LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Issue 154, 2 July 1934, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCH. AUCKLAND DEFEATS TARANAKI. TTJAKAU WINS CURTAIN-RAISER. Despite the unpropitious weather, a large crowd attended the first interprovincial match of the season at Carlaw Park on Saturday to see the Auckland thirteen easily lower tlie colours of Taranaki's second year representatives. The visitors were -unfortunate to lose their clever half-back at an early stage, and this, with other changes due to injury on a sloppy surface, which became worse owing to a heavy shower, seriously interfered with their cohesion. However, it was evident that the weight and speed of the Auckland team were the deciding factors, and, though Taranaki fought back well ana at raised enthusiasm for their dash and glimpses of combination, they were no match for one of the best rep. sides the city has presented for some years. Conditions made high-grade football impossible, but the contest was replete with incident, and was waged keenly throughout.

A fine curtain-raiser resulted in the new Lower Waikato (Tuakau) team defeating Mangere by a single point margin. The teams were as follow:—

Taranaki (amber and black): Priar, Thomas, Hunt (captain), McLaggan, Moorhead, Arnold, Cowley, McDonald, Coles, Lewis, Eraser, Patterson, J. McLeod. Auckland (blue and white): Campbell, Wayne, Mincham, Stephens, Prentice Cooke, Powell, Clarke, Steven, Telford, Satherley, Lawless, Hutt (captain). The home team took the lead early and Campbell had a fruitless shot at goal, to which Taranaki replied with a sweeping forward movement led by McLeod. Campbell was bustled. Hunt picked up in the loose and Lewis received a short pass from Moorhead to barge his way over in a tackle, for a fine determined try which earned appreciative applause. Taranaki 3, Auckland 0. There was swift retaliation and, with Cooke and Mincham co-opera-ting, Stephens finished up by going across and along the back of the line at the far Domain end, Campbell having no difficulty to add the goal. Auckland 5, Taranaki 3. In spite of the bad slushy ground surface, after the shower at the start, the game was going along at a surprisingly lively swing and Hunt went close to effecting a scoring interception. Lewis was hurt, and soon after the Taranaki half, who was doing splendid work, left the ground, the former returning after seven minutes. There was a reshuffling of the visiting rearguard and Mushamp (Waitara) went on as custodian, Priar going on the wing to allow McLaggan to go five-eighths and Moorhead to move behind the scrum. The change was just made when Cooke, anticipating cleverly during an attack, dribbled through, changing direction to score easily. Campbell's kick rebounded from the crossbar. Auckland 8, Taranaki 3. The Taranaki team, though repeatedly beaten in the scrums, was doing well, and Fraser and McDonald were to the fore in some desperate sorties between the quarters, until the Auckland rearguard invaded through good back play. Mincham goaled a penalty and soon afterwards Hutt crossed the line from a loose scrummage. Mincham failed with the kick. Auckland 13, Taranaki 3. The visitors were by no means finished with, for a stern drive down field, slightly toward the terrace side, resulted in a well-won try by Arnold, who, charging through toward the posts with Thomas, who had kicked the ball, dived to beat Campbell for the touch down. Arnold goaled and tho half-time scores were:

Auckland *13 Taranaki ... 8 v. The Second Spell. Muschamp, Dot returning after the interval, Priar was back at full, McDonald dropping out of the pack, wherein his berth was taken by the ex-North Island Maori representative forward, Conroy, of Opunake. The newcomer played with conspicuous dash, and, well supported by Fraser, the sextets clashed vigorously for twelve minutes in play of the loose, dribbling variety, the conditions making it almost impossible to handle the ball cleanly. At length the home side were in » likely position. Telford swung the ball out in a long pass to Cooke, and Wayne next received, to race diagonally and score wide out. Auckland 16, Taranaki 8. _ A period of quite attractive play, in which Taranaki was seen to advantage through resourceful work by Coles and Lewis, culminated in a fluky try to Auckland, Wayne touching down towards the corner. Prentice breasted through on the other flank, bsth goal attempts by' Campbell failing. Taranaki were near to a score in a fleeting clash, and Arnold had an unavailing penalty shot. The tide now definitely turned'against the visitors. A score from the ruck by Clarke, another by Steven and the final brilliant effort by Cooke — Satherlcy converting the last two—brought a solid contest to a close in the fading light with the scores: — Auckland —-—--.. 35 Taranaki - 8 Mr. M. Wetherill was referee. The Game In Review. The match, up to a little beyond halftime, was an interesting struggle, "with some really clever moves at times by the contenders. It was a case of Auckland revealing the greater confidence. Under better conditions —not to say a dry ground—Taranaki might have shown to greater advantage, but it is doubtful if it could still have won. Auckland s pack was a sound one. Steven hooked the ball regularly. Telford, Clarke and Satlierley featured in. the heavy going, and Hutt and Lawless were prominent in the open. Powell lived up to his recent reputation at half-back. Without exception, the backs played with verve and understanding, Cooke being ever in the picture. It must be conceded that Taranaki had more than its share of bad luck, particularly in so early losing the services of Cowley, a colt of more than ordinary promise. This spoilt the inside combination, of which Arnold was outstanding. Moorhead also was impressive at times, but lie, McLaggan and Priar being shifted from their original positions were no doubt off their game to some extent. Hunt, the Inglewood skipper, was a tower of strength to his side at centre. Thomas, a wing threeriuarter, also showed up prominently at times. Lewis, McLeod and Fraser were good forwards of an unflagging pack. McDonald showed versatility and Coles, the hooker.- made full use of his speed m the loose.. Conroy, the Opunake player, who came on in the second half, also deserves a pat on the back.. Taking all circumstances into consideration Taranaki, though decisively beaten, made a valiant effort all the way. The team was a much better one than that of last year, and this only goes to show how much improved is the Auckland standard for 1934. The visiting Taranaki team was entertained at dinner after the match by the Auckland League, when the usual amenities were observed. The team returned home yesterday by car. CURTAIN-RAISER TREAT. Early spectators—and the grandstand was packed by 2 pjn.—cnjoyed a trcat i the curtain-raiser between the Tuakau a i u Mangere Maori teams, whieh receutly met at the Franklin county centre, whore tne Aucklanders won by 11—10. nf f appearance ami the return match, in tne city, the country team returned the com uliment 12—11. in a malcli that w ss-sar toners#, jumped into their stride w th rapid rn nins and passing, which revealed that more than an average coach hod g ven them -riilanee M.ineore. of course, is a nonii. of natural foot bailers • and their more thill tested. Tlic.v mndo a ire ifHf'l to recover the lead toward | 1,0 C " rp hpjr left that concerted effort, too lul • '■fi'rh, "Opae" Asher, was able to go < w the iield and survey, w

ning thirteen as they honoured the public with a rousing farewell victory haka. R. at lull-back, lived well ud to his name, being nimble and safe on all occasions. luakau's three-quarter line—R and H v .f- oope , r and Paru— snowed up in initia(>i and supporting play, and the liveTu J',,.? 111 ", , iIUd , Peters > -were splendid. , . l aj> t-mentioned, a player of tine physique, made clever openings and handled the ball well. He is qualiiied for higher rank. The half-back, C. Anderson, was nippy and unselhsh, and the forwards, Rauwhero, Is gat aki and Warbrick, were always J' 1 . " le flying line. Paul, Hui and the Roberts brothers were worthy forwards for Mangere. Harvey showed ability behind tne pack and it was not until the hardv insides, T. ltau and Jacobs, got over their early shock, that Mangere rose to the occasion. Ilazlett was the best winger. Lou Wilson did not appear to be in form on the other flank. J. Wilson, at centre was flashy and unreliable. Johnson was unerring, fast and sure at full-back. It may be said that Tuakau, coached by the "Indiarubber man" international, Aslier, and with a Warbrick (relative of the great Joe Warbrick of 18SS team) and a Nepia as custodian, was verily bringing Rugger tradition nomenclature up to date. The 'Xuakau team and officials were entertained at Onehunga on Saturday evening, Mr. D. Wilkie representing the .Auckland League and the junior management committee. GRADE GAMES. SECOND GRADE. Otahuhu 10, beat Point Chevalier 0. THIRD OPEN. Mount Albert C, beat Akarana 3. Papakura 5, beat Point Chevalier 0 Richmond 41, beat Mangere 3. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Ponsonby 6, beat Manukau A 0. City 6, beat Manukau B 3. Richmond beat Nortlicote by default. FOURTH GRADE. Newton 13, beat Ellerslie 0. Papakura beat Northcote by default. Richmond 0, drew with Manukau 0. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 6, beat Mount Albert 3. Ponsonby beat Papakura by default. SIXTH GRADE. Ellerslie 14. beat Newton 0. Point Chevalier 7, beat Avondale 5. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond A G, beat Devonport 0. Richmond B 3, beat Northcote 2. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TAUPIRI. Taupiri won by default from Rotowaro. Huntly 14, beat Ngaruawahla 3. Juniors.—Taupiri 5, beat Kia Ora 0. WHANGAREI. City 9, beat Whakawaro 0. Juniors. —Portland 11, beat Kamo 2. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. NAPIER. Cllve 5, beat Te Ngarue 0. Taradale 32, beat Ahurlri 11. City 14, beat Te Awa 0. CHRISTCHURCH. Aldington S, beat Sydenham 5. Hornby 0, 'beat Ruru 3. Linwood 15, tieat Brighton 5.