VISITORS IN FORM.

Auckland Star, Volume lx, Issue 195, 19 August 1929, Page 14

VISITORS IN FORM.

A Happy Combination,

!| ' AUCKLAND'S CLOSE CALL. I,UCKY THY GIVES CITY WIN. BRILLIANCY OF E. MEYER. The bright way the League flame has burned in the Northland since it was kindled just one short season ago was reflected at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when the men from the land of the kauri made valiant efforts to wrest the Northern Union Cup from the elect of Auckland. Playing exhilarating football, the visitors at times cut the home defence to a thing of shreds, and, in a game of fluctuating fortunes, held the home side to a win by 22 points to 19. With a trifle more luck, and experience in the finer points of the code, they ■would have captured the cup, for their invasion was stemmed by the very slenderest of margins; indeed, by a try that would never have been awarded had the referee noticed a palpable breach by Delgrosso, tho home skipper, just before the final try of the day was scored. Auckland's representatives were not the best combination that could be fielded, but admitting all that and the fact that the selectors took the opportunity of experimenting with young players —particularly in the forwards —the visitors showed up in an exceedingly favourable light. They demonstrated that they are a force that will have to be seriously contended with in the League firmament in the future, and that their challenges for the premiership of New Zealand will not have to be treated lightly.

Raw Recruits' Enthusiasm. Raw recruits to the League- code, the men from the North have entered into the spirit of the League game with unbounded enthusiasm, and they even took the trouble to secure the coaching services of M. Wetherill, the famous Auckland fiveeighths and international player, to aid them to perfection. That they responded to the tuition of their mentor was only too strikingly demonstrated to the crowd that was fortunate enough to witness Saturday's fine struggle—a game that will be written down in League history as one of the cleanest, finest and brightest ever staged at headquarters. After the match Wetherill was showered with congratulations on the fine showing of his team, and he fully deserved all the praise that came his way.

The Northerners were a well-balanced , side, and for stature had a slight advaii- j tage over the city thirteen. Right from the kick-off they were oil their toes, and after ten hectic minutes had piled on as many points, primarily as the result of clever collaboration. The ball was being raked consistently from the scrums for them, and they led the city team a merry dance with their fastmoving and rhythmic, passing . bouts. Even when the ball was won from them they were alert to cripple movements before they had progressed far with spotting tactics and solid tackling. Tries 'by Carter, Seagar and Delgrosso, and a conversion by the latter, gave the visitors only an advantage of 13 points to 11 at the interval, however, surprise tactics finding weak links in their defence. Half-way through the second spell Auckland forged to the front afterthe scores had been made 16 all, but the visitors were not deterred, and balanced the accounts again. It was not long after that that Delgrosso and his merry band scored the deciding tryafter the captain had knocked on several times. While possibly from the scoring point of view the visitors should have won, the Auckland side were more polished and versatile, but frittered away scoring chances by erratic handling and passing when there was no excuse for it. Right on time, for instance, Delgrosso, with plenty of room to work in, and with Carter trailing

alongside of liiin, tossed a pass over the support's head. Probably lie was actuated by a lit of generosity, and a desire not to pile on any more points than were required for a •win! The pointgetters for both sides were: —Auckland: Tries by- R. Carter, Seagar, Delgrosso (2), List, G. Campbell, and two conversions by Delgrosso, 22 points. North Auckland: Tries by Cunningham, Dunn (2) and Barghan (2), and two conversions by Grogan, 19 points. The Outstanding Figure. The outstanding figure on the field "was the Northerners' captain, E. Meyer, an ex-Rugby rep. player, who continually troubled the opposition with elusive runs that found their defence sadly lacking. He was a regular well-o'-the-wisp, combining subtlety with artistry, and defending magnificently as a result. He saved his side time, and again with his clever i ndividualism. Connolly was the pick of the three-quarter line, backing up splendidly and defending with a will. D. Parkes, the custodian, played a solid .orthodox game, handling neatly and kicking wi'.h judgment, but he might do well to study the running of his backs into position. E. Cunningham gave Meyer splendid support, while Hines, playing behind a pack that saw the biggest proportion of trie ball fulfilled his part by shooting the hall out with alertness and accuracy. Dunn was the most prominent forward, and his following up and tenacity was rewarded by two tries. His best supports were Berghan, Buchanan, McDonald and [Wells. Francis was the pick of the Auckland ruck men, being a tiger for work and combining beautifully with his backs in concertcd work. Moisley, Campbell and Jenkinson also got through a loti of valuable work, while Fagan revelled in the tight stuff. He detracted from a good display by frequently being offside. Skclton shone on occasions, but has a tendency to roam too much amongst the backs when his services are required closer up.

Seagar and Delgrosso -were a liappy combination in the backs, but both got away with tactics that would not get far with more experienced players. They exploited the dummy successfully, and defended with determination throughout. Gregory was the marked man of the team, and was largely overshadowed till the later stages of the game, when he emerged from a subdued light. On defence, however, he was just Gregory— safe and sound. Shortland, behind the pack, showed that he is a better dry-day player than a man for the mud, and played moderately well. His passes were shot away from the base of the scrum with bullet-like rapidity, but a fault he might rectify is dropping to Ills knees whey passing. Time and again he might have been valuable had lie stuck to his feet and joined in passing bouts. Both wingers, Carter and List, played brightly with limited opportunity and were conspicuous for determined daslies. The former Kingsland-Athletics man, however, was the pick of the, pair, and fully justified his first 1 trial in the higher lights of League football. Watene was not impressive as custodian, it being one of his off-days, and his play was punctuated by numerous mistakes. ;

TRIP TO PUKAKI PA,

NORTHLAND VISITORS ENTER-

TAINED,

Yesterday the North Auckland executive and team were the guests of the Auckland Rugby League on a motor trip. The party lunched at Howick, and subsequently went to the Pukaki Maori Pa at Mangere, where, after a hearty welcome from Chief Napi Wirihana, the visitors joined in the festivities which followed the wedding of Joe Wilson, a young Maori of high lineage, and full-back of the Mangere team.

Opportunity was taken during the afternoon officially to carry out two formal offices. Mr. W. Hammill (ex-

president of the Auckland League) said that although Northland was an infant in the code, on Saturday it had proved equal to the city's first thirteen, a fact which had merited the substantial recognition of a bulwark of the game, Mr. W. Monteitli- who was donating to the Northern executive a shield now being made for delivery. The donor had given many trophies to Auckland, including the premier championship shield, and the speaker was sure the new gift would be appreciated by the recipients. (Applause.) Mr. C. O'Callaghan, president of the Northland League, said that the knockout competition for the shield would be worthy of the spirit behind the gift. Mr. O'Callaghan paid a tribute to W. Wetherill's coaching as being largely responsible for the Northland team's good standard and said they proposed presenting the coach with a memento of the occasion. Salutations and thanks to Chief Wirihana were conveyed by Mr. George Rhodes.