RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19413, 23 August 1926, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

VICTORY FOR AUCKLAND B. SOUTH AUCKLAND DEFEATED. BRIGHT, open exhibition. Giving an attractive display of fast, open Rugby, the Auckland B representative team defeated South Auckland at JJden Park oil Saturday by 31 points to 17. Both teams threw the ball about freely, but the combination of the Auckland backs early turned the tide definitely in the home side's favour. A rally in the last quarter, however, enabled the visitors to reduce their adverse balance by 11 points. The visitors' forwards, led by Keary, played a dashing game throughout, while the backs, who were prominent chiefly in individual bursts, ran with determination. Although inclined to rely mainly on run-and-kick tactics, the South Auckland players broke away in several effective movements, which gavo evidence of team-work. Whenever opportunity offered, Palmer, the home team's half-back, flicked the ball out. to his backs, who raced away in good style Mistakes were made, but considering the fact that the players were practically strangers as far as team-work was concerned, and that the ground m places had not recovered from the previous week's churning, the display of th s Auckland backs was most encouraging The tackling of the visitors was very solid. It was not always low, but it was generally effective. Lewis, the visitors' fullback, saved several tries by good tackling. Auckland Scores Quickly.

Auckland quickly ran tip a comfortable tally of points, and indications' pointed ti a very one-sided game. Wilson (Auckland) cut through prettily and *.vas unlucky to miss scoring. A rush followed, ending in Johnson racing over at the corner for a try, which Clark failed to convert. Johnson made another good run, with Hamilton and Soloman in support, and the latter scored. Stuart goaled. Auckland won a scrum and Palmer sent the leather flashing through his line of backs, Reici rounding off the movement with a try. • Stuart's kick failed, and the iearns changed over with Auckland leading by 11 points to 0. Rushing to the attack, the Auckland forwards caught Lewis in possession of the ball, and Keary dived across for a try, which Miller failed to convert. South Auckland then set out to reduce the deficit. Wilson made a'■ dashing run, paving the way for Keary, the South Auckland captain, to score. Keary's kick missed. Retaining the upper hand, Keary, Wilson and Whelan brought the Visitors again to the attack, and a good passing bout ended in the last-named sicoring. Wilson failed with the kick. Auckland then launched a determined attack, which culminated in Hamilton racing hard for the' corner, but Lewis accounted for him with a splendid tackle. Lewis treated Reid in the same manney a minute later. Then Reid made a spectacular side-line sprint and inpassed to Lynch, who shot through the opposition, evaded the flying tackle by Wood, and scored behind the post. Stuart goaled, and halftime sounded -with the score .-—Auckland, 19 South Auckland, 6.

Activity of the Visitors. Jumping quickly to the attack, Auckland increased its lead early in the second spell, Stuart -scoring. Hamilton's kick rebounded from the post. Palmer broke away in a spectacular dash and Noakes fumbled the critical pass. In the ensuing play, however, Soloman scored, but Miller's kick- failed. Then the Auckland backs opened out again, and Reid scored at the corner. Keary'a kick failed, and the third quarter ended with the score:—Auckland, 28;' South Auckland, 6. < The visitors, infusing splendid dash into their play, set qut to make up the leeway, and Auckland was kept or) the defence From a scrum near Auckland's line Wright, the visiting halfback, darted across, but he could not convert his try. The-South , Auckland- backs swung into action, and Wilson scored one of the prettiest' tries of the ciay, after a dash along the side-line. Kirknp con verted, 'Encouraged by their success,, tho visitors, embarked on another- passing bout a.nd' Keary scored, his second try Kirkup's kick failed. The home team replied a minute ,'ater. Hamilton made a clever opening and sent Johnson , away for a try near the posts. Hamilton's kick failed, and the final whistle blew With the score:— ' Auckland B ... . . . . 31 South Auckland • ;■. . . 17 A WIN FOR WAIKATO. " DEFEAT OF NORTH AUCKLAND.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT, ] HAMILTON, Saturday. ' argest crowd seen 'at Rugby Pmk this season witnessed the match hold under the auspices of the Waikato Rugby Union between North Auckland and Waikato A splendid game was witnessed, Waikato displayed marked improvement on their recent play, and showed promise of becoming a well-balanced team. North Auckland were without the services of "several tjood Players, but put ut> a great fight. They never crossed the home team's line, howkicks tlleir being gained by Within five minutes of the commencement of play Howard made an opening for the home team and passed to Kemp.' Bucklnghnm got possession and scored. Waikato, 8; Aorth Auckland, 0. Tho visitors pressed down and their opponents' faulty play gavo • them a chance, Webber kicking a penalty and equalising the score. A forward movement carried the boll into the visitors' territory. Courtney gathered in from a scramble and scored near tho corner. Dare converted the try, Waikato, 8; North Auckland, 3. Lively play in midfield followed, tho forwards having most of the work to do.' Gould then potted a goal for the visitors..' From a breach , Webber again kicked a penalty, making the scores: North Auckland, 10: Waikato, 8. , Waikato rallied, and tho effort resulted in D. Bourke 1 scoring. Half-time sounded with the scores: Waikato, 11; North Auckland, 10. , On resuming -the visitors made things lively with a vigorous attack. A penalty gave Webber an opportunity to goal, the kick being successful. Passing bouts by both sets of forwards marked the nest phase of the game. Simmonseh neatly intercepted a pass and the subsequent play placed the home team on the defensive. Howard and Buckingham relieved with * a dribbling movement and Anderson made a rush for the goal liii'*, Frequent breaches marred the home-team's T>l«y and spoiled several chances. Buckingham atad D. Bourke figured in an attack which culminated in Bourke scoring. Anderson »nd Buckingham were associated in another attack by Waikato. but the ball was kicked too far. Chapman eot the ball out of tho ruck and passed to Montf'-mery who scoTe'd. making the final scores: Waikato. 20: North Auckland. 13. Mr. W. J. Brydan 'was tho 'referee. PLAY AT TAURANGA fIVV TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA, Sunday. The final game in the Oliver Cup, junior competition, was.won by Mount Maunganui. who defeated Cadets Old Boys by.B points to 0. The Cadets had held the cup for four years. A match was playe.l here yesterday be--twpc-ri ,jv native' s an da European team. The latter team won by 19 points to 11. A keep, game eventuated and at half-time the Europeans led by 8 points to 3, .but at the of the third nuarter th? natives held 1b" advantage by 11 to 8. The Europe-ana 3"i v ! : ca. strongly in tho final quarter, and -Woi> ■" . ~