THE LEAGUE GAME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 307, 16 September 1918, Page 7

THE LEAGUE GAME

■ 'AUCKLAND CANTEIt- -.. BURY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland,' September 14. . The representative ';. (football'.- match Kinder Northern Union; rules .between Canterbury. and Auckland, at the Domain, to-day," attracted an attendance estimated at from ten to twelve thousand; " :,The'' weather :wag TiiMy -and' there .was'no.'wind.". The game resulted in a win for Auckland by 45 points against Canterbury's 9, ■ Thougb. such a, large scoro'was put up by the home team that does not indicate the true' merits pf the respective teams. Canterbury failed to handle theball as 'cleanly as their opponents, and relied mora on their kicking' powers, \ which wero undoubtedly' good. Mitchell, their centre three-quarter, who did somo excellent place-kicking, ■ unfortunately' received a kick on tho head about half-' way through tho game, and had to retire, for, a time.,. From tlu> outset Auckland demonstrated their superiority in passing and- handling the ball. 'A large number of penalties wero given against Auckland at the beginning of the game, and the visitors had opportunities of'placing goals, Mitchell, with fine efforts, scoring in quick succession. Auckland, with passing..dashes, .however, kept the visitors defending al.lnost continuously, and in'the first spoil Davidson, wing-three-quarter, raced behind the goal-posts three times. Ifwerson adding the' major, points each time.- 1 Auckland, froni .forward rushes, scored two other tries in the first spell, Haddon on each occasion crossing the line.

Canterbury bad two good chsincos of crossing Auckland's lino during tho first half. On one occasion four of '-be Canterbury men broke away, with only the full-back to pass. The man with the'ball was tackled well, but faulty handling of tho pass .enabled Auckland to swarm round and save. Later, two of tho Canterbury men were rrcing for the line with the ball. Davidson, who was chasing them, was deliberately obstructed, and a ifrec-kiek to Auckland resulted. The chanco of an almost certain try was lost, and the spell ended: Auckland, 21; Canterbury, •!. . In the second spell the game was again notable for the clean manner in wdnch the Auckland backs handled the ball, the scores of the home team nearly all coming from smart passing bouts, in which the ball frequently travelled through tho hands of all tho backs. Almost immediately after the kick-off Ifwerson, who was making fine openings for the wing three-quarters, scored a try for Auckland after a dodgy run, though a number c'f. players on both sides were evidently under the impression that the game had been stopped on. account of a player being injured. Shortly after lies made a good dash, drew the defenco to the centre, and sent the ball well out to Davidson on tile wing. Tho hitter's pace enabled him to score behind the posts. Castles kicked the goal, making the score 24 to 4. Within a few minutes Davidson scored another try, his fifth, from which- a goal was kicked. Auckland kept up the pressure, and Haddon scored a try, which was_ converted, lies, after a brilliant passing "bout by ■the Auckland, backs, crossed the line at the corner, making tho Auckland total 34. Tho visitors' play improved for a time, and after some fast, loose •i!ay Young scored " near the corner, Mitchell making a good but ineffectual attempt'to add the points. Shortly after Canterbury obtained a mark in Auckland's twenty-live, and Smythe kicked a goal, making ■ the visitors' scoi'o 9. . From this out tho'.Auckland backs dominated' the game. The concluding tries were . scored by llfwcrson and irClymont, awl Ifwerson and Bailey respectively added tho points. Mr, Paul, of Auckland, was referee.

PEARSON CUP.

(By Telegraph-Special Cbrrespondent.) ; Masterton, September 15. In tho football match for tho Pearson Cup, played in'. Masterton on Saturday, ited Stars defeated Gladstone by six points to live. This is the first loss Gladstone has suffered during the present season. " ,'"', m