WIN FOR TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1935, Page 4

WIN FOR TARANAKI

BRIGHT LEAGUE MATCH SOUTH AUCKLAND BEATEN FINE WORK BY FORWARDS C. HUNT’S SPLENDID GAME Showing finer combination and a greater ability to snap up opportunities than its opponents, the Taranaki Rugby League’s representative team defeated South Auckland by 20 points to 8 at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, on Saturday. Tatanaki scored four tries, two converted, a penalty goal and a field goal, to two tries, one converted. • Opening the game at a fast pace, Taranaki quickly took the lead and ran up 18 points to 3in the first sqpll. W. Lewis was in fine fettle on the wing, and by powerful running scored three tries. In the second spell South Auckland held the advantage for long periods, and lack of finish only prevented more scoring, though Taranaki’s defence never wavered. The only break came when Pawson flashed through an opening. The final score of the game was a splendid field goal kicked by Hunt. , As a League centre, South Auckland is considerably older than Taranaki, and the sides produced in the district in the past five years have been among the best in New Zealand. Taranaki’s _ performance in winning by so decisive a margin was therefore really good. The Taranaki pack can take a good deal of credit for the win. Largely because of splendid hooking by Davison, the backs were given plenty of the ball. But it was not in the hooking alone that tlie pack shone. When penned within five yards of the line the Taranaki forwards were desperate in their defence and hunted after the ball in great style. They also handled and dribbled well, and all round were a solid set. L. Lewis and J. McLeod were outstanding, though McLeod was inclined to bO selfish. Burke and Tiplady were two others who followed the ball consistently. HUNT’S FINE DISPLAY. The star of the Taranaki backs was undoubtedly C. Hunt, the captain and full-back, who. gave a .display of North Island standard. . Handling marvellous; ly, tackling ferociously and showing great anticipation in opening up rushes, ■ he gave a polished display and saved his side time after time. His field goal from well put, and with a heavy ball, was a highlight. ; In' scoring his three tries W. Lewis showed great pace, the ability to bump off a man, and a good swerve. He was always dangerous with the ball, ana with greater opportunities would probably have scored more tries. Tamatea on the other wing showed cleverness in joining in With the five-eighths, and though starved, he played well. Bedford and Keogh were both good, • while Moorhead waS mainly responsible for the splendid service, especially in the first half. , , The South Auckland pack appeared heavier and taller than Taranaki’s, but it lacked the sparkle of the home team. Fleming, O’Brien and the captain, Trautvetter, a man of some reputation in League for years, were good workers. Definitely the most impressive man of the South Auckland side was Tittleton, a former New Zealand representative and an amazingly fast man. In the first spell he was always dangerous, but in the second he was given few opportunities. Pitt, Pawson and Beadle were others to shine. 'Die game l was played on a heavy ground, which slowed play up considerably. A crowd of almost 1000 was present. -• The teams were:— ’ Taranaki: C. Hunt; Tamatea, Bedford, W. Lewis; Keogh, Arnold; Moorhead; Tiplady; McLeod, Scott; Burke, Davison, L. Lewis. • | South Auckland: Beadle; Tittleton, Pitt, Barakat; Pawson, Garry; Taylor; Fleming; Hilton, Hogan; O’Brien, McGilp, Trautvetter. ■ Play opened with each side being penalised for infringements. Taranaki s lino was in danger when a five yards scrum was ordered. The home side broke away, however, and a kick over the line caused Tittleton trouble. He cleared, but Tamatea fielded and a cross . kick resulted in Bedford picking up to score. He missed the kick. . South Auckland took . little time to equalise, a beautiful cut-in by Pitt giving the fast Tittleton an easy run in. He failed to convert. . .. DANGEROUS MOVE STOPPEDFrom 40 yards out and straight in front Bedford kicked a fine penalty goal, Tittieton a few minutes later and from a good position could not goal. Once Tittleton, in full cry for the line, was welt tackled by Hunt and a dangerous move stopped. From the twenty-five Moorhead set his backs off, and Lewis, receiving at the end of the line, avoided two tackles to score a great try near the posts, Bedford converted. ’ Bfeadle steamed off down the line, but hjs pass went forward and Taranaki returned play to half-way. Tamatea joined in as five-eighth when a Scrum was held near touch, and the extra man gave ’Lewis another splendid try. Bedford goaled. play ranged up and down in exciting exchanges, and Hunt failed with a dropkick atteinpt. Pitt, picking up behind, cleared, but McLeod, who received, initiated a passing movement and Bedford threw on to W. Lewis, who bullocked over. Bedford’s kick hit the post and bounced infield. Half-time came shortly afterwards, with the' scores Taranaki 18 South Auckland 3 A fast sideline dash by Tittieton looked .certain to yield a try, but Moorhead cams from the blue to collar him. A strong South Auckland forward rush met good defence and further attacks by South Auckland were broken in hard forward rucking. In one rush Garry was injured and retired, Shaw, who replaced, going to full-back and Pitt moving up. Play became considerably duller, and for a lor,g period hung in midfield. Then 3 '* W. Lewis went away on the wing, but without result, and a run by Fleming put South Auckland on the attack. Two free kicks resulted in hand rucking on the line. Fram a back movement Pawjujn cut through smartly and went over for a fine try. Pitt goaled. . Another strong run by W. Lewis was a feature, and as a result Taranaki held the attack on the South Auckland goal line. From a force-down Tittleton kicked straight downfield, and Hunt, receiving, ' kicked a beautiful goal. Ike game ended shortly afterwards with the scores:Taranaki South Auckland 8 " Mr, G. Hooker refereed.