LEAGUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 164, 14 July 1941, Page 4

LEAGUE

Auckland Backs Decide the Game

Staging a big recovery in the second half of the came, Auckland liad an easy win over South Auckland m the League match on Saturday b.v 2~> points to 14.

In the first half, the South Auckland forwards played so well that they he'd the opposition, but in the second half the Auckland backs saw more of the ball, showed good combination, and gradually drew into a commanding position. The South Auckland weakne.-sj was in their inside backs, who could not match the Opposition.

The South Auckland team had a splendid set of forwards, and a specialist hooker in Brook, who was a strong candidate for n place in the 19.39 New Zea'and team which went to England. In Moyes tlioy had the best forward of the match, and he scored two tries and kicked three goals. Beadle, the 14-stone Xew Zealand representative player, also nave his beet. There was some good individual play by the South Auckland 'baciks. Dompsey. ■who has played in Knpland, showed sound defence, and Devorall, at second five-eighth, ran straight. The wins three-quarters. Tarplett and Tukere, showed up well at times. South Auckland was well served by Shaw, at full-back. >but 'he made an error late in the match in fielding, and it cost South Auckland a try.

'Die Auckland forwards iplayed in an evon vrn\. hut none of them, except Peterson in loose play, was partLcu'arly prominent. Eeathenbarrow, the hooker, met with strong opposition in Brook.

When the Auek'and .backs trot the ball thev showed nihility to comibine. MeArthur made a good delv.it at half-back, and scut his away swiftly, and Solomon and Kay combined well in the five-ei>z , hth line. Tittleton played very formriiy in the centre and made good openings for the wi.rogs, where the outstanding player was Butler, of Manukatt. He showed great dash in nttack and got three tries. Smith started as w-in,x threenuarter. bn* InW ex'-hange.l pities with Hcmi at full-back. Both guve an indifferent display. al+ho"ofli Smith kicked five goal*!, contributed largely to the Auckland victory.

The matc-h. was watched bv the largest erowvl of the season, and the spectators included the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, and the Hon. P. C. Webb.