FAST LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21841, 2 July 1934, Page 12

FAST LEAGUE

WIN EOR AUCKLAND .TARANAKI TEAM DEFEATED 0 ' CLEVER VISITING FORWARDS CAMPBELL PLAYS FINE GAME In a fast representative Rugby League match under tho conditions Auckland defeated Taranaki at Carlaw Park on Saturday by 35 points to 8. Tho match was played on a heavy ground and rain at intervals during the jraiue made the ball difficult to handle. Tn spite of this handicap the Auckland backs handled the ball splendidly until veil on in tho second half and their play together with the excellent loose rushes of tho Taranaki forwards always made the match very interesting. Auckland was clearly the superior side and only tho conditions prevented a much higher score against the visitors. Taranaki was unfortunate in losing tho services of its halfback, Cowley, in the first spell. His injury necessitated a rearrangement of the rearguard, but the Taranaki backs failed to impress as a combination at any stage. With the forwards doing such good work in' tho loose tho Taranaki rearguard had numerous opportunities, but many of these were lost through selfish plaj-. Often, a member of the rearguard cut through to make a nice opening, only to spoil all the good work through holding on too long. Tho Auckland backs were always dangerous in possession and tho splendid placing of kicks by Cooke frequently had the opposition in trouble. A fine game was played for Auckland at fullback by Campbell. Throughout the match Campbell was called on to stop dangerous rushes and he never once failed ,to go down. The Auckland forwards all played well, Lawless and Satherley being outstanding. Clever Control Under the conditions it was hard, to judge the Taranaki standard but- one great feature of the team's play was the fine work of the forwards. Keeping the ball at their" feet and having good control, tho visiting vanguard often beat the defence and with better support from the backs -TaranakiV score would have been larger. Auckland took many risks which would have proved disastrous against a stronger opposition.' Fraser played a fine game in the Taranaki forwards and was well supported by Lewis and McLcod. McDonald filled a roving commission well. Heavy rain fell at the commencement and.made handling difficult. A loose Taranaki forward rush had Campbell in trouble and Hunt nearly scored. A well placed kick by Cooke was followed fast by Lawless* who kicked over the line but Prentice just failed to touch-down before the ball went dead. In a loose Taranaki forward rush Campbell was Caught in possession. Fraser gathered tho ball and passed to Lewis who touched down at. the corner.''Arnold failed at goal. Taranaki, 3; Auckland, 0. Auckland Leads

Auckland was quick t6 retaliate and from a; nice passing Stephens scored, Campbell converted. Auckland, 5; Taranaki, 3. ' Auckland maintained the pressure and Cooke followed through his own kick to score easily. Campbell's kick hit the crossbar. Auckland, 8; Taranaki, 3. Cowley retired hurt at this stage and was replaced by Muschamp. The ,Auckland backs were always dangerous. Once Cooke intercepted well and broke clean away. A poor 'pass to Satherlev, however,. lest a certain try. Hard forward play followed, the Taranaki vanguard rising bustling tactics to advantage. Auckland's backs threw the ball about well and only sound defence saved Taranaki. Auckland was" now continually on attack and from a penalty Mincham kicked a nice goal. Auckland, 10; Taranaki, 3. Auckland kept Taranaki penned on the line for a period. Then from a loose .scrum. Hutt- picked up and scored easily. .Mincham failed to convert. Auckland, 13; Taranaki, 3. . v ' Auckland Takes Risks Auckland was throwing the ball about from all positions. Once a back attack broke down and Fraser kicked through, Arnold coming up fast to touch down between the posts. The scorer converted and half-time came with the scQxe: — Auckland 13 r ' Taranaki 8 Spendid Save ■t Auckland immediately attacked on resuming, ..-Taranaki being forced. Campbell saved splendidly in the face of a strong. Taranaki forward rush. Tho Taranaki forwards were troubling Auckland in good loose rushes, but the local vanguard was equally effective. After penning tho visitors in their twentv-nve for a time Hutt sent out a long pass to Cooke, who gave Wayne a nice -try. Mincham failed with the kick. Auckland,-16; , Taranaki, 8. The Taranaki backs had a few opportunities, but some of the players held on too long with support offering. Players were now keeping the ball at toe, and the slippery conditions made 'the work of the defence difficult. Wayne and Prentice added quick tries for' Auckland, neither of which was converted, Auckland, 22; Tarannki, 8. Auckland was having much tho better of the play, and from a loqso rush Clark scored between _ the posts. Lawless missed the easy kick. Auckland, 25; Taranaki, 8. Soon afterwards Stephens scored between the posts from a high kick. Satherley converted. Auckland, 30; Taranaki, 8. - Just 'before time Cooko added another try which Satherley converted. The final" score was: — Auckland . . . • • • Taranaki - . • • •« ° Mr. M. Wetlierill was referee.

TEAMS ENTERTAINED After the match the teams were entertained at dinner by the Auckland Rugby League at the Hotel Auckland. Mr. G: Grey Campbell presided, lho chairman, in welcoming tho Taranaki team referred to tho fine spirit in whicli the game was played. Mr. Or. Hooker, manager, replied on behall oi the Taranaki team. Eulogistic reference to the referee was made by the two captains, C. Hunt, Taranaki, and L. Hutt, Auckland.