Challenge By South Fails

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 163, 12 July 1941, Page 1 (Supplement)

Challenge By South Fails

Auckland Team-Play Brings Victory: Big Recovery in Second Half of Game: Sterling Display by South Forwards

Auckland had to play an uphill game at Carlaw Park this afternoon against the South Auckland representative team, but played it well, and, after being six points down at the interval, ran out winners by 25 points to 14. Sterling play by the South Auckland forwards, both in the scrums and in the loose, held the city players in check through the first half, but from that point the Auckland open play and combination was the telling factor. It was not a game which reached the greatest League heights, but it was keenly contested. It was bright and open at times, and occasionally on the part of the city players there was splendid concerted endeavour. In virility and dash South Auckland caught the fancy of the biggest attendance of the season, but in collaboration and finish, particularly as far as the South inside backs were concerned, there was something lacking.

Auckland: Fullback, J. Hemi; threequarters, J. Smith, W. Tittleton, J. Butler; five-eighths, A. Kay, D. Solomon; half, J. McArthur; forwards, R. Shadbolt, B. Leatherbarrow, L. Davis, G. Mitchell, H. Mataira, C. S. Petersen.

South Auckland: Full-back, T. Shaw; three-quarters, W. Tarplett, J. McGaughran, E. Tukere; five-eighths, C. Deverall, J. Dempsey; half, J. Connolly; forwards, G. Beadle, J. Brook, R. Tawhao, G. Moyes, D. McGilp, G. Stevens.

South Auckland opened up with speed and dash which threw Auckland on the defensive. It was a temporary phase as the Auckland forwards got a grip on things and hammered their way back to the other end. It was fast and open football and ragged at times, as neither back division was functioning smoothly. The first scoring chance for South came when McGaughran had a shot from a long range penalty, but the ball, after carrying well, went wide. There was one adventurous raid by the Auckland backs in which Hemi took a hand to swing the ball out

to the wing and then came a reverse move by the Auckland backs. Solomon drew the defence well and Tittleton ran Butler into perfect position before passing to send the Manukau wing in for the opening try. The angle was too wide for Smith.

There was now more sparkle in the Auckland back play, and in passing movements Homi was going up to make the extra man. There were occasional South Auckland raids, but generally the play was in Auckland's favour. The real strength of the South was in its forwards, who were holding Auckland in the set scrums and displaying great pace and dash in the open play. Auckland was penalised in defensive piny, and Moyes placed a nice penalty goal.

There was danger for Auckland when Connolly sent a blind side pass to Tukcre. but the wing's in-pass was not gathered by Dempsey, and a South Auckland chance was loet.

Individually there was bright effort by the South Auckland backs. Shaw was playing a fine positional game at full-back and Tarplett on the wing was showing

subtlety and penetrative powers. But the South Auckland back division was not flowing on smooth lines.

McArthur made a clean break for Auckland, and at the South end Mitchell threw a pass for Butler to get his second try-

Then followed a South raid to the Auckland end. and Boyes went over for a try which he converted. South was soon again swarming on the Auckland try-line and Moves went over for his second try. He a (rain converted. The half-time scores were: — South Auckland 12 Auckland 6 When play was resumed, MsGatihran kicked a penalty goal to carry South further into the lead. Auckland began to force the task of recovery in a resolute way, but bright back play and passing efforts were met by Good South defence, which was planned on taking the man carrying the ball. The Auckland effort was opened out in an attractive way, and at the South end Smith kicked a beautiful angle goal from a penalty to reduce the South lead. Hemi came up to wing three-quarter for Auckland, in an endeavour to sharpen the attack, and Smith went to full-back. The South forwards were still playing in the same virile way in the open, and the spectators were giving them ever}" encouragement. When the Auckland backs got possession, they showed ability to combine and swing the play in chain passing to the wings, but Auckland, as a team, was having the experience of having just as much latitude as South gave them. Smith, with a second penalty goal. carried the Auckland score to double figures. With concerted back liay Auckland went the length of the ground. Hemi ran strongly, and Petersen gathered the tn-toss, Shaw saving a certain try in a daring dive tackle. The South answer was a sweeping forward raid with Mores, the outstanding forward on the ground, leading the way. Auckland got into the lead when Shaw fell .into error in a return, and Mataira gathered up the ball to go over for a try by the posts. Smith converted. Excitement ran high as South Auckland played buoyantly in an endeavour to recover the lead, but in loose play. Mitchell got a good try and Smith converted. Auckland back* opened up in swift passing, and Butler was sent in for his third try. Smith converting right from the side-line. From this point the game was in Auckland's keeping, the final scores being: Auckland 2.> South Auckland 14 Mr. 0. Chalmers was referee.

SCHOOLBOYS? MATCH In a schoolboys' match at Carlaw Park. Sou:h Auckland beat Auckland by 9 points to 8. For South Auckland. Berryman (2) and Watkins scored tries. Bryant and Ta*hal scored tries lor Auckland, and Bryant converted one. _________ j