AUCKLAND V. NORTHERN WAIROA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 196, 18 August 1900, Page 4 (Supplement)

AUCKLAND V. NORTHERN WAIROA.

The Auckland "B" team had a delightful (?) little picnic.at Aratapu on Saturday, when they played a drawn game with Northern Wairoa. It had been raining for ten days "on end," as it can rain in country districts, and when the team arrived on the field they beheld a series of miniature lakes. Where the ground was above water it was good enough, but the trouble was there was not enough of it above water.

In consequence of this, it became apparent at once that good football was out of the question. The game re» quires little description. It was more or less of a "forward scrap" from start to finish, and a series of excursions through pools of water. Even good forvvard play Was out of the question, for whenever a good forward rush was started the ball would be kicked into a pool, and when kicked again "skidded" gracefully aAvay at an angle. Scott, of North Shore, lost a certain try in this way. He had got a fine dribble on, had passed everyone, and was. making for the goal with no one in front of.him. The ball, however, rolled into a pool and when Scott kicked it away it "skidded" to one side," and the chance was lost. The Wairoa backs showed up be Her than their opponents, and handled the greasy ball well. Harrison was the pick of them, and scored a rather clever try. The Wairoa wing, aided by the wind, threw the ball right across the ground, and Harrison ran up and secured it. All the backs with the exception of Roberts were of course at the other side of the ground, where the play had been, and the Wairoa man beat the Newtonite and ran in unopposed. James Te Paa, at three-quarter, JB. Te Paa, at full, and Phelan, at fiveeighths, were also in good form.

Auckland Were superior in the forwards, and their try scored in the second spell by S. Brown was the result of a good forward rush. Brown and Scott (North Shore) were perhaps the pick of the front rankers, while Sutherland was the best of the backs. Amongst the Wairoa forwards Christiansen, whose claim for a rep. cap are very strong, plftyed a very fine game . The game was chiefly interesting in that it showed that Harrison is still in his old form;, in fact, there are many who say that be is playing better this season than he has ever play-

cd. If that be the case, we.have no better wing three-quarter in the district.