Waikato’s Win

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 105, 25 July 1927, Page 10

Waikato’s Win

TOO GOOD FOR AUCKLAND B GAME ON MUDDY GROUND HAMILTON, Saturday. The Waikato Rugby representatives played their opening game of the season here this afternoon in dull but fine weather before a £l5O gate. Rugby Park was heavy after the recent rains. Although there were several bright back movements, accurate work in this connection considerably handicr.pped the side Auckland sent down, which was considered to be well representative of he city’s second Rugby string. Waikato won a good game by 11 points to 5. The heavier Waikato pack proved too solid for the visiting vanguard. Although Auckland backs were endeavouring to turn the tide by handling movements, the conditions were too hampering for one thing, while the tackling of che opposition did not permit of a great deal of licence in this connection. On the run of the play Waikato deserved its win. In addition to its forwards being heavy and dashy, the backs, while probably not so effective as the Auckland set on a dry ground, adapted themselves well to the conditions obtaining. Their ball-taking was sure on the whole, while they set up some bright attacks. These did not have as much variety in them, however, as those of the Aucklanders. Auckland had a slight measure of superiority in the scrum-heeling, but this was the only department in which they were superior. In the forwards, the Waikato pack saw to it that Auckland did not make too much ground when the latter opened up thrusts from the scrum. BAYLY’S GREAT GAME Bayly, the Waikato rover, was particularly alert in this respect, and allround played a star game in keeping with the good form he has been showing in this position all the season. He scored two of Waikato’s three tries, and had hard luck in not being awarded another, as he dived for the ball after carrying it across the line with Bourke in close attendance. It is difficult to single o it the rest of the Waikato pack, as all were worth their places. Tuck played a solid halfback game for Waikato, both on attack and defence. Fitzgerald was dashing at first five-eighths, but had a tendency to lob his passes. Anderson, second five-eighths, was versatile, but Kemp, the centre, was responsible for more straight running than any of them. The wings. Quin and Buckingham, were safe in what they had to do. Thomas, the full-back, was a trifle slow, but he never let his side down seriously. HONOURS TO GILLESPIE Auckland, which had the better of matters in the first quarter, secured its five points in that period. Meyer whipped the ball out to Loft, and the three-quarter ran through from the 25 and also converted his try. Auckland

called strongly in the last quarter and went close several times, but the defence held. In the individual summary of the Auckland backs, honours go to Gillespie, the full-back, who was often challenged but never let them down. He often picked the ball from the feet of the charging forwards, while his kicking, though not lengthy, got there. Of the wings, Loft got more work to do than Woods. Both were reliable but seldom did they get any chances. Wright had plenty of opportunity behind the scrum. He did well on the whole, but there were occasions when he was caught nappin. Meyers and Cammick, the five-eigths, were bright at times, but they did their share of mulling. The pack, although beaten for the main part, worked hard. Potter toiled well as rover, especially in the closing stages, but his work often went unsupported. Wanoa played dashing football. Anderson was another good forward.