SATURDAY’S FIELD SPORTS—THE GAMES REVIEWED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1023, 14 July 1930, Page 6

SATURDAY’S FIELD SPORTS—THE GAMES REVIEWED

Fast Backs Triumph

AUCKLAND BEATS THAMES A One-Sided Tryout THE representative Rugby clash, in which Auckland overwhelmed Thames by 40 points to 3 at Eden Park on Saturday, was deeply disappointing as a trial of the province’s strength for the match against Britain next Saturday. Auckland so dominated the game, both in the forwards and backs, although it was in the latter department the superiority was so pronounced, and the scoring so onesided. that form on the day could not be accepted in weighing up the relative merits of the home fifteen. The weakness of the opposition helped to accentuate the winner’s combination.

The heavy, fast Auckland pack infused great dash into its play for threequarters of the game, going great guns in smashing, dribbling breakaways from line-outs and scrums, and fast following tip, but the rapidly mounting score caused it to ease up in the final quarter. Its form in the loose was marked by a fine degree of combination, but the packing in the scrum work was not so impressive The hookers, Hadley and Palmer, certainly whisked the ball out with celerity and precision from nine out of ten scrums, but it did not seem that every ounce of weight was exerted immediately the ball went in. Outstanding for their fine dribbling and consistency in following up and smothering of the Thames backs were the backrankers, W. Batty and A. Finlayson, the latter, in particular, showing fine dash and unflagging energy. Laurie Knight was generally close up with them, and used his weight to good advantage in coming through the ruck. McWilliams was always in the tight stuff, and close handy to support the faster breakaways. The speed of the Auckland backs completely dazzled the visitors, who were unable to counteract the chain passing movements, which outpaced them. Lucas excelled himself and inspired the Auckland rearguard with his sparkling, jinky penetrative bursts of speed, that paved the way for his wings to score. The Auckland skipper played a game out of the box. his cutting-in making him extremely dangerous on attack. He scored one pretty try by flashing through an opening, leaving the opposing backs standing. He was awarded another try despite the fact that he knockedon so palpably that even the most partisan supporters were astounded. Corner was always round behind the scrum. He set his backs in action with crisp, well-directed passes, and occasionally varied his tactics nicely with speedy bursts round the scrums. He was sound on defence. His fine record of five .conversions, in the same number of kicks at goal—true, the majority were under the posts—is a strong argument in favour of his being given the short kicks near the goal iigainst Britain on Saturday. At second five-eighth, Haslam justified his selection fairly well. He handled well, and although inclined to be slow in getting off the mark, and showed judgment in the latter stages of the games in cutting in, although he seemed nervous about doing so. On defence he was sound. Both wings Minns and Hook, played datJ?»<*gly, despite the fact that they were watched with the utmost care. The Varsity flyer electrified the crowd with his speedy breaks on several occasions, scoring twice, while Hook, whose running was trickier, registered three. Butler made several mistakes in fielding during the day, though on the whole he gave a fairly good performance, his line-kicking being good. Thames forwards, although heavy, lacked combination, and against the fast-breaking Auckland forwards had few chances of attacking. Their sorties were spasmodic and were largely individual, and not supported by the rest of the pack, who, generally, lacked the speed of their opponents. In the tight work .the Thames forwards worked hard, Lomas and Winder, the burly lock, doing their best. The most consistent worker was W. Percy, whose fast breakaways and following up made him prominent in the loose work. He was backed up to some extent by W. Brunton. who, as rover, played soundly. The defence of the Thames backs was weak, although admittedly the Aucklanders largely outpaced them. Arthur, the second five-eighth, showed commendable penetrative dash on several occasions in the latter stages of the game, and he made the opening for Thames’s only try, which Dufty scored. Dufty. at centre, was a good forward lost in the position, although he gave a fairly good performance. Outstanding performance of the day was Buchan’s exhibition at fullback. Ho fielded the greasy ball with unerring accuracy and invariably found touch, saving his line on several occasions. His performance on day was infinitely better than that of his vis-a-vis. Mr. Kronfeld was referee. SOUTH TOO GOOD B REPS. BEATEN FORE AND AFT WINNER’S GREAT PACK On the form shown against Auckland B on Saturday, South Auckland is entitled to claim a match against the City’s A representatives this season South was better in both forwards and backs than the B team, and, further, was even better than the score of 12 to 6 would indicate. The match was played at Pukekohe, on a flrrp ground, and before quite a large crowd. South dominated the play for three parts of the game, and it was attractive Rugby. The visiting backs threw the ball about smartly, and gave a pretty exhibition of tricky passing at times, but the movements lacked penetration, and the side rarely looked dangerous. Both tries scored by Auckland were the result of fast following up by the forwards. South’s pack was really the deciding factor of the day. The forwards’ game was kept fairly tight, and. as the Auckland scrummagers would not pack. South was allowed to do much as it wished. The visiting forwards showed up better in the loose, thanks to the efforts of one or two keen players, by t there, too. South was superior. South’s backs were more impressive also, although the fact that they were playing behind a winning pack, and had plenty of room to move in, was partly responsible for the excellent showing they 'put up. It may be argued that the B team had never played as a team before, but the same thing applied to the Southerners. There was not one passenger among the South forwards, although Cathcart appeared to take the game very easily. Keary was the pack leader. He worked mightily in the tight, and played havoc with the Auckland backs, who were forced to play a defensiye game. Stanford and Perfect were not far behind

Keary. and the three made an impressive trio. As rover, Pleydell had it all over Potter, who sometimes appeared at a loss to understand the rather mysterious scrum rulings of the referee, Mr. J. Leslie. Behind the South scrum, Moyle was very sound. He got the hall away smartly, and kicked with judgment on the few occasions when he was called upon to show his defensive ability. Cossey, who was shifted in from second to first five-eighth in the second half, was the best of the insides. He ran straight, and with plenty of thrust. Wood, the other five-eighth, was a useful man, though rather inclined to starve liis threequarter line, which was full of dash and fire. Lawrie, the ex-Train-ing College threequarter, played centre. Although versatile and nippy, he was not the player he was at the beginning of last season, and he made some bad mistakes. He also dropped a few good passes. Fallows, on the Aving, was a speed merchant, but he also exploited a handy cut-in. Always dangerous when he was near the line, the speedy Southerner had to be watched all the time, or he would be off the mark like a flash and away.

Both fullbacks, though tackling and handling well, suffered from the same complaint. They tried to dQ too much on their own, and were frequently caught in possesion. There was more excuse in this respect for the Aucklander, Pickering, who is ordinarily a centre-tlireequarter. Rcrridge was tfaa star of the Auckland backs, playing a wonderful defensive game. On attack, however, he was inclined to be selfish. After two attempts to sell dummies to the alert South backs had failed, he still had not learned his lesson. and insisted on repeating the experiment, being caught almost every time. However, it was undoubtedly the cleverness of Berridge on defence that saved Auckland from a considerably more substantial fnargin than six points. Compelled to play a defensive game, the Auckland backs were not seen at their best. Jones showed that he could turn on some startling runs when given the chance, but although it was not altogether his fault, his play on the day was poor. The same applied to Couper, on the other wing. Connolly and Weir were solid and fairly sound on defence, but showed littlo enterprise. The halfback, Conway. played a dashing game, but overdid short kicks, which gave the South backs possession in times that were dangerous. The pack was the big disappointment. The only two forwards who Ayorked really hard Avere Douglas and Satherley, Avho scored Auckland’s two tries as the result of fast following up. SACRED HEART NEARLY SPRINGS SURPRISE KING’S HAS NARROW WIN Sacred Heart almost gained a surprise win over King's College at the Tykes’ home ground. By keeping the play as tight as possible the blue forwards enabled their side to run up nine points to King’s 11. f Throughout the game it Avas King’s backs versus Sacred Heart forwards. The maroon rearguard was combining Avith three times the efficiency it showed against Auckland Grammar a fortnight ago, and tAvo of its units— HoAvden, first five-eighth, and Caughey, centre —gaA'e Avonderful individual exhibitions. The Sacred Heart forAvards Avero led in merit by S. Smith and Kavanagh, and the very best tactics were used. The Blues tried all the time to keep the b?Pll on" the ground. When they did so they overran King’s. Not that there Avere no bright flashes among the Sacred Heart backs. Holt made a game halfback, and K. Smith Avas consistently good. Sacred Heart’s last try, Avhen McKewon, Aving, intercepted and sent K. Smith" away to score, displayed admirable cohesion. The Avhole side tackled beautifully. King’s started Avith a rush, scoring from practically the initial movement. It Avas unlucky in not notching another try a minute later. Macindoe —Avho was playing a grand and gallant game behind the maroon scrum—got the ball away from a lineout. Howden made mince-meat of his man before sending to Lewis, Avho passed on to Caughey. Everything . Avas in order for an easy try. Caughey certaftily had no difficulty in getting across—but he ran over the dead-ball line Sacred Heart scored tAvice, Kavanagh diving over from a forward scramble each time. Toward the end of the third quarter King’s, which was having slightly the better of the scrums proper, hooked. The ball went out to Caughey. He didn't bother about sending it farther, and pierced the defence like a knife, putting in a 50 yards' run to reach the corner. Sacred Heart rallied, but the territorial advantage varied continually. HoAvden made a penetrating dash and was AA'ell tackled. Shortly afterAvard K. Smith scored the try already referred to, giving Sacred Heart a lead of one point. King’s began a determined offensive and one try Avould have folloAved if Jackson had been supported. Another chance failed Avhen Petrv hurled himself at Caughey’s heels. Richardson, Avho obtained King’s first score, Avas nearly over again, and a free kick Avas gi\ r en the Maroons, on the sideline fairly far back. Coles succeeded with a great effort, and the game ended. Mr. Fowler was the referee. MT. ALBERT’S NARROW WIN Though Takapuna Grammar did, if anything, more than its share of the attacking, it went down to Mount Albert by 12 points to 3 at - the Devonport Domain. Takapuna dominated the first quarter and Eade nearly got across on the end of a neat passing movement among the backs. Early in the second quarter Mount Albert sent the ball over Takapuna’s line, but Buckley beat y.eid for a touchdown. Mount Albert heeled from a scrum and the ball A\ r ent out to Spence, Avho potted cleverly. Half-time score: Mount Al-

bert 4, Takapuna 0. Shortly after the resumption Eade missed a good chance A\ r itli a penalty. Mount Albert succeeded again, Fostei' scoring and Storey converting. The Light Blues pressed in the last quarter and Horan got across far out. Fletcher’s kick missed. As the game neared its close Kidd made an opening and sent to Buckley to Warren. The Aving tore away and scored in the corner. Eade’s kick missed. Final score: Mount Albert 12, Takapuna 3. Mr. E. C. Stretton A\ r as the refereee. PRIMARY SCHOOL REPS. TEAMS FOR FINAL TRIAL The folloAving are the teams for the final trial to be played at Eden Park on Wednesday next at 2.30, for the selection of the Auckland Primary Schools’ Rugby representatives: A Team.—Riggins, Dyer. Coyle, McGregor, Bain, Hastings, Mitchell, Greenwood, Kronfeld, Boyle, BroAvn. Skelton, Hasted, Knight, Fenton. B Team.—Pulman, Martin, Patrick, Wilkins, Mason, Carnachan, Morris, Busfield, Batty, Brown, Whitcombe, Ginn, Knock, Coyle, Vicary. Emergencies for both teams.—Sutton, White, Tuck. CHARITY MATCH A charity football match Avas played between teams representing the Otahuhu Returned Soldiers’ Social Club and the Passenger Transport Company at Sturges Park on Saturday. The proceeds, which aro expected ot exceed £3O, av ill be devoted to relieving distressed returned soldiers in the Otahuhu-Papatoetoc district. Prior to tho match, the teams, headed by the Papatoetoe Town Band, marched In fancy dress to the scene of battle. After a very evenly-contested game in the mud, the final whistle sounded with honours even, six point all. Mr. Ron. Nelson AVas referee. POPULAR WIN ALF. CLARK’S STEEPLECHASE TRIUMPH GOOD ATHLETICS HANDICAPS The triumph of Alt'. Clark in the steeplechase in the Domain on Saturday was one of tho most popular Avins of the season of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Norman Cooper has assumed J. W. Savidan’s place as the runner of fastest time, and Stan Thomas continues to find a place at the tape. Clark has been perhaps the most consistent starter in all cA-onts this season, and lias hitherto filled only minor places. He trains conscientiously and runs consistently. Though he Avas on the limit mark, he made a lino race of it, maintaining the same lead for three laps, and putting up a great fight Avith the stronger runners over the last half lap. Tho “baby” of tlfe club, G. A. Hill, Avho pulled off this event as a complete surprise some weeks ago, looked like a place-getter for a good part of the journey, and Avas going well at tho finish, just behind the third man. J. Dowle followed him in. After one lap had been covered Clark led by 200 yards from tho next bunch, with BroAvne and Cooper bringing up the rear. The second time past the stand, the same man led, followed at 180 yards by DoAvle, Henry, Hill and Thomas in that order The last tAA'o men were still pacing each other. The .next time round the first four runners Avere the same, Avith Thomas 20 yards behind, and Cooper close up. Over the last hill Clark led by 100 yards from Doavlo and Hill, Avith Thomas 10 yards back, leading Cooper by the same ’distance. At the finish Clark Avas 40 yards ahead of Thomas, Avho beat Cooper by 10 yards. Good fields demanded lour heats in tho sprint event, and the finishes \Aere a compliment to the liandicapper. The Avinner of the final, R. C. Willey, Avas the only one Avho was distinctly away from the bunch. The eight finalists Avere within four yards of one another at the tape. E. C. Wooller won the shot-put, and T. E. Henry the discus throw. In these events also, the handicaps of the placed men Avere Avell considered. The results are as fqlloAv: 75Vds Handicap.—First heat: R. G. KirkAvood (Syds), 1; A. Hogg (11yds), 2. Second heat: R. C. Willey (6yds), 1; L. Adams (14iyds), 2. Third heat: R. L. SteAvart (10yds), 1; V. R. Walker (2£yds), 2. Fourth heat: J. W. Turnbull (10yds), 1; E. J. Wheeler (11yds), 2.' Final: R. C. Willey, 1; R. L. Stewart, 2: E. J. Wheeler, 3. Time, 7 4-ssec. Two Miles Steeplechase Handicap.—A. Clark (135 sec), 1; E. S. Thomas (45sec). 2: N. C. Cooper (scr), 3. Times: 14m 10s. 12m 44s (Cooper’s time), 11m 555. Putting the Shot Handicap.—E. C. Wooller (7ft 6in), 35ft Bin, 1; E. J. Wheeler (Sft 3in), 35ft Sin, 2; L. C. Barker (Bft), and E. S. Thomas (10ft), 35ft 4in, 3. Throwing the Discus Handicap.—T. E. Henry (56ft), 118 ft lin, 1; F. L. 'Adams (64ft), 115 ft Sin, 2; J. Lynch (27ft) and G. T. Mitchell (49ft), 114 ft. 3. CLAY-BIRD SHOOTING Tho Metropolitan Gun Club held a shoot on its grounds at Otahuhu on Saturday. In spite of threatening Aveather there Avas a large attendance of shooters and some good scoring Avas recorded. Results Avere: No. 1 Match of 7 birds, sweepstake.— J. Donnelly (15yds), L. F. Ramsay (14yds), J. C. Whitney (13yds), W. E. Parry (11yds), M. Delicli (14yds), G. F. Keene (14yds), F. Ivay-Stratton (13yds), each shot the possible and divided the stake. No. 2 Match, of 15 birds, for a trophy donated by Mr. C. G. Reeve.—L. Peterson (14yds), E. J. Sohofield (14yds), L. F. Ramsey (15yds), M. Delich (15yds), H. E. Knight (14yds), and L. J. Stent (14yds), tied with 14 each. In the shootoff for the trophy, 5 birds each, Delich won with 5, Peterson, Schofield, Ramsey ■ and S,tent securing 4 each. No. 3 Match, of 7 birds, gimcrack.— L. J. Stent and A. E. Macredie diA'ided the prize Avith 7 each. E. J. Schofield, L. F. Ramsey, J Milne, D. Hyauiason got 6 each. In presenting the trophy to the winner, Mr. W. E. Parry, M.P., commented on the high standard of the shooting. The next shoot. Avill be held on August 2. When your muscles aelie and joints pain, that's the time for ELLIMAN’S EMBROCATION. Sprains, strains, aches and pains disappear.—7.