RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18987, 8 October 1923, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

i|> HAWKE’S BAY DEFEATED. AUCKLAND WINS SECOND MATCH. <Peb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. October 6. The Rugby match between Auckland and Hawke’s Bay in aid of the War Memorial Museum Fund was played on the Domain in ideal conditions. The attendance was very large. Soon after Auckland had kicked off, Hawke’s Bay attacked. Relieved by a free kick, Auckland then attacked by means of passing by Lucas, Ifwcrson, and Cooke. A free kick in Hawke’s Bay’s twenty-live transferred play to halfway. Nepia, Paewai, and the other backs carried the play to Auckland’s twenty-five, but a lucky kick, sent the ball back. Auckland attacked strenuously, but the defence held until finally a free kick for obstruction residted in Ifwerson placing a magnificent goal. Auckland again attacked, but the two Brownlies broke away, being well stopped. The local backs, led by Ifwerson and Lucas, again transferred the play, but Gemrnell broke away. Ho was smothered by Molloy, Nepia having a fruitless penalty kick. The visitors continued to attack, a long kick by Kivell forcing Auckland. After a period of midfield play, Lucas and Cooke broke away, but were stopped at the twenty-five. MacGregor broke away, but was tackled, and a kick by Hawke’s Bay allowed Auckland to force. Hawke’s Bay continued to attack until O’Brien got away in a cleag run, but Kirwan overhauled him. Cooke was prominent in a further attack, but a free kick relieved the visitors. Kirkpatrick and Ormond broke away, Lucas saving only for M. Brownlie to get away and pass to Mill, who scored under the posts. Nopia’s kick failed. Shortly afterwards, from near the twenty-five, Hawke's Bay kicked the ball. MacGregor was beaten in a race for it, Auckland forcing. On resuming, Ormond broke away from halfway, being stopped near the line. Arnold intercepted a pass and transferrred to Lucas, but the latter was stopped. Immediately afterwards Arnold and Wilson transferred the play to the twenty-five, but Hawke’s Bay retaliated, passing by their backs almost lotting Kirwan over. Lucas saved. Play was now very fast, with continual rushes by each side until Auckland set up an attack in the twenty-five. ’TI dy was finally relieved by a penalty for offside. Fast play followed, an Auckland attack ending in a force. After play in midfield, Nepia and C. Brownlie transferred to near the line, but Cooke secured and raced down the line. His pass went wide, and the visitors, led by M. Brownlie and M‘Nab, got away. They were stopped near the lino; then the Auckland backs, led by Lucas and Cooke, got away, the latter scoring. Ifwerson failed to convert. Afterwards Ifwerson secured in the visitors twenty-five, and passed to Cooke, who, after losing the ball, recovered it and passed to sheen, who scored. Ifwerson converted. Following a passing movement by Ifwerson, Knight, and Keary, the visitors forced. A few minutes later O’Brien secured at halfway, ran, and passed to Wilson, who reverse passed to O’Brien. O’Brien scored. Ifw’erson's kick failed. The visitois retaliated, and from a ruck in the corner C. Brownlie fell on the ball and scored. Paewai failing with the kick. Ifwerson had a resuitless penalty kick. The visitors had a turn of attack, and from a scrum at the centre the ball was oassed to Grenside, who scored, but ho failed to convert. Auckland broke away, O’Brien. Anderson, and Peters passing to Wilson, who scored Ifwerson failed to convert. Time was then called, with Auckland leading, 17—:9 The Auckland forwards more than held their own against the visitors’ powerful pack, and tec backs were more brilliant on attack, ine first spell was oven, but in the f second Auckland was in tbe ascendancy. Their backs combined well in passing rushes. THE ATTENDANCE. (P«b United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, October 7. The attendance at the football match is estimated at between 16,000 and 20,000 The proceeds are expected to be about £ICOO. ALBION CUP. (Pbb United Phvss Association.) WESTPORT, October 7. Westport defeated Mokihinui by 10 points to 8 in the final match for the Albion C'Up. MOST POPULAR FOOTBALLER. IPsb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 7. A vote taken for the most popular footballer resulted :-H. E. (‘‘Ginger ) Nichols (Petone), 1; J. Troy (Mansts), 2; A. Jackson (University),, 3.