LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 240, 10 October 1935, Page 22

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUSTRALIA WINS.

LAST GAME OF TOUR

home side outclassed.

Although minus the services of several of their stars, the Australian tomint, Rugby League team gained a comfortable win over an Auckland province team at Carlaw Park yesterday afternoon by 30 points to 18. It was the last game of the visitors' tour, and once more their team work and speed off the mark proved too much for the home side, which consisted largely of young players, who should benefit considerably by the experience they trained in the match. In the early stages the Auckland side did well and be d lie lead, but then the Australians settled down to business, and left no doubt as to their superiority. The particular shining lights for the Australians were Norman and McKinnon among the backs and Prigg. Stelir, Collins and Gibbs among the forwards. For the home team I'letcher, Riley, G. Tittleton and Dempsey were prominent for good back play, while in the forwards Tetley, Hutt and Satheriy were always going great guns. The Auckland combination did the attacking early in the piece and they were rewarded five minutes from the start by Fletcher kicking a penalty goal at his second attempt. Auckland 2, Australia 0. Auckland continued to force the pace, and when Whittle, the visitors' fu.l-back, endeavoured to clear in the face of a loose rush and slipped in the process, Tetley was on hand to gather and dive for a try. Fletcher's kick from wide out tailed. Auckland 5, Australia 0. The crowd was given a thrill when Mahon was sent away on the left flank, but he was nicely taken by Dempsey, ball and all, when a pass to Collins would have brought sure points. Then Gilbert broke through from a scrum. He beat Kay badly, but was hauled down inches from the line by Dempsey. Auckland further increased their lead when Whittle was penalised in the goal mouth for not playing the ball and Fletcher found the uprights. Auckland 7, Australia 0. Australia got within striking distance primarily as a result of good work by Norman, but Collins infringed at the crucial moment. Tetley and Riley carried play to the opposite end, where the Australians were penalised and Fletcher again turned the mistake to account. Auckland 9, Australia 0. The Australians returned to the attack, and, from a scrum five yards out, Gibbs broke .away smartly and dived for a try. McKinnon goaled. Auckland 9, Australia 5. When the teams were fighting on even terms Norman beat Riley sweetly and cut through to pass to Ward, to Hines, who scored in the corner. McKinnon's shot missed. Then McKinnon cut the defence to shreds to send on to Stehr, to Gibbs, who sailed across under the posts. McKinnon goaled and the half-time score was: Australia 13 Auckland 9 Immediately after the change-over, from a scrum at half-way Gibbs came round speedily, changed direction, and had a clear field ahead. The Queenslander, Collins, came up in support, accepted a pass and ran across unopposed. McKinnon converted. Australia 18, Auckland 9. After a period of give-and-take play, Norman once more beat Riley by cleverly changing direction and sent the ball along to Ward, to Mahon, who pranced across wide out. McKinnon converted. Australia 23, Auckland 9. Then Fletcher reduced the deficit with a neat penalty kick from long range. Australia 23, Auckland 11. The Australians continued to have the better of exchanges, and the Auckland defence again caved in when Mahon flew along the terrace flank to draw the opposition and send a pass to Ward. The latter accepted and fended off Dempsey and Fletcher to score wide out. McKinnon's kick failed. The visitors were pressing again, and finally Collins plunged across under the posts. McKinnon converted. Australia 31, Auckland 11. Auckland retaliated and when the visitors were penalised for a scrum infringement Fletcher goaled from straight in front. Australia 31, Auckland 13. When Auckland passing broke down Norman sent Mahon away and a swift-moving passing bout ended in Collins going over under the posts. McKinnon did the rest. Australia 30, Auckland 13. Auckland took a turn on attack and passing on the right flank saw G. Tittleton in-pass to Fletcher, who scored. Fletcher converted. There was no further score and the game ended: Australia 30 Auckland 18 Mr. W. Simpson was referee.