Taranaki Defeat Northland, 29-13; First N.Z. Trial

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1939, Page 2

Taranaki Defeat Northland, 29-13; First N.Z. Trial

WINDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF THE SELECTORS WHO WILL BE " RESPONSIBLE FOR CHOOSING THE LEAGUE SIDE TO REPRESENT NEW ZEALAND IN ENGLAND THIS SEASON, TARANAKI AND NORTHLAND PROVIDED A VIRILE EXHIBITION OF THE CODE AT CARLAW PARK, AUCKLAND. ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AND FINALLY HONOURS RESTED WITH TARANAKI TO THE TUNE OF 29 POINTS TO 13.

The match was the first inter-provincial trial of the season

Taranaki Superior.

Taranaki were definitely superior on the day and thoroughly deserved their triumph. The youngest province to take to the thirteen-a-side game, they proved themselves apt pupils and, generally speaking, had the game well in hand. They exhibited understanding that was absent from the Northland men’s play, forwards and backs teaming well on occasions, while their forwards, as a collective force, were superior to the opposition sextet. Thrust near the scrum and speed and resource on the wings were also telling factors, for which their opponents had little counter.

Played in tho stronghold of New* Zealand league, it was evident that the game was not an exhibition of the code at its best, and it appeared that Northland and Taranaki would be lucky if they contributed half a dozen players between them to the touring side.

There were men, nevertheless, who acquitted themselves with honours, more so amongst the Taranaki thirteen than their opponents for the reason that territorially their side was on top for the major portion of the game. For instance, G. Cronin, their full-back, was full of promise. Taranaki also had a pair of smart wingers in W. Lewis and S. Mcßoberts. The latter is built for speed and showed it when he raced away to kick through, dribble on and gather to dive for a try. Near the scrum the winners had a happy combination in D. Keenan, the half-back, and T. Fenton and J. Matuku, first and second fiveeighths respectively.

Norlhlanders’ Performance.

Among the Northlanders, behind the pack F. Bradley gave a solid display, and in the five-eighths line W. Murray was always looking for the opening and defended soundly in the face of heavy odds. W. Flesher and E. Pickrell were the pick of the threequarters, but they were shaded on the day, this being due no doubt in a large measure for the reason that they had fewer opportunities to “show their paces” than Mcßoberts and Lewis. Pickrang Shows the Way. Forward, the Taranaki men were superior to the sextet from the North. Their hooker gave them the largest share of the ball and they grafted well, both in tight and loose. Where they were most markedly superior, however, was their ability to chime into passing movements and to whip the ball away to their backs. For Northland there was no man better than F. Pickrang, the former Ponsonby and Manukau forward. He was a “worrier” all the way, in the scoring list, and made openings which only occasionally were profited by. His best support came from Crump, V. Payne and L. Payne. The Taranaki team, on the other hand, had several scrummagers who caught the eye. R. Hickland was prominent all the way, and L. Clarke, a former Tax-anaki Rugby representative of repute, proved his capabilities. Clarke was right up with the play, scored a try and proved himself a useful goal-kicker at close range. A. Mitchell, a solidly-built Maori, hooked consistently and was usually to be found where the play was thickest, while others who were usually on hand when requix’ed wei’e L. Lewis, C. Leatherby and G. Yeates.

The Teams,

The teams were:—

Northland. —D. Parkes, E. Pickrell, R. Hamilton, W. Flesher, W. Murray, C. Hamilton, F. Bradley, Crump, V. Payne, McMillan, L. Payne, Harris and F. Pickrang. Taranaki. —G. Cronin, W. Lewis, L. White, S. Mcßoberts, T. Fenton, J. Matuku. D. Keenan, R. Hickland, A. Mitchell, L. Clarke, L. Lewis, C. Leatherby and G. Ycates. Scorers for the winners were: L. Lewis, Hickland, Mcßoberts, Yeates, Keenan (.2), and Clarke, while Clarke converted four tries.

Try-getters for Northland were: Pickrang, R. Hamilton and Flesher, with C. Hamilton converting on two occasions.