BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20630, 31 July 1930, Page 14

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

EASY WIN AT WHANG AREL ?JCHTH AUCKLAND DEFEATED. BACKS IN GREAT FORM. FINE DISPLAY OF PASSING. [BY TLLEGRAPH.—ATHLETIC REPORTER.] WUAXGAI <EI, Wednesday. The British Rugby learn scored its best victory of the tour to date by defeating North Auckland at Whangarei to-day by 38 points to 5. In tho first spell North Auckland more than held its own, but soon after the commencement of the second half the speed and clever passing of the visitors completely nonplussed the home team. Britain then rattled 011 several fjplendid tries from great passing movements. The match was watched by a record attenchnce of about 7000 spectators, easily tho largest gathering for any function in the North. Spectators came from j.ll parts of the North. The British team w. s given a very enthusiastic reception and 011 entering the ground was greeted with a haka by a group of Northern Maoris, led by R. I'aroro, of Dargaville, sc of the noted Northern Wairoa chief, l o.iuka Parore. Prentice led the British team and tlie North Auckland fifteen was captained by C. S. Ryan. The weather was ideal for football and the ground was in good Order. North Auckland Starts Well. Hie teams were as follows: Britain.—Fullback, J. A. Basset'.; threequarters, J. S. R. Reeve, T. C. Kucwles, H. M. Bowcott, A. L. Novis; halves, T. E. Jones-Davies, H. Poole; forwards, H. Eew, D A. Kendrew, H. C. Jones, J. McD. Hodgson, IS. A. Marlindale, W. B. Welsh, F. D. Prentice, H. Wilkinson. North Auckland. —Fullback, G. Kerr; threequarters, N. Baraeli, E. Mullins, R. Sellars; five-eighths, L. Davies, C. S. Ryan; halfback, M. McDonald; forwards, J. Wells (rover), M. Sheriff, M. Morresv, W. Rika, G. Rika, E. M. Halsted, B. Fletcher, A. E. Thomas. With 110 sun the toss did not mean any great advantage. Britain won it and played with a slight breeze in its favour. The North Auckland forwards were prominent in some good loose rushes. Ihe backs were getting the ball and combining well and once a nicely-placed kick by Davis found a gap in the opposition, but Bassett saved splendidly. North Auckland continued to hold the advantage, another loose forwaid rush going right to the visitors' line, where a penalty relieved. In some tight play Hodgson forced his way through, McDonald bringing him down with a fine tackle. Reeve and Martindale carried on until Ryan found touch at halfway.

Mishap to Prentice. The British backs swung into action, ®nd Jones-Davies kicked high. Barach saved a dangerous position by eluding all the British threequarters and Bassett was again called on to save. A halt was called when Prentice dislocated his finger and needed medical attention. Playing an inspiring game North Auckland had the visitors constantly pressed. Tho inside hacks were going through and Davis cut clear away to send the ball on to Wells when challenged by Bassett. The rover was held up inches from the line. The British backs were then seen at their best and in a great bout of passing from their own twenty-five, Novis ma"e a good run on the wing. Wilkinson came up on the insida and dashed over tinopposed, with Bowcott in attendance. Prentice failed to convert. North Auckland was soon on attack again and was unlucky not to get across when Mullins lost the ball on the line and a force resulted. Immediately the play swung across to Barach. who turned a clever cut through bv Davis to advantage, but, was caught right under the posts. Throwing the ball about with freedom the North Auckland hacks, supported by fast following-tip by the forwards, kept the British team on tiie defence. Local Team in the Lead. North Auckland was rewarded and took the lead when McDonald dashed round the blank side of a loose serum and loin bed down for a fine try. Halsted converted with a great kick from the touch-line. North Auckland . . . . 5 Britain . . . . . 3 A mistake, by North Auckland allowed Britain to regain ttie lead. In a passing bout Reeve was tackled by two players but they let him go again. Knowles too'-: a pass from the threequarter and sent Jones-Davits round behind the pos's, I'rentice easily converted. Britain, 8; North Auckland. 5. Britain persisted with its backs, but several rushes bioke down through Knowles mishandling. McDonald was then prominent in a fine burst through from a scrum, which beat the opposition. He ran strongly from half-way to Bassett. We?is failed to take a difficult transfer by knocking on, thus losing a great scoring chance, McDonald was injured mi the tackle but was able to resume. Britain gradually worked hack. Reeve los inc a certain try by failing to take his pass after Bowcott had made a good opening. Britain was now attacking strongly and was prevented from scoring only by solid tackling. At half-lime tin: scores V/cro i—Britain . . 8 North Aii klaud . . .. 5 Fine Play by Forwards. North Auckland was quickly on the attack on resuming, M. Rika being prominent for some good work. Play was bard among the forwards, with the North Auckland vanguard keeping the ball at Its feet and troubling the opposition. Britain threw ihe hall about in spectacular fash.ion and Jones Davie.; broke through in a fla.-li of f.Oyds The North Auckland forwards, playing well in the loose. ;.'o' neai the British lill - - Sellars, on the •■.in:;, followed on and was pushed out. at the cone r ji;st in time. \ wild pass by [lvan in his own twentyfive saw Novis gain possession and run to the other twenty-five, where Ken ' stopped him and saved again The B.ki.'i team set off in fine passing. Novis beat Barratt and then Jones-Davies canio ■through to take a pass and score between the posts. Prentice converted. Britain, 13; North Auckland, 5, A Succession of Tries. Soon afterwards a great reverse pass iiii, I , ;... i „,i, I, ;;a j.., • wards saw Welsh go over easily bet ween the [io. Is. Preniice converted. Britain, II!; North Auckland, 5. The speed of Reeve made another quick try for Britain. Dashing alone tho wing he outpaced the opposition and sent an in-pass to Welsh who ran over well out. Prentice kicked a • goo,l 1(0.1! Britaiu. 23; North Auckland, fj. Britain's next try resulted t'i om a (level inn by June- DavieS. lie sent a revels,! pass to Bowcott who .sored be tvecn the posts, Prentice again convened. Britain, 28; Not tii Auckland, 0. Splendid passing and backing up en- » lihled Knowles to touch down easily. This lime Mai tiudale converted. Britain 33; ■_ ( Allekl.mil, r>. Just before time . Reeve h pace made another easy trv for Lowcntt behind the posts. Mart it,dale con t, >erted, the game ending with the scores; Britain ... t f North Auckland . '[. ' 5 • iTcferee, M ' Kronfold ' of Auckland, was