S. Auckland Leaguers Trounce City Team

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 416, 26 July 1928, Page 7

S. Auckland Leaguers Trounce City Team

FORWARDS WIN THE DAY SHARP LESSON FOR AUCKLAND It is a great tribute to the South Auckland Leaguers to say that the team they defeated yesterday could justifiably claim on paper, anyway, to be little if any inferior to the side which ran up 66 points to 26 against Canterbury on Saturday. In fact, it can be said that Len Scott and Tim Peckham, who replaced We the rill and Delgrosso respectively, hardly weakened a back line which had run rings round Canterbury, although Tlanlon necessarily fell below the Dufty standard. ADAPATABLE SOUTHERNERS The ground conditions were different, however, and South Auckland realising this kept play as much as possible among the forwards. They succeeded to a great e"xtent, and to this they owe their victory. The red forwards, reinforced considerably since they last lined out on Carlaw Park, “had it all over’ the Auckland men. Stephenson, who impressed the critics in the Northern Union Challenge Cup game, stood out as the best all-round forward on tlie field. As a hooker, 1-e. more thasj held his own with “Wally” Somers in the first half, although the Newton man probably saw a little more of the ball both spells considered. Stephenson was the leader of every forward attack, and in loose and tight, he excelled. Close behind him came Timms, Jones and Menzies, making the four who largely brought about Auckland’s defeat. Packing together at

every opportunity, they" broke through the Auckland vanguard almost at will. revealing a weakness in Auckland forward play which the Englishmen will not fail to make the most o f. “ Snowy ” Dixon was seldom in the picture, while Clarke and Hall, undoubtedly

fine men in the loose, seem to have cultivated open play to the detriment of the orthodox forward game. Jim O’Brien did well when he did exert himself, but such occasions were few and far between. Behind the scrum Auckland overshadowed the men from the country, although in Hall (a brother of Wilson Hall) they have a promising man. Stan Raynor, on the wing, has plenty of power and pace, and his brother at fullback overshadowed Hanlon. Paki shone on defence, but did not impress as much as on his last visit. BRILLIANT HARDGRAVE Until he had to go off injured, Hardgrave was the outstanding back among the Aucklanders. List showed that, although he may be a good wing, he has not the football brains for the centre position, while Prentice at fiveeighths was, as usual, solid rather than brilliant. Len Scott put in some fine dashes down the line, which will no doubt see him in the next Auckland team. It is hard to compare Peckham and Helgrosso, because the former played behind a beaten pack. The game ended amid great enthusiasm, when with less than a minute to go, Abbott put in a dazzling run, passed to S. Raynor, who scored, thus giving the visitors the match by 19 to 17. The score-getters yesterday were:

South Auckland. 23. Tries by Faki, S. Raynor (2), Tittleton. Timms. Goals by S. Raynor %nd Hall. Auckland. 17. Tries by List, Clarke. L. Scott. Seagrar, Hardgrrave and a goal by Peckham. NORTH ISLAND TEAM INCLUDES THREE SOUTH AUCKLANDERS The following team was selected by ; Messrs. M. Wilson. E. V. Fox and T. Tuohey, at the conclusion of the South j Auckland v. Auckland League match yesterday to represent the Xorth Island in the inter-island game at Carlaw Park on Saturday next: Fullback.—C. Duftv. Threequar»*rs.—Hardgrave. Brisbane. S. Raynor (South Auckland). Five-eighths.—Wetherill, Prentice. Halfback.—Delgrosso. Forwards.—A. Scott. Timms (South Auckland), Hutt, Trevatta (South Auckland). Somers. J. O’Brien. Reserves.—Forwards: Hall, Stephenson (Huntly), Payne. Backs: Seagar, L. Scott. Inst, Peckham. All players must attend at Carlaw Park this evening. Any player not available is requested to notify Mr. T. Touhey. __________________