AT LONG LAST

NZ Truth, Issue 1191, 27 September 1928, Page 16

AT LONG LAST

Taranaki Defeats Auckland

(Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Rep.) It |s just thirteen years since Taranaki won a representative game m Auckland, that occasion being the ohe'in which the butterfat province for the one and. only time held the Ranfurly Shield. TN beating the home team by 6 points to 3 on Saturday, the visitors were perhaps a trifle lucky m scoring the final try, though they undoubtedly had the better of play right through. Territorially, Taranaki was the only team m it, and had weather conditions been better Taranaki might have scored a more decisive win. It is claimed locally that the greasy ball and continuous rain throughout the game adversely affected the local side, but judging by the manner m which the amber-and-blacks passed and fielded the leather, "N.Z. Truth" is of the opinion that even under ideal conditions' the win would still have been. in their favor. / Though, from a weight point of view, Auckland had it all over the visiting pack, it was early apparent that Taranaki were having the better of the scrum work, though Auckland did liven up for a short - while after half time. . It is many years now since Taranaki were so well off m the matter of really good backs. It was the tactics which won them the game.. They suited themseves to the existing conditions with happy .results to themselves, and it was from their' point, of view the most important game won for a decade. Auckland players were as dead as the proverbial doornail as a side, though one or two of them played quite up to their best reputation. :.>•.;' The bad play of the fiye^eighths and. centre had a serious effect on .decent combination, and it" was. quite apparent that this,,' % very necessary part of the game was non-existent. „'■',..] By comparison, Auckland, suffered m attacking movements, a somewhat unusual phase of the home team's play. The visitors were infinitely streets ahead of the blues m this respect. Auckland's attacks were devoid of purpose and. very haphazard to say the least of it. The try that Darky Robinson scored and gave Taranaki the win was the result of a poor effort on the part of Hook to field a ball after a very strong Taranaki forward attack. Many thought it no try, but there was no doubt about the contact having been made though Robinson did not actually stop the ball from going further. \ Watson, on the wing, fielded, well and was very fast. Undoubtedly a classy player, he used good judgment throughout. ' Brown, at centre, was seen, at his best. His kicking was welljudged, whilst his tackling left nothing to be desired. * ' Crawford, an ex-High school player, was also well m the limelight- and will make good m big football. . Johnston was very safe at fiveeighths and played one of his' best games.' Ike was the pick of the pack and m spite of his ; size was always well up with play. His kicking was good and the^ first score to Taranaki was a very fine penalty one from well out and a bad angle. Robinson was a source of annoyance to the home side. His following- up spoilt many a promising movement of the home backs and as a result of one of his efforts he won the game. for his side. . ' . >'■ Butler was' safe as the last, line of defence for Auckland, though his kicking was not up to the usual standard. Minns failed again m his stopping. He still persists m running back m the hope that he will intercept or someone else dp the front tackle. Hook was shocking. Once m possession he thought that was the end of it and would not pass. It was his bad play that gave victory to Taranaki. Stoupe did well with limited chances. Berridgewas all right. His tackling showed a vast improvement but with Jenkin' playing such a rotten game he had little chance m attack. !. "Shorty" McMarius, behind the pack did all that was possible under most adverse conditions. He is far from a spent tight. "Angy" Finlay son : played up to his best form and due to fast following-up put the one and only try of Auckland to his credit. ; • Cathcart was at his best, but -had the bad habit 'of knocking the ball back iii the- line-outs, a fatal tactic on such a day;: His, solo dribbling effort was a very fine one, and had he been supported.' the movement \ might easily have resulted m a score. Laurie Knight played his best game this season. Unfortunately, . it is also the , last rep. ;game ; or he might prove to\ critics that he is still worthy of All Black consideration. He is just striking form.;