THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21843, 4 July 1934, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

STRONG AUCKLAND TEAM REARGUARD COMBINES WELL TARANAKI FORWARDS IMPRESS The representative Rugby League match between Auckland and Taranaki last . Saturday served to show that Auckland has a strong all-round side. One of the most pleasing features of the play was the clever manner in which the Auckland backs handled the greasy ball under the difficult conditions. It was the good finishing work of the Auckland rearguard which carried the side to such an easy victory.

Another feature was the fine play of the Taranaki forwards, especially in the loose, and only clever defence of the more experienced Auckland backs saved the visitors' score from being much higher. The Taranaki forwards adapted themselves well to the conditions and with more experience in higher football would develop into a strong allround set.

Taranaki was unfortunate in that an injury to the halfback, Cowley, necessitated a rearrangement of the rearguard. Cowley is stated to be one of the outstanding players in the province. However, the visiting backs could not adapt themselves to the conditions and the majority of their efforts were cor.fined to individual play. Taranaki Backs Hunt, the Taranaki captain, has slowed up considerably and was further hindered on Saturday by the state of the ground. When played at fullback Priar was not impressive and when shifted to the wing made mistakes. On the day, Muschamp filled the fullback role better. He made several good saves and his kicking was more accurate. Had the conditions been fine, the Taranaki backs would have made a better showing, but it was always apparent that the Auckland backs were much su pcrior. Tho positional play of the Auckland rearguard was far superior to that of the opposition and the short kicks were placed to far better advantage. In this department A. K. Cooke was outstanding, but his all-round play was equally as good. N. Campbell, tho Auckland fullback, gave a fine display. One of his greatest attributes was the fearless manner in which he went down to some thrilling loose forward rushes, and lie seldom failed to stop -them. His kicking and handling were good and his play was of great value to the team. It was pleasing to see Stephens return to his best form and there was no doubt about his determination in going for the line. Wayne, on the other wing, filled the position with credit, but neither <he nor Stephens was faced with a strong opposition. Mincham, centre, and Prentice, first five-eighths, played their usual sound all-round games. Powell Plays Well

Powell, halfback, fulfilled expectations in his representative game. He got the ball away well, and his defence, of which he had a great amount, was good. A fine game in the Auckland forwards was played by Lawless, who showed all his old-time ability and dash. He was always well in the picture and it was hard to follow why he was a little unpopular with a certain section of the crowd. Satherlev and Hutt were also very prominent, but all tho forwards played well. Stevens was clearly the superior hooker. Among a fast set of forwards, Fraser, Lewis and McLeod were in fine form for Taranaki, and R. McDonald proved a success on the day in a roving commission. A little more finish and less over-eagerness on the part of the forwardsl would have had better results. Under the conditions it was hard to judge the strength of the Taranaki backs as a combination, but it was obvious the Auckland rearguard would have proved too clever on a fast ground.