SENIOR B CHAMPIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 173, 24 July 1928, Page 14

SENIOR B CHAMPIONS.

"Quite a handsome looking lot" could be properly set against the fifteon cent up to invade Eden Park a<jain»t an Auckland B team on Saturday. With scarcely the weight of the locals South Auckland were fine set up fellows, who appeared likely to excel in contest -where skill, endurance and agility were the essentials. Yet all this athletic promise boiled clown to a couple of penalty goals gained, while their opponents were notching the handy total of 24 points. Combination and skill were both lacking. It is scarcely surprising when one remembers the scattered nature*of this Rugby electorate. It is difficult even for a natural player to Acquire the fine points of the game H when his weekly

practice is with an average country team and there had been no opportunity for this representative fifteen to get together and study each other's play. Though ' Barclay was not in hi« best form he represented the Waikere district well and put in • good afternoon's "iff mnrir 1 - work. He usually in the rare attackWa aide. Freeman,

an ex-Aucklaiul University player, and pla\ed a fine game, at wing-three-no w a school teacher in Franklin county quarter. Manukau provided the halfback, Robinson, and also one of the ''est forwards in Short. Keary, an ex<ii alt on lad, from Waiuku, was very >ojid and was responsible for the second IK-iiaUy goal secured by tho visitors. J ukckolie usually has strong representation, but on Saturday had no one outstanding, though Fulton played well in the. front row. Nikore, at full, was kept busy throughout the afternoon and on the whole acquitted himself well. The local team was frankly a mixture of near-reps. and senior B's and could scarcely be expected to shine as a unit stiaight off. However, the game provided the opportunity to bring one <>i two players into deserved prominence and toward the close of the game the combination had shown marked impiovement. Cooper, of Technical Old Hoys, pave a rare displav of pace whenever he got the ball and with a bit

more weight should prove a useful winger in any team. He also did come cr o o d tackling. Stotipe, the Marist representative, a t centre, was in his l>est mood and wae always a trouble to the opposition, both in defence and attack. Goodwin, on tlie other wing, did

well, and Butler, at

full-back, was satisfactory, though something below his best. Mason was too quick for ti opposition, and Jamieson was clever at live-eighths. Hk mate, Cammick, likewise made several good openings and generally gave a good exhibition. Linton was easily the pick of the forwards and Solomon was as usual one of t'he most conspicuous players on the field.

TECHNICAL 0.8. BEAT 'VARSITY. The game between Technical Old Bovs and 'Varsity was keenly contested, but on the day the former were the litter team and thoroughly deserved their win. For the winners Harris, at half-back, played a heady and clever game. He was prominent both on defence and attack and made several good openings. Haslam, at first five-eighths, played well and was the initiator of two of the winners' tries. The Couper brothers, playing on the wings, played well, especially R. Couper, who scored four tries. His brother, K. Couper, played in the Auckland B representatives in the game against South Auckland previous to taking the field against 'Varsitv.

For the losers the forwards played well, but tiio only back to show any form was Scott, who, although an inside man, played on the wing. Of the forwards Millar was outstanding and played a hard, energetic game. Varsity's only points were scored by O'Halloran who potted a goal.

From the kick-off Technical Old Boys attacked and took play to 'Varsitv'a twenty-five, where an infringement gave 'Varsity a respite. 'Varsity then took the ball into T.0.8.'s quarter and a period of uninteresting play followed. From a line-out near half-Way T. 0.8. gained possession and Hogg kicked. The 'Vareity full-back was beaten by the bounce and Turbott, following up hard, gained possession and passed to R. Couper who raced over. The kick failed. Immediately after the kick-off Harris received the ball, cut through and passed to Newhan who transferred to R. Couper who again scored an unconverted try. After the change-over Haslam opened up play, passing to King who,'after a good run, gave the ball to K. Couper to run over unoppoeed. The kick failed. 'Varsity had two chancer for opening their account, but each time Millar failed to put the ball between the uprights.

In the second half T. 0.8. scored from a line-out on 'Varsity's goal-line. Harris ran into the line-out and to R. Couper, who scored his third try. 'Varsity again had a free kick in a handy position, but Carr failed to open the score. In the last quarter T.0.8.'s over-ran 'Varsity and showed some good play. The next ecore started with the full-back, who opened up his line for R. Couper to ecore his fourth try. The kick at goal failed. 'Varsity rallied and took play to the other end, where, from a melee near the goal-line, O'Halloran gained possession and potted a goal. From now onwards T. 0.8. had control of the game and Hogg scored two more tries, one of them converted, which gave T. 0.8. the victory by 23 points to four. This win gives Technical Old Boys the championship of the Senior B grade f; i the season.

OTAHUHU TOO FAST

Otahuliu proved to be too fast for Newton in the game at Victoria Park on Saturday. Although the South suburban team was leading by 21 points to nil up to about five minutes from the close of the game and eventually won by 21 points to 5, the game was by no means one-sided as far as the play was concerned. Otahuhu, however, made every possible use of their opportunities, whereas Newton lost good chances to score. For Otahuhu Allen scored two tries and Heath and Webb one each. Knight kicked a penalty goal and converted one try, and O'Hara converted two tries. For Newton McCreadie scored a try which Sullivan converted.

PUKEKOHE REPRESENTATIVES.

PUKEKOHE, this day

The Pukekohe representative team to meet the Franklin representatives on Saturday at Pukekohe, is as follow Full 1 J three-quarters, S. Cratly, Wood, N. Brownlee; five-eighths, Bishop, Pilkington; half, Howe; rover, Perkins; forwards Pulton Dazeley, Harrard, R. hEmT; Ma * Bey ' Mf ? y and Fraser - Reserves : > (backs); Cooke, Harliek

TAXJPO TRIAL GAME

(From Our Own Correspondent.) TAUPO, Monday. A trial match was played here on Saturday between the Probables and Possible for the purpose of selecting the East Taupo Rugby representatives to meet the holdeni of the Hurunui Apanul Challenge Shield at present held bv Opotlki • The game was played at a furious pace throughout, but the play, taken as a whole was rather disappointing. The sides were fairly evenly matched, the game beine chiefly confined amongst the forwards. The Probables emerged the winners at the call of time by 17 to 16. For the winners, Corbett, Rickit and Rameka were the most conspicuous of the backs, Paranihl, Bihia and Ihala being the best of the forwards. On the losers' side Richards, at full-back was safe, his fielding especially being very' clean. Of the others T' Pihroi and Hiwa were always prominent, whilst Emery Rawhiti and Bell shone out amongst the forwards.