LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 241, 11 October 1926, Page 12

LEAGUE.

NORTHERN UNION CUP. SOUTH AUCKLAND'S CHALLENGE. AUCKLAND RETAINS TROPHY. Unfavourable weather and not very much reason to anticipate a real good contest no doubt was responsible for the small attendance compared with previous Saturdays which patronised the Northern Union Cup match at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon. The challengers were the South Auckland thirteen, and though the Auckland side was not by any means the best the city can field, the Waikato men had no chance of winning. The forwards battled hard enough, and were thorough* triers, but the play of the backs was disappointing and they were completely over-shadowed by the Auckland rearguard. The final score was 25 to 8 in favour of the holders.

The. game opened in a steady drizzle of rain. The Auckland backs opened up in a passing run, but List gave a pass that Cleaver could not gather when a scoring chance was well on. With play at midfield, Rayner made a spectacular drop-kick at the Auckland goal, the ball striking the crossbar and rebounding. With South Auckland on the attack a clearing kick sent the ball back to Rayner. The Waikato custodian again potted, and this time the ball went sailing high over the crossbar—a beautiful field goal.

The Auckland backs began to come more into the picture. Davis got the ball away to Prentice to Seagar. The Shore five-eighths gave the dummy neatly to a couple of opponents and then passed to List, trailing in support, for the Kingsland centre to sail in unopposed, a try that was not converted.

A cross-kick by List gave Wade a chance. The City wing kicked the ball through and, with sheer speed, beat the opposition for possession, and scored under the posts. A. Scott sent the flags up.

Jammed on the sideline Cleaver gave a high reverse pass, ana List, gatnering the ball on the tips of his fingers, put the seal on a splendid bit of collaboration by diving across wide out. Scott's shot fell beneath the bar.

The visitors took a turn at attack, with Stevenson and McDonald prominent. Then Abbot put in a hard clash for the Auckland line. Prentice raised the siege with hard, straight running, and Payne was galloping goalwards when the referee whistled tl" recall for an infringement. List made a great opening and sailed for the line with Cleaver and Seagar in support. Paki made a game effort to stop the raid, but the ball was sent on for Seagar to score a good try.

South Auckland put in a great rally. McDonald was stopped right on th , line, but the tri-colours pegged away, and in scrambling play Davig scored under the bar. The half-time scores were:— Auckland 14 South Auckland 5 Lively midfield play marked the opening of the second session, the visitors putting a lot of dash into their work, and tackling in deadly fashion. A high kick by Rayner was the prelude to the next score, as the Waikato forwards carried on right to the Auckland line. Mason was nearly over, and then Metcalf dived for possession, and scored at the flag. Mason's shot failed.

Clapping on the pace, the visitors outplayed the home team at this stage, but Hanlon rose to the occasion and defended ably. Scott shattered the visitors' defence with, tricky running, sending to Prentice, io Seagar. The latter fended off a high tackle by Abbott, and went on to score behind the posts. Scott converted.

Play was on the side-line at midfield when Wade burst through. He shortpunted, fielded the ball again while going at top pace, and then shot a long in pass which O'Brien gathered head high to gallop straight through and score under the bar. Hanlon kicked a grubber, the linesmen waving the "wash-out" amid laughter. The Auckland backs next flashed into action with a passing run, Davies to Prentice to Seagar Jo List. Racing on a diagonal line the latter crossed to score wide out. Hutt missed the shot. Auckland .; 25 South Auckland 8 Auckland were agayi attacking when time was called. \ Mr. W. Minchim was referee.

STALLARD CUP. \ SEMI-FINAL. Parnell 11, beat Otahuhu 3, WAIKATO JUNIORS' WIN. As a curtain raiser to the game between Auckland and South Auckland, for the .Northern Union Cup, a match was played between the New.Lynn team and Waikato juniors, the visitors winning; by an unconverted try to nil. Right through the play was. mainly of a scrambling nature, neither side showing ability to handle the greasy ball with a degree l of certainty. The first half was pointless. Midway in the second session the Waikato team got off a gooil passing run, and their reward was the winning try. SCHOOLBOYS AT PLAY., airTJif ™ a J ne < l J and Otahuhu school teams conw i f ' the v ity boys waning a well contested game by 11 points to 3. SECOND GRADE ' ■ Ponsonby won by default from Mangere. SIXTH GRADE rit J A Dlvi sion Knock-out.) r e b f^»£cit y ßae "" GAMES IN THE SOUTH. (By Telegraph.-Press Association) CHRISTCHDRCH. In the League ThackpT », 40, beat Ch A Brothers