WAIKATO DEFEATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 405, 13 July 1928, Page 7

WAIKATO DEFEATED

INTER-PROVINCIAL RUGBY

GOOD FORWARD PLAY (Special to THE SUN) STRATFORD, Thursday. Taranaki defeated Waikato by 24 points to 11 at Victoria Park today. There was an attendance of 3,000 people. Play opened fast, Taranaki scoring after 15 minutes by Kivell dashing through the opposition. The kick failed. Taranaki made use of a line kick for another attack, but Thomas beat Hohaia to a touch down. Tlie Waikato fullback was playing a fine deefnsive game, and continually relieved the visiting forwards. Dashing rushes led by Brough, Cameron and Bourke sorely tested the home side. Bonham was offside and nullified a brilliant break by Guy, the Taranaki wing-forward, who passed t n Walters, to score under the posts. Ike converted. The Taranaki forwards kept up the pressure by tight work, Brown and Gwens doing some pretty back work in the attack. Vosper and Kemp were holding the defence together. Play was mainly among the forwards. Walters again forcing his way over the visitors’ line. Ike added two points. The visitors bucked up, the forwards, led by Ensor, making matters merry. The wing forward, Bourke, was very noticeable in this loose work. Tuck then sent away Kemp, who had been very conspicuous in his play. Cutting in cleverly he passed to Anderson, who scored from the finest play of the day. Bourke failed with the kickWaikato played well and obtained the ball from the scrums, but sound tackling held them up. Quin showed dash in his position on the wing, as did also Anderson. Vosper’s side-step-ping and speed caused Taranaki many anxious moments. The visiting forwards played well, but knock-ons nullified several fine openings. Clever side-line play between Riley and Hohaia placed Taranaki in an attacking position. Robinson, coming up fast, accepted Holiaia’s infield pass to score. Ike again added two points. Kemp, Vosper and Anderson changed the venue of play, but the Taranaki fullback, playing a great game, upset the latter. Play throughout the latter part of this spell was mainly in favour of Waikato, but although the attack at times was brilliant, it seemed to lack finality. The defence of Taranaki was sound throughout. This was the visitors’ weak point in the first half, particularly as Taranaki’s scores were only individual efforts. The half-time score was; Taranaki 16 Waikato 3 The recommencement gtpve promise of a good recovery for Waikato, Kemp and Vosper keeping Taranaki busy. Their forwards gained from the scrums and the backs handled the ball much better. W. Bourk had hard luck with a penalty kick. Later he was successful with one from the side-line and made an opening for Taranaki, but a knock-on infield pass lost a try. From the scrum Owens cut through the opposition for a splendid try near the corner, which was not converted. The Waikato backs were well fed by Tuck, who was working like a Trojan. Kemp several times beat the opposition, but Fitzgerald was frequently caught in possession.

An electric charge when Brown snapped up the ball in the Taranaki half and swerved across the field left the Waikato fullback standing. Ike converted. Reverses did not stem the Waikato attack. The forwards,' with loose rushes, had Taranaki penned in through great work by W. Bourk, Holmes and Thomas, who was twice held up on the Taranaki line. Quin showed dash on the left wing and completely beat the opposition. He was brought back on account of a knockon. Brough made a great solo attempt during his spell. The visitors had a territory advantage all through, but again ill-luck dogged them. Tuck passed to Kemp from the scrum and allowed the latter to make an opening, and Vosper improved for Quin to score*. Bourk converted. Flay on the whole did not reach any high standard, nor was the score a true indication of the game. Most of tlie attack was done by the visitors among whom Kemp and Vosper were very impressive, especially in offensive play. The Waikato defence showed a weakness, due mostly to Fitzgerald Thomas, fullback, was sound- all through the game. Quin scored a fine try. Brown, an ex-All Black, showed improved form for Taranaki, whose forwards were good in tight work.