Rugby League Third Loss Of Tour For France At Auckland

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29278, 9 August 1960, Page 21

Rugby League Third Loss Of Tour For France At Auckland

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 8. The touring French Rugby League team suffered the third defeat of its New Zealand tour when it was beaten by Auckland in a clean, open game at Carlaw Park today. Although losing 3-5 at half-time, Auckland was in complete control in the second spell and scored three tries to win by 14 points to 5.

In spite of fine overhead conditions the ball was heavy and slippery and a large portion of the midfield was covered in mud. Many of the moves by both the Aucklanders and the Frenchmen foundered towards the end of the game when the continual slogging on the heavy pitch had reduced both forward packs to almost walking speed. Strangely enough it was in the backs that Auckland gained its greatest superiority. The main factor here was the play of C. A. Eastlake and W. Sorenson, at first and second five-eighths respectively.

Eastlake, by the intelligent use of the blind side, kept the French defence guessing all through the match, while Sorenson was as brilliant on attack as he was solid on defence.

The other star of the Auckland backs was J. Fagan, who used every opportunity available to attack from full-back.

R. C. Ackland’s play capped a series of fine performances in the three matches he has played against the tourists. H. Maxwell) the big Maori prop, was also in fine form, and he did much to wear down the Frenchmen. The French team, to give it full credit, never stopped trying to open up the play in spite of the atrocious conditions. Too often, however, movements broke down for want of support or the three-quarters were left with insufficient room to move. J. Barthe. the captain and the sole French test player in the team, confirmed the fact that he was the best forward among the tourists. He was often on hand to keep movements flowing.

Next to Barthe, Y. Mezard, the scorer of France’s sole try, looked the best of the pack. He made some spectacular solo breaks and also kept a close and successful liaison with A Lacaze.

The French backs had a quiet day. The midfield attacks of J. Darricau and R. Gruppi were largely ineffective, while neither of the wings, R.

Benause or J. Dubon, could evade their Auckland opposites. P. Lacaze. the full-back, looked an exceptional player. The conditions did not suit this lightly built man. but he still managed to figure in one or two spectacular runs. First and foremost, however, Lacaze is a showman, and his light-hearted approach to the game did much to displace the unhappy memories of Saturday's fiasco. For Auckland Riddell. Fagan. Sorenson, and N. L. Denton scored tries, and Sorenson converted one. Mezard scored a try for France, and converted it.