GAME AT WHANGAREI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 453, 7 September 1928, Page 11

GAME AT WHANGAREI

WANGANUI’S SIX-POINT WIN OVER N. AUCKLAND (From Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Friday. Heavy rain which covered the ground in a sloppy mud marred the big Rugby game at Whangarei on

Thursday when Wanganui defeated North Auckland by 9 points to 3. Wanganui played a better class of football and it adapted itself to the conditions, while the Northerners’ play was too 'deep and handling badly, lacked combination.

The visitors soon attacked, and Shortland was penalised in front of the posts. McLean kicked the penalty goal. Mishandling by Fulton, the Wanganui fullback, left play in the visitors’ end. The rain became very heavy, and almost obscured the players. McLennan kicked too hard over the Whangarei line. Soon afterwards Darby, the Wanganui five-eighth, I marked in his own quarter. The kick I failed. Shortland cut out three men and transferred to Utt, but a loose rush ended in a touch-in-goal, just before the change-over. Pine and Kilcolly i dribbled from half-way, but Litt raced across and forcer. A good line-kick by Matene put the visitors on the defensive, but Harrington dribbled to safe ground. } A short kick by Kerr was snapped up by Hall, who cut in for a clear run and scored. McLean ! failed to convert. Wells. Wilkinson and O’Shea rushed play to the Wanganui posts, when , after a hard struggle, Wanganui cleared. North Auckland attacked vigorously, a forward scramble resulting in another force by Wanganui. After the interval the Wanganui forwards rushed play to the Northerners’ line, where Kerr forced. Harrington i dribbled from half-way past, and j touched down in the corner. McLean failed to score. The visitors had the I better of the play until the final* | change-over. Lift short-kicked and followed hard, i but McLennan raced him to the ball and forced. Then Watene cut in. but 1 was collared by Fulton a yard from the line. - The local team made great efforts to cross, Shortland being held up on the line. The backs made several advances and had much the bet - | ter of play at this stage. Litt was twice pushed into touch in the corner. Leahy was penalised but Waterman’s kick fell short. Litt made a i fine opening and passed to Wells, who raced over. Watene failed to convert.