THE LEAGUE MATCH

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14168, 19 September 1919, Page 3

THE LEAGUE MATCH

AUSTRAL!A v. LOWER WA,KfITOGREAT PASSING BY VISIT* 0118, WIN BY 58 POINTS TO 15. That great interest was manifested in the visit of the Australian team o'f League footballers to Hamilton was indicated by the fine attendance of the public at Steele Park yesterday afternoon, when they played the representatives of the Lower Waikato. About 2000 people were present, the takings at the gate totalling £63 10s 6d. It was not anticipated that Lower Waikato. would put up any serious opposition to the visitors. Expectations were fulfilled, as the runaway score of 58 points to 5 in Australia's favour indicates. Ground and ball conditions were both good, but there was a breeze blowing that, effectively used, was of aid to the side defending the southern goal. As a combination the home side were practically a nullity, but they tackled well and individually shone up at times. It was in the second spell of the game, when they scored 42 points, that the Australians were seen at their best. The way in which they threw the ball about, opened up attack from all or any area of the convincing ground, and carried play on in combined effort was really exhilarating. Halloway, Norman and Gilbert, wi'th Verst to finish off the efforts frequently, were a great combination among Australia's rearguard, but the forwards frequently came into the passing picture. Every man in the team, with the exception of one, was concerned in the points' gathering at one time or another. Peckham, the ; half-back, was the outstanding man of the home side, while Waring shone up frequently in the forwards. Although the score was markedly one-sided, the public thoroughly enjoyed the many movements of the Australains in action. The teams were:—

Australia: Pull-back, T. Sweeney; three-quarters, R. Vest, R. Norman, J. Robinson, W. Paten; five-eighth, G. Thorogood; half-back, A. Holloway; forwards, F. Ryan, G. Prentice, N. Potter, J. Kerwick, R. Townsend, R. Latta. Lower Waikato: Full-back, Tonga Mahutu; three-quarters, B. Paki, A. Rayner, T. Littlewoodi; five-eighths, W. Paki, S. Wilson; half-back, W. Peckham; forwards, Morrison, W. Waring, S. Rayner, W. Donaldson, M. Allan, and W. Rayner. v THE PLAY. The home side won the toss, but played against a strong breeze. Australia had a marked advantage in weight. The home side went momentarily to the attack from Norman's kick out. Shortly the Australian backs opened up a passing movement, but Vest was stayed at the eastern half by a firm tackle. Heeling out, Holloway sent his men away, but Robinson dropped the pass. From a free-kick Mahuta had a shot, but the ball fell a long way short and. Sweeney's return placed the home side on the defensive. Waring led the home men in a forward rush, and Robinson was caught in endeavouring to clear, Vest having to kick out near the south-eastern corner to stem. Immediately Australia forced. Robinson and Paten worked a duo movement on resuming, but good tackling nailed the latter finally. Sweeney passed out to Vest, and the wing kicked. Australia swarmed to the attack. Holloway gathered from the ruck and fed Latta, who passed out to Vest, and the wing went over to score between the posts at the south-eastern corner. Thorogood failed with the kick—Australia 3, Lower Waikato 0.

The home side forwards set up a temporary attack. Holloway fed Paten at the western twenty-five, but the wing man failed to gather. Mahutu saved from a kick across by Norman. Australia was endeavouring to open up the play, but solid tackling met them. Thorogood, the Australian five-eighth, sustained a knock and retired, Gilbert replacing him. A second score came shortly. Norman cut through smartly and passed to Gilbert, who handed on to Robinson. The latter, with Vest supporting him, cut in and easily beat ,Mahutu, to score at the posts. Norman converted.—Australia 8, Lower Waikato 0. Mahutu stopped Vest well and Sweeney had a fruitless field-goal shot, just following. The home forwards rushed play up-fleld and Australia carried behind. A scrum was ordered at the goal front and Paki marked an ensuing kick. Wilson kicked the goal. —Lower Waikato 2, Australia 8. Australia were soon the contending force. From a scrum Holloway followed through behind his pack and gained much ground. A series of scrambling play followed, from which Vest eventually went over and scored. Norman's kick failed.'i—Australia 11, Lower Waikato 2,

The home half stopped Ryan with a solid tackle. By loose forward player? home side had a say in matters, Paki coming in later and heading a rush to Australia's 25, but Sweeney's kick again altered affairs. The handling of the Australian backs was not without blemish at this stage, and the home side profited. Australia returned inside a few minutes, and from a scrum under the home posts Holloway slipped through smartly. Norman goaled again.—Australia 16, Lower Waikato 2.

A great kick by Australia's full-back drove back the home men to their own line on resuming. There was a momentary, vim in the loose rush, follow through that placed Australia on the defence. A long shot at goal failed to bring grist to the mill, but the heme men kept up the pressure. Littlewood made a break through and passed to Waring, who just got the ball down as he was cannoned into the goal-post. Littlewood missed an easy shot as halftime was called.—Lower Waikato 5, Australia 16. THE SECOND SPELL.

Australia opened their scoring account early on the resumption of play with a great try, the result of a manoeuvre covering three parts of the field. At the north-western twentyfive, almost following the kick-off, Potter initiated it. He passed to Vest.who cut and passed to Latta. The ball travelled to Norman, to Townsend, who at the end of his sprint sent it on to Paten, and the wing scored in the south-east corner. It was a great movement. Sweeney's kick was good, but failed.—Australia 19, Lower Waikato 5.

The Australians were into their stride with a vengeance. Gilbert by a missed pass and Robinson with a knock-on both erred on resuming. A long kick forced Australia. Ryan was caught off-side, but Gilbert fielded Mahutu's kick, and Sweeney securing later made progress down the eastern touch with his kick. From a scrum Galloway whipped through on the short side and passed to Latta, who was over in a twinkling near the corner. Sweeney's kick failed.—Australia 22, Lower Waikato ;>.

A man in front.derived (be full benefit to the homo team id' the kick-out. Norman had possession shortly and fed Robinson, who handed mi to Gilbert, and the burly Australian dummied Hie opposition and raced down Hie west touch to score at Hie posts. Norman ~■,,,.,|,v i .—Australia 27, Lower Waikato r>. A kick Ihrruifih by Packhnm jrave Halloway his cue. and soon the backs were iMcinc dnwn-fhdd. Vest crosskicked when blocked, but a knock-on slaved the attack. From the scrum Robinson dropped the pass and a certain try went astray. Rayner broke away, but a mark held the home charge up. Gilbert and Ryan scampered away, with the rest of Australia on the move, , ■ ._ i .„,,„ \r. fn\n\ nnce hrnnirhf

I about Ryan's downfall for the time- ' • being:. Prentice then dodged briskly j l though from the last twenty-five and j passed to Latta, who scored unopposed under the posts.—Australia 32, Lower 1 Waikato 5.

j Prentice was again prominent in a : dodgy run to the east. From a scrum ! Halloway nipped the ball to Norman. Robinson was there for the transfer. WheJ 1 nis Progress was stayed he passed . a £ l,tin to Norman, who scored. Townsend / a 'led with the kick.—Australia 35, Lo\. ver Waikato 5. Australia was" Paying ducks and drakes with the opp'iP s,tlon now. Very occasional whiles the K. om e men would break away in solo moVb/nents. It made no difference to Australia.- Their own twenty-five was quite suited to open up attack from. Robinson broke clear and left Townsend and Ryan to carry on, the latter running in from the home 25. Prentice kicked the goal.—Australia 40, Lower Waikato 5. A succeeding attack by Australia was held up by a forward pass. The home men had a brief say when Peckham broke, away and Waring aided him in an effort which forced the opposition. From the half-way Halloway threw the ball out. Norman went on and Vest completed the movement, beating two men and running behind. Kerwick added the major points.—Australia 45, Lower Waikato 5.

As had been noticed previously, the home men were having a share in the ball from the scrum. From a rush pass-out in his own twenty-five Norman went forward at a fast clip and passed to Robinson, who scored behind the posts, Potter goaled.—Australia 50, Lower Waikato 5. From west to east the Australian attack spread itself, but tackling gave it its quietus for the time being. Again the short side commission was called, but Norman went out. From the scrum Halloway, Norman, Robertson and Vest handled, the wing getting right behind. Townsend missed an easy shot. —Australia 53, Lower Waikato 5.

The scoring was not all over. Halloway, Norman, Gilbert and Vest were shortly on the move. Vest shortkicked over the line and. in a mob forward rush to touch down Prentice got there first. Sweeney goaled as time was called, —'Australia 58, Lower Waikato 5.

Mr Thomson, of Auckland, was referee.