FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 September 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI,

KEEN AND INTERESTING STRUGGLE. There have been many fine contests between these two provinces, and on Saturday, although not up to the best fojm shown in the past, was nevertheless a. keen and interesting' struggle in which much good and exciting play was seen by a large crowd of spectators. The teams took the field as below:— TARANAKI (amber and black). Full-back. Priar. Three-quarters— Loveridge, Ennis (capt.), Ross. ’ . Five-eighths.—Johnston, Oliver. Half.—Jeffries. Wing forward.—Fryday. Forwards.—-Brewster, Robinson, Kissick, Paterson, Kivell, Walters, Baldwin. AUCKLAND (blue and white). Full-back.-—Goodacre. Three-quarters—Tonkin, Charters, Loft. ’ Five-eighths.—lfwerson, Kirwan. ' Half.—McManus. Wing forward.—Anderson. Forwards.—McCullough, Palmer, McLean, Knight, Keene, Keary, Batty. Play had been in progress only a few minutes when Auckland were penalised and Ennis_ landed a fine goal. Taranaki 3 Auckland 0 Again Taranaki went away with a passing rush, in which Oliver, Jeffries and Ennis took part, the last-named scoring. No goal resulted. Taranaki 6 Auckland 0 Auckland responded with a fine dash, in the course of which Tonkin made a dashing run down the line till taken by Priar. McCuljough and Keary kept up : the pressure and, Taranalii were defending. ' McManus opened up play cleverly and sent his backs away, Charters and Kirwan being associated in a useful movement till Ennis relieved with a great kick. For a .time play was even till Auckland forwards dashed to the corner, where Batty scored. Ifwerson converted. Taranaki 6 Auckland 5 Shortly after Auckland came again and Ifwerson converted a. penalty. Auckland s Taranaki. . fi

Taranaki worked back, and in the ' opposing twenty-five Enni s had- a shot i at goal which failed. They kept up the pressure, but for off-side play were penalised, and Ifwerson just failed to goal with a fine kick. Walters headed a great rush and a score looked likely, ku.t Fryday got off-side and a promising movement was .checked. Then McManus, securing from the serum, sent out the ball to Loft, who ran up and when stopped passed to Batty., who made a dashing run. Kissiek relieved in a dangerous position with a ‘ fine dribbling dash. Auckland forwards responded in great style; and Priar was called on to save twice. Play went up and downfield with alt.eriiate advantage. After ah even bout Taranaki made a nice dash. Ennis got away, and passed to- Br.ewster, arid when blocked the latter passed to Ennis and lie to Loveridge, who 'finished a nice dash by scoring near the post. Ennis made a weak attempt at goal. Taranaki 9 Auckland 8 On the second spell operiing Auckland pressed, and in the corner Taranaki were hard pressed, and after a great struggle Kearv scored. No goal resulted,.Auckland 11 Taranaki . 9 Just after a nice dash Auckland backs, Kirwan and Charter in the lead, put in a neat piece of passing work, and the latter scored'a fine try. The kick failed. Auckland 14 . Taranaki 9 For some time play was up and down, Auckland narrowly missing scoring on several occasions, and Taranaki defence was sorely tested. At length Taranaki broke away in a passing rush— Ennis to Johnston to Ross who, when blocked, passed back to Johnston, but Auckland forwards broke away, and Robinson saved in a tight place, and again Priar .saved well. A thrilling incident occurred as Fryday went away well backed by Robinson and Johnston. Priar, with a free kick, lined near the corner, but Auckland breakaways turned defence into attack. Tonkin raced downfield and he and Anderson, in a series of short passes, took play to the line and the latter scored. Auckland 47 Taranaki 9 Spurred 011 by this reverse, Taranaki forwards rushed up, and with Loveridge and Johnston went to the twenty-five where, from a penalty, Ennis landed a good goal. Auckland 47 Taranaki 4 2 Taranaki kept up the pressure, and but for sound defence must have got over. Auckland rallied, and helped by faulty play by Taranaki backs, pressed opponents to the line, ivliere Taranaki forced. Thence to the end Auckland had the best of the game, but could not score, and the match ended: ' Auckland 47 Taranaki 42 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. STRATFORD (9) v. HAWERA (0). junior rugby championship of the province was decided at Stratford on Saturday, when the home junior fifteen defeated Hawera by nine points (two tries and a penalty goal)’ to nli. The first spell failed to open the score and left little to choose between the contestants, though play was below the standard which might have been expected, considering the positions held in their respective divisions by the two teams. Pace and combination improved in the second half, but showed in favour of Stratford, whose victory was fully merited. Their superiority was principally due to- the dash of their forwards, who dominated play in the second half and afforded good protection to their backs, who were also enabled to show to better advantage than the Hawera rear division.

Each member of the winning pack played well, and discrimination proved difficult, though Smith, Cameron, and Coleman were constantly l notable. The captain, B. Collins, gave a good exhibition at first five-eighth, and was well supported by Cathro Guy on the left wing was also conspicuous.

Hawera’s outstanding players were the rover, Grant, and the captain, Brown, at centre. The former, played a dashing and harrying game, which was unsurpassed by any player on the field, and the latter, in stemming attacks and initiating counters, proved a tower of strength, to his side. In the opening stages play veered from end to end without advantage until a rusn by the Hawera forwards compelled Stratford to force. A few moments later the home forwards were aggressive, and' G-uy came in with a tricky run, _but_ lost possession when checked by Brown. The red forwards continued, however, and Horgari had to force twice in quick succession, and a following Stratford attack of about 15 minutes’ duration was defeated when Grant made, a dashing break away from a. scrum and took play to the other.half. Half-time sounded with the score unopened. Early in the second spell a penalty kick at Hawera twenty-five allowed B. Collins to open Stratford’s score with a fine goal. Stratford {gradually assumed superiority, and. their second score came when Dodd and Nolan, following up fast, prevented the Hawera full from clearing. The pair continued with a passing bout of fifteen yards, and Nolan went in for a try in a good position. The kick was charged by Grant. The final score was the result of good combination by . the home backs. From a scrum in Hawera’s half Grub, the Stratford half, set his backs going in a bout which ended a few yards from the .line; wheuJMeCullouch let the ball into touch. The throw-in gave the ball to B. Collins, who went through .with, a pretty run to score. His Tuck failed. Hawera livened up considerably during the final stages, but were unable to penetrate, and full time eventuated -with the scores • Stratford 9 Hawera » 0 Mr. A. H. Guy was referee. ’

MANAWATU v. HOROWHENUA

. PALMERSTON N., Sept. 14. In the last Rugby representative match of the season Manawatu decisively defeated Horowhenua by 40 points to 10.

HAWKE’S BAY v. POVERTY BAY

GISBORNE, Sept. 13. Hawke’s Bay played' Poverty Bay before a record attendance of between 2000 and 3000, and under ideal weather conditions, though it was rather warm for football. Poverty Bay’s good smothering tactics, both back and forward, had great effect on the visitors’ speedy backs, whose spectacular passing was seen on but few occasions. Poverty Bay led in the first spell by 11 points to 6, and retained the lead till within the last quarter of an hour. The visitors’ last try was scored as the final whistle blew, leaving Hawke’s Bay the winners by 22 points to 17.

WELLINGTON v. OTAGO

(BY TELEQBAPF —PUEfiS ASSOCIATION,) DUNEDIN, Sept. 14. Before over 7000 spectators Wellington defeated Otago by 19 points to 14.

WELLINGTON B v. MARLBOROUGH.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Before 3000 spectators Marlborough and Wellington B played a drawn game, 19 all. In the first spell O’Brien scored a try, which he converted, while he also kicked a penalty goal. For Wellington, Hawkins scored a try, the spell ending eight to three in favpur of Marlborough. In the second spell McHugh (Marlborough) scored a try, which O’Brien converted, and Hawkins (Wellington) scored a try, which Malcolm goaled. Malfroy (Wellington) scored a try after pretty nlay, Malcolm failing to convert. The visitors livened up/ and Altridge scored a try. which was not converted. Later O’Brien kicked a penalty goal. Wellington came again towards the finish, and Fitzgerald and Pringle scored tires, O’Brieu converting the last trv, iriaking the score 19 all.

MOASCAR. CUP

Advice Ims been received .from the New Zealand Rugby Union that the Mount Albert (Auckland Grammar) School’s, challenge for the. Moascar Cup will, he decided at New Plymouth on September 27, the challengers having accepted the date suggested by High School.

SEDDON SHIELD

HOLDERS DEFEAT NELSON

MOTUEKA, Sept, 13. The third Seddon Shield match, played at Motueka to-day, resulted in Golden Bay-Motueka (holders) defeating Nelson (challengers) by 14 points to 12. In the first half Morris and Gi’igg scored a. try each and Bowers converted one for Golden Bay, while Kinzett scored a try and Snodgrass kicked a goal for Nelson. In the second spell Solly and Grigg scored a try each for Golden Bay, and Wallace and Challies scored a try each for Nelson. Excellent weather prevailed, and there was a large crowd. It was the fastest and hardest game of the Seddon Shield matches. AUCKLAND JUNIOR REPS. AUCKLAND, Sept. 14. Auckland B defeated Thames by 31 points to 30. It was a spectacular game, but play was not of a high standard. Hie defence on both sides was not all that coukl he desired, Auckland’s tackling being poor. The local backs showed suijcriority in attack, but the line individual efforts pf the clausing backs and better tackling largely countered the local advantage. The forwards were evenly matched. The scorers for Auckland were Sa 111ways and Williams (4), and Peters converted' five trios and kicked one penalty goal, while right on the call of time Lusk kicked a goal .from a mark. The Thames scorers were Lomas. Crawford, Strange (2), and Hqok. G. Winder converted three tries and kicked three iienalties. At Dargaville, Northern Wairoa beat Auckland C by 13 points to 0.

FOURTH GRADE.

HIGH SCHOOL A (25) v. STAR (3)

As a curtain-raiser to the representative match High School A and Star met in what was virtually the filial of the fourth grade in the Northern Division. High School proved too good for their opponents, and won by 25 points to 3.

High School A will now meet Hawern Technical College, winners of the Southern Division, in the provincial final, the match to he played as a curtain-raiser to the Moascar Cup match on Saturday. September 27. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. NEW ZEALAND DEEEAT CHINA. CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 14. . The fourth test match between New Zealand and the Chinese universities’ “soccer” team was played l at Lancaster Park in the presence of a large number of spectators. The weather

was fine, and the ground was in good order. New Zealand won after a good display by four goals to two.

BROWN SHIELD MATCH

AUCKLAND, Sept. 13. The Brown Shield match between Auckland and Canterbury, the ’final challengers for the season, resulted in Auckland retaining the trophy, scoring three goals to two, after a game that will live long in the memory of “soccer” enthusiasts. The weather was fine and the conditions ideal. The game was one of the most exciting and cleanly contested expositions of the' code seen here for years. It was rather quiet during the first halfhour’s play, but henceforth it was bright and strenuous. After excellent goaikeeping by James McDougalf had warded off attacks, Palmer (Auckland) shot cleanly, and though James McDougall stopped it Dacre caught the ball on the rebound and scored. Canterbury then attacked, but in the temporary absence of Colville Auckland had the better of matters, McDougall preventing scores. Canterbury persisted, and Colville cleverly drew the defence for Ivor to score for the visitors. In the second spell play was at a great pace. After both goals had been frequently tested Humphreys (Auckland) drew McDougall from goal with a splendid shot, Dacre scoring with a clinking drive from close range. Chapman and Norrie then headed a rush, resulting in Colville scoring for the visitors. Bell made an opening for Tocker to centre, Palmer, Dacre and Humphreys rushing through, for Dacre to scoi'e the deciding goal. ■

MANAWATU DEFEAT WANGANUI

PALMERSTON N., Sept. 14. At “soccer” Mana.watu (4) defeated anganui (1) after an attractive game.

BRITISHERS IN AFRICA

THIRD TEST DRAWN.

BY CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT CAPETOWN, Sept. 13. The British Rugby team’s third test match against South Africa was drawn, each scoring three points.