RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25550, 19 July 1948, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

AUCKLAND BEATS CANTERBURY

FINE EXHIBITION OF CODE

Gaining the ball from nearly every scrum, and making full use of it, Auckland proved too good for Canterbury m a fast and spectacular game at Athletic Park on Saturday. The main feature of the game was the great display of backing up given by the winners. It was no uncommon sight to see a back racing for the line with supports both inside and outside him. In fact, most of Auckland’s scoring movements came from passes sent infield when players looked like being crowded on to the side-line. Although beaten, Canterbury was by no means disgraced, and showed on the few occasions when it won the ball from the scrum that had it received more of the ball Auckland would have had to fight much harder for the win. Most of Auckland’s movements were started by the first five-eighths, Rae, who was the outstanding back on the ground. It did not seem to worry him how the passes from his half-back, Russel-Green, came to him. He took them all like a champion. Not trying to do too much by himself, and sending on perfect transfers, he proved himself to be the perfect link a first five-eighths should be. Lepper, at second five-eighths, until he retired injured, was also giving a grand display, and it was noticeable that after he had left the field Auckland’s back movements lost some of their punch. Jordan at centre proved very eluiive with his jinky running, and made some great openings which led to tries by the winger, Gibson. Gibson, with his pace and great handling, had to be carefully watched all the time. One of his tries proved how good he was when he came inside to make the extra man and, handling twice, scored on the opposite side of the ground. Rich, Auckland’s full-back, besides scoring 17 points of his side’s total with seven goals and a try, gave an almost faultless display of handling, and his welljudged line-kicking sent Canterbury back time and again.

Good, Even Forwards It would be hard to single out any of the Auckland forwards, as the whole six of them gave a great exhibition of how the game should be played. All big and fast men, who handled like backs, they were too good for the Canterbury pack. Perhaps Cranch and McCook were a

shade better on the day than the others. The backing up and cover defence of Auckland’s forwards was of a standard which Canterbury players should strive to attain.

Canterbury’s best back was undoubtedly Callanan, at first five-eighths, who did a great job. His handling was first class and he made some nice breaks. However, it was his defence which pleased most, as time and again when the Auckland backs were in full cry he was there to do some extra tackling and save what looked like certain tries. Atkinson, outside him, was also in good form and was always there when wanted on defence. McKenzie, on the wing in the first spell, was shifted in to centre after half-time. He put great dash into his work and proved that with more of the ball he would have taken some stopping. It generally took at least two Auckland players to stop him once he got under way.

Forwards Worked Hard The Canterbury forwards, although* outpaced by their opponents, grafted hard throughout, with Broadhurst and Withell showing up in a lot of the loose play, as well as doing their share of the tight work. In the tight, Duke, Pomare, and Flynn never let up. Pimley, who replaced Stack, also gave a good account of himself, and is a much improved player. THE PLAY Canterbury attacked from th*e kick-off and took play to the Auckland twentyfive, where Clarke missed with a penalty kick. Russel-Green broke away down the centre, with Price in support, but a knock-on spoiled the movement. Auckland scored first when Rich kicked a good goal. Auckland 2, Canterbury 0. Auckland was- winning almost every scrum, and only solid tackling kept the speedy backs out. After Callanan had taken play close to Auckland’s line, the ball came back to Atkinson, who sent on to Allom on the twenty-five. Allom h*ad Plenty of time to kick a field goal, which ust went over the bar. Auckland 2, Canterbury 2. Shortly afterwards, all the Auckland backs handled for Gibson to go over in the corner. Rich converted from the side-line. Auckland 7, Canterbury 2. Auckland scored again almost immediately when after all the backs had handled. Price, one of the forwards, took an in-pass to go over for a good try. Rich again converted, to make the score Auckland 12, Canterbury 2. Keeping up the pressure, Auckland added to its total with a perfect try, Gibson scoring, with three men in support. Auckland 17, Canterbury 2. Canterbury then had a turn on attack and just before half-time Callanan kicked a penalty goal. Auckland 17, Canterbury

From the kick-off in the second spell, Anderson took play to Canterbury’s twenty-five, but McKenzie took play back to half-way with a good run. The relief was short lived, as McCook intercepted a pass and after making ground sent the ball on to Gibson, whose pace did the rest. Rich converted. Auckland 22, Canterbury 4. Canterbury at this stage rallied and getting more ball from the scrums, was on top for the first time during the game. After making ■ a good break, Callanan caught the opposition on th<e wrong foot when he changed direction, and, instead of sending the ball along the line, tossed a pass back over the heads of some Auckland forwards to Withell, who had a clear run in. Clarke converted. Auckland 22, Canterbury 9. When Rae attempted a clearing kick after Atkinson had almost gone over, Withell fielded cleanly and just reached the line as he was tackled. Clarke converted. Auckland 22, Canterbury 14. Canterbury kept up the pressure and. picking up a dropped pass, Clarke made a smart run down the side-line before sending a pass infield to Atkinson, who went over and ran round close to the posts. Clarke again converted, to put Canterbury within striking distance. Auckland 22, Canterbury 19. Auckland, however, was not done with, and after some nice play by their forwards, McCook went over for Rich to goal. Auckland 27, Canterbury 19. Shortly afterwards, Rich came up into a passing movement, secured, and shot over for a try, which he converted. Auckland 32, Canterbury 19. Canterbury secured the final points, when just before full time Henry shot across field and reverse passed to McKenzie. With most of the Auckland players on the wrong foot, McKenzie set >sail for the line. When he was tackled a couple of yards short, the ball came loose for Foster to pick up and dive over. Clarke missed as the whistle went, with the final score: Auckland 32, Canterbury 22. Referee: Mr W. Guy.