FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18477, 14 August 1923, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

'ff . P : ' ; the rugby GAME, notes and comments,, The following, representative.-. mat phes j • ' ■will tie played by: the Auckland : tcffcms during the" remainder of the season« j • Autfust I&—Against W&ngamti. /t „- v :• August 25—Against Thames; North Atiali?;>•>>'tend, at Whangavoi (Whiteside . benefit) 1.September - lAtrainst Otago: v. jviiis: !{; Country, at Auckland. / Al : r _ _ _ _ September B—New South. v;.Wfclo3s \ Thames Valley, at Paeroa. , .;; -V September 15—Wellington. < • " T , TEST MATCHES. August 25Against New South- "Wales, at September —Against New" South WaU'B« at Christcburcb.- . •"••' • _ ~ September 12—Against ■ IsoW".South? Wales » at Wellington. The representative match Auckland! versus Taranaki; was less- brilliant than the Moascar Cup contest, but it carried the standard of big football between two old-time rivals who have fought for: Rugby supremacy since the far-off season of 1887, when the first match between the province was played,, resulting in a win : for Auckland. The match on Saturday was reminiscent of some of the great games of the past, when football was footballforwards playing with the brilliancy of backs ana backs with the dash and determination of high-grade forwards. The Taranaki team cams to Auckland with a reputation of being a particularly strong side forward,, and with ft' good, though not brilliant, back _ division. -This* reputation was completely justified in tno opening of the game,, and practically throughout the first spell, when the stalwart Taranaki forwards, led by West, the "All Black," more than held their own with the Auckland pack, beating their opponents for the bail in the scrums, excelling on the -long line-out, and in the loose, to set up repeated attacks, which only the stern and sound ■ defence of the home side frustrated. The Taranaki backs, ' with their forwards protecting them and securing the ball trora the scrums'. and the line-out, were - rapidly thrown into action, and many swift movements were executed, frequently penetrating the defence and driving Auckland back to tho first line. Lack _of finesse alone marred many , bright passing rushes of the Taranaki backs in the first half, when Taranaki had had as much of the game as Auckland, who were leading by six points to three. , ... , The Auckland : team had been submitted to a stern test in the first spell, and although the defence had proved sound, . there were ; serious thoughts concerning what might happen in the second half if Ttranaki should repeat its first spell performance. As the- team filed on to <■ the field for the second spell the physique of the Taranaki players, particularly the - forwards, • was favourably commented upon, and it was generally anticipated if tho visiting pack played up to its reputation the game would bo close and with little between the teams at -he finish. - • Play and Players, The first notification of the realisation of <he weakness which had been apparent in the Auckland back division in the first spell was the transferring of K. If worsen, captain, to inside five-eighths, with Cooks on the. outside. This transformation was most marked for its efficiency on attack from the kick off to the final whistle in V* ill© second spell, when the Auckland team : - practically ; dominated the game, out-play ing. out-classing, and out-pacing the /lara- , naki team to win by brilliant execution j on attack, by 30 points to 9. i - Hart, -on ■ the wing, was the best of the . visitor's, th'rcequarter line, his speed and I > straight running marking his play. John- ! stone, of whom much had . been expected, j was rather over-shadowed in big company. . At five-eighths. Cameron was the better -player, but he*, too, was outclassed and out-played by Ifwersen and Cooke. Berg : ■ played a. solid game at half, and got the i ball away in fine stylo to* his confreres behind -- the scrum. ' The forwards, to a man, played a hard and strenuous gam©, revelling in, the scrums in the 'first spell and excelling in the line-out. West, the " All Black," forward of the Springboks tour, was the pick of a fine pack, with . Patterson and Fry day in close j attendance. In Taylor and Harris the visitors were ' well served with an expert pair of hook , v ers, who ■ beat the Auckland front rankers for the ball in the first spe'l, but were beaten by. the local hookers in t the second. '■ The Real Test to Come. •

The Auckland fullback, Gregory, played well,; but he has yet to submit^. like other members of the team, -to."a read Rugby test which, so 'far as can be seen, at this stage will be best served by the Otago or the : ■:'■'•' New South Wales teams. - The Auckland threequarter lino played brilliantly, Lucas and Badeiey standing out for magnificent combined play, which, with their fine fielding and swift in-field passing non- ; plussed '': the visitors , who were ;• frequently "left standing." ; Malloy scarcely ! . showed :.to' the ; same advantage as his confreres, but played a- sound game. In 6 the the first spell. K. Ifwersen, at outside; five-eighths,: was not the success he was in the- second half, when' his generalship / play, and,: development of attacking positions were fine ; features, i A tendency, : in;: the first > half to hang on too long and to cut away from support, marred to some extent an otherwise "par game. Cooke was; not a great success in the first spell, ■V but stood out for fine combined play in the second half, when he was in most of the-F attacking rushes. Wright , played ; solidly ' behind the scrum, i and with no attempt to race away, passed tho ball out .with; delightful precision and certainty to his five-eighths. ,_ "■■ The '•: Auckland ■ ■ forwards did not settle down to. their game until the second spe?l, when they gave a taste ;of their real quality in the tight and in the loose play to assist the backs to win after a brilliant exhibition of modern Rugby football. . ' ■"■. ■ " A Visitor's ■ Tribute. :'; ;':::. : -: ■"

THe Taranaki touring ■ team, regardless of the "fact that Auckland had defeated Southland by 37 points to 3 the previous week-end, came to Auckland confidently anticipating a great game, but expecting to win.. :; A prominent ' official of the :•"'. Taranaki team, in response to the toast of the health of the touring team, stated that' he never anticipated such * a seriouß .:■'.'_ defeat. : The brilliancy of the Auckland backs had surprise.! him, and their combined play completely non-plussed the Taranaki side, who did not know "what they were going; to do next." We were properly whacked by a better team which, with such brilliancy in the back division, should defeat any.. representative team touring the. Dominion this season. The third representative match of the season will be played by Auckland against the Wanganui touring team at Eden Park, on Saturday. Unfortunately the Wanganui team will* he weakened' by reason of the fact ' that several of its best players, notably, Potaka, Peina, Hartly, and Kingi, are not included in the touring team. It is hoped some satisfactory settlement will.be reached before the match against Auckland eventuates. The ; Match Against Wanganui. The selection of the Auckland representative team to meet Wanganui should not create any serious thinking to the mind of the sole selector, whose choice of players has proved so satisfactory and whose play so effective in the recent representative matches against Southland and Tara- . naki. '■■■ The team for Saturday should be, and no doubt will be; practically the same as did such good services against Taranaki. Mr. Meredith hopes to improve the Auckland team 20 per cent, on present form, and with the material at disposal should experience no difficulty in so doing. A number of Taranaki old boys who had : played prominently in. Taranaki football , some seasons ago were ' interested spectar. tors of the Moascar Cap match, won by New Plymouth High :, School, and the Auckland Taranaki representative match at Eden Park on Saturday Among others was Mr. H. Pearson, ■ who was a" notable Taranaki forward in the days of the late . . ' Alf Bayly, Barney O'Powd, Watson, and , players of such class »nd calibre. * S.=:::,:sv:'i: i; :s;v*' ;;, ' : '-;''': ; ' ;V ..'■ ■ '"'

[AUCKLAND beats KAIPARA.

FOURTEEN POINTS TO SIX. The Rugby match: between the Kaipara land Anckuand teams, which was played '■■ i at Helensville on Saturday, in pre- ' sence of iibout 7 1000 .■:■ spectators, provided i a hard-and-fast exhibition of the /game, and ended in a win for the Auckland team, captained IVy C. E. Anderson, by 14 points to 6. The "nippy" play of the Auckland backs prove id the deciding factor, -lout the ;bustling piny ; and hard; tackling of■- the Kaipara :? forwards, with , C. ; Fletcher most prominent throughout/ proved very effective, and provided many thrilling incidents in a game in which interest was sustained right to- the : finish: "Tries were scored for Auckland by .■/ Miller, McGihley, ; - Wilson, and McWilKairas,; and Earlly. converted one try. .For "Kaipara, C. Fletcher scored a try and kicked a penalty goal, i:. ; ," v Arrangements for the entertainment of the Auckland team were* well carried out i by the executive of .the Kaipara Union and its secretary, Mr. .;■ J. Stanaway. On Saturday evening both teams were entertained at a smoke concert, Mr. W. Rimmer,"•: president of the Kaipara Union, presiding. On Sunday the Auckland team were taken for a motor drive to Kaukapakapa, and '; in the ■ evening the team . were entertained at Hmemoa House by 'Mr. Tony Keene. The team returned to Auckland yesterday.. • COMPETITION IN FAR NORTH. .' far TELEGRAPH.— ConTUJSPONDEKT.3 , 'A KATKOHE, Monday. j'l Mr. F. Halliwell, : of ' Hokianga, has presented a. : cup for competition between i football teams representing the Bay of j Islands, Hokianga, Whangaroa, ' and ' Mangonui. Hokianga were the first holders, but lost the trophy to the Bay team m a match on August 4. On Saturday the I Whangaroa and the Bay teams met at : Ohaeawai - and after a rather disappointing game,: the Bay team won by 11 points i to. 6. .v ■ ; ' I

TAYLOR SHIELD MATCH. [3X TELEGEAPH.-—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TOAKATJ. Monday. The third match for the Taylor Shield was played hero on Saturday, between Pokeno, challengers, and Tuakau, the shield holders. The weather was fine and the ground in perfect order. Both teams gave a good display, outstanding players being Asher. Wright, and Williams, Tuakau retained the shield by 14 points to 6. This was the final match for the shield this season. Tuakau have held it for two years in succession.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES. NOTES AND COMMENTS. POSITION" OF SENIOR TEAMS. The following table shows the position of the teams in the League senior championship competition : — Ch. i-..; ~ P. W. L. D.pts. Athletic ... 11 10 l — 20 City ... ■ ... ... jj. 9 2 — 18 Maris*: Old Boys ... 11 8 3 — 16 Devonnort ... ... n 6 5 — 12 Ponsonby... ... ... 11 3 3 — 6 £ewton ...... ...12 2 10 —4 Richmond ... ... 11 1 10 — 2 .With only one more match. be played that can alter the position of the leading teams in the competition, the position is full of interest. The second round of championship fixtures will be completed on Saturday. If Athletic defeat City the former will be the season's champions. H City prevail the teams will have to play off for the championship. : Needlesu to remark the game should be the draw of the season.

City's Decisive Win. * ■' Opinions were very evenly divided as to the probable outcome of the game between City and Marist Old Beys as the teams took the field on Saturday. It was a fine game, i. Right from the start it became apparent that the City backs were out ; to make it a racing game. They threw the hall about well but it was some time "beforp the defence was pierced. Then it was only G. Davidson's great pace that enabled him to , reach the . lino as Sherlock tackled him, but the score was made. It was, fine crisp ■football with the ball 'i handled well at racing pace. One > realised that a few of such movements ; would place the issue beyond doubt. Another very similar break away J by the City backs led to a fine try by Wilson on the other wing and City obtained a firm grip on the game. The honours of the game went to the City backs. They played clean, dashing football against very solid defence. v W. Davidson ; showed ; his versatility as a footballer by giving a fine exhibition at five-eighths. He was in all the scoring movements, and his .clean break away from mid-field "gave Townsend a try. , He also scored himself after several of the team had made ineffective efforts to cross the Marist line, by snapping up the ball and cutting through the opposition, - All the backs played good football with .W. Davidson and G. Davidson at their best. The clean manner in which the latter took his passes was a treat to witness. ' . The Marist Old Boys played a hard game, their tackling being of a 'high order. They were beaten by faster opponents, . but only by very little, Ghent, Joss, and Brisbane operated well in the inside backs' positions and Sherlock was very sound at fullback. The Devonport players added lustre to their record by defeating Ponsonby on Saturday, It was a fast, open game, played to a fighting finish. Richmond are to be congratulated on the fine * victory registered against Newton. It was a well-earned success. '' ' ; .. Auckland ; Representatives. The first representative League match of the season in Auckland will be played at Carlaw Park, on Wednesday. August 22, when Wellington and Auckland will meet. % The game is being looked forward to with great interest by League supporters, who ■'. are anxious to see thelocal representatives tried out. There is some ground for the opinion that the standard of League play in Auckland this season' is better than it has been for some years. v # Most of the : games have been played with a wet ball, but the few that have been contested *under dry weather conditions have revealed some fine Sashes of brilliant football. '•'* The team chosen to represent Auckland should . give a good account of itself. In placing W. Davidson at fullback the selectors have chosen an all-round footballer equally good in attack and defence. There can be little criticism over his ' inclusion. : ' ,■ ' ,;,:.'./.:.':'.': •'_,.! The threequarter line possesses pace, and handling ability of a high standard. If scoring opportunities occur they should not be - missed. G. Davidson is playing very fine football this season. He now has the seasoning which comes from regular play and lets himself go in a manner that bespeaks confidence jn himself. In him Auckland possesses probably the fastest back playing the game in any country. The manner in which he snaps up his passes too would bo hard to beat. B. Davidson is to be congratulated on ,his inclusion. His form this season has been excellent, with dash an outstanding feature of his game. He will keep the opposition busy. The same remarks may be applied to Delgrosso, the Ponsonby wing threequarter, who has . earned his place in the team. The inside backs, Poison, Laing and Wetherall, possess" the necessary combination of soundness and dash, and should co-operate well. The forwards are a solid lot, and should hold their own against the opposing vanguard. The emission of Hawkes from the reserves comes as rather a surprise. He possesses a fine turn of speed for a forward and loses few opportunities to score. L. Brown, the clever Newton threequarter, who represented Auckland last season, intends leaving for England on a health trip shortly. If the change is beneficial, ho hopes to have a few games in England and is applying to the League authorities for permission to do" so. , It 1 is stated that tho two years residential i qualification imposed by the British I Rugby League on overseas players does not I apply in the case of a player- who obtains permission to play from his own League

f The club comnetitions in the junior! trades are providing some very close conj teste' Excellent;football is being shown m ' all the grades, which include promising material for future representatives^ , !' In the second grade, Mangere are in the '' lead with 20 points; and--.one ■;. game to nlav. City v are second with 16 points and tiro' games to play.; Kingaland and Ota- ; huhuf 14 points each>;aro; : next in order. , " In ' the third grade ;City,.2o;points and Mahukau, 19, are x leading and have ; nO more games to play. ; Richmond 18 points and two games to y play, Ponsonby If points and two games, and * Point f Chevalier 16 points and two games, are next on the list. '. ■■:.-- '.: ■ '■'-.■■■ ■■.'•.;;■■' . ■ ~'■ Of the leading •: teams ,in ? the \ lourtn grade, Athletic have 16- points and .one game to play, Parnell, 15 points f and one game, Devonport, 14 points and, two lames. City i and Otahuhu follow with 12 points and two games to play. The fifth grade competition has been won by Richmond ,20 points, with Takapuna, 19 points, second. City, 16, and Newton, 14, are next in order. In the sixth grade A,. Ponsonby are leading with 16 points. City and Athletic, 14 points and one game to play each are next. ■-'■'■ •.'.,. . ' The sixth grade B competition, is assured to Athletic with 20 points and one game to play. Parnell 17 points and one game, and City 16 points and one game, are closest to' the leaders. :■■. .-.•_,',_>;■■■.• The ex-South Auckland player, B. Paki, who is playing in Sydney this season is showing good form. The Sydney Rugby League News refers to Paid as follows :— St George Club showed commendable judgment in building up their youthful team by obtaining the services of " Brownie" Paki, captain of the ISZ-J Maori League team. * Brownie," who has. played on the wing and in the centre for his new ■ club, is beginning to show Ibo ; excellent form which ho displayed as the star player of the last Maori League team, i a distinction ho thoroughly earned. " Brownie " has made hosts of friends in the St. George district, and he him self was delighted to know that he has displayed good enough form to gain him inclusion in the metropolitan team which recently played at Newcastle. .

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. FALCON CUP CONTEST. In. the first round of the Falcon Cup contest, played on Saturday afternoon, there were no surprises. Ponsonby and Northcote's wins leave these two teams, with Thistle and North Shore, to contest the semi-final, and gives promise of a stirring cup final. - -" Harbour Board certainly had 'hard, luck" all through their match with North-; cote. They lost their sterling left fullback,: Brittain, in the first spell, and in; the second half, McFarlahe, who was suffering from the after-effects of influenza, found it impossible to carry on. Added to this, they had to suffer a penalty for accidental "hands," while, in scoring Northcote's fifth goal, Tremain certainly appeared to be well offside. It is a great tribute to the nino men who played out the game that they had more than their share of the ball in the latter stages, and, but for faulty shooting by the inside men, should have scored several times. On the other hand, Northcote's victory is in a larcre measure due to the splendid play of Knott, inside left, and Craxton, in coal. Knott scored three of the five goals, and was responsible for the dashing play which led to the fourth. As previously stated, Harbour Board's shooting was weak, but there were at leasthalf a dozen shots that might have'beaten a less capable custodian than Craxton. " • Harbour Board Players. For Harbour Board, . Coveney, in goal, : also stopped many good shots, while Wallwork s display in the back line is; worthy of, special mention. Playing without a partner in the second hall, he made few mistakes, efficiently checking many a dangerous onrush of the fast .Northcote left-wing, ; Corbett, at centre half, made his first appearance with Harbour Board, and played like the finished footballer La is. German also gave good support- to his forwards. Mclvor, late of, Ponsonby, was not a success at outside right, but did some useful work' when moved back to the half line after McFarlane retired. In the forwards, Webster, Humphreys, and Lewis shared honours in that order. Knowles showed plenty of dash, but no understanding with "the rest ot the lino. For Northcote, Tremain was not as eood as usual. Burford worked well withKnott on the left wing, while Catlow and Corrin were responsible for some clever play on the right. The halfbacks were a solid trio, with Afcernefhy more consistently good than Thompson or Howarth. Alpe was the better of■/the fullbacks, but both he and Metge let the side down badly in the latter stages of tho game by crowding back and obstructing the view of the goalkeeper.

Y.M.O.A.'S Good Struggle. ? Y.M.C.A. experienced : some difficulty in getting a team together for their cup match with Ponsonby, and had finally to call upon two juniors. Notwithstanding this, the team saw the match out to the bitter end, and had the forwards kept in position better, the final result might have been decidedly different. ; The halves worked hard throughout, and it was by no means their fault that the forwards could not add the finishing touches. . .; '- For Y.M.C.A.. Pitken and Miller were a very solid defence. The former player certainly appears to improve, and on form is equal to anyone playing in the same position in Auckland to-day. His kicking was very clean, and rarely did he miss his objective when tackling. Miller, in. goal, had not the slightest chance with any of the shots that beat him, while his efforts to keep down the tally against his side were very creditable. Stevens and Walbran toiled hard in the half line, and it must have; been disheartening for them, when the forwards could make no headway. Clarke, late of Brotherhood, made his first appearance in goal for Ponsonby, and although not. severely tested during the afternoon, his style was that of a firstclass custodian. Locke, in the back line, shaped fairly well for his first appearance in the senior ranks. The weakness of the opposing forwards < : made a ; light task for the strong > Ponsonby half line, and all, played well. That the forwards did well, is indicated by the score of 6 goals.: All scored, at least one ..with the exception of Ahern, but he was instrumental in • the netting of at' least - three. Most of the points were the result of nice combined work, but Dickson chanced the order of things when he succeeded with a fine first-timer from 20 yards out.. . The Brown Shield Team. There are only two changes in the team to play Wellington on • Saturday,. ; from that which defeated Wanganui. Braithwaite is not available as right fullback. L. Dacre moves across, and McEUigott steps into the vacancy. It was unfortunate that Brittain dislocated his wrist on Saturday, as his inclusion in the back line was receiving the consideration of the selectors. Simm replaces Williams at outside left. The Thistle player is not being dropped on account of his display against Wanganui. It is thought that in an important match like that with Wellington, his unfortunate deafness may • prove a severe handicap to tho side, when it comes to issuing urgent instructions from situations that , arise during play. Simm should fill the position well, if he can Overcome a tendency to let the ball go as soon as the opposing fullback goes to tackle him His speed, shooting ability, corner kicks and centres, are second to none in Auckland to-day. The selectors have chosen a strong side, the only position that lends itself to criticism being that of. centre-forward. Tie main undoubtedly ; justified his inclusion aganst Wanganui, but the opposing centrehalf on that' occasion was Mitchell, . a veteran player, who was just recovering from an ■■. attack of influenza, and was not in the best \of form. Kissock, who is the pivot of the Wellington team, is described by the Auckland players who were on tour with him in Australia as the best centre-half they have seen. It would appear that Auckland's attack could; be greatly • strengthened, by playing C. Dacre at centre-forward and Dodds, of Tbistle> at ; inside-right.';,' ' v ; : -~'; ; ;

; BROWN" shield match. THE WELLINGTON TEAM. "a The Wellington. Association team which will contest the Brown Shield- against Auckland next Saturday, will arrive here on Friday.s Tie team: is as' follows:— ;";■;' Goalkeeper: A. Tarrant or F. Waller. Backs: E. Taylor:; (captain) ',;and A. : Gibb. ' , " Halves: D. G. Jones, J. iW. Kissock, L. McGirr ' ;■ . ■':- ■•■■ ' Forwards: R. ; McLeod, J. ' Gitbertson, E. Stocks, S. Dempster, and J. Smith.: r Reserve, 'J. Guest. :". _ • ..;' "■...... , • : -; : Mr. % W. Duncan i- will accompany the team as manager. The visitors have asked that Mr. L. C. H. Dawson: or Mr. J. N. Dowhie be appointed to referee thr match. ; I The v two provinces havto played ; 24 r matches, of which Auckland! has -won 16, and Wellington eight, one having been drawn. The details are: . • Year. "Winner., Score. ;, Auckland *,- .. 5 goals to 0 ' Auckland ~ » . 2 „ 1 • Auckland .. ~2 „ 0 Auckland ~ ... 3 „ 1 Auckland ' .... 2 „ l Auckland. ... .. 3 „ 1 • 1900.—Auckland i '. .. 6 „ - 1 1901.—Wellington .«..!„ 0; 1901.—Wellington .. , '«',:. „ - 1 '■ 1903.—Wellington ~ i. 4 „• 1 . 1906.—Wellington .... 5. „ 1 1907.—Auckland .... 3 „ 1 1909.—Wellington .... 1 ■ „ 0 1910.—Auckland . . .. "2 „ 0 i :1911.—Auckland .. ; .. 3 „ 1 -Auckland ~.'-.. 2 „ -1 Wellington ~ ~6 ■...-„ " 5 1913.—Wellington .. .. 3 „ 2 1914.—Auckland »< -..3 „, 3 Auckland . .. ,*/2 ~1 1920.—Drawn . . .... 1 „ 1 1920.—Wellington ... -4 „ . 2 ; 1920.—Auckland .. ~ 3 „ 0 5 Auckland .... 2 „ : 0 :.'■!