid movements and were responsible for more than half the home side's score. Hooke, who replaced Cooke when the latter was injured, scored a very creditable try. Cooke was distinctly unfortunate to be injured in the final representative game of the year and it seems that Grafton will be without his services in the Pollard Cup final next Saturday. McMamis played a sound game behind the scrum. He made fine openings and tackled pluckily. Keene, the local rover, was conspicuous throughout and got through a great amount of work. The pack played a very good game and were altogether superior to the Taranaki vanguard. The Knight brothers were perhaps the most prominent. Taranaki Team's Form. The Taranaki fullback, Paterson, had an unenviable task, but ae effected some fine saves before he was\injured. Coulton was the best of the threequarters and shone both mi attack and defence. Brown, one of last year's All Blacks, had- a very heavy cold and only played so that his team would not be short. As was to be expected he was off his game. Johnston and Oliver, fiveeighths, did their best, but neither impressed. The halfback, Jeffries, showed np as a promising yourtg player, and Walter, the rover, although overshadowed by Keene, worked well and was frequently prominent. In the vanguard MeOnire and Patterson played solidly. The other forwards also put plenty of vigour- into their task. Record of Representative Games. Auckland have played nine representative games this season, winning seven, drawing one and losing one. The team which was beaten was practically e B team and by ao means represented the province's true, Rugby strength. The total points scored in the matches amounted to 221, while 61 have been registered against the local team. Details are as follow: — V. Canterbury.—Wop, 35 —S. V. King Country.—Won, 24 —3. V. Waikato.—Won, 35—0. V. King Coon try-Waikato.—Lost, IS—9. V. North Auckland.—Won, 21—3, V. Hawke's Bay.—Drawn, 9—9. V. Taranaki. —Won, 18—12. V. Wellington.—Won, 23 —11. y. Taranaki. —Won, 43—6. Pollard Cop Competition. By defeating College Rifles on Saturday Grammar Old Boys gained the right to contest the final next Saturday with the other unbeaten team, Graftor.. Saturday's game was a very scrambling one. The players were evidently affected by their long absence from club football, ihoagh several juniors were included in both sides. The vfork of the forwards was ragged while the backs made few attempts at passing, although on one occasion the Grammar rearguard opened up and a good try resulted. In the Grammar pack, Gumming, a promoted junior, made a good showing and N. Ifwerson showed glimpses of brilliancy in the backs. Fogarty, in the College Rifles' pack, showed that he has not yet lost his form He was supported in the bard wotli by Lamb and Gallagher. Kirk, at halfback, was disappointing. However, hj« should develop into a really good half. The Hawke's Bay Team. At the end of a great season the Hawke's Bay Sag is flying proudly, says a Napier paper. Wairarapa, Canterbury, Southland, Wellington and Otago produced their best and were vanquished and such is the lustre of the performance that the tired team's concluding draw with Auckland could not dim it. Some enthusiasts feared that Jack Ormond would not turn out again next year, but it is probable that he will. Ormond. .who was capped for Christ's College in his schooldays—several brothers have played for. Wanganui—has finished the season at the top of his form. There is only ona better forward in New Zealand than Ormond and Gemroell, and that is M. Brcwnlie. Both the Browniies are likely to play again next season. They are anxious' to'keep on playing until, at least, Hawke's Bay has eclipsed Auckland's tally of Shield "wins. To do that only five mors wins are required, Auckland won 22 matches and drew two. in eight years. Hawke's Bay has won 20 in three.