SUPERIOR SCRUM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23134, 5 September 1938, Page 13

SUPERIOR SCRUM

HOME SIDE'S ABILITY GREAT HOOKING BY BOND WILLING FORWARD EXCHANGES The Auckland players are to be congratulated upon their success, as the i opposing backs and forwards were fairly sound in their tactics. Bond, in particular, is deserving of the highest I praise for gaining the ball from the I majority oJ the 'set scrummages. Al- ! though the Maoris possessed a great deal of weight among the forwards, they packed an inferior serum, and the Auckland vanguard was easily able to hold them. The touring players jumped well in (lie line-out, in which they gained a superiority. Their forward play was characterised throughout hy hard rucking tactics, and there were many instances of wild kicking when the Auckland backs hud the ball. There was no attempt on the part of the Auckland vanguard to shine with individual performances, and the general combination. ,with every member lending support, was solid. On defence the Maoris were sound. AVi Kepa, at fullback, used lengthy kicks to extricate his side from difficulties, some of his clearing efforts in the first spell finding touch some tu.vds or 50yds up field. Even when a heavy shower of rain toward the end of the first spell made the ball very heavy, he still kicked with accuracy. His tackling was very hard. Auckland's Fullback The bounce beat the Auckland fullback, J). Solomon, on a few occasions, and sometimes, too. he was slow in getting rid of the ball. At such times the Maori forwards, who followed up smartly, caught Solomon in possession, and had it not been for the appearance of son.e of the other backs on the scene, more points might have been registered against the home side. Solomon improved after the interval. however, and displayed some of the form that has stamped his performances throughout the season. Steele was given the task of marking the brilliant Auckland winger J. Dick, lit this he had a fair measure of success to begin with, but later, when he himself executed some pretty movements, he was a little lax. and allowed Dick to evade him, once to pave j the way for a try. D. Martin, on the other j wing, was given more latitude than Dick, and j his speed enabled him to gain much ground, j lie capped one movement with a try after j Prentice had made an opening. He showed kicking ability when the occasion demanded |

Pearman and Brady formed a reliable five-eighths line. Brady dropped some of his passes, but otherwise was safe, with occasional bursts of brilliance. Pearman fielded the ball with ease. He surprised the opposition with incisive runs, and elected to send his forwards to the attack by kicking ahead just far enough to give them access to the ball. The backing-up play of both five-eighths and Prentice was a feature of the game. Plucky Exhibition A plucky exhibition was given by the diminutive Auckland halfback t\ Cooney. who had some hard-kicking forwards to contend with. Except for a few poor transferences at the beginning of the second spell, he passed with alacrity and good direction. Now and again he charged round the side of the scrum, his speed on these occasions demoralising the defence. Murray showed good form at centre for the Maoris. He allowed himself to be drawn out of position once, hut otherwise his play was sound. His handling was good, and he fed his nines as much as possible. Hohapata ntiickly seized the opening which led to his try. All the members of the threequarter line tackled cleanly. Wetere and Howell were a safe '>air at five-eighths. Wetere displayed ability to pick up a rolling ball at top speed, and his style was pleasing. Howell also handled well, haipara. at the base of the scrum, was nippy and when rain made the ball slippery lie continued to send accurate passes. Outstanding Forward The outstanding forward in the visiting team was Mason McDonald, of Marlhoroucrh. He always seemed to be where the ball was. followed up well, tackled hard and low, and was conspicuous for his play on the line-out. Leach and Kutia were others to show out. the latter not wasting time in tackling an opponent. He was responsible for taking Solomon unawares when the latter fumbled in the first spell. Tutoro, Matthews and \\ lute also were good Johnson, who gained a place on account of the indisposition of A. Brown, fully justified his inclusion and. next to Bond, was one of Auckland's best forwards. The Xew Zealand University fifteen's captain, L. l>rakc. was always in the picture. H. F. McLeans fine leadership showed the spectators that he possesses a {rood deal of the form that earned him a place in the New Zealana side on four occasions. Whillans, Pepper, Lockington and Pearce were all very solid.

AMALGAMATION SUGGESTED

HAMILTON AND WAIKATO [from our own connks poxdknt] HAMILTON*, Sunday The hope that in the near future the Waikato and Hamilton Rugby Unions would join to form one major union for the Waikato was expressed by Mr. H Layne past President of the Hamilton Technical Old Boys rootball Club,* in proposing the toast for the Hamilton and Waikato Rugby Onions at a smoke concert held by the club in the loorak Chambers last evening. By means of this one major union the sub-unions such as Morrinsville. Putaruru and the other smaller unions could be included in the Stag I rophj competition. This should help greatly in fosteringthe game in the Waikato," concluded Mr. .Layne. ■*» » c? . In reply to Mr. Layne, Mr. A. S. Cliffe. president of the Hamilton Rugby Onion, stated that nothing definite had been done <*o far but lie was sure (hat it would only be a matter of time before the amalgamation referred lo bv Mr. Layne would be brought about. "Our 'passage will be a stormy one and there will be numerous difficulties to be overcome before our task is accomplished, said Mr Cliffe. "We are proud of our ground at Rugby Park, but our stands present a ?orrv sight. The first matter to he attended to by the joint union would be the erection of new grandstands." .... Other toasts proposed during the evening werp —Rughv football, the chairman Mr. K J! L Whiting; Technical Old Boys' C üb, Mr. A. S. C'liffe; kindred clubs and the Stag Trophy competition, Mr. J. Adams; Referees Association, Mr. J. Flanagan.

INTER-HOUSE CONTEST A Rugby football match played between employs-s of Campbell and Ehrenfried Company.' Limited, and New Zealand Breweries, Limited, at Redwood Park, Swanson, yesterday, resulted in a win for the former by ] 1. points to (>.