AUCKLAND BEAT WAIKATO

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 131, 6 June 1939, Page 16

AUCKLAND BEAT WAIKATO

(By Telegraph —Press Association.)

HAMILTON, June 5. The Waikato Rugby representatives disappointed when they played their first representative match of the season against Auckland today. They were wel] beaten. 31 to 12.

It was the same old story of brilliant handling and short passing among the Auckland forwards that was the telling factor, while the speed and polish of the Auckland backs was also too much for Waikato.

Auckland's capabilities of profiting from Waikato's" mistakes were again noticeable, and Waikato could not turn any promising situations to advantage.

Halliwell, Auckland's full-back, more than justified inclusion, by playing a fine game. Waikato's 14^-stone pack was not as effective as had been hoped. It did not pack as well as Auckland, and broke far too early, allowing Auckland to come through the middle. Catley outhooked Bond, winning 14 scrums to 8; but too many of the set scrums were indecisive.

The Auckland backs had speed, great handling ability, and polish, Brady being outstanding. The Waikato backs djd not have the same sparkle. Broad and Parsons went well, but Paterson, besides handling poorly, threw out difficult passes, and the three-quarters hardly had any chances. Aitken made no serious mistakes. Both Phillips and Perkins were starved. Ward was very 'disappointing.