RUGBY VICTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22117, 24 May 1935, Page 13

RUGBY VICTORY

AUCKLAND BEATS NORTH

MARGIN OF SIXTEEN POINTS KEEN FORWARD TUSSLE HEAVY GROUND CONDITIONS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI. Thursday The first representative Rugby fixture of the season, between Auckland and North Auckland, was played at Rugb% Paik this afternoon in fine weather and resulted in a win for Auckland b\ 2TI points to 5. There was an attendance of 3000. The ground was particularly wet and soft when play commented and soon churned up badly. Ijong before the close players became almost unrecognisable through the mud. •

These conditions made sparkling back play, for which the Auckland backs are noted, very limited, and keen disajvpointme.Tit was felt. There were, however, some flashes that delighted the spectators, in the second spell. With two packs of forwards equally matched as regards weight the game resolved itself mainlv into a keen struggle between them. *

In the first spell North Auckland played with the wind and held the ascendancy throughout, especially in the forward division. The Auckland team appeared content with holding its opponents and in the second spell was definitely superior, especialK' in the rearguard. The North Auckland team tired appreciably in the second spell. '

The teams were as follows: Auckland.—Backs: Bush, H. Brown Caughey, Kedglev, D. Solomon,, Hedge Corner. Forwards: Pepper, Hadley, A Brown, Fitzgibbons, Knight, McLean ,Weber, F. Solomon. North Auckland.—Backs: Kerr Davis, Pickering, R. White, Cooney Johns, Panapa. Forwards: Cooper Morrescy, Mclnnes, C. White, Mc Donald, Ross, McCracken, Bowling. North Scores First North Auckland opened the scoring in the first spell, when the ball from midfield was snapped up by Cooper and Cooney scored a try,- which Kerr converted. There was no further score in this spell. North Auckland ; 5 Auckland 0 Shortly after the second spell commenced Auckland obtained the ball from the scrum. Corner sent to Hedge, who cut through between the two opposing five-eighths and made straight for the line, scoring a beautiful try Bush jnst missed the kick. North Auckland . . ... 5 Auckland 3 Then from a smart throw-in F. Solomon scored. Bush kicked a magnificent goal. Auckland, 8; North Auckland, 5. At this stage the Auckland forwards were making some splendid rushes. McCracken, a North Auckland forward, left the field with an injured eye, Linnell replacing him. From a line-out the Auckland forwards started a dribbling rush, the ball being picked up by . Weber, who sent on to Hadley, who passed to D. Solomon, who scored. Bush failed with the kick. Auckland, 11; North Auckland, 5. Solomon's Second Try Another dribbling rush by the Auckland forwards, led by A. Brown, ended in Sololnon scoring his second try. Bush kicked another splendid goal. I'he final try of the day was obtained through another dribbling rush, started by F. Solomon, ending in Pepper scoring and Bush again adding the major points. Tljp final score was:— Auckland . . . . , . . . 21 North Auckland . . . . 5 BUSH KICKS WELL FINE TRY BY HEDGE CORNER OUTSTANDING [by telegraph—OWN" correspondent] WHANGAKEI. Thursday On the day's play undoubtedly the better team won. It was unfortunate the ground was in such a bad condition. Bush was disappointing in the early part of'the game. This was evidently due to the atrocious condition of the ground. In the second spell he retrieved himself considerably, and his line-kicking was; sound and goal-kicking particularly good. The Auckland threequarter line was disappointing, but it had little opportunity, conditions being entirely against it. D. Solomon saved his side on many occasions, his defence being excellent. Hedge, in the few opportunities for open play, showed he is capable of very clever football, and the try he scored was a particularly fine effort. Corner, halfback, played a first-class game, particularly under the conditions. His defence was beyond reproach and he handled the ball with splendid accuracy. He was the outstanding back on the ground. Of the Auckland forwards, Pepper worked splendidly in the tight, and his display was good and honest throughout. McLean was outstanding in the- loose rushes and lineouts, but had a tendency to be offside. F. Solomon played a good, solid game, often coming in as a spare five-eighths. He was always fast in coming on to the opposition, often breaking up ,attack's. Knight, Hadley, Fitzgibbons and Weber played very hard games. Knight controlled the pack exceptionally well and his tactics throughout the game stamp him "as a fine general. Hadley excelled in hooking the ball. Kerr, the North Auckland fullback, played particularly well in the. first spell, but was not so convincing in the second. Cooney, at first five-eighths, played a solid game throughout and adapted himself, well to the difficult conditions The threequarter line was disappointing. Davis had to retire in the first spell with a broken finger Pickering and I?. White, who are usually the bright snots in Whangarei's hack play, weie out of their element in the conditions. Of the North Auckland forwards. Mnrrisev wa.i the outstanding player. He was tireless /end always with the ball, and played one of his host game,;, revelling in the mud. He is certainly worthy of consideration in any fina' match on to-day's piny. Of the other North Auckland forwards, Ross and Cooper were the best, both playing very consistent games. C'. White, who played remarkably well in the first half, faded away in the second. Ross*_ play is always of a high class and; his ability to adapt himself to the day's conditions is gratifying to »is supporters The most convincing candidates for consideration .in All Black trial games on to-day's play were Hadley, Pepper, Knight, McLean and F. Solomon (forwards) and Corner, Hedge, 0. Solomon (backs). Of the North Auckland team the best players were Morrisev, Ross, Cooper (forwards) and Cooney, of the backs.