AUCKLAND V. MANIAPOTO

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 188, 6 September 1909, Page 5

AUCKLAND V. MANIAPOTO

Win for Visitor*. The return match, for the season between the representatives of the Maniapoto Rugby Union and the Auckland representative* was played at Te Kuiti on Saturday last. The weather was ideal for football and spectators to the number of about TOO* assembled to witness the contest. The Auckland team arrived at Te Kuiti by the midnight express from the Sooth. being on their return journey from a Southern tour in which games were played against Martboroogh, Wettington, Wanganoi ana Taranaki. Last month the Maniapoto representatives visited Auckland and met with a severe reverse at the hands of the redoubtable city players, but it was a very different team which took the tie Id on behalf of the King County on Saturday last. A number of players from Taumarunui district were inelud"""Vd in Saturday's team, and their presence had the effect of strengthening th>< combination considerably. Th# Auckland team was somewhat weakened by the absence from the forward ranks of such players as Franeis, Seetinsr and Nicholson, their places being filled by Winder. Wilkes, and Gallagher. Mr Angus Campbell, the well known Auckland referee had charge of the whistle, and, needless to remark controlled the game efficiently. Auckland kkk«d off. and Spragg

returned the leather intotooch. Close play followed neither side being apparently anxious to open op the game for a start. Honours were even in the

style of play adopted until the visiting forwards, taking advantage of a mistie Id by a local back broke away to the Maniapoto 25. From a serum-Webb got away on th<» blind side and when lacked sent the leather on to McGregor who was pushed into touch by Hikaka

near the line. The locals cleared their line in (food style, but a free kick to Auckland shortly after placed them again on the defensive. A gmd for ward rush headed by Rothcry. Dean

and Boles shifted the Scene of action and the ball was taken to the Auckland full back whose kick was smothered. Danger was averted by McGregor nippins in and sending the bait into touch in Auckland's 25. Good tine kicking by the visiting baeks removed play to the local 25 where Winder had a shot at goat.the ball going just outside the post. The next break in the monotony of close ptay was a IcoseAucktand rush. When near the Maniapoto tine the ball was centred by Gallagher, and falling among a bunch of the visiting forwards.a try seemed certain, but the leather was knocked on and a scrum resulted. Auckland was awarded a free kick and Magee had a shot at the posts which proved fruitless. Play continued to be confined to local territory and Williams taking the ball from, the loose passed out to Wilson, who made ground and sent on to Renwick

the latter-scoring near the posts. 1 Magee added the necessary goat making the score s—o. Ptay livened up for a time and Rothery intercepting a

pass cut in and made a good opening, but was unsupported. Dewstow was also responsible for a good dodgy run. but his pass was intercepted by an opponent and the advantage was lost. A concerted movement by the Auckland backs left Wilson and Renwick with the ball near the Auckland line and the

lati.cr scored his second try which M.uvee converted, making the scores in o. From the kick off another Auckland rush looked dangerous and

Rmht'ord's kick striking the goat post

ri'ti<)UM-!<-i). Hikaka secured the batl and forced. The whistle then blew for half time. The second spell w;is commenced with vim by the locat gliiyers and Auckland's* return from the kick off being charged down Warren took the ball and potted at goal the leather going just outside the posts. Auckland replied with a pacing run the ball being set in motion by Gallagher and on to McGregor. Spragge got

back in time to tackle the visiting

three-quarter and send him into t*uen in goal. Loose play of the scrambling order ensued until Magee picked op and kicked across to McGregor who

was just stopped in time by Hikaka. j Mnniapoto cleared the danger by a rush j and a counter rush by the visitors was well stopped by Black. Warren, Dean \ and Rothery were responsible for a j good dribble and Dewstow cleverly stopped a counter rush by Auckland, j A scrum was formed in roidftetd and \ the bail coming out at the side was i snapped up by Williams who had a clear run up the field and scored. Gallagher placed the bait between the uprights but it had been touched by a charging player and was disallowed. 13 o. Play now livened op eonsiderabyl and Magee picking up. the ball centred. The leather was passed back to the same player who got aeross at the corner (fag. Winder's attempt at goal failed to increase the score. After ~&e kick off Spragge got in some good line kicks, and Warren breaking through from the tine took the ball up the field, but a hard kick over the line saw Auckland force. An Auckland rusn. was well stopped by Moir and ripragg. and the ball was driven back to the Auckland line. Rushford being conspicuous Milter saved welt but Moir, Rothery and Black returned to the attack and Auckland forced. The whistle blew to cease play shortly after with the score Aockland 16 points Maniapoto nil.