RUGBY DRAW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 12

RUGBY DRAW

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH AUCKLAND AND WAIRARAPA NINETEEN POINTS TO EACH VISITORS' SECOND SPELL Fast, interesting and exciting Rugby was witnessed at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon when the Auckland and Wairarapa representatives played a drawn game, each side scoring nineteen points. Auckland led B—nil8 —nil at halftime and appeared to have the gamo iti safe keeping. However, the Wairarapa forwards h?.d gradually become more accustomed to the holding naturo of the ground and they dominated play for the greater part of the spell. The Wairarapa pack had almost complete charge of the situation during the last quarter of an hour, and Auckland was very fortunate in finishing on even terms with the visitors. Each side scored five tries, two being converted. One of Auckland's tries, however, was a lucky one as the scorer, Pearce, appeared to propel the ball forward at least ten or a dozen yards. On the other hand, Hemi,' the visitors' Maori fullback, had exasperating luck with his place-kicks, the ball on three or four occasions either hitting one of the posts or the crossbar. • The weather was fine, but the ground was heavy after rain on the previous day and on Saturday morning. There was a gqod attendance of the public. .All-round Improvement An ' /'all-round , improvement was noticed in the play of the home fifteen, which ; must have been pleasing to the sole selector, Mr. V. R. Meredith, who made but two alterations in his team which had been defeated the previous Saturday 1 and one of these was on account of an injury to the fullback, Matheson. The Auckland forwards played much better than in their previous match, although weight told against them in the closing stages, when they were well beaten. They put up a gallant fight however. Pearce and Smith both played outstanding games in the open, the lastnamed showing surprising speed, while both handled the ball better than most backs do. ■ The star 'back on the home side was undoubtedly . Hedge, whose brilliant straight running and swerving made many openings. Hedge's quickness off the mark and ability to seize an opening were Reminiscent of A. E. Cooke at his best. Hedge is the "find" oiE the season and should go a long way in the game.

Outstanding Back

Once the Wairarapn players found their feet they gave a real taste of their ability. The team contains some very fine forwards, notably Keid, Smith, who scored two tries, Laing, Trass and Severs. Beid,.a former All Black, led the pack in fine style, being always prominent in the loose rushes. Smith is an excellent line-out forward. Nunn proved himself a versatile halfback, and was continually in the limelight in the second spell when his forwards were securing possession of the ball. He scored a nice try round the open side of a scrum. Devine showed promise at second five-eighths, but the outstanding back was Stringfellow. He Tvas a source of continual danger on attack, and, given a little more room In which to work on several occasions, he would undoubtedly have made matters awkward for the Auckland backs. His defence was first class, and alto- / gether his exhibition was right up to the standard claimed by Southern critics who consider him unlucky not to be with the All Blacks in Australia. The wings did not get many opportunities, but both displayed speed and determination. Hemi was fairly sound at

fullback, but, unfortunately for his team, he had an off day in regard to goal-kicking. ~

. Early Force-down Wairarapa was compelled to force i3own twice in the early stages, following loose forward rushes. Murdoch fielded the hall near his twenty-five line and ran iround to- send Pearson and Kedgley ri way. Kedgley centred when he reached Hemi, and Pearson, following fast, knocked the ball over the line with his knees and /put his'hand upon it just he- , fore two defenders could force. HeazleVrood's kick was almost a poster. Auck-' land, 8; Wairarapa, 0. Auckland scored again a few minutes! later, Smith picked up the ball in the loose; on his own Bide of half way and, finding a gap in the defence, he ran tight up to Hemi before passing to Kedgley, who took the ball nicely and Crossed unopposed. Heazlewood conVerted. Auckland, 8; Wairarapa, 0. A scrum breach gave Hemi a shot from 10 yards beyond Auckland's twenty-five, but the ball hit the crossbar and rebounded, Bush clearing. Halftime arrived with the score: Auckland, B; Wairarapa, 0. Visitors' First Try Shortly after resuming Nunn ran fround the blind side of a scrum and passed to Booth, who got past Heazlewood, but was tackled from behind by two others. Following a line-out the Wairarapa forwards swarmed over the line and F. Smith scored. Hemi failed ftt goal. Auckland, 8; Wairarapa, 3. A brilliant dash by Hedge paved the way for an Auckland try. When ho Reached the visitors' twent3 T -five he passed to Pearce from whom the ball went to Lockington, who was smothered. The ball rolled clear, and Harnmon tlribbled over the line and fell on it. Heazlewood's kick was wide. Auckand, 11; Wairarapa, 3. An Auckland passing rush broke down when Murdoch threw a low pass to Pearson. Fitzgerald snapped up the ball hnd ran to Heazlewood before passing to Stringfellow. The visitors' centre was being rapidly overtaken by Kedgley, but the lastnamed dived too soon and Stringfellow went on to score near the hosts. Hemi converted. Auckland, 11; Wairarapa, 8. Hedge made another sharp dash inbide the touch-line and passed to Smith, who showed surprising speed before lending the ball infield to Pearce. The lastnamed appeared to knock the ball tin, but he was permitted to follow up hnd touch down near the corner. A section of the crowd on the bank jeered the referee's decision. Heazlewood con'veried with a fine kick. Auckland, 1G; Wairarapa, 8. . Pearce picked up the ball in the loose in Wairarapa's half and ran fast and straight to the fullback. When he passed the ball it was knocked bank by a defender and Pearson picked it up and dived over. Heazlewood narrowly missed the goal. Auckland, 19; Wairarapa. 8. A Wairarapa passing rush started near Auckland's line and a collision between Heazlewood, Pearson and Bcdgo enabled Devine to run straight over for k t r . v » which Hemi failed to convert. Auckland, 19; Wairarapa, 11. Another try came to the visitors after Himona had found touch a couple of yards from the corner flap. Smith secured the ball on the line-out and forced his way over. Hemi again missed the kick. Auckland. 19; Wairarapa, 14. Wairarapa attacked strongly again and a serum was-formed near Auckland p line. The hall came out to Nunn. who ran round on the open side and thved over. Hemi converted and the feftme ended two minutes later with the Bcoreir—Auckland, 19; Wairarapa, 19. Jilr.J.A. Malcolm was referee. ,•