North Auckland: 5 British Lions: 38
30th July at Rugby Park ‘Whangarei’
The British Rugby team scored its best victory of the tour to date by defeating North Auckland at Whangarei by 38 points to 5. In the first spell North Auckland more than held its own, but soon after the commencement of the second half the speed and clever passing of the visitors completely nonplussed the home team. Britain would score several tries from great passing movements. The match was watched by a record attendance of about 7000 spectators, easily the largest gathering for any function in the North. Spectators came from all parts of the North.
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The British team was given a very enthusiastic reception and on entering the ground was greeted with a haka by a group of Northern Maoris, led by R Parore of Dargaville, son of the noted Northern Wairoa chief. Prentice led the British team and the Northern fifteen was captained by C.S Ryan. The weather was ideal for football and the ground was in good order.
In another article published at the time it mentions at the post match function:
The line umpire flags used at todays match were autographed by the players, the referee and the managers of both teams and presented as souvenirs to the Whangarei Public School.
If you have any photos or memorabilia related to the match please get in touch
(Plus the big question: Where are those line umpire flags today?).
North Auckland: 5
M McDonald (try), Halstead (conversion)
British Lions: 38
Bowcott (2 tries), Knowles (try), Jones-Davies (2 tries), Welsh (try), Wilkinson (2 tries), Martindale (2 conversions), Prentice (5 conversions)
Referee:
M Kronfelf (Auckland)
Attendance:
7000
North Auckland:
G Kerr, N Barach, E Mullins, R Sellars, L Davies, C.S Ryan, M McDonald, J Wells (rover), M Sheriff, M Morresy, W Rika, G Rika, E.M Halsted, B Fletcher, A.E Thomas
British Lions:
Jack Bassett, J.S.R Reeve, T.C Knowles, H.M Bowcott, A.L Novis, T.E Jones-Davies, H Poole, H Rew, D.A Kendrew, H.C.S Jones, J. McD Hodgson, S.A Martindale, W.B Welsh, F.D Prentice (Capt), H Wilkinson
NZ Herald
Peter Douglas-Davies
03/06/2017