RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21532, 22 September 1941, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CLARKE CUP FINAL WIN FOR TAUPIRI One of the hardest games played In Hamilton this season was the final for the Clarke Cup competition at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon, between Old Boys (winners of the Stag Trophy competition) and Taupirl. The ground was dry and conditions good for football, but the attendance was not large. Taupiri opened at a fast pace, and did most of the attacking in the first half-hour. Then the pace slackened, but Taupiri always held the advantage. At half-time no score had been registered, but soon after resuming, after Old Boys had attacked solidly, play Ayent back to Old Boys’ line, and J. M. Taylor secured possession to force his way over at the comer for a try, fending off Higginson's tackle. The kick was a difficult one, and the ball fell just under the crossbar. Taupiri kept up the pressure, and very hard play was Indulged in. The defence of Old Boys was sound. Higginson, Old Boys' fullback, was doing splendid work, his line-finding kicks gaining a lot of ground. Taupiri kept pressing hard, keeping the ball among the forwards most of the time. Old Boys had to force twice in quick succession to stave off Taupiri attacks. Then Old Boys’ backs fanned out and took play right up field, and hung on grimly. Taupiri worked out of the danger area, and a penalty goal was narrowly missed. Old Boys’ forwards were promptly back in Taupiri's twenty-five, and the defending team had to force twice to get relief. The pace slackened, but the forwards were doing most of the work. However, the final whistle sounded without further score, and Taupiri thus won the Clarke Cup, 3—o. Mr A. A. Griffiths was the referee. The curtain-raiser was between Old Boys fourths and the Rotorua third grade representatives, the home team winning by 17 points to 3. The first half of the game was a bright exhibition of open and fast Rugby, but weight told in the second half, and Old Boys xan the score up from 3—3 ito 17—3. Mr W. Wheatley was the referee. REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY AUCKLAND 13, WELLINGTON 3 (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Saturday After leading B—o at half-time the Auckland Rugby representatives beat Wellington 13—3 (two converted tries and a penalty goal to a try) before a crowd of 15,000 at Eden Park. The match was a struggle between two fine packs of forwards. The Auckland fullback, Kingstone, nephew of the 1921 All Black fullback, N. Kingstone (Taranaki) gave a brilliant display, scoring a spectacular try. CANTERBURY VICTORY (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday Canterbury closed its inter-provincial Rugby season at Lancaster Park yesterday afternoon by beating South Canterbury by 21 points to 7. The extra speed of The Canterbury packs capped a fine performance by the home forwards. Albion won the senior championship b Albion won tne senior championship by beating Army'unexpectedly by 15 points to 0. DUNEDIN CHAMPIONS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) DUNEDIN, Saturday University A won me championship by one point ahead of Southern, last year's champion side. This was University’s first win since 1934.