AUCKLAND B WINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 12 August 1929, Page 12

AUCKLAND B WINS.

THAMES EASILY DEFEATED.

MARGIN OF 19 POINTS TO 6. PLAY IN MUD AND SLUSH. On a ground of mud and slush which had been cut about I>y tho hockey test match between .Australia and New Zealand, played as a preliminary, tho Auckland Ii Rugby represent all\i\s defeated Thames by 10 points to 6 at Eden Park on Saturday. The gamo was fairly ragged, as tho conditions were all against good football, but tho Auckland team displayed greater • versatility and fully deserved its victory. The Auckland backs showed occasional glimpses of bright football and Bell, at centrcthroequartor, adapting his play to the conditions, was tho best back on the field. The forwards were ably led by Palmer, who was conspicuous for fino foohvork and was always on tho ball. There was little cohesion among the Thames backs, although Dufty did some pood' work at times. Tho forwards wore a solid lot, led by Brunton, a particularly ablo player, and tho evergreen Lonias. Tho Thames pack had tho better of Auckland in tho first half, but did not last so well.

Following wero the teams.— Thames.—A. Winder, Morrissey, Dufty, Buchan, Dobson, Cameron, Wells, W. Pollock, Kinlock, A. O'Hara, G. Percy, Brunton, Strange, W. Percy, Lonias.

Auckland.—Wilson, Goodwin, Bell, Falwasser, Wales, Weir, Rao, Solomon, Palmer, Hey ward, Kahu, Peacock, Satherley, Coll, Maguire. Bell Opens Scoring.

After a poriod of scrambling play, Solomon put Auckland on attack at tho head of a dribbling rush. Winder marked, but did not find touch and tho Auckland forwards returned to tho attack. From a forward scramble near tho Tham#s line Weir secured and sent his backs away, Bell swerving through nicely to score behind tho posts. Wilson converted. Auckland, 5; Thames, 0.

The Thames forwards were not slow to retaliate and a couple of raking rushes, with Brtinton and W. Percy at the head, tested tho home team's defence. The Auckland forwards were offsido practically in the goal-mouth and Winder kicked a penalty goal. Auckland, 5; Thames, 3.

Auckland was next on attack, but a smart intercept by Buchan reversed matters. Ho cut infield and had tho Auckland defenco badly out of position when ho passed to Cameron. Tho pass was dropped. Tho visiting forwards, who were slightly superior to the Auckland pack, made another rush and Brunton narrowly missed scoring. The spell ended with tho scores Auckland, 5; Thames, 3. For tho greater part of tho second spell play was rather dull, relieved at intervals by some bright Hashes from Bell, who was playing a fine wet-weather game. On several occasions his speed and opportunism had Auckland on tho Thames line, but the ball was difficult to handlo and scoring chances were few. Winder's powerful kicking frequently got his side out of difficulties. Palmer was doing good work at tho head of tho Auckland pack, and once he broke away from a line-out only to be stopped by a brilliant mark by Wales. Toward tho end of the spell Auckland made strenuous efforts to score. ■ but the Thames pack kept the game tight and half-time came with the scores unchanged:— Auckland, 5; Thames, 3. Try lor Obstruction. Auckland continued to attack at tho opening of the second half, but tho Thames forwards countered in a good loose rush. The pace was a little more lively, and at the end of an Auckland forward rush Peacock was awarded a penalty try for deliberate obstruction. Wilson kicked a good goal. Auckland, 10; Thames, 3. Sonic good work by Pollock and Brunton put Thames on attack, but Rae shone in sound defensive play, Jt was then tho visitors' turn to defend, and Dufty saved brilliantly by snapping up the ball from the toes of the Auckland forwards and kicking downfield. A pretty side-line run by Bell followed a period of forward play, but Wales failed to take an in-pass. ' The Thames forwards were battling hard and were eventually successful when they broke away from a line-out, overwhelmed Wales and paved the way for Brunton to score. Winder's kick failed. Auckland, 10; Thames, 6. Auckland then asserted a definite superiority and was robbed of several chances only by tho slippery ball. Tho spell ended with the scores;— Auckland, 10; Thames, 6. Identifying a Try-getter.

Desultory forward play marked the opening of tho final spell, but a bright flash intervened when tho Auckland backs dashed away in a passing run. The Thames defence was caught out of position and Bell ran across to score. Wilson failed with tho kick. Auckland, 13: Thames, 6. Good footwork by Palmer and Solomon kept Auckland on tho attack, and at the end of a forward rush Sathcrlcy dived over to score. Tho plavors were so covered with mud that tho refereo had to ask Sathcrlcy which side ho was on before ho awarded a try. Tho kick failed. Auckland, 16; Thames, 6. Auckland had not finished. A long kick by Cameron was well fielded by Bell, who raced down tho touch-line with .Goodwin and Wales in support, lie passed infield, and Wales, using a tiico swerve, dashed over at the corner. The angle was too difficult' for Wilson. Tho gamo ended shortly afterwards, with tho scores:— Auckland 10 Thames 6 Mr. L. Guincy was referee.