REPRESENTATIVE GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20953, 17 August 1931, Page 11

REPRESENTATIVE GAME.

AUCKLAND BEATS WAIKATO.

SEVENTEEN POINTS TO EIGHT.

WINNERS SHOW IMPROVEMENT.

The return Rugby match between Auckland and Waikato, played at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon, resulted in a win for Auckland by 17 points to 8. The previous game at Hamilton on June 3 was also won by Auckland, the margin on that occasion being 22 points to 17. The weather was fine on Saturday, with a cold wind blowing diagonally down the ground, which was in splendid order. There was a large attendance of spectators.

The Auckland team gave a much brighter showing than in previous matches this season, but there was still room for a big improvement in handling and passing. The association of Corner and Macindoe immediately behind the Auckland scrum made for more open back play. The threequarter line was highly impressive, although Canghey at centre was inclined to do the wrong thing at times, and some of his passing was not good. His speed, dash and tackling ability were of great service. Milliken and Hutchison both displayed much dash, the firstnamed giving a particularly fine display, both on attack and defence. Hew Eepresectatives. Macindoe and Hutchison made their first appearances in representative football and both should have little difficulty in retaining their positions. Davies gave a sound exhibition at fullback, his handling, kicking and clearing being very fine. He did not have much tackling to do. A wild pass of his on one occasion cost Auckland a try. The forwards played more like an Auckland pack should do, while McPherson made a good substitute for Solomon. Waikato's strength lay in its forwards, who did splendid work in the loose, where they were superior to the home pack. The Aucklanders, however, were better at scrummaging. The visitors' backs played more or less as individuals, lacking the combination which would have brought better results from such fine forward play. The teams were as follows:

Auckland. —Fullback, Davies: tkreer quarters, Mil liken, Caughey, Hutchison; five-eighths, Jamieson, Maeindoe; haltback, Corner; wing-forward, McPherson; forwards, Palmer, Souter, Finlayson, Knight, Anderson, Satherley, Eanting. Waikato. —Fullback, Egan; threequarters, Carlson, Fitzgerald, Hook; fiveeighths, Wilkes, W. Cameron; halfback, Denz; wing-forward, Story; forwards, Leeson, Souter, A, Cameron, Reynolds, Coulter, Thompson, Ensor. Early Penalty Goal.

Finlayson won the toss for Auckland and played against the sun and wind. From a scrum near the Auckland twentyfive the home forwards were penalised for coming round too quickly and Carlson kicked a fine goal. Waikato, 3; Auckland, 0. The Auckland backs set up a passing rush, which Caughey spoiled by throwing the ball along the ground to Hutchison. Davies was applauded for a fine line kick, right into the wind. A snappy bout of passing by the Auckland backs fi saw Milllken dash over, grounding the ball a fraction of a second before he hit the corner Sag. Davies failed at goal. Waikato, 3; Auckland, 3. Souter made a good run for Auckland and passed infield, the rash stopping when Knight knocked on McPherson's pass. Knight, Finlayson, An- j derscn and Souter were conspicuous ill a forward passing rush, and then the backs had a turn. Macindoe beat his man, but his pass went along the ground past j Jamieson. Caughey, however, picked up cleanly and raced over wide out. Davies missed the shot. Auckland, 6; Waikato, 3.

Long kicking and fast following up by the visitors kept play in Auckland's twenty-five for some minutes, Milliken and Corner each gaining ground with clearing line kicks. Passing among the Auckland forwards sent play to Waikato's twentyfive, where Hook intercepted and broke away. He was recalled for a knock-on, however. Davies endeavoured to start a passing rush, but he threw ball wide of Jumieson, and the Waikato forwards broke away. A. Cameron took a pass and went o\er near the posts. Carlson converted. Waikato, 8: Auckland, 6. First Spell Lead. Thompson and Leeson started another rush for the visitors, but Leeson was tackled and his pass went into touch. Auckland was twice penalised just outside the twenty-five at wide angles and Carlson missed on both occasions, although tho second effort was a good one. Knight, Satherley S and Finlayson participated in passing, the last-named transferring wildly. Macindoe cut through nicely, but Jamie son was smothered and his pass went forward. A speculating kick by Macindoe nearly let Wilkes over. Davies and Caughey tackling him. Half-time sounded with the scoreWaikato, 8; Auckland, b. A minute after tho kick-off Corner worked the blind side cleverly and Hutchison dashed over near the corner after a fast sprint. Davies converted with a great kick. Auckland, 11; Waikato, 8. The Auckland fullback nest placed the ball on the half-way line for a penalty shot, but it fell a iittle short. Another penalty followed at Waikato's twenty-fiva a»d Davies sent the ball fairly between tho posts. Auckland, 14; Waikato, 8. A strong loose rush by the Waikato forwards was chocked near the line by Corner. A penalty to Waikato followed, but Carlson missed against the wind. Play had livened up considerably and Waikato was making strong efforts. Jamieson just beat Hook to the ball and forced down. Corner was tho nest Ancklander to clear his line and then Milliken gained 50yds. with a great kick. Dropped Goal Missed. Tho Waikato forwards followed np smartly and a scrum followed in front of Auckland's goal. Satherley, Anderson and McPherson broke away, Anderson kicking to Egan, who dropped at goal, the ball falling a yard or two short. Auckland was fortunate when a forward passed back over his own line. Hook ran up toward Davies and tried to short punt, but he sent the ball straight into the hands of the fullback, who marked. Wilkes secured the ball from a line-out and made a strong run straight to Davies. He passed to Fitzgerald, who lost a certain try through knocking on. An Auckland passing, rusk broke down and Carlson picked up and raced for the line. Leeson, however, missed the infield pass and Anderson cleared well. A fast dash by Hutchison and Corner took play down to Waikato's line, but a great loose rush by the visiting forwards turned defence into attack. Hutchison centred with a long kick and, following up fast, nearly scored. Knight was then nearly over, two men pulling him down a yard or two short. The Waikato five-eighths were caught offside, but Davies failed with the kick. Jamieson short-punted and, following fast, bustled Egan, who cleared weakly. Caughey fielded the ball cleanly and passed out to Milliken, who scored near the corner. Davies failed at> goal and the game ended:—Auckland, 17; Waikato, 8. Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee.