FIRST CHALLENGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26530, 4 August 1947, Page 6

FIRST CHALLENGE

NORTH AUCKLAND SIDE WIN AGAINST AUCKLAND Otago will play its first match in defence of the shield next Saturday, when it will face the challenge of North Auckland at Carisbrook. North Auckland defeated Auckland by 19 points -to 17 in the first match of its southern tour at Auckland on Saturday. The touring side was to have met Southland next Saturday, but in view of Otago’s win on Saturday North Auckland will now play in Dunedin on Saturday and at Invercargill on the following Wednesday. Otago defeated North Auckland at Whangarei by 25 points to 12 in 1939, and in a shield match at Dunedin in 1936 won by 30 points to nil. In what was described as a brilliant game in the Press Association message North Auckland defeated Auckland by a margin of two points in the most exciting Rugby match seen in Auckland this season. Auckland had superiority in the scrums, but this made no difference to the North Auckland forwards, who pounded their way •to victory. The North Auckland backs were brilliant, and Auckland in the last 10 minutes were run off their feet. North Auckland attacked at the outset, but Auckland replied through the right flank for Boggs to cross the line near the corner after seven minutes. Kingstone failed to convert. Shortly after Kingstone was hurt when tackled by White, and was replaced by O’Callaghan. Winning the lineout the North Auckland back line showed brilliance. J. Smith beat Dobson, took a reverse pass from his brother, and raced round to score under the posts. P. Smith missed the kick. Six minutes later Allen cut diagonally through the Smith brothers, sending on to Dobson, who scored wide out. The try was not converted. The game was brilliant at times, both sets of backs playing at top form. Ewert ran 20 yards before passing to Allen, who kicked ahead and won the race to score. O'Callaghan converted. Auckland was greatly superior in the scrums. Hook reduced Auckland’s lead with a penalty, and the half-time score was: Auckland 11, North Auckland 6. North Auckland played with rare dash on the resumption, and in an irresistible attack McCrae forced his way over near the corner after several forwards had handled the ball. Hook converted. North Auckland penned Auckland in its own territory for the first 15 minutes, but the home team regained the initiative for Boggs to miss a try by a narrow margin. Then Fox passed to Allen, who weaved his way over for a sparkline try. O'Callaghan missed

the kick. Picking up a dropped pass, J. Smith cut into the defence, and passed to Cherrington, who dived over to score with Fox on his heels. Hook converted. Another North Auckland try was scored soon after by Fraser. The kick missed. Auckland went away in another attack and Boggs had a clear run from the twenty-five line to score. O’Callaghan’s kick missed. The final score was: » North Auckland .. 19 points. Auckland .. .. 17 points.