NORTHREN UNION GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 53

NORTHREN UNION GAME.

AUCKLAND v. CANTERBURY. AUCKLAND, August 9,

A crowd of about TOGO people witnessed the Northern Union Cup match Auckland v. Canterbury. Although beaten by 48 points to 12, Canterbury played a plucky game, and were at times brilliant. The game was very open. Canterbury held their own in the forwards, but the Auckland backs were 100 good, although some of the Canterbury backs, notably Smith and Hardingham, played well. A gicat Canterbury rush had Auckland penned on their line, but a free kick brought relief. A fine rush b\ the Canterbury backs ended in Hardingham finding the lino at the twenty-five, where Shanks had a shot at goal, but the ball fell short. Right on his own ground Ifwomon got the ball, and, after beating the Canterbury backs, got to the full back and passed to Weston, who put in a great run and scored. Webb missed with a kick at goal. Immediately afterwards Shanks kicked a magnificent goal from the toucihlino, equalising the scores. Even play marked the -next few- minutes, but Hardingham fielded the ball magnificently and shot through to the line, where he was tackled. Stokes was handy, and he scored at the corner. Shanks kicked a magnificent goal. Immediately afterwards Shanks kicked a goal from a penalty near the halfway. Play remained in the Auckland twenty-five for some time, but eventually Ifwerson got away and reached the line before passing to FI. Hayward, who dropped over. Ifwerson failed to convert. Auckland kept up the pressure, and after a great rush, in which the forwards and backs took part, Mitchell got over. Webb’s kick put the home loam in the load. With the aid of free kicks Auckland worked I heir way back to the Canterbury line, and Cook scored. Webb missed with the kick. Canterbury then woke up. and a. long kick went over the lino, but Mansell missed the ball, and Hardingham, following up fast, scored. Shanks made a good but unsuccessful shot at goal. Cooke intercepted the ball well, but fell a few yards from the line. Auckland got the ball, and a good passing rush saw Woodward score. His own kick failed. Auckland continued on the offensive, and a neat centre by Ifwerson was beautifully taken by H. Hayward, who fooled the Canterbury backs, and scored. Webb converted. Half time saw no alteration in the scores.

Canterbury started off the second spell with groat dash, and for some time had Auckland busy defending. Then Webb instituted a rush, which ended in Cooke scoring between the posts. Webb converted. Play became very fast, and some clever work was executed on both sides. Each side had an advantage alternately, but safe tackling prevented any score. Cooke had a pot, which went dangerously elose, and then Weston cut in prettily, and Woodward finished off the effort. Ifwerson converted. 11. Hayward broke through on resuming, and passed to his brother, who scored. li. Hayward missed with the kick. Ifwerson executed one of his lighting dashes, and heat five men before passing to Woodward, but Cooke spoiled the movement’ by getting offside. Canterbury took a turn at attacking, but. could not break through the Auckland defence. Cooke eventually relieved,

and then Mitchell came t-o light with a great run. threading through the whole team, and scoring between the posts. He converted the try. Canterbury hung on very gamely, and did not relax their efforts till the last moment. A few minutes before time Weston scored after a pretty piece of work, and Ifwerson scored a minute later, Walter converting. NEW SOUTH WALES LEAGUE TEAM. SYDNEY, August 7. Ray, Norman, Frazer, and Broomham have notified that they will be unable to accompany the League team to New Zealand. It is rumoured that Pearce and Messenger will also be unable to make the trip. SYDNEY, August 11. Messenger, Holloway, and Pearce are unable to accompany the League team to New Zealand. M'Kivat, Butler, and Barnett till the vacancies.