NORTHERN UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 218, 12 September 1916, Page 8

NORTHERN UNION.

LOWER WAIKATO'S VISIT. If only as an evidence that the vital spark of Northern Union football is stii! alive in the Lower Waikato, Auckland supporters of the code were very heartily pleased to see a thirteen representing that important district in the city on Saturday. The W.rikato, in com- ; won with every other part of the DoJ minion, has felt the effect of the war I upon its football, and if the district had ' conic along with a hot side of young : eligible player.-, doubtless those* who 1 have the interests of the game at heart would have been disagreeably surprised. Ihere wiye a good many old stagers J among their team, and not a few men I who, in normal times, would have been ■ superseded by more eminent exponents 1 of the game who are now playing their I part on the battlefield. Hence, from a I football point of view, the exhibition • left a good deal to be desired, but as an honest hearty trial of strength upon •which one had not to be too critical, it was frequently quite exhilarating. The Waikato men, one can quite fairly state. I were well out-matched taking the game as a whole, but nevertheless it was to their credit that right up to the call of time they resolutely declined to admit defeat. PROGRESS OF THE GAME. The frame was nothing to write home about in regard to stylo and finish. ■ Throughout there, wtw more goodwill I than science in the tnetire, both of the visitors and of City Rovers, \he League champion-*, at whose invitation the visit had been made. Nevertheless, the large crowd which witnessed it seemed to eiijoy it, and it is to be said to the credit of Saturday's congregation that the spirit of keen partisanship which has charat-tcrised (and sometimes marred) the season's matches, was conspicuous by its absence, and whenever the Lower Waikato men evinced a disposition to take up the attack they were given very cordial encouragement from all points of the field. After their initial onslaught the visitors were slowly forcea back, and they were soon experiencing those dogged, relentless City tactics which have so sorely tried the defences of the League teams during the year. If there is one method of play in which the City club excels more than another it is the ability to maintain a heavy, bulldog pressure upon the other side, which invariably breaks the defence sooner or later. There was nothing brilliant about the City play during those prolonged spells in the first half whentliey had the Waikato men securely held in their twentyfive, but it was a sample of patient, enduring, determined football policy. Thrice in the first spell City pierced the line, and a potted goal by Davidson made their total at the close of the first act eleven points against the blank sheet of their opponents. Waikato -were playing under a handicap. The bright sunshine at which they were blinking made the fielding of the ball a trying task. and. ■with n lively pack of forwards such as that led hy Rukutai, every missed ball meant a spell of keen anxiety for the defenders. At the same time City did not entirely dictate the terms of 'the play. The Waikato forwards ware a hefty lot, and although- their heeling was not as good as that of City, they periodically illuminated the play by flashes of clever form, and showed some excellent footwork. A REVIVAL. Those who had formed the judgment at half-time that the Waikato men were already well beaten —and they muet have been a numerous company —were compelled to revise their opinions on the opening of the second spell, for the visitors immediately forced a hot pace, and after a quarter of an hour of strenuous attacking, during which a couple of unconverted tries were scored, gave promise of overtaking the score registered against them. Thrfhks to several forward rushes on the part of the City pack the champions' back division were able to get to work again, and after several worrying passing movements they reached striking distance of tha line, and Rukutai went over for a further try. Thirteen points behind, Waikato ware again confronted by an apparently hopeless task, but they cheerfully concentrated their forces for another big offensive, a.nd laxity on the part of the City defence at this stage enabled them to cany the game into their opponents' quarters, and pin it there for a prolonged period. Once they actually crossed, 'but Callaghan lost the try by inches only at the dead-ball line. Towards the "end the play became desultory and disorganised, and after Littlewood had brought the visitors' score up to eight by. a penalty.goal, City get up.an ' attack which endured until the final bell.

SOME OF THE PLAYERS. Amongst the Waikato men Paki. an old St. Stephen's College boy, who filled the full-back position, stood out for the coolness and stylishness of his play. His fielding in the face of the sun was remarkably good, and his kicking was .throughout marked by excellent judgment. The visitors 'had a fine useful lot of forwards, but their main fault —and this "seemed to characterise the whole team—was that at' critical moments they failed to gather the ball. Systematic "reinforcing"' when they held the tactical advantage migfht have made a. big difference to the final score. Amongst the pack Callaghan and Haddon ivere outstanding, the latter executing good work in the second spell when he was transferred to the three-quarter line. Spraguc was a useful five-eighth, and Littlewood and Peckham, in the •wing-thrce-qunrter positions, both showed a telling turn of speed •when they were called upon. The Rovers gave three of their juniors a turn, Rowe (full-back), and Hogan (half-back) playing throughout the game, and Weathcrall (fiveeighth) replacing Sutton just before the close of the first half. All three did uncommonly well. Hogan wae a. decided asset to 'hie side throughout, and Wcatheral, lightweight though 'he is, showed pluck and dash that would have done an experienced senior credit. His try just before the interval was the outstanding incident of the game. FitzI gerald left his wonted place at full-back I to fill an important niche at centre- ! threequarter, an.l the whole of the ■backs, while not displaying brilliant form, put in a lot of solid, willing work. Duggan, Barohard, McKubrey (who for the first time this season got his name spelled correctly on the programme) were hard workers among the forwards, ■who were as usual ably led by Rukutai. REFEREES RELAX. The Auckland Referees' Association wound up tho season last evening by a pleasant little gathering for which, • strictly speaking, there was no agenda paper. The meeting was scheduled a= " important,"' but that was only the little joke of the secretary, for the main j business consisted in handing round I smokes and refreshments and telling piquant stories from the firing line. The numerous company included representatives of the Junior Advisory Board and of the management committee of the League, and the early part of the. proceedings was devoted ♦"■ 'e-eaacting thrilling incidents of IVturday's classical struggle between the referees and the advisory board. Then came the inevitable toast-list, and this opened the way to one of the most uSHuI discussions the referees havo had this season. WHISTLING TOPICS. The recent action of the League in reference to the selection of referees for fenior matches was reviewed in all its, aspects, and r-ome very candid thing? | were said in quite an informal way, and not for -publication. Questions of whether j the players, thr> spectators, the clubs or the management committee, were going to control th« game were discussed with friendly frankness. Likewise there were visitors present who made no bones about their views on uniformity in rulings by the referees. Discussion next switched on to the subject of whether it was legitimate for referees to have a packet of cigarettes or some equally desperate flutter on a match, and Referee Fielding declared that he, for one, would insist on tho resignation of any referee who was injudicious enough to indulge in any kind of wagering on games. Needlees to say. everyone repudiated the idea that any serious wagering had ever been indulged in by members of the Association. In the course of the proceedings, Mr. R. Benson (chairman of the Management Committee) foreshadowed the coming of the payment of referees, which ho believed would be. inevitable before very long. Ho was of opinion that ultimately the referees would be graded and paid accordingly, as in Australia, and such a proceeding could not fail to bring about a highly improved standard of rcfereeing. Other members declared that the professionalising of referccing would be a mistaken policy, while some supported the adequate" payment of both referees and players, according to tho worth of thoir hire. It is saie to say that as a result of the talk much of the misunderstanding which had prevailed since 'the revision of the method of the I selection of the referees was smoothed I away, and the foundations laid for the better definition of the powers of the 1 various controlling groups of the League. Thp toast-list included the. Referees' Association, the Auckland League, and a very hearty one for the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, and there were per-1 sonsl compliments which marked the' presence of Mr. Frater, of the Hawke's Bay League, and of Mr. T. Fellowes of the Newton Rangers' Club, who is shortly leaving for the front. Mr. A Ferguson refereed the proceedings. NEWTON RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB. The Newton Rangers Club held their annual club mntch at Otabubu on Saturday last. Two teams, picked from dub players, vice-presidents, and committee played a very interesting! and close game Hie sides were captained by Bennett an.l Warrant, and proved a very close match, the former's team eventually winning by 1-1 points against 12. Farranfs tcaiii was leading till almost on time, when Kellowes (half-back) scored a clever try from thn scrum, which 'he converted, making Bennett's team the winners. Points were also secured by Bennett, lies, Thftypr, Brown. Rone,' and Monteith. Very fair form was shown by some of the veteran players, notably Ross, Fcllo-wcs, Rowe. and Monteith (who had to retire owing to an injured hand). During the spell interval a goalkicking competition was carried out? P. Henry, of the. Junior Advisory Boawl, who after a tie with F. McKinstry won with a very pretty kick from a difficult angle. After the game the club held a dinner at Otabuhu, which ended up a splendid days outing. A. Blakjey wae lenitne at .referee. CITY'S SMOKER. If ever the task of cramming a quart into a pint pot was successfully accomplished it was by the 'brother's Asher, who were the chief organisers of City Rovers' smoker on Saturday. Well over j 200 players and supporters turned up with tickets, and the company proved about 50 too many to accommodate in the Tifßin restaurant, where the rejoicings were held. The Rovers have won four championships during the year, and it was only natural that their following ; should be in high spirits for the festive occasion. What with the task of trying to wedge the surplus company into all sorts of queer corners and spaces, and the unrestrained hilarity of the gathering, it was small wonder that confusion worse confounded prevailed in the first quarter of an hour. Mr. R. W. Pollock, the president of the club, sat behind the silver rooster to wield the chairman's > hammer. A brace of pistols might, have t been more effective in silencing the boisterous company at; some stages of lie

game. But the boys were there for fun and not to hear long speeches, so that their restiveness could be fully excused. SPEECHES AT A DISCOUNT. Xot many of the speeches were audible, and those who were entrusted toasts and the acknowledgments were ■wise enough to make brevity their -witchword. Mr. P. Howlctt, who proposed "The Auckland Rugby League and Junior Advisory Board," had some complimentary things to say about the standard of football achieved by the new code in Auckland, and in reply Mr R. Benson, the chairman of the League, made reference to the furniture-removing job the League has on band, and invited all and sundry, if they had a real live interest in their fiport, to lend a hand in preparing for entryi into the new home in Stanley. Street next season. Secretary Bob Spinier dilated upon his favourite theme of philanthropy, telling the company that the League hoped to hand over a total of £200 to charities before the finances of the season were closed. Incidentally, lie mentioned that of 600 members on the register — infants, seniors and decrepits—2Bo had enlisted. Mr. T. Fielding acknowledged the toast on behalf o$ the Junior Advisory Board. The toast of "The Visitors" was drunk on the call of the chairman and acknowJedged by Mr. Frater, of the Hawke's Bay League. Then came the presentation of the trophies by Mr. Benson. The Itooster was handed over to Mr. Albert Ashcr, the club captain, to musical honours, the chorus of "Michigan" being sung with great eclat. The medal given by Mr. G. Hedlund for the best secondgrade player in the club was presented to J. Hogan. while caps were handed to the third, fourth and sixth grades, and the championship banner presented by Mr. R. A. Spinley to the sixth grade. "The City Club" was toasted on the call of Mr. R. Benson, and responded to by Mr. G. Hunt. Needless to say, there were many pleasant things said about the brothers Asher in thet course of the proceeding?. Cordial acknowledgment was made of "'Opai's" work in training the youngsters, while Ernie was acclaimed as one of the most energetic secretaries in the League. j