HARD FOUGHT GAME

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 706, 4 July 1929, Page 13

HARD FOUGHT GAME

WIN FOR TARANAKI INTER-PROVINCIAL RUGBY Press Association HAWERA, Wednesday. A crowd estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000 witnessed the annual Rugby game between Taranaki and Wellington this afternoon, when Taranaki won by 6 points (a try and a penalty goal) to 3 (a penalty goal). As indicated by the low scores, the game was hard-fought, with the sides fairly evenly matched, although a slight margin of territorial honours had to be credited to Taranaki. The visiting team was considerably below Wellington’s strength, notable absentees being the All Blacks, C. G. Porter, M. Nicholls, C. Rushbrook and Heazelwood. Two of Taranaki’s best

scoring threequart ers were not avail able, while a for ward, A. Kivell was absent wit! the All Blacks. ThTaranaki side however, was mor truly indicative o the province’ Rugby strengt than was the caswith Wellington'i fifteen. Play throughout c- ■:> ru pfpri Sf'd

was characterised by sure- tackling, which prevented the exploitation ot open passing bouts repeatedly essayed by both rear divisions, and detracted from the spectacular interest. The Wellington middle harita. with L. M. Johnson (second five-

backs, with -L/. JVL. J onnsoil i.seouim eighths), and R. Pelham (centre) as the best performers, were more sudden and resourceful in attack than their opponents, but the advantage was offset by the relentless spoiling of the Taranaki men, who, with the All Black, F. D. Kilby, at the base of the scrum D. Johnston (second fiveeighth’s) and H. W. Brown (centre), were also often in the picture as a swift attacking force. . Taranaki’s forwards controlled the line-out and tight scrummaging, haying decided superiority in weight. In spite of this the Wellington hookers had the greater share of the hall from scrums, while the Wellington pack as a whole held the advantage m loose play. Almost faultless exhibitions of fullback play were given by A. Collins (Taranaki) and F. Cormack (Wellington). .... Wellington opened the score v. lthm four minutes, when Cormack, from wide out at the twenty-five, succeeded with the second of two penalty kicks. The spell was well advanced when Collins converted a penalty for Taranaki, half-time coming with the scores 3 all. The second spell was contested at a lively pace, and there was no score until a minute before time. Taranaki had been penned in its own twenty-five until a successful counterattack developed. The 'forwards surged to midfield, where the rover, A. Guy, made a sensational run. He was stopped near the line by Dinniss. Guy, however, retrieved the. ball and sent the wing, Fookes, over for an unconverted try.

MATAMATA REP. TEAM

MAT AM AT A, W ednesday. Tho Matamata representative Rugby team to play Cambridge on July 6 is: Butter, Kneebone, Story, Fausett, Bluck, Davies, Ake, Hammond, Moore, Stevenson, Simpson (2), Fraser, Mulligan and Syme. Emergencies: Brown (2), Martin and Douglas. WHANGAREI UNION (From. Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Wednesday. At a meeting of the Whangarei Rugby Union, further challenges were received for the Harding Shield, held by Whangarei, from Northern Wairoa and Mongonui. A suggestion was made that a Maori representative match be played at Whangarei, probably as a curtainraiser to the North Auckland-Hawke’s Bay fixture. The Maori teams may be East Coast v. Northern, or Northern v. Whangarei B. Further arrangements are being made. It was decided to abandon the Southern tour owing to the heavy itinerary.