NORTHERN UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 125, 27 May 1913, Page 8

NORTHERN UNION.

By winning against Ponsonby with an advantage of 17 to 7, the North Shore combination confirmed the high opinion which their supporters hold about them this season. Hitherto the blacks have been more noted for their forwards than, for their backs, but on Saturday's form the latter are good enough to keep pace with the best of the other rearguards in the competition.

The biggest factor in the win was the quickness of the local backs to seize openings both at the front and occasionally by turning defence into aggression. Jackson was smart behind the scrum, and many times he got his back line moving nicely with the sharp low passes that count so much in tbe League game. Ifwerson, H. Wynyard, Weston, and Stewart were particularly good in this connection. All this is not to say that perfection was reached; but merely that the back division provided one of the most spectacular displays of the League season. By perfecting their combination the side -should make their games well worth watching.

Ifwerson eloquently proved his suitability for the Northern Union code. Not only did he play a clever part in most of the scoring movements, but he also made several openings that brought his fellow backs into prominence. His two tries were well worth seeing. On the first occasion he unexpectedly shot away from the loose near half-way, and penetrated the defence with a series of deerlike movements that were tricky, confounding and entirely successful. Next time he raced up and took the ball on the fuH from a kick by one of bis forwards from near the 25, a.nd having outpaced the field sped across between the posts. He was also in good kicking form. Ifwerson should do really well against the Australian teams "during the forthcoming tour in the Commonwealth.

Walters (also chosen to tour) was always in the van of the Shore forwards, and besides scoring a good try, he figured in a lot of combined work, Seagar Paul and Griffen were good in both scrum and open.

Ponsonby were plainly not at their best. Within a few seconds of the kick-ofl one of their forwards received a very bad bump on the head through a headlong collision with some of the opposing forwards when running for the ball. After remaining ont under absolute necessity for about 15 minutes, Charters again went in, but he played under difficulties. One or two other Ponsonby men were, temporarily hurt during the game.

Towards the end of the game Frieker was ordered off for striking at Jackson at the breaking np of the scrum. The incident occurred within a few yards of the line umpire, some leading officials of tbe League, and a representative of the Press. The action of _oth the line umpire, in drawing attention to the offence, and of tie refeeree, in ordering ifche offender off, are to be commended.

Dunning reappeared in the Ponsonby pack, after an indisposition, and played a worthy part. Savoury and Clarke were also consistent among the front division. Webb gave -place to Cariaw at half-back, but the change was not an improvement. Williams and Medymont were two-of I tiie beat- <rtrWi

AT "VTCrrOfilA PARK.

Tho superiority of City's forwards was responsible for the defeat ot ihe Newton combination at "Victoria Park on Saturday. .There tow .-little to choose between the bocks oil either aide, bat the City vanguard were so quick in attack tbat their opponents had little chance tc get moving with advantage. Of the City forwards, Mitehell was the most prominent. There is no doubt that he has a thorough knowledge of the forward game. In close work more especially he was seen to advantage, and though he was well up in loose work, it appeared that he might have helped his backs a little more. In the League game forwards are expected to be just about as versatile as .backs, and whenever opportunity offers should not hesitate to throw the ball round amongst themselves. Of the others, there is little to say. They kept with the ibaH, and in the latter stages showed that they had more staying power ou tbe day's" play than their opponents. Dunkley", who was included in the pack as* a substitute, showed better form than he has done previously this season. In the backs, A. Asher was in great form, and if he is still fit, should give a good account of himself in Aua.tralia. iMansell got few opportunities, while Watene, on the other wing, was also hampered through lack of the ball. Both Robertson and Rogers played _ good football at five-eighths. Both these players promise well; indeed, it is apparent that the seectors will have difficulty about five-eighths when it is necessary to choose an Auckland representative team. E. Asher, at half, showed a decided improvement on his display on the previous Saturday. Bennett" and Brockliss were the pick of the Newton forwards. Although the remainder made I no serious mistakes, their exhibition was |not quite up to the standard expected from the club. Rrennan did not exercise his usual discretion in getting the ball away from the pack. Tobin and Blakey were together at five-eighths. The former plays a dashing, straightforward game, but he spoilt movements several times on Saturday by failing to take passes. Blakey made a number of brilliant runs, and was strong in defence. Both Healy and Cook, on their respective wings, played very good football, and were both unfortunate on different occasions in missing scores. Once Cook got over, •but lost tbe ball.

THE RIVAL CODES.

<By Telegraph.—Press asaociaium.)

NAPIER, this day. The following motion was carried" at a meeting of the Northern Union League: "That,- in connection with the motion passed at tbe meeting of the liawke's Bay Rugby Union regarding expelled Northern Union players participating in Rugby football, this League know? of instances of Northern Union players playing Rugby, and that the secretary be instructed to write to the New Zealand, Hawke's Bay and Southland Unions to this effect, offering to 6upply names if desired."