CHANGE.

Northern Advocate, 29 August 1919, Page 3

CHANGE.

The last change was a strenuous one and Auckland did their best to retrieve the position. They began by taking play to blue quarter, but McLennan and Bain broke through and there was a scrum. Crawford got it but passed to the wrong side. S. Weston came up and secured and put the ball out at half. L. W<-'ston made a great kick which Burns re turned to out at half. Shortly artorwards heads went down to a scrum and Lamb and McLennan reached touch near Auckland line. Tote got it and transferred to L. W«ston to Crawford and to Bunny but a scrum brought them up. Whangarei heeled Crawford got. it and the opposition opened out to defend 'but the half used his head and dived ovi-r. Lamb failed to convert. Whangam .......... 20 Auckland nil. After some close play at half Brinsden and Graham got away, but McLeod collared and Auckland were I given a free which reached line at blue quarter. Carter, Brydon and McLennan broke through and Auckland were awarded another free which Lamb returned. From a scrum which followed Ross and Righton got away but Bain brought the latter to earth and another scrum was given. Crawford scrambled to within a few feet of the line and tried to pass but a scrum was given, and Auckland forced. S. Weston returned to Ro .s whose kick was taken by McLeoi, Watson returning to Hunt. Graham took Hunt's kick and returned it to McLennalf Harty got it from McLennan and carried out. Tattj.i, Bunny, Tatton, Bunny, and 'Crawford handled the ball in succession an r l Auckland were given a free. Hunt returned and following quickly got Burns before he could reply and Auckland were allowed another free which found touch at half. Toe, Carter, S. Weston, Bunny and S. Weston handled in succession, the 'ast named finding line at Auckland quarter. Crawford got it and made a long pass to Bunny but Nixon intercepted and a scrum was called. The local forwards forced thir way over but Auckland forced. The ball was kicked out at half. From the throw in Bunny ran right through and with only the full to beat he kicked over his head Ibut in the race for possession he was beaten and Auckland forced An interchange of kicks im mediately afterwards saw the ball out aigan near Auckland line. Crawford got it from the line out, and break ing through scored a brilliant try, but failed to convert, and the game end cd— Whangarei 23 Auckland nil. NOTES. There is no doubt that the local lads put up a splendid performance and acquitted themselves admirably, every man of the team being worth his place. The Auckland men were beaten in every department of the game as the result shows. Of course our Ibacks were operating behind a magnificent pack which accounts for their handling the ball so mucfi. The visitors certainly had a quarter line and their full back played a fine game. Ross at half had few chances to show his skill but he played well. Wilson, Sims and Harty did a lot of work in the forwards but the local pack was altogether too strong for their visitors and so left them few chances to do anything but defend. Not once during the game did Auck land compel Whangarei to force down and none of their attacking move ments reached striking distance. Hunt played his usual good game. L. Weaton and Bunny Finlayson played excellent football throughout, both being fast and heady men equal for inclusion in,any team in New Zealand. J. Little played a very fine defensive game, Tatton also played well. Crawford at half played a brilliant game and would show to advantage in any company. The two hooker*, Brydon and Little were responsible for securing the ball probably two thirds of the time. Little played a splendid game in the open. Toie Finlayson and McLennan were out on their own as forwards. Carter, Bain Finlayson and McLeod complet ed one of the finest packs ever seen on this or any, other field. It would be interesting to see them operating in inter-provincial fpotball. The Rugby Union should endeavour to match this t e am against the Auckland As. The district has reason to be proud of the way in which our men acquitted themselves.