STIRRING BATTLE IN SCHOOL RUGBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 108, 28 July 1927, Page 7

STIRRING BATTLE IN SCHOOL RUGBY

WANGANUI COLLEGE GAINS TWO POINT WIN OVER KING’S THE domination of the King’s College forwards during the first 15 minutes; the brilliant and crisp passing rushes of the Wanganui backs in the middle stages; and the dogged fight by the King's in the last 20 minutes evoked rousing cheers and yells from a large crowd of fans who enjoy the thoroughness and skill of interschool Rugger games. These were the outstanding features of the annual Rugby match between the first fifteens of Wanganui Collegiate School and King’s College, played at the Auckland school's ground yesterday and which resulted in a thrilling contest ending in a victory for Wanganui by a margin of two points—l 6 to 14. The ground although in good order was perhaps a little greasy on the surface. King’s took the field in the first quarter favoured with a strong breeze which died away toward the end of

the game and was replaced by a glaring sun which the Reds were unfortunate enough to face in the last quarter. For the first quarter of an hour the visitors were penned in their own half, King’s forwards, who warmed up quickly, proving too good. However, the visitors’ defence was very sound, and their tackling throughout was much superior to their rivals. Bunny at fullback was very solid, and kicked well. For some time Wanganui did not get over the centre line, for it was apparently taking the visitors some time to settle down to the going. Things were not looking too bright for them, until suddenly their backs got their first opportunity.

WANGANUI WAKES UP Faultlessly the whole rearguard handled in a dashing effort, the more welcome because it was unexpected, for the run of the game up to this time had been all in favour of the home side. A sparkling rush showed that the visiting backs were going to be a big feature of the game, and so *it proved, for to them Wanganui owed its victory. Five times on end, in the second spell of 20 minutes, did McKenzie swing his men into action, and on the fifth occasion the “All Whites” were rewarded in brilliant fashion. But before this Wanganui supporters spent several uneasy moments. Once, after the Reds had missed a free kick, Pearson ran right through to the fullback and then recklessly potted when it seemed odds on his scoring. The kick was a poor one, and Wanganui breathed again at the unexpected let-off. Then came Wanganui’s turn, and the visitors’ backs made the most of their opportunities. Donald on the wing made three fine dashes, without avail. Then from a scrum inside halfway McKenzie shot out a grubber pass to Giesen, and with the opposing backs fanning out he cut straight through, to pass to a forward in support, the latter transferring a long pass to Pomare, who went straight ahead to score a nice try brilliantly executed, with Donald to spare on the outside. Bunny missed narrowly with the kick. Wanganui, 3; King’s, 0. KING'S EQUALISES SCORE A penalty five minutes later after to the home side saw Gillett equalise, and