FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. AUCKLAND BEAT TARANAKI'. I A HARD, FAST GAME. Auckland beat Taranaki at New Plymouth yesterday by 17 points to 11. Splendid weather prevailed, and the match attracted about 4000 spectators. The ground, after the recent spell of dry weather, was in splendid condition for a hard, fast game, which the contest proved to be. Brilliant forward rushes and open play by the backs at times roused the crowd to enthusiasm. The Taranaki backs surprised their supporters by the manner in which they handled the ball, and one of their passing bouts that ended in a score was the most brilliant piece of work of the day. The Auckland backs were a nippy combination, running straight and making more tjso of their opportunities. In the first spell, the Northerners had the better of the game, their forwards playing with great dash, while their backs ably supported them. In the second spell the Taranaki pack was more active, and during, the great part of the spell outplayed their opponents, sweeping down the field and throwing the ball about well. Securing the ball from the scrum the Taranaki backs were able to get moving, and tbey threw the ball about well. The teams lined out as published yesterday. DETAILS OF THE PLAY. Taranaki kicked off against the sun, and soon the Taranaki forwards got busy, but thc-y were checked by the Auckland half, Ross, and a free kick brought relief. A moment later, Taranaki were awarded a free kick, from which Colman had a shot, but It fell short. Singe was then prominent in leading his forwards to Taranaki's 25, where Hlckey and Anderson fumbled, and Ross' and Laxon. following up fast, put Taranaki hi difficulties. Prom a scrum cm Taranaki's line Hoss shot the ball out to Stratton, who dived over. .Badeley failed to convert. Auckland 3 Taranaki 0 This stirred Taranaki up, and Blrchali, following up the kick-off, smothered Singe, and the Ambers were swarming round in great style, but Auckland cleared. Then a smart piece of passing by Taranaki roused Ihe crowd to enthusiasm, but the visitors' tackling was good. Then the visitors came down the field, but Anderson saved. Brown now set his backs moving in fine style and presently an infringement by Auckland give Colman another shot at goal. He made no mistake, and the score stood: — Auckland 3 Taranaki 3 A clever piece of play by Badeley and Stratton saw the latter line at the corner, but Cameron and Cain, broke through to neutral territory. Taranaki backs were now throwing the ball about, and play hung in the visitors' territory until a long kick compelled Anderson to find touch at liiidfleld. Later, Fogarty and Masters were associated In a forward move which brought play close to Auckland's line, then tho scene rapidly moved up and down field. Swiftly came Taranaki again, Colman heating several opponents. Ho passed to Rlrchnll, who lined. Then, from a scramble Brown appeared' to get over, but he was called, back. Then ihe scene completely changed. Litte a Hash Grevlllo secured for Auckland, and high kicking, combined by fast following up, culminated In Singe scoring an easy try. Badeley failed to goal. Auckland , t! Taranaki 3 Soon afler resuming, the Aucklanders were forced. Taranaki kept play in Auckland's territory, and carried play past half-way. From an infringement, Colman had another shot, but the ball just went under the bar. Tiie northern backs then set up an attacking movement. Ross Laxon. Badeley and Stratton handling well The latter cut in and transferred to Badeley, tiu/, lie latter Mas cellared, and a high kick by Laxon enabled Taranaki to force. The visitors, however, iVere not to lie denied, and after a further bout of passing their forwards took a band, ond Moore dashed over. Badeley failed to Coal. Auckland ;.. 9 Taranaki 3 A moment later, Auckland were nearly over again, as the outcome of a fine opening from Grevlllc to Nicholson, the bail •ultimately reaching the dead ball Una. Col.inn hacliy fooled the visitors in the kick-off, taking the ball again, and lining at half-way. Another great bout of passing by the visitors, in which five backs participated, saw Nicholson Hue. A forward rush by Campbell and Moore was particularly dangerous, and kept Taranaki defending, until Willjiuson intercepted and kicked down the field. Again the visitors swarmed round Taranaki's line, whei'e, after a couple of scrums, Brown saved by forcing. Auckland were now having all the better of the game, and kept Taranaki penned, but Anderson saved by line kicking. From the line out Campbell shot the ball out to Stewart, who had no trouble In scoring. Laxon added the major points just on halftime. Auckland 14 Taranaki 3 THE SECOND SPELL. Early in the second spell, from a free kick on half-way, Colman had another shot, which went wide and reached the dead ball line. Taranaki were now securing the ball from the serum. Brown set his backs moving, but they crowded Hiokey on to the line before he received Robertson's pass. C-.lri was prominent in a forward move that led Taranaki hotly to the attack, and in a scramble, Day scored. Robertson made a feeble attempt to goal. Auckland 14 Taranaki 6 On resuming, Brown' put ih> a. tricky run, beating several men, but spoilt it with a weak pass. A little later he shot the ball smartly to Cameron from the scrum, and Ihe ■ latter transferred to Robertson, who passed to Hiokey, and the Walmate flier cut in and gained considerable ground before being collared. Auckland then broke away, but were driven back by Anderson, who was lining nicely. Then the hopes of Taranaki were, roused as the ball came out to Wilkinson' at the end of a passing bout. The riawera flier made a splendid run, but he was well taken by Badeley. A moment later Robertson se; out:. for the other corner, being collared just in time. Then came a spectacular piece of play that roused the enthusiasm of the crowd. Brown secnrioK from tiie scrum, passed to Colman, who whipped the hull out to Cameron, thence It went (0 Robertson, and then vo Hlckey, who put in a great run, and outpacing tiie opposition, scored a fine try. Colman converted. Auckland !4 Taranaki U Tlay now became very fast, Taranaid keeping the game open and pressing hard, but Malloy fielded well. Auckland forwards noiv look a hand and Since made a dangerous rush, but he was well taken by Wilkinson. Taranaki backs and forwards soon got going again, and good handling, aided by a smart run by Hickcy, put them in a good position. From a serum Brown gave the ball to Cameron, but Colman got off-side, and was penalised, placing moving to mid-field. A mark by Stratton well followed up saw Nicholson streak for the line, and Robertson failing to stem, matters looked bad, but Nicholson's pass went wide, and Taranaki breathed freely again. Auckland still pressed hard, and were throwing the ball in "ront i,f Taranaki't goal. From a passing bout Auckland were over, but they were called bark, tho ball having gone out of touch, and presently Ihe dead ball lino was reached. Por some time flay centred about half-way, relieved by occasional invasions from eiinM' side. Once, when the ball came to Anderson, he made a great attempt to drop a goal, jusl missing. Coliniau next bad u shot from a free kick, which was charged down, and a good mark by Stewart let. the visitors line at halfway. With a couple of minutes In go, Ihe Auckland bucks got moving to some purpose. From an opening made by Ross; Badeley pill the finishing touches by scoring. He failed to convert, and time was then called with the score : Auckland 17 Taranaki 11 Mr. W. Rock was rereree. After the match the teams dined topother at the Criterion Hotel, and after- 1 wards a short toast list was honored. : Mr. James McLeod,. chairman of tho Taranaki Eugby Union, presided. The . teams also received invitations from tho I

management of Everybody's; Theatre. The Auckland team return North 'by the Rimu' to-night. PRIMARY SCHOOLS MATCH, SOUTH TARANAKI BEAT NORTH.""*"" j I.H the primary schools match, North Taran«i v. South Tarauaki, tho southern team neat the northerners by 25 to nil. Although the scores indicate rather a onesided game, tho play was fast and interesting, prom the beginning the South team tad the Northerners defending, and during ■tho first few minutes, the South nearly got over. l'lay was then carried right across the held, anil the' ball was lined at tho other corner. Prom the line out, J. Patterson took the ball and got 'over. The try was not converted. Later, Gower scored a try for the South, and failed to convert. In tho second half, tries were scored by G. Patterson (2), Keholy (2), and Hansea. The last two tries were converted. Mr. P. Julian refereed. Prior to the match,'the two teams lunched together at the Marble Bar as the guests of- the Tarawa Rugby Union. THE RANFURLY SHIELD. WELLINGTON BEAT SOUTH CANTERBURY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Tiraaru, Last Night. The first Ranfurly Shield Kugby match In aouth Island was played here to-day between Wellington and South Canterbury on a good ground in line weather. Tho game was the best exhibition of Kugby sem here for years, always fast and open. Wellington excelled in back and forward passing. Except in passing tho home forwards wor« th» slightly better back. The early play favored the home team, but Uie visitors were the first to score. At lialflirae tin? score was: Wellington 13, South Canterbury 11. In the second spell play ran from end to end, and the home team was unlucky several times. The final score was Wellington 32, South Canterbury 16. DOMINION RUGBY UNION. NATIVE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. Wellington, Last Night. The New Zealand Rugby Union Management Committee endorsed a proposal by the chairman (Mr. Slade) thait a Native team should visit New South Wales next year under the Union's jurisdiction. It was decided to play the semi-final of the Moasear Cup competition, Palmerston v. Auckland Grammar School, at Palmerston North on September 18, and the final between Chriatchurch Boys' High School and the winners of tho semi-final, at Wellington, on Wednesday, September 22.