FAST LEAGUE MATCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21581, 28 August 1933, Page 12

FAST LEAGUE MATCH

DEFEAT OF WEST COAST AUCKLAND TEAM'S SUCCESS SPLENDID FORWARD PLAY In a fast, opon game the Auckland Rugby League representatives defeated West Coast at Carlaw Park on Saturday by 28 points to 22. Perfect conditions prevailed and there was a largo attondanco which witnessed many,thrilling movements. At half-time Auckland led by 20 points to 7, but after the interval the visitors staged a great recovery, and with a reliable goal-kicker would havo taken the honours. West Coast missed many easy opportunities/ and it is difficult to understand why Caldor, who was its best place kick, was not persevered with. Several efforts at goal wero weak in tho extreme.

Tho visitors fielded a fino forward team, which continually worried tho opposition, but much of tho good work was nullified through tho rearguard being unable to take advantage of many golden opportunities. The Auckland forwards could well learn a lesson from the visiting pack in tho art of keeping togother and also in dribbling the ball. If tho backs had combined as well as tho forwards there is no doubt that West Coast would havo won tho day.

Good Combination Better knowledge of the finer points of tho game and the individual cleverness. as well as the good combination, of the Auckland rearguard gained victory for« Auckland. A great all-round game was played by Cooke, tho Auckland captain, who has never shown to better advantage on attack since playing the code. He showed all his oldtime cleverness and repeatedly cut tho defence to ribbons in making splendid openings. His three tries were a just reward for such an outstanding display. On defence, ho was always handy when tho team was in trouble, while his anticipation was as good as ever. Next to Cooke, Axeman stood out for fine play, but rather spoiled his exhibition in tho latter stages of tho second spell by attempting too much individually. Campbell played a sound game at fullback and the other backs plaved well, with the possible exception of Bright, who was not up to his usual standard, as he dropped good passes on occasions. Clark played a fino game in tho Auckland forwards. Ho received good support from Satherley, Hall and Donald. Individually the West Coast backs played fairly well, but lacked the necessary combination to gain the desired results. Tho inside backs, O'Connor, Dodds and Masters, showed out repeatedly. Dodds scored a clever try by baffling the defence. He, however, spoiled his good play by attempting too much individually, Martyn, at fullback, repeatedly made errors, and his exhibition was far from impressive. He cost his side at least two tries through weak clearing kicks, while his positional play was not good. Great credit goes to the visiting forwards for a fine exhibition. There was no better forward on the ground than Newton, who excelled both in the tight and loose play. Ho used his brains and handled the ball with the ability of a back. Scott and Caldor woro also prominent, but tho set played well. Visitors Hook Ball Auckland set up the first attack but the West Coast forwards drove back and aided by a penalty the visitors sent play near the Auckland line. West Coast was hooking tho ball from the scrums, but could make little propress owing to poor 'passing. West Coast maintained the pressure, and from a penalty in front of tho posts, Dodds missed an easy opportunity. The first thrill came .when Cooko burst through the defence in great style, only to seo his pass go astray. Shortly afterwards the Auckland captain completely beat the defence in a passing bout and after eluding several opponents, including Martyn, touched down by tho posts. Campbell easily converted. Auckland, 5; West Coast, 0.

A clever movement, in which Dodds was prominent, broke through the defence to Campbell, Satherley and the fullback saving. Then Calder just failed at goal from a penalty. Immediately the West Coast forwards sot up a strong attack. Hunt kicked up near the lino and Newton sent a reverse pass to Calder, who scored a good try near the posts. Dodds converted. Auckland, 5; West Coast, 5. Auckland lost a good chance when Clark broke away in the loose and Lawless failed to take his transfer. Poor fielding by Martyn gave Auckland its next try, Hall gathering and scoring near tho posts. Campbell converted. Auckland, 10; West Coast, 5. A few minutes later Martyn again let tho team down. A poor return kick was charged and Satherley scored an easy try behind the posts. Campbell again converted. Auckland, 15; West Coast, 5. A Fine Opening

i Next Axeman made a fine opening from a scrum. Prentico followed him ! and sent on to Cooke, who came up fast to accept his pass and score be- | tween tho posts. Campbell converted. | Auckland, 20; West Coast, _5, | A penalty against Axeman saw Calder kick a nice goal. Auckland, 20; West Coast, 7. Clever play by Cpoko almost resulted in a try. Halftime came with the score: — Auckland 20 West Coast > 7 On resuming West Coast immediately attacked, Cooko saving splendidly on his own line. The visitors maintained the pressure and wore rewarded when Devonport dashed over from tho loose by tho posts. Dodds missed tho easy kick. Auckland, 20; West Coast, 10. West Coast continued to attack, and although a nice movement broke down, Newton went over near the posts soon after from a short passing bout. Masters made a poor attempt at goal. Auckland, 20; West Coast, 13. Clever Try Martin was injured in a tackle and was roplaced by O'Brien, who played wing, Morris going to fullback. A nice passing bout by tho Auckland backs enabled Bright trt scoro easily wido out. Campbell failed to convert. Auckland, 23; West Coast, 13. v A fine rush by the West Coast forwards nearly resulted in a try, but the backs could not finish off tho movement. Dodds made amends a littlo later by scoring a fine try from a solo effort at the corner. Calder failed to convert. Auckland, 23; West Coast, 16. . . ,• , • Prentice worked a blind side cleverly and made a great opening for Bright who, however, dropped his pass and lost a certain try. A minute later the Auckland wing retired with an injured ankle. A fine movement by tho Auckland backs, in which Axeman mado a great opening, saw Cooko dash up to take his pass and score a nice try after side-stepping Morris. Campbell converted from a wido anglo. Auckland, 28; West Coast, 16. Froin a penalty against Auckland in a good position, Calder failed at goal. West Coast maintained the pressure, and from a scramble on-'tho line, O'Connor scored. Hunt failed to convert from a good position. Auckland, 28; West Coast, 19. Continuing the presstiro the visitors' forwards broke away with ball at toe and Newton scored wide out. Dodds failed to convert. Auckland, 28; West Coast, 22. The game ended with the score:— Auckland 28 West Coast . . . . 22 Mr. P. Rogers was referee. .

TEAMS ENTERTAINED FINE SPIRIT DISPLAYED The "West Coast and Auckland teams were entertained nt dinner at the Hotel Auckland on Saturday evening by the Auckland Rugby League. Mr. Grey Campl. ell. chairman of the management comiritlec, in proposing Ihe toast of the "West Coast team, congratulated it, as the first West Coast, team to visit Auckland, on the fine spirit in which it played the game mul also on winning the Northern Union Cup.

Mr. L. Hunter, manager of tho visiting team, congratulated the Aucklpnd team on its success. -He said all members of the West Coast team were grateful for the splendid hospitality extended to them. The chief ambition of tho tourists was to win the Northern Union Cup, and as they had succeeded, tho code in tho South Island would benefit greatly ns a result. Complimentary remarks wero made on behalf of tho referee. Mr. P. Rogers, on the manner in which he controlled the game. Among other toasts honoured was that of the New Zealand Rugby League, proposed by Mr. \V. J. Probert nnd responded to by Mr. C. A. Snedden, chairman of the management committee.

CHALLENGE ROUND GOOD STANDARD OF PLAY A good standard of football was maintained at Carlaw Park 'on Saturday, when tho Auckland Rugby League continued the special challenge round of club matches. Tho three games were played as curtainraisers to tho representative game. Ponsonby caused a surprise by defeating Richmond in a well-contested game. Marist won well from City, while Newton also gained a well-deserved victory over Devonport. Several players wero given opportunities ns the result of clubs being depleted through the representative match, and all justified their inclusion.

POPULAR VICTORY Ponsonby gained_ a popular win over Richmond by an unconverted try to nil. The winners played keen football, particularly the backs, who threw the ball about in

great stylo. Several Ponsonby movements deserved . tries. With a little more finish, Ponsonby would havo won comfortably. On ond occasion six players handled, but Holland's pas 9 to Keesing was knocked on and a try lost. Richmond was without the services of Cooke, Prentice and Satherley. There' was no score in the first half, which was in favour of Ponsonby. The Richmond forwards made great efforts to equalise after Ponsonby scored. The defence, however, proved sound. For tho winners, Holland, Riley and Shearer werrf the best backs. Holland is a promising player. Hutt and Fagan ably led a hard-working set of forwards. Lee played a sound game for Richmond, kicking with good judgment. McNeill showed nlenty of dash, while Powell made several nice runs. Hutt scored Ponsonby's only try. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

BACKS SUPERIOR Marist backs played with better combination than City and the team won' by 10 points to 5 after a keen game. Too much kicking and selfish play by several City backs c6st tries. The City forwards did well in tl;e loose, but were beaten badly for" the ball in the scrums. It was this advantage that gave the Marist backs plenty of opportunities. The backs handled cleanly and ran straight. The try scored by Brisbane was a splendid effort. The Marist captain burst pust three City backs who made feeble attempts to • tackle him. B. Schultz played with dash on the wing. List is not playing up to form. Jones, a junior, did some useful work on the wing. Laird and Herring were Marist's best forwnrds. The City backs were patchy. Alderton kicked too much behind tho scrum, while McLaughlin spoiled a good game by selfißh play. Hughes and Davidson were the best backs. J. Herring was the best forward. Fllery showed promise in his first game. Tries for Marist were scored by Schultz. Brisbane and Whyte. A force down was given against City. Purdy scored for City and Turei kicked a goal. Mr. F. Thompson was referee.

FAST EXHIBITION Spectators were treated to a fast, open gamo by Newton, which defeated Ponsonhy by 14 points to 5. Newton started tvell and scored three tries in fifteen minutes. The forwards overwhelmed Devonport, which was always on the defence. The fast raiding tactics of Newton's vanguard unsettled th» champion's hacks, who failed to combine. The first half was easily in favQUr of Newton. Straight running was a feature of Newton's play. For the winners, D.empsev played a good game at fullback. Porteoua gave the backs plenty of the ball,'- and Brimble showed improved form. Stepliei;» is ono of the most piomising wings in the eodo. Nathan and Blacklaws were outstanding in the forwards Seagar and Laing wer#> the best bacltp for Devonport. Masefielcl, Simpson and Sowter were prominent among the forwards Tries for Newton were scored by Browne, Sellars, Nathan and Perteous. Blacklaws converted ono try. For Devonport. Hunt snored a try which Laing convorted. Mr. V. Simpson was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Second Grade.—Mangere, 15, Point Chevalier, 3. Third Grade Open.—Marist, 15, Ponsonby, n; Glenorn, 13, Mangere, 3; Mount Albert, 5. Ngnrunwahia. 5 Third Grade Intermediate.—Marist, 14, Richmond, 0: Northcote. 5, Papnkuva, 0. Fourth Grade.—City, 3, Newton B, 0: Newton A. 22. Ponsonby. 0; Marist A. 7, Mnnukau, 0: Point Chevalier, 15, Marist," 4: Richmond. 5. Northcote. 2 Fifth Grade.—-Championship final: (Richmond 13, 13. Richmond A. 0. Sixth Grade —Mnnukau won from Devonport by default. Seventh Grade.—ElWslie won from Devonport by default; Richmond A, 10, Richmond B, 0. Friendly Games.—Auekln'nd Gas Company, IS. Bycrnft's, Limited, 0: McKendrick Bros., 31, Australian "Waste Produels, 0. WIN FOR TAUPIRI [froxi our own correspondent] TAUPIRI, Saturday In tho semi-final of tho Innrs Memorial Shield to-day Taupiri defeated Rotowaro by M points to 8. Early in tho game Rotowaro Bi-ored an unconverted- try. Tittleton scored for Taupiri, but failed with the kick. Fleming scored for Rotowaro and converted his try. Just before half-time G. Tittleton broke away and in-passed to W. Tittleton, who scored in a linndy position. G. Tittleton con verted. The scoro at half-time was eight-all. Spencer, Taupiri, gathered the ball near Itotowaro's line and dived over. The try was not converted. Just on time -Smith and W. Tittleton broke away with the ball at toe. Smith scoring a try which M. Wilson failed to convert. NORTHLAND LEAGUE [from our own correspondent] WHANG AREI, Saturday Following ore the results of matches played to-day by .teams under tho jurisdiction of the Northland League:—Seniors: City won by default from Whakawaro; \Hikurahgi, 14, Takahiwai, 7. Juniors: Onerahi, 23, Kamo, 0. CANTERBURY BEATS OTAGO [BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday Canterbury* beat Otago at League football yesterday by 18 points to 4. Tho first spell provided a mediocre display and at halftime Otago led, 4—o. Canterbury improved in the second spell and scored five tries, two being converted. •