THE RUGBY GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 13

THE RUGBY GAME.

MATCH AT WHANGAREI.

AUCKLAND DEFENCE TESTED.

FEATURES OF KEEN CONTEST.

The annual representative match between the Auckland and North Auckland teams, played at Wliangarei on Saturday, served as the first real try-out the Auckland representatives have had this season. Auckland won by 21 points to 3 in a game which was always inter* esting, although play was often of a ragged nature. Right up to half-time the North Aucklanders continually pressed the visitors, but in the second half Auckland gradually wore the opposition down, adding eleven points -in the final quarter. It was evident from the commencement that North Auckland was striving 1.0 make the game a forward one and to » large extent it succeeded in this r espect. However, it just lacked the finishing touches and many fine scoring opportunities were missed at the critical time. There is no doubt North Auckland possesses a fine pack. So well did its forwards do their work, especially in the first half, that the Auckland defence was soi ely tried and it bent badly at times. The forwards were fortunate in being allowed a good deal of latitude by the referee. There was far too much obstruc tion in lineout play. Also in tho loose scrums, players were allowed to hold on to the ball, with the result that when both sets of forwards engaged in these frays, sometimes at least two minutes would elapse before a halt was called. J hese methods were reminiscent of Rugby of a few seasons ago when scrummages generally developed into a trial of strength between the two sets of vanguards. It took the Auckland forwards some time to accustom themselves to a style of play becoming foreign to them, but once they did adopt it they were just as bad offenders in this respect. Naturally these tactics made the play much closer than it otherwise would have been. Nevertheless the Auckland team, both back and forward, indulged in some brilliant passing movements. Possessing a better knowledge of the finer points of the game, the Auckland team combined to greater advantage and was thus enabled to run out comfortable winners. Butler's Fine Performance.

Butler played a fine game at fullback for Auckland. He only made one mistake in misficlding a high kick from which the home team scored its only try. As the sun was in his line of sight, the mistake was excusable. Butler was well tested on defence, and came through the ordeal with flying colours. He saved his side repeatedly by fine line-kicks with either foot, and hurled himself on the opposition rushes, checking them in a manner which would have done credit to a champion. His tackling was faultless On his display it will be extremely difficult for any player in Auckland to displace Butler from the position of custodian in coming representative matches. Sheen, too, was seen in his top form. The first try he scored was a brilliant one. Receiving the ball in a rearguard attack at half-way, with Lucas in support, he dummied half-a-dozen opponents and raced over for the best try of the match. His second try created amusement among both the spectator" and players. Sheen broke clear in midfield and, racing to the fullback, beat him by "handing a dummy" to a supposed support who was not in attendance. The opposing fullback fell into the trap. Five-eighths Well Marked.

Early in the game attempts by both Badeley and Berridge to cut through the opposing ranks failed. North Auckland concentrated on this pair, who later sent the ball on to better advantage. As usual, Badeley defended very solidly, holding up the North Auckland attack many times by going down to the rushes in a manner which one or two of the other backs could well have copied. Berridge, who was very closely watched, went down to some solid tackles. At times he attempted to do too much vnth the ball, but otherwise he gave a good display. Lucas received very few opportunities and really only a couple of chances came his way. He showed the opposition a clean pair of heels on the first occasion in such convincing style that the spectators would have liked to have seen more of such play. He crossed the line again later in the" game, but a try was not allowed, as in the referee's opinion the ball was forced at the same time by the North Auckland fullback. Hook, on the other wing, was not so impressive as usual. Since occupying an inside position in some recent games for his club he seems inclined to work in-field too much. McManus lhad a solid day's work at half and cante through with credit. Fie was called ors for a great deal of defence, always doing his work in a finished manner.. McManus has considerably improved in getting the ball away from the scrum and he sent his passes out smartly all through the match. The Auckland Pack.

It was some time before the Auckland forwards were working together well. By the time the last quarter was being fought they were playing better than at any previous stage of the game. individually they played well, but they packed badly in the loose scrums, being too slow to move round. This was responsible for the North Auckland forwards breaking away and throwing unnecessary work on the Auckland backs. Keene, at rover, met a solid proposition in B. Finlayson. He played well, his style being totally different from that of his opponent. Batty was a conspicuous figure in both the tight and the loose play He led many fine rushes, the one in which he, McWiiliams and Hook were associated being one of the brightest spots in the game. The ball was passed and in-passed between theso players, and finally Batty went over for a great try, but the referee ruled the last pass to be a forward one. McWiiliams worked hard throughout, always being handy when opportunities offered, while Righton played one of his best games. Fie made a splendid opening for the try which Lucas scored and by excellent tackling ho frequently ended Finlayson's efforts Knight was in his element in the tight play and often emerged from the scrums with two or three opponents holding him. Hadley, Palmer and Cathcart were responsible for a good deal of solid work which often goes unnoticed in forward play. The two hookers received their fuli share of the ball from the scrums.

North Auckland Team. North Auckland possesses a fino pack j of forwards, and a little coaching and a few games together would make its vanguard a solid combination. Against Auckland on Saturday, Rika, one of its best men, had to stand down on account of an injury. Morrissey, who replaced him, played a good game. Sheriff and Warmington were also conspicuous. Although B. Finlayson did some fine spoiling work at rover, he was, in one sense, wasted in this position. His weight and size would have made a tremendous difference to the North Auckland team in the scrums. Finlayson was offside far too much, otherwise his play was typical of the best All Black form. Among the backs Paki played a fino game on defence, repeatedly holding up the Auckland attack. Seymour was not itnpressivo at half, but Findlay, on the wing, showed a better knowledge of the finer points of the game than his confreres. He was always dangerous, and if in a city team would develop into a fine plaver. Matene, considering he has been playing in the forwards and is essentially a forward, filled the centrethreequarter position well. Wade, at fullback, was erratic, doing some good work at times, but making had errors at others. The back line did not combine well.