LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume XXII, 13 September 1932, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NORTHERN UNION CUP MATCH SOUTH AUCKLAND RETAIN TROPHY. On Saturday at Ngaruawahia about 500 spectators saw South Auckland (holders) retain the Northern Union Cup against Northland (challengers) by the margin of two points; the final score being 22 to 20. The game was a fast forward one, interspersed with bright, snappy movements by the backs; and with the issue in doubt up to the final whistle, the interest of the spectators was maintained to the end. The Northland forwards were a hard working lot and held their own with the local vanguard, especially in the loose, and secured the ball from the majority of scrums. Payne, Weils, Keith and White (until he had to retire) were the most prominent. Of the backs, Macky, fullback, was very safe, often extricating his side when pressed. Hamilton and Burgin were the pick of the rest. For South Auckland, Stephenson, Timms, Mason and Mcßurney were prominent in the forwards. In the rear division, Hill was outstanding, and was the best back on the field. Abbott, Peckham and Smith played good games, and made the most of their opportunities. In the second spell the South Auckland team was rearranged somewhat, Knight going to fullback, G. Tittleton to the wing; while Abbott and Smith went to half and five-eighths respectively. On the play that followed this proved a better combination than that of the first spell. The Play. The teams lined out as follows: Northland—Macky, Connelly, Hamilton, Barakat, Burgin, Dunn, Meyer, Myers, Wells, Payne, Paki, White, Keith. South Auckland—G. Tittleton, Hill, W. Tittleton, Smith, Abbott, Peckham, Knight, Farrell, Stephenson, Mason, Mcßurney, Scott, Timms. Northland started the ball rolling, a free to South Auckland following from which the holders set up an attack, but Macky made a good save. A try seemed imminent when Smith secured and passed to Abbott who was grassed in possession. Northland cleared to halfway; but local men gradually worked their way to the visitors’ line and from play near the line Mcßurney scored alongside the posts for G. Tittleton to goal. Northland set up an attack but Payne failed to take cleanly and a scrum followed. The visitors broke

away again and Wells forced his way j over to score under the bar. Burgin goaled. South Auckland invaded the visitors 1 territory and were throwing the ball . about at random; but could not finish off any movement. Northland rushed play to the holders' quarters and looked like scoring until Hill came across fast and made a clever save. South Auckland were penalised and Hamilton failed with a free. Desultory play in the Northland 25 followed until the latter were awarded a free and G. Tittleton secured and sent to Hill who made a fine dash down the sideline before being downed. Mcßurney received an injury and had to retire, his place being taken by Holland. The visitors attacked and White secured, and with a clever run ran through the opposition to score in a handy position. Burgin goaled. 1 South Auckland took play to their opponents’ end and from a scrum near the line Knight sent his backs away, i the whole chain handling for Smith ; to score well out. G. Tittleton failed with a good attempt. Northland were awarded a free but failed to increase their tally. From a scrum near halfway Hill secured and made a great dash to put his side ‘ in a good position. G. Tittleton had i a drop-shot from the field which Barakat fielded behind the posts and with a long kick found the line at halfway. At this stage White had to retire. From a melee near the visitors’ line Abbott picked up and sent Hill over to score. Peckham failed with the kick. Northland broke away from a scrum in their 25 and, catching the holders out of position, Hamilton made a spirited dash to be pulled down at th corner. From the ensuing scrur Keith forced his way over. Burgii failed to convert. Northland swarmed on to the Soutl Auckland line, but faulty handlinj lost a chance and the locals cleare< to the other end of the field. Half time came shortly after with the scor< Northland 13, South Auckland 11. Second Spell. Soon after the kick off Northlan< secured from a scrum and Burgii made a clever run and sent his backi away; but Hill grassed Connelly whei the latter looked like scoring. Stephen son broke away with several plaver; in support but held on too long. Masoi was responsible for a great dash, bu lacked the necessary pace, being pull ed down a yard from the line. North land had an anxious time, being penned on their line; but a penalty brought them relief. South Aucklanc made a great rally and Hill was pushed out at the corner flag. G. Tittleton made a vigorous run downfielc but w r as downed, and Hamilton turned defence into attack with a fine dash The holders returned to the attack and from hard play in the visitors’ 25 the ball went out to Hill who scored at the corner. G. Tittleton failed with the kick. Northland charged downfield to the local line, but Tittleton held them up. Smith secured and broke away clear of the field but his pass went astray. ! South Auckland kept play in the Northland 25 where Hill secured and after cleverly drawing the defence sent Timms over to score. Knight failed with the kick. South Auckland kept at it and after a spell of play in the Northland 25 Peckham zig-zagged his -way through the opnosition to score and kick a goal. Smith broke away in his own 25 with only the fullback in front of him. He passed infield to Peckham who failed to accept and a good opportunity was lost. South Auckland infringed in front of their own posts and Burgin made no mistake with the kick. The ball came out to Hill who was stopped on the line by Macky. Hamilton broke away and shifted play to the other end of the field. Barakat and Burgin combined in a nice movement that ended in the former being pushed out near the corner A scramble in front of the posts ensued from which Wells scored and Burgin goaled.

With onlv two points the difference the game was now very keen. Bright passing- by the local backs was stopped by solid tackling and Northland clear-

ed to the local quarter. The final whistle went with play in midfield. Mr Simpson, of Auckland, was referee. CURTAIN RAISER. Two very evenly matched teams in the City (Auckland) fifth grade team and the South Auckland Colts representatives played a curtain raiser to the big game and ended in a win for the local boys by 14 points to 10.