SPRINGBOKS EASILY ACCOUNT FOR AUCKLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10985, 22 August 1921, Page 6

SPRINGBOKS EASILY ACCOUNT FOR AUCKLAND

NEW SOUTH WALES BEAT WAIRARAPA PONEKE’S NARROW WIN OVER ’VARSITY N. Z. GROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP

AN EVEN CONTEST

PONBKE v. UNrVXBS’ITY. NARROW WIN FOR FORMER. By defeating Petone, who were leading for 'the senior championship, University practically gave the honours for the season to Poneke. After lowering the colours of Petone, ’Varsity desired to try its prowess against Poneke, a challenge was issued, and. the Rugby Union arranged, the fixture. On Saturday afternoon between 4000 and 5000 spectators were attracted to Athletio P-ark to witness the contest. THE TEAMS. The teams were as follow: Poneke.—Full-back, Mai in ; three* quarters, McArthur, C hristopherson, and D. Algar; five-eighths, B. Algar and F. Tilyard; half, Tunnington; forwards,- King (wing), Hughes, S. Shearer, Baker, J. Calcinav J. Shearer, Slater, and XT. P. Calcinai. University. —■ Full-back, Siddells; three-quarters, Dixon, MoKay, and Jackson; five-eighths, Murray and Hutchison; half, Trapski; forwards, Burns (wing), D. Scott, Woodward, McOrae, Hanson, Thomas, MartinStnith, and Dryden. Referee, Mr A. FI. Neilson. VIGOROUS PLAY. The opening features were somewhat “ragged,” each team feeling the strength of tho other. Poneke made the first attack. They invariaibly secured the ball in the scrums, and the backs, were set in motion on a number of occasions, but the tackling was deadly. A smart pass to B. Algar from Tunnington saw the former streaking up the field. He was brought -down well in territory, where King was given a further opportunity to kick at goal, but failed. A ’Varsity forward rally, which' was full of vim, raised the enthusiasm of the “■bankers.” Play went from side' to side of the ground without much headway being made. Poneke backs were not handling the ball with their accustomed accuracy, due to erratic passing. 'Varsity displayed slightly better dash in open play. Siddells was applauded several times for the way he got his side out of difficulty. Keeping together, ’Varsity instituted a great rush, which reached Poneke’s .line before it was stopped. Siddells wa-s playing close up during the attack, and caught the ball from a kick by B. Algar. Without hesitation he potted at goal, and r as the ball sailed over the bar a roar from i the ♦spectators rent the air. ’Varsity 4, Poneke 0. ' THE SCORE" INCREASED. * Twenty minutes had gone by and Poneke had never looked like crossing ’Varsity’s line. After hard kicks had compelled Poneke to force down three dimes in quick succession, ’Varsity secured the ball from a scrum. got it away nicely to Hutchison, who, after a sprint, passed to Jackson. The latter was caught as he was about to register a try, and from a scrum which followed Hanson attempted to throw himself across, but was held up. ’Varsity was showing the best form at this stage. Thomas had a kick at goal from a penalty, the ball narrowly missing the object. Jackson and MoKay indulged in a passing dash which was full of vim. ’Varsity were placed on the defensive, but Siddells suddenly appeared on the scene and a mighty kick sent the ball to Poneke*® end of the ground. A free kick- was given to ’Varsity near half-way, and Thomas made no mistake with the kick. ’Varsity 7; Poneke 0. Poneke hacks were given some splendid chances to break through the defence, and on one particular occasion when B. Algar and Tilyard had each handled the ball, the latter had no one to pnas to, the Poneke backs having failed to keen up with the rday. Murray was within a vard of the coveted lino for ’Varsity when he was collared, and the spell thus:— * • ’Varsity 7 Poneke 0 PONEKE CREEP UP. In. the second spell Poneke attacked from the outset, and) were putting greater force into the attacks, and Varsity forced down. In. stemming an attack, a ’Varsity forward committed a breach, and King opened Poneke’s scoring account by kicking a goal. ’Varsity 7; Poneke 3. Bad passing by Poneke backs let ’Varsity away. Siddells made a strong run,* but Poneke forwards took charge and removed l play to half-way, where Trapski opened the game up. He ran diagonally towards the corner, and when tackled, passed to Burns, who was pushed into touch at the extreme corner.—A good effort. Poneke cleared, D. Algar kicked to Siddells, who was collared with tlie ba-ll in his possession, another infringement taking place. King had no difficulty in kicking a goal. ’Varsity 7; Poneke 6. AN EXCITING ENDING. With only a point behind, Poneke made desperate* efforts to break down ’Varsity’s defence. Siddells came to the rescue, and saved by kicks to touch. Tunnington worked the “dummy” from a scrum, cut in, nud was collared a few yards from the goal line, where Sid. Shearer marked almost under the bar. Ho mifßod the easiest of kicks. Time wa* approaching, and excitement was high when the ball was being placed for King to luck at goal. ’Varsity had committed ft breach of the rules, and had to suffer the penalty. The ball sailed fairly between the posts, and Poneke had won almost on time. At the conclusion of the game King was carried shoulder high by his* admirers Tfc was an interesting match, played in the best of spirit. The final scores Poneke University 7