INGLORIOUS DEFEAT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 8, 31 July 1930, Page 2

INGLORIOUS DEFEAT

NORTH AUCKLAND’S FATE BRITAIN’S RECORD TO DATE THIRTY-EIGHT TO FIVE! WHANGAREI, July The attributes of speed, stamina, and pliant combination, which have stood tiie British Rugby envoys in such good stead throughout Hicir tour were again manifest when the visitors met North Auckland at Rugby Park this afternoon in the presence or about 7000 spectators. These factors accounted for the Homelanders’ eventual victory by 38 points to five, representing the widest margin of any game played thus far. The only alteration in the personnel of the teams as announced previously was that Jones replaced Parker in the British pack. A party of 20 Maoris of note welcomed the visitors to the ground with a typical haka. The weather was tine, though overcast, a light south-east wind traversing the ground diagonally from the town and making no appreciable difference to the play. The ground was in capital order. From the kick-off North Auckland dominated the play during the major portion of the first half, the forwards fully equalling their opponents, though the latter were much heavier, and, with the backs working well together, prevented the British invading the Northern territory except on few occasions, two of which proved fruitful. After eighteen minutes Wilkinson opened the tally with a try, Prentice’s essay at goal failing. The Northerners kept up the pressure, and were rewarded, seven minutes later, with a try by McDonald, which Halstcd converted. Shortly afterwards, JonesDavios smartly seized an opening and raced across, Prentice adding the major points and at the interval the scores were —Britain 1 8, North Auckland 5. North Auckland had decidedly the bettor of proceedings in the first spell. A dramatic change came over the scone in the second session. With the Northerners tiring the visiting backs opened out in dazzling passing rushes which proved irresistible and resulted in no fewer than six tries being obtained, five eventuating in rapid succession, and all being augmented. The pace of the threequarter line nonplussed the local team, who were unable either to catch or check the sweeping movements. .Toncs-Davies started the sequence, Prentice .goaling, and making the points 13 to 5. The fly-half was conspicuous all the time supplying his associates with the ball and, two minutes later, Welsh went over as the outcome of neat work by Bowcott. Prentice again completed the deal, bringing the reckoning up to 18 to fiva Boweolt figured again in another machinc-like movement, which Wilkinson culminated by sprinting across without opposition. The kick at goal was child’s play to Prentice, and the tally read 23 to five in Britain favour. Snapping up smartly Jones-Davies initiated another perfect interchange, the ball going, finally, to Bowcott, who had no difficulty in scoring close to the posts, giving Prentice another easy proposition and increasing the total, on behalf of Britain, to 28 to five. Then Poole sent his backs going once more, the whole line handling, until, finally, Knowles got within striking distance, crossing in a handy position and enabling Martindale to lift the leather over This brought the figures to 33 to five." As a matter of fact the Britishers were strolling through almost an open door, their score mounting by 25 points in an equivalent number of minutes. The last tale of the day was told when Reeve badly left two men, who were “marking” him, and romped over the chalkline at will. Martindale put on the finishing touches and the reckoning stood at 38 to five. In the expiring stages of the game the North Aucklanders made a great rally, endeavouring to lessen the huge disparity against them, and all but succeeded on two occasions, but the defence proved equal to the strain and the Britishers left the field with the greatest triumph of the tour to their credit.

Mr M. Kronfcld refereed expertly and impartially.