REP. RUGBY.

Franklin Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 104, 10 September 1928, Page 5

REP. RUGBY.

S. AUCKLAND OUTCLASSED

AUCKLAND B'S EASY VICTORY

BACKS BRILLIANT DISPLAY

TOO FAST FOR THE LOCALS

FINAL SCORE 46-11

The Auckland B rugby team had a

Teal field day at Pukekohe on Saturday -when it met South Auckland and gave

the latter a thorough drubbing to the tune of 4 6 points to 11. From the kick •off the visitors backs to work and attacked but the defence held, South

Auckland countered to reach Auck - Hand's line. It was thought that the oontest was going to be of an even •nature but the visitors loosened up and from then on there was only one team in it. In fact the game was that one-

•sided that it was treated as a mere ■ .joke by spectators, many of whom struck out for home long before the 'final whistle. The visitors backs

simply did as they liked, and were repeatedly on the attack with movements that were full of thrust. The home Ibacks were fun og their feet, and in •every department were outpaced by the tleet footed Aucklanders. The Auck-

land backs gave an almost faultless exhibition and their handling was very skilful. This was accomplished against feeble opposition. On attack: the visitors were excellent, but their defence 3eft much to be' desired as Lawrie and -Co. proved at times. Against backs that had the ability to drive home .•piercing movements, the visitors would have been found wanting. The packs ■were fairly evenly matched, but if anything Keary and his stalwarts had the "better of the argument in many loose rushes. The. local hookers got their

share of the ball, but it dwelt in the back of the scrum. When it did come out the local backs dropped their passes, Bishop and Pullar being the worst offenders. The Auckland forwards could handle like backs and it •was in this department that they outclassed the homesters, also in the matter of giving support to a forward who broke away. Summed up, South Auckland was hopelessly outclassed.

, • i ; Filling the Gaps. True, the home union fielded a weak team, a team that was not as strong as •&■ regular, sub-union- team. At least half of the selected players did not turn, up, namely Hira, Matheson, Cos:sey, Barclay, Harvey, Ballantyne and Baker. Some sent excuses others did noL/and it is hardly fair to the selector to ask him to induce players who

attended to witness the game to turn / out, and also to expect players to fill: places to which they were not accus- j tomed. One player, IL May, had not j played for several weeks and he ac- I ceded to a request to lock the scrum — ' a position in which he had never play- '■ •ed inr big, football. Ward, chosen as | half played full back and rover and j then he was moved to his old place j =where he did better. Llndberg start- ' •ed out as scrum half and ended up; roving While Brownlee, wing three--quarter, openedaff rover and ended up in the full back T s position. Unless South Auckland can field, a representative- side in future, it would be far better to take on something easier than Auckland B. Not because a trouncing cannot be taken in the right -spirit, but because of the fact that the public have to be considered. The •public pay to see a good even game, not a farce such as that staged on Saturday. Such one sided matches .:are detrimental to the game. The teams filed out as follows: — South Auckland (black) : Brownlee, Hickling, Wood, Pullar, Bishop, LawWard, Lindberg, Fulton, Wootten. "Keary (capt.), May, Bell, Massey, . Crotty.

Auckland (blue and white) : Bush, Gouper, Wilson, Skelton, Gammiolc, Jamieson, Weir, Potter, Hindenach, Brimble, Kahu, Fowler, J. Keary, Satherley, Jenkin.

Auckland won the toss and the . South Auckland skipper kicked o'f against a strong wind and immediately j Satherley sent Weir away. The visit- I ing half ran his backs into position and J Jamieson and Cammick carried play to | the homesters territory where Wilson his pass. Bell jumped in j and drove the visitors back and in the j next instant Ben Keary set off for the . line in a solo foot-rush but Bush had no difficulty in saving. The ball was being kept among the forwards as much as possible. R. Grotty broke ■ away and transferred to Bishop, to Hickling, who beat a man and nearly ! crossed. Bush in trying to clear was j forced to touch in goal. A little_ later j Wood swept through the opposition and reached Auckland territory where he lost the ball. Up to this stage the home team had the best of the argument and it appeared as though the game was going to be evenly contested. From a scrum following. Wood losing the ball, the visitors heeled and Wei;', JamiesOn, Cammick, Wilson and Skelton handled. The latter had too mucn pace for the opposition and after making a spectacular run down the side line with the defence converging inpassed to Cammick and the Ponsonby speed king sailed over unopposed. Bush goaled with a beautifully limed kick. Auckland 5 S. Auckland ~ 0

Machine-Like Backs.

After the forwards had had a struggle in midfield, Lawrie kicked through and Pullar went up fast and caught Couper in possession. However, the Auckland pack cleared and the baU shot, out to Skelton's wing. The winger punted high and Ward misjudged the ball and it went over the line, and a lucky force resulted. "~ The Auckland backs swung into action in a whirlwind movement that had the defence baffled. Cammick cut in and gave J. Keary a clear run home. Bush goaled. Auckland 10 S. Auckland . . . . . - 0 The Aucklanders worked to South'3 twenty-five and from a scrum Weir secured, worked the blind and sent Couper across at the corner. Bush missed. Auckland 13 S Auckland 0 The change over came soon after. The Auckland backs got going again immediately and every cog in the perfect running machine functioned and J. Keary loomed to take the final pass to score his second try. Bush added ( the minor points. Auckland 18 S. Auckland . . . • - - 0 Play had hardly resumed when Potter, from a line out, sent Weir away. All the inside backs handled'and Wilson made a great dash to send Coupe:over. Bush raised the flags. Auckland . . . . . . 23 S. Auckland . . . . - - 0 The visitors were playing sparkling football against feeble opposition and handled the leather skilfully. The backs flashed into action again and Brimble received the final pass but he Jacked the necessary pace to score. Wood cleared but Auckland renewed the offensive and had several more runs but the defence appeared to stiffen up. The Aucklanders threw the ball about in great style and had the scratch home team run to a frazzle. Ward secured the ball and sent to Bishop who sold the dummy and found a gap in the defence. He was overtaken and sent to Lawrie who was upended. A scrum was put down and Lawrie all but scored. . The blacks hammered away and Fulton nearly crossed. Potter cleared eventually and Brownlee marked and kicked a goal amid much cheering: S. Auckland 3 Auckland 23 Lawrie's Good Effort. The Aucklanders were also feeling the efforts of the merry clip and several passing bouts lacked thrust. Wood showed up the weakness in the visitors defence, and proved that a good attacking side would make them look as foolish as they were making the home side. He jinked his way through and short punted. The ball went over the line but Bush got there first. Lawrie and Hickling exchanged passes in a side line run and again the defence was found wanting. Lawrie outpaced the opposition to score and Keary goaled. S. Auckland 8 . Auckland 23 "Lemon" time sounded a little*later and no one/appreciated it more than the blacks. ; South Auckland resumed full of ginger, and Massey, who had been going well, broke clear and sent R. Crotty away. The latter drew the defence and transferred to Pullar who missed the ball and also a sure try. The home forwards bullocked their way through to Auckland's line where Skelton became possessed of the ba'll. He ran to near half way where he gave the ball to Cammick and the rest was easy for the Ponsonby speed king. He left the field behind to score between the posts. It was an easy thing for : Bush to increase the score. | Auckland 28 S. Auckland 8 Keary and Massey took the ball to Auckland's plot and a score # seemed certain but a knock on held up progress. From a loose scrum Cammick I sent Wilson away and the latter ran to ) half way before passingt o Skelton and I the winger ran home from half way. j Bush added the extras. i Auckland 33 I S. Auckland .... . . 8

Bishop broke away in a solo foot rush that took the ball to near Auckland's line and a score seemed sure until Weir came from the clouds to kick the ball dead. However, a scrum was put down and Lindberg nearly scored. The blacks continued to press but Bush cleared eventually. The Auckland backs had another run, Skelton being pushed to touch at halfway by Lindberg. The next try was the best of the day. The visitors forI wards and backs took part in a hand - j ling bout and Cammick received the I last in-pass to touch dowrt under the . bar. Bush increased the tally. j Auckland .... .. 38 j S. Auckland 8 j The last twenty opened with Brown- j | lee making a nice run. He shO"£ ] kicked but Cammick was there to save j and he sent his colleagues away but i ! Skelton was caught in possession and j Keary increased the homester's score with a splendid goal. | S. Auckland 11 ! Auckland 38 South Auckland were still able to attack. Brownlee fielded a clearing kick and punted high. He followed up and caught Bush in possession. Hicki ling grabbed up the ball and went over. \ He was recalled and Auckland awarded 1 ' a free kick. Skelton broke away but • | Brownlee got him, and in the next inj stant Wood, Bishop and Hickling handled the latter's short punt finding

touch. The Auckland backs were full of running and before the final bell, Cammick and Gouper scored tries. Bush converted one and missed the other although the try was scored between the posts. The game ended Auckland 46 S. Auckland 11

PUKEKOHE v. PAPATOETOE.

The Pukekohe junior representatives defeated Papatoctoe thirds by 9 points (tries by Mills, Hogan and Best) to 3, (a goal by Wedderspoon). Mr H. Pleydell was referee.

The Pukekohe thirds beat Papatoetoe sixths,by 14 points to 8. Mr .r. Adams was referee.

THE GAME IN WAIUKU.

SINGLE BEAT MARRIED

'Own Correspondent.)

A match was played at Massey Park on Saturday between the single and married players, the result being an easy win for the former by 26 points to 6. For the winners tries were scored by T. Hickey, G. Muir. Keg. McNaughten, B. James and Kerebs (2). two of which were converted by Wright, one by Harvey and one by 3. James. For the married team W. Cox and J. Turner scored a try each.