SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20959, 24 August 1931, Page 12

SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE

NORTHLAND WINS AT LEAGUE.

SOUTH AUCKLAND DEFEATED.

GOOD PLAY BY REARGUARD. -The Northland Rugby League representatives were successful by 16 points to 8 in winning the Northern Union Challenge Cup from the holders, South Auckland, in a bright, game played at Carlaw Park on Saturday. ; Tho winners' rear division played splendid football and delighted tho spectators with clean and snappy passing.; Attacks were mado from any position, and tho display was excellent for a team only new at the code. Northland mot strong opposition from South Auckland's forwards, which at one stago in the second half threatened to save tho game. Twenty minutes before time Northland lost Shorthand, and for ten minutes played with 11 men. Superior back 'play gave Northland a decided advantage. Lack of kicking on the part of tho backs was a feature of the game. . . ' For tho winners R. Hamilton, at centrethreequarter, played a splendid game, showing exceptional pace and running very straight. E. Cunningham also impressed ou tho wing. Shortland and Meyer boro the brunt of tho defence. The former was in every movement. Northland's forwards knew little of scrum i .-work,-, but. played with plenty of dash in the. loose. Hirtzell and Dunn were up to yepresentativo standard. - ' Wild Passing. South Auckland played more solid than brilliant football. The backs passed ■wildly, particularly the inside men. W. Tittlet ( on was the. best, while Trauvettor / and Stephenson played good games among the forwards., Tho teams were as follows: — South Auckland. —Fullback, G. Raynor; threequarters, C. Dwen, M. Scott, G. Tittleton; five-eighths, J. Whorskey, ,W. Tittleton; halfback, E. Abbott; forwards, H. Payne, R. Stephenson, D. Trauvettor, T. Timms, J. Menzies, J. Jcmes. - '■ Northland.—Fullback, D. Parkes; threequarters, E. Cunningham, R. Hamilton, L. Lowe; five-eighths, C. Hamilton, E. Meyer; halfback, W. Shortland; forwards, R. Cunningham, M. Hirtzell, N. Dunn, E. Q'Callaghan, R. Wells, C. Payne. Soon after the kick-off Northland was awarded a penalty, and from 40yds. out C. Hamilton just failed at goal. Shortland started a nice passing bout, but / Scott stemmed a dangerous movement. Good passing by Northland's backs saw E. Cunningham gain useful ground. South Auckland became dangerous until Lowe intercepted a pass and easily scored. Cunningham failed to convert. Northland, 3; South Auckland, 0. Tho South Auckland vanguard was / superior in the loose, and Menzies went close to scoring. W. Tittleton opened South's score with a penalty goal. Northland, 3; South Auckland, 2. Clever play by Shortland and Meyer ' bad South Auckland defending. Two penalty kicks tp Northland were missed by Cunningham and Parkes respectively.

Northland's backs combined well and C. Hamilton beat six defenders before passing 1 to Dunn, who' was tackled in South's. South Auckland drove back and Scott and J. Whorskey were almost /over. A beautiful line-kick by R. Hamilton carried play past half-way. Abbott, passed to W. Tittleton, and jones burst through, but a wild pas 3 to Dwen cost. South Auckland a try. C. Hamilton started a passing bout and five back«i handled before'' E. Meyer raced over to /score a splendid try. R. Hamilton failedl to convert. Northland, 6; South Auckland, 2. j brilliant Try. From the loose R. Hamilton snapped up cleverly and raced clean through the opposition to score a brilliant try. E. Meyei' converted, and half-time came with tho score: Northland, 11; South Auckland, 2„ On resuming Northland's backs attacked strongly, but R. Hamilton missed a poor pass from Shortland and Joneii saved. The latter cut in nicely and passed to Abbott, and Dwen made a great effort; to score. The challengers fought back strongly, and again got the advantage. Flashes of bright play followed, and R., Hamilton, always dangerous, bursl; through the defence. He kicked over tho line and in an fexciting race Meyer just, failed. Northland,was unfortunate to lose Shortland, who retired with concussion, A beautiful run by Meyer carried the attack to South's territory. A few minute:) later W. Tittleton just missed a try. The holders made the most of Short* land's retirement,- and for a time dominated play. Abbott passed to Jones and Sdott. scored a well-deserved try.. W, Tittleton just failed to convert. * Northland, 11; South Auckland, 5. The pace continued to be fast and Scott made a brilliant run between Meyer and C. Hamilton ; Parkes, however, saved. Meyer cleverly evaded the defence and passed to R. Cunningham, who scored. C. Hamilton kicked a nice goal: Northland, 16; South Auckland, 5. / A further retirement caused Northland's Fide to be reduced to 11 players for some minutes. Just before time Abbott set South Auckland's backs in motion, and J. Whorskey raced across. He failed to convert, and the game ended with the Ecore: Northland, 16; South Auckland, 8 Mr. V. Simpson was referee.

NEWTON DEFEATS HAMILTON. / The Newton senior tirade Lengne foolball iearn defeated 'Hamilton at Car!aw Park on Saturday afternoon by 8 points to 5. The Papakura third grade team defeated South Auckland juniors by 8 points to .3 Both games were curtain-raisers to the Northern Union Challenge Cup luatcli. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Second Grade.—Point Chevalier, 3, Mount Albert, 2." Third Grade ,Open.—Marist, 10. Ponsonby, 8. Third Grade /Intermediate.—Mount Albert, C, Glenora. •£• Richmond. JO, Marist, 3; Akarana, 17. Ponsonby 0. Fourth Grade.—Papakura. 8. Newmarket, Fifth Grade.—Ponsonby won from Mount Albert by defaijlt; City won from Devonport by default; Noi'thcote, 12, Newton, 2: Marist, 14, Glen Lynn. 0.Sixth Grade.—Richmond. 18, Newton, 0. Seventh Grade.—Papatoet-oe, 0, Ellerslie, 0. Primary Schools.—Marist, 11, Devonport, S: Ellerslie, 28, Northcote, 11; Newton, 3, 'Avondale, 0; /Devo'nport won from City by default. . i SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] League football matches in Southern (Centres on Saturday resulted;— A, 8, City, 4. Criristchurch.—Linwood, 15, Hornby B, 12; Addington, 24, Sydenham, 7. Diunedin.—City, "9, Athletic, 8 : Christian f brothers, 17, Pacific, 2,