LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15320, 22 August 1923, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

JOTTINGS,

(By “Verax.”;

The South Auckland representatives successfully staved off the resolute challenge of Wellington last Saturday in a match that provided many thrills so characteristic of the League game. There was a large attendance at Steele Park when the teams lined out on the Held, and ,witli the playing area in surprisingly good condition, after heavy rain on Thursday and Friday, the crowd was expectant that the game would be of a sparkling nature. In this respect it was not disappointed, although the standard of play was not quite as high as it should have been. Probably this was accounted for in that many of the Wellingtonians had not played a game for nearly a month owing to weather conditions, whilst Saturday brought together for the lirst time this season the elect of South Auckland. Undoubtedly, both teams possess material, and a game or two makes a great difference in any combination. The first spell was spectacular, with fast, open football up and down the field, and with the score (12 —5) in favour of South Auckland at halftime, the second spell promised to he equally interesting. The home side, however, 'quickly added three more tries, then Wellington struck something like true form, and were busy attacking for a period, during which limy added six points by lino efforts on the part of Hedges and Brace. Hedges' try was particularly good —lie taking advantage of an opponent’s mistake, gathered the leather, and pushed through the defenders to place the ball over Ihe line without opposition. Wellington, at this lime, looked '.ike making a close finish, but good piay on the part of the homo forwards added two more tries, and at the final whistle tlie score board read 27—11. The game, however, was more closely

contested Itian Hie scores would ;n----dicalc. Jinking from Halimlny’s piay. Soulli Auckland will have to look to Ms laurels to retain Hint handsome Northern Union Cup tills year. As Klated above Hie material is lltere, and another game together should make a. great difference.

For Wellington. T. Balks, at full hack, gave a good display, tie fielded ilie ball and kicked splendidly, whilst his tackling was very sure.

A’amodl. and Brace (wing-three-quarters) both performed ably, Brace being the more noticeable of the two. He is fast, and his try in Hie second spell, when lie raced along Hie far side-line, was a well-deserved one. A’amodt is a very versatile player, and can lake his position anywhere in ihe back division. Smith, at centre, wa3

creditable, although lie was not in the limelight. F. Nunn (captain) and Stanford, botli five-eighths, were, with Balks, thc mainstay of the backs. Nunn was well watched by his opponents, still, nevertheless, put in much solid work, and with Stanford, kept South Auckland inside backs thinking. Kruse and IT. Nunn, together with F. Nunn, mentioned would have been a great combination had the two former been able to travel north. Hawthorne (at half) played a good, heady game, and got the bail away well to his backs. The forwards, although not brilliant, were a good tot, with Hedges the shining light. This player showed out right through the game, and more will yet he heard of him. For South Auckland, Tonga Mahuta (full back) was safe, but is much slower than last year. He was evidently short of a gallop or two, and his kicking was not up to the standard previously shown us.. D. Johnston outshone Whelan as a wing three-quarter. He lias the brilliancy needed in first-class football. His speed, swerving runs, and sharp punting cannot fail to bring results, lie should, however, curb the tendency to over-run his inside man—ills value to his team would be increased thereby. Whelan has weight, is a fast, strong runner, but failed to take many passes, and opportunities went abegging.

Jacques (at centre) came to light, and gave a further taste of his capabilities. This player has been a very consistent performer this season. Jackson and Stewart (five-eighths) were both nippy, an-d little fault can be found witli their play. Jackson, however, pleased most. Tim Peckham (at half) should have boon on the side-line. He was not fit, and a rest wou-ld have done him no harm. In the first spell he played well even if not with his customary dash. In the second half his leg “went” on bint, and thereafter he was a “lame duck.” Peckham Is diminutive, but fit and well it is doubtful if there is a more tricky or heady half plaving League in Now Zealand. The South Auckland forwards showed that they were fast, and knew how to handle the ball. Raynor, Payne, and Wilson were prominent throughout, and took advantage of every mistake by opponents. Neill, up till he was injured, was the best forward on the field. Gawn, who replaced him, had a day off, and made one or two bad mistakes. What was wrong with the goalkicking on Saturday? Balks and Hedges (Wellington) and Mahuta and Jacques (South Auckland) usually kick fine goals, but on Saturday 12 tries were scored, and not one converted.

Penalties were far too numerous last Saturday, the homo side infringing most. Over-eagerness should be cut out. Penalty goals are only two points each, but penalties have beaten a try-scoring side on numerous occasions. (

South Auckland will require to find a hooker before they meet Auckland. Six forwards are all right, but five first-class forwards and a hooker is a belter proposition. With a good set of backs a team depends on its hooker.

Jack (“Bluey”) Watkins, the Eastern Suburbs representative, lias been displaying form to make him the outstanding forward of the season in Sydney football circles. The gate takings at Saturday’s Cup game reached £7O. Considering counter attractions the attendance was a highly satisfactory one. The Auckland game, to be played next month, should draw the record gate of the season. .*•-

The Hamilton representatives will defend the Endean Shield against Cambridge at the latters headquarters on Saturday. Although they will be without the services of the representatives from the champion club of the season, Hamilton will, nevertheless, have a good side in action. The Cambridge thirteen is looking forward to the game and anticipate putting up a strong showing for the honours. The Wellington team was quietly confident that it would make a bold bid for the Northern Union Cup honours. However they found the holders a much stronger side than they had anticipated. “It will lake a crack thirteen to succeed against them,” one of the visitors remarked to the writer. On Saturday afternoon the champion club teams of Hamilton and Lower Waikato will meet. The game will be played at Ngaruawahia to which centre Frankton will travel and meet the home thirteen. The game promises to be evenly contested and, with fine weather and satisfactory conditions for handling, the play should be fast and open.

Iu conversation with the manager of the Wellington team during their visit to Hamilton, the writer learned that the' game was making steady strides in the capital city but the ■grounds question was a difficult one. Tlie league had two private grounds, one of which was at the Hutt. Only two dates in the season were available at the Basin reserve, which was the principal ground where a good “gate” could be secured. Mr Snow was very optimistic in regard to the future of the code in Wellington, despite the odds that had been and were still to be encountered.