ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1504, 29 July 1912, Page 2

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

— T RUOBY. .BOTH COUNTRY TEAMS BEATEN. OTA GO V. NORTH. A CLOSELY-CONTESTED GAME. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, July 27. The North Island country representative team played Otago this afternoon under wretched weather conditions, and in tho presence of about 2500 spectators. Play opened somewhat uninterestingly, the ground being heavy and Otago having tho advantage of a very, slight breeze. Otago wn.s first to break the monotony by scoring from a fine piece of concerted work. Tho North Island full-back was outpaced 7jy M'Dougall, who raced down the lino and lot Cockroft away on tho wing. The latter passed to Alexander, who threw back to Cockroft again, and the last-mentioned kicked to the corner. Tho ball went over tho line. Fortune got there first, in a good raco for possession, and scored. The kick at goal failed. Otago 3 North Island 0 Play hovered for a whilo in mid-field, until, with a piece of magnificent dribbling, Casey led the .homo forwards right to their opponents' line. After hot work: tho country team was forced. Tho visit- 1 ore then set up a smart passing rush, and Lennard, getting a long pass from Kaipara, ran through, and transferred to Manning, who scored. The kick at goal failed. Otago 3 North Island 3 Some time later, from close scrambling in the visitors' jtwenty-fivo. Eckhold picked up and cut in smartly. Ho then handed to Fortune, who dropped over, scoring his second try. Cockroft failed with a good attempt. Otago G North Island 3 ' There were no further scores before tho close of the spell, towards tho conclusion of whichi play was very even, good tackling and line-kicking being features of tho visitors' play. Second Spell. For ft whilo after the commencement of the second spell, play was quiet, hovering in mid-field. It soon livened up, however, Otago frequently setting up promising passing tushes, in which CocKroft was always prominent. The tackling of tho North Island backs was safe, however, and their line-kicking splendid, a lot of gronnd .being gained this way. From a penalty, Lennard had an unsuccessful ehot at' goal. Otago backs '-displayed more finish and greater aptitude than the North Island backs, who, however, we're speedier., The visiting forwards were playing a fine, hard game, and more than holding fclieir own in tho tight work. Otago were- forced twice, and then an interchange of kicks ended in Cockroft finding the line in tho North Island twenty-five. \ The Otago forwards, headed by Graham and Casey, put in a fine rush, but Smith cleared.. Kaipara was thrown out in the corner, and just on time the Northern' backs were responsible for a pretty bit of ■ passing, in which Manning and Ford were prominent. The fame ended without further score. FAST SCORING AT WANGANUI. HOME TEAM VICTOEIOUS. ' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wanganui, July 27. The South Island touring team met the Wanganui representatives on tho Recreation Ground this afternoon in dull but fine weather. Tho ground was in excellent order, and there was a vo'ry largo attendance. As in their two previous matches,: the visitors raado tho first score. On Tn romey essaying a pot, but missing, Forbes followed up fast, and scored, Church's kick missing. A little later a fine, open, passing rush resulted in Tilyard grounding, and F. Meuli kicking,a splendid goal. Wanganui was next to score,..- Tilyard making a fine opening,- and letting-Tem-pertoin over. F. Meuli again gbaled.-Half-time was called soon' after, the scores being Wanganui '..10 South Island " 3 ■ Uneventful play marked the opening stage of the second spell, but after a while ]jlny brightened considerably. A brilliant South Island passing rush ended in Southgate scoring under tho posts. Church converted. A few minutes later Collier potted a neat goal for Wanganui. South Island again scored, as the result of a passing rush, Irvine getting over. Church's kick just missed. On resuming, Tilyard crossed at the corner for Wanganui. F. Jlbuli's kick was a failure. Wanganui again scored shortly after, W. Dustin, getting over. Tho kick again failed. ' Just on time, South Island scored, Nelson falling'over alongside tho posts. Church converted. A fine game thus ended -- -. - Wanganui 20 South Island 16 "' BIG SCORE BY AUCKLAND. ELEVEN TRIES. (Br Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 27. . At Rugby football, Auckland defeated South Auckland by 37 points to nil, after a poor match, "devoid of brilliancy, either amongst forwards or backs. Although the Aucklanders won easily, they played below representative standard, and mast of their work was patchy. Auckland's scoro was'.mado up by tries by Macky (3), Stewart (2), IfwersOn (2), Wilson (2), M'Gregor (1), and Wobb (1). Ono was converted by Ifwcrson and one by Cunningham.