RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18321, 11 August 1921, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

N S WALES REPRESENTATIVES DEFEAT NORTH AUCKLAND. (Per United Pbess Association.) WHANGAREI, August 10. New Tkmth Wales representatives in the initial match ot their Zealand : tour decisively defeated North Auckland representatives at Whangarei to-day by i 7 points to 8, snowing superiority in all departments ot the game except in the forward ruck, whore tne North Aucklanders held their own. Ine visiting backs were excellent in combination, and perfect in attack. At halt Walker (captain) was responsible for the majority of the passing rushes. All through the visitors shone conspicuously in the finer points of the game. Nothlmg at full back was a particular star, turning defence into offensive on numerous occasions, the outstanding forward player on the day was C. Fletcher, of the local team. At halftime New South Wales was ahead—six to throe, Wallace having scored an unconverted try, and Low don kicked a penalty, Fletcher landing the penalty tor tne northerners. ... In the second half for tho Cornstalks Lowden placed a penalty goal, and obtained a try, which he converted, and Carr secured a try, which was not augmented. The final stage saw Weston (ot the northerners) cross the line and score cleverly and add the major points, bringing Qc northern to.tal to eight. Ihe visitors wore accorded an enthusiastic reception evcrv'wiVro, and earned, general applause tor their lino exposition of the game. A SPORTING SPIRIT. (From Our Own _ Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, August 10. The final score, 17 points to 8 in favour of tho visitors, is a fair indication of the play in the-match New South Wales y. North Auckland (telegraphs the Heralds Whangarei correspondent). The North Auckland men suffered- from the lack of opportunity to know each other s.play, many openings going begging. The New South Wales team included no loss that 11 men who played against the Springboks. Ihe selector relied chiefly on experienced players, and was obviously anxious to win his first match. The visitors were handicapped at times by imperfect familiarity with our interpretation of the rules. From the spectators’ viewpoint, the game iclt nothing to be desired. It was inarxed by a sporting spirit on both sides. FRENCH TEAM. TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 10. Mr Slade, chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, announced at to-night’s meeting that the French team which proposed to go on tour in the British dominions next year had accepted an invitation to visit New Zealand. CANTERBURY BEATS WAIRARAPA. (Peb United Press Association.) MASTERTON, August 10. . Canterbury defeated Wairarapa in fine weather on a heavy ground by 8 points to 3. The "ime was not brilliant, but was very fast and exciting. Early in the game Matson kicked a penalty goal for Wairarapa, who were having the best of the play, Canterbury being frequently on the defence Blazey scored for Canterbury, and Orchard converted, the spell ending: Canterbury 5, Wairarapa 3. 'Hid second spell was characterised by vigorous forward play. Henry landed a fine penalty for Canterbury. Orchard, the Canterbury full back, played a o--eat game, including a fine effort to pot S coal from halfway. Mullins, Cummings brothers, and M’Cully wore also prominent. For Wairarapa, Donald played a sterling game. LEAGUE FOOTBALL. A RUNAWAY GAME. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, August 10. At League football Couth Auckland defeated Hawke’s Bay by 32 to 3~an easy win for the home team.