NOTES ON THE GAME.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1807, 21 July 1913, Page 6

NOTES ON THE GAME.

(By Oorreenondent.)

Auckland, July 20. v Good judges are agreed that AVellington played the better game, and Auckland's victory was a flukv one. A remarkable feature about tho match was the big attendance it drew in spite of tho' wretched weather. Not only was tho grandstand filled by noon, but a crowd threo or four deep completely surrounded the playing area. For over two hours numbers'oi men and women stood there in the bleak wind and wero occasionally drenchcd with rain. Rome enterprising carters brought loads of fruit cases and these sold like hot cakes, being used for seats or standing places. Tho wind blew right along the ground from goal-post to"goal-post, and the advantage of it went to AVellington in tho first spell. - From tho outset it was apparent that Auckland meant to confine the game to the forwards, and from beginning to end this policy was maintained, the local backs being positively starved and left with cold feet, except when mere chance tho toll their way. More than onco tho Auckland back division stood a chance of scoring when tho ball came out of tho scrum, but the half, back never once fed tliein, but invariably kicked the ball back into- the ruck or found the line. Tho tactics of AA'ellington, on the other hand, were to utilise their backs at every opportunity and their score resulted from'a brilliant passing run in which tho greasy ball was handled with marvellous accuracy. Superior combination characterised tho play of tho visitors right through. It was on the attack .that they shone most, the defensive play of the opposing sides being about equally good. It is a moot point whether AVellington could or could not have made more of tho advantage they had in tho first spell. With tho wiiid at their backs in the second spell everybody expected to see Auckland fully avail themselves of that advantage, but a surprising vitality seemed to have been imparted to the visitors in the interval, and for quite a while they had Auckland hemmed in their own territory. The onlookers'displayed a sportsman like, spirit, the A\ T ellington sido being .lustily cheered when they scored, and

every skilful bit of play on either sido was applauded. It was only natural, of course, that Auckland's penalty goal should arouso great enthusiasm. From that stage to the end, except for bno or two stirring rallies on tho part of the challengers, Auckland was attacking pretty well all the time.' The second score, a try, came from a high kick by Macky. The Auckland forwards got well under, and in a smothering rush, the lino was crossed and tho desperate efforts of one or two of the defenders to save were only just defeated., On the whole it was conceded in many' quarters that tho better team lost.