WAIRARAPA’S WIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 422, 2 August 1928, Page 7

WAIRARAPA’S WIN

Great Second-Half Effort

COOKE AND L. HOOK BRILLIANT

(From Our Own Correspondent) MASTERTON, Wednesday. THE special Rugby inter-provincial game to-day between Auckland and Wairarapa, holders of the Ranfurly Shield, was looked upon as a test between the two provinces for the premiership of New Zealand. The general opinion after the game was that Wairarapa would be able to hold the shield against Auckland if called upon to do so. A. E. Cooke Cooke played a L. Hook brilliant game both on attack and defence.

Auckland started at a great pace and their endeavours to open up play greatly pleased the spectators, but evidently their form gave out in the second spell. The weather was ideal and the ground was in great order. Taken altogether the game, especially in the second spell, was well up to interprovincial standard. L. HOOK SHINES In the first spell the Auckland forwards dominated the play, beating Wairarapa for the ball continually in the scrums and line-outs. They gave everything a go at opening up the game. Knight and Batty in the loose overwhelmed the Wairarapa forwards, Finlayson and Cathcart also being prominent. Fletcher and Knight, however, got away with a lot of offside play in the first spell which nullified the efforts of the home backs. Cooke was especially well-marked. Carter had every opportunity in this spell as his hookers secured the ball from most of the scrums. Play was confined to Wairarapa’s half in most of the first spell. L. Hook was Auckland's bright star, scoring two tries by finishing off passing efforts in which Carter, Falwasser and himself were prominent. Minns showed speed in several runs along the line, beating Jury on one or two occasions, but Cooke ran round and pushed him into touch. R. Hook had little to do in the first spell, but he was of great service in defence, his tackling being a big feature, especially when he brought Cooke down in front of the posts. Falwasser was also tricky, and broke through the Wairarapa defence continually, Cooke’s defence alone saving a. big score in the first spell. Paewai was safe at fullback, his line and grubber-kicking Saining much territory for his side. Carter, Jenkin, Minns and Anderson, the Varsity men, justified their inclusion. Cathcart put in one or two good runs, but together with Knight was repeatedly getting offside. BRILLIANT COOKE Wairarapa lacked their usual sting ! n the first spell, but in the second half kept the spectators on their feet. Their forwards dominated the play, and in barked contrast to the first half secured the ball from almost every scrum. The backs also handled better, and opened up with advantage on every occasion. C°°ke, at the end of one effort — *ne most spectacular of the day—cut out the Hook brothers and left Faewai standing to score a brilliant try under the posts. K. Reid and M. Willoughby were Prominent among the Wairarapa for- , ar< |® in this spell, Reside and I. Wil®ughby also being up to form, but Q. onald and McGregor were hardly so. however. the whole side showed much ° re combination and sting. t , , t least Wairarapa lost six points in ( -T ls spell through the absence of , undy, two kicks within his range ng missed by Yates. _ riart played a solid defensive game your boots could only speak they Quid ask for "Radium.' 1 Save CouP°ns and win a prize. 11.

in the first half, and also got his backs into action in the second spell. The 19-year-old Sharpe, who replaced Cundy in the second half, made a creditable- showing. Yates and Stringfellow handled well, but Jury was not allowed to get away with, much, finding R. Hook too fast in several runs along the line. M. Parker, winger, combined well, and Cormack. Roach’s young understudy, played well and was safe, doing all that Roach would have done. ONE-POINT VICTORY AUCKLAND LEADING AT INTERVAL GAME WON ON PENALTY Press Association. MASTERTON, Wednesday. Auckland kicked off against the sun and at once attacked, but a promising movement failed at the critical moment. Wairarapa’s turn came, but Cooke was grassed on the line. Bright play followed when the Auckland backs launched an attack, Minns nearly getting over on more than one occasion. The first score came from a penalty to Wairarapa, Cundy’s kick being successful. It was not long, however, before L. Hook equalised the score with a beautifully kicked penalty goal. Cooke showed up prominently and from an opening made by him Stringfellow scored. Cundy’s kick missed. Cooke again put in some brilliant play but was brought down practically on the line. From a swift Auckland attack L. Hook, following up Falwasser’s kick, scored a splendid try behind the posts after beating Cooke for the ball. Jenkin had no difficulty in converting. Soon after L. Hook again secured from a passing movement and scored behind the posts. Jenkin converted. Half-time was called with the score: Auckland Wairarapa 6 Sharp replaced Cundy in the second spell. Not long after the resumption Cooke electrified the crowd with the most brilliant try of the day and he added the extra points. "Wairarapa kept up the pace and Paewai had to force down. Auckland continued to be hard-pressed. Off-side play by the visitors near Auckland’s line gave Yates a chance to place Wairarapa in the lead and he made no mistake with the kick. Wairarapa again came close to scoring just before time was called, but the game ended: Wairarapa Auckland 1,3