RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20029, 20 August 1928, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. BAY OF PLENTY HOME TEAM'S FIVE-POINT WIN. GOOD SHOWING BY VISITORS. 'An Auckland team, officially a B team, ljufc in quality almost as strong as tho depleted side which lost to Wellington, defeated Bay of Plenty at Eden Park on Saturday by 19 points to 14. About 7000 people witnessed tho game. Auckland's victory was not easily gained. In fact, Bay of Plenty had as much of the game as the local side, and on occasion showed much better football. The game could hardly be called a brilliant exhibition of Rugby—foolish mistakes were far too common—but it was played at a whirlwind paco for the greater part of its duration, while there were spectacular incidents in plenty. Led. by Righton, Cathcavt and L. Knight,- with Hindenaeh revelling in every branch of forward play, the Auckland pack had slightly the better of matters forward, and won the majority of the scrums. But a back team, which on paper seemed capable of brilliant play, was for the most part outclassed by the Yisitors. Bay of Plenty escaped with gome undetected off-side play, but most of tho spoiling efforts of the visiting backs were made perfectly legal by the slowness with which Judge got the ball away from the scrums, and by tho hesitation of Berridge. Dashing Threequarter Line. The Bay of Plenty backs were well served by Nuku whenever their forwards secured from the scrums, and a dashing threequarter lino was always dangerous. C. Black, at rover, led his team admirably, and the forwards wer« for the most part genuine workers, although they shared with some members of the Auckland pack a penchant for joining in back movements. With both sides this failed more often than it succeeded. Bay of Plenty opened the game brilliantly and forced the Auckland team back on its line. After several unsuccessful penalties the visiting backs swung away, and Cooper and Bush were left standing by M. Howell, who scored at tho corner. C. Black failed with the kick.

Auckland rallied briefly, but Bay of Plenty was soon back on the attack. Then the Auckland forwards began to make their weight felt in the scrums. The game was very bright and again the visiting backs swung away. However, Stuart intercepted and, running to the fullback, passed to Righton. The veteran forward left the field behind him and scored between the posts. Berridge converted. Visitors' Bustling Tactics.

Bay of Plenty was showing commendable keenness, and was soon back on the attack, the strong-running backs dominating the game. Passing attractively, they forced .Auckland back, and McKenzie shattered the home team's defence with a corkscrew run. He scored near the posts and Davis converted. Auckland warmed up towards the close of the spell, but the passing was inaccurate and the handling weak in face of the bustling tactics cf the Bay of Plenty team. Throwing the ball about, both teams pleased the crowd at the opening of the second spell. The Auckland backs broke away, but it seemed that they were blocked when Cammick stopped cleverly and then darted through to pass to Stuart, who scored. A good kick by Bex-ridge just failed and the scores were level. Play swung rapidly from one end of the field to the other. Peebles was injured and was replaced by Sheaf. Bay of Plenty continued to play with vigour and one open rush saw Bush left to stop the whole visiting team. He tackled McKenzie, but the ball was passed infield and Sheaf scored. The kick failed, and half-time came with the scores: Bay of Plenty, 11; Auckland, 8. The speed of the game was maintained at the opening of the. second half, but the Auckland backs, getting the ball from nearly every scrum, were flustered into making mistakes. It was a game of incidents. Spectacular diving tackles were the order of the day, and no quarter was asked by either side. Finally the Auckland backs were allowed room in which to move, and spectacular in-and-out passing between Cammick and Stoupe saw the latter take a reverse pass and score a good try. Berridge failed with the kick. The remainder of the spell was n\ore or less spasmodic, both teams appearing to Jrire somewhat. Auckland's Better Finish. In the final spell, Bay of Plenty set up it strong attack. Auckland broke away when Cammick intercepted, but Stoupe Jtnocked on when he had a clear run. Another passing bout saw Stoupe rectify the error with a good run ; When jammed on the touch-line he kicked and Stuart carried on to score. No goal resulted. Three points, down, Bay of Plenty seemed to lapse. Auckland was lasting better and another bright passing movement from a scrum saw all the backs handle before Stoupe dived over. Bush kicked a fine goal. However, Bay of Plenty had not quite finished. Hesitation and a foolish balloon pass by Berridge let the visiting backs away, and McKenzie scored an unconverted try. The game ended shortly after with the scores: — Auckland .. - • Bay of Plenty 14 Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee. POLLARD CUP GAMES. RESULTS OF SATURDAY'S PLAY. Following are the results of Pollard Cup matches played on Saturday:— Technical Old Boys, 6, beat Suburbs, Marist, 41, beat Newton. 3: Manukail. beat Tramways, 0; Grammar, 39,' beat. North Shore, 0: City, 7 (try by Iverr- Taylor and potted goal by Doolin), beat Ponsonby, (tries by Hokz and punting) : Grafton won by default from University. THE JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. Following are the results of matches in junior competitions:— Second Grade.— University Colls, 10, beat Manukau, 13: Ponsonby. 10. beat Grammar A, 5; Coromandel. 9, b<vat Hauraki, 3: ParBell won from City by default. _ . Third Grade.— Ponsonby. 25, beat. Takapuna, 7 : Eden. 25,. beat Otahuhu. 0: Grafton, 6 beat Technical Old Boys. 3- Kingsland. 16, beat St. Heliers B. 0; North Shore. 10, beat Marathon, 5. Third Intermediate.—Suburbs, 11. beat Parnell, 0; College Rifles, 6, beat Ldendale, 3. Fourth Grade.—Dilworth, 8. beat Grammar. 0; Otahuhu. 16. beat City. 0: Kingsland, 17, beat Marathon. 0 : Ponsonby. 38, beat North Shore, 0; Parnell. 25. beat, Manurwa, 8; Grafton, 0, drew with Technical Old Boys, 0. , , „ Sixth Grade.—Ponsonby. 14. beat Manukau, 8. House Matches.—A. Yates. 9, beat "Winetone'B. 0: Tattersfield, 31, beat Smith and Smith, 0: R.N.P. Combined. 9. beat Dominion Motors, 3. CONTEST AT DUNEDIN. [BT TELEGRAPH. —r-IIESS ASSOCIATION. 9 DUNEDIN, Sunday. , In the Charity Shield : Rugby match yesfeiday. University* 17» defeated Kaiiorai® 6*