WIN FOR AUCKLAND B.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19121, 5 June 1934, Page 2

WIN FOR AUCKLAND B.

Thames Weak On Defence. BACKS SHOW POOR FORM. GAME LOST IN SECOND HALF. Conditions for football were ideal yesterday, when an Auckland B representative team met the Thames representatives at Rhodes Park and defeated them by 25 points to 14 in a fairly open game, and in which the superiority of the visiting backs was very marked in the later stages. There was a fair crowd of spectators. The game was more or less even, with tight forward play predominating, in the first spell, which ended with the local team in the lead by 6 points to 5. Auckland in the second half completely outplayed their opponents, and in the concluding stages piled on the points very quickly. Their passing was clean and accurate, in strong contrast to the efforts of the Thames rearguard, who also failed badly at tackling.

The local forwards were a match for the visitors in the loose work, but Auckland gained possession repeatedly in the scrums, and quickly took advantage of this by calling for scrums in preference to linoouts in the second half. Towards the close, lack of training was evident, and there were a few stragglers. Thames Backs Fail. The local backs were not impressive, individually or as an attacking combination, and their defence at times was woefully weak. The weakest member of the rearguard was Pickery, Avho could do nothing right, and the three-quarter line was by no means a happy combination. Stanaway and Hoyle made their debut as wingers, the former showing up best, but the weak tackling of the inside backs enabled the opposition to cut the defence to ribbons, and the wingers had very few chances. Goodwin at centre was inclined to hold on at times. Dufty made one or two smart moves, but his co-five-eighth was of no assistance to him whatever. Ake, behind the scrum, had a day off, some of his passes being very wild and costly. The positional play of the visitors was an object lesson to the Thames backs. Savage was sound at full-back, except for two mistakes, once when he slipped and missed an Auckland winger, and again when he allowed the centre to sell him the “dummy,” both times a try resulting. His kicking, both line and goal, was uncertain. Forwards Lack Training. In the forwards, Gordon, Barbalich and Smith were always prominent. The first-named kept up with the ball well, and showed the benefit of hard training. He scored a well-earned try. Smith, who hails from Coromandel and is a newcomer to Thames football, showed great promise, and was a tireless worker. Barbalich made a good showing. His try was also well deserved. A noticeable failing 1 of the local forwards was not packing in together in the tight play, Auckland frequently gaining an advantage in this manner. Lack of training also found the Thames men Avanting in the second spell. The Auckland backs, Avho Avere quick to turn defence into attack, ran through the team several times in the last half-hour, being greatly assisted by Aveak tackling. The visitors demonstrated their ability on attack by clever, quick passing and nippy running, though a sounder defence Avould have nipped many of their scoring movements in the bud. The Teams. Thames. —Savage; Hoyle, Goodwin, StanaAvay; Dufty, Pickery; Ake; Smith (Coromandel), McLoughlin, Barbalich, Gordon, J. Robson, E. Robson, Russek, Percy. Auckland. —Paton; Buckley, Pearson, BroAvn; Slyfield, Brimble; Aro; Scarborough, Thomas, Batty, Hardie, Kereopa, Organ, Morgan, Drake. The Play. Thames kicked off against the sun and their opponents quickly broke through, Hoyle saving by running round by the posts and finding the line. Scrums Avere frequent, Auckland securing the ball on nearly every occasion. Offside play at their 25 cost Thames a penalty, which Slyfield missed. Neat passing by the visiting backs after the drop-out suav Buckley score Avel] out, Slyfield converting. Auckland 5, Thames 0. Led by McLoughlin and Gordon, with Ake in attendance, the local men sAvept upfield, a forward pass spoiling the effort. Several Thames attacks were spoiled by mistakes, and Hoyle failed Avith an attempt at a field goal. Gordon and Barbalich then led the local fonvards to the line, the latter touching doAAm avcll out. Savage’s kick failed. Auckland 5, Thames 3. The local men kept pressing, but their efforts Avere nullified by faulty handling. A good run by Goodwin and Stanaway enabled the latter to scoi*e near the touch-line, Dufty failing to convert. Thames 6, Auckland §. The visitors were penned in their

25 except for an occasional breakaAvay until half-time. Second Spell. The local vanguard attacked hard on the resumption of play. The Auckland backs secured the ball at halfAvay, Pearson breaking through and transferring to Buckley, ran round and scored near the posts. Patou’s kick failed. Auckland 8, Thames 6.

Dribbling by the visiting backs had Thames in trouble, and bad tackling jenabled Pearson ,to run through and score under the posts, Paton again failing to convert. Auckland 11, Thames 6.

Play sloAved doAvn considerably, with both sides making occasional sorties. Outside the Thames 25 Buckley secured and passed to Aro, who ran through easily to score well out. Paton’s kick failed. Auckland 14, Thames 6. The Thames forwards followed up the kick-off, and Gordon- scored, Savage converting. Auckland 14, Thames 11. Immediately Auckland retaliated, the fonvards breaking through and Drake scored. Paton’s kick missed, Auckland 17, Thames 11. Play became tighter and Savage Avas caught in possession, Goodwin stopping the Auckland rush Avith a good tackle. Losoe nicking by the local forwards, with Russek and Barbalich in the lead, brought them to Auckland’s line, Avhere Russek scored close to the posts. Savage’s kick failed. Auckland 17, Thames 14. Gordon and Smith cleared after a tussle in front of Thames’ goal. Savage failed with a penalty kick ten y;ards inside the halfway line. The visitors’ forwards rucked upfield, Hardie and Thomas taking the ball over for the latter to score under the posts. Paton converted. Auckland 22, Thames 14. Thames went to Auckland’s territory, where Ake drew the defence' but slipped when attempting a field goal. Dufty failed to drop-kick a penalty, and Auckland turned defence into attack, ■ causing Thames to force. After a series of scrums at halfAvay Buckley, Drake and Morgan combined in a passing movement Avhich ended in Morgan scoring in the corner. Paton’s kick missed, and the game ended: Auckland 25, Thames 11. Mr. G. Buchan Avas referee. JUNIOR REPS. WIN. As a curtain-raiser to the big match the Junior Representatives played The Rest, the former winning by 14 points to 6. For the reps., A. Thorn, S. Thorn and Coxhead scored tries, S. Thorn kicking a penalty goal and converting 0110 try. For The Rest, Coiner kicked lavo penalty goals.