INTER-ISLAND LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 178, 30 July 1928, Page 12

INTER-ISLAND LEAGUE.

ECLIPSE OF THE SOUTH. NORTH'S COMBINATION DECIDES ISSUE. INTKREST IN ENGLISH VISIT. The prospects of international matches always grips the public imagination, and, with the New Zealand tour of the English team opening at Taupiri next Wednesday, there was keen interest in the inter-island game played on Saturday. The turnstiles at Carlaw Park revolved briskly to record a 12,000 attendance. It proved one of those gripping games, although, except in patchcs, it rarely rose to spectacular heights. Indisputably, North had the better team, and combination in its truest sense resulted in a clear-cut margin in their favour. To a large extent the game resolved itself into a struggle between the North backs and the South forwards. It was 'a hard struggle throughout. A fatal lack of finish lost the South many points, and, as it was, the score was quite a fair criterion of the play. The teams were:— North Island (black). —Full-back, Dufty; three-quarters, Hardgrave, Brisbane, 8. Raynor; five-eighths, Wetherill, Prentice; half, Delgrosso; forwards, Trautvetta, Somers, J, O'Brien, Hutt", Timms, A. Scott. Bouth Island (white). —Full-back, Blazey; three-quarters, Mason, Eckhoff, Davidson; five-eighths, Robins, Spillane; half, Woods; forwards, Woodgate, Townsend, Collie, O'Connor, O'Brien, Goodall. Referee: Mr. L. Bull. Ten minutes from the start play swung to the south end. On the right wing, Raynor made a nice burst, and passed in to Prentice. Wetherill Hashed up into position* draw the South full-back, then whipped an out-pass to Raynor; The Huntly man went across by the flag,, and then circled to score behind the posts. Delgrosso converted. Stung by the reverse, South attacked, and in scrambling play Goodall dived across for an unconverted try. The South forwards were playing a lively game and began tt> worry North with bustling tactics. Wetherill, however, cleverly intercepted and there was a roar from the crowd when he raced ahead with Hardgrave in support. Coming to Blazey, he gave the pass at the right moment to the fleet Newton winger, who out*paeed the opposition and scored behind the posts. Delgrosso added the extra points. North Island 10, South Island 3. Delgrosso worked his chain, the' ball going from Delgrosso right through to Raynor, on the right flank. The Waikato man in-passed when jammed on the line to Brisbane, who forced his way acrtiss wide out. Shortly afterwards there wat scrambling play in the Southerners' right corner till Timms dived across and scored. Dufty kickied a beautiful angle goal, to make the scopes at half-time;

North Island 18 South Island 3 The gacond SpelL When hostilities were resumed Dufty kicked a." magnificent penalty goal with a shot that was marked by beautiful timing. £z{Hoiting up-and-under tactics, Sputb worked their way into tlie North twenty-Ave, Hera Spillane, the Canterbury five-eighths, side-stepped brilliantly, Hardgrave and Timms standing, and swerved in to scora near the uprights. Spillage converted. 20-r a. North retaliated with s pretty passing run, and Hardgrave was sent away to score behind the posts. Delgrosso goaled. In attack the North backs were superior, but erratic handing upset calculations ion several oceasiqns. From ruck play near the South line Delgrosso shot through. He left the opposing backs standing and scored as he liked. Duftj*i kick sailed outside. 28—8. Delgrosso lbade another break, sending to Baynor, back to Delgrosso, and the Ponsonhy man scored wide out. Dufty could not improve the position. A black passing rush broke down at Blazey. It was Only a temporary hold up, however, ajt the play swept on. Brisbane scooped ii) the ball and steeled in on a diagonal line to score between the posts, with the South hacka hopelessly out of position. Delgrosso added the trimmings. Although palpably a beaten fide, South were still playing buoyantly. Plav went to the South end, where North heeled from a scrum. Delgrosso eame on the bund side to send to Prentice, to Kaynor, who forced his way across at the coruer. No goal resulted. Just on time Delgrosso started a the ball working out to Hardgrave, and then back to Brisbane, for the centre to go across un®PP°B®d - Delgrosso kicked a great goal and the final scores read: North Island 44 South Island ']) g JUNIOR RESULTS. THIRD GRADE. Ellprtilte 2, beat Devon port Bo Richmond 15, bent Otahubu »>. < PRIMARY SCHOOLS. B Reps 5, beat A Reps. 3. GAMES 111 THE SOUTH. CHBISTCHURCH. MaHst 24. bast Woolston 7. Waimairl 20, beat Addington 6 Sydenham 31, beat Hornby 7. DUNEDIN. Christian Bros. 20, beat Pacific 10 • Kaikorai 10, drew with City 10. POSSIBLES AND PROBABLES. The following teams have been chosen for a Possibles v. Probables, match at Carlaw Park oa Wednesday :— Prnhables.—Full-back, C. Dufty; threequarters, L. Scott, Brisbane, Mason (West Coast); flve-jfghtlis, Seagar, Robins (West Coast); half-hack, Peckbam; forwards, Calder (West Coast), Somen, J. O'Brien, M. O'Brien (West Coast), Hall, A. Scott. Possibles.—Full-back, Blasey (Otago); three-quarters, Spillane (Canterbury), Beat tie. Lilt r BekhoC (Otago). Haalon; half-back, Cleaver; forwards, Qulnn (West Coast). ToWJisead (Otago), Dixon, Jack (West Coast), Payn«, Clark. __ Emergencies for both teams: Backs: Davis, Longvillp, Amos. Forwards: Molsley, Jeakinson, Hodley. X, Qttgory was unavailable owing to in-ky'-aWPfc .• The teams are requepted to attend Park to-morrow evening at TJtt. JSST3 Mt avaUaUc iboald