TIGHT GAME

NZ Truth, Issue 1189, 13 September 1928, Page 16

TIGHT GAME

Dour Packs Battle At Auckland

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Rep.) Auckland's football strength was split into t,hree divisions on Saturday for representative games and three successes were scored. The chief match between Auckland and Wanganui was purely a forward struggle and lacked the spectacular element. . IN beating Wanganui by 16 points to 3, Auckland put up a fair performance. The visitors seemed to have a great regard for the home backs, or else they knew the weakness- of their own, for the pack held the ball up In the scrum work for an unconscionable time. They worked on the principle of wearing out the home forwards, and killing time. It was reminiscent of the old type of game, and whenever the ball went into the scrum, or there was some tight work, the public wondered when It would come out again. In the open the visitors were hope--lessly outclassed and the fast attacking movements of the home side had them on defence for the greater part of the game. They had few chances of showing anything like back combination, and with a hopeless full-back their chances were not great. * ■ In open work the visitors had a lot to commend them. It was the only, strong point worth while m the whole of their play. ' So far as the Auckland fifteen was concerned, there was more snappiness and' better combined work amongst the backs than usual. The visitors were kept at bay most of the game and it was only m the final quarter that one of the forwards chased a loose ball and got there first. The pack: showed something like, true form m both tight and loose work. They seemed to revel ' m the forceful struggles of a scrum just as much as the opposing side. On lineout work they were the better team, and there was little to choose between the two sides In loose work. A decent goal-kicker m the Wanganui team would have lessened the margin between the sides. Penalties were frequently . given against Auckland.. Fulton was hopeless at full-back. He seemed scared of the ball. Harrington did not impress on the wing. Carlson did some fine stopping and put. m one or two useful runs, while

Hall showed himself to be a dashy •winger. Wakelin saved his forwards a lot by his fine kicking. Wall, at half, had a great deal to do and did it well. He stopped many a, hard rush, but as the pack were not anxious to let the ball out, his chances of sending the backs going were few. Oxley, m the front row, showed himself a good type of forward, much after the style of Rangi Wilson. He 1 was m all of the hard work and stopped some hefty rushes. Mcßae and Stewart were also m the limelight. Paewai showed some little improvement m his work. He was weak on defence, though he did make a fine tackle when Wall looked dangerous. 'Minns was still the gentleman player who; refused to go for his man. In attack he was most forceful and scored a try that was worth while. If he would only go for his man he would be a dandy. Watty Barclay, who captained the team, was m good form. His head work gave much confidence and territory to the winners. Stoupe played a very fair game and scored a try. McManus filled his old position and played quite up to his old-form. He got the ball away very snappily and evidently the spell has done him no harm from a football point of view. Linton did nothing to write home about. "Angy" Finlayson was m good form, and Cathcart was the same honest old. horse as always, while Wanoa put a, bit more snap m his playi Anderson again proved,that he was worth his place. He was always round when there was any loose stuff going and as usual snapped one up and scored. ■•• , ■