Auckland Defeated

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 161, 26 July 1937, Page 3

Auckland Defeated

-Press Association.)

19 POINTS TO 5 Match Arouses Tremendous Interest CROWD OF 40,000

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, July 24. The Sprisgboks commenced their New Zealand tour auspiciously by defeating Auckland at Eden Park this afternoon by 19 points to 5. " The visitors scored five tries, two copverted, to one converted try. The attendanca was estimated at 40,000, and the tremendous interest which the game created was evidenced by the fatft that eight special trains arrived from ( Wellington, Taranaki, and other ■ parts of the North Island and that hundreds of , spectators, including many women, were outside the gates at an early honr to gain admisszon. The weather was dull and overcast ■with a light and cold westerly breeze blowing. Tlie ground was holding following recent rains, but, apart from an occasional slight shower the game was played in fair conditions. The first ten minutes indicated that the game would be limited to a contest between the forwards. The South African pack was superior in lineout work but regarding gaining possession from the scrums, in which the Springboks held only a slight advantage, tho feature was the lightning rapidity with which the ball was delivered from the half-back to the stand-off half. This occasionaly resulted in these players being unable to field the ball accurately. Territorially the Springboks had tho better of the first spell but their only score came after 20 minutes' play. The speed with which jthe game was played created many thrills and only sbund tackling by several of the Auckland backs, Byerley on the wing in particular, prevented the speedy South African wingers from Teaching their objec- . tive. The South African backs moved up fast to tackle their opponents when in possession o£ the ball and there were no beg pardons about the manner in which they tackled, the Ancklanders being grdunded heavily throughout. Another fine feature of the South African back play was their backing up and recovery work. Althoagh the Springboks claipied a 14 points margin, there was not that difference between the teaais on the day's .play. The visiting wingmen scored two spectacular tries but other^ were defin'itcly gifts as a result of a weak defenco. After the second spell was halfway throirgh Auckland made a great rally and after Frankham had scored by the posts and Bush had converted, the score was 13 points to 5. The Auckland forwards held their own against their heavier opponents and played a very fine game. They must have given confidenco to supporters of . the New Zealand team for the coming tests. It was no fault of theirs that the team lost and Auckland 's defeat by such a margin can bo attributed to weak defence, particularly by Killeen, Prentice and Bush. The game was cleanly contested throughout, apart from the ten minutes after Auckland had scored its try. Then incidents atnong the forwards occurred, ] particularly fiying fists, and the referee j held up the match for a few seconds to j speak to the forward.. Auckland won the toss and Babrow, j the Springbok centre, ldeked off. The South African backs immediately swung into action and, following a smart dash by Harris, the Auckland forwards infringed but Brand missed a rather easy kick two minutes after the commencement. After a sample of the Springboks' great forward strength, Auclc■land broke away in a brilliant attack as a result of fine play by Dick on the wing and Anderson in the forwards. The first thrill of the match came from a spectacular 40-yardS sprint by Williams on the wing but the defence held. The Springboks were constantly on the attack with fast open back rushes and Auckland was penned in its own torritory, only their dour defence preventing tries. After ten minutes' play, Brand, the famous full-back, took a drop kick from a penalty but the ball fell srhort, aud the Auckland backs returned play to the halfway mark. At this stage Pearce, who had been leading the Auckland forwards in great style, received a head injury and Auckland continued with 14 men for several minutes. The crowd wildly ehoered a fine Auckland bacl; attack, kplleen ilnding a gap with a clover stab kick, Byerley throwing Brand into touch ten yards from the Springbok line. This was but a brief respite, however, and, following an attempt by D. Solomon to cut tkrougb, tho Springbok backs rushed play back to Auckland 's twenty-five. The Auckland pack, although outweighed, was securing an almost equal share from the serum3 and it was bustling the opposition with fiery and aggressive loose rushes. Frankham placed his side on the attack with a brilliant clearance from a ruck but Brand, in his safe and neat style, forced easily. The South Afrieans opened the scormg after 20 minutes' play, when Ivilieeu rau out of his position and Babrow, one of the most impressive of the visit- ( ing backs, flaslied straight through the defence to score between the posts. Brand converted. — Springboks 5, Auckland 0.

The visitors now began to dominate the game. From the kick off Jennings broke through from a loose scrummage and nearly all the forwards handled before Beater, on the wing, secured only to be beautifully lowered by Prentice and- Auckland cleared momentarily. Instead of playing the dour forward game for which they are noted, the Springboks were giving their racing backs evory opportunity to give the crowd constant thrills. Just before half time Auckland lost a golden opportunity when the centre elected to kiek when Dick on the wing had almost a clear run. Brand found the line and Haif time was called with the score S]/Mngboks 5, Auckland 0. Second Spell. Within a minute of recommencement, Auckland was awarded a penalty but Bus'h missed. The Springboks' backs used the line effectively when pressed and all the backs proved adept at these tactics. Auckland had started the second spell with great vim and the forwards were led brilliantly by Pepper and Pearce, while Hadley was hooking in fine style. However, after ten minutes' play, the Springboks' backs went away with a great passing rush started by the brilliant Harris and a green line swept down to the Auckland line and Williams flashed across at the corner. Brand missed. — Springboks 8, Auckland 0. Brand, who was having an off day with his goal kicking, missed 'a further penalty from an easy position. A minute later, however, a beautiful centre from Williams saw the Springbok forwards surge across the line . to beat Bush for Martin to score. ■ Brand converted. — Springboks 13, Auckland 0. Then followed one of the thrills of the day. A magnificent combined effort between Frankliam and Byerley down the sideline took play right to the Springboks' line and the crowd cheered as Auckland hammered at its opponenta* line. The spectators were greatly thrifled as Frankham eventual'ly went orer beside the posts for Bush to convert. — Springboks 13, Auckland 5. The Springboks were qfiick to reply, however, scoring the most clever try of the match as a result o£ a brilliant reVerse pass by Harris, which culminated in Babrow scoring his second try. Brand missed. Auckland was now well on the defensive and after Brand had failed with a great left foot pot from well out, a' thrilling passing rush saw Bester score the final try of the match after a splendid opening by Babrow. Brand missed. Auckland made a lasfc-minute 1 effort and Byerley was almost across after a fine daeh a3 the final whistle sounded with the score Springboks 39, Auckland 5.