BIG LEAGUE MATCH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 258, 26 July 1920, Page 6

BIG LEAGUE MATCH

ENGLISH TEAM AT AUCKLAND

DEFEAT OF THE VISITORS

40,CC0 SPECTATORS I RESENT

Br TeleeraDh—Presß Association. Auckland, July 24. The League match, England v. Auckland, was played on tho Domuin to-day in perfect weather. A light breeze blew across tho ground, which was in perfect order. The attendance was estimated at 40,000. Following were the teams:— England: Full-back, (jwyn Thomas (list. 61b.); three-quarters, W. J. Stone (list. 21b.), D." Hureomlie (lOst. alb.), J. A. Bacon (last, lib.'), S. Stockwell (list. 81b.); halves, J. Rogers (list. 41b.), J. Parkin (list. 71b.); forwards, J. Cartwright (Ust. 101b.), W. Cuuliffo (13st. 101b.), E. J. Skelhomo (12st. 91b.), F. Gallaugher (ltet. 71b.), A. Johnson (1451.), D. Clarke (lost. 21b.). Auckland: Pull-back, W. Davidson (list. 71b.); three-quarters, W. Cloke (12st.), K. Ifwerson (list. 51b.), C. Woolley (13st:), E. C. Grey (lOst. alb.); fiveeights, M'Lymont; half-buck, C. Poison (lflst. 51b.); forwards, S. Walters (12st. 41b.), W. Somers (12st. nib.), Stomont (12st. 71b.), 13. Avery (13st. 71b.), Wilson (12st. 71b.), N. Bn«s (12st. 81b.).

Early in the game a weakness in handling by tho English backs was disclosed and this was taken full advantage of by the Auckland forwards, who followed up remarkably well, frequently smothering the returns of the Englishmen by this means. Auckland kept the visitors defending for a considerable portion of the first spell. The Auckland forwards frequently dominated the piny for a time, Hieir Srfbbling rushes and passing movements being punctuated by brilliant passing bouts by tho English backs. The opportunities that camo to Auckland by Bood following up were taken advantage nf and the Auckland scores came chieflj through these movements. In tho second spell England gave a better display, but evidently felt the loss of Rodgers, their passing movements being repeatedly nipped in the bud by the Auckland backs. Midway'through tho. spell tho visitors gave u taste of tholr quality in combination and scored two brilliant tries, but were unable to sustain their efforts, the Auckland forwards continuing to show superior form.

Auckland Kick Off. Auckland kicked oif against the sun and play settled in midiield, where Davidaon secured and found the line iu England's twenty-live, From a scrum the ball went to I'olson, who wue tacitled, but, immediately, the Auckland fornarus curried play to the English line, where Bass got over within the lirst three minutes. Ifwerson failed to con- ■ vert. Jjoose play in midiield followed, from which Rodgcrs obtained the ball. He was tackled hard and as u result 1 had to be carried oil' with strained muscles in the leg. The Auckland forwards seemed to have the better of the game and soon had play in England's twentyfive. Parkin hero obtained possession and a passing rush between him, Stone, Hurcombe, and Stockwell took play right to the line, where-the latter was collared. The ball fell clear and Parkin, following up last, got over. Stone converted. The Englishmen continued to altacfc, and eventually the ball was KTcked over and forced. ' Auckland forwards then assumed the olfensive and a loose rush ended in Souiers scoring. Ifwerson converted. Auckland maintained tho pressure and a little later the visitors were penalised, Ifwerson being unsuccessful with the kick at goal. Auckland continued to attacc and from loose play in midQeld Ifwerson made an opening. l'ho ball was secured by Walters, who started n passing rush with Avery, Grey, and Woolley. The latter was tackled, but kicked across to M'Lymont, who dashed over and scored. Davidson converted. Almost immediately, Stormont started another passing rush by sending out to Ifwerson, who passed to Konicra, who was lackled in goal. Walters, dashing lip, scored, and Davidson converted. A little later, Grey kicked across to Thomas, • who, however, failed to take it and attempted to kick into touch-in-goal, but missed. Cloke, following up_ fast, touched down. Davidson failed with the kick. At half-timo tho scoro was: Auckland 19 England 5 Play Becomes Exciting, On resuming, Auckland attacked, but Parkin broke away, carrying tho ball to midfleld, where Stone gained possession, and, side-stopping about six opponents, ffished over. Thomas failed with the kick. Play was then taken to the English twenty-five, where a passing rush left liacon in possession. Ho put in a good run and Lent the ball to Parkin, who outpaced the Auckland backs and ecorod. Thomas converted. After play in nudfiold, tho Auckland forwards carried the ball by a passing rush to tho English twenty-five, where, from a melee, Walters scored, Davidson converting. Play becamo very exciting, England showing some beautiful combined rushes. Eventually, from a scrum in the Auckland twenty-five, the ball went out to Parkin, who passed to Stone, from whom it went to Hurcombe, then to Bacon, w!fo scored a good try. Thomas converted, making the final score: Auckland 21 England 16 By Telecraph—Press Association. Auckland, July 25. The New Zealand League team to play next Saturday comprises inanity Slictlanders. The only alterations to the Auckland team 'aro that' Cloke goes out iu favour of Saunders, of Canterbury; Pollock, of Wellington, replaces Poison, who is emergency, and al'Clymont replaces Stewart. The pack remains, with Scott as first forward emergency and Horring second, locausTmes No senior fixtures were played on Saturday on account of the bad state of the grounds at Newtown Park and Emerson Street. JUNIOR MATCHES, North defeated Suburbs A by 11 points to 7. Tries for tho winner; wero scored by Tetley, Bueknall, and Gallighan, one try being converted by Bell. For Suburbs. Armit scored and kicked a goal from the field. Suburbs 11 (8) defeated Petone (3). Hovers (21) defeated Central (2). WELLINGTON V. CANTERBURY. Tho following team has been selected to represent Wellington against Canterbury, nt the Basin Piescrve, next Satur-day:—Pull-back. P, Houso (Petone); three-quarters, Henderson (Petone), Dobson (Newtown), Salisbury (Suburbs); fiveeighths. Nicholls (Petone), Pithy (Suburbs); hnlf-baek. Frazer (Newtown); forwards", Piik'nlann, Zimmerman, Childs, and Haddock (Petone), Breed (Newtown), Carroll (Athletic). Reserves: Levy and Smith (backs); Dally and Woolf (for- ' wards).