RUGBY VICTORY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 9

RUGBY VICTORY

TARANAKI BEATS WAIKATO NORTHERN TOUR COMMENCED BRIGHT TRIES BY THE BACKS FORWARDS PLAY WELL SCORE IN THE FIRST SPELL J (By Wire.—Special Reporter). Hamilton, Last Night. The Taranaki Rugby team opened its northern tour auspiciously by defeating Waikato by 19 (four tries, two converted, and a penalty goal) to 11 (two tries, one converted, and a penalty goal). Taranaki dominated the first spell, the forwards securing the bulk of the ball in the lineouts and' scrums and beating Waikato also in the tight and loose. Gudgeon fed the backs well and some brilliant movements were executed. All of Taranaki’s scoring took place in the first spell, and only solid tackling prevented a larger tally. Waikato scored and converted a try in the first spell, but with a slight wind and the sun in its favour in the second spell the team played much better. Securing most of the ball from the scrums Waikato kept Taranaki, which had eased up, defending for most of the spell, but Taranaki was quickly on top of its opponents, stopping most of the passing bouts early and preventing the inside backs penetrating and causing the three-quarters to handle faultily. Waikato therefore added only a try and a penalty goal. In the last quarter of an hour Taranaki again dominated the situation, but near scoring several times just failed to complete the movements. The game, while not brilliant, was fought at a fast clip in warm, sunny weather which, with the hard ground, . was telling on the players towards the close. There were several stoppages for minor injuries, Carroll and Storey (Waikato) and Townsend retiring. The Taranaki forwards all played well, but none better than Clarke, Fowler and Blakeney in the tight, Pastier, Bocock and Armstrong in the loose and Young and Murphy in the line-out. A feature of the Taranaki play was the backing up of both forwards and backs. If one over-ran the ball or dropped a pass someone else was handy. The forwards played like tigers when on top in the first spell, and in the second spell defended hard against the improved Waikato side. Taranaki, however, wore the team down. COMBINATION BY BACKS. The surprise was the play of the Tara- , naki backs, who combined splendidly, executing brilliant movements on attack and defending solidly. All the scores came from back movements. Gudgeon at half played a great game, making good openings and varying his play. He seldom ran from the scrum, but when he did it was to some purpose? His try after a run of twenty-five yards was a gem. Using the open side he stepped, swerved and ’dummied his way through the opposition. Brown at first five-eighth ran straight and hard, giving the men behind plenty of chances. Two or three times he appeared to go too far. He gave his opponent Carroll little latitude in the first spell, and he held Solomon well in the . second spell. Sangster was a success at second five-eighth. He passed with judgment and did . not overdo kicking. Only once did he kick when he should have passed. Townsend until he was injured played well at centre, while Kinsella and Sullivan, the wings, both infused plenty of dash into their play, g’ving the opposition many anxious moments. Kinsella scored two brilliant tries and Sullivan one. Both were nearly over several times. Collins anticipated well at full-back and tackled well. His line kicks gained great lengths of ground mostly, but occasion- ' ally in the second spell he failed to find the line. In the second spell Dowdle was not equal to Townsend at centre threequarters. The Waikato forwards were solid, particularly Leeson, Storey, Carter and Cassidy, but were up against a better side on the day. Russell, the youthful half, showed promise. Solomon and Carroll at five-eighths combined well but were not given much chance to penetrate the three-quarter line on attack, but they were solid on defence. Lissette, who replaced Davies at full-back, was sound. The teams were:— Waikato: Lissette, Peake, Barling, Wilson, Carroll, Solomon, Russell, Wynyard, Cassidy, Carter, Askew, Storey, Sharpe, Painton, Leeson. Taranaki: Collins, Kinsella, Townsend, Sullivan, Sangster, Brown, Gudgeon, Pastier, Clarke, Murphy, Blakeney, Young, Bocock, Fowler, Armstrong. TARANAKI SOON SCORES. Taranaki immediately attacked. The Taranaki forwards secured the ball from the scrum, Gudgeon setting the backs going on each wing, but the tackling was too solid. Brown after attempting a “pot” made a great opening for Young to cut through. The ball travelled to Townsend and Kinsella, who sped over at the corner within three minutes of the opening. Collins’ kick struck the post. The Waikato forward and backs attacked, Wilson being collared by Kinsella, and solid forward play was led by Fowler and Clarke Useful line-kicking by Collins had Taranaki again attacking. Armstrong, Bocock, Blakeney and Clarke- charged to the Waikato line. Gudgeon’s first pass wen* astray, but next : time Gudgeon, Brown, Sangster, Townsend and Kinsella handled beautifully for the latter to score his second' try. Collins just failed to convert. The Waikato pack, breaking quickly, smothered Gudgeon. Peake snapped up and handed op to Leeson, who transrerred to Cassidy. The latter, running strongly, fended Collins’ tackle and scored alongside the post. Carroll converted. Keeping play tight the Taranaki forwards swept down the field, being held up 10 yards from the line. After play in the neutral zone Waikato was penalised, Collins kicking - goal. Waikatd got busy, Russell n.aking a splendid opening. Carroll broke through and sent Solomon and Barling away. Kinsella intercepted the latter’s pass. Peake on the other wing was hurled into touch on the corner by Sullivan. Then followed a sensational try. Waikato was attacking hotly 10 yards from the Taranaki line. Carroll sent out a wild pass and Taranal i kicked through. Townsend snapped ap thv ball’, drew Lisette and handed to Sullivan, who galloped 60 yatds, outpacing the opposition to score behind the posts Collins goaled. SCORE NARROWLY MISSED. Following solid forward p.ay at midfield a penalty let Taranaki agai attack, Sullivan being thrown out on the comer twice in as. many minutes. Kinsella was also thrown out at the comer. The Taranaki backs then tried the other wing, but Sangster’.-} pass went astray. Defending sternly, Waikato drove the invaders to neutral territory, but a long kick by Collins had Taranaki again attacking. From a scrum in the Waikato twentyfive Gudgeon electrified the crowd with

a run round the side of the scrum. He side-stepped and dummied his way beautifully through the whole of the backs to score alongside the post. Collins goaled. Taranaki both back and forward was throwing the ball about dangerously in front of the goal, but met stem defence. Collins essayed a pot, the ball just going wide. Twice Sullivan was thrown out on the corner. At half-time the scores were Taranaki 19, Waikato 5. Fastier, Murphy and Bocock were prominent on resuming, but a penalty kick well followed up saw Waikato press, compelling Sullivan to hurriedly pass back to Collins. Waikato again looked like scoring, but the defenc- held. Sangster dribbled 40 yards and had the Taranaki backs again attacking with the ball at toe. Russell removed play to Taranaki territory. Matters looked black for Taranaki when Sullivan came across and snapped the ball from the feet of about six men and lined. A scrum infringement saw Carroll miss with an easy penalty kick. From a lineout Young had the Taranaki backs moving. Kinsella sent a reverse pass to Blakeney when blocked. Suddenly Wilson broke through with Askew and Cassidy in support and only one man to beat, but his pass went astray. Sullivan again saved Taranaki. Fast play followed. Brown, cutting out Sangster, sent Townsend away. He was collared by Carroll, both being injured. Carroll retired and was replaced by Robson, SOLOMON DIVES OVER. A long kick by Russell had play on Taranaki’s line, where Russell sent Solomon away on the blind side. Solomon dived past Townsend to score at the corner. Cassidy failed to goal. Townsend retired and Dowdle replaced him. Taranaki was attacking when Storey was injured, R. Wynyard replacing him. The Waikato backs were getting their share of the ball, but Taranaki gave them little quarter until Carter, breaking through, sent Wilson away. Forwards and backs handled but a knock-on at a critical time let Taranaki clear. Solomon was getting into position for a “pot” when Dowdle smothered him. Waikato was now playing brilliantly. Russell sent Solomon away and he made a splendid opening for Wilson, playing at centre, who broke through and sent Peake over to score a magnificent try. Lissette just failed to goal. Waikato kept the upper hand for the next few minutes. Solomon attempted a long "pot,” just missing. Clarke smothered Barling • and Kinsella lined. Taranaki had a turn at attack, Gudgeon, Brown, Clarke and Blakeney handling. Blakeney was held up at the comer. Play swung to the other side of the field, where the Taranaki backs just failed to get a score, Russell forcing. Using the blind side Gudgeon sent Dowdle away, but he gave a weak pass to Kinsella, a chance of scoring going. For the remaining ten minutes Taranaki had the upper hand, but the score was unaltered. Taranaki 19 Waikato 11 MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND. TARANAKI RUGBY TOUR. Auckland’s representative Rugby season will be brought to a close on Saturday afternoon when the annual match against Taranaki will be played at Eden Park, says the Auckland Herald. After its success against Hawke’s Bay the Auckland team will be anxious to give a display in keeping with that expected of the holders of New Zealand's highest Rugby trophy. Likewise, the Auckland public will wish to see the home team playing at its full strength once again, with the five All Blacks back in their customary positions. The Taranaki team contains some high grade players. Collins, the full-back, was first choice for this position in the New' Zealand team which recently returned from' Australia. He played at Eden Park in the North v. South trial prior to the selection of the team, and gave an impressive display. R. Clarke is a New Zealand forward, and in the province’s recent match against Hawke's Bay his play drew forth the following comment from an observer:—“Ray Clarke played a game such as has never'been seen from a Taranaki forward, in years. Where his scrum mates were helpless'' Clarke was to be seen cleaving a way through the opposing forwards almost as he liked.” The Taranaki team looks a' strong one on paper, and there is every indication of Saturday’s match being very bright and interesting. The Auckland team is assured of a fine reception.