FOOTBALL.

Putaruru Press, 7 June 1928, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. Auckland 30, Waikato 0. The first representative match of Waikato’s programme was played on Monday at Hamilton. There was a very large attendance and the conditions were perfect. The game was fast and more even than the score would indicate. For the first half there was nothing between the two teams ; in the third quarter Auckland began to get the upper hand, and in the last quarter the condition of the Waikato forwards gave out and Auckland were incessantly attacking. The Auckland team were without Mclntosh, Minns taking his place. For Waikato, . Anderson replaced Clemmett \at {wing three-quarter in team, while Dagg played in F. Thomas.' place., on account Of injury the Jatfer Sustained to his leg on tednjs were:— Auckland (blue'and white). —Fullt back, Paewai ; three-quarters, Minns, / Hook, Berridge ; five-eighths, Badeley, Fal wafeser ; half-back, Jeffries ; rover, Fletcher; forwards, Fell, Anderson, Batty, Wanoa, Cathcart, Palmer, Finlayson. Waikato (yellow, red and black). — Full-back, S. Thomas ; three-quarters, Quin, Kemp, Anderson ; five-eighths, Robson, Fitzgerald ; half-back, Tuck ; rover, Bayley ; forwards, C. Christie, Robinson, Dagg, D. Bourke, Camer.<>n, Wallis, Courtney. w *From tile kick-off Loth teams started to make the game fast, the superiority of the Auckland hookers allowing the visitors’ backs to get going. Wallis was instrumental in heading a great Waikato rush which carried play to Auckland’s 25, where Quin just missed the posts,from a penalty. Auckland’s backs kept opening out and Hook beat Quin cleverly but the pass was dropped. Anderson, going through fast, spoilt Minns, but the bounce of the ball beat him. Waikato continued to have rather the better of the game, mainly through the forwards. The Auckland hacks kept the ball moving, and play was up . and down the field. Kemp dropped a pass and Hook went away, | but S. Thomas got him and the player he passed to —a great piece of work. There was a fierce rally on the Waikato line until Christie broke through and kicked high. The Auckland backs were soon attacking and Quin.stopped a rush well. Robinson came to the rescue and dribbled to half-way. Berridge had a good shot at goal but Fitzgerald mis-kicked and play remained in Waikato’s 25. Robson ticked down the line and Hook and Paewai were caught by the forwards. The closing incident of the quarter was a great kick by S. Thomas, who lined near the Auckland line.

The opening of the second quarter was marked by a dash by Bayley and Cameron. Paewai was caught and Auckland luckily escaped. Kemp, dropping a pass, let Hook break away, and Waikato were hard set, Anderson nearly scoring. From a penalty against Bayley Berridge opened the score by kicking a goal.

Auckland 3 Waikato 0 j Waikato were again penalised for J a scrum infringement and Berridge i had another shot at goal. Play was back to Waikato’s territory. Hook dropped a pass but Waikato’s forwards overran the ball and Paewai found the line near the corner. From the ensuing play the ball was kicked over the line, and Anderson missing it, Minns scored. Berridge failed to convert. Auckland 6 Waikato 0 Robinson mulling a high kick, S. Thomas was hard pressed. Auckland attacked, Anderson driving them back by kicking to the 50. Shortly after 'Anderson dribbled through but Jeffries saved. Kemp got possession and made an opening for Anderson, who was brought down by Paewai near the line. Play hung on the Auckland line. A clearing kick was gathered by S. Thomas, who returned near the comer flag. The Auckland backs kept moving but sound tackling was forcing their attack across the field. Falwasser broke through but Robson brought him down from behind. Kemp gathered and got away but was not supported. The Auckland forwards, who were heeling out regularly, let Jeffries keep his hacks attacking. Robinson shone out with a great rush, taking play to the Auckland 25, where Tuck just missed the posts from a mark. It was the closing incident of the quarter.

Play was to Waikato’s advantage at the start. A dropped pass let the Auckland backs away, S. Thomas checking the movement. Anderson, the Auckland forward, made a good opening and centred, Kemp coming to the rescue. A free kick eased Waikato. A scrum infringement by Waikato gave Berridge a chance to increase the score but he missed. Kemp, Robson and Anderson took play by a passing rush to half-way. Auckland broke away but bad passing almost let Anderson away. Robinson was prominent in good forward work. An Auckland back passing rush saw Minns go fast down the line but he was pushed out. Auckland continued to press Waikato, and Paewai, taking a poor kick by a Waikato player, coolly potted a goal.

Auckland 10 Waikato 0 On the resumption the Waikato forwards carried play to Auckland’s territory. Quin got possession, and, instead of passing to Kemp, who had come round outside him, kicked on the full into touch, and the opening w*as lost. A bout of fast play ensued, the Auckland backs and forwards joining in passing. Cameron led a rush which smothered Paewai. Auckland counter-attacked but S. Thomas rescued his side. Paewai cleverly opened an Auckland attack, passing to Cathcart to Batty, who was forced into touch in goal. Auckland kept -pressing and S. Thomas was busy. From a scrum Jeffries worked the blind side, and Badeley, fooling Anderson, who had two men to take, scored. Berridge failed to convert.

Auckland 13 Waikato 0 The fourth quarter opened sensationally. Thomas made a mistake and someone kicked hard. Anderson ran back but tripped as he gathered the ball and threw it over the line, Wanoa’s perseverance being rewarded with an easy try. Berridge missed a shot in front of the post. Auckland 16 Waikato 0 Auckland ran through Waikato and a five-yards’ scrum saw the ball passed out to Badeley, who sent a left-footed pot over the bar. Auckland 20 Waikato 0 Auckland were having all the better of the game and their backs kept breaking away and testing Waikato’s defence. Occasionally the Waikato forwards, for whom Robinson and Courtney were playing a great game, made incursions. Jeffries broke away on the blind side and on being tackled inpassed to Finlayson, who scored between the posts. Berridge converted. Auckland 25 Waikato 0 Auckland threw the ball about with the greatest freedom and from a passing movement between forwards and backs a rush overwhelmed S. Thomas’ defence and Fletcher scored. Berridge converted. Auckland 30 Waikato 0 S. Thomas made a great solo run up the field and kicked high, hut the i Waikato team were too tired to follow the opening. Again and again J Auckland attacked and it was only . S. Thomas’ sterling defence that kept the visitors out. i Mr. S. Senior was referee.