RUGBY LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19103, 12 September 1927, Page 13

RUGBY LEAGUE.

BRILLIANT FOOTBALL. AUCKLAND BEAT CANTERBURY. VISITORS MUCH SUPERIOR. Although the early morning conditions wore not promising, the afternoon was fine, with a cold easterly wind blowing, for the Auckland-Canterbury match for the Northern Union Cup. Monica Park was in very good order. The attendance was the largest of the soason, the gate takings showing that just under 3000 paid tor admission. Auckland lias always been tho champion province in Rugby League football in New Zealand, and the game played hero on Saturday showed that, whilo they certainly are not going back, the Canterbury representative teams are improving, though they have -a long way to go yet. The main difference. between the teams was in style of play. When the local backs got going the ball travelled across in orthodox style to the winger, who found himself opposed to two or three of tho visitors, who had anticipated the play. Exactly the oppogite were the tactics of the Blues. Seldom did the ball go right across the chain, except if the field looked clear. Wetherill and Gregory had a trick up their sleeves in all sorts of positions, and worked the scissors and reverse posses very cleverly. Dufty's part in the passing rushes was an objeet-lesson to local full-bneks. He was always ready to join in, and at a signal from Gregory or Wetherill was up in a flash to take a Bcissors pass that altered the direction of attack. In tho scrums it was the same. The Red and Blacks strovo hard, but were beaten by tactics. Rarely did they rake the ball—perhaps half a dozen times in all—and when they did they were breaking up too fast and were pushed off it, or the Blues flashed round and gave Woods and Amos a very hot time. In tho first spell, playing with the wind, the local men were able to hold the AuclcJandern fairly well, though they can be counted lucky to have a lead on points at the interval, as tho northerners did most of the attacking. After the change it was early apparent that the Canterbury men were outclassed, and thirteen points were registered against them without their being able to cross the visitors' line, Besides this, the visiting forwards lost tho ball on the line three times. Wetherill, the captain, was the outstanding player for the Blues. His trick of running back towards his own goal from opponents, and then abruptly turning on his heels and dashing buck between them seems risky football, but he demonstrated it can be done, and after all it is better than kicking and giving away possession. His ability to draw the defence and then evade it was a source of delight' to tho spectators. Next to Wetherill was Dufty, who, althought stationed at full-back, often joined in the passing as a five eighths. His goal-kicking was excellent. Gregory is another great footballer, who can take all sorts of passes at speed.. Little, on one wing, is very speedy, and List, on the other, is iv very determined runne* with a gift of getting past tacklers. All the forwards could handle like backs, Payne, Hutt, and Olarke boing tho best. Of the Red and Blacks, Woods, at halfback, pleased most. It was thought he would bo overshadowed by the opposing half,

but he Justified his inclusion by h IB dash, clean handling, and ability to get past 8 solid defence, though sometimes lie bold on a Uttle too long. Robins was the best of the backs, his tenacity and determination to stop everything coming his way being v ? r y conspicuous. Sanders was not far behind Robins. With Amos, he did the hard work, stopping the opposing backs in their attempts to cut-in. The Canterbury skipper was the only one on his side who tried the same tricks as tho northerners, but his men wore not prepared for them. Gordon Blazey was weak at full-back, evon his usually good kicking being missing, while of the wingers, Blackaby was the better, but they were outclassed. It was hard luck for the local men to lose le Warne so early in the gome, as he is the best forward in tho province at present. Vivian tried to keep the game tight, but gave up afterwards. Sisson nud Woodgato showed up occasionally, but Burns was the only forward playing the visitors' open game in the correct manner, though ho was too often on tho outskirts of the solid work. There is a lesson in this game for tho local teams, 'backs especially. The teams were:— Auckland (Blue and White).—Full-back: C. Dufty; three-quarters: 11. Little, 'C, Gregory, C. List; five-eighths: It. Wetherill (captain), S. Prentice; half-back: S. Webb; forwards: L. Hutt, W. Somers, J. O'Brien, A. Payne, S. Dixon, and A. Clarke. Canterbury (Bed and Black). —Full-back: Gordon Blazey; three-quarters: J. Blackaby, C. E. Robins, T. Davidson; flve-eighths: .T. Sanders (captain), J. Amos; half-back: C. Woods: forwards: W. Woodgato, • lc Warne, H. M. Blazey, 11. A. Vivian, C. Sisson, and P. Burns. Referee, Mr H. W. Lawrence. _ Auckland opened the game with brilliant passing. Dufty was wide with a kick from tho side-lino. Dogged work took the Reds to within striking, distance, where Gordon Blazey made a poor attempt from a penalty. Canterbury's hooker, le Warne, had to retire with an injury to a rib, A. Collie replacing him. Dufty cleanly fiolded a punt from Blazey, and was off, sending On to Wetherill, to Payne for a try. Dufty goaled. Right from "the kick-out Canterbury went through, Vivian pushing over wide out, as the result of hard following. Gordon Blazey missed the goal. Auckland 5, Canterbury 3. In the centre of tho field Burns picked up from a ruck, made ground, and let out to Robins. Sanders was in Dufty's road when lie raced back, thus letting the Marist skipper over between the ■ posts. Gordon Blazey goaled. Canterbury 8, Auckland 5. Though Auckland hooked every scrum they could not go far. Davidson was called back for a knockon when ho had broken clear. Woodgate and Sisson took the ball down to the twentyfive line, where a penalty saw Gordon Blazey add two.moro points with a good kick. Canterbury 10, Auckland 5. A long kick by Dufty gained forty yards for the visitors, which Woods retrieved when he got nicely away from a. ficrutu. Back came the Blues with a lightning run by Little, to make tho Reds force. Payne swerved past tacklers, and gave to Little, to draw the opposition and in-pass back to Payne for a try, which Duftv failed to convert. Canterbury 10, Auckland 8. Two rushes looked like ending in scores, but both- Clarke and Payne lost the ball on tho lino, the Reds forcing. A kick by Viviau was mulled by the Reds, and Ilutt, Dixon, and Webb joined in a passing rush, for the last-named to cross. Dufty missed, and Aucldaud were now ahead. Auckland 11, Canterbury 10. H. Blazey jumped to stop a kick almost on the line. held on, and sent back to Woods, who kicked forward for Vivian to score. Gordon Blazey missed the kick, leaving the half'time score': Canterbury 13, Auckland 11. Canterbury had tho better of the opening of the second spoil, but an exchange of kicks let tho Blues through. Woods, Vivian, and Sis*

son looked likely to score in some hard work, tii H. Blazey got offside, and let the Blues oft to halfway. Dufty fielded a kick by Gordon Blazey, and Bet his men off for Lilt to evade tacklers, and score in a good position. Dufty goaled. Auckland 16, Canterbury IS. Wetherill gave his men another chance with a cross-kick, hut they were in front, and lost a great chance. Sanders, Robins, and Blackaby went cleanly with fast passing till a beautiful tackle bv Wetherill stopped the last-named. Passing like machines, the Blues went up, Clarke leading, aud a force resulting. The kick-out was fielded bv Hutt, who shore down the line, and scored in the corner. A great kick by Duftv hit an upright, and bounced outside. Auckland 19, Canterbury 13. InthanMt movement Woods let out qmckly to Robins, to Blackaby. Dufty racing across to hold up the last-named. Burns chased a long kick by Davidson down the line, and n Brent race saw Dufty there just before him, to elude him easilv, and send the visitors attacking on?e more. Dufty failed with a long shot, and then about a dozen handled all over the field Dixon scoring in the corner. T>u " s ' converted. Auckland 24. Canterbury 13. SUson and H. Blazey took play to the line. S, ® oenalty right in front was missed by the latter. Gordon Blazey and Sanders mis-kicked, and then Blackaby was offside, but Dnftv's kick did not rise. . Wetherill, List Wetherill, Pavne was the nest run, but this timo Gnidon Blazey was there, and saved. Auckland now were playing nil over the local team, their scissors passing infT would-bo tacklers. They fiji belt right through, however, and the final bell came with the scores unaltered. Auckland 24, Canterbury IS. TEAMS ENTERTAINED. On Saturday evening • banquet was held in honotir of tho p!ayer« in th« r ®P r * se tivo match between Auckland and OantOTliurv. In congratulating the Auckland team on its win, Dr. H. T. J. Thaoker also praised the exhibition that the Canterbury men lind £l The Mayor (Mr 7. K. Archer) congratulated the Auckland team on its win. Ha liopod that players of tho rival eodes would work in "onion for the betterment of sport. Mr Ball, manager of the Auckland team, replied on behalf of his team,. SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT. On Saturday afternoon the annual eeveii-a siclo tournament in the junior grades w held, the mimes being played at Monica ana Woolston Parks. Tho play v.m very keen, and owing to the hardness of the ground there were eeveral casualties. The following are the results: SECOND GRADE. Firei Round. Addington 8 beat Ex-West Coasters A 0. Ex-West Coasters B defaulted to Waimairi A. Hornby defaulted to Waimairi B. Marist B 3 beat Sydenham 0. Addington 3 beat Marist A 0. Second Round. Waimairi A 8 beat Waimairi B 0. Addington 6 beat Mariat B 0. Final. Waimairi A A beat Addington d. The Waimairi team was: > L. Hartley, N. Rossiter, A. O'Connor, F. Princeps, R. Harris, A. Smith, C. Smith. THIRD GRADE. First Round. Sydenham defaulted to Templeton B. Hornby 3 beat Templeton A 0. Marist A 8 beat Mariat B 0.

Semi-final. Marist A 10 beat Templeton B 0. Final. Marist A D heat Hornby 0. Tho Marist A team was: T. O'Mnllev, K.

Heddington, R. Poff, F. Logan, b. >i- ggren, J. Kennedy, W. McCa-v. FOURTH GRADE. First Round, Sydenham 8 beat Woolson B 0. Woolston A & beat Hornby 0. Final. Sydenham 5 beat Woolston A 0.

The Sydenham team was: S. Bnrrell, W. Drnry, L. O'Lougblin, B. Falgar, li. Gerrio, S. Erridge, L. i^ute. FIFTH GRADE. First Round. Marist A 18 boat Addington A 0. Final. Addington B 8 beat Marist A 0. Tho Addington B team was: R. Kett. P. Stanley, A. Rimmer, H. Young, T. Baker. 13. Hobbs, O. Templeton. SIXTH GRADE. First Round. Addington A S beat Tticcarlon B 0. Addington B defaulted to Marist A, Semi-final.

Mariat B 4 beat Riccarton A 3. Addington A 3 beat Marist A 0. Final. Marist B 3 beat Addington A 0. Tho Marist B team was: J. Rich. 1 Gillespie; M. Scully, J. Burrows, P. Reddington, P. Harnett, H. Striblinj.

| OTAGO BEAT CANTERBURY. J tPItESS ASSOCIATION TZLEOBAM.) DUNEDIN, September 11. The Lcagus football match, Otsgo ▼. Canterbury, was played to-day In splendid weather, and on a good ground. The game was fairly fast and interesting throughout. The visitors held their own in the first spell, but tho home team were superior in the second half, and were entitled to their victory. From a penalty in front of the Qtago goal soon after tho start. Smith (Canterbury) kicked a goal, but Ecklioff equalised the scores some time Inter by kicking a goai from a penalty. Towards the end o( th-> first spoil a loose rush, in which Olliver w*\ Srominent, ended in the ball going out lo [. Pearee, who scorod a good try for Can-

terbury at tho corner. The kick at gnsi failed. Canterbury led 5-3 at half-time. Oliver equalised the scores by gattinc over after a brilliant run. Ollivsr scored again tor Otago a little later, £nd the final seore for the home team camp from a penalty, from which Ecklioff kicked h goal. WEST COAST GAMES. Playing at Cobden this afternoon in the senior game for. the Bradshaw Cnp, Marist drew with Grey, 8 all. The match was plsyod before a good attendance, in dull but fine weather. At half-timo the score was: Marist 8, Grey 6. For Marist, R. Quinn and Jackson scored, the first-named's try being converted by E. Quinn. For Grey, tries were scored by Bond and W. Johnston. Bond kicked » penalty goal in the aecond spell. In ft third grade curtain-raiser Grey defeated Marist by 9 points to 6. At Blackball this afternoon Blackball defeated Runanga in a senior game by 0 to 6 after a hard tussle. .

• Association Football will be found on Page 12.