LEAGUE REP. GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 175, 26 July 1928, Page 13

LEAGUE REP. GAME.

SHOCK FOR AUCKLAND. SOUTH AUCKLAND WIN. IOI'XTKY Fol:W.\l:i>s .-.ll'KlMulb 1 he bett*r team won. That was tiie general «j3>il;i• ■;i .»t 1 h 1 • -pectaui- at tarlaw Park yi'-i eriiay afternoon. when the South Auckland rep-. !:•.«.ped ol"> the field tii.' \ h-; ni s 11\ ,-r a 11 A u- kla nd thirteen by t'.t point- to 17. The vi-itur- were a mue'i stronger side than th" team from whom the Northern I ~ni< .11 ("up \\a- w re-ted on Saturday week, uherca- scleral of the inclusions in the liome team were experiments by the selector.-, who are exploring e\ cry channel in an endeavour to produce the be-t a\ailable talent to m»et the Engli-hnieii ne.\; ujontli. But. be that as it may. tlie visitors showed exceptionally good form, particularly amongst the forward-, and were "Unlucky not to romp home by a, wider margin. Instead of trying to meet the Auek!a.r.der.- at their own loose game, the "Waikato men exploited strenuous rucking tactics, came through with the ball at toe repeatedly, were quick to break-tip when the opposition got po—essioi). and attacked as one man. Truly they demonstrated the virtue of forward play at its lie-t. and incident ally gave the selectors fresh food for

thought. Few of the Auckland forwards weathered the test of the visitors' nvthods, Hutt. Hall and O'Brien being except ions. The first-named played with determination and da-h. and gave in return as much as he received of the hard stuff. O'Brien's fault was Ina inclination to hang oti'--ide. Southern I forwards who caught the eye were Stcv-en-011. a honker, who got "the ball as often a- did Somer-, who opposed him, Timm- aud Menzic-. .Tone- also sho'm for hi- ioo-a play, ami his ability to dart away from the .-.crum and up-ct Auckland'- -coring machine. Auckland - seol'e- Wele'. the l'e-Ui T Ol opportunism and speed amongst the back-, rather than anything cl-c. J'eckham wa- Jiot a suc.-e-s behind the scrum, and hi- pack-in-the'vbox runs landed his side in more trouble than enough. Prentice at lirst live-eighth- played a -omid defen-ive. game, and took the bulk of the hard knock- in his efforts, to open up the play. Seagar's lault was his inability to give crisp pas-es, though he fed the dummy beautifully to let Len Scott--in for a try early in the first spell. Li.-t placed well, but i'taiher demonstrated that he i- not u centre, btit essentially a winger. He crowded bis three-quarters, and when opportunities for them did present themselves, to-scd the pass the wrong way. Len Scott and Hardgravc both did well, and finished off several movements by «heer dash and pace. Hanlon, at full-back, got through a good deal of hard work, but on the day did not enhance his chances of getting into the rep. team. I,'aynor, the last 1 line of defence for the visitors, was hia

equal in fielding and kicking with judg- | ment. Comparatively little was seen of the South Auckland rear division, but when they swung away they impressed with their straight and incisive running. Their winning try was the result of cotieerted efforts and the gem of the ma eh. with honours to Abbott, the half-back, who replaced Taylor, who was injured. Not only did he give his backs plenty of opportunities, but he was conspicuous -for several bright solo runs. S. Ilayuor and Tittlclon. were the Waikato threequarters, who played soundly in all department*. while Hall was solid <111 defence. I'aki at second tive-eighth.-. ai-o acquitted himself well, but hi- passes were occasionally erratic. The visitor- hail liic N-ncr of the play in the Initial spell. although the Lome side led at the intcrv.il by il points lu S. After the change over the City back* -.ay more of the ball and several passing bouts gave them the- advantage at one stage of 17 points to 11. Sheer tenacity of purpose by the forwards supplemented by a brilliant last-minute effort by the backs, however, bewildered the opposition, and the visitors ran out victors to the tune of li> points to 17. Mr. AY. Mincham refereed, and about 2-jO'J I people witnessed the game.

TO PLAY SOUTH ISLAND.

PERSONNEL OF NORTHERN TEAM. The following team was selected by Messrs. M. Wilson, E. V. Fox. and T. Tonhey, at the conclusion of the South

Auckland v. Auckland League match yesterday io represent the North Island in the inter-inland game at Carlaw Park on Saturday;—-Pull-back: C. Dnfiv. Three-quarters: Hardjuave, Brisbane, I. Kaynor (South Auckland i. Five-eighths: Wetherill. Prentice. Half-back: Delgrosso. Forward-: A. Scott. Tinnns (Soutii Auckland'. Ilu;:. Trevat"..i (South Auckland >, Suiners. .1. O'Brien. Fe.-erver. — l'i>rwa:\ls : ■ Hall. Stoj'henhiii (Hunilyi. Payne. Back-: Scalar. L. S-f'tt. Li-t. Prtkaaui. All players niti-.-t attend at Laiiaw Park t:i:- evening. Any jilayi-r nut available is ret pier ted - l 0 jj.j-ify .Mr. T. T'.miiy.