BRIGHT RUGBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22463, 6 July 1936, Page 7

BRIGHT RUGBY

AUCKLAND TEAM'S WIN

VICTORY OVER TARANAKI TWENTY-ONE POINTS TO 17 GOOD DISPLAY BY FORWARDS The annual Rugby niatcjh between the representative fifteens of Auckland and Taranaki was played at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon in fine weather and in the presence of a large gathering of spectators. Auckland won by 21 points to 17 after a close and interesting contest. The ground was in good order after a week's rain, apart from the centre of the field, where the cricket pitch is situated. In the summer season this is specially prepare Port Albert soil, and in wet '■■ther- it becomes a sticky quagmire, ah was very noticeable that when the ball was kicked into that particular area —wide enough for the formation of two wickets —play was very much slowed up. The closeness of the scoring throughout maintained the interest of the crowd right to the final whistle. It was mostly a forward game, with the respective packs striving hard for the honours, which were eventually fairly evenly divided. Auckland had a shade the better of the scrums, but the- Taranaki vanguard was superior in the loose. The Auckland pack gave a much better display than it did against Waikato nearly a fortnight earlier. More weight was put into the scrum, with the result that the hooker received greater assistance.

From an Auckland point of view the game was fairly satisfactory. The most pleasing feature was that the forwards appeared to realise that they were faced with a solid proposition; and consequently they put their weight into the pack from the very begining. This. was in dire contrast to the exhibition they gave on the same ground against Waikato a few . days, previously. On that occasion there were too. many "shiners." In the meantime they had been taken to task and warned what they had to face. on Saturday. Backs Not Impressive The Auckland backs again were not impressive a3 a combination. Frankham was sound without being brilliant behind the scrum. D. Solomon once more proved that ho is not quite nippy enough for a first five-eighths. He was inclined to run across the ground too much, but his defence was very sound. Killeen displayed his customary cleverness and trickiness. Dick was easily the best of the three-quarter line, neither Coonev nor Fletcher showing to advantage. Beyer was in good form at fullback, giving a sound all-round exhibition.

There was not a slacker in the visiting pack, each man giving his weight and doing his full share in the tight work. McNeile bore out all tjjat had been written about him as a great loose forward. He demonstrated speed and clever footwork and always appeared to be using his brain. I). Ruakere, who secured his place only througli the dropping out of Gargan, fully justified his selection, as he was one of the best of a really good honest pack. Clarke, who retired with a leg injury five minutes before time, was always in the picture. Weakness at Five-eighths

It is a pity the forwards did not receive more support from the backs, who were disappointing as a combination. C. Sangster played' a solid game be- r hind the scrum, but his brother,. 6. Sangster, at first five-eighths,_ was a decided weakness in the chain. He s kicked far too much, especially in tho / first spell, and was altogether too.-, slow. This affected the play of the threequarters. Sullivan was- always--looking for openings, the majority of which he had to make for himself. The wing-threequarters were starved- and nothing was seen of them all day apart from defensive work. Collins, the visitors' fullback, demonstrated that his plav since he last-, appeared in Auckland.has not deteriorated. His handling of the ball and kicking were first-class. Had his goalkicking been more accurate lie would Ahave won the game for Taranaki, as, " apart from other misses, he failed with • two penalty goals from beyond the'" twenty-five in the first few minutes. Auckland won the toss and almost immediately Collins had a pot at goal . from near halfway, but the ball fell i short. Then DymoEid made a fine effort with a drop-kick" from 40 yards out with his left foot; the ball falling under the bar. Dick, grassed after a good burst down the line, got the ball away - to Killeen, and he sent on to D. Solo- r moil, who raced from beyond the twenty-five-for a try between the posts. It was a fine movement by these three backs. Beyer converted.

_ Collins Kicks Goal McLean was caught* offside in his own twenty-five and Collins opened Taranaki's account With a good goal. Encouraged by this success the visiting forwards dribbled through the Auckland defence. Clarke started a movement, kicking past Beyer, # and D. Ruakere, displaying real 'speed for so big a man, followed fast to dribble over the line and score' a good try. Collins" failed to convert. "Auckland worked its way to its opponents' line and a set scrum went down near the corner. Cooper and McLean burst through the opposing pack, the All Black diving over right at the flag ..to place Auckland in front. A magnificent, kick by Beyer saw the ball rebound from the far upright over the crossbar.

The Taranaki forwards bustled plav to Auckland's line where a quick heel found- the defence hopelessly out of position. C. Sangster sent to Dymond, who threw a long pass to Sullivan, who took the ball going at top speed to go over for a try beside the posts. Collins converted and half-time arrived with the score:—Taranaki, 11; Auckland, 10. Successive Penalties Play had been resumed but threo minutes before Beyer placed Auckland again in front with a penalty goal from well out. Colling replied ' with a kick equally as good from near ' the touchline. Dick made a great dash, but a forward pass to Anderson threw awav a certain try. From the scrum Frankham nipped round the open side to send McLean crashing over for his second try, Beyer again converting. Fast following up by the Taranaki forwards carried play to Auckland's line' and from a forward struggle Clarketossed the ball out to McNeile, who had only to drop across. Collins missed a fairly easy kick. Frankham sent the bat! along the back line. Dick lifts caught in possession, but he passed infield to Killeen.who easily scored, Beyer failing to convert from well out. With five minutes to go it was still anyone's game. D.. Solomon and McNeile had a thrilling race from midfield. but the ball beat the Taranaki forward and Dick, who had followed fast, took a timely mark., from the boot of . another Taranaki* plaver. The final whistle fountr Auck-, land attacking, the score being:— Auckland, 21; Taranaki, 17. Mr. C. F. Paull was referee.