THE PLAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 428, 9 August 1928, Page 7

THE PLAY

From the opening scrum Auckland Province secured and a rough in-and-out passing bout ensued. Within one minute of the start there were two penalties against the Englishmen, and the latter Dufty turned to account. Auckland .. .. 2 England 0 The Englishmen were handling brilliantly, but the Aucklanders, standing up close, did not allow them to make much headway. A clever grubber kick by Evans opened the play up for the Englishmen, and a cross-field passing bout followed It was checked when Hanlon intercepted. Brilliant kicking by fullback Gowers kept the Englishmen on the attack, which was further improved by a dazzling run by Billo Rees, but Fairclough failed to take his pass. The Auckland backs swung into action, but List lost the ball and a scrum ensued. From a scrum in midfield Peckham sent his backs away. Amos cut in nicely and sent List racing away, to pass on to Len Scott, who scored well out without trouble. Dufty’s kick failed. Auckland Province 5 England 0 After the resumption of play, the Province again pressed, for Gowers to clear brilliantly. From a scrum Peckham again had his backs in action, the whole rearguard handled, and List, taking an in pass from winger Beattie, went within inches of scoring. By hard open rushes and distinctly better forward play at this stage, Auckland Province had the better of the game and things looked serious for the Englishmen. Th.e Englishmen broke out in a passing rush, Rosser making a neat opening and sent Frodsham away into the open, with Len Scott in close pursuit. The Englishman got there, however, and Gowers 'raised the extras with a brilliant kick. England 5 Auckland Province 5 ENGLAND TAKES THE LEAD Halfback Evans broke through from a scrum, and Dufty’s kick to defend was returned by a great line punt which put the visitors in attack. Beattie left the field injured at this stage, Wilson taking his place. The white backs swung into action promisingly, but a forward pass by Rosser held the movement up. The Englishmen came again, however. Evans sent out from a scrum and all their backs handled in an outflanking movement. Fairclough took an in pass from Gwynne, who scored in the corner. Gowers missed the kick. England 8 Auckland Province 5 The home side was awarded a penalty 35 yards out, and Dufty turned it to account amid great enthusiasm, making the score board read B—7 in the Englishmen’s favour. Penalties were again coming in quick succession against the Englishmen. HALF-TIME Half-time sounded without further score:— England 8 Auckland Province 7 SECOND HALF Auckland took the field in the second half facing a glaring sun. Hemmed

in on the defensive, Gowers relieved for the Englishmen by an up-and-under kick, which Young secured and sent out to Fairclough, who short punted. Dufty secured, but he was tackled hard by the English centre. A penalty to England, in front of the posts, saw Thompson fail to improve the score. Young intercepted one of Tim Peckham’s passes and sent on to Gwynne, who had a clear run, but was brought back for receiving a forward pass (which was very doubtful). England fought hard on Auckland’s line, and Dufty after fending off a would-b© tackier, threw the ball out Payne, with Moisley in support, broke away. An Englishman obstructed, however, and Dufty put Auckland Province ahead from the resultant penalty. Auckland Province 9 England 8 Again on the defensive, Evans taking a- free kick for the Englishmen, took a short grubber punt, which he secured himself. He started a passing bout in his own twenty-five and at least seven of the visitors handled in a deadly passing rush, and Fairclough and Billo Rees finished off one of the best moves of the day when the former side-stepped nicely, sent on to Rees to sprint for the line. The try was not converted. England 71 Auckland Province 9 Dufty then made a good attempt to goal from a penalty at half-way, the ball just going under the bar. The Provincial backs set off, but a high pass by Amos was taken by Gwynne. Fairclough came up to support his confrere, and pretty in-and-out passing by the pair baffled the defence, Gwynne touching down at the corner. Gowers failed to convert. FINAL SCORE England 14 Auckland Province 9 NEXT SATURDAY’S MATCH CITY TEAM CHOSEN Following is the Auckland team to play England at Carlaw Park on Saturday:— Fullback.—C Dufty. Threequarters.—L. Scott, C. List, R. Hardgrave. Five-eighths.—M.. Wetherill, S. Prentice. Halfback.—F. Delgrosso. Forwards.—J. O’Brien (Maris t), W. Somers, L. Hutt, T. Hall, J. Payne, A. Clark. Reserves. —Backs: Peckham, Seagar. Beatty, Longville. Forwards: St. George. A. Scott, M. Moisley. Owing to injuries H. Brisbane is unavailable. All players must attend Carlaw Park this evening for training. Any player unavailable must notify Mr. E. Asher immediately The back line is the same as that which represented New Zealand in the test match last Saturday, while the three forwards in the front of the scrum also played. JUNIOR MATCHES The follpwing junior fixtures have been arranged for Saturday:— Third Grade.—Richmond v. Mount Albert, Carlaw Park No. 1. 2 p.m., Mr. V. Simpson. Sixth Grade A.—Xorthcote v. Richmond, Carlaw Park Xo. 2, 1 p.m., Mr. C. Gedye. Sixth Grade B.—Point Chevalier v. Devonport, Carlaw Park Xo. 1, 1 p.m., Mr. S. Billman. School Representatives.—Auckland v. South Auckland, Carlaw Park Xo. 1, at noon, Mr. H. Meal.