FOR FOOTBALLERS.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 8, 25 October 1919, Page 15

FOR FOOTBALLERS.

Diggers Defeat Auckland in Good

Contest by 16 points to 6

A Famous Combination

An Exciting Tussle. Auckland's Rugby fans were all there on Saturday when the redoubtable Digger team, which has knocked spots off the British Army and. several other armies—including the German army, in a rather stronger way—met the Auckland reps., and in a game that was a good one defeated them by 16 points to 6. The challenge was a friendly one, and although some optimists rather favoured our own team, the Diggers' record was there, and could not be denied. * * • How the Scores Came. The Army team scored first, and kept on adding points till they had accumulated 16. Then Auckland made a penalty goal, and later on, after a vast amount of hard fighting for it, got a try under the bar, which they failed to convert. The point-getters for the winners were: Stohr two tries and two goals,- Kissick and Ford a try apiece. Stormont kicked a penalty, and Wilson scored a try for Auckland. * * * Some Comment. The crowd were treated to good, exciting play, of the fastest order, and dashing as you like. The Diggers had the equivalent of a routine flush in their handling of the ball, and, believe me, the local men metaphorically speaking, had to sit and stare. The "Star" critic reckons that the "whirlwind attacks" indulged in by the soldier-men did a lot in helping them win the game, and he's not far wrong. Auckland played with their usual excellence, and were distinctly observed to wake up in the second spell, when things went a bit better. The crowd liked the local men's manoeuvres, and cheered mightily whenever Badeley or Wilson, or some other daring soul, took it into his head-to let off some fireworks and reached the military quarter. But the Diggers' defence was almost as good as their attack, and that's how the Auckland tally only made the skimpy halfdozen. Stormont (Auckland) did. some mighty fine work, and will be heard of more.

Singe and.Stone, famous Diggers throughout England, did some clever work. Incidentally, Singe has had his hair cut. The rest were all right. '. ■ i The Rugby season is just about done.