LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 199, 24 August 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NORTHERN UNION CUP. TROPHY CHANGES HANDS. NORTHLAND TRIUMPH. •

It is the unexpected that frequently happens in the Rugby League game, and happen it did at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when the Northland reps, were successful in their challenge for the Northern Union Cup. defeating the holders of the trophy, South Auckland, by the comfortable margin of 16 points to ». The Waikato men were the favourites, and few of the pood off-day crowd which rolled up to headquarters expected the result However, the Southerners were simply not in the hunt. With few exceptions, they played well below form, and, though they rallied in the dying stages, were beaten by a better side. The "babies of the code, Northland, gave evidence or the fact that League football is flourishing in the North Auckland district. Incidentally they demonstrated also that they have benefited by the coaching ot Ben Davidson, the City and international player, who has spent the past fortnight among them— showing fine appreciation of positional play, breaking up nicely arid reversing movements in approved stjie. They have still, however, a good deal to learn of the finer points or the code and will have to be right on their toes if they hope to retain the cup when it comes to their meeting with the Auckland reps. Some of their backs will have to send .the ball along more quickly than they did on Saturday, and will also have to go for the man rather than for the intercept, when men like Brisbane. List and-Median get on the job. Still, they are a well-balanced side, and a bit more tuition by the craft* Davidson should make them-a tough proposition for any side in New Zealand. ■' •

The teams were:— South Auckland: Backs. G. Raynor, J. Whorskev. M. Scott. G. Tittleton, Dwen W. Tittleton, E. Abbott: forwards,. J. Jones, A. Payne, T. Timms, J: Menzies, R Stephenson, D. TraUtvettor. Northland: Backs. D.. Parkcs. E. Cunningham, R. Hamilton. L. Lowe, C. Hamilton. E. Meyer, W Shortland: forwards, R. Cunningham. M. Hirtzell, N. Dunn, E. OX'allaghan, R..Wells, C. Payne. The Play Described. There was little of incidpnt in the openin- passages, when both sides were playin;r orthodox gamps, and testing each other s mettle. Ten minutes of play of this description and Lowe, the Northerners lett winger, intercepted near half way to catch the defence hopelessly off its guard, and score well out. The kick went astray. A penalty goal by O. Tittleton left the cup holders one point down, and fortunes fluctuated with rapidity for a lengthy period. Then the challengers began to a*4ert their superiority among tile backs, and had fne southerners defending desperately From a scrum in the defenders' twenty-five, the ball was raked to Shortland "the Kaurilanders' battling half, who sent It along like a shot out of a gun. On

went the ball through the chain, but the defence looked lije standing the strain till E Meyer flashed' into the movement for the second time. He came with a rattle outside his winger, accepted a welldirected pass, and pranced across the line at the corner. No goal. The only other gcore before the spell was gained by the kaurilandera as the result of brilliant individualism by R. Hamilton. When the teams were battling on even terms he intercepted a pass from Menzies to his supports, and was going at top in a twinkling. G Raynor, the only man in his path, he outwitted with a clever swerve and he swung infield to score in a handy position. E Meyer added the trimmings, and the scores "at the spell read: Northland 11, South Auckland 2. The Second. Spell. The second spell had not been long in progress when there was a cry of disapproval when Meyer, following another breakaway by R. Hamilton, appeared to dribble across and score, but was disallowed the try. Both sides had their turns on the offensive and on the defensive in the play that ensued, but the nest points went to the Waikato thirteen. W. Tittleton was forced out at the corner, and the teams rallied tor a scrum. The Waikato forwards heeled, and Jones worked the blind for Scott to dart across for a try, which went unconverted, in retaliation, Northland went passing, anu eventually a nice breakaway by Meyer sent R. Cunningham in unopposed. C. Hamilton converted. With one man gone oft ana several others crippled, the challengers defence caved in, a passing bout by the opposition culminating in J. Whorskey flying across at the corner. The kick failed as time was called, and the final scores were: Northland 10, South Auckland 5. Form of the Player. The Waikato backs were altered from their original setting, and this, no doubt, accounted in a measure for their lack or cohesion. On ' the other hand, men who usually gave good accounts of themselves, such as Abbott and G. Tittleton, played well below form. At half, Abbott revealed none of that astuteness and. .brilliancy which won him a trip to Australia witn tne New Zealand side. He sent out some shocking passes, and his handling was erratic. G. Tittleton, at centre, was badly beaten on several occasions by his vis-a-vis, a. Hamilton, and the fact that he did not look where he was passing, cost his Side a try. Seott in the five-eighths line, improved as the game progressed, but was no match for the crafty Meyer. The wingers, J. Whorskey. and Dwen showed determination on the move, but got few chances, while G. Raynor was uncertain at full-back, being caught out of position on several occasions. The genius of the Northland backs was Meyer. He set an example to his supporters by his low tackling, wag always backing up. and was mercurial in possession. Ably fed by Shortland, who played a fine game at half up till the time he had to go off injured, he made the most of the ball. The weakest link in the chain was C. Hamilton at second fiveeighths, who spoilt a good deal of good work by attempting to go too far on his own. He was also a trifle on the slow side in sending the ball along. R. Hamilton was an enterprising centre, and his swerve which won him a try was beautifully i executed. He was also conspicuous for| several dazzling runs. The wingers, Lowe and B. Cunningham, were a speedy pair, while Parkes- filled the role of full-back well. The forwards were well matenea, although South Auckland excelled in the tight. It was no fault of the latter s sextet that the game was lost. Menzies, the South Auckland breakaway, was the outstanding forward on the ground, always being in the van, and showing understanding with his backs. His best supports were Troutvettor, Stephenson and Payne. The Northland pack were all hard grafters, although the pick of the bunch were probably O'Callaghan, R. Cunningham, u. Payne and Dunn.

After a dinner at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday evening, the Cup was formally handed over to Northland at a function at which the New Zealand Council, the Auckland League, and the Northland and South Auckland Leagues were .represented. . The visiting Hamilton team and ottiQiale were entertained by the Nqwton Club at the Centreway Tearooms on Saturday evening,

THE CURTAIN-RAISER.

A curtain-raiser between South Auckland Juniors and Papakura opened with the suburban team holding early advant,.». lnKt - through failure to let the bill int to the supporting backs of whom Ross was dangerous. Solid tackling pre»«ff«Hl >h» nlav being open, and Dunstan, SnnHiPrn full back, was defending with F ? ii sniirh Auckland forwards attacked

Wilson being prominent. Facing the sun. the Waikato xnen had hard luck in just missing a try. the ball going dead. Papakura retaliated, and a penalty shot failed. The "aine was not very attractive, but even neither side showing constructive tactics Papakura eventually worked close up, and Clarke got across from the ruck. Francis failing to convert. South Auckland took charge for Some time, but were unable to score and Papakura invaded Johnston snapped up in the loose and handed on. G. Wilson to Ivan Wilson, who side-stepped prettily to cross Francis converting. In a sweeping rush Evan*, the country half, got over wide out. Thou-h the visitors attacked strongly, there was no further alteration ,and the final tallies -were: — Papakura S South Auckland ° Mr. E. McCall was referee. HAMILTON DOWN. On No 2 ground an open and fast & &Z e 7aXi Points K The Or /or W whor 3 Hyne S> fa Gr l a r h a m f Hi rias°ow handled well for Glasgow to Siore and Stnbbinss to goal. In the second half S: George notched a penalty goal, and a pretty try was scored by Eddleston, after a P clever passing bout. Porteous the Xpwton half, retired and was replaced by MuTr who played at full-back, Dempsey going to three-quarter. GRADE GAMES. SENIORS. Papakura 8, beat South. Auckland Junior RC New?on Seniors 8, beat Hamilton Seniors 5. SECOND GRADE. Point Chevalier 3, beat Mount Albert 2. THIRD GRADE OPEN. Marist 16, beat Ponsonby S. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Mount Albert 6, beat Glenora 4*. Richmond 10, beat Marist 3. Akarana 17, beat Ponsonby 0. FOURTH GRADE. Papakura 8, beat Newmarket 3. FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby beat Mount Albert deCity beat Devonport by default. iNorthcote 12, beat Newton 2. Marist 14, beat Glen Lynn 0. SIXTH GRADE. Richmond 18, beat Newton 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Papatoetoe 0, drew vrith Ellerslie 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Marist 11. beat Devonport 3. Ellerslie 23. beat Northcote 11. Newton 3, beat Avondale 0. Devonport teat City by default. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Linwood 15. beat Hornby. B 12. Addington 24, beat Sydenham 7. Riccarton beat Hornby A by default. WELLINGTON. Newtown 8, beat City 4. Petone 10, beat Old Boys 7.