CANTERBURY AND AUCKLAND DRAW

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26854, 6 October 1952, Page 9

CANTERBURY AND AUCKLAND DRAW

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Score 11-All At Eden Park SUPERIOR PLAY BY VISITORS "The Press'’ Special Service AUCKLAND, October 5. Auckland was fortunate to hold Curterbniy to a draw, u-aii, fe seaßen “* E *° Auckland, which led 6-5 at halftime, claimed its points from two penalty goals and a converted penalty try to two tries, one of which was eon verted, and a penalty goal. Rain fell almost throughout the match, and the attendance was only about 4000. The gate takings were £456. It is expected that the Auckland Rugby Union, which guaranteed the expenses of the Canterbury team, will incur a loss of about £5O. Auckland took the lead in the first 15 minutes of play, when J. W.'Kelly. the full-back, kicked an angle penalty goal from the twenty-five. Eight minutes before the interval, Kelly again succeeded from a penalty in front of the posts just inside the twenty-five. Three minutes before half-time, J. Hotop, the Canterbury first fiveeighths, made a splendid opening from loose play, drew Kelly, and sent E. Hern over unopposed. K. C. Stuart converted from a handy position. There was rather an unusual incident seven minutes after the start of the second half. J. R. Skeen, an Auckland forward, when racing for the ball, was jostled into one of the posts, and the referee (Mr D. E. Graham) aw-arded a penalty try, to which Kelly added the goal points. It seemed doubtful whether Skeen would have gained the touch down. He said after the match that the ball at that stage was just short of the line. The Canterbury defence, too, was quickly closing round. At any rate, this wa? one of the very few occasions on which Auckland looked likely to score. For a brief period, these five points took a little sting out of Canterbury, but it rallied splendidly. After 17 minutes, M. Dixon, the wing-three quarter, seized ap opportunity to tak* 5 a bad Auckland pass and race over After 23 minutes, Stuart equalised the score with a penalty goal, and Canterbury held command practically until the end. Canterbury Forwards Impress Auckland lost its hooker, M. C. Castle, after 18 minutes. He was replaced by T. French. R. Honey, one of the locks, also retired nine minutes before the end and .was replaced by M. Reidy. An outstanding feature of the match was the magnificent play of the Canterbury forwards, who gave one of the best exhibitions of ball control seen at the ground for some time. They called the tune and gave Canterbury the territorial advantage for most of the game. They screwed the scrum cleverly, and their loose rushes had Auckland’s inside backs palpably worried. Canterbury fielded two fine locks, R. H. Duff and G. N. Dalzell, who formed a most compact scrum. In the second half Auckland rarely reached the visitors’ territory. Of the decisive scrums, Canterbury won 12 to Auckland’s six. Auckland’s line-out play was superior, largely because of the ability of Skeen. Auckland won 34 lineouts to Canterbury’s 21. Penalties were even at 10-all. Although the conditions were unfavourable for concerted back movements, both teams at times endeavoured to throw the ball about, more especially Auckland, which, las a line, looked the more likely combination. The speed of the Canterbury backs, however, suggested that a splendid exhibition would have resulted on a dry day. Hotop Errs Canterbury erred in kicking too much, and in this respect Hotop was at fault. He certainly saved his forwards with telling line kicks, but there were times when he could have sent the ball on and given the speedy three-quarter line more chances. It was surprising, in this respect, that more use was not made of Dixon. There was a certain indecision among the Canterbury inside backs, who, with the exception of P. Vincent, the half, rarely tried to penetrate. Vincent was neither so nippy nor so quick in his passing as when he played in Auckland three seasons ago. Hotop is undoubtedly a good individual player, and very enterprising in the loose. This quality he showed when he made the try for Hern. A weak link on attack in the Canterbury back line was D. D. Wilson, the second five-eighths, who fumbled several good passes. A. E. G. Elsom, the All Black centre, showed his pace on one occasion, when he made a good break. A fine impression was made by Dixon, a tricky and clever wing, quick on his feet, with an elusive side-step. The crowd would have like more opportunities to have gone his way. He looked, on the day, a coming All Black. R. Smith, on the other wing, did everything expected of him, with rare chances, and showed plenty of determination. It was interesting to compare the fullbacks, Kelly and Stuart. Kelly had a hard day, and kicked well, but two or three times he was clearly worried by the rolling ball. Stuart played a sound, cool game, and made few mistakes. Of the Canterbury forwards, Duff and Dalzell were always well in the thick of the play, and P. Eastgate was another very prominent player. E. Hern played very well. D. Young revealed plenty of dash and ability to control the ball nicely at his feet. Auckland Difficulties The Auckland backs were never allowed to settle down properly against a fastcovering defence. No doubt this resulted from the harassing the inside players experienced at the hands of the Canterbury forwards. K. Davis, the All Black halfback, showed that he is a better dry day player than under the conditions yesterday. A bad pass from him to W. H. Vernon gave Dixon his try. R. Harris, the Auckland first fiveeighths, was also not so impressive as usual. J. M. Tanner, the second fiveeighths, was closely watched, and he endeavoured to change the style of play with short kicks. Brady had few chances, but made the most of them. Erceg and Vernon, on the wings, rarely came into the picture. The Auckland forwards hhd a trying test in endeavouring to hold their opponents. Skeen showed that he is a much improved player. H. White worked hard in the tight, and M. Menzies did some good covering work.