FAST LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21515, 12 June 1933, Page 11

FAST LEAGUE

WIN FOR AUCKLAND ' TARAINAKI TEAM BEATEN RECOVERY IN SECOND SPELL THRILLING FORWARD RUSHES In a bright and fast exhibition of the code the Auckland Rugby League representatives defeated Taranaki at Carlaw Park on Saturday by 32 points to 20. Conditions for play were excellent and there was an attendance estimated at 10,000. At half-time Auckland led by 21 points to five but Taranaki made a fine recovery in the second half. The splendid play of tho Taranaki forwards was one of tho features of the game. Time after time their thrilling dribbling rushes in which fine control of the ball was shown completely nonplussed the Auckland team. With the exception of Hassan, half, and Laing, fullback, the Auckland rearguard did not relish going down on the ball and the visiting vanguard gained yards of ground. Had the Taranaki forwards passed the ball well the result probably would have been different. The Taranaki backs did not impress as a combination while their positional play was bad. Auckland repeatedly hooked the ball in the scrums but the Taranaki rearguard stood deep as if on attack. This allowed the Auckland inside backs plenty of room to work in and had Brimble been up to standard Auckland would have scored more tries. After half-time there was a noticeable improvement. Playing with the sun in the first spell Taranaki failed to use it to any advantage. Priar, fullback, was very much at fault in this respect and repeatedly used the "grubber." On more than one occasion he was fortunate to get out of trouble when his kick was charged. A fine impression was made by Cowley, at half. He got the ball away smartly and his defence was of a high standard. Hunt, centre, proved a solid all round player. Brimble Disappoints Although overshadowed in most departments the Auckland forwards held to their task well. Laird and Satherlev were outstanding. Lawless was found too often among the backs and failed to do his share as a forward. Brimble was disappointing at first five-eighths and repeatedly dropped his passes. Hassan played a fine game at half, his defence, work frequently saving the Auckland team. Laing was caught in possession too often but otherwise played a sound game. All the other backs were on form, especially the wings. Bright and Turei. Their speed and dash enabled them to finish off passing movements with spectacular tries. It was evident from the form displayed by the visiting team that a better knowledge of the finer points of the code will make Taranaki a much more difficult proposition in the future. W. Lewis, the Taranaki wing-three-quarter who was carried off the field near the end of the game, received an injury to one of the muscles of his back. A medical examination later revealed that he will be fit again in a few days. The teams were as follows: TARANAKI Fullback, R. Priar: threequa.rters, G. Hall, C. Hunt, W. Lewis; fiveeighths,- J. Arnold, F. McLagger; halfback, J. Cowley. Forwards. —Jack McLeod, D. McLeay, J. Fraser, L. Lewis, Jim McLeod, R. McDonald. AUCKLAND Fullback, Laing; threequarters, Turei, List, Bright; five-eighths, Brimble, Smith; halfback, Hassan (captain). Forwards. —Clark, Campbell, Leatherbarrow, Laird, Satherley, Lawlesis. An Early Try Taranaki won the toss and played with the sun. From the first scrum, Auckland hooked the ball but Brimble dropped his pass from Hassan and- a little later Brimble dropped another pass. Auckland was hooking the ball from the scrums and in a passing bout R. Smith badly beat Arnold and scored by the posts. The scorer easily coi>verted. Auckland, 5; Taranaki, 0. The Taranaki forwards were troubling Auckland in the loose, but the backs had so far failed to impress. Then Laing had his kick charged and a line of Taranaki forwards set off. McLeay was tackled by an Auckland back with the ball at toe, and the referee rightly awarded an obstruction try. Fraser easily converted. Auckland, 5; Taranaki, 5. The Auckland backs were always dangerous in possession, and from a nice passing bout in which all tho rearguard handled, Bright dashed over for a good try. The angle was too difficult for R. Smith. Auckland, 8; Taranaki, 5. Splendid play by the visiting vanguard ended in Fraser being held up over the line. From the scrum Turei secured and relieved the danger, with n fine kick. R. Smith made a good opening in a passing bout, but sound tackling saved Taranaki. Hassan set off in a tricky run which ended with a good tackle by Priar. Auckland lost a fine chance irrom a centre kick by Turei through mishandling. Maintaining the pressure Auckland worked near the Taranaki line, where Hassan set his backs in motion and Bright went over for an easy try near the posts. R. Smith converted. Auckland, 13; Taranaki, 5. Opportunity Missed Good play by Priar gave the Taranaki backs a chance, but Lewis attempted to take his pass with one hand and lost a try. Auckland retaliated immediately. Turei gave a short crossluck, which Laird accepted and went over unopposed. R. Smith converted with a fine kick. Auckland, 18; Taranaki, 5. Poor play by McLaggan gave Turei an easy try. He passed into the Aucklander's hands and Turei ran over. R. Smith failed to convert. Halftime came a minute later with the score:— Auckland 21 Taranaki 5 Soon after resuming Hall made a good run down the lino, but was overhauled by Bright and injured in tho tackle. Taranaki maintained the pressuro and from close play on the Auckland line Arnold finished off a short passing bout with a nice try by the posts. Fraser converted. Auckland, 21; Taranaki, 10. Mistakes in passing by the Auckland backs saw Hunt dash in to gather and end a good run with a try wide out. Fraser failed to convert. Auckland, 21; Taranaki, 13. Taranaki was all over Auckland at this stage, and from a penalty Fraser raised tho flags. Auckland, 21; Taranaki, 15. Fast plav followed until the end. For Auckland Turei (2) and Bright scored tries, R. Smith converting the last try. For Taranaki Jack McLeod scored and Frasor converted. The final score was. Auckland . . . . ' * 5? Taranaki .. •• ..20 Mr. M. Wetlierill was referee. TEAJUS ENTERTAINED Both teams were entertained at dinner after the match. Complimentary remarks were passed on the exhibition given by Taranaki by Messrs. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the Auckland Rugby League, and Mr. C. A. Sneddon, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby League. A shield was presented to the Taranaki team on behalf of Mr. H. Walmsley, an old League player.and enthusiast of the code. The shield will be for competition between ths two provinces.,