AUCKLAND BEATS CANTERBURY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27369, 7 June 1954, Page 13

AUCKLAND BEATS CANTERBURY

RUGBY LEAGUE

Brilliant Play At Show Grounds MARGIN OF 20 POINTS

Playing Rugby League as it should be 4 played, Auckland gave Canterbury a lesson in tactics in a representative game played at the Addington Show Grounds on Saturday and won by 35 points (seven tries, five goals from tries, and two penalty goals) to 15 (three tries, one goal from a try, and two penalty goals). The game was played in ideal conditions before a large attendance.

Fielding its strongest pack for many years, Auckland, which has generally been inferior to Canterbury in this department, came right into its own, and except in the tightest of play, had the edge on Canterbury’s pack throughout. With fine service from their forwards, the Auckland backs gave a display of handling, speed, and clever switching of play that thrilled the crowd. Their speed and perfect understanding had the Canterbury defence completely baffled, and most of the tries looked simple because of Auckland’s ability to create the overlap. Players handled twice and sometimes three times in these movements.

Canterbury’s play appeared laboured in comparison. Canterbury failed to put anything approaching the same snap into attacks, few of which went far against a very solid defence. The Canterbury forwards strove hard throughout against their bigger and faster opponents, and although beaten on the day were far from disgraced. In the tight they were very solid, but they did not have the pace to match the Auckland forwards in the open. The whole Auckland backline was almost faultless, and it would be hard to single out any player. However, most of Auckland’s attacks were given a flying start by its very lively half-back, Erickson. Although not always perfectly directed, his passes had the length and snap to give his supporting backs ample time in which to move.

The real pivot was the first five-eighths, Sorensen, who gave a polished display of constructive football. No matter how the ball came to him his sure hands made no mistake, and he lost no time in getting his supports moving. Big and strong, with a fine turn of pace, Sorensen appealed as the ideal first five-eighths. The speedy, elusive Eastlake, at second five-eighths, took full advantage of the service from Sorensen, and repeatedly cut big holes in the defence with his fine dashes. A new centre, Ackland, made few mistakes. His size, speed and straight running always made him formidable when in possession. Robertson in Form Robertson, on the right wing, showed that pe is right back to his best form after his two years* enforced spell. He looks the ideal wing with his fine handling, speed and ability to beat his man with a change of pace or clever propping. On the other wing Duggan did not see as much of the bail as tiid Robertson, but showed a fine turn of speed when in possession. Although he made a few handling mistakes White gave a polished display of full-back play. His coolness allowed him to get out of many awkward comers, and his judgment •in knowing when to come up into the backline gave Auckland the overlap in numerous attacks. The Canterbury backs were disappointing. The tactics of their opponents had them at sixes and sevens for most of the game, and there was a definite weakness in their defence. They did not seem to know just which man to tackle, and it was surprising to see players whose defence is above reproach in a club game being so completely beaten. Their attack suffered from the slow service of Cooke behind the scrum. Having his first game for the province, Cooke was far too slow in his passing from the base of the scrum, allowing the defence to get right up on the other Canterbury backs before they were properly moving. Parkes tried hard to get the line moving from the first five-eighths position, but

generally found the deadly tackling of Sorensen too much. Roberts, at second five-eighths, did not at any stage have the room in which to show his true form, and he was. hesitant in his tackling. Except for one good break Harris failed to Impress, being too frequently beaten by the pace of his opponents. The best of the Canterbury backs was the left wing. Guy. He played with much dash, and made some fine runs. He was one of the few players In the side who always tackled soundly. McSeveney, on the other wing, suffered two hard knocks that affected his play, but his speed allowed him to save his side. Murray was caught out of position far too much, and lacked the speed to allow him to get across fast enough to smother attacks. He redeemed himself, however, with several fine tackles when Auckland was in full cry for the line. The Canterbury forwards gave a very solid display, especially in the tight. There were no harder workers than Kilkelly, Blanchard, Broadhurst, and Butterfield. Atkinson did a tremendous amount of covering, and his speed allowed him to save his side repeatedly. At times the Canterbury forwards appeared to be on top, but Auckland always returned with fine movements in which Johnston, RichardsJolly, Maxwell, and Yates were always to the fore. The Auckland pack, all big men, showed fine pace and handling ability, with Johnston and Richards-Jolly outstanding. The teams were:— Auckland.—D. White; B. Robertson, R. Ackland, J. Duggan; C. Eastlake, W. Sorensen; L. Erickson; C. Johnston, R. Raff. H. Maxwell, J. Yates, D. Mcßae, P. Richards-Jolly. Canterbury.—M. Murray; J. Guy, C. Harris, G. McSeveney; K. Roberts, S. Parkes; M. Cooke; A. Atkinson, J. Curtain. T. Kilkelly, R. Broadhurst, L. Blanchard, J. Butterfield. . The PlayAfter four minutes of play White opened the scoring for Auckland when he kicked an easy penalty goal from in front of the posts. Canterbury worked play into Auckland territory and Butterfield evened the score with a fine kick from close to the touch-line. Auckland attacked for the next 20 minutes. Fine passing allowed Auckland to finish off a movement with a try, which White converted with a fine kick. Next came a beautiful movement by Auckland. Robertson received the ball and made a fine swerving run before sending the ball inside. Several other players handled at top speed before Richards-Jolly went over under the posts, with the Canterbury defence spteadeagled. White again converted. In another fine movement the ball flashed right along the line to Duggan, who showed a fine burst of speed to go over in the corner. White again converted with a fine kick. Canterbury attacked .strohgly. and Butterfield added another penalty goal to the total. Canterbury kept up the attack with good work by the forwards. Atkinson snapped up a loose ball, ran 40 yards, and beat several defenders in splendid sidestepping to score a fine individual try. At half-time the score was: Auckland 17, Canterbury 7.

Early in the second spell, White put Auckland further ahead with another penalty goal. Canterbury attempted a passing movement, .but lack of snap allowed Ackland to intercept and race away for a try. Ackland again shone shortly afterwards, going over in the corner in a tackle after a determined run. -The next try went to Eastlake, who ran right through weak Canterbury tackling from half-way. White converted. Canterbury, although well down, recovered, and Butterfield battled his way through the Auckland pack to open the way for Kilkelly, who was backing up smartly. Kilkelly went over for a good try. Johnston scored Auckland’s next try with a determined run which took him right past several defenders. White converted. Canterbury produced its best' movement of the game when Harris broke through to send Roberts away. After a 40-yard run. Roberts sent Guy facing over in the corner, for Butterfield to convert with a fine kick just before the final whistle went. Referee: Mr J. Griffin (Greymouth).

ENGLAND LOSES TO N.S.W.

AUSTRALIANS TOO FAST ON ATTACK (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 mm.) SYDNEY, June 6. New South Wales beat England by 22 points to 11 in their Rugby League match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, yesterday, and England's outlook for the first test against Australia next Saturday looks grimmer than ever. New South Wales players were too fast, nippy, persistent, and accurate in attack, and their defence was excellent. England had too many loose patches, particularly in passing and tackling. England began as if it would play exceptional football, but lapsed into ragged work. The New South Wales forwards played fine football. England's captain, Ernie Ashcroft, played a first-class game, but too many English forwards were used in bringing down one man, and that left-gaps in the d llSs S .w the gam,, in wW

the New South Wales players ran the Englishmen off their legs. For New South Wales tries were scored bv Pidding, Carlson. Holman, and Bull. Three goals were kicked by Churchill and two by Pidding, F. Castle scored three tries for England, and E. Cahill kicked one goal. • ■