LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16873, 12 August 1926, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

OTAGO V S. AUCKLAND. REP. MATCH AT HINEMOA PARK. VICTORY FOR THE VISITORS. With Hie ground in splendid order, and. warm sunshine and clear sky, which attracted a g.ood muster of spectators, the Otago League touring team yesterday defeated South Auckland by 30 points to 12 at Hinemoa Park. Considering the few occasions on which the South Auckland representatives had played together this season, they played a remarkably good game, and although they had not the necessary polish to defeat the visitors, put up a dogged fight and kept their opponents busy. The teams lined out as follows: — Otago (blue and yellow).—Fullback, Sullivan; three-quarters, Oliver, Hansen, Davies; live-eighths, Eckoff, Webber; half, Jacobs; forwards, Rogers, J. O’Connor, Fitzgerald, Burring, Cameron, T. O’Connor. South Auckland (red, white and blue) —Full-back, N. McDonald; threequarters, Cutbush, Shaw, Lornie; fiveeighths, Jackson, Jackaways; half, Abbott; forwards, Hooper, Metcalf, Shirtcliffo, 11. McDonald, Finch, Allen. First Try to Visitors. Otago kicked off; playing with the sun in their eyes. They secured the early advantage and pushed play into South Auckland’s 25, but a smart kick out by Jackson gave temporary relief. Otago continued to attack, and from Eckoff, Cameron secured the hall and crossed the line. Eckoff kicked the goal and added another two points. Soutli Auckland retaliated with a concerted forward rush, and was unable to penetrate the Otago defence. After a period of midfield play Eckoff broke away, hut the pass out was fumbled. Otago continued to press, hut many spectacular smashing efforts were interrupted and went for naught. It looked as if South Auckland was to score, Jackaways breaking away, but he was without suppoit and unable to pass the Otago threequarters. Otago soon turned defence into attack, and for a while made things lively for South Auckland. From a five yards scrum the ball went out to Shaw, who broke away, hut he was brought down by the Otago full-back, Sullivan. Soutli Auckland attacked with vigour. From a breach by Otago a penally kick was taken by Cutbush. The shot, however, failed. Following up, South Auckland evened the scoring list.' Out of a fumble near the posts Jackson threw out to Shaw, who passed to Cutbush, the latter crossing over. Cutbush converted. Otago o, South Auckland 5. Play Made Willing.

South Auckland continued to press and made the game willing. Repeatedly, however, a player would fumble when a score was possible, and in this way many a promising movement failed and attack was changed into defence. Fast following up by Shirtcliffe, who threw out lo 11. McDonald, enabled South Auckland to secure another try, Cutbush converting. The ball coniinued to move up and down the field in fine style, the game first favouring one side and then the other. From a scrum in midfield Jackaways secured the ball and kicked out, but Sullivan marked and afforded a measure of relief to the visitors. The play went to the South Auckland end of the field, but a splendid kick out by the half, Abbott, cased the pressure. Otago broke away, Fitzgerald carrying play down the field, lie threw out to i\ O’Connor, who was brought down bv the South Auckland full-back when within an ace of crossing the line to score. Cutbush got the ball and kicked out and Soutli Auckland attacked, but made little headway. Half-time came a little later with South Auckland pressing solidly, and the scores were: South Auckland 10, Otago o. Otago Strikes Form. On play being resumed Otago attacked and Eckoff carried play to South Auckland territory. A series of forward rushes returned the ball to the other end of the field. Play see-sawed for some time, until Eckoff cut in to score after a sprint from half-way. ins kick fell short. Shortly afterwards Davies secured from Hansen, and after a brilliant run the length of the field scored a good try. Eckoff converted. South Auckland retaliated with a dangerous forward rush, but the hall was forced. A series of short passing bouts placed Otago on the offensive again, and T. O’Connor picked up and scored in- a good position. Eckoff failed to improve. An infringement by an Otago man gave he home side a chance, and Cutbush goaled. From the resumption of play Webber cut in and set Otago off again, but Jackson turned the' tables with a dash Sat took him to Otago’s line. Cameron cleared, and a good forward movement culminated in Jacobs crossing the line. His score was not improved. Oliver broke away and sprinted down the line, but was grassed by McDonald on th. line. Otago kept up the pressure and Rogers scored. The kick failed. Mi field play followed until Eckoff secured from a scrum and passed to \\ebbcr, Ivhcf scored „„(!«■ tho posts Sail,m kicked an easy goal. Jacobs set his backs going again, and a e» od ™ c ; rwnnt rnmiltod in Davies scoring. Eekoff’s kick just failed, and the final whistle sounded with he score: Otago 30, South Auckland 1~. Mr W. Perry >vas referee. COMMENTS ON THE PLAY. Otago’s overwhelming victory can bo attributed chiefly lo lack of form in the home side and superior play by the opposing backs. The opening exchanges saw South Auckland at then best and could they have kept up the pressure there would not have been the margin between Hie teams. However, towards the end of the first spell the pace began to tell, and while the forwards continued to play well the hack division was never really dangerous. Tho Otago team had the disadvantage of playing against the sun in the first spell which materially affected their play in the loose. On neither side was there any bright football in the first spell. After half-time the Otago men struck form and initiated a scries of passing movements that never left the issue of Ihc game in doubt for a moment. Tim forwards hooked cleanly, and although there were many wild passes, concerted back rushes tested the defence and found it wanting.