REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19727, 29 August 1927, Page 11

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

AUCKLAND'S SEVENTH WIN. DEFEAT OF HAWKE'S BAY. TWENTY-SIX POINTS TO NIL. WEAKNESS OF VISITORS' BACKS. The Auckland Rugby representative team gained its seventh successive win this season by defeating Hawke's Bay at ; Eden Park on Saturday by 26 points to 0. Glorious weather prevailed and the largest attendance for several seasons was recorded, it being estimated that there were 20,000 present. Long before the match commenced the stand accommodation was taxed to its utmost capacity, people packing the passageways, while the areas in front of both stands were also packed. The embankment presented an animated scene, every vantage point being occupied. Several spectators made good use of the advertisement signs at the top of the embankment, where they obtained an excellent view of the game. The match itself was disappointing from the viewpoint of the form displayed by Hawke's Bay, in spite of the absence of M. Brownlie, .T. Blake, J. Swain and C. Conrad. It was a vastly different team from the one which, during the past fe*v years, have made fame in New Zealand football. Up to half-time the Hawke's Bay forwards were seen in many thrilling rushes, but its backs as an attacking combination were very unimpressive. Auckland dominated the game soon after the interval and being superior in all departments added 15 points to its score. Play at Fast Pace.

Ihe game opened at a fast pace, which I was maintained practically throughout. Both sets of forwards indulged in splendid rushes. The one from which Auckland scored its first, try will long be remembered. The Auckland backs were much too clever for the opposition and were able to turn to advantage opportunities made by the forwards. This was a great weakness in the Hawke's Bay team. The teams were Hawke's Bay.—Fullback, Yates (12.7): threequarters, Grenside (13-8), Rolls (12.8), Huxtable (13.0); five-eighths. Priestley (12.3), Gorki 11 (11.0) ; halfback, Edwards (12.0); forwards, Barclay (12.7), rover, Steer (14 9), J. Oemrnell (12.9), Campbell (14.0), C. Brownlie (14.9), Wilson (14.0), Tankard (13.7), Heffernan (15.9). Auckland.—Fullback, L. Paewai (12.0) ; threequarters, F W. Lucas (11.4), R.' Sheen (11.3), L-. Hook (11.3) ; five-eighths, E. Meyer (10.10), A. Berridge (12.7); halfback, A, McManus (11.3); forwards, A. Keene (13.2), rover, S. Hadley C 13.0), B. Palmer (12.10), Wanoa (15.0), R. McWilliams (13.10), A. Knight. (13.13), W. Batty (12.7), I. Cathcart (13.8). Lucas captained the Auckland team and Barclay led the visitors. Auckland won the toss and played with the sun. The Hawke's Bay forwards were breaking up quickly and twice in succession were penalised for offside play. Once Lucas made a dash and from a penalty Berridge had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Two Early Tries. A great loose rush by the Hawke's Bay forwards, in which C. Brownlie was prominent, saw play transferred to the Auckland line, Paewai saving. Then the Auckland forwards drove Hawke's Bay back in one of the finest rushes it would be possible to see. Batty, with others, dribbled the hall to half-way, and with the whole forward line in' attendance Wanoa picked the ball up at the twentyfive and ran in unopposed to touch down behind the posts. Berridge easily converted. Auckland, 5; Hawke's Bay, 0. Auckland was soon on the attack again. Sheen followed through to nullify a "speculator" by Huxtable. The ball went into Lucas' safe hands, and he outpaced the opposition to touch down -wide out. Berridge missed the kick/ Auckland, 8; Hawke's Bay, 0. Fine loose forward play by Hawke's Bay had the Auckland backs in trouble, Corkill almost going over. From a scrum McManus cut in and Berridge kicked a low pass from Meyer through the Hawke's Bay defence. Sheen beat Yates for the ball, and Hadley came up fast to pick up and-score in a handy position. Berridge missed the kick. Auckland, 11; Hawke's Bay, 0. Hawke's Bay then pressed hard, but Lucas saved Auckland's position by clever play. A fine kick by Sheen drove the visitors on to their line, where they were penalised for a scrum breach, Berridge making a good effort at goal. Lucas then made a bright dash and centre-kicked to his forwards,' who committed a breach right on the line. An even period of play followed. Hawke's Bay maintaining the" attack, but it could not finish off its efforts. Half-time was called with Auckland still leading by 11 points. The Second Half. On resuming, Hawke's Bay gained the advantage from an exchange of kicks Paewai driving it back from the, Auckland line. A fine rush by the Auckland forwards carried play to the visitors' twenty-five, where Berridge kicked a good goal for a penalty wide out. Auckland, 14; Hawke's Bay, 0. The Auckland" forwards were soon to the fore again, and after a rearguard attack had broken down Hook gained possession at the twenty-five and raced in. Berridge failed to convert. Auckland, 17; Hawke's Bay, 0. Auckland was penalised wide out cn the twenty-five line, \ ates failing to goal. Berridge sent Hawke s Bay back to half-way with a fine kick. Hawke's Bay lost a splendid scoring opportunity when Huxtable and two forwards rushed on Paewai, misfielding spoiling the chance.

The Hawke s Bay forwards now took a turn. Its hacks, however, could not make any leeway when on the attack. Pretty passing by the Auckland rearguard transferred play to the Hawke's Bay line, where a penalty relieved. Then Lucas made a fine run after a passing I jout by the Auckland backs. His inpass was taken by Batty, who was knocked on to the corner flag when attempting to dive over. Immediately Hook made an opening for Sheen, who scored a fine try at the corner after evading three opponents. Berridge made a poor effort to convert. Auckland. 20; Hawke's Bay, 0. Auckland was now continually on the attack. Rolls retired hurt, and was replaced by Te Ngaio. After several attempts by the Auckland backs to break through. Hook received possession at halfway after a loose forward rush, and, feiui- • iis Barclay off three times, touched down -it the corner. Berridge again failed with 'ie kick. Auckland, 23; Hawke's Bay. 0. Priestley and Barclay broke away after in Auckland back attack had broke down, hut Lucas came back and carried over to save. The attack was short-lived, however, and Auckland was soon back again. McManus ran round the blind side in the visitors' twenty-five and made a good opening for Hook to dash over. Berridge failed to convert. There was no further score, the match ending;— Auckland, 26: Hawke's Bay, 0. TEAM'S UNBEATEN RECORD. LARGE NUMBER OF POINTS. i'he Auckland team this season nlayed seven matches, winning them all. It has scored 197 points, while 18 have been registered against it. Following are the results of matches played:— v. Thames, won 47 —3." v. Maoris, won 31 —6. M v. North Auckland, won 21—3 v. South Canterbury, won 32—6: v. Taranaki, won 23—0. v. Manawhenua, won 17—0. y. Hawke's Bay, won 26—0.