Canterbury Outplayed In League Challenge

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 15

Canterbury Outplayed In League Challenge

(By Our Rugby League Reporter.) AUCKLAND, May 30. Its hooker, W. T. Schultz, winning the scrums, 28-9, Auckland was able to dominate possession and play constructively in very poor conditions to beat Canterbury, 23-0, in a Northern Union Cup Rugby League challenge match at Auckland on Saturday.

Auckland, easily the I hetter team on the muddy ground (threw the ball around amongst its backs and four of its five tries came when it deceived the Canterbury defence in the threequarters. Without the ball Canterbury could do very little but its handling and general positional play was not equal to that of Auckland. However. the forwards played what was probably their best game of the season and it was unfortunate that many moves were spoiled only by the treacherous surface. The tendency to die with the ball was gone and G. H. Turner and E. J. Tavendale. in particular, produced their best form, turning in a tackle and passing the ball on. The conditions were against good handling and quite often the moves broke

down as the slippery ball escaped the player’s grasp. ’ For Auckland, H. T. Reidy , (two), H. R. Sinel, P. Schultz and R. W. Bailey scored tries and J. E. Fagan kicked four goals. The half-time score was 8-0 and Canterbury' was awarded 14 penalties to eight. Teams: Canterbury.—?. J. Tongue, C. C Preece, B. W. Langton. D. Cockroft. R. O. Moffat, R. F. Nieman. R. S. K. Irvine. K. L White, J. A. Flanagan (captain!. I. T. Dravton, E. J. Tavendale. B. T. Barron, K. H. Turner. Auckland.— J. E. Fagan. B. T. Reidv, R W. Bailey, P. Schultz. R. F. Christian, J. D. Ellwood. W. L. Snowden (captain!, H. R Sinel. A. Chaate. E. Wiggs. R Roberts. W. T. Schultz. E. Moore Crowded Auckland Auckland’s forwards were able to contain Canterbury apart from one or two occasions, but the expected breaks did not come. Under the leadership of Flanagan, the Canterbury pack showed its willingness to crowd Auckland and disrupt, to a great extent, the moves used when Auckland defeated New South Wales Country. In the backs Canterbury made four errors and each ended in a try. The Auckland backs needed to be given only half a -hance to move and the Canterburv cover defence, and par•icnlarlv the outstanding scrum half. Irvine, would have to stream back on to defence. Similarly, when Canterbury attempted to send the ball along the line it was crowded until the move broke down. Close to the scrum. Canterbury was solid but the greasy ball made passing a risky move and the three-quarters received few ■ opportunities on attack. Handling the conditions much better, the Auckland backs were able to penetrate by deceiving •he defence with reverse passing. dummving and changes tn speed. Once through the first I‘ne of defence Auckland had enough speed to outpace the cover defence and leave Tongue in an unenviable position. Saved Certain Tries

Twice the Canterbury fullback sprinted across to force a fleering Auckland back Into touch, thus saving certain tries H's onlv mistake was letting Sinel through to score but the slinperv surface was as much to blame as the player. Tongue was iniured just before the end and was replaced by w. E. Butterfield. Drayton moving from the second row to full-back. The Canterbury three-quart-ers. Moffat. Langton. Cockroft and Preece, received few onnor•unities but none made many mistakes and Cockroft came through a trying debut with honours. H's tackling was good and matched that of the .more experienced Langton. Ne'man could not escane the defence and the mud but he cave nothing away and returned a sound performance. Irt’ne. restricted on attack, was again ouhstand-'ne on defence, cover-

ng consistently behind h's hacks Several times ho came hack to asrist Tongue stop the Auckland three-quarters. Better Team-work

No one realty stood out in the Can’erbury nark. The teamwork was better. Turner or Tavendale making the initial run and sending the ball on. u«v»Hy to the reliable Fanasan. white made a few breaks early ‘n the game but the defence gave turn few chances. P Schultz, the most dangerous lof the four centres, the attack'ne Faoan and the opportunist

wing. Reidy, were the most impressive Auckland backs. Bailey d'd not impress as had been expected but he took part in several dangerous switches of play.

The attacking Sinel and the powerful, hard tackling Moore were the most dangerous players In a rugged Auckland pack. W. T. Schultz won the scrums monotonously and distributed the ball effectively.