RUGBY LEAGUE Canterbury Beaten, But Not Disgraced, At Auckland

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE Canterbury Beaten, But Not Disgraced, At Auckland

“The Press’* Special Service

AUCKLAND, August A In a Rugby League match when the game was played at its best, the Auckland representatives defeated Canterbury at Carlaw Park yesterday by 20 points (six tries and one conversion) to eight points (four penalty goals). Canterbury put up strong opposition and by no means did the margin flatter Auckland which had in its team nine well-performed Kiwis. The crowd of about 6000 saw some splendid football with superior speed and fitness carrying the day for Auckland. The game was a triumph for N. Denton, an Auckland threequarters, who scored four tries and not one of them would have been gained but for his exceptional speed and straight running. The Canterbury backs, perhaps weak on occasions in defence, stood up very well to a much more experienced backline. Its forwards lost nothing in prestige and in the loose had an advantage. The referee (Mr R. Hocking, of Wellington) paid little attention to the advantage rule and there were far more scrums than are usually seen in a game at League headquarters. For all that, the run of play was entertaining and it was not until well into the second hall that Auckland, gained any advantage, It led 8-6 at half time. Unlucky Not to Score Canterbury continued to play with determination but lack of finish robbed first Turton and then M. Courtney of tries. Turton almost unopposed ran into the Auckland full-back R. Haggle and the ball fell from his hands. The Canterbury forwards for 10

minutes hammered at Auckland’s line, but smart cover defence stopped promising movements. The fitter Auckland backs made it an open game and they handled beautifully with long snappy passes that gave the overlap to Denton who scored twice inside of eight minutes. Then came an electrifying run by Eastlake, who beat three defenders in his 45-yard weaving run. For the first time in the game, K. Harding took the dummy pass and Eastlake went dver. * The six tries by Auckland all had a spectacular touch and would probably have been scored against the best defence. Summed up, it was only in the last 22 minutes that Auckland really got on top and credit must go to Canterbury for a grand effort in spite of a last-minute reshuffle of its backs. Good Full-Back Besides Harding, who did a fine job at full-back, M. Courtney in the three-quarter line was prominent and both G. Neiman and James Bond impressed. The service frpm the scrum was well directed by M. Cooke. Outstanding in the forwards were Butterfield, John Bond, and R. Turton—J. Jones, tireless in loose, showed great promise. The hooking honours were about even.

Denton was the best back on the ground while the full-back Haggle was always confident. The Kiwi centres Sorensen and Tur? ner gave the Canterbury backs lots of trouble. Among the Auckland forwards ,R. Ackland, J. Riddell, A. Reichleman and T. Ratima were prominent. For Auckland, Denton scored four tries, Riddell and Eastlake one each. Haggle converted only one goal from seven attempts. For Canterbury, John Bond kicked four penalty goals.