AUCKLAND WINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22499, 17 August 1936, Page 12

AUCKLAND WINS

MATCH AT WELLINGTON MARGIN OF THREE POINTS FAST AND CLEVER DISPLAY [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Sunday Playing fast and clever Rugby the Auckland Hugbv team beat Wellington on its own ground yesterday by 21 points to 18. Until the second spell the visitors had it all their own way, but in the last 20 minutes Wellington made a brilliant recovery. Heavy rain came ou early in the game and gave the Wellington forwards their chance. Until then they appeared to find the ground too hard and dry. A big crowd attended. Lamason first, and then Baldwin and Fleming, menaced the Auckland line, but the defence proved sound. Then Cooney and Anderson broke away, but the Wellington backs checked them. F. Solomon picked up the ball from a loose scrum and passed to his brother, I). Solomon, who dived across in the corner. Curtavne, in a swerving run from the half-way line, passed to Cooney, who was stopped within only a few feet of the line. Immediately afterward F. Solomon picked the ball up from a loose meleo and crashed through the opposition to score. Bush's kick was successful. Heavy rain at this juncture drove many spectators from the open seats and the large crowd oil the western side of the ground dwindled rapidly. With the rain, however, Wellington's chances rose, and the soft ground suited its powerful forwards. Auckland again scored when A. Brown followed the ball across between the posts and beat three defenders in a raco to touch down. It was an easy kick for Bush. Kicking with considerable skill, this player sent over a penalty shot from well outside the twenty-live. A strong offensive drove back the visitors, Tindill and Baldwin leading an attack which culminated in a try when Hansen slipped over from a loose scrum near the posts. Half-time arrived with the score:—Auckland, 16; Wellington, 3. ' Bush, Auckland, and Fleming and Tindill, Wellington, tried drop kicks from penalties without success. Then Auckland was penalised for late tackling and at long range Lamason sent, the ball over. Auckland now made a determined effort. From near half-way ByerJey ran past Crisp and passed to Anderson, who scored. Bush again converted. Tindill made a sensational run and a few moments later potted a pretty left-foot goal from close in front of the p<js>ts.

The homo team again scored when, following a scrum near the line, Baldwin sped across. The Wellington forwards pressed vigorously and Hansen dashed across the line, Lamason's successful kick leaving Wellington only three points behind. With three minutes to play a hard-fought climax had the crowd yelling. Auckland forced down right on the call of time. SUPERIOR SIDE AUCKLANDERS IMPRESSIVE PRAISE FOR INSIDE BACKS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday In spite of the absence of stars on both sides the Auckland-Wellington game lacked nothing of the excitement of former battles, and during the last 20 minutes, when Wellington was going all out or victory, the crowd of 9000 was cheering madly. Wellington, however, left its run too late. On the form in the match Auckland was definitely the superior side, 'and the display was evidence that the team was unlucky not to be returning north with the Ranfurly Shield. Auckland won because its combination was bettor and because its defence in We"inSton's great attempt never faltered. Had the conditions been better Auckland's margin of superiority would have been more pronounced, for the backs showed cleverness and penetration far greater than Wellington was able to produce. Three factors of importance to Auckland emerged from the match. One was that in Cooney and Curtavne tho side has five-eighths of uncommon ability. Another was that Dave Solomon, as a centre, has few superiors in New Zealand. The third was that the Auckland pack is strong and clever and first-class in the loose. There were other features. Auckland's hooking, for instance, was better than that of Wellington, and tho side had a monopoly of the ball after the first 15 minutes.

Throughout tho match Auckland's conception of attack was sounder than Wellington's and in the first spell the northern backs, besides tackling keenly, penetrated tho defence almost at will. Dave Solomon answered the Wellington critics, who considered his selection in the last All Blacks was unjustified, by playing a real All Black game. He made some beautiful breaks through the line and the try lie scored was firstclass in every respect. In backing up he was exceptionally sound and was unquestionably tho best back on tho ground.

Cooncv and Curtayne wore little behind Solomon. Botlvcombined well,. passing snappdy and running straight. Some of their breaks were sensational, and the Wellington public found it difficult to understand Auckland opposition to their inclusion in the best representative teams. Neither Byerley nor Fletcher received many opportunities, because of the success of Auckland's midfield attack, but both were always willing, and Byerley's try in the second spell showed his quality. He slipped a tackle and made Crisp, Wellington's fullback, look foolish with a side-step. Bush was somewhat patehv, handling errors occasionally marring his display, but his defence was stout and lie roused the crowd to enthusiasm by his fullblooded dives into the feet of the charging Wellington forwards. The Auckland pack outweighed Wellington and in the loose was altogether too strong for the local side. Scrum work was not neglected either. Packing low, the men pushed heartily, this possibly being one reason why Wellington's hookers were unable to function. The ball shot hack cleanly to Frankham, who had a good match, varying his play nicely and going down to anything. In the first spell Carson showed out as a first-class packman and he hunted the ball in groat style. In the second spell ho was not so prominent, although he was always a worker. Butler delighted his Wellington friends by a fine display and he was the best of the Auckland pack. He has improved considerably since going north and his lineout work was fine. Anderson and Frank Solomon, who toward the end became an unabashed wing-forward in rnidfiekl, wore a couple of hard workers. Solomon's try, scored when Frankham ran wide from the scrum, flinging a pass to the fast-following Solomon on the inside, was the best of the match. Pepper was inclined to bo patchy and he conceded three points by an open late tackle of the Wellington fullback. Bond was good in the tight and lie booked splendidly.,