STRENUOUS TUSSLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23068, 20 June 1938, Page 14

STRENUOUS TUSSLE

VISITORS' FORWARDS SUPERIORITY ON LINE-OUT AUCKLAND BACKS TOO GOOD The match on Saturday was very similar to that played at Hamilton on tho King's Birthday. The forwards again had a strenuous tussle with little between the two packs, but the Auckland backs demonstrated marked superiority and the issue was never in doubt. Being bigger and taller, the Waikato forwards were seen to advantage in. line-out play, while their loose rushes took a great deal of stopping. Many of tho serums were unsatisfactory, the ball frequently hanging instead of coming out cleanly. The visitors secured more of tho ball in the first spell, but the honours were with Auckland in the second half. Both sides missed opportunities of scoring, selfishness on the part of some of the Auckland backs, combined with poor passes, losing what looked like certain tries. Some nice tries were scored, however, Dick's effort being a good one. Feinting to swerve infield he caught the opposing fullback on the wrong foot and then ran round him and over the line. Another excellent piece of work was that in which .Solomon raced from near his own line past several opponents beyond halfway, where he passed to Prentice, who outpaced the defenders to score. Although Waikato obtained only one try some other good work deserved reward. There was one instance in particular when Russell cleverly centred the ball to a bunch of waiting forwards. Wynyard dribbled it over the line, only to be beaten for the touch down. One of Auckland's tries —that awarded to Hull —should not have been allowed. A scrum was formed in front of Waikato's goal and the ball came out to Cooney, who passed directly back to Pearnian. The latter dropped at goal, but the bull went wide, llie playsrs and referee were watching the flight of the ball when suddenly Hull appeared on the scene and raced up to touch down. Seeing that lie was in the scrum from which Cooney and 1 earman secured the ball, Hull must have, been severill offside.