AUCKLAND DEFEAT TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1926, Page 4

AUCKLAND DEFEAT TARANAKI

NINETEEN POINTS TO THIRTEEN. OPPONENTS SHOW GREATER FINISH. TOURING TEAM LACKS COMBINATION. (By Wire—Special to News.) Auckland, Sept. 11. Taranaki had to lower its colours at Eden Park to-day when the Auckland Rugby representatives atoned for the reverse at New Plymouth last month by defeating Taranaki in the return match by 19 points to 13. Victory went to the team which had the greater finish to its work and was led by a hustling pack of forwards who, throughout, infused tremendous dash into their game.

Taranaki attacked for the greater part of the match, especially in the, second spell. The hacks, however, while shining in individual hursts, failed to combine effectively. There was an improvement in this department after half-time, but it was the forwards who hore the heat and burden of the day. Their dribbling rushes, which swept the field on numerous occasions, were really inspiring to watch. Auckland had two tries presented to it by foolish kicks by the Taranaki backs, and as after events showed these mistakes cost Taranaki the match. Fine weather and a hard ground favoured Auckland's style of play, but the home team’s backs, as a whole, Were not a dazzling combination. At times Taranaki showed a weakness in tackling, their opponents being taken too high, and at least one try was the direct outcome of this fault.

A remarkably, fast pace was set and maintained throughout the game. A little more method in its play would have carried Taranaki to victory. Taranaki was the battering ram and Auckland the stone wall. Most of Auckland’s tries were the results of sudden rallies which canght Taranaki out of position. Petty played a splendid game at fullback, fielding cleanly and kicking powerfully, while his quickness in following >ip gained much ground. Bourke played a dashing game on the wing, running with determination when the ball came his way. He should have been better served by Brown, who used the in-pass too frequently, when Bourke's pace might have carried him over. Hohaia scored a good opportunist try. He had a speedy man to mark in Loft and played a good defensive game. His. chances on attack were limited by the fact that the ball rarely came out to the end of the chain of backs. Johnston was inclined to fumble his passes and was not so prominent as usual. Owen was the weak link in the first half, but improved after the interval, making several sharp runs through the opposition. TARANAKI BEATEN IN SCRUMS. The fact that Taranaki was beaten In the scrums did not give Jeffries a chance to show up when he did get the hall. The Auckland forwards, breaking up fast,'were quickly down on him, and he had to hustle to get the ball away, Jeffries seems to be handicapped by his size. Guy played a first-class game at the side of the scrum, being up with the ball all the time and linking up the backs and forwards in passing movements. Most of the openings for the backs were made by him. In a splendid pack three men were outstanding, namely, Young, Robinson, and Walter. The forwards fully upheld the best traditions of Taranaki football, except for their inability to hook the ball. Lucas and Holmes were Auckland’s best backs, while Loft also played a good game. McWilliams was Auckland’s outstanding forward. Short, sharp bursts between the twenty-fives marked the opening of the match. Fast breaking away by the forwards prevented either set of backs from opening out in dangerous movements. Auckland attacked strongly, but Owen burst through and Walter carried play to the home team's territory. Auckland carried over to save, and a scrum on the line was ordered. In the ensuing play Guy was first on the ball in a general dive across the line and Brown goaled. Taranaki 5 Auckland 0 Auckland made strenuous efforts to equalise, Holmes stepping on the line when going for a try. McManus slipped! the ball out smartly from a serum in Taranaki's twenty-five and Mc-Williams scored. Butler missed an easy kick. Taranaki 5 Auckland 3 LUCAS BECOMES BRILLIANT. Lucas made a brilliant side-stepping rim through the Taranaki ranks, but Keene missed his pass. Auckland con tinned to make the play and Taranaki vias lucky to keep its line intact, but the first quarter ended with the scores unchanged. Soon after the change over Petty earned applause for a spectacular kick, but the ball came into Lucas’ hands, and the All Black, after a pretty dash, gave Holmes a clear rim in, the latter knocking down the flag as he scored at the corner. Butler failed to convert. Auckland *. 6 Taranaki ( 5 Up till this stage, the Taranaki backs, *ho stood very deep, had never been dangerous in attack. Bourke made a aide-line sprint, but was stopped five yards short of the goal line. Wilson broke through well, taking play to Taranaki’s territory. Brown took a free kick of> the goal line and tried to bluff Auckland with a short kick. Instead the ball came into the hands of Casey, who had only to fall over the line for the simplest of tries. Butler converted. Toward the close of the spell the Taranaki forwards set up a determined attack and crossed the line, but the liall was wrestled away. At halftime the scores were:— Auckland Il Taranaki 5 Better form was revealed l.y the Taranaki backs after the interval. Owen

cut through and the ball flashed along the line of backs, Bourke making a great effort to score/ but failing. Once more Bourke dashed through, and out passed forward, and the Auckland backs opened out in their own half, but Loft fumbled a pass. Hohaia quickly sized up the position and picked up the ball in a flash and raced for the line, falling over for a try as Butler tackled him. Brown made a great effort to goal from the side line, but failed. Auckland 11 Taranaki 8 VISITING FORWARDS PREDOMINATE. The Taranaki forwards dominated the game, playing with splendid dash and over-running the opposition. Robinson crossed 'the line, but play was recalled for a prior infringement. The backs were also playing more confidently, but their passing lacked precision and snap. The third quarter had been entirely in Taranaki's favour, but the score was unaltered when the final change over was made. Taranaki continued to hold the upper hand. Brown went hurdling through the Auckland backs, but could not quite reach the line. After a strenuous spell of defence Loft and Batty gave Auckland relief, and the home team set up a hot attack. Hohaia ran behind the line to save, but followed up a smart piece of work by kicking the ball into Holmes’ hands, and the Auckland wing three-quarter dashed over at the corner. Butler kicked a splendid side-line goal. Auckland 16 Taranaki 8 Guy made a fine opening for his backs and Brown cut through well, but passed in when Bourke, on .the outside, had a splendid scoring chance. The Auckland forwards rallied and weak tackling let Palmer away. He passed to McWilliams, who raced half the length of the field to score at the corner. Butler failed with the kick. Auckland 19 Taranaki 8 With only five minutes left, Taranaki’s defeat was inevitable, but the visitors did not lose heart. The forwards swept the field in a splendid raking rush and Walter, picking up the ball near the line, scored a good try which Brown converted, making the final score:— Auckland 19 Taranaki 13 Mr. G. Peace refereed. INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCH. CANTERBURY DEFEAT OTAGO. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Sept. 11. Canterbury defeated Otago on the Carisbrook ground this afternoon in beautiful weather and before an attendance of about 10,000. Canterbury had the advantage of a fairly strong wind and bright sun in the first spell and scored 13 points, while Otago failed to score. In the second spell the wind died down and the sky became overcast. Each side scored 13 points in this spell. For the winners Robilliard (two), Carleton, Gray, Mullan and Waghorn scored tries, Lilbume converting four. Lewis and Hanan scored for Otago, Hcazlewood converting both tries. He also kicked a penalty goal. Otago juniors defeated Canterbury juniors by 39 points to seventeen. CANTERBURY B BEAT WEST COAST. Christchurch, Last Night. The Canterbury B team defeated the West Coast representative Rugby fifteen at Lancaster Park to-day by 37 points to 7. The weather was beautifully fine and there was a large attendance. The Canterbury team was a strong one; four players who were unable to get away with the touring team being included. The visitors, though outclassed, played a hard, determined game and their tackling was deadly. Their seven points were gained by a try by Thomas and a potted goal from the field by King, who put over a great shot from inside half-way. The Ford and Oliver combination in the Canterbury five-eighths line was always dangerous and at times brilliant. Eivy played his characteristic game, side-step-ping through the opposition, but he had not scored up till the time of leaving the field with a leg injury. The scorers for Canterbury were Ford (2), Oliver (2), Dickson (2), Millar, Walker and J. Robilliard. Turpin converted four and Nixon one. In a curtain-raiser the Sydenham juniors defeated Magpies (West Coast) by 5 points to 3. MARAWHENUA BEAT WELLINGTON Palmerston N., Last Night. Manawhenua played their last representative game here on Saturday when they defeated Wellington by 17 points to 16 in a great game. For Manawhenua . Gothard scored a try which was converted by Jacob. Stewart, Maihe (2) and Jacob also scored tries. For Wellington Tilyard, Thomas, Rushbrook and McPherson scored tries and Foley converted two. The last five minutes were exciting, Manawhenua putting on two tries (unconverted) and Wellington one converted try.

STAR DEFEATS STRATFORD.

VICTORY RIGHT ON TIME. In a friendly game in Victoria Park, Stratford, Star narrowly defeated Stratford by a score right on time, the final scores being: Star 14, Stratford 11. Play opened smartly with Star attacking against the wind. From a crosskick, Hall cleverly secured on the line and centred to give Clark a fine opening. Though well tackled by Alger he succeeded in scoring in a good position after two minutes’ play. Morris made no mistake in adding the major points. Following centre play, Stratford’s supporters were momentarily enthusiastic, when, by following up his own kick, Fryday crossed the line, but was recalled for a knock-on, and Morris cleared from the resultant scrum. In the ensuing ten minutes, Star forced three times in the face of determined frontal attacks. At this stage Campbell (Star) retired with an injured knee. Then from a throw-in just on the quarter way the ball passed through the forwards, and Fryday, securing on the run, flung himself at the line, his pace carrying him over. The same player converted. Interesting play followed with the strong wind assisting Stratford to attack. Repeatedly Coleman, Fryday, Hartnell and Smith led the forwards up to the line, but always the Star defence was sound. It was usually the back division that saved their side. With seven minutes to go to half time, Fryday found the line with a long kick and Fraser got the ball cleanly away to Alger from the line-out. Alger transferred to Bonner who made a fine run and transferred to Robson, ‘who, after being tackled, scrambled over to score. Fr’yday’s kick passed just beneath the bar. Just on half time H. Hinton scored from a dodgy run, but his kick, an easy one. struck the post and bounced outside. The score at half-time was: Stratford 11. Star 5. On resuming Star were still playing only fourteen men. The first fifteen minutes did not provide much excitement, though both teams made efforts to attack. The wind militated against good play, and .Star appeared not to derive the expected advantage consequent upon the change of ends. Star were pressing when a free kick failed to find the line, and Carey, running to the centre, set his backs in motion, the ball passing via Court to H. Wolfe, who dashed over in the corner. Morris’ kick, though a good one, passed outside the posts. The ensuing play was marked by stic.cessive attacks by Star, in which their speedy backs tried again and again to break the Stratford line. The fact that they were kept out for a long time w’as mainly due to good work by Penniall, Stratford’s fullback. Finally, however, a wrongly directed kick by Robson allowed Julian to send Morris racing from half-way clear of the Stratford backs. He outdistanced his pursuers and scored, half-way out. Sands’ kick failed. With eight minutes to go and scores even, the game became fast and willing. It was right on time that Carey cleverly eluded Gasson and dashed down the line to transfer to H. Wolfe, who went over to score. Sands’ kick went outside, the game ending: Star 14 Stratford 11 Mr. C. F. Stratford refereed.

STAR (22) V. JOHNSONVILLE (3). VISITORS EASILY DEFEATED. Star 11. somewhat easily accounted for Johnsonville, who hold a prominent place in the Wellington third grade competition. The visitors, however, were not seen at their best as they only left Wellington at 6 p.m. arriving here at 5.30 a.m. Towards the close of the game the effect of the tiring journey was telling its 1 ale. The teams were as follows: JOHNSONVILLE. N. Standridge White G. Standridge, Manson Earle Barlow Hedge'and McClelland London Cornwall Swindale Mills Styles Leonard Johnson STAR. Kay Russell Loveridge Keary Billing Glynn Hoskin Pollock Roberts Hodge West Broughton Hoffmann Nodder Coulthard Star attacked early and Billing, with a fine run, sprinted down the line and passed in-field to Pollock, who was collared close to the line and Coulthard kicked to lite dead-ball area. The visitors at once retaliated, Hedgeland trying to set hia backs moving just inside Star’s twenty-five. The bout broke down but solid forward rushes kept Star defending until Kay lined well down field and Billing, with a great opening, set his backs moving, the pissing being wild. Failure by §arlow to field a high ball saw Star hotly attack but G. Standridge marked smartly. From a scrum close to the line Hoskin essayed to use the blind but was held up, and after Star' backs had essayed a passing bout Standridge cleared by lining well down field. Again Billing broke through cleverly but could not get his pass away. However, Star forwards carried on for Couthard to score and Glynn failed to goal. Almost on resumption Billing cut through smartly and shot the ball out to Broughton, who forced his way over. Glynn failed to goal. Johnsonville immediately attacked and Styles broke clear but failed to hold the ball, losing a good chance. Play then being in mid-field where Standridge was prominent for the visitors. Star, however, soon gained the ascendancy and Loveridge started a movement in which both backs and forwards participated, ending in a scramble on the visitors’ line from which Russell scored. Kay failed with an easy Shot. The visitors, led by Earle, invaded but could not penetrate the defence and it was not long before Star were back again, their backs handling nicely till at the critical time a pass would be dropped, the ball, finally reaching the dead-ball line. McClelland and again Manson gained a lot of ground for the visitors and the latter, kicking through and following up fast, took the ball over the line but Broughton was able to force. Half-time sounded with the score:— Star 9 Johnsonville 6 The visitors opened brightly on resuming Barlow and Leonard leading them into an attacking position where Manson essayed a pot which fell short. The visit-

ors, however, still kept moving and from a good opening by Barlow play swung to the right wing and Manson, snapping up, scored. G. Standridge failed to goal. This reverse roused Star and Broughton started his backs moving, for Hodge, who had changed places with Keary, to be well collared and a moment later N. Standridge, the visiting full-back, was just able to speculate to touch at the corner. From the resultant scrum Hoskin ran over on the blind to score a fine try and Loveridge goaled. Like a flash play was transferred to the other end but the Johnsonville backs could not pick up the leather and Star cleared. London made a good opening for the blues but advantage was not taken of it and from a penalty he had a re-, sultless shot. Star temporarily invaded but Standridge broke away and with Earle and White carried the ball over the line but it reached dead-ball. Star then got moving and a great opening by Hoskin saw Biffing, Loveridge and Russell handle nicely for the latter to gallop across. Keeping the ball at their feet, the visitors again looked like scoring but the local pack, brought the leather back again and, snapping jt up near the side-line, Hoffmann galloped from the twenty-five ,to score under the bar with G. Standridge in close pursuit. Loveridge goaled. Star had the better of the remainder of the game but their passing lacked finI ish and there was no further score, the game ending:— Star . 22 Johnsonville ...... 3 Mr. G. Hooker was referee. VICTORY FOR CIVIL SERVICE. FRIENDLY GAME IN NEW PLYMOUTH In a benefit match for the Sportsground played at Pukekura Park on Saturday a team representing the Civil Service defeated combined Banks, Law and Insurance after an open and free scoring game by 18 points to 15. Though the attendance was not large play oscillated from the bright to the humorous, and as the teams contained a fair representation of regular club players, movements were not without their scientific and even spectacular moments. Banks made the first excursion into the enemy’s territory, and the game had not been long in progress before Newell opened the scoring with a potted goal. Stung into action by this reverse, Civil Servants swept play to the other end where Drader opened the way . for Stagpoole to cross near the posts. Mouat added the major points. From one point behind Banks again attained the lead after Wright had made a spurt down the touch-line. From him the ball went to Ciarke, then to O'Dowda, who scored, the kick failing. Civil Service pressed but Shaw could not take his pass, and half-time sounded with the score;— Banks ..., I ....... 7 Civil Service ....• 5 Dinniss made a couple of sensational dashes down the touch-line as soon as play resumed, but first Shaw tackled him low, and then he was thrown out in the corner. Civil Servants assumed the offensive, and from a back line rash Shaw dived over for Mouat to add the extra points. Shaw increased the score a moment later by outstripping the opposition after receiving a pass from Mouat. and Mouat brought the Civil Service score up to 15 by landing a good goal. R. Oliver took a turn in the attack, and after the forwards had carried on with the good -work Drader capped the movement with a try. No goal resulted, and Civil Service led by IS points to 7. The Government Servants rested for a while on their laurels, and Banks’ score showed an upward tendency when Hunter crossed from a scramble, but Newell could not convert. Many players in the closing stages began to feel the effects of being so long out of the game, and the final score eam.e in a period when they were showing obvious signs of weariness. Hooker dashed round from a scrum, and crossed under the posts, converting his own try to make the final score: — Civil Service 18 Banks 15 Mr. F. J. Eggleton refereed. KAIERAU DEFEAT STAR. THIRD GRADE MATCH. A third grade match between Kaier au (Wanganui) and Star at Pukekura Park resulted in a win for the former by 13 points (three tries, two converted) to 12 (two unconverted tries and two penalty goals). The game was exciting, throughout and was remarkable for Star’s recoveryafter half-time, when Kaierau were leading by 13 points, a lead which they were not able to increase in the second spell. From the kick-off Star assumed the offensive but from a line-out Kaierau were able to clear and up and down play followed, until Kaierau carried play into Star’s twenty-five and nearly scored. Again they attacked, but Blackmore relieved a dangerous position with a splendid run which carried play well into Kaierau territory. Kaierau returned, however, and following a forward rush Tyree scored a try which was converted. Shortly afterwards Star were compelled to force, but it was not long before Carr scored Kaierau’s second try which was not converted. Their final try was scored by Verry and was converted just before halftirfe when the score was: — Kaierau 13 Star « Upon resumption Star attacked and from a scramble on the line Baker crossed in the comer. The try was not converted. Handling well, Star returned to the attack and Jakes kicked a penalty goal. Still attacking, it was not long before Star compelled Kaierau to force and shortly afterwards they found touch well down the line. Off-tide play by Kaierau resulted in Harvey kicking a fine penalty goal. Star continued to have the better of the game until Kaierau secured from a five-yard scrum and Tyree found the line. Star again attacked, however, and Baker scored an unconverted try. Both teams made valiant efforts to score but these were unavailing and the final whistle blew with play in Star’s twentyfive, the scores being:— Kaierau ■ • 13 Star 12 Mr. F. A. Bruce refereed. RUGBY STATISTICS. TARANAKI PLAYERS NUMBER 1800. Statistics concerning Rugby in Taranaki have been compiled by Mr. 8. E. Nielson, secretary- of the Taranaki Rugby Union, at the request of the New Zealand Union. One union and one sub-union control between them 14 senior and 16 junior clubs, comprising 91 teams. Playing in the competitions each week are 1890 players and primary school players number 1150.

INKSLINGERS’ CUP MATCH.

SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

DAILY NEWS DEFEAT HERALD. Preceded by a pair of braw Scots blowing stirring encouragement from an eloquent bagpipes in the possession of each, and clad in attire of bright and picturesque hue, the Taranaki Daily News representative football team marched on to the football ground during the. week-end to do battle with a no less picturesque array of Taranaki Herald and Budget representatives for the Inkslingers’ Cup. After the conclusion of four gruelling spells of a quarter of an hour each, they limped off the field the victors by the narrow margin of three points to nil, and the Scots had just sufficient wind left to blow a triumphant skirl to celebrate the victory. The Inkslingers’ Cup is a handsome silver ornament, first competed for in 1924. Every year the matches for it have been closely contested. The Herald won by 6 points to 5 in 1924, and last year the meeting resulted in a draw, 6 all, so this year the News annexes the coverted trophy for the first time. , The only- try in this year’s match was scored by Brodie under the posts, but the News could not goal with, the wet and slippery ball. Prior to this the Herald and Budget were awarded two free kicks in front of the goal, but could not turn the chances into points. For the News none played better than Penman am! Brodie in the forwards and Harvey in the backs, while in the Herald team Newell distinguished himself amongst the backs and Mackay and Evans in the forwards.

SOUTH TEAM SELECTED. Following interesting trials at Kaponga between representative school teams drawn from the Central Division (Stratford area), South Western Division (Pihama and Opunake area), and the South Division (Hawera area) the selectors, Messrs. L. J. Furrie, E. Mason and A. W. Lawn chose the following team to represent the South Taranaki primary schools in the match to be played against North Taranaki representatives at Stratford next Saturday:— Full-back: Butcher (Stratford)., Threequarters: Robinson (Manaia), J. Malcolm (Opunake), Crocker (Opunake). Five-eighths: Nicholls (Eltham), R. Malcolm (Opunake). Half: Kendall (Hawera). Rover: Salter (Eltham). Forwards: Front row, Wilson and Smith (Opunake); lock, Lloyd (Stratford); supports, Bradford (Aurca), Edwards (Manaia); back row, C. McHarry (Hawera), Kippenberger (Tawhiti"). Emergencies: backs, Bamford (Stratford) and Jackson (Opunake); forwards, Sextus (Stratford) and Arden (Hawera Convent). The system of selection was by the process of elimination. The three teams played each other, then “possible” and “probable” teams were picked from which, after an hour and a-half’s play the final representatives were chosen. The trials were conducted under the auspices of the Taranaki Primary Schools Union. A QUESTION OF FACT. STARTUKAPA APPEAL. CONFIRMATION OF DECISION. Confirmation of the telegraphed decision of the Rugby Appeal Board to dismiss the appeal of the Star Football Club against a try awarded Tukapa in the recent match at Western Park has been received by Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary of the Taranaki Union. "The referee made a decision awarding a try,” says the report. "No marked deadball line was in existence. The referee had to decide as a fact what was the dead-ball line, and having given his decision on a question of fact, such decision must, according, to the rules of Rugby, be accepted as final. No question of law is here involved. The dead-ball line was an imaginary line accepted by both teams. The captain of the opposing side challenged the award of the try on the ground that the ball was over the imaginary line when the try was given. "The referee thereupon took a look at the imaginary dead-ball line and he again satisfied himself that the try was a fair one, that is to say, that it was not over the dead-ball line. In doing this the referee was merely judging the facts as they appeared to him. We find on the evidence submitted that as the referee decided that a try was scored and that as no question of law is involved in connection with the award of the try the referee’s decision must stand and that the protest of the Star team be disallowed.” To obviate in future a similar delay in getting a decision, continued the letter, notice of motion was being given to alter the rules in order that such cases could be dealt with by the management committee. ALL BLACK ORDERED OFF. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A feature of the Peace Cup Rugby match at Thames, in which Thames successfully retained the trophy from a challenge by Hamilton, was the ordering off of an All Black. Mr. H. Meredith, the well-known referee, had charge of the game, in the course of which A. Lomas, of Thames, an All Black of several years’ standing, had a clash with J. Cooper, of Hamilton, and the result was that both players were ordered off by the referee. THE ASSOCIATION CODE. ROYAL NAVY BEAT AUCKLAND. Auckland, Last Night. The Association football match between Royal Navy and Auckland provided a most exciting game, Navy winning by three goals to two. Campbell scored two goals for Navy and Bird one, while Auckland’s scorers were Bell and Humphreys. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. Christchurch, Last Night. At League Hornby (13) defeated Mar.ists A (5) in the Thacker Shield competition. Otago defeated Canterbury by 4 goals to nil in a match in the English Trophy series. BROWN SHIELD FINAL. SOUTH BEAT NORTH AUCKLAND. Hamilton, Last Night. The North Auckland versus South Auckland Association football final for the Brown Shield was played at Hamilton on Saturday. The exchanges and general play was very tame in the first half, although! spasmodic individual attempts at times were brilliant, especially by 8. T.

Platt, for the North and Moon and Chalmers for the South. South Auckland had slightly the better of the first haff but could not penetrate a keen defence. South opened much better in the second half and had practically all the play, Chalmers (twice) and Moon (twice) scoring for them, the holders therefore retaining the shield by four goals to nil. THE LEAGUE GAME. AUCKLAND CLUB FINAL. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The League Football Club championship final between Ponsonby and City was played before an attendance of 10,000 anti resulted in a victory for Ponsonby by 13 points to 8. Peckham, Usher and Ward scored for Ponsonby, Gray kicking a penalty goal and Peckham converting one try. The scorers for City were Crewther and Bass, one try being converted by Wetherall.