LISTLESS LEAGUERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 177, 17 October 1927, Page 10

LISTLESS LEAGUERS

AUCKLAND GOES DOWN FIRST DEFEAT OF SEASON SOUTH AUCKLAND’S FINE WIN AUCKLAND’S unbeaten record at League football for 1927 was sadly marred on Saturday when South Auckland repeated its success of 1923 and wrested the Northern Challenge Cup from Auckland. The visitors deserve every credit for their splendid victory.

TL Erf—is was something really sen- -* sationai in sport for the oncein vincible Auckland League reps to go clown under the arm of the South Auckland Leaguers. It has seemed merely fate that the local reps, after a season of continuous victories, should in their last big rep game for the year suffer a decisive defeat and meet their Waterloo in a game against a team from South Auckland, a place where the code has not such a strong hold as it has here. It is only fair criticism to say that on the day the visiting team displayed superior tac-tk-.x in nearly every department of the game, just as it did in 1923 when it defeated Auckland. WHAT WAS WRONG? A Vila t was wrong with Auckland—it is really hard to say. The team appeared stale and tired and could not get into its stride, and its backs, with the inclusion of a few so-called “finds,” failed to swing away in those dazzling, passing bouts as of old. Gregory was missing from five-eighth, and Wetherill with his oft-repeated cry “Let go—no ball,” was quickly sat upon. The forwards did not seem to produce that characteristic dash and they played as though a charge of dynamite thrown among them would do a lot of good. THE MIGHTY FALLEN At times during the game it appeared that the Aucklanders with much experience up their sleeves, would yet come to light, but no—South played hard, both among the forwards and the backs, right to the bitter end, and if the local reps have in the past considered themselves to be the “sages” of the League code in New Zealand, they were certainly brought to earth «*n Saturday with a hard and welldeserved bump. Perhaps they were unaware that Buller reps and the South Auckland reps are two teams which play an entirely different class of football. Whether it was lack of enthusiasm among Auckland Leaguers or careless arrangements on the part of the officials, it is not easy to say. but something was amiss, for when Payne one of the best forwards of the team, had to leave the field with an injured Jeg. there was not a forward reserve *o take his place, and Seagar. a back, had to come on and play in the pack. THE NEW MEN Crewther (five-eighth), and Wilson <wing-threequarter), being two comparatively new inclusions in the reps, were no doubt watched rather closely by the fans. Both were a shade on the erratic side, and went down on the ball only when they had to. They are both fast and tricky runners and are quite handy men when a decenk opening is made for them. Of course, Crewther, lacking big football experience, can well be excused when he is asked to play next to a player like “Gig” Wetherill, who jazzes and dances about all over the field. Wetherill, as a solo artist, played a great game, and made some great runs, but bis methods did not suit List, at centre, who found it hard to follow him. At the most unexpected time, “Giggy” would pass to List, who on more occasions than one received it like a bolt from the blue and was thus often downed before he could make a move. VISITING BACKS SOLID The South Auckland backs, although not actually giving a display of brilliant rearguard work, were very solid and their spoiling tactics were very effective. ]£. MacDonald, at five-eighth, is an old and experienced player, and he knows all the tricks of the game. He made some very snappy openings and with W. Miki playing next to him, the two got away with some good passing movements. Miki is very weak at handling, and this alone made a very weak spot in the back line. Everest, at centre, was very strong and put a nice finish to manv passing bouts. rf. Raynor and S. Miki, the two wings, are both strong runners. Raynor, however, flimflammed in his work once or twice by failing to follow’ up his kick, and this lack of dash was very noticeable. Miki, on the other hand, although not such a speedy lightfooted wing, is a great bustler, and should make a clever forward. FINE FORWARDS The South Auckland forwards are to be congratulated most. They are the heavy bustling type, and gave the Aucklanders the biggest surprise they have had this season. From nearly every scrum they got the ball, and Smith, lurking behind, soon shot it away into the open. Stephenson is no doubt a smart hooker, and in fact a great forward in general. Timms and Farrell were the other two outstanding forwards, and they know how to use their weight. Timms played in th© North v. South Island match a short time ago. and in the game he also gave a good account of himself. There was nothing particularly outstanding about the Auckland forwards. Hutt. hooking, found Stephenson a shade too good for him in most of the scrums, while Ruby and Dixon,* both playing rather an open game, were into th? limelight a good deal, especially Ruby, who did a lot of racing about — to good effect, too.

AUCKLAND TOO GOOD

FRANKTON UNFORTUNATE Although the Auckland junior representatives outclassed the visitors from Frankton in the game played as a curtain-raiser to the big match on Saturday, it could not be said that the exhibition given was anything of a high standard. The Auckland men certainly combined better and piled on 15 points to the visitors’ none, but the latter were unfortunate in one or two instances in not scoring. From the opening Molesworth, Dare and Atwell, for the visitors, made a pretty start in breaking away, but the opportunity was lost and this seemed to put the Auckland nlen in the position of advantage. They followed up with a great forward dash which took play to the visitors* line, and from there it was that G. Davis slipped over to score. The latter was always in the front rank and he kept the visitors busy, securing another score within a few minutes of his first. There is no doubt that had Frankton been playing its chosen team instead of a scratch lot the result would have been different. As it was the team was not up to its full strength and the bulk pf the work felt on Dare, Atwell,

Stevens, Molesworth, Northmore and Dwen. These players were associated in several good attempts to break down the opposition. A penalty kick would have assisted, but a bad miss was registered instead. When Tittleton, the visitors’ fullback, essayed to run into play with the ball from behind his goal posts he undertook a little too much, and Bissett coming at him fast got the ball and scored an easy try. For the victors G. Davis, Turner, Bissett, Dunn, Pennell and Rickards were most prominent, Dunn and Turner being especially good. Owing to the fact that both teams were late, the game did not last the usual spells, but it did not seem that the visitors could have caught the Auckland score even if that had been the case.

AKARANA’S WIN

FIFTH GRADE KNOCK-OUT A ONE-MAN SCORE Akarana met City at Carlaw Park on Saturday for the fifth grade final knock-out competition, and came off victorious by 7 points to 3. Up to half-time, the play was very even. At times City was very near Akarana’s line, and only the brilliant play of McDonald stopped the red and blacks from scoring. After half-time Alderton, Akarana, succeeded in putting a penalty kick over. Play returned to the other end of the field, where Reynolds after a brilliant run crossed Akarana’s line. The kick failed. From a scrum near City’s line Reynolds crossed. The kick failed. Reynolds for Akarana played a very good game, scoring all the points for his side.

IN FULL SWING

CRICKET IN THE SOUTH GOOD SCORING IN CHRISTCHURCH Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. Cricket matches were played at Christchurch yesterday in fine weather, but rain overnight had made the wickets slow. Riccarton, with 419 runs for seven wickets, declared, defeated West Christchurch, 224 runs, and scored a three-point win. For West Christchurch, Haynes 45, Cocks 36, and Findlay 31, were the only batsmen to make a stand. Evans, four for 48, and four for 30, and Roberts two for 3 and five for 17, were the best bowlers. St. Albans fared badly in their first innings against Sydenham, being all out for 168. Sydenham, with 213 for the first innings, batted again, and scored 118 runs for seven wickets. Woods 42, Falloon 40, and Sandman 32, were the best batsmen for St. Albans. Simmonds, seven for 78, was the best bowler for Sydenham. Linwood, with 241 runs in its first innings, dismissed Old Collegians for 63, Read six for 32, being the best bowler for Linwood. Following on. Collegians scored 241. Old Boys scored 275 for nine wickets, declared, against East Christchurch. The latter team had scored 152 runs in their first innings. Nixon 75, Mortlock 45, Ward 50, and Jacobs 3, were the chief scorers for Old Boys. In their second innings, East Christchurch scored 200 for three wickets (Gregory not out 129, scoring the only century of the day).

SMALL SCORING IN WELLINGTON MATCHES

Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Wellington cricket season opened yesterday in fine but windy weather. Following are the senior championship results:— Midland scored 140 runs (Baker 50) in a match against Institute, the latter team scoring 56 runs for one wicket. For Institute Massey took three wickets for 30, Baumber two for 17, and Foley two for 16. Playing against Wellington, Thorndon scored 130 (Roberts 47). Wellington scored 50 runs for no wickets. For Wellington, Craig took four wickets for 15, O’Connor three for 25, and Cousins three for 28. Batting against Old Boys, Kilbirnie made 95 (J. Kershaw 36 not out). Old Boys scored 115 runs for three wickets (W. Dustin 55). For Old Boys Lambert took three wickets for 19. Petone scored 157 against Y.M.C.A. the latter team losing one wicket for 14. For Y.M.C.A. Bowyer took two wickets for 5 runs. Hutt made 207 runs (Tattersall 120 not out) against University, the latter team losing two wickets for 2 runs. For University McLeod took four wickets for 49 runs.

GOOD BATTING

GRADE CRICKET IN SYDNEY By Cqble.—Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, Sunday The grade cricket matches were continued yesterday in fine weather on good wickets. For St. George against Paddington Bradman made not out. For Gordon against Cumberland Gerdes made 88 and Macartney 178. For Mosman against North Sydney Brown made 91 and Withers 131. For Northern District against Petersham Williams made ICO and Roth well 84. Bowling for Balmain against Western Suburbs Mailey took five wickets for 99 runs; for Randwick against Marrickville McNamee took four for 40; for North Sydney against Mosman Pratt took six for 47.—A. and N.Z.