LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 12 September 1935, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND TOO CLEVER West Coast Beaten VISITORS’ BACKS PLAY WELL. Displaying football of a standard so dom seen in Greymouth, the Auckland Rugby League representatives vesterday defeated tbo West Coast by 32 points to 14, before at> attendance of about 2000 spectators, at Victoria. Park. Fine weather prevailed, and ■tlie ground was in good order, but a -trong south-easterly wind, blowing up and across the field, severely hampered the play of both teams, making acour ate kicking and long passing an impossibility. Despite this, however, the vis’tors p’ayed really brilliant footbaL particu-'arlv in the back division, and particularly in t he bac kdivision, and as promised, gave a demonstration of I eague as it should be played, and also of the calibre of the players in the game in Auckand. The Coast for wards wore undoubtedly superior in the tight but even taking into account rhe brilliance of their opponents, the backs, as a whole, were disappointing. However, although beat’en, the West Coast team was n ot disgraced, and in fact, territorially held their own. It was only when the Auckland backs swung into action, executing movements with astonishing speed and pre vision, that the home team crumbled. The play of the visitors was a concrete example of the o'd adage, that attack is the best means of defence, and time and again they swept right from their own goal line, into Coast territory, the ball passing .through half a dozen pairs of hands on the way. With the backs mot functioning effectively, the Coast team had to depend on “kick and fo'low up’’ tactics, and although these earned 14 points, they could not hope to be successful against the cool defence and penetrative? attack of the visitors. The who o of the Coast forwards, and the inside backs played up to but the same could not be said of the other backs, with the possible exception of McLennan. Robert's, centre, was not impressive and Wil lams, on the wing, while he scored a nice try lost many opportunities through faulty handling. Crowe, the full-back, had a difficult road to hoe, with the wind difficulty to face, in addition to the accurate kicking of the Auck' tinders but even so he was too inclined to tun risks, and be caught in possession. The wind forced Dodds into many mistakes with his kicking, and he was inclined to attempt far too much on his own, but nevertheless his was a sound dis* play. The other five-eighth, P. Scott, played a very Snund game, both on attack and defence. O’Connor, behind the scrum, was solid, both on attack and defence. McLennan was given few opportunities on -the wing, except' those which he made himself, but he was the pick of the Coast threequarters. The forwards had io be altered as J. Amderson was unable to play through an injury to his leg, Hi H place was taken by G. Scott. who showed that' he was unlucky not to be in the team on the first se'ection. There was little to choose between any of the forwards, all of whom did their job well. There was not a weak link in the Auckland t'eam, of which the star was undoubtedly Lou Brown, the winger. It is many years since a better three-quarter than Brown has be m seen in Greymouth. He was the spearhead of the Auckland attack, ar*d scored four tries, all of whieti were tin l result of bri'liant football. He was bly supported by the centre, Riley, who also had a useful bag of tries. Cooke at full-back for the first spell, and acen£re for the second demonstrated that he is s-fill a master footballer, and in addition to being the initiator of many sparkling movements, he extricated his side from difficult positions wituh well judged kicks. Kay, fiveeighthf made many fine openings and was always dangerous. Of the forwards, Sa-fherley. Laird, Tetley and Hutt were the most impressive.

The attendance was remarkably large for a mid-week game, and although West Coast never looked like being the victors, except, perhaps in the first twenty minutes, when the exchanges were even, those present learnt something of wbaf real League is like, and were given plenty of ■thrills. The teams were as followsAuckland (Blue and White): A. E. Cooke, Hal', Riley. Brown. Kay, BrimbJe. Fletcher, Simpson. Hutt, F nird, Satherley. Herring, Tetley. Euierg.: Dempsey, Hassan. Keane. West Coast (Red and Wnte): Crowe, Williams, Roberts McLennan, Dodds, Scott O ’Connor* Ca'der. Airey, M>Xeight. Glynn, August, Scott, Emerg.: Weir, 'Ritchie, J. Hoban. Coast won the toss, but elected tn play against the wind for the first spell, evidently anticipating that the wind would be an offset to the superior fitness of their opponents in the second spell. The kick-off went to Crowe, who was caught in possession near the hie. Calder and MeNeight dribbled through, to give temporary relief, but < ,’ooke picked up and found the line well into Coast territory, whore Auckland were penalised, but the kick gave lit-tle advantage. From the serum the Auckland backs swung into action but Brown was well tackled by McLennan. Again the Auckland backs broke away, but this time IlaT was pushed into touch at the half-way by McLennan. Auckland were penalised for offside, and Dodds' kick brought play ito the Auckland 25. Kay secured from the scrum and kicked through to Crowe, who cut through nicely, but h'u kick was returned by Cooke. August came through, to tackle Cooke in passession, but good backing up by the other Aucland backs saved the situation Dodds dribbled through almost’ ■lb the Auckland line, but Riley nipped in with a clever clearance. Coast were pressing at this stage, and Dodds sent on ito P. Scott, who found the line in tire Conner. O'Connor worked the blind side of the scrum and transferred Gl’ nn, who was held up right on the line. Dodds crossed beautifully, forcing Cooke to concede a lino drop

out, which, went lb Williams. He miskicked. and G. Scott narrowly proven.ed the* Auckland forwards from breaking right through. Roberts gamed some grownd ana Auckland was pena - ised, but again Dodds* npaud-under was wasted through being b.own buck by tbo wind. A poor kick by Williams allowed Fletcher to break away, and a try seemed certain when Hall missed his pass, /ten yards from the line. A penalty gave Coast relief, but Cooke received, and sent a powerful kick a - must to the Coast line Crow© having to knock it into touch to e*ear from the fast following forwards. Another penalty, tor lifting in the Serum, re iievud the tension on Coast. Dodds, t> Counor and Roberts attempted to upen up play, but Roberts was caught .u possession. Brown and Fletcher executed a nice scissors and sunt Brimble uuay, but Riley missed his pass Tetley and bather ey both made rliaely moves, out ou each occasion Crowe c.eared Uuoke sunt on to Kay, to Riley, to Hal: bu/t> the latter was well tackled by Uudds. McN eight and August were responsible for giving the Coast defence a temporary respite. O’Connor Kicked through, and beating Cooke, p.cked up and transierred to Airey, to August* who was brought d-«wn, well into Auckland territory. Coast se* up a hot attack, but solid tackling Kept them out. The Auckland backs broke away once, but Williams sent them back. Dodds cut right through, but was caught by Brimble *rom behind. I’, Scott, Glynn and Williams wen-1 away in a passing movement, but the latter was pushed into touch. Then suddenly aM the Auckland backs hand«d in a lightning movement. Brown received inside his own half, and selling a dummy to Crowe, raced through unopposed, to score under tlie posts. Satherley converted. Auckland s—'West Coast nil.

The Coast forwards again set up a not attack, Tetley being prominent on defence. Then Crowe was caught in possession and the Auckland backs swung into action. Roberts broke down the movement with an intercept tion, but was off-side. Satherlcy failed an attempt at goal, from just inside the half-way line. Cooke came in as an exfcra inside back, .to send Brown away, but he was tackled. Calde r dribbled through, and when he lost possession McLennan took over, only to have the ball roll into touch on half way. Glynn dribbled through to Cooke who picked up and sent a ong kick to ■Crowe who returned the kick It was fielded by Satherley. who sent on to Brimble. to Kay, to Riley, to Brown who raced in ito top off a great movement with a try well out. Satherley again converted. Auckland 10—West Coast nil.

Several even exchanges followed. Kay cut through beautifully, but was well tackled by O’Connor. Dodds attempted to work the blind side of the scrum with Williams but an opportunity was lost through the latter failing to take his pass. Brimble injured Lis leg at this sfcage and retired. Riley moved into second five-eighth, Cooke to centre, and the emergency, Dempsey took up the fu’il-baek position. Coast were at'tacking and Simpson was pena ised for off-side on his own 25. Dodds' up-and-under was fielded by G Scott, who had gono up fast and ha buHocked his way across for a good try in the corner, just as halftime was called. P. Scott failed to convert, leaving the half-time scores:— Auckland 10—West Coast 3.

SECOND HALF. The second half opened sensat’iona.lly Coast scoring within a minute. A knock-on by Fletcher was the cause of a scrum about 15 yards from the Auckland line. The Coast forwards kicked through, and Williams, racing fast up Iho wing beat several defenders to the loucji down. P. ScoH failed to con Auckland 10—West Coast 6. G. Scott gained 20 yards, with the ball at toe, but, Kay kicked up and sent on to Riley, who was recalled, however, for a forward pass. Dodds : ent McLennan away, but he was well I'ackled by Brown Brown sent ora f.o Kay, to Riley, to Cooke, but the latter was beautifully brought down by P Scott. Kay then cut through, and although he lost possession Tetley pick ed up and passed to Herring, who scor ed in the corner Satherley failed to convert. Auckkind 13—West Const 6. Agnin the Coast forwards exerted the and McNeighf dived through t’he ruck, -only to lose possession righit ora the line. Hall broke through the ruck, only to lose possession right on the line. Hall broke through the attack with a *olo run, but was brought down by Roberts. O’Connor secured at half-way, and put Coast in an attacking position with a 40 yard line kick. A series of scrums took p'ace in the corner, and twice Dodds attempted to work the blind side nnd was caught in possession, while Williams was forced into touch almost on the line. Play returned to halfway, where Cooks secured, and finding the defence on the wrong foot, sent Ri ey away, to score under the posts. Satherley converted, Auckland 18—West Coast 6.

Dodds and Roberts attempted to exploit' the scissors movement, but it was nul ified thiough Roberts knocking-ora. Glynn broke right through only to have the bounce of the ball beat him. near the line. Coast were awarded a peraalty but Dodds’ high kick was fielded, and cleared by Hall. Coast came back, and were pressing on the Auckland line, when Brown executed one of the best moves of the match. He received right on his own goal line, and cutting across field, outpaced the oppo sition, before transferring to Hall, to Riley, who had then a clear run in, scoring under the posts. Satherley 's kick was blown buck by the wind. Auckland 21—West C*oa«»’ 6 After a brief Coast rally, Riley received on his ow n 25, and with a nice change of direction, cut right through to halt-way. where ho passed to Cooke, to Brown, who capped off the movement with a try well out'. Fldtcher failed to convert

Auckland 24—West Coast 6. Although 18 points down Coast did not relax, and after a period on attack were rewarded with a good try. O’C W >. nor secured from a serum near the Auckland hue, and when collared, pas“cl to Dodds, who went over, .about half-way out. p. Scott failed to convert.

Auckland 24-—West Coast 9. Coast continued to hold the 'territona.'’ advantage at this stage, but Dodds allowed an opportunity to waste through sending a penalty over the dead ball Pine. Then with a suddenness which characterised all the Auckland attacks. Cooke secured and cut through between McLennan and P. Scott, to again send over for

a try, which Fletcher failed t'o convert. Auckland 27—West Coast 9. Almost immediate'y after the Aiickland backs again got going, sparkling passing between Brown. Kiley and Hail resulting in the last-named going o\*:r under the posts. Fletcher converted. Auckland 32—Weslt Coast 9. Glynn was prominent in a Coast forward attack, being held up almost on the 'ine. I n racing for a rolling ball, Hutt and Crowe collided, just as Hutt kicked the ball, and Crowe received an injury .to his leg, which compelled his retirement. He was replaced by J. Weir. Coast continued to attack, the forwards fighting hard on the line and at length O’Connor secured from the ruck, to dive through and score in the corner. Calder converted with a great Kick from the side-line, and the game ended a few moments later, with the ■ore: Auckland 32—West Coast 14. The game was efficiently controlled by Mr A. Fielding. CURTAIN-RAISER The curtain-raiser between the Kunanga and the combined Marist-Pirate third grade teams was won by Rumanga by 11 points 'to nil Mi C. Restieaux was referee. teams entertained. The Auckland ami West Coast teams were the guests of the West Coast League at a small function last evening. The toast of the Auckland Rugby League was proposed by the President of the West Coast League (Mr. A. H. McKane), who congratulated the visit ors on their victory, and thanked the Auckland League for making the tour possible. He said that one lesson the West Coast hail got from the match was the necessity for fitness in foot ball, and he hoped that in future. West Coast players would be given a chance to get fit before they took the field. In reply, Mr. G. Gr' , y Campbell, chairman of the Rugby League Control Board, thanked the West Coast League for their hospitality. He said that there was no doubt there were great forwards on the. Coast, but they were not playing the League game, but the old game of “kick and follow through’’ He had heard complaints regarding the Coast backs, but they could not b--expected to play good football unless they got the opportunity, and the gamp that the forwards were playing did not. give them an opportunity He proposed the toast of the West Coast League. Both toasts were accorded musical Ji on ours. The Auckland team will leave this morning for Christchurch, where thev meet Canterbury on Saturday.