LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19626, 3 May 1927, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SEASON'S OPENING GAME

AUCKLAND'S GOOD DISPLAY.

DEFEAT OF NEW ZEALAND. As a curtain-raiser to th'a c;ul games, ■ which will commence this week, the i match between the Auckland members of the New Zealand team and the Auckland representatives at Carlaw Park on Saturday. was very successful. I The form of the returned New Zealand i players was watched with great interest, and although defeated—chiefly through failure to win the ball from the scrum—the play of several of them has generally improved. One noticeable feature was the unnecessary kicking of the ball. From almost any position- in the field the New Zealand team attacked by quick passing and splendid backing of the plaj r er in possession, thereby retaining the ball. It was only because of weak handling by the New Zealand inside backs that the movements did not achieve full success. The scrum formation of the Dominion team was good. Every man packed low i on the hooker, and with the tight formation it was somewhat surprising that they did not get a larger share of the ball. Auckland Backs Superior. Auckland's victory by 24 points to 21 was due chiefly to the superior team play of the backs. " Indeed, it would have needed the best New Zealand combination to defeat Auckland on the day's play. At times the movements, of the Auckland backs completely bewildered the opposition, so quickly was defence turned into attack. The passing of both teams was excellent, and in this respect credit to a large extent is due to the Auckland forwards, all of whom handled the ball with the ability of threequarters. v • In the Auckland team, W. Clarke was the 'most outstanding forward, and he was perhaps the best on the ground. He was the life of the local attack, and was always in the van of the forward rushes, besides giving support to his backs in passing movements. Last season Clarke showed excellent form, but his play on Saturday completely surpassed any of his previous efforts. He should find little difficulty in gaining a place in the Auckland representative team. Payne was excellent in the loose, and •was always on the ball, giving the opposing backs little time to open out. Dixon and O'Brien were often prominent, and the- pair handled the ball in pleasing style. St. George, who replaced Townsend as hooker, gave his side plenty of the ball. ; Brilliant Play By L. Brown. ,

The Auckland back division shone on attack. It.is just'two years ago since Prentice and List became senior-grade players, and on Saturday their displays were of a high order. Prentice has few equals in New Zealand as a five-eighths, and his cleverness in beating 'the defence makes him a fine pivot to open tip the game. List. had every opportunity to do well, and his straight running and delightful swerving were- good to watch. Once again it was shown that Peckham was unlucky-in not finding a pl?ico as, half-back in the team which toured England. Opposed to the big New Zea- ; land forwards, he stood up to his task in fine style. Wetherall, the Auckland captain, was a splendid connecting link between Prentice and List. The wing threequarters, Wade and Littlewood, had few opportunities, but they did well. Hanlon at fullback, also played up to form. His return kicks were placed with good judgment. : ■ •• The most'improved player in the New Zealand team is undoubtedly L. Brown, 'whose football on Saturday was brilliant. He scored three fine tries, iand on each occasion showed speed rarely seen on a football field. His first try was the best of the game. When he received the ball from Webb, the wing-tiir,ee-quarter' never gave the Auckland backs a chance. His defence, too, showed a noticeable improvement. Versatility of Dufty. •

t New Zealand's five-eighths, Kirwan and Cole, were too slow for the smart Auckland meh, and when a chance did come , their way ' Cole usually held up the atk tack by holding on to the ball too long. Ifc_ is reported that Cole, who has received another injury to his nose, will | not play again this season, /as he intends ' to retire temporarily. , Davidson had very few chances to '• shine, but his tackling was good. Gregory played a sound game at fullback, and gave good support to his threequarters. Both Webb and Delgrosso were tried behind the scrum, but were handieaped through the inability of the forwards to secure the ball.. Of the New Zealand forwards Dufty was "the best. He played a fine game, following ,up well and tackling in great style. Dufty is perhaps the" most versatile footballer seen in the code for some time, having played in representative matches as a fuliback. ns a tnreequarter. and as a forward. The other New Zealand forwards plainly lacked condition, although at times Avery and Gardiner did useful work. | - 1 - *