SOUTH AUCKLAND'S UNLUCKY DAY

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 110, 19 September 1938, Page 5

SOUTH AUCKLAND'S UNLUCKY DAY

Auckland Colts Win

BUT WINNERS OUTPLAYED

LOSERS SCORE FOUR TRIES

SUPERIOR IN OPEN PLAY

WRONG TACTICS EMPLOYED

To outplay their opponents in every department of the game except in set scrums; to score four tries to three and then leave the field defeated by three points was the experience of the South Auckland Rugby team which met the Auckland Colts in the main game at Eden Park on Saturday. It was South Auckland’s unlucky day and with even a share of luck running their way they would have romped home easy winners. Still, while defeated, the team was not disgraced. It was Rugby.

It was not South’s fault either that they were beaten in the set scrums, for judging by the referee’s interpretation of the rule applying to the putting of the ball into the scrum, there is one rule in Auckland and another in South Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand, (to wit, Wellington’s defeat of Auckland by penalty goals) and only a one-eyed individual would say that the Auckland interpretation, viewed in the light of what happened at Eden Parle on Saturday, was correct. From the outset the Auckland half-back started to put the ball in under the feet of his own forwards. Naturally Auckland won it, and after their success in the first few scrums, Auckland elected to take scrums in preference to lineouts. This flagrant breach of the rules continued and was allowed to go unnoticed by the referee.

Dropped Passes at Critical Moments 14 But even allowing for this unfair advantage to Auckland, South should have won, for they secured enough of the ball from rucks and line-outs to score many more points. Potier, the best back on the field threw out splendid passes, and often carved big holes in the defence, but further out the backs did not make the best use of the ball. It was a pity the Auckland selector was not present to see Potier in action. The insides often ran too far and diagonally, with the result that the wingers, both fast men, were crowded. Another fault and that which cost the team the game was the fact that in the second spell, and when South had the wind behind it, Mcßobbie was suffering from “short-punt-itis,” and resorted to these tactics when he should have fed his outsides and retained possession of the ball for his team, as invariably the wind carried the ball to touch and Auckland took a scrum instead of a line-out. It was bad enough losing possession from scrums, but worse still to give the ball away after getting it. The handling of South Auckland’s backs at critical moments was faulty,"Dunn, in particular, having an off day. Had he been in his usual form this young and promising winger would have scored at least three tries. Potier, as stated, and Loughrin, often made the defence look mediocre, but after this good work someone would drop a pass or knock the ball on. It was indeed exasperating luck for South Auckland but still it is all in the game. Boyce, at full back, did not have a great deal to do. but what came his way he got through in tradesman’s style. His try from full back was the gem of the game. Fielding Hie ball on Auckland's side of half way, he raced through the Auckland team with Hewitt in support, and when confronted by Hare, Byerley and Schubert (who came across from his wing), Boyce punted over their heads to go on to get the ball again to score. Outstanding Forwards The South Auckland forwards all played well, Rowe and Garter being outstanding in all departments. Chipman and Fowler were always up with the ball and Wilson was prominent in the loose, he playing better than he has done for kome weeks. Piggott, Steele and Fulton were always where the going was hardest. The game, from a .spectator’s point of view, was brilliant in patches with South often giving that touch that brings the crowd to its feet. In the tirst spell the game, territorially, was about even, but in the second South were attacking for three parts of if, practically the only occasions when Auckland got into South’s territory they scored. On Hie day South Auckland were the better team but it was not their day. in fact it was a day of errors as far as they were concerned. The teams were: — Auckland Colts (blue and while) : W. Hare (cap!.), L. Schubert, J. .T. Molloy, R. Byerley, L. Graham, T. Wagstaff, N. Cato, G. E. Guy, M. Goady, C. F. F. Caldwell, N. Thornton, .1. Carroll, G. Belgrave, M. Evans, T. R. Kerr-Taylor. First Try to South

Soulli Auckland (black) : M. Boyce, A. Hewitt, J. Pickard, .1. Dunn, A. McBobbie, F. Loughrin (capt.), A. Potier, C. Wilson, G. Fulton, G. Piggott, P.

Carter, 11. Rowe, A. Chipman, J. Fowler, G. Steele. Auckland won the toss and Loughrin kicked off against the sun and wind, the return kick finding touch. South, were penalised and Hare’s kick struck a post and rebounded. The black forwards raided the Colts’ twenty-five, only to he sent back by Carroll who broke away, Mcßobbie stemming the rush. The Auckland backs went into action hut met solid tackling. Potier got away from a scrum, carving a deep hole in the defence before sending to Rowe, who though well supported, went solo and was brought down a few yards short by Schubert, who came across. The forward passed off the ground and the penalty let Auckland clear. The South hacks had a run but Pickard, after beating his man, sent the hall the wrong way and a try was lost. South maintained the pressure and Potier sent Loughrin away, the captain sprinting through a gap to feed several of his forwards, Garter sending a long pass to Hewitt, the winger diving over at the corner, but the kick was wide. South Auckland .... 3 , Auckland Colts .. .. 0 Another Fine Try

Soon after. Hare had another penalty kick, tiie ball again striking a post. The Colts who were superior in the scrums, set about retrieving the position and had South defending until Dunn, who appeared to he nervous, saved brilliantly with a great kick. Taking scrums instead of line-outs the Auckland backs were always on the move hut the ; “defence was sound. Boyce fielded a kick and raced along Hewitt’s wing with:• the winger in support. When he reached Hare he short-punted, hut the ball went to touch. The South forwards reached Auckland’s line, Pickard going over, but he was penalised and Auckland breathed again. After being on the defence for a short period, Boyce cleared for South Auckland and forwards and backs combined in a movement that had Auckland in trouble. Potier was feeding his backs well and several times they were nearly in. At last Loughrin cut in, sent the ball in to his forwards and it went to Hewitt, who sent a reverse pass to Potier and the little half gave the opposition no chance, hut the range was too wide for Dunn.

South Auckland .... 6 Auckland Colts .. . . 0 Auckland set about collecting some points and from a scrum in South’s territory, Cato went solo but was grasseVl only yards away. The visiting forwards crashed - their way through the Auckland defence but an infringement held them up and from the resultant scrum Cato sent the hall On to Wagstaff, to Graham, to Molloy, tiie last -named heating the defence badly and sending Belgrave over for a try under the bar. Hare converted as half-time sounded and the score: South Auckland .. .. 6 Auckland Colts . . .. 5 Another Try to South Soon after the resumption Potier got his backs functioning again, the hall going to Loughrin, to Mcßobbie, to Hewitt, who sidestepped and swerved his way across at the corner. No goal. South Auckland . . .. 9 Auckland Colts .. .. 5 The South forwards continued to bustle the opposition and Chipman followed fast to compel Auckland to force. South were on attack for a long time, the number of lost opportunities being too numerous to recount. It was during this period that Mcßobbie indulged in his short crosskicking to his wing, the wind carrying the hall to touch almost every time. Cato was really responsible for Auckland’s next try. He found a gap in the defence and went strongly upfield, transferred to Guy, who dashed past Boyce and sent Thornton over for Hare to convert and the Colts were in front. Auckland Golts . . . . 10 South Auckland . . .. 9 Soon after South took the lead again, Boyce scoring the dry described above but Loughrin could not convert. South Auckland .. .. 12 Auckland Colts .. . . 10 Auckland in Front and Stay There Stung to action the Colts fought back and playing their best football of the day set up an attack, Thornton scoring his second try which Hare converted. Auckland Colts . . . . to South Auckland . . . - 12 South were not done with by any means and kept up a constant and determined attack, tries being lost by Hewitt, Dunn, Loughrin and Wilson, while right on time Loughrin in trying to gather a low pass from Potier lost the ball as lie was going across near the posts. The game ended: Auckland Colts .. .. 15 South Auckland . . . - 12

MASSEY CUP MATCH

MANUKAU v. PiJKEKOHE On Saturday next at Pukekohe, a match for the Massey cup, between Pukekohe and Manukau will be (bayed. The Pukekohe team will be chosen from the following:— Boyce, Costello, Lauer, Tlunniford, Harvey, Loughrin, Hewitt, Wrignt. Clark, Steele, McGlune, P. Garter, T. Reynolds, Piggott, K. Wolfsbauer, E. Reynolds, Wilson, V. Wolfsbauer, Lisle. All players are to attend for training on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7.30.