A SURPRISING RESULT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20337, 19 August 1929, Page 12

A SURPRISING RESULT.

SOME SPECTACULAR PLAY.;

AUCKLAND FORWARDS WEAK.

NORTHLAND BACKS SUPERIOR. The Northland Rugby League team made a big impression in its first interprovincial match against a tried Auckland sido which was successlul in retaining the Northern . Union Challenge Cup. The visitors only commenced playing the Leaguo code last season and their form on Saturday camo as a surprise. 'That Northland was unlucky to lose was the genetal impression among spectators, all of whom were treated to a fast, open exhibition of Leaguo football. The gamo was easily the brightest seen at Carlaw Park this season. The visitors started off well and in ten minutes added as many points. The hacks showed excellent form and actually outclassed the local team. Throughout the first spell Northland had a decided advantage and with ordinary luck should have scored more points. Auckland's forwards wero lamentably weak, the challengers' front division more than holding its own. On the run of tho play Auckland was lucky to win. Before tho try which placed tho holders in tho lead was scored tho ball was knocked on twice and Northland might easily have been awarded a penalty try when Wateno obstructed Hamilton, who had a clear run in.

A Good Combination. Tho football of tho C'unningham-Meyer-Connelly combination was good and tho visiting trio were frequently applauded for fino play. Their perfect passing and excellent support had the local team perplexed. Had it not been for tho excellent individual efforts of Delgrosso and Seagar, who scored 13 of Auckland's points, the Northern Union Cup would havo gone back to tho north.

Taken all round tho Auckland team did not show tho form expected, .its teamwork being bad. Wateno was below form at fullback. Early in tho gamo ho received an injuiry to his shoulder and this affected his play. Carter mado a good impression in his first representative match. Ho has a lot of pace and dash. Delgrosso played a fino gamo at centre. Tho Auckland captain scored two nice trios as the result of clever play. Seagar combined well with Delgrosso, and his work repeatedly placed Auckland on attack. Gregory was a disappointment at five-eighths. Shortland sent out beautiful passes from the scrum and defended ably. List kicked altogether too much to bo impressive. Tho Kingsland wing would be n good scoring player if ho had confidence in his undoubted pace and strength. Forwards Below Standard. Tho Auckland forwards as a whole were much below representative standard. Tho front division did little toward the team's success. In tho looso there wero too many backs, while tho scrum formation was poor. Jenkinson and Francis, aided by their speed, wero tho only forwards to impress. Tho latter got his first chanco in representative football, and with moro experience should keep his placo in the team. Skelton and Moisley gave tho scrum no support. Campbell's hooking caused tho referee to penalise Auckland on many occasions. Willi the exception of being caught out of position, Parkes, tho Northland fullback, gave a sound display at fullback. His kicking was powerful and well directed. Connelly, at centre, was very sound. Hamilton revealed more pace than most threequarters, and was unlucky not to score in tho second half. E. Cunningham did some useful work at five-eighths. Meyer Outstanding.

Meyer was easily tho best player on tho ground, tho visitors' captain giving a brilliant display at five-eighths. Ho displayed a remarkablo side-step which paved tho way for both Northland's tries in the first half. Tho ex-Rugby Union representative should havo little difficulty in gaining a place in the North Island team. Grogan is a player of promiso and kicked several fino goals. Behind the scrum R. Cunningham played well, lie mado several fine openings for Meyer and Bergan. A feature of the game was the splendid play of Bergan, Northland's third-row forward. He was a great worker, both in tho scrum and loose. Dunn made a good impression, especially in the loose. Wells and McDonald were also prominent. Buchanan, tho visitors' hooker, received a good share of tho ball.