Good Win for Waikato

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1065, 1 September 1930, Page 6

Good Win for Waikato

FORWARDS TOO GOOD FOR AUCKLAND

Disappointing Game

ALTHOUGH pitted against a poor side, Waikato’s overwhelming victory over Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon, by 28 points to 3, is not to be belittled. A hal'd, bustling pack of forwards completely dominated the game, particularly in the second half, when the Auckland defence was almost completely shattered.

There were several withdrawals from the Auckland side, Lucas, McWilliams and Batty being unable through injuries to take the field. With an Auckland side also on tour the team fielded was far below representative standard.

’ 4 S an. exhibition of llugby the game was decidedly poor. Although the ground was in good order very little combined back play was seen and the handling. particularly that of the Auckland rearguard, would have been very poor even for a wet, muddy day. The Auckland backs rarely ever looked dangerous and the forwards were called upon more for strenuous defence than paving the way for attacking movements. It was drab and dreary football. certainly strenuously enough contest ed in the forwards, but too ragged and tight to provide really spectacular rushes. The Waikato side, by its display against Auckland at Hamilton on June 3, when it was defeated by only 7 points to 6, demonstrated that it had every right to claim an engagement with a strong Auckland side, and it is rather to be regretted that on Saturday the Waikato team could not have had the satisfaction of being pitted against a side more worthy of it. VIRILE PACK Waikato possesses a /oung and virile pack of forwards which, with more coaching and mutual understanding, would develop into a very dangerous combination. The brothers Cameron, Bonham and Holmes are fine types. A. Cameron, in particular, has the makings of a splendid forward, and if he continues to show form should have every prospect of winning his way into biciger football. In Storey, ikato has a hard, bustling forward of the raiding type. Always on the ball, he is a constant menace to the backs as well as participating in most of the loose rushes going. Despite the superiority of the Waikato forwards, the backs were not seen in as many combined passing rushes as could have been expected under the circumstances. Although St. George and Wilkes are l od, sound tackling insides, both showed a tendency to do too much on their own, the result, more often than not. being that they were held up, and the threequarters also held up their stride. Most of the Waikato back play came from field opportunities. Carlson, who has weight and speed, was a dangerous man. He gave a much better display than at Waikato on June 3. and it would appear that he is much better suited on the wing than at centre. Fitzgerald played his usual sound game and Griffiths, on the wing, showed a nice turn of speed. Egan, at fullback, generally was sound and gave a good display. DISORGANISED SIDE The best that can be said about the Auckland display is that it was a sadly disorganised side. The passing was very ragged and rarely ever was there any suggestion of thrust on the part of the insides. In this respect, however, it would be unfair to place all the blame upon the five-eighths, who were not very fairly treated in regard to the use of the ball. Butjer had a considerable amount of work to do and got through a difficult job well. L. Knight, who captained the side in the absence of Lucas, played his usual honest game, and was the outstanding forward in the Auckland side. P. Potter, wingforward, was prominent in the loose. Mr. F. Sutherland was referee.

from good passing bouts. Pickering also potted a neat field goal. Making the play open in the second spell. Grafton kept Rifles on defence for the greater part of the half with good bursts of passing among the forwards. Fraser, who played a sterling game in the loose, opened the Magpies’ account with an unconverted try, and then Lawrie crossed to touch down. A good penalty goal by Scott then brought Grafton within striking distance. The last quarter provided an exceptionally hard struggle. Warren, however, placing the issue beyond doubt by a clean break through the Grafton backs to score near the posts for Kirk to goal. Capt. J. G. C. Wales was referee.

POLLARD CUP MATCHES FURTHER SERIES PLAYED The number of senior players engaged in representative matches on Saturday detracted from interest in the further series of Pollard Cup matches on Saturday. Two matches which were set down for decision were not played through the default of two clubs who were unable to muster full teams. Other games, however, were keenly contested. OTAHUHU OUTPLAYS EDEN By defeating Eden on Saturday, the Otahuhu team qualified to participate in the final of the Pollard Cup competition, with Marist. The final score, 18 to 11, was a good indication of the merits of the two teams. Otahuhu held the advantage of play for the major portion of the game, and their tries were the result of good back movements. Clark, on the wing, played a faultless game, and registered four tries in the corner. Arnold, who also scored fpr Otahuhu, and kicked a penalty goal, together with Clark, Pearson and Jones, was outstanding for Otahuhu, while Inglis, for Eden, played a good game. Latta, playing at fullback, was not up to his usual form, and was lucky on more than one occasion to clear. PARNELL BEATS COMBINED TEAM In a fast and fairly open game, Parnell beat Grammar-Ponsonbv, at the Showgrounds, by 10 points to nine. The combined team hold the lead until the last few minutes, when a potted goal left Parnell one up. Singleton was the first to score, getting across well out, and failing to convert. From a scramble near the Parnell twenty-five, Garlick tore round. He failed to convert, leaving his team six up. Rhodes opened Parnell’s account. but Skelton gave Grammar - Ponsonby another try. He failed to convert. Securing the ball from the loose, Iverson sent, out to Rhodes, who scored again, in the corner. Clark’s kick missed. Parnell pressed again and again. For a space Grammar-Pon-sonby rallied, but Parnell broke away to its opponents’ twenty-five, where Satherley potted in great style. Dyett missed with a penalty for Parnell. RIFLES DOWN GRAFTON j A converted try registered in the final ten minutes of the game gave College Rifles a comfortable win over Grafton by 15 points to 9. at Eden Park on Saturday. The Rifles’ backs who showed flashes of good combination. threw the leather round in lively fashion in the first spell, during which they put on 10 points. McGregor and Pickering scoring unconverted tries