FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI BEAT AUCKLAND. BY 21 POINTS TO 10 POINTS. A SPECTACULAR GAME. X Beautiful weather conditions prevailed 1 at New Plymouth on Saturday for the .final representative match of the season, when Taranaki defeated Auckland by 21 points to 10. There was a crowd of over 3000 present and they saw a bright game for the conditions —dry turf, dry ball and fast sets of backs—were suited to fast play. There was much spectacular play and plenty of incident that rous- ’ the enthusiasm of the crowd again and again. Both, sets of backs essayed passing movements, aud each side got its share of the ball from the scrum. Time and again the moves broke down through faulty passes, but taken right through the tackling on both sides was good. The Auckland backs were more nippy than the local rearguard, but the latter gave a surprisingly good display in attack; in fact it was the best display given this season. In the forward division Taranaki had idle upper hand, the presence of West and Fogarty probably acting as a stimulant. The backs produced some great rushes, beating the Northerners in the line-out and in the loose, though honors were easy in the scrum work. Taranaki thoroughly deserve their win as on the day. The fine work of Kingston at fullback and of Hickey, who potted two beautiful goals, were features of the game. The match was keenly contested throughout, and in the friendliest spirit, though play was very hard, and there were three minor casualties during the game, Coutts and Lusk (Taranaki) and Ifwerson (Auckland) having to retire. Fogarty captained Taranaki and Ifwerson captained the visitors. THE FIRST SPELL. Ifwerson. winning the toss elected to defend the eastern goal, Auckland thus having the sun in their eyes and also giving Taranaki the advantage of a slight breeze. West kicked off and right from the start play became very fast. After interchanges of kicks between the backs Olliver centred, but V. Badeley gathered up and lined. Then the Auckland forwards smothered Berg, but Hickey kicked high, and following up fast, had Taranaki attacking, but Ifwerson cleverly lined. Securing from the scrum Berg set his backs moving, the leather travelling via Oliver and Coutts to Robertson, who made a great opening and shot the ball to Kingston, who knocked on. Auckland secured from the resultant scrum and kicked to Kingston, who centred. Williams got the ball and passed to Badeley, who lined well down field. The Toj-anaki pack set up a rousing rush and their backs also got moving, but Coutts failed to take. Again a Taranaki back movement broke down, McLean and Tresize getting away, but Hickey and then Lusk cleverly lined.

From a free kick, followed up fast, Auckland were nearly over, but Oliver got round in time to line. Auckland kept up the attack and a passing bout between Ifwerson, Badeley 'and Hughes saw the latter knock on. Taranaki infringed from the scrum and Badeley just failed to goal. Auckland kept in dangerous proximity to Taranaki's line, but Berg and then Hickey put in good Kicks that removed play to half way. A high kick by Oliver was well taken by Hughes. Then McCullough and McInnea set Auckland moving, but Kingston gathered up well and gained applause with a great line kick. From the line-out McLean shot the ball to Ifwerson, who was nearly over. Then West, Campbell and Kivell headed, a. great rush to past half way. Again Auckland backs got moving and Hughes beat Kingston and Coutts and. centred, but a knock-on spoilt. A moment later Badeley spoilt a pretty piece of play by knocking on, and then Hughes, failing to field a high ball from Lusk, play was in neutral territory. Here Robertson secured and broke through the opposition, beating the full-back, but Williams over-hauled him in Auckland’s twentyfive. Failure by Coutts to gather up a pass let Hughes through, but the latter was well up-ended by Oliver. Again Taranaki forwards set up a rousing rush, Kivell, Campbell and Fryday in the van, but offside play spoilt. Lamb, making a great opening, set Badeley moving, but the latter’s pass to Williams went astray. Again Badeley gave a bad pass, which Robertson intercepted and by concerted work with Kingston compelled Ifwerson to line. Then Lusk essayed a pot, but the ball did not rise and was forced.