CITY’S DEFEAT A TALE OF LOST OPPORTUNITIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 673, 27 May 1929, Page 6

CITY’S DEFEAT A TALE OF LOST OPPORTUNITIES

NEWTON BACK TO FORM City was decidedly unlucky in its match against Newton on Saturday. It would be hard to support an argument that City should have won, but a draw might have been a fairer criterion than a five-point win to the Red and Whites. City certainly had more than its share of bad luck, but at the same time, Newton must get credit for the way it made full use of its opportunities. City’s forwards were better than Newton in the tight,

but when it came to fast open field work, Hall, Rhodes and Francis put it all over City.

Hall and. Rhodes especially were like lighting to take advantage of an opening. And when they had put the ball out to those little dazzlers, Brimble, Hardgrave and Little, the only thing left to do was for the little boy on the telegraph board to reach out for another number plate. BACKS DO BETTER

City’s backs went better together. The experiment of bringing Watene up to centre was an unqua.lified success. The tali Maori boy scored a try, and kicked three goals—nine out of twelve points for his side. Right at the finish, he nearly gave Joe Hadley another, but the pass was dropped witli everything in the balance. A minute or two before, I-lall lost a golden opportunity through hanging on too long, and earlier in the spell Laurie Barchard nearly gave Newton a try by attempting to kick behind the l«ne. Little things like these mean a great deal when the result of a game is see-sawing back and forward. The City “heads’’ will have to see that these blunders at critical stages of the game are eliminated.

Dufty and Watene were outstanding in their particular roles. W’atene’s job was to ginger up the passing chain on attack, and he did it well. Dufty wants a few more games to reach his best form. A kick on the leg earlier in the game may have affected him, however. His kicking was excellent, and he was always in his place. His four goals were a big factor in Newto/i’s success.

Brimble looks like becoming a little champion. He has a torrent of speed when lie gets away, and the one big chance he got, he took with the speed, dash and brilliance of Wetherill at his best.

Joe Hadley led his side in workmanlike style. Hamilton is rapidly playing his way to the top. He may give the selectors some hard thinking later Match Summary.—Newton (tries by Hardgrave, Little and Rhodes, four goals by Dufty), 17 points; City (tries by Watene and Reynolds, three goals by Watene), 12 points.