INTER-ISLAND LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 193, 17 August 1931, Page 13

INTER-ISLAND LEAGUE.

GAME OF TALL SCORING

EASY WIN FOR NORTH.

SUPERIOR BACKS DECIDE THE ISSUE

Scores mounted up at a groat pace in the annual inter-Island Rugby League clash at Carlaw Park on Saturday, and when tho teams trooped off the field tho elect of tho North Island wore nursing tho comfortable advantage or r>2 points to 26. Tho gaine proved that the standard of the code in the North has once again been elevated to a pl.ino considerably lusher than that in the South. A good crowd saw the eclipse Of the visitors, who, though powerless to cope with the. fast-moving Northern backs in the second spell, played most courageously and tenaciously. Their forwards, true to tradition, played with plenty of grit, and determination, hut their inside backs failed them lamentably. When passes went astray, as they did far too frequently, the defence was too slow to cover up their mistakes. The result was inevitable—a feast of tries for the opposition, who showed fine opportunism and moved with the rhythm of a well-oiled machine. As a result of the fast, open, and spectacular exhibition, the Lipscombe Shield, which has been held by the South for tho past two years, returns once more to the North while the latter also gains the honour of being the first to have their names inscribed

on the new Courtney silver football—an additional trophy allotted for the annual fixture. The speed and merit of the home side was not early apparent, and with the visiting pack, piloted by those great grafters, Calder, Town send, Eckhoff and O'Brien, going great guns, the northern defence was sorely troubled. Twice the latter were penalised, and twice the score boot of Jorgensen found its mark. With the South four points up, the opposition bucked up, and Meehan, the pacey Marist colt, snapped up on the right flank to dart across for an unconverted try. Finely Executed Try. A penalty goal by Clarke, was followed by a preitily executed movement iu which Dunn, another youngster playing his lirst rep., game, was the central ligure. When the hitter's turn cuutu in a passing bout, he was going at, top, and, wiiiiuul slackening speed, cm iu brilliantly io draw the isuum island custodian, I'aiuniountain. A welltimed pass to Meehan sealed a great effort, which was capped by Clarke lrum out neur touch. Then Brisoane, the home Bides skipper, cut the defence to shreds to score under the posts. Clarke ugain goaled. Just before the spell, which fount! the Southerners down oy 18 puinU to 7, the visiiurs' bucks got uusy lor Jorgenseu to llusa ucross ut liie corner t'or uu unconverted try. Then List, the North s centre, leaded iiis wuy through iu liue style, Clarke's shot ul goal tailing.

Two runaway tries, ttie nrst by Median and the second by Brisbane, (both converted), were rattled on iu quick time by the .North Immediately alter the changeover. The South lougbl buck gamely and were rewarded lor their persistency by Jurgenst'U kicking another penally goal. A brace ot tries oy List, and one goal by Clarke, and u try by Musters, the Soutu lsiauii half, which was cunverted by Dudds, carried the scores to iili—l4. Then Abbott, the WaiKUto winger, was sent in for two easy tries (both converted), and the Northerners slackened oil', iietore the cud the South Island wingers, I'ulgar (2), and Jorgensen scored, u.nu Mcchan unci Clarke collected a try apiece Xm - the home hide. None vL the nuul tries was converted, und the tirnil scores were: -Surth Island i>2, South Island 23.

Visitors Fade Away. While the Southerners hold their own fairly well Iα the lirst Btaoztt, in the second spell there was only one aide In it, though, be it said, the Southerners lacked nothing in energy in their efforts to stem the tide. Their forwards wore tenacious to the end, but their bucks wen.- simply not iu the sume street us their nippier oppoucuts. labouring under the dleudvuatuyo of not huviug played together before, they lucked versatility, and played largely as individuals. .Masters, behind the puck, was a game battler on defence, but, while his passes were crisp enough, they lnvariubly landed in every place but the right one. McKcweii and Dodds were not a happy live-eighths combination, and gave Bilsuune and Dunn altogether too much latitude. Aiuoh showed up at centre at times, but was no mutch for List. The wingers, Jorgensen and b'algar were found wanting on uefeuee, but on attack showed plenty or puce and determination. Jorgensen scored several line tries. Palamouutain, the full-back, did not impress, although he had not a ghost of a show of htopping many of the Northerners' passing bouts. Calder stood out an one of the best forwards ou the ground, his best supports being Townseud, O'Brien and Urilliths. Form of Northerners. All of the northern backs played splendidly. Hassan justified his selection as halt, and, besides showing up lor several nne dashes from Hie base of the bcrum, combined sweetly with his club mate, Brisbane. The latter showed line appreciation of his speedy supports, and sent the ball along at every opportunity. His defence never faltered, and his positional play was txcellent. Dunn, the Richmond colt, until taken oft injured, rose to great heights at times, and like all the youngsters given nn I e Jt honour « for the first time, lived ""'I, the promise shown In dub engage«w£h' H ? t,,ok a,I(J «'"'« l»» Passes n7 R !,,H- ai , ein " luted ]i fi«l»>ne-s example was th 1 ," 8 , 'T ball ul0 "K thc chain. List did ,«h , ul a " a un »elflsh and Median anf.VhVnr "; aH expected of him. His S™ . llnd "Peed brought him several Dort'whii le - was alwa * s trailing in suprole ?f u^" 1 ?*- H - Campbell tilled the the two \v •"i )a f k welK Or Ul e forwards, son Md W wus!° mcn> Tin,lns ilnd Btephenwor'k 5(? ' ,? ere Prominent for hard Sfii&'ißS K l!Zt n srauc " y '