LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 208, 4 September 1933, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

HAWKE'S BAY BEATEN. AUCKLAND TEAM PERFORMS WELL CLUB WIXS TO NEWTON, MAFJST AND SHORE. Tho Auckland team had a runaway victory over Hawke's Bay at Carlaw Park on Saturday before a largo crowd. The visitor.--, tho product of a first year of revival since the lapse of the code in their province cloven years ago, were no match for the home side, which, after hoisting 31 points to 32 by the end of the first half, made the final read with a thirtypoint margin. The Bay forwards were unable to counter the strong fast-raiding moves and cohesion of their opponents, while the Auckland hacks showed superior .speed, brilliancy and polish, with Cooke and Brisbane as the pivots. However, the visitors never let tip and at times went into tho fray in a manner -that pleased the encouraging spectators. For a young team, obviously lacking required leadership, tho Bay performed commendably, and the play 'hail its incident and entertaining phases. The goal-kicking cilorts ot ]\. E. Smith, a winger, were ot lush standard. Hawke's Bay are to meet South Auckland at Ngaraawahia on Wednesday. The teams vero:— Hawke's Bay: Farquhar. H. R. Smith, T H Godfrey. K. 13. Smith, J. Seal (captain). S. G. 'Elliott. E. G. Lister, R.H. Gordinc, H. Brady, L. Sullivan. G. R. Murray, H. W. Gushing, S. T. Nesbit. Auckland: N. Campbell, Bright Cooke, Wayne, Brisbane (captain), Prentjce, Hassan, Clarke. Campbell, Donald, batnerlcy, Lawless, Hall. Early Dominance. Auckland faced a mild sun. and within oi=l,t minutes of tho kick-oft was eight points up through.a try by Wayne, nftei Cooke had pierced the defence, and nnother bv tho groat centre himself this being converted by Campbell. Nesbit. tho baj breakaway, was showing up for strong kicking, Lister was flashy behind the pack, and 11. Smith on the wing was thrustful when he got the ball. 110 streaked along the. terrace side and threw inwards a lob Tinss Brisbane turned tho attack, ana. from the crosskick, Clarke and Hall handled to give to Bright, who scored, and Campbell made the tally 16. Bv this time tbe Auckland team was "oiiig like a well oiled machine, backs and forwards combining with speed and elan. The Bay defenders were simply at a loss to withstand the attacks. Wayne scored again, and tries by Lawless (2) and Brisbane, two being goaled by Campbell arid one by Brisbane, l>rntight the game to the stage where the visitors at last came to 11 "lit The vanguard invaded and Sullivan was on hand to pick up in tho loose and cross. 12. B. Smith, whose easy and effective style of goal kicking was previously impressive, landed a. delightful goal, followed soon after with an equnlly laudable penalty success. Evidence that tho visitors were not without initiative,was their next try. Lister ran out diagonally and sent a pass to 11. "Smith, who with a strong and long stride ran past Wayne from 20 yards out and touched down. Prom right out at the sideline quarter flag, R. Smith sent the ball sailing high over the crossbar to bring the half-time scores to:— Auckland 31, Hawke's Bay 12. The Second Spell. Cooke materialised early in tho second spell, and. though the visitors were making a better showing, they seemed to be unable to work together as a team, mostly through over-eagerness, faulty handling, and weakness on defence. Wayne carved a passage clean through their ranks, and Hall received to score. Cooke's previous attempt at goal missed, but-Donald on this occasion added the goal points. Some open, desultory play preceded a. good rush into Auckland territory by the Bay pack, and Murray was almost over; In the loose Sullivan, the solid Tangoio forward, collected from a lew yards out to score his second try, which Smith converted easily. Satherley scored for Auckland at the end of a forward movement, and Clarke missed. In the concluding stages Lawless scored. Clarke failed with,' the previous shot, but Donald raised tho flags for the last try. The match ended with the board reading: Auckland 47 Hawke's Bay 17 Mr. L. Bull was referee. The Game Reviewed. There is not much to be said from a critical standpoint about the exhibition, beyond the fact that the strongest Auckland side produced this season had an easy task. It is probable that most spectators expected the city thirteen to prevail against the Bay's new side, but perhaps not to the extent that the game revealed. The manager, coach and officials of the Hawke's Bay tourists, after the match, expressed some disappointment at the team's display, and probably it is true the occasion was too much for the newcomers. In spite of that they revealed glimpses of talent, but as a combination, by comparison, they were lacking in knowledge of scientific play, which the code demands in interprovincial exhibitions. The forwards were fair, but in the open they were lost, having little system.. The backs, too, lacked in the finer parts of speedy work, and the side as a whole requires to study defence. The backs were rarely on their toes to dash away and make openings or to stop an opponent in possession. Tackling of a half-hearted character against a strong and fit opposition is useless. Farquhar was moderately successful as a full-back. The Smiths oa each wing were not seen to best advantage, as the ball did not often teach them. R. B. Smith really saved the name of Hawke's Bay by his fine goal kicking. Lister, the half-back, was flashy. He and Elliott (five-eighths) have a habit of diving blindly for ball or opponent. Sullivan, Murray, Cushing and Nesbit wore the best of the forwards. The last-mentioned showed up in the loose, but his handling, too, was unreliable. The team probably, as the result of the object lesson on Saturday will give a better display on Wednesday at Kgaruawahia against South Auckland, who are due to play their return match against Auckland this week-end. The visiting team was entertained at dinner at the Commercial Hotel after the .match.

challenge; competition.

NEWTON STILL LEAD. The fourth round in the senior challenge competition was decided when three matches were played, the game between Devonport and City keeping the crowd on their toes throughout. The pace was fast from bell to bell, and each team lad turns to lead, Devonport finally taking the honours by 14 points to 12. O'Donnell, Smith and Radonich scored Iries for Devonport, Oliff and Laing placed a goal each, and one point ■was registered for a touchdown. For City Turei and Rawiri scored tries, and Turci kicked three goals. . Ifor the first time in the history of the League code a match was won by one point to nil, when Newton beat Ponsonby on Saturday. Playing under the special rules governing the challenge competition Newton were awarded a point for compelling Ponsonby to force down, this being the only point recorded during the match. On No. 2 ground Marist Brothers hafi a very easy win over Richmond, and ran out victors by 13 points to 3.

SYDNEY TEAM'S VISIT.

ST. GEORGE SIDE COMING. The council of the New Zealand Rugby League has received word that the St. George, champion team of Sydney will arrive in Auckland for its proposed tour, to embrace at least four matches, by the Marijiosa on the morning of September 23, and ■will meet an Auckland club side that afternoon. The team is reported to be in fine fottle. Training will be continued whilst at sea in preparation for the opening match.

SOUTH • AUCKLAND MATCH.

The following team is to represent Auckland against South Auckland, at Carlaw Park, next Saturday : —Campbell (jVfarist), L. Scbultz (Marist), Brisbane (Marist), Bright (Ponsonby), Cooke (Richmond), Prentice (Richmond); Hassan (Marist), Telford (Richmond), Hassan (Marist), Donald (Devonport), Lawless (Richmond), Sathcrley (Richmond), Hall (Newton). Reserves: LeatfcSrbarrow, Laird, Segar, Oliffc. Clarke, Axeman ana Wayne (City) were not available. The team is to meet for training nt Carlaw Park next Tuesday, and Thursday. Any player .•unavailable,, please notify Mr. E.,Asher,at ; bnce.;

GRADE GAMES.

SECOND GRADE-. KNOCK-OUT FINAL. Mangero 24, beat Otahuhu S. THIKD OPEX. ' KNOCK-OUT FINAL. Jlarlst 13, beat Glenora 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Papakura 5, beat Akarana 3. Northcote 30, beat Richmond 0. FOURTH GRADE. Manukau 3, boat Newton A 2. Point Chevalier 19. boat City 0. l'onaonby 8, beat Richmond 0. Marist 15 25, beat Newton B 3. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond A S, boat City :>. Ellerslie 19, beat Papakura 5. SIXTH CJIRADB. Devonport 20, beat Manukau 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Newton 5, beat Ellci'slio'4. PIUJIARY .SCHOOLS. City 2S, beat Devonport 7. Bllorslie 8, beat Avondale 0. HOUSE MATCH. W. Lovett, Ltd., 13, drow with Auckland Gas 33.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

DUNEDIN. Christian Brothers 57. boat City 3. CIIRIXTCIIURCII. Hornby 19, boat Limvood Ifi; Sydenham 10, boat Addington S; Riccarton'beat Pirates by default; NEW PLYMOUTH. T.ile Shield Final.—lnglewood S, bent Western Suburbs 5.