SHIELD WRESTED FROM AUCKLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8501, 18 August 1913, Page 10

SHIELD WRESTED FROM AUCKLAND

TARANAKI WIN BY 14 TO 11. O’LEARY’S DAY OFF. Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 16. Tho Ranfurly Shield match between Auckland and Taranaki was played in fine weather on a heavy ground. There was an attendance of about ten thousand when the teams filed on to tho ground. A light south-east wind gave a. very slight advantage to tho defenders of tho eastern goal. Taranaki won tho toss, and played from tho western end, McLeod captaining the visitors, and O’Leary Auckland. Cunningham sot tho ball rolling at cloven minutes past 3- Auckland were tho first to get going, a passing run having Taranaki defending. Offside play let tho visitors clear, and from tho first scrum Auckland secured, but Weston missed tho pass, Macky kicking into touch at half-way. Tho Taranaki forwards wore putting a lob of dash into their work, and play settled in the Auckland quarter, when Brown kicked over, and Cameron, following up fast, beat O’Leary, and scored, after five minutes’ play. Stohr missed an easy kick. Taranaki 3, Auckland 0. Tho visitors came back to tho attack, but were over-anxious, a free-kick pulling them up. They kept up tho pressure, and were running tho Auckland forwards off their legs, Webb saving nicely. The visitors were throwing the ball about, and making it open, but Roberts hung on too long and the freekick sent them xiast half-way for the first time. A free to Taranaki took them to tho Auckland territory, and McGregor missing badly, the yellows attacked again. Loose kicking ended at tho half-way flag, a knock to Stohr calling a halt lor the regulation three minutes.

On resuming Auckland forwards took charge, and, Brown being penalised, O’Leary had a shot, tho ball falling short. Auckland now attacked, and Geddes got over, but was called back, going out of bounds. Auckland kept up tho attack, and Macky made a fine opening and sent to Geddes, who was able to outpace McLeod and Hill and scors. O’Leary kicked a goal. Auckland 5, Taranaki 3. At this stag© Stohr came on again, hut immediately retired, Meuli taking his place, going full-back and Hill three-quarter. Taranaki attacked, and Hill potted at goal, making a great attempt, tho ball going just outside the post, Auckland forcing, which they had to do immediately after from a long kick by Tamu. Taranaki were making tho game open, but their attack lacked finish. Auckland now took a hand at attack, a mark by Lovcridgo sending them back, Roberts shortly having a shot at goal, but it was rushed down, and Webb kicked to tho centre. Another free had them in Auckland’s twenty-five, but off-side play spoilt the advantage. Auckland cleared, a freekick for off-side play by Hall letting the visitors in again, but they were beaten back, and Auckland had a turn at attack, but Webb hung on too long. Taylor made a fine opening, Roberts throwing away a score by missing an easy pass, Auckland shortly after forcing. Taranaki were still setting a solid pace, and had Auckland busy defending. They were beating Auckland in the loose, but tho blue backs were tackling in. great style, and they were unable to get through. Shortly after, Wylie was offside, and Hill had a shot, tho ball going wide, and Auckland forced. Still another shot came immediately after, Hill again missing, Auckland forcing twice in quick succession. Offside play after tho kick-out put Auckland past tho centre, but they failed to keep the position, and Taranaki attacked. Auckland, cleared till Taranaki came again, Hill kicking out,' tho bell ringing shortly after with the score unaltered.

With the opening of tho second spell Weston returned tho kick-off to Hill, who missed, and play went to the half. Taranaki set up an attack, and O’Leary’s, kick being weak, Loveridge followed up fast, and, heating Geddes, scored. Roberts failed with tho kick. Taranaki 6, Auckland 5. Taranaki came again, Macky saving. A free-kick was of very little use to them, and tho yellows attacked. Dewar scoring. Roberts failed with the kick. Taranaki 9, Auckland 5. Taranaki followed up the exchange of kicks, and McGregor being stopped, tho Auckland lino was in trouble, Stuart saving cleverly. A free gave Auckland a further advantage, Roberts returning to half. A free to Taranaki had them attacking again, Geddes and Macky clearing. A free to Auckland, and they were at tho yellows’ quarter. Faulty handling spoilt a chance, a free giving Taranaki relief. Tho backs were playing together, but Taranaki rallied, a free pulling them up twice in succession. They attacked again, and Dewar marking, Roberts had another shot, but missed, and Auckland forced. Auckland wore not showing their form, and Taranaki had them beaten in every department. A fine dash by Weston gave Auckland relief. It was only temporary, for the yellows attacked again. Auckland cleared, and from a free the blues attacked. They came with a passing run, and McGregor scored. O’Leary made a good attempt at goal. Taranaki 9, Auckland 8. Auckland were now opening the game up, and play was in the visitors’ quarter. A passing run was spoiled by McLeod intercepting. A line save by O’Leary sent Taranaki back, but the

visitors were playing a spoiling game and kicking for the line. A great rush took the play to Meuli, who saved at tho quarter. Auckland came with a couple of passing runs, McGregor being stopped on tho line. At the next Weston badly fooled McLeod and Hill and got over at the corner. O'Leary failed at goal, Auckland 11, Taranaki 9.

Play was even from tho kick-out till Webb missed Hill’s kick and Taranaki attacked. Auckland beat them back. A free-kick to Taranaki was not made the most of, and Stewart relieved. A mark was obtained by Bruce, and O’Leary had a shot from a long distance, Loveridgo returning to the half. Another free-kick to Auckland, and O’Leary had a shot from the centre, making a fine attempt, the ball falling just under the bar. Taranaki were trying hard to open the play, but Auckland beat them back. They made a great rally, and Hill centring Roberts got over. Tho try was converted. Taranaki 14, Auckland 11. Auckland were now adopting desperate efforts, and O’Leary ran down and passed to Macky, who, ran to the centre. Taranaki came again, and were attacking when the hell rang.