Bay Outclassed

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 745, 19 August 1929, Page 6

Bay Outclassed

FEW THRILLS IN BIG GAME Forwards Control Play OX a dry, well-rolled ground that gave a fairly fast surface a spectacular game was expected between Auckland and Hawke’s Bay at Eden Park on Saturday. Early iu the piece, however, it was apparent that Hawke’s Bay was not over keen to use its back division. From the whistle the Bay set out to use its forwards and it did so to fairly good advantage, inasmuch as they managed to cripple many promising movements by the home backs, but they could not prevent Auckland running up a total of 32 to their 6.

Although the Bay can still turn out a strong pack of forwards, in the rear division the side was very weak. It was unfortunate that Ruru, South and Grenside were not able to make the trip. Had they done so it would have been a vastly different threequarter line that would have taken the paddock. Then a fair measure of back play on the part of the visitors wbuld probably have been seen. As it was it was only on extremely rare occasions that the ball ever passed beyond the second five-eighth. In consequence, the threequarter line was rarely ever sighted in action throughout the journey. The Bay pack, which includes several very likely looking forwards, excelled in hard rucking work, and from whistle to whistle the forwards maintained a solid pace. Nevertheless the pack did not dominate the Auckland seven who hooked consistently well, and throughout gave their backs plenty of the ball. There were one or two bright flashes, notably when Lucas ran about three-quarters of the field to score his sensational try under the posts, and when Minns hoisted Auckland’s first score with a speedy dash down the line. There was also a thrill or two for the crowd when, in the closing stages, Butler, at fullback, brought the ball up and, running his backs into action, sent Bush, Minns and Jamieson away on a fast gallop that ended with the latter notching a highly spectacular try. WALKING RUSHES Although Corner fed his backs with almost clockwork regularity the Auckland rear division did not do as well as was expected. Most of the passing rushes were carried out at a walking pace, and it was only in the movements instituted from loose play that any snap was seen. The failure of the Auckland backs in this connection was largely due to to the attentions of the Hawke’s Bay rover and breakaways, and the playing of Bush at second five-eighth. In the second spell when Bush shifted out to centre he went much better, and there was far more nip in the play. Playing Bush at centre was an experiment that had certain factors to commend it, but when experience showed that he was inclined to be too slow for that position, the fact of bringing him In closer was certainly not going to make him faster. Rex Hook, who had a bad ankle when he took the field, only lasted a few minutes, and for the remainder of the first half the threequarter line was Minns, Lucas and L. Hook. All three players early showed promise, particularly Lucas, whose runaway try was on© of the tit-bits of the day. L. Hook also showed up in one or two dashy runs, particularly in the second half, when, moved up to second five-eighth, he commenced to infuse the necessary dash and penetration necessary to give his outside men a chance without running them on to the side-line. Minns was responsible for several very bright runs, but it is rather unfortunate that he is altering his style of play. The pass-in is all very well in its place, but there were one or two occasions on Saturday when it would have been better had he been the Minns of old and gone for the chalkline rather than waste time looking for his supports. CORNER BRILLIANT Butler, at fullback, was not very certain in his handling during the first half, nor was his kicking as good as

usual. In the second half, however, he played a good game, his line-kicking showing great improvement. Jamieson was easily the best of the five-eighths, playing a sound game. This player shows promise and should develop into a really useful sort. Corner gave another fine exhibition behind the scrum. This player has quickly come into prominence, and providing he goes on the way he is doing, will go further yet. There are several points about his play that are very pleasing, particularly his manner of picking the ball off the toes of the opposing forwards. He does this very neatly, and there is nothing more disconcerting or annoying to forwards than this. With Keene out of commission Fletcher was called upon to fill the roving commission, and he did it well. Playing his best game this season Fletcher was constantly in the picture. Palmer and Finlayson both hooked well and kept the half well provided in regard to leather. In other departments of forward play they were also useful members. The pack as a whole went well. McWilliams, who played a first-class game, was an ideal leader, and he was well supported by Batty, Anderson and A. Knight. It was only toward the very end of the game that Hawke’s Bay started to give their wings a run, and that was the only occasion that the Auckland line was crossed. Although no doubt outclassed in the back division it would still have been better policy for the insides to have given their supports a look at the ball occasionally lather than kick into the arms of Butler who, particularly in the second half, was turning these gifts to good account. Setford and Botlicrway were the two most outstanding backs. Setford at times showed a certain amount of brilliance, but was prone to kick overmuch. Botherway, although not providing many fireworks, handled well, j and his tackling was very sound. :

Of a hard-working, good-rucking pack of forwards, Campbell, Heifer- I nan, Wilson and Roach were always prominent. A very useful, hard-work-ing hooker in Cairns also caught the eye frequently. Campbell, captain of the* side, was a constant source of inspiration to the pack. Although he was detected several times glaringly off-side, McKay proved an effective rover. He must, However, curb the off-side tendency. There are limits within which even a wingforward must keep. Mr. F. Sutherland was the referee.