THEIR HABIT

NZ Truth, Issue 1184, 9 August 1928, Page 14

THEIR HABIT

Wairarapa's Slender Victory

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Master ton Rep;) A. E. Cboke, "the. Rugby, wizard," certainly i pulled the game out of . the fire for his :side when Waira;rapa beat Auckland last; week b.y . 14 points to ,13. . ? THIS does not mean 'to say that -there is no other player m a Wairar9.pa side when Cooke is in' it, but without his services, the Ranfurly •' Shield holders would certainly • have gone down before what w.as a superior coinbination bri the day. ■•.;' The score: was evened at 3 -all when Auckland were awarded a penalty .'tick on the quarter-mark, and L. Hook sent the ball over, it was. the first. score by a player who was Auckland's best back, a . man . who- took no needless risks, but was quick on the opportunity when it came. „. . f „'■,. -.. With Wairarapa attacking, Curidy, Cooke and Jury handled . the- leather, and although the' n\ovement was smothered, the attackei's ■ tried again on the other wing. Here, from, the loose, Cuhdy picked up to trarifcfer to. Cooke to Stringfellow, who fell over the line. Cundy could not convert. Cormack; the young . Old Boys player, was sound at full-back, and while he did not always keep position, he was 'seldom found wanting when called upon. ! Just before the end of the spell Falwasser,. from the scrum, passed out to L. Hook, who again scored a try which Jenkin converted, giving Auckland the lead 13-6. Although Auckland showed no signs of tiring, it was a new Wairarapa team that came back for the second spell. Only two or three times did the visitors actually work their way into their opponents' twenty-five: For the rest they were hard -put- to it to keep their line out. of danger. : ... The situation of the first half was now reversed with a vengeance. Work- [ iris doggedly, Wairarapa set out to make up the leeway. Cundy, who was hurt, was replaced by ' ; Sharp: Yates, at wing three-quarter, recovered his confidence, and showed a surprising turn of speed; as well as a tremendous boot. ' ■■'■■.■ Then Cooke. showed his uncanny knack for bringing off a remarkable try. From the scrum on the twentyfive line, Hart handed out tb Sharp, who transferred to Cooke, who cut m and went past all opposition m a dodging run that finished with his placing the ball under the posts and converting it himself. Wairarapa 11, Auckland 13. Not long afterwards, Wairarapa. were awarded a penalty kick which Yates turned into a goal, and no further : score resulting, Wairarapa left the field the victors by one point, i