THAMES V. WAIKATO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 180, 31 July 1900, Page 6

THAMES V. WAIKATO.

Our Thames correspondent sends by mail the following comment on the Thames-Waikato match, a telegraphed account of which appeared in Monday's issue:— The ground was in good order, and the ball dry. The Thames backs made every use of the favourable conditions, and DUt for the strong wind blowing across the ground, which spoilt McLean's kicks, the score would probably have been heavier Otill. Buckland played the game of his life and on the day was the best back on the ground, his tackling, passing, running and kicking being of a very high order. Dick McGregor ana Riley were in their best form, whilst Woods, with a dry ball, gave a far better show than the previous Saturday against Ohinemurj. Stevenson was'the weakest of the backs, but his defence'was sound. He is not fast enough for the other Thames backs. McLean kicked well throughout, but seemed very slow in getting to the ball, McDuff played a great game, and was the Dest forward, on the ground, Cunningham running him very close. S. McGregor played very hard on tho wing, and the rest of the forwards in the open were at their best; but the scrums were at times packed very badly, and were not well bFo? CWaikato, Hadden at full had a tremendous amount of work to do, and made no serious mistakes. McPlke was clean off the fast following up of the opposing forwards seeming to be too much for him, and at times he appeared to lack pace, Buckland beating him again and again. Pike was in good form one particularly brilliant piece of work being when he brought Riley down, when a score seemed certain Dingle and Cornish suffered by comparison with Riley and Woods. The forwards were fast and worked hard; but the pace took it all out of them long before the end, though they more than held their own for the first 20 minutes. The game was won by the Thames backs, who completely outclasS<Mr Boye^', of 'Auckland, gave every satisfaction as refeyee^