LEAGUE TEAM VICTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18730, 9 June 1924, Page 9

LEAGUE TEAM VICTORY.

CASHES" COME TO AUCKLAND.

AUSTRALIANS DEFEATED.

VERY WET GROUND.

.VISITOR S' DISADVANTAGE.

The second of the three matches between the Australian University and [Auckland. Rugby League teams was played at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon. Auckland won again by 17 points ■to 2, and regained the " ashes," which were lost to the visitors in 1922. At 11 o'clock on Saturday the League decided to go on with tho fixture, as the ground was then in good order. Between that time and 2.30 o'clock tho heavy rain fell, with the result that the ground was awash in places. Tho League representatives suggested a postponement , but as the visitors have an itinerary arranged, in which a tour of the thermal regions is included, Mr. Lamaro, their manager, decided that the game should be played. It was resolved to play two spells of 55 minutes instead of the usual 45 minutes.

The attendance was surprisingly good under tho circumstances, 4000 braving the elements. Both teams underwent some alterations. In the Australian team, Ahem replaced Allman in the threequarter line, the latter player taking O'Rourke's place at. half. O'ltourke had met with injuries to his ear in the last match, and was unable to take his placo in the field. In the Auckland side B. laing could not play owing to leg injuries and Delgrosso replaced him. McNeill took Avery's place in the second row. Poison played in Garrett's place at half, and the balance of the team was the same as was fielded last Wednesday.

The conditions were all in favour of the home side, and they used their wellbalanced pack to frustrate the movements of the opposing backs. The visi.tors were kept on the defensive throughout the game. Auckland won the scrums and gaining possession of the ball were able to place it among the backs, who threw it about well under the circumstances. An Early Score. Auckland kicked off. Finn immediately initiated a passing rush which was reversed by Wetherill, who carried the play inside the enemy's twenty-five, where from a maj?k Dufty kicked a nice goal. Australia immediately pressed and broke through. Dufty marked and saved a certain try, but the mark was disallowed. A scrum was ordered on the Auckland line and the attacking effort of the visitors was spoiled by a free kick for offside being allowed to 'Auckland. From midfield B. Davidson kicked high and hard over the Australian lino. Littlewood and B. Davidson followed up fast. Ahern cut across to save but the Acickianders beat him for the ball and B. Davidson touched down for' Auckland's first try. Dufty failed to convert. G. Davidson quickly followed up a kick by Wetherill and caught Australia with the ball, smothering a likely back rush. Flattery secured, and cutting out two 'home players passed to Ahern, who carried the game through and returned the pass to Flattery, but the home defence was sound. A duel of ' kicking between the fullbacks gave the forwards an unnecessary amount of work. McNeill followed one of Duftv's kicks, end the ball being played back to Finn, McNeill was in a good scoring position. However, Finn literally threw himself at McNeill's feet and effected the best save of -the game. By this time the ground had become exceedingly muddy and hf-avy, causing a good many knock-on infringements owing to the greasy state of file ball. Under the circumstances the play was very open,

Five to Two at Half-time. A nice passing rush -was initiated by 'Ahem, •who cut through and had the •whole of hia back line in position, but Flattery, failed to,-accept a pass. Prom a lot of ragged play Poison secured and made a determined run through, to pa3S to G. Davidson, but Finn's defence -was sound and he again relieved. Australia broke through, and again carried to Dufty, who relieved but infringed. Ryan ' missed an easy kick at goal. Barry followed Tip the kick, and was -within an ace of catching B. Davidson with the bail. The first spell was called with the scores 5 to 2 in Auckland's favour. On resuming' Auckland attacked, and revelling in the mud kept the visitors constantly on the defensive. Finn received a knojk which put him out for a few minutes. He then went up to halfback, and was a tower of strength to hi,? side by his defence, being wall supported by 'ATlman ' and All em. A free kick for offside against Auckland gave Ryan a kick at goal, -which he succeeded, in placing. Wetherill gathered up smartly and carVied through to pass to B. Davidson, who •was cairied' out in Australian territory. The Australian backs got possession and passed 'the ball through ; their line, to be carried out. Auckland attacked and sent the ball to Finn, who returned it. Ryan followed smartly and got possession, bus was penalised for offside. A good deal of ragged play ensued, the players finding difficulty in keeping, their feet owing to the state of the grouricT. From the loose Bass secured and Bcored under the posts, Dufty converting and making the scores 10 to 2.

Auckland continued to press, and their fast following up smothered any countermovements attempted by the visitors. On one occasion both Davidsons caught Finn with the ball, and these tactics kept the game in Australian territory. An offside free kick against Australia enabled Dufty to kick a nice goal, making the score 12 to 2. A Hopeless Fight. The visitors' chance of winning was now hopeless, but they were making a ?ame firht. Being pressed on their line, they extricated themselves from many dangerous positions. Poison, securing from some loose play, quickly passed to McNeill, who dashed across for Auckland's third try, which Dufty converted, making the final scores 17 to 2. ' The game was hard throughout, not one incident calling for a warning from the referee. The victory was a welldeserved one for the home thirteen. The weather conditions were all against the Australian style of attack, while the local side were at homo in the mud and overwhelmed their lighter opponents. For the winners Dufty, at full, and Wetherill, at five-eighths, stood out. These two combined well. Dufty would frequently go through closer to his backs, leaving his position. Wetherill went back, clearly demonstrating his generalship. Delgrosso was sound. The whole back line worked well, and was in thorough understanding -with each other. Poison, at half, played up to his best form. The pack was good. Bass handled particularly well, and played a splendid game. McDonald and McNeill were alert, and worked very hard. The front row was sound, and Townf.vend won. the ball. For the visitors Finn played a versatile game and was always reliable. Allman, Ahern and Ryan were very prominent throughout. Halbertstater was the best of the forwards. Dunworth got through an immense amount of work. The heavy ground and difficult ball clearly puzzled Barry, Flattery and Lane. Mr. A Gallaugher had charge of the game.