AUCKLAND LEAGUERS AT CHRISTCHURCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 147, 12 September 1927, Page 10

AUCKLAND LEAGUERS AT CHRISTCHURCH

TEAM'S FINE WIN NEWTON MEN BRILLIANT CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Thei Auckland League reps were not extended in the first game of their Southern tour against Canterbury at Monica Park to-day. The visitors won by 24 to 13 on a ground which was in perfect condition, ancl a fast and open game was witnessed by about 3,000 fans. The Canterbury men were all young and inexperienced, with the exception of Sanders, the Mew Zealand rep, who was well marked. Auckland played a very scientific game, and overshadowed Canterbury in nearly every department of the game, particularly in the first spell, when the play was fast and exciting. Their tackling and passing bouts at all times were sound. Canterbury was all out in the first spell, and held Auckland in check in the seccnd half. However, Auckland did as; they liked, and with a greater effort could have increased the score. Canterbury was unlucky to lose Le Warne, its hooker, a few minutes after the start.

The home side was weak in the pack, as was shown by the fact that Auckland secured the ball from nearly every scrum. Splendid anticipation by the Aucklanders sadly hampered the Canterbury backs, each of whom appeared to be marked by about six men. Gordon Blazey, the Canterbury fullback, was easily outclassed by Dufty. He seemed content to stand and kick the ball when more dashing play might have gained his side much ground. Duftj*, with weight and speed on the other hand, was an everpresent menace to the Canterbury line, his kicking, too, particularly linekicking, being often brilliant.

Blackaby, Canterbury's wing, played a strong game, but was overshadowed by List, the opposing winger. List was on his best form, and his try was a good one. T. Davidson, on the other wing, was no match for Little, who played brilliantly, his fast following up making many openings for his side. C. Robins, J. Amos and J. Sanders, were easily the best Canterbury defenders, their tackling and general play being of high order. They were, however, well covered by Auckland. Sanders worked hard at five-eighth, but his play lacked the brilliance that gained him New Zealand representative honours. C. Woods, at halfback, gave a fine display, and was superior to Webb, the Auckland half. WETHERILL BRILLIANT The fine Auckland pack hooked the ball on nearly every occasion but Webb seemed to lack assurance to go on his own, and was content to pass out to Wetherill at five-eighth, who was the most noticeabl<e player on the field. In the forwards, Payne was the most outstanding of the fine Auckland pack. He was to the fore of every attack. Clarke, too, playing a fine game, and Hutt and J. O’Brien made many openings for their side by fine play while Dixon and Somers also worked hard, the latter hooking with his customary brilliance. H. M. Blazey, the Canterbury front-

ranker, il.s an opportunist, ancl proved himself a fine forward. P. Burns, as breakaway, although the lightest in the pack, plays a strong game, and is a deadly tackier and with his fast following up and good play in the open he was one of the best forwards on the field. W. "WToodgate, C. Sissons and H. A. Vivian were also prominent. A. Collie, who replaced Le War no, lias plenty of weight, but was not outstanding. Tries for Auckland were scored by Payne (2), Webb, Hutt, Clarke. Dufty converted three, a goal.

Burns, Blazer,% Robins, Vivian, and Sanders; scored tries for Canterbury, and Blazey converted one and kicked