RUGBY SUCCESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23068, 20 June 1938, Page 14

RUGBY SUCCESS

AUCKLAND FIFTEEN VICTORY OVER WAIKATO TWENTY-FIVE POINTS TO 3 RETURN GAME AT EDEN PARK Tlio return match between the Waikato and Auckland Rugby representative fifteens, played at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon, resulted in a win for the home team by 25 points to three. Although Auckland's superiority was marked almost throughout, the visiting side put up a stern fight and was beaten by four points fewer than on tho occasion at Hamilton two weeks ago, when tho score was 29 —.'3. The exchanges in tho first spell were fairly even, th| Waikato vanguard holding its own. Having scored two tries and a penalty goal, Auckland led at tho interval by nine points to nil. The play of the backs was the deciding factor in the second half and, in spite of strong attacks by tho Waikato forwards, which often looked dangerous, th® visitors scored only one try, this 10 minutes before time.

The Mayor of Apia, Mr. E. F. Paul, •who is a keen football enthusiast, and the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates were among the spectators at the park. The Waikato first five-eighths, G. Hawke, was unable to take the field on account of a shoulder injury received three weeks ago and he was replaced by W. Brown. Otherwise the teams were unchanged as follows: — Auckland—Fullback, D. Solomon; threequarters, D. Martin, A. Prentice, J. Dick; five-eighths, 13. Brady, N. Pearman; halfback, F. Cooney; forwards, A. Brown, H. Bond, C. Pepper, H. F. McLean, 11. Hull, W. Carson, D. Whillans, T. H. Pearce. Waikato. —Fullback, L. Haworth; threequarters, L. Kelly, R. Everest, G. H. Childs; five-eighths, P. Hawke, W. Brown; forwards, J. Flannagan, J. G. Wynyard, J. Mackj r , It. L. Clarke, M. Warrender, M. Taylor, E. H. Catle3 r , S. Harbutt. Penalty Shot Missed Auckland won the toss and played with the sun. Waikato was early on attack and maintained a territorial advantage until Carson brought play to half-way with .a nico run. Auckland made little use of two scrums it won I and it was not long before the visiting side had forced its way back to Auckland's twenty-fire linej Hawke having sent a fi*ee kick well down field into touch. Hawke then missed a penalty kick at goal from near the sideline. Obtaining tho advantages from scrums and line-outs the Waikato forwards kept play in Auckland's half and, when Kelly dodged round a scrum, a try appeared imminent. Pearman, however, intercepted a pass and Solomon cleared with a kick to half-way. Waikato continued to press hard, but Russell's slow passing from the base of tho scrum allowed the home .side to nip movements in the bud. The first try came when Prentice found an opening and, racing through, passed to Martin, who grounded close to the posts. Pearman's shot missed. Auckland, 3; W'aikato, 0. A bright movement was initiated by Coohey, who passed to Brady, and the latter, breaking away, dummied past Haworth. Ho would have touched down with a clear field ahead had it not been for Childs, whose speed enabled him to. tackle Brady 'from behind. The Waikato forwards dribbled their way into Auckland's territory, where Hawke missed another penalty kick at goal. McLean kicked high for the forwards to follow up and take play to Waikato's twenty-five line, wliero Pearman kicked a penalty goal. Auckland, 6; Waikato, 0. Dick Scores Try Tho Waikato forwards combined in dribbling rushes, but met defence, Solomon extricating his side with some good line-kicks. Cooney sent the ball on to Pearman, .who fan more than half tho length of tho field before passing on for l)iok to score the second try after side-stepping Haworth in brilliant fashion. Pearman failed with the kick. Auckland, 9: Waikato, 0. , When Martin ran down tho sideline shortly afterward and passed to \Vhill?.ns a certain try was lost through a faulty transfer by tho latter. The spell ended with the scoro unchanged. Wynyard and Brown were responsible for gaining ground just after the recommencement of plav. A. Brown, Auckland, turned tho tables by taking tho ball at his toe with tlio rest of the vanguard in support to within 15 vards of the Waikato line. Brady showed up in an individual effort before Cat-lev aided Waikato with some good dribbling. Waikato penned Auckland in its own half for a period and would have scored -had it not been for indifferent passing. Solomon saved and initiated a scoring movement when ho ran about 60 yards before transferring to Prentice, who scored with Martin in support. McLean converted. Auckland, 14; \\aikato, 0. Wynyard Unfortunate Wynyard narrowly missed scoring when, following a dribbling rush by tho Waikato forwards, he took tho ball over the line. Auckland retaliated with similar tactics and McLean scored after an attack in which Pearce figured prominently. McLean took the kick, but tho ball bounced hack off the crossbar. Auckland, 17; Waikato, 0. McLean left the field at this stage, having received a kick above tho knee. Ho was replaced by Loekington. Pearman stood out in penetrative runs, while Brady was also notable in this respect. With a quarter of an hour to go Pearman missed with a field goal and Hull raced over the lino to fall on tho ball for a try. Solomon missed the shot. Auckland, 20; Waikato, 0. Waikato's only points were scored a few minutes later, a passing bout, in which Warrender, Wynyard and Hawke handled, ending in a try for Kelly. Clarke failed to convert, Auckland, 20; Waikato, 3. Solomon kicked clear when Brown, the Waikato five-eighths, tried to penetrate his own. Following a loose forward movement, in which 1 earco dribbled and followed up well, Whillans scored for Pearman to convert right on time. The final score was Auckland, 25; Waikato, 3. Mr. C. W. Henderson was referee.