INTER-SCHOOLS GAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20343, 26 August 1929, Page 14

INTER-SCHOOLS GAMES.

> AUCKLAND V. NEW PLYMOUTH

WIN FOR THE LOCAL FIFTEEN.

MARGIN OF EIGHT POINTS TO 0.

The annual match between llic firSst fifteens of Auckland Grammar School and Now Plymouth High School, played at Eden Park on Saturday, resulted in n win for Auckland by 8 points to 0. Auckland scored penalty goal and a converted try. The game was rather disappointing as a spectacular exhibition, but this to some extent can be accounted for by the excellent tackling of both teams. Auckland had a distinct territorial advantage for tlireo spells. The forwards gained possession of tlio ball regularly from the scrums, but tho backs took a long time, to settle down, and a great deal of the passing was weak. Auckland had enough of the ball during these spells to score soveral more points. It was the superior team on the day and its advantage in all-round speed was very marked.

Only in tho last quarter did New Plymouth show the necessary dash and penetrative power to make it dangerous as a combination. It missed two or three tries during this period by the narrowest of margins and could do everything but score. A little more finish to its movements and better passing would have brought the desired result. A fcaturo of the game was the fino exhibition of Ekdalil, the visitors' eontre-throequarter. Ho received practically no chances in combined attacks, but made some splendid runs through tho defence on his own account, and was always dangerous. Tho ground was in good order and thero was an attendance of about 8000 spectators. Tho teams were as follows: — New Plymouth High School. —Bedford, Morris, Ekdahl, Snell, Gibbons (captain), Parkos, McLean, Andrews, Grieve, Harhutt, Dallison, Thomson, Wvnyard, Thomas. Short.

Auckland Grammar School. —McFarland, Hammon, Savory, Currey, Slyfield, Collins, Newton. Mulgan, Robinson (captain), Carson, Shirley, Sandft, Lockington, Mcßeath, Trewhella.

Auckland set up a strong attack from fho commencement, a freo kick relieving. Maintaining tho pressure tire Auckland backs set, off, but sound tackling held them out. Savory had a chanco from a penalty outsido the twenty-five, his kick just falling short. The New Plymouth forwards then took a, hand, a fino rush driving Auckland right back, a forcedown resulting. Auckland was soon on the attack again, Ekdahl saving a likely movement with a fine solo run to halfway. Penalty Goal First Score.

Grammar kept hammering away in tho visitors' twenty-five, quick breaking by tho- New Plymouth forwards nullifying attempts by the Auckland backs to open up the play. Then the New Plymouth five-eighths" got offside and from the twenty-five Savory kicked a good goal:—

Auckland Grammar School ... 3 New Plymouth High School ..0 The spell ended a minute later with Auckland attacking strongly. So far the game had been fought out chiefly by the forwards. The New Plymouth backs had a couplo of chances, but failed to run straight, and littlo cround was gained. The New Plymouth forwards were showing to advantage in the loose and with the Auckland backs passing poorly were able to make thiusts through the "defence. Slyfield placed Auckland in a good position' with a nice kick to the corner flag, but overanxiousness by tho Auckland forwards cost a penalty which relieved New Plymouth. Ekdahl, 'at centre, was showing up well for the visitors and was always dangerous when in possession. An Auckland rearguard attack broke down and Slyfield camo round to kick over the line and just miss a try in diving for the touchdown. A period of ragged play followed in midfield until half-time, when the score' still was :

Auckland Grammar School .. 3 New' Plymouth High School . . 0 Injuries to Players.

On resuming Fraser replaced Lockington in the Auckland scrum, the latter being unable to resume owing to an injury. Auckland, which secured tho ball from the scrums in the first spell, continued to hold this advantage. New Plymouth was awarded an early penalty, and Gibbons made a good attempt at goal from just inside halfway. The game developed into indiscriminate kicking until tho Auckland backs set off in the best movement of the game so far, 50yds being gained before Currey ran into touch at the twenty-five. A New Plymouth back attack broke down at half-way and Slyfield came through with the ball at toe. He was tackled by Bedford when not in possession near the line, and from tho penalty Savory made a good attempt at goal. Shirley, the Auckland lock, retired at this stage and was replaced by Sharp. Almost immediately Morris, tho New Plymouth wing-threequarter, went off, Cato going on in his place. The spell ended without further scoring. The Last Quarter.

New Plymouth commenced the last quarter with a great rush and from a short punt Snell almost got over. A freekick relieved Auckland, which made a splendid counter-attack, Currey being tackled just in time. A moment later tho same player obtained possession in a back attack and his speed enabled him to dash over for a good try. Savory's kick, a splendid one, hit the upright and lion need over. Auckland Grammar School , . 8

New Plymouth High School

New Plymouth made another desperate rally right to Auckland's line, where a fine kick by Newton saved. Again the visitors attacked, but poor passing spoiled some great opportunities. Auckland eventually relieved the danger and was attacking when the final whistle sounded, tho scores being:— Auckland Grammar School . . 8 New Plymouth High School . . 0

Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee

A curtain-raiser, played between Auckland Grammar School juniors and Rotorua High School, resulted in a win for the former by 8 points to 3. Young and Jervis scored tries for the winners, one of winch was converted by Jessep. Musgravo scored a try for the loscis.

TOURNEY IN WELLINGTON.

HOME TEAM AND NELSON IN FINAL [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION".] WELLINGTON. Saturday. Tlio annual inter-college Rugby tournament. betweon Wellington, Christ's, Wanganui and Nelson Colleges comnioncetl to-day. Wanganui drew with Nelson, nine points all, Nelson equalling in (bo last minute. For Wanganui Rainbow, Pomaro and Kemp scored tries, and for Nolson Newman kicked a penalty, and Duncan and Stewart scored ivies. The result loaves Nelson to play in tlio big match 011 Monday. Wellington achieved a narrow victory over Christ's by 8 points to 6. Carlson scored for Wellington and kicked tlio goal, Stephenson scoring an unconverted try. For Christ's Acton-Adams and Aitken scored unconverted tries. On Monday Nelson and Wellington will play to docido the winners of the tourney, and Wanganui and Christ's will also meet. There wns a large crowd today at both matches. Tho ground was very soft and heavy, but the standard of piny was in keoping with the best traditions of colioco Rugby» being fast and open, with doadly "tackling.