OUTSTANDING PLAYERS IN SATURDAY’S REPRESENTATIVE LEAGUE MATCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 431, 13 August 1928, Page 6

OUTSTANDING PLAYERS IN SATURDAY’S REPRESENTATIVE LEAGUE MATCH

spell, they never wavered, but stuck to a definite system of play throughout. Bowman, great 155 stone ruckman, Bowen, a tireless worker in tight and loose alike, and Thompson, rugged and massive as a Springbok lockman, showed out in magnificent fashion from start to finish. These three took the honours in the English pack. BILLO’S DAY OUT Behind tho scrum, Bryn Evans did his work faithfully and well, leaving ample scope for Billo Rees to play loos?. Billo not only played loose—he played ducks and drakes with the Auckland defence on many occasions, his solo try being a brilliant effort. Brough, at centre, played his best game in Auckland so far, although he is inclined to over-do his combination swerve and “dummy.” A good footballer, all the same. Ellaby is still the puzzle of the New Zealand tour. At times, he belies his great reputation by an almost incomprehensible hesitation at the critical moment. On other occasions he completes a really fine movement with the ease and concealed effort of the master. Apart from lack of opportunities and the tendency of his insides to

AUCKLAND

ENGLAND

tho forwards showed plainly the loss of that rugged trio, Goodail, M. O’Brien and Timms, although Hall played like a champion in the heavy stuff, and Clarke was going great guns in the loose. Somers, however, was palpably out of condition. Unless his side is getting the ball from the scrums, he is little more than a passenger in any team, with a third-class ticket at that. It is a severe judgment to pass, but unfortunately true. One would sooner remember him as a master of possession from the scrum, as he was in the first test, for on Saturday any thoughts the Englishmen may have had of letting# the other side hook the ball were wisely forgotten as soon as it became apparent that they would have no cause for complaint in respect to penalties imposed for scrum infringements. GRUELLING DAY FOR BACKS With the forwards out-matched by weight and pace, the Auckland backs had a grLielling time of it. Frequently they were called on to tackle two men and to incur the stigma of having nLirsed their man through trying to

tries, but who swings extra defence to his side of the paddock, with consequent opportunities for the men on the opposite flank. Dufty was in and out. At times he played brilliantly, but looked to be OLit of condition toward the finish, when on two occasions he could not get into position in time to stop the final move in the English network of attack.

THE GAME IN DETAIL

AUCKLAND’S BRIGHT START SECOND SPELL REVERSAL The detailed account of the match opens with Hardgrave’s try three minutes after the start. Possibly after seeing so little of Hardgrave in the First Test, the Englishmen were disposed to treat him lightly. They could not have made a greater mistake. Chasing a long scooter-kick through the English 25 on the far side of the

Auckland was leading 8-3 at this stage, but a close analysis of the game showed only a superficial superiority on points. England had done the bulk of the attacking. On at least three occasions, last-minute breakdowns in the passing saved Auckland. For all that, Auckland rose to it just before the half-time bell, Scott and Hall leading the way in a shattering rush to the English twenty-five, where the reliable Thompson held up the attack by kicking to Delgrosso. The latter had the mortification of hearing the bell upset his plans for a scrum attack in the top corner, following his kick to touch within a few yards of the English line. DUFTY’S GREAT GOAL Auckland opened the second spell in dominating fashion. In short order, Clarke, Hutt and Delgrosso flashed out a.t the head of successive rushes, and Sullivan, in attempting to clear with a spinning sky-shot, put the ball in Dufty’s hands half-way between the twenty-five and half-way lines. Cool as a cucumber, the veteran edged into position, and let drive at the posts. The ball soared away and aloft —a per-

i scramble. Off went the little speedi ster in a whirlwind dash, with a swing 7 in-field to link up with the mighty j Bowman, thundering up the centre anil t calling for the pass. Fairclough let ■ him have it —a perfectly-timed trans- - fer—and the big fellow fairly flung t himself into his stride, powerful limbs : sweeping the turf in a glorious final . dash which took him over under the f posts. Sullivan added another one to » the thousand odd goals of his career. . England, 21; Auckland, 15. ; SULLIVAN’S FOURTH GOAL It was England all the way now. r Billo Rees, Brough and Fairclough caught the eye in a flickering onrush of white jerseys. Fairclough connected again with Brough, with Frodt sham as the middle link in the passing chain, and Brough raced for the posts ’ for the final try of the match. Sul- [ livan kicked his fourth goal on end. t England, 26; Auckland, 15. 1 It was the final incident in a thrill- ? ing second spell recovery. The last 1 minute or two of the mtach saw Auck- > land rally in an unavailing final effort, . which terminated with the ringing of . the bell for full-time.