MOTORS-AND RUGBY

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12251, 24 September 1925, Page 9

MOTORS-AND RUGBY

MAGNUS MOTORS DEFEAT A. HATRICK AND CO. "BLOW-OUTS" AND PUNCTURES. The annual clash between the motor houses of A. Hatrick and Co. and the Magnus Motors, Ltd., was played yesterday at the Athletic Park before a goodly crowd of supporters and friends. There were also present a number of visitors from other parts of the Dominion, who are at present attending the motor traders* conference in Wellington. Favoured by excellent weather conditions, the spectators were treated to a particularly bright display of football far above the usual standard of house matches. > Preceding the match, Messrs A. Hatrick and Co. held an automobile procession through the principal city thoroughfares en route to tho park, the latest and handsome Willya Knight and Overland four and six-cyclinder models being seen to an advantage and much admired by the public. •The game was exciting from start to firtish, the players continually "stepping on>it.** ' THE PLAY Matrices won the toss and played wftli the wind and sun to their advantage in the first spell. Play in the first spell was mainly confined to the forward division* the Dodge Bros, pack dominating the lighter Overland-Knight pack. Occasionally the sleeve valve backs ehowod that they certainly could handle tlie Iball, and many good chances were lost through declutching. The only score in tine first half was an unconverted try by Gocdall, making the score at the interval read 3 —o in favour of the DodgeAustia combination. The second spell opened with very fast play, Hatrick*s backs handling brilliantly, several opportunities being missed by the* Overland-Knight gladiators, and a* little later after'battering at the Dodge Bros. Sine for about 10 minutes play transferred to halfway, and here, from a penalty* the veteran, Sim. Wilson (who had evidently undergone monkey gland treatment) kicked a splendid goal amidst deafening cheering, accompanied by tooting of horns and sirens from tho grandstand. The gantfe now was nearing an end, and once Sim . Wilson again secured, and forced his/ way over, scoring a brilliant try, which! was unconverted, making the tally read 9—o in favour of the DodgeAustin cortibination. From tjhe kick-off tho OverlandKnight's niade a determined attempt to break their* duck, but a blockage in the carburettor' caused a stoppage five yards from the Magnus line, and tho Dodge's Nepia transferred play to halfway, when the final bell sounded, leaving the Ans-

ton-Dodgers winners of tho Mogford Cup for tho first time. Honours for this coveted trophy are now even, and next year’s clash is eager- ; ly looked forward to. Play being fast ami furious throughout, there were numerous stoppages owing to shortages of gasolene, blow-outs, punctures, etc., ami on looking over tho players after the fray many were found to be badly rock bruised and under inflated, and therefore no adjustments allowable. The outstanding buck of tho day waa undoubtedly the Jlatrick’s star "Firestone" Cuming, and for the winners Goodall and Sutton played good football.

I Pirn Wilson, for the AuMin-Dodgors, showed t*iat ho still can play football, tlu> old Athletic player snowing many i glimpses of his old-timo play. For tho losers their skipper, Waters, Bruce, Gibson and Nimon were the pick, while tho "Xepias** on either side were sale, the Dodge Bros, full-back having a particular liking for kicking the ball out. of tho park. Mr Clias. Russell was a particular!* good soloist on the referee’s whistle.