LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 220, 17 September 1934, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

WAIKATO DEFEATEDAUCKLAND'S GOOD FORM. FAST AND OPEN CONTEST. Playing before a large fine-weather attendance at Carlaw Park on Saturday, Auckland comfortably defeated a South Auckland team, which had been considerably weakened by four prominent players being unavailable. The spectators, however, were pleased to make acquaintance with a number of promising young Waikato representatives, who were unable to cope with the superior speed and combination of the Aucklanders in a game that was bright and open all the way. Although the game was entertaining for its life and incident, the crowd must have been somewhat disappointed to observe, for the iirst time for many years, that the South Auckland pack was not as heavy and vigorous as usual, in spite of its good play in tile loose. What the young set of backs lacked in positional play it made up for in line tackling. The Auckland team, however, was well balanced, back and forward, and in possession, was a clever thirteen, able to take effective advantage of almost every mistake made by the opposition.

The visitors were considerably weakened by the fact that W. Tittleton (centre) 5 was unable to leave his employment, and _ Paki (captain) and li. Trautvetter were { unfit to appear. At half-back D. Pitt , played a very heady game, while Pawson, r who is only 18 years of age, impressed as a strong and resourceful hist five-eighths, ' either on defence or attack. Besides him, J Hart was a little unsteady, while at t centre M. Scott revealed fine defensive power. Another colt who caught the eye . was Allen, a winger with more than aver--1 age ability, given the right opportunity. • Hill, on the other flank, was fast, but did , not appear to be in condition. The fulli back, 0. Hill, was safe, and, considering - the demands upon him, stood up well to 1 his task. Mason was the outstanding for- - ward, and Timms was always in the pic- ( ture, but the sextet was below Waikato . standard, in spite of S. Rayner's occasional 1 success in winning the ball from the i scrums. Hall played a most brilliant game for Auckland, his handling and 6trong running being one 6f the high spots in the match. His two tries, apart from I tries to which he contributed, were those . of an undoubted international. Hutt, who ably led the side, hooked with nnieh success, while Laird and Lawless were always prominent. Riley was the best of the inside backs, for, while Cooke also performed creditably, he was well marked and not quite at Ilia best, appearing to have a troublesome shoulder. McLaughlin was unsatisfactory at centre. He neither ran with judgment nor served his outsido men to advantage. Most of the play went to Mincham's wing. He showed plenty of pace and scored two good tries. t Stephens, who had not quite recovered i from recent indisposition, did not move in . his usual elusive style. This explains why > he lost a try scored, through bouncing ■ down the ball instead of placing it. He 5 had a stiff back and was trving to avoid stooping. Campbell, at full-back, with » Hall, shared the honours of the game. The l former's handling and line-kicking were a : delight, as indicated by the rounds of applause accorded him by the crowd. [ Summed up, considering the strength of ) the home team, South Auckland did well , to hold the scores to 10—35. It appears ' that a match earlier in the season would suit the South Aucklanders much better ; than at this time of the year. 1 At the dinner at the Commercial Hotel, • Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the 1 Auckland League, congratulated the young visiting side on the fine clean spirit of the play, and predicted that it was possible some of them would be considered for inclusion in the New Zealand team expected to go to Australia next year. He also congratulated Timms. Mr. W. C. Davies, manager, replied on behalf of bouth Auckland. i SECOND GRADE RIVALS. PAPAKURA'S OPEN TACTICS BEAT OTAHUIIU ROVERS. The curtain-raiser, between CHahuhu and Papakura, opened quietly until Connors broke away from halfway and scored. The try was converted. Papakura replied with vigour and tries were obtained by Johnson and Pope, leaving Papakura leading by a point at the interval. . With Pope letting the ball go judiciously behind the serums, Papakura pressed on resumption with fast back moves, from one of which Ross scored in pretty style at the corner. The same player soon after snapped up tho bail in the loose and scored. Otahuhu missed a golden chance to , il get P°' n ts. but Papakura retaliated with rearguard combination. Francis coml pleted with an opportune touchdown. , Irom rousing passing play Morgan scored I' rancis scored aud for the seventh time tho goal failed, Papakura winning comfortably, the figures being: Papakura .. 21 Otahuhu g Mr. 0. Chalmers was referee. WIN FOR DEVONPORT. At Rusby'League on Saturday Devonnort defeated a Northland team by 17 points to 11. It was not a bright exhibition. In the curtain-raiser, the Kamo juniors outpointed AVakawaro by 12—2, and qualified to meet Onerahi In the final of the knockout competition. MOUNT ALBERT ON TOUR. Tararlale Park, Napier, the Mount Albert touring team defeated Taradale bv 22 points to 12. For Mount Albert tries were scored by Hardgrave (3). J,. Schultz (3). Goals were kicked by Herring and Raiby. Dwan and Farquhair scored for Taradale, and Farquhar (2) and Adams kicked goals. GRADE GAMES. THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby 9, heat Manukau A 0. Manukau B 8, drew with City 8 Point Chevalier 13, beat Papakura 0. FIFTH GRADE. City 41, beat Otahuhu 0. Ponsonby 21, beat Manukau 15. SIXTH GRADE. FinaL Ellerslie 9, beat Newton 6. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond A 9, beat Richmond B 3. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. Marist A 0, drew with Marlst B 0. HOUSE MATCH. Lovett's 21, beat Auckland Gas Co. 10. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Addlngton 14, beat Hornby 13.