RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 22

RUGBY LEAGUE

HUTT TEAM'S SUCCESS

MATCH WITH AUCKLAND

(By "Soloctor.")

Saturday last saw Bomri thrilling fbotball at Nowtown Park, when Hntt earned tho right to hold the Cup. As a display it was pleasant to watch, and whilst tho roforooing did not meet with general satisfaction, too must credit Mr. Boycl with impartiality and agroo with his decisions. Tho decision of overruling the touch juago camo up for discussion at tho Management Committoo mooting of tho Wellington League Contro, and tho ruling was shown to bo that tho roforeo cannot oyorrulo the touch judge's decision. Nowtown were unfortunato in not having tho services of M' Rao, and being a mnn short, but tlioro is no question that Hutt, by their koonnoss, training, and practico, deserve thoir honour. Thoy aro n woll-balanced toam, with a weighty, willing pack, and speedy, hard-tackling bacfts. Ono unlucky mishap, in which L. Bowan broke his collarbone, is to be regretted. This player receives an allowance made up' by contributions from his follow-play-ors,_ an amount which really would astonish players in other teams. Auckland v. Wellington. • Auckland ntarted what is generally accepted us their triumphant tour by defeating Canterbury. In tho second half of tho gamo condition told. Tho question is boing asked, "Can our team stick it?" Thero is no doubt that we have tho talont, but tho players lack training, and if Auckland become too confidont, as thoy appeared when passing through Wellington, wo may upset their calculations. Auckland are nndoubtodly a formidable toam, ana will givo an exhibition of football that will be worth watching, as their tour is more in tho form of missionary work than to rotain tho Northern Union Cup. Tho cup will bo on show in-Wellington noxt weak. It was presented by tho English Rugby Loaguo for competition among Now Zealand provincial teams, and has boon hold by Auckland sinco 1911. Amongst tho Auckland redoubtablos are Dufty, Gregory, Webb, Little, and List, who is looked upon as a "comor." « i

Dufty hns boon ono of tho most notablo playors in the League code in Now Zoaland. Standing six foot in height and weighing about fourtoon stono, ho is a hard man to stop onco he gets into his stride. His first New Zoaland representative match was in 1921, and ho has played in many Dominion toams since thon. With Grogory ho shared tho full-back position on the English tour last year. Plenty of weight has made him a powerful goal-kicker, and his right foot was responsible for his topping tho scoring list of Now Zoalandors on tour, no figured in eighteen of tho thirty-two matches played, scored two tries, and kicked thirty-ono goafs. On ono occasion, from beyond half-way, he piloted tho ball between thn posts. Wobb played, in only fivo games on tho English tour, and was responsible for one try.

Hall, who is among tho visiting Aucklandors, is a younger brother o€ A. Wil-son-Hall, tho Hornby (Christehujch) half-back. As a back ho is reputed to be up to tho standard of his elder brothor, which is saying a good deal. The reßt of tho visitors, especially Wetherill, Littlo, and Prontice, havo boon outstanding in club football in Auckland this season.

Eight clubs aro represented in tho visiting team. Newton, tho premiers, havo six men in tho team (Dufty, Littlo, M' In tyro, Hall, Clark, and Somors), Dovonport threo (O'Brien, Dixon, and Wobb), Ponsonby twp (Hutt and Payno), Mariut ono (Gregory), Kingsland ono (LisJ), City one (Wetherill), Richmond ono (Prentico), Mangero ono (Wing).