LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 214, 11 September 1933, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND AVENGES DEFEAT. GREAT STAND BY WAIKATO MEN. NEWTON HEADS CHALLENGE ROUND. ! Although the weather remained threatening, a large crowd attended Carlaw Park on Saturday to witness the return match between Auckland and South Auckland. It ended, after a very hard and fast game, in a win for the city thirteen by 17 points to s—almost the margin by which the Waikato gained a clear victory two months ago. It was a tough contest all the way, the international A. E. Cooke being early one of a string of casualties. True to tradition the visiting packmen were more than a match for the opposition in all departments except hooking the ball, but the metropolitan backs, in the face of admirable defence, just shaded the Southerners, whose ranks undoubtedly contain several coming stars. It was a match that ran the gamut of play variations. In the Challenge Cup curtain-raisers two good contests resulted in Newton maintaining its unbeaten record, and Marists and Devonport battling to a draw. Run of Game. With tho wind favouring South Auckland, Peckham kicked off and the visitors attacked towards the No. 2 grpundend. A penalty against Donald, enabled G. Tittleton to open the scoring with a good goal within a minute of the start. South Auckland 2, Auckland 0. Play settled at midway, with the Southerners tackling well and their forwards going into the fray in strong hunting fashion. Auckland opened out towards their right wing and Bright centred, but G. Tittleton. saved, and when Paid broke away, Hill missed the pass and Tittleton had a good penalty shot at goal from well out. The visitors, so far, held command with their rearguard showing fine form. When Auckland was under pressure again, Cooke punted too far at full into touch and another penalty shot by Tittleton went perilously close to points. Still the tricolours held the fort and Peckham, W. Tittleton, Garry and G. Tittleton regaled the crowd with a speedy handling run.

Operations were held up for a second or two for Cooke, who had been tackled well when endeavouring to run his supports into action. On resuming the Auckland forwards took the offensive and Donald almost bargod across from the ruck. The venue changed across the field, Cooke swung out a difficult pass to Brisbane, who gave to Bright. The winger received at his top and just got across. Campbell missed with the long-angle ki-ck. Auckland 3, South Auckland 2.

Cooke, who had been limping since his previous knosk, was hurt again and retired, but soou returned. Campbell broke through the visiting attack and gave to L. Schultz, who was dumped out at half-way. The visitors, with their forwards combining well, were soon back. Fleming was replaced by Jackways and some rousing play ensued, with honours about easy. Bright for Auckland and Garry for the visitors, showed up in the loose exchanges. The tricolours were now making a gallant bid, and a misunderstanding by the backs allowed Auckland to clear. List (who had replaced Cooke) and Schultz being to the fore. The interval score was:—

The Auckland team was rearranged, with Schultz at second live-eighths and List on the wing. A good break through by Prentice paved the way for a try, but his low pass was kicked dead by List on the run. Clever inter-play by Garry, W. Tittleton and Paki was the reply, and a rousing struggle took place in Auckland's twenty-five. Brisbane, Bright and Prentice gave temporary respite, but Peckham, VV. Tittleton and Mason made a great run down the terrace side. The tricolours made a towering bid to cross, and Siddell was held up bodily when ready to plant the ball down. Schultz cleared luckily for Auckland, who were further aided by a high exploiting kick by Hall from the back of a scrum. In the loose close up Paki kicked blindly at the rolling ball, missed by G. Tittleton, for Prentice to scoop it up and go over in a fair position. Campbell missed with the kick. Spectators were thrilled with a fine run engineered by G. Tittleton, who sent W. Tittleton and Hill careering into the other quarter. Brisbane tackled Hill into touch. At last Hassan got his backs away with dispatch, and rapid handling by Schultz and Brisbane enabled List to fly across wide out. Auckland 9, South Auckland 2. A brilliant interception by Bright between Siddell and Paki enabled the winger to score. Campbell goaled. Mcßurney scored for South Auckland, and, after some exciting play. Hall followed up to get the last points, the bell leaving the final figures

Auckland 12 South Auckland 5 Mr. V. Simpson was referee. What Play Revealed. There was not a 12-point disparity between the teams, and Auckland can be counted a trifle fortunate to have emerged with such a balance of points. South Auckland always are a hard team to beat. They play rugged football, and their present representative side has developed combination and speed, so that patrons were treated to a delightful exhibition of attacking methods as the main strength of both thirtccns. The tackling was deadly, and the match was gripping and replete with spectacular features characteristic of the code. The visitors infused much devil and dash into their work and the strongest side Auckland has fielded for several years took a long time to assume mastery, which was only evident in respect of positional play and an undue latitude allowed the winners in the scrums. The clear tunnel rule was observed more in the breach than in the observance. liarely has an Auckland crowd seen eueh heavy and sure tackling. In 6ome cases it seemed unduly severe, and the first knock to Cooke was a case in point. Campbell played a wonderfully safe game for Auckland as full-back. The three-quarter line was altered for the second half. As centre Brisbane played up to his best form, though he missed a few passes. His defence was very sound. Bright again pleased, and undoubtedly is a player of quality. The same can toe said of L. Schultz, who was equally impressive when shifted up to fiveeighths. List did well when he came on for wing duty. Prentice was full of pep throughout and Hassan came out of a trying ordeal behind the scrum with credit. Telford, Satherley, Leatherbarrow (who appeared instead of Lawless) and Donald were a good quartet of packmen, who met their equals on the day. Mason and Mcßurney proved themselves a pair of great forwards amongst the visitors, whilst Trautvetter, Timms and Siddell wore prominent in the tight as well as in the open play. Fleming also was good until he had to retire. The weaknesses of the Waikato rearguard were faulty handling at critical moments and lack of covering defence. G. Tittleton at fullback was frequently in the picture for fast running and attractive play, but his defence was below par under test. Paki, on the wing, was brilliant early in the game. His form, however, deteriorated. Garry. Walter Tittleton and Hill were magnificently consistent throughout, and Knight (half-back) and K. Peckham also were reliable. Tittleton won admiration for his all-round centre play, whilst Garry was remarkably classy as a young fiveeighths. These two ;*.id Hill should go far in the game. The standard of the visiting team was most encouraging. Hints given earlier in the season by Mr. T. A. I McClymont, apparently were not wasted.

COOKE INJURED. A. E. Cooke, the -well-knov/a All Black and "Rugby League five-eighths, was Injured In tlie League match between Auckland and South Auckland at Carlnw Park and taken to the Auckland Hospital. After treatment for injury to the ribs he was able to go to his home.

CHALLENGE COMPETITION. NEWTON STILL UNDEFEATED. The fifth round in tho senior challenge competition, in which certain special rules operate which do not apply to other matches, was decided on Saturday. Chief interest centred in the match between Newton and Richmond, played as tha curtain-raiser to the representative game. A fast pace was from the bell, and the hitherto unbeaten Newton tliirto»n were tested to the full, but eventually ran out the winners. The games resulted;— Newton 13, beat Richmond 7. Marist 3, drew with Devonport 3. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. Devonport 15, beat City 0. Richmond 10, beat Ponsonby 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Marist 9, beat Manukau 0. Papakura S, beat Otahuliu 0. Devonport 14, beat Akarana 4. Northcote G, beat Richmond 5. SPECIAL CHALLENGE MATCH. City Third Grade 10, boat Huntly 2. FOURTH GRADE. Manukau IS, boat Devonport 5. City 24, beat Northcote 5. Ponsonby 22, beat Newton B G. Marist A beat Newton A by default. Marist B 10, beat Richmond 0. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond B 8, beat Richmond A 6. SIXTH GRADE. Otahuhu 2, beat Richmond 0. SEVENTH GRADE. KNOCK-OUT FINAL. Richmond A G, beat Newton 0. HOUSE MATCHES. Auckland Gas Co. 9, beat Australian Waste Products 0. Entrican and Co. 8, beat W. Lovett's 2. McKendrick Bros. 5, beat "Auckland Star" 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. City 27, boat Northcote 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. WHANGAREI. Senior Knock-out.-—Hikurangi 9, beat City 8, thus winning the title. .Tuuior Knock-out.—Oncrahi 7, beat Wliako-Waro 0. Onerahl won the competition. GAMES IN THE SOUTH., CHRISTCHURCH. Llnwood 15, beat Addington 12. Riccarton 13, beat Sydenham 10. CITY ROVERS WIN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday. City Rovers, Auckland, defeated a Taranaki combined team by 29 to 22, after a bright, open game. Taranaki had the best of the first spell, but the visitors gained possession from the scrums in the second spell, giving their backs every opportunity. The outstanding player on the field was Turci, tho Auckland winger, who scored five tries and potted a goal. Other tries for City Rovers were scored by Axeman and Davidson. Watenc converted three. For Taranaki Hall, Price. Moorhead and McLeay scored, and Arnold converted one and kicked two penalties. Hunt and Bedford potted goals.