RUGBY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16375, 24 June 1927, Page 3

RUGBY

AUCKLAND'S FIRST GAME THAMES REPRESENTATIVES ROUTED AUCKLAND, .luno 18. The first representative game played by the Auckland Rugby I uion's team resulted in the complete route of the visitors, a fairly strong team from the Thames. The Auckland side won by 47 points to 3, and much enthusiasm was aroused by the speed and cleverness shown by the winners, who did not give their opponents a chance. Thames did not unco cross I heir line, the points credited to the visitors Pinning from a penalty goal. There were 8000 spectators, and there seemed In be every likelihood of u revival of the I'uion game here. Auckland played L. Paewai (All-Black) at full-back; Rtiru, Sheen, and Lucas at three-quarters; Berridgo and Baddely at five-eighths, and McManus at half, with fho following pack : Keene, Batty, Finjlayson, Knight, Rightou, Cathcarl, l'al--1 nier, and Jladley. The team turned out ! for Thames, in the same, order, com,1 prised: (-!. Winder, Morgan, Harrison. iMcMahon, Dufty, A. Winder. Woofe, Pollock, O'flara, Strange, Enson, Buckhart, Lomas and Kinlock, The Aucklanders had 100 much speed, forward and back, for their opponents, and ran up 10 points in the lirst five minutes, the hacks operating smoothly and to the bewilderment of the Thames men. Lucas showed all his old elusiveness, and got tho first two tries, which Porridge converted; and though Thames bucked up a bit. and kept the home side going for several minutes, they could not last the pace, and before long Auckland was sending in one attack after another. During the first quarter, 13 points were raised, and the second quarter saw none added, Thames tackling well enough to keep tho line temporarily intact. During the last half, however, there was no doubt as to Auckland's superiority, and after Winder had registered Thames' only goal, -the home side went through time and again to score almost as they liked. Though the opposition was weak, the Aucklanders showed their ability to attack, and if their defence is up to the same standard the Northerners should do well in the series of important matches now in prospect. The "stars" of the team are much the same as last year,, with the exception that Auckland has gamed the services of L. Paewai. who can fill with credit almost any back position but that of half. The team is a stronger combination, undoubtedly, than that which sustained defeat at the hands of Poverty Bay last season, and should give a good account of itself. If tho form of the first match can be reproduced regularly, there should be a swing back to the Union game in the city.