BRIGHT RUGBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24384, 21 September 1942, Page 5

BRIGHT RUGBY

DEFEAT OF AUCKLAND POWERFUL ARMY FIFTEEN A crowd of several thousand people witnessed a very fine game of Rugby football at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon, when a team representing the Third New Zealand Division defeated the Auckland representatives by 20 points to 13. The play at times reached the best New Zealand standard and the almost continuous applause and cheering showed that the spectators thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition. The weather was fine and the conditions good for fast football. The band of the Third Division rendered items during intervals. The pace was on from the start and it was early evident that it was going to be a bright and open contest. The Army team 'led at half-time by 9 points to 5. A penalty goal just after resuming and a converted try increased Army's lead and both backs and forwards were playing so well that it appeared at that stage as if Auckland was in for a heavy defeat. Then a fine solo effort by Pearman resulted in a try by Pearce near the posts. Half-way through the second spell the Army team registered its fifth try, which made the score 20 —8. Now, obtaining the ball fairly consisently from the scrums, the Auckland backs were able to maintain a strong attack. Eae made a brilliant break through, and, although tackled, was able to place the ball against one of the posts for a try which was converted. Encouraged by this success, the Aucklandcrs played with renewed vim, but misfortune came when Pearman, the captain, had to bo carried off with a leg injury. This prolonged stoppage gave Army a much-needed respite. The announcement of the fact that two All Blacks, R. Ward and H. Milliken, were emergencies only, gave an indication of the strength of the Army forwards and they certainly gave a great display. Devino started many passing rushes from line-puts and from loose play. Bryors, a well-built Maori from the King Country, Bellis (Wanganui), Sargisson (Canterbury) and Dalton (Hawke's Bay) all played well. Burns proved a solid

half who sent out good passes. Brady s unorthodox methods were troublesome to his former team-mates, while Allen, the former Canterbury captain, proved himself one of tho best five-eighths seen in Auckland for a long time. His cleverness in changing the direction of attack led to a spectacular try by the fullback, Trieklebank (Wellington). Bigger than the average fullback, the latter gave a fine all-round display. As for the Auckland side, it suffered its first loss of the season, but it was no disgrace to be defeated by a team comprised of leading backs and forwards from unions in various parts of New Zealand. The result would have been closer had Sorenson not missed some easy shots at goal. Pearinan and Rae were the outstanding Auckland backs, both showing fine penetrating ability. These two five-eighths were well served from tho base of the scrum by Tetzlaff. The threequarter line could make no headway against solid tackling, the covering up of the Army backs being a revelation. A hard knock toward the end of the first spell affected Sorenson's play. Tho forwards deserve credit for a fine all-round display against such powerful opposition. i Tries for Third Division were scored by Dawkins (2), Bellis, Sargisson and Tricklebank, tho latter converting one and kicking a penalty goal. Ryan, Pearce and Rae scored for Auckland, Sorenson converting two. Mr. M. W. Parris was referee.

AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP

SUCCESS OF M.T.P. TEAM The M.T.P. team won the Auckland Rugby Union's Gallaher Shield competition by defeating Air Force No. 2 by 25 points to 6 in a match played at Gribble-Hirst Park. Grafton-Ponsonby, which was in second position, suffered a defeat at the hands of Garrison at North Shore. The other two teams, C.R.O. and A.S.C., met in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park, the former winning by a margin of one point. All the teams were weakened by the absence of players in the representative side. Tho results were:—M.T.P., 25 (tries by Silva 2, W. Tittleton, Peterson, Mcintosh and Riley, Scott converting two and kicking a penalty goal), Air Force No. 2, 6 (try by Morgan and penalty goal by Underwood); Garrison, 13 (three trias by Weston, two converted by Sheehan), Grafton-Ponsonby, 3 (penalty goal by EdwaTds); C.R.0., 6 (tries by Jackways and Potter), A.S.C., 5 (try by Murfitt, converted by Mansill).