POLICE VANQUISHED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19405, 13 August 1926, Page 15

POLICE VANQUISHED.

DEFEAT ON RUGBY FIELD. TRAMWAYS TOO STRONG. A STRENUOUS EXHIBITION. ' Rugby teams representing the Auckland tramways and police played a match at Victoria Park yesterday afternoon, Tramways winning by 17 points to 6. As the teams filed' on to the field a kaleidoscopic array of jerseys met the eye. Apparently the referee ignored superstition for on the back of his snowwhite jersey there stood out, in bright red, the figures 13. The Police possessed a slight advantage in size, but one could not but be impressed by the difference in appearance of the man in blue and the man. in football attire. The stately bearing, which has struck terror into the hearts of generations of small boys and caused the law-breaker to slink under the cover of a friendly shadow, had been laid aside in the dressing rooms. The tramwaymen were quick to realise this and directly the game had begun they treated the Police with scant courtesy. It was a new experience to see a constable pursued and thrown and then rise again to deal with his assailant in like manner when the opportunity occurred.. A merry pace was set from the opening whistle. It was early apparent that Tramways had more understanding. The backs handled smartly and engaged in some crisp passing bouts. Their rush tactics showed they had learned much from the scramble for seats of the Auckland business community at five o'clock in the evening. They bore down on the Police goal, but at close quarters found the defence had a sound knowledge of holds and throws. These proved an effective barrier but eventually a constable broke one of the laws of the game and McCoy was able to register a penalty goal for Tramways. This was the only score in the first quarter. • After the teams had changed round Tramways asserted themselves arid Jack, Dempsey and Oxenham scored tries, Hook converting in one case. At half-time Tramways led by 14 to 0. Both teams bore signs of the strenuous battle when the second half began. This was much more even, the only points being secured by the Police when Callaghan kicked two penalty goals. One member of the police' force who was obviously past the halcyon of his football' days was Constable C. Welson. What he lacked in condition, however, he compensated for in enthusiasm and in-applying his burly frame to the scrum duties of a side-row forward. At this stage of the match the standard of play had depreciated considerably. Nevertheless, there were many flashes of humour. A section of the barrackers seemed to find a source of -great amusement in the tossing of a constable into the softest "mud-pot" on the field. The frequent stoppages through injuries indicated that hard knocks were not rare. Two men had to retire. The last quarter was fought out with great zest, the Police making stern efforts to score. ' Tramways scored again, however, when Rodgers completed a pretty movement. Just on time Fry scored a try for the Police, Callaghan's kick striking the post. A good game ended 17 to 9 in Tramways' favour.