When North Met South

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 781, 30 September 1929, Page 6

When North Met South

FAST AND THRILLING GAME Aucklanders Do Well (SUN'S Special Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Today. TWENTY THOUSAND cheering people, a haze of blue tobacco-smoke floating up above a crowded embankment, and a small, fair-haired five-eighth directing the Northern attack. Cooke was undoubtedly the dominating personality. When many other features of a very fine game have descended to the limbo of forgotten things, the memory of Cooke’s display in the North Island v. South Island Rugby match at Wellington will stand out clear and sharp.

Ancus Finlayson and E. Keid. lor obtaining the lion’s share of the ball against a. much heavier pack, Jimmy Mill, for his great attacking play behind the pack; and Cooke, for his genius. . . . These are the jnen who should be mentioned in dispatches as

being primarily responsible for the Northern victory and the very fine display of Cast, open football given by the side. At the outset it was a question of Southern forwards versus Northern backs. The Northern backs were far too good, and the Northern forwards not only more than held their own in the scrums but grimly contested every inch of the paddock against their heavier and more experienced opponents Although Cooke, Mill and Porter were the directors of the attacking force, Johnson, Lucas, Minns and Livy also played tine football. JOHNSON GOES WELL Johnson played a game out of the box, and for thrust and penetration ire eclipsed both Lilburne and Strang. On the day he appeared to be a certainty for the New Zealand side, but one could not help thinking what would have been the result had Lilburne and Johnson changed sides. The onsistently good standard shown by til the Northern backs undoubtedly helped to build up the Northern man’s game. This opinion was apparently shared by the selectors. Lucas played his best game this season. His two tries were both great efforts, and early in the game his general play stamped ihim as the New Zealand centre for Wednesday. One also remembers the brilliant try by Minns in the concluding stages when the Varsity man hurled himself across for a fine try. Had he been available Minns would also have

found a place in the side. Elvy and Minns both tackled well and in allround play were easily superior to the Southern pair, McDonald and Olliver. Ueazlewood and Harris both gave solid displays, but Heazlewood’s value to a side is considerably enhanced by his accurate place-kicking. Lilburne played his usual sound game and Strang also had his brilliant moments, but with the exception of McClymont, who played a fair game, the Southern threequarter line did not provide them with the same material assistance as the Northern threequarters did for their insides. An interesting feature of the game was the fact that Strang secured 17 of the South’s 20 points. Five of these came per medium of a very fine try which lie converted himself.

Porter, of course, was everywhere, and a constant menace to the Southern backs. Scrimshaw played his usual good game, but was overshadowed by Porter. Mill and Porter fed their backs continually. Mill gave a great display, his lightning passes from the scrum giving Johnson and Cooke every chance of getting away quickly, which they did. There was no doubt that the Southern backs were spending a lot of their time watching Coolie. But it made very little difference to the VVairarapa wizard, and it certainly helped to make things easier ft r Johnson when he elected to have a go himself. BIG PACKMEN

Stewart, Haziett, Snow’ and Sonntag were the leaders of the Southern pack. Weighing over 16st, Stewart is a man of magnificent proportions, and he used his weight and height to advantage in the tight play and lineouts-. Haziett and Sonntag. both over 14st. completed a magnificent second row. The North Island selectors have every reason to congratulate themselves on the exhibitions given by their three new importations, McLean, Campbell, and McPhaill. McLean and Campbell went particularly well.

McLean got into the thick of things from the commencement, and soon attracted attention. Tall, rugged, and resourceful, he looks like a coming man. Finlayson and Batty played slashing games, and with McLean to complete the trio, were the best of a very good pack. A pleasing feature of the game was the fact that, with the exception of one occasion when Scrimshaw’ got a finger in his eye, there we.re no stoppages for injuries. The game was hard and fast, and remarkably clean. Although the game was played under international rules, which permit direct kicking into touch, not a great deal of use was made of the touchlines, except by Cook, who used the line to great advantage in the first half, when North had the use of the wind. For the first quarter of an hour it was this factor that was largely responsible for keeping the South Islanders penned in

within their own twenty-five. In the second half the wind almost entirely died down.

Lucas (2), Cooke (2), Minns, Elvy, and Finlayson were the Northern scorers, and Ueazlewood converted four tries. Snow’ and Strang scored for the South, and Strang kicked 14 points.

TO PLAY MAORIS

ALL BLACK TEAM SELECTED TWO AUCKLANDERS INCLUDED Press Association WELLINGTON, Sunday. The following team lias been selected to represent New Zealand against the Maoris at Wellington on W ednesday: Fullback. Ueazlewood (Wellington). Threequarters. Elvy (Wellington), Lucas (Auckland), Olliver (Otago). Five-eighths.—Cooke (Wairarapa), Lilburne (Canterbury). Halfback.—J. Mill (Wairarapa). Rover.—C. G. Porter (Wellington). Hookers. Cottrell (Canterbury), Finlayson (Auckland). Lock.—E. R. Steere (Hawke’s Bay). Supports. Haziett (Southland), Campbell (Hawke’s Bay). Back Row. —R. Stew’art (South Canterbury), McLean (Taranaki). ✓ — Back . L. Johnson (Wellington). Forward, McPhail (Hawke’s Bay). Following is the Maori side: G. Nepia (East Coast), J. McDonald (Marlborough). R. Pelham (Wellington), W. Mackay (Poverty Bay), C. Hohaia (Taranaki), Robinson (Taranaki), W. Parata (Manawhenua), T. Parata (Manawhenua), J. Leech (East Coast). T. Raroa (East Coast), \V. Rika (North Auckland), J. Kahu (Auckland), D. Tatana CManawhenua), Toby Robinson (Canterbury), S. Gemmell (Hawke’s Bay). Reserves: Back, W. Jones (King Country), J. Gemmell (Hawke’s Bay).

OTAKI CUP

SHIPPING COMPANIES’ WIN

An air of convivial, friendly rivalry marked the annual series of interhouse Rugby matches for the Otaki Cup at the Showgrounds on Saturday. Invested with keen interest by the enthusiastic barracking of a good crowd of supporters, the games, however, lacked - the .earnestness of competition contests, and were played in the most friendly spirit. The coveted Otaki Cup, which serves to perpetuate the memory of the illfated ship of that name, lost during the war, will once more occupy a place of honour in the shipping companies' offices, the team having successfully resisted the challenges of Customs, Customhouse agents and Harbour Board. The Shipping and Customhouse Shield, which is also at stake in the game between Customs and Shipping, was also retained by the latter. A fast, nippy back division was solely responsible for Shipping’s dual victory. A good pack, in which Fletcher and , ‘Doc” Aitken were always prominent, fed the rearguard with plenty ball. The Shipping backs developed some really spectacular movements, Menzies showing great form with his determined penetrating runs, paving the way for tides. Saxon also showed up br ™ htly on GCCasi °ns with strong runs. ."he shield match resulted in Shipping defeating Customs by 13 points to The cup final between Shipping and Customshouse Agents again strikingly demonstrated the superiority of the former’s back combination, which virtually won the game by 13 points to 0. The Government men held their opponents in the forwards in the early stages but once the cup holders opened the game up the spectacular passing ot the rearguard put the issue beyond doubt. Customhouse Agents had a strenuous c s* n test with Harbour Board to get in the final, bustling rushes by the forwards in the last five minutes enabling them to win by 16 points to 9.* Batty and Jordon were the pick of the Agents’ forwards, the pair showing out well in dribbling in the loose. The wing-threequarter Stewart was outstanding in the backs. After a good opening effort. Harbour Board died away in the game with Customs Agents. The waterfront men piled up nine points by smart combined work among the backs in the first spell, but collapsed in the second term. Wattam, Beatty and loung showed best form. The Customs officers worked hard, but could not keep pace with the speedy backs of the shipping team. Newman and Truman were most consistent.

HAWKE'S BAY’S EASY WIN

WANGANUI 32 POINTS DOWN Press Association DANNEVIRKE, Today. The last representative mntch in which Hawke’s Bay will be engaged this season took place at the Dannevirke Showgrounds <>n Saturday against Wanganui in the presence of a big gathering. Considering the bad conditions of the morning, the ground was in good order. Play was generally ragged and Hawke’s Bay held the upper hand practically throughout. The first spell ended in its favour by 14 points to 0, tries being scored by Cairns, Roach, Crawford and Grenside. who converted one. In the second half Carlson kicked a penalty goal for Wanganui and McDonald, Grenside, Cairns. McKay and Wilson scored tries for Hawke’s Bay. Ruru, Grenside and Roach converted one each. The game ended: Hawke’s Bay 35, Wanganui 3.