Auck. unimpressive

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 18

Auck. unimpressive

PA Auckland Auckland does not deserve to win rugby league’s inter-districts competition after its performance against Northern Districts at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Auckland scored seven tries to Northern’s ' three, and Gary Kemble kicked eight goals from nine attempts, for the 37-17 win. It was not good football. The field was made for Auckland: ideal for open, attacking play but Auckland did not impress. Its captain, Fred Ah Kuoi. was ruled unfit because of a knee injury and his place in the centres was taken by young Shane Cooper from Mt Albert. The tnsk was too much for Cooper in his first match for

Auckland and the centres never worked together. James Leuluai was rarely seen. Gallant Northern refused to quit in spite of its problems. It lost Warren Rangi in the twentyfirst minute. Danny Campbell in the thirty-fifth and Charles Wetere in the fifty-eighth, leaving it a man short for the final 22 minutes. For Auckland, tries were scored by Toa Fepuleai (four). John Smith (two), and Shane Varley. Gary Kemble converted six and kicked two penalties. For Northern Districts, Kevin Fisher, Bill Kells and Ron Sinclair scored tries. Steve Dunstan kicked two conversions and two penalties.