Win for Rugby Reps.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 757, 2 September 1929, Page 6

Win for Rugby Reps.

BUT PLAY NOT IMPRESSIVE Canterbury’s Good Fight' OX the form shown by the Auckland side on Saturday it was perhaps just as well for the province that Canterbury w&s unable to bring- its best team North. Although winning by 17 to 6, Auckland’s display was not impressive. Certainly much better things were expected. The game itself was fast and exciting. At half-time Canterbury led by three points and it was not until L. Hook dropped a good goal that the home side commenced to get the upper hand, eventually to run home winners by 17 to 6.

It is interesting to form a. conjee- { ture as to how the Auckland side ' would have fared had Canterbury lined out its Dalley-Lilburne-Oliver- i Carleton combination, •with Jack Steel | on one wing, Merritt on the other, and ! .Harris at fullback. Judging by tlie J way its second string of inside backs < tossed the leather about on Saturday, Auckland would have been beaten. On Saturday, although defeated, Canter- j bury held the advantage for most of | the game. One is inclined to sympathise to some extent with the Auckland backs. Ever since the present formation was adopted they have not been seen at , their best, and it is mainly no fault 1 of theirs. On the consistently good form shown of lat© by Cammick there is obviously no other man for the second five-eighth's position. Lucas is the logical centre, and L. Kook should be on the wing. Sound as he is on defence, Bush, at i centre, does not fit into the Auckland scheme of things. Too often the wings are given passes when they have both feet on the ground, and it is too big a handicap, even for fast men. At centre, Lucas would not only get more opportunities but he would be in a position to create them for others, at which he is peculiarly adept. When these alterations are effected perhaps once again Auckland backs will be seen racing into action and providing exhibitions equal at least to our best club standard. MIN NS’S TRY There was really only one good passing rush by the Auckland rearguard and that was when Minns scored from a movement in which all the backs handled. On that occasion the backs really got into their stride and Minns was given a chance which he turned to good account with a fast sprint down the line. Crossing the line wide out he continued round to ground the ball under the post to make certain another two points. This was a. really bright movement and it had the crowd on their feet all the way. Neither Minns nor Lucas got many opportunities. Against a pair of sound taeklers in Merritt and Hart more assistance from the insides was

necessary. The two fullbacks, Butler and Harris, both gave sound displays. Although Butler made few mistakes, his kicking particularly in regard to direction, •was hardly up to the standard of Harris. The Auckland insides, Jamieson and L. Hook, did not prove as effec-

tive as Hay and Innes, of Canterbury. Of the two Aucklanders. Jamieson showed more penetration. Although Hook breaks through at times he is inclined to lose connection. Behind the pack Corner gave a good display. Considering that this is only his first year in senior ranks he is showing great promise. He is improving all the time and, in addition to opening up well, is kicking with good judgment. The Auckland pack appeared to be holding back in the scrums in the first half, and it was obvious that all the weight was not going in. Toward the end. of the game there was a marked improvement in this respect, and it was then that Auckland began to get more of the ball. Up till then the lighter Canterbury forwards were more than holding their own in all departments of the game. McWilliams stood head and shoulders above the other Auckland forwards, and was undoubtedly th€* best forward on the ground. His line-out work was particularly good. Hadley and Batty worked consistently well and Fletcher, wingforward, gave a sterling performance. Batty and Anderson also gave good displays. At wing-forward Fletcher played a hard and very effective game. When Canterbury was repeatedly get-

ting the ball uwav from scrums and line-outs in the first half he was responsible for stopping many promising movements. This season Fletcher appears to be playing at the top of his form. INNES AND MULLAN Although Steel has reached the stage where he can almost be classed with the Old Brigade, he is still playing sound Rugby and his kicking makes him a valuable man. The most promising of the Canterbury threequarter line, however, was Merritt, the New Zealand representative cricketer, who gave a good display on the wing. His tackling is particularly good. The outstanding backs on the ground were Innes and Mullan. Innes’s try in the first half, when instead of sending the leather out. he shot through the Auckland insides, was surely inspired. Possessing weight and pace, he is a very useful type of fiveeighth. Hay, his associate, was sound and proved a solid defensive man. Mullan was the other Canterbury back who attracted considerable attention. In whipping the ball out to "his backs from all manner of situations, he certainly provided an object ,

lesson for Auckland halves. He is very quick and his passes were well thrown. On defence he is particularly solid. Mullan has been extremely unfortunate in that he is playing in a province, that also possesses Bailey.

Burrows was the leader of the visitors’ pack. He was an untiring worker and shone consistently both in the tight and loose. A-lso prominent were Anders o n. Manchester, and Robinson. Scrimshaw made effective use of the roving commis-

Mr. H. J. McKenzie, of Wairarapa, controlled the game firmly and with good judgment. POLLARD CUP GRAFTON EASILY KINGSLAND DEFEATED Infected by the excitement of the crowd watching the Auckland-Canter-bury representative contest on the adjoining ground, both Grafton and Kingsland players displayed very desultory interest in their own match at Eden Park on Saturday. Weak teams were fielded by both clubs, particularly Grafton, whose fifteen included practically the whole of the juniors’ backs, who had just played in an earlier game. Principally through good individual forward dribbling, assisted by a spectacular rearguard try just on time, Grafton won comfortably by 13 points to 6. The magpie pack did not show to advantage, though it overshadowed its opponents in the loose, by reason of consistent following-up. Lockie and Hammond shared honours for good line-out play and dribbling breakaways. Both scored well deserved tries as a result of their own efforts. The backs, though a speedy lot, capable of developing dangerous attacking movements, had few opportunities to show their paces as Grafton forwards were generally beaten for the ball in the scrums. Liddle, at fiveeighths showed plenty of dash in the few chances he had and generally created good openings. Grafton’s last try, however, came from a beautiful piece of back play, the ball travelling smartly along the whole line to Irwin, who dashed over in the corner. It was the one bright effort of the game. A heavier team all round, Kingsland did not display the degree of combination that Grafton did. Bashing enough in the loose, the forwards, however, lacked the finish to carry rushes to scoring account. Overrunning the ball and hard kicking near the line were prominent causes of failure. In the majority of cases, Kingsland hookers were securing the ball from the scrums, but it was not heeled cleanly to the half, who, consequently, was promptly downed before he could move. Emmerton gave a sound exhibition throughout, and scored Kingsland’s only try. The other three points were produced by a good penalty goal by Clark, who also shewed up well in the attacking work. OTAHUHU BEATS MARIST TWELVE POINTS TO THREE The game between Otahuhu and Marist at the Showgrounds on Saturday was just a good, hard game, neither team showing anything approaching brilliance, and the score, 12 points to 3, in favour of Otahuhu. was a fair indication of the run of play. It was not until half an hour after the scheduled time of starting that the game commenced, and when it did get going the play was very ragged. The teams attacked in turn in the first spell, but the back divisions lacked combination and many movements, if they had been finished with more combined efforts instead of too much individualism would have been in all probability more successful. The second spell saw Otahuhu improve in play and in the second half the suburban team had all the better of the play. Ellis, Todd, Clarke and T. Latta scored tries for Otahuhu, while Stoup scored for Marist. All the kicks missed. Mr. F. Arnold, in the absence of the proper referee, controlled the game. VARSITY WINS With a highly interesting representative game on a few yards away. Varsity and North Shore did not feel inclined to waste too much time over the Pollard Cup match on Eden Park No. 3 ground on Saturday afternoon. So by arrangement, two very short spells only were played, and at the end of that time Varsity had a 12-7 win. Both sets of players then adjourned to more interesting spheres. Varsity was minus the services of several of its best men. who were engaged in the inter-provincial game against Canterbury, but in spite of this had little trouble in gaining a lead. Stone scored three tries, and McGlashan one for the students. None of these tries was converted. For Shore. Lynch scored a lone try and Hume dropped a field goal. SUBURBS WIN Little interest was taken in the Pollard Cup fixtures at Eden Park on Saturday on account of the big representative game on the main area. In the early game- on No. 3 ground, Suburbs triumphed over Marathon by ‘8 points to 3. Marathon, which is at present leading in the senior B section. was without half a dozen of its , regular players, who axe on the in- 1 jured list. The game was a most willing one. j

with a tremendous amount of ragged t play, which quite frequently became j unduly vigorous. Marathon held its own in the first quarter, but in the opening stages of the second Suburbs went ahead five 1 points, when R. Allen scored a try j which Tom converted. The suburban backs showed up to advantage over their opponents, although forward the teams were fairly evenly matched. Toward the end of the game Tom scored an unconverted ; try for Suburbs, making the total 8, j as against 3 for Marathon—the result J of a penalty goal by Young. WAIRARAPA’S DEFEAT SOUTHLAND WINS BY THREENPOINTS RUGBY SURPRISE Pi'ess Association CARTERTON, Saturday. Southland effected a, big here today when it lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Wairarapa. The weather conditions were all that could be desired, and the attendance was about 4,000. The teams were: Southland.—£.. Norris. L. Stubbs. F Townsend, F Anderson, L. Porter R" Bell (captain), A Holden, B. Mahoney .D. A«aew, L. George, T. Galt, U. Furdie, H. McKenzie', R. Bird, T. Metcalfe. Wairarapa.—L. Roach, R. Gundy. C. Stringfellow. F. Fuller. A. E Cooke (captain), T. Corkill, J. Mill, J. Donald, W. Irvine, K. Reid, I. Harvey, S. Willoughby, M. Willoughby, N. McGregor. TV . Reside. Winning the toss Southland played downfield, setting such n pace that \\ airarapa appeared to be standing still. The Wairarapa backs set up an attack, which was carried to Southland’s twenty-five. A free kick here gave Fuller a fair chance at goal, but he missed. The Southland forwards then asserted themselves, good kicking by Porter putting them in a strong position. Wairarapa was penalised for off-side. Porter taking the kick and landing a very fine goal from 10 yards inside half-way.—Southland, 3; Wairara pa, 0. Immediately afterward Wairarapa again infringed, this time outside the twenty-five, and Porter sent over another beauty.—Southland, 6; Wairarapa, 0. With Southland still on the attack Porter had a clear chance to pot and he took it and brought the score up. —Southland, 10; Wairarapa, 0. SOUTHLAND FORWARDS' SPEED The speed of the Southland forwards kept Wairarapa strictly on defence, only occasionally allowing the redoubtable back division to get going. A fine run by Corkill, Cooke and Fuller saw the latter enter Southland’s twenty-five, where a melee followed. Southland was penalised and Fuller kicked a goal.—Southland, 10; Wairarapa, 3 Following on this success Mill Brilliantly cut in and sent on to Corkill, Cooke and Stringfellow. the latter rac-

Ing round to touch down near the posts. Fuller failed with the easy kick. Southland 10; Wairarapa 6. A brilliant forward rush by Wairarapa ended in touch-in-goal. Another Wairarapa attack failed badly when Stringfellow missed a pass from Cooke. Townsend snapped up the ball

and sped away. Tackled by Roach he passed to Mahoney, who scored near the posts. Porter kicked a poster.— Southland, 13; Wairarapa, 6. There was great expectation from Wairarapa in the second half, but for once the team failed to respond, South- , land continuing a vigorous offensive. Bell initiated a splendid movement, passing the ball right across the field to Porter, who streaked past Stringfellow and passed to Anderson, who sprinted for the corner. Roach tackled him, but Anderson punted over his head and Wairarapa luckily forced. Wairarapa then came to light, instituting a series of pretty rushes which carried play near the Southland twenty-five. Fifteen yards inside halfway Fuller snapped up the ball and potted a magnificent goal.—Southland. 13; Wairarapa, 10. WAIRARAPA ATTACKS The Wairarapa forwards continued the pressure, and an infringement gave Cundy a long chance, and he sent the ball over with a brilliant kick. —Southland. 13; Wairarapa, 13. Excitement then ranged high. Southland pursued its tactics of fast following up. bustling the Wairarapa backs effectively. The tackling of Bird, who had got rid of the ball, gave Porter an easy chance to goal, and he took it. —Southland, 16; Wairarapa, 13. The: visitors promptly initiated another forward rush, led by Mahoney, but Cundy forced. Galt, Mahoney and Holden next handled attractively, carrying play right over the line, but again Wairarapa forced. A passing rush by Wairarapa carried play back to Southland’s twenty-five, but Porter intercepted nicely and raced away upfield. Roach and Cooke both tackled him high, and he carried them with him. Two yards from the line he passed to Bird, who scored at the foot of one of the posts. The kick was disallowed for mishandling.—Southland. 19; Wairarapa, 13. The home side then exerted every effort. Cundy was brought into fiveeighths, Corkill going to the wing. Wairarapa made many fierce rushes, but the defence stood solid. Mill received from a scrum near the corner and he cut in and passed to Cundy,, Cooke and Stringfellow, the latter racing in near the goal. Again Fuller missed. Wairarapa was still attacking strongly when time sounded, the final scores being: Southland 19 Wairarapa 16 Mr. T. A. Fletcher, of 'Wellington, was referee. WINNERS CHALLENGED ; SOUTH CANTERBURY ENTERS Press Association TIMARU, Sunday. The South Canterbury Rugby Union has issued a challenge to Southland for the Ranfurly Shield, suggesting September 11 as the date of the match. AUCKLAND B TEAM JUST BEATS THAMES BRILLIANT FOOTBALL (From Our Oicn Correspondem) THAMES, Sunday. ] The Auckland B representatives defeated Thames on Saturday, but there was practically nothing to choose ! between the teams. It was brilliant j football played under ideal conditions, j and the onlookers were impartial in their praise. Auckland opened the scoring five j minutes after commenging. when Rae j set his backs moving from half-way

and Goodwin raced over at the corner. Trevor Dufty, the Thames five-eighth, was the mainstay of the backs, and his side-step and dummying made many an opening. It was one of these that took play to Auckland's zone, where Strange picked up and ran over. Winder converted the try and Thames supporters -were jubilant. The first quarter ended with Thames two points in the lead. LEVEL PEGGING A forward rush, headed by Brimole, saw the Aucklander score a clear try. Wilson goaled and put his team three points ahead. Dufty was within an ace of scoring, but Brunton got offside and a sure try was lost. Moran broke away and came through the ruck with G. Percy in attendance. A timely pass, and Percy was over the line. Auckland assumed the aggressive, and Falwasser and Goodwin made repeated efforts to break through, but Moran, Harrison and Dufty’ were tackling well. A high punt by Strange saw Wilson fail to field the ball, and the fast-following W. Pollock beat him for the leather and put Thames three poants in the lead. At half-time Thames were 11. Auckland 8. From the kick-out, Thames pressed hard and Auckland forced three times in quick succession. “Give it to Dufty! was the Thames cry when a penalty was awarded in Auckland’s quarter, Dufty justified the cry by sending the ball over the bar. Thames 14, Auckland 8. Auckland now had a look m, and the flying Falwasser was nearly over several times. His effort was awarded at last by a clever try. Shortly after, Cammick picked the ball up in midfield and raced through the Thames backs and scored. Wilson piloted the ball over the bar and gave Auckland a t-wo-point lead. The reverse spurred Thames on afresh, and Moran, who was playing a good- game, came through drew the lullback and sent. G. Pollock to score Thames’s final try. and put it one point in the lead.

The last five minutes saw the Auckland backs pass like clockwork, but the Thames forwards tackled hard. Rae sent a long pass to Cammick - Wales came up in time to receive the ball and score a clean try. Auckland 19, Thames 17. The game ended shortly afterward with Thames pressing

the visitors hard. In the preliminary match, Thames juniors beat a Newton third grade team by 14 points to three. Coster, Vedder, Dovell and Clarke scored for Thames, Vedder converting a try. c. Campbell seored an unconverted try for Newton.