RUGBY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 239, 10 October 1927, Page 14

RUGBY LEAGUE.

REPRESENTATIVE GAME.

AUCKLAND OUTCLASSES BULLES IN FEAST OF TRY-GETTING.

CRICKET SCORE AT CARLAW PARK.

Tries came with such an unbroken sequence at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon that the spectators lost count of the score on occasions, and the small boy who operated the result board felt that he was the most overworked individual on the ground. Just seven points short of a century were recorded; they came with such frequency that the play was monotonous at times, and some of a crowd of 7000 spectators did not stay to the end. On the result of the game it would be superfluous to say that Auckland were a better team than Buller, but as the latter came to Auckland to learn the finer points of the code, their mission will probably not be in vain. On the day Buller had the bettw forwards, but the Auckland backs in possession practically did what they liked, and played care-free football, although it was very faulty on occasions.. During the match 23 tries were scored. The teams lined up as follows:— Auckland (blue and white). Fullback: Dufty. Three-quarters: Wilson, List, Beattie. Five-eighths: Gregory, WetherilL Half: Webb. Forwards: Rule, Payne, Dixon, Hutt, Spencer, Hall. Boiler (black and white). Fullback: Wright. Three-quarters: Thomas, Burns, Jones. Five-eighths: McCarthy, Cameron. Half: Bernard. Forwards: Jack, Davis, Harris, Goodall, Powell, McElwee. Referee, Mr. W. Mincham. As soon as the game started the Auckland backs got going and a pretty passing run sent Wilson in under the posts. Beattie followed it with a try at the corner, and Wetherill with a big run was the-third man across. In a Buller rally Burns got across, Goodall converting. Payne, Beattie and Dixon added further tries for Auckland, and conversions by Gregory and Dufty made the score: Auckland 24, Buller 5. Davis added a try for Buller which Goodall converted, and Gregory scored for Auckland, the scores at half-time being:— Auckland 27 Buller 10 The second half of the game was marked by an orgy of scoring. Auckland added another nine tries, the scorers being Gregory (2), List (3), Webb, Payne, Beattie and Hutt. Goodall (2), Cameron (2) and Jack scored for Buller, Goodall converting four. The final figures were:— Auckland 60 Buller 33 COMMENTS ON MATCH. It is a well established axiom that a team plays just as well as the opposition allows it, and by the same token Auckland piled up a cricket score, because the Buller defence was a thing qf shreds and patches on many occasions. As an exposition of the code it was a disappointing game, as the Auckland play, although of the care-free variety, was very faulty occasionally, the ball being thrown about with a glad abandon, and charming disregard as to who might get possession. At times the play got very near the burlesque stage, much for the reason, that the Auckland backs on the move often got their opponents in a sad tangle, and all roads seemed to lead to the goal line. Playing lightheartedly, the Auckland backs did some spectacular things, and were very much in the picture. All shone in their respective ways, although possibly every one of them has played better football in club matches. The real find was Wilson at wing-three-quarter, the mercurial Mangere player, revealing himself as the most brilliant wing-three-quarter seen in the game this season. The Auckland forward play was of the loose kind, and quickest out of the pack seemed to be the ruling ambition. On the day they were overshadowed by the opposing vanguard. The work of the Buller forwards was praiseworthy in the extreme. Fast. hard working, and J.. if • . * .. , 1

deadly keen • with their tackling, they showed mobility, elan and dash right to the end, and on the day distinctly took the forward honours. Goodall stood out like a champion. He was a veritable prince of place-kickers on the day, landing six out of seven shots, strangely enough, missing the easiest one of the lot, a sitter beneath the crossbar. Up to the time he was hurt McElwee, the Buller loose forward, was a shining light, while the veteran McAlpine, the friend, -philosopher and guide of the visiting team, also their manager, showed, when he stepped out as a reserve, much of the skill that won him a place in the Canterbury team a few seasons ago. The Buller backs were promising, bat beyond that little could be said. Up to the time he was hurt Thomas, at wing-three-quarter, ran resolutely and played brightly. Wright, at fullback, snared every Auckland man that he could lay a hand on, but when half a dozen Aucklanders frequently came in a line at him he could be pardoned for failing to achieve the impossible. Burns at centre three-quarter, ran hard and straight, but the pick of the visiting backs was undoubtedly Cameron, who handed out a sugar-coated dummy, which his opponents at times devoured with avidity. In a nutshell Buller are a young team. They played gamely, but they were outclassed in finesse. For complicated things, like the reverse pass and the scissors movement, they knew not a ready counter-move. Against a blue avalanche that moved irresistibly they struggled pluckily, and right through the day the sympathies of the Auckland League fans were with them.