SLUGGISH LEAGUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 214, 10 September 1945, Page 7

SLUGGISH LEAGUE

ROOPE ROOSTER REPLAY CITY DEFEATS OTAHUHU Carlaw Park spectators found little to enthuse over In the replay of the CityOtahuhn Roope Rooster contest, staged as a, testimonial to Opal Asher. The game, which City won 13 developed into a series of dour forward exchanges, interrupted by prolonged kicking bouts. City was mainly responsible for the few back movements, but, generally, constructive play was absent. There was more incident in the first half than in the second. Halsey, the Otahuhu right wing, figured in some strong runs, but the ball seldom got past Wellm once dispatched by J. Speedy. Playing another of his typicallv polished games, the City full-back, W. Clarke, participated in a couple of early movements that looked promising but soon broke down. Right through the niece little penetration was shown by either set Of backs.

Otahuhu's forwards worked strenuously In the second half and the side might well have won had C. Riley been present to attempt the conversion of several easy nenalties muffed by Seymour. The shuffling around of positions following iniuries to the full-back. Potfcello. and Martin, in the first half may also have affected the Otahuhu fortunes. Fogarty, Hardy and Sanderson were prominent in the Otahuhu pack, while James and Bodman were outstanding for City. The final score was a fair enough indication of the run of play.

AUCKLAND BEATS WELLINGTON

P.A. WELLINGTON. Sunday. In a Rugby Lftairue mntrh at the' Sa«ln Reserve yestprday, Auckland bM.t Wellington by 47 tioints to 17. Auckland combined effectively between forwards and backs, and showed a creater underatanrilne Of the game's fundamentals. Nordgren (Auckland) gave a brilliant display, registering over half his team's points. He scored five tries »nd kicked seven goals, a to'al of 29 points. Ths Auckland forwards were too solid for the lighet Wellington pack.