WHANGAREI’S BRAKE SHIELD VICTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 12

WHANGAREI’S BRAKE SHIELD VICTORY

The first of the inter-union matches of the 1927 season for the Brake Shield was played at Kensington Park on Saturday between Whangarei (holders) and Northern Wairoa (challengers). The day was fine and the ground in good order, but the football was not up to representative form. No scores were made during the first half, play being confined entirely to the forward division throughout. After half-time, Whangarei opened the game up and put its backs into action, and the result was immediately noticeable. Although in the first half of the game Northern Wairoa held its own and looked to have an excellent chance of winning, this team was outclassed in the latter part of the game, and the score —ii to o—was0 —was a fair criterion of the respective strengths of the teams. Beasley, the Whangarei half, was the star back on the field, and he was well supported on his side by Harrison, who is a fast threequarter. Wilson, at fullback, was very safe, and is the possessor of a remarkable kick —either drop, punt or place. His goal from a mark was dropkicked from nearly half-way without the assistance of a breeze. Flood was also a useful man in the threequarter line. Of the forwards, O’Brien at rover and Carnack, were the most often in evidence. The Wairoa backs were not particularly brilliant, Finlayson and Wells being the best, although Boag was good until he retired injured. Of the forwards, Vennello and Dunn shone out, and were followed closely by Bryhan and Simmons. THIRD SPELL SCORE No score was made until the third spell, when from an opening made by Beasley, Flood sent the ball across to Harrison to score near the corner flag. Wilson, with a fine kick from an awkward angle, added the extra points. Half-way through the last spell Wilson took a mark near the half-way, and with a fine dropkick sent the leather over the centre of the bar with plenty of room to spare. Just on time Beasley again opened up and transferred to Harrison, who skated down field and kicked infield to Cossill. The latter, who had just come on, replacing Carnack, beat his man, and handed over to Dickson to score. Harrison failed with the kick, and the final score thus read: Whangarei 11, Northern Wairoa 0. Air. J. Constable, of Helensville, was referee.