THE WORLD of SPORT DAZZLING DASHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 234, 4 October 1927, Page 14

THE WORLD of SPORT

DAZZLING DASHES.

THRfLLS IN NORTH-SOUTH MATCH. TWENTY THOUSAND WATCH SENSATIONAL GAME. THIRTEEN ALL BLACKS "FOUND." AUCKLANDERS BELOW FORM. More, sensational Rugby than that seen in tho North Island-South Island match at Wellington on Saturday is rarely produced. Ever fluctuating, the game, which was played at a terrifie pace throughout, delighted the huge crowd of 20,000 that packed Athletic Park. Players were on tip toes all through, waiting to shoot away m some dazzling excursion, while the crowd, thrilled with the spectacle, Toared itself hoarse with enthusiasm. Always one of the most interesting matches of tho year, the clash was given greater interest because it was,, an All Black trial. Sixty-one points were scored in the game, South winning by one point. It was a remarkable match and a memorable one. Aucklanders Fail. For Auckland, this year's North-South match, played at Wellington on Saturday was a mocking paradox. Six men, high-class footballers who played brilliantly'all through the season, failed dismally. Not one of the six showed form was anything like the Rugby they have played .for their province. in ten first-class exhibitions through the season. Over the week-end, the fall of the Aucklanders was talked about as much a• the selection of the thirteen ere tain ties.

Every condition was in favour of the Auckland sextette. Play was fast and open all; the way; the ground was good. But the Aucklanders could not strike form.

Playipg brilliantly all through the season, Hadley, the clever Marist hooker, who shines in .any. company, was only a shadow of the Hadley known to the Auckland fans. Like his team mates, Hadley - started off fairly well. He at the head of a couple of fine dribbling rushes, was seen working hard in- the tight, and tackled solidly. Then he suddenly faded away and, except fro an occasional flash, he 6hone no mor&.

Making a bad start with a couple of silly mistakes, McWilliams, the big Ponsonby battler settled down in the second >;(pell and got through a fair amount of solid work. Now and again he shot'out from the ruck with the ball at his feet and' once thrilled the crowd with a brilliant solo burst, in which he dummiejd and side-stepped like a' back. But herwas not consistent.

Keener had a busy , afternoon keeping his eye on the elusive South Island rover. , There, were times when Keene made clever openings for his backs, but once or'twice when he had beaten a couple fit men he spoiled good work by giving a drastic • pass. Fall of the Backs. Berridge,, the young Ponsqnby fiveeighths, who- in- playing • his first season of first-class football, was plainly a bundle of nerves. He started off by cutting through the South Island backs with brilliant side-stepping and dummying, twice in quick succession. The first try was tho result of a beautifully-timed short punt by Berridge, which Swain pounced on after, fast following up. After a couple more sensational runs by the Aucklander, he got patchy, passing wildly and making many bad mistakes. He went right off. iorm. Berridge converted one try. His two other attempts, both easy ones, just missed. Swathed in knee bandages, and playing with bad injuries that he, got in the match at Palm rston North, Sheen could do nothing that was right. He dropped passes, jammed his wing men on the touchline, and was slow in getting rid of the ball. Berridge ran the centre into awkward positions, but if Sheen had been given an accurate pass and a clear field ho would have fallen before he reached the line. It was his day off, and he has not played a worse game this season. Brilliant in Auckland, he was only a second-rate player in Wellington. Hurt as he was Sheen should not have played on Saturday, but waited for tho last trial when he could have turned out reasonably fit. Nothing could be said in favour of Hook. Ho was a "dud." After his last few games in Auckland and his fine play »t Palmerston, it was amazing that Hook, usually a flyer, and hard to stop when given a chance, should be the most disappointing player on the ground. His play was like that of an obliging winger in a scratch house match. . .There were no electric ' <jbMhes liftt; i there was no clgycf ; '!n'-'" passing was wijdLhis attack half-hearted and his a. dozen ? times lie let Robilliard fool him badly. After his brilliant play at Palmerston, Hook astounded everybody by his shocking display. Another Chance. Eight -Aucklanders • will be Riven nnother to-mpitow. The (electors pointed,out in annpuncing the teams that plar^glrwjjLf^^orth* an*'South sides who«*e neiinclttded for toVmdtrow's considered for morrow, be on the selectors' list. - • 1 ' Butler will play in the match and he should not have much trouble in show,ng form better than that of the tZ« fullbacks on Saturday. From the f«i® backs offering, Butler should have a great chance «« $asng J»i« into the team. ' . .•i.'vL'cp.»«!•"' " vr 1 At the tast minute Lucas, land capta%g|ifr fagghf that make the ATVHtIi tour'lfthosen, *(id/;he has been put on the wing in sibles team for to-morrow. He has brilliant men inside him and should get many chances to show that he is a fine scoring winger. It will be no surprise to find the name of Luqas among the 29 for Africa. shf •••■■% Knight will play pi first trial match. Breaking a rib bcfottpie Auckland trial, Knight was unabl«B®| play iipthe t*o first matches, and, lg||Butler and Lucas, will have to play IBjwn v into the "All P* I>V tW

The other five Aucklanders, Hook, Bridge, McManus, Hadley and McWiliama, will have to reverse their form ompletely to-morrow if they want to nipress the selectors. Everyone, players nd public alike, will hope that Auckand's representatives will strike form gain and play the brilliant football that hey have played throughout the season.

STRANG REPLACES NICHOLLS. CBy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Mark Nicholls is unable to play in the Possibles v. Probables All Black trial match on Wednesday owing to injuries received on Saturday and he will be replaced by Strang (South Canterbury).