LEAGUE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17169, 3 August 1927, Page 11

LEAGUE.

SATURDAY’S PLAY. FRANKTON DEFEAT ITUNTLY. ATHLETICS’ EASY WIN. (By “Verax.") Tdie biggest surprise of the year came with Frankton’s defeat of I-luntly at I-linemoa Park on Saturday. Though Hurltly did not field their strongest thirteen, the deficiency wa-s more than equalised by Frankton playing two men short. Frankton’s success lay in their forward play. By keeping the ball at their feet and closely following up, the home team went over twice in the first spell. Huntly made the mistake of throwing the hail about and hoping to. overshadow their opponents by their superior back tactics. The homo team dominated the game throughout and their win was a welldeserved one. For Frankton the backs played a brilliant game, S. Muir winning Ihe-game for his side with his fine kicking. 7’hc forwards combined well -and took up to the bigger pack with great fortitude. The Huntly backs never seemed to get moving properly, and when they did the deadly tackling of Frankton stemmed their advance. 7’he forwards did not.put up a creditable .performance considering the small pack against them, playing their poorest game to date. Mr Perry controlled the game with ability. Athletics’ Decisive Win. At Victoria Park, Auckland, on No. 1 ground, Hamilton Athletics scored an easy and decisive victory over Richmond seconds. Mr Hill, who refereed tiie game, aptly described it as one of tiie finest exhibitions of the code that lie has witnessed in his long term of association with League. 7’he visitors in every phase of the game showed a marked superiority in attack and defence. 7’hcir handling and passing were a treat to watch, and the sure tackling let little past them. The precision with which passing movement after movement was launched roused tiie enthusiasm of the 3000. spectators to fever heat. The visitors established their -popularity with the crowd by the absence of kicking'and opened up the game, making it a race from .start to finish.

OTlalloran, at full, was ever safe in his position, and did not let much past him. A. Taylor, centre, put up a brilliant exhibition. His excellent kicking was responsible for all the converted tries, compiling 13 out of the 22 points on his own account. Bath and Richie, on the wings, made full use of their opportunities, using their pace to advantage. Quinn and Childs at five-eighths combined well and were a constant thorn in their opponents’ side, their passing and cutting in being a feature of the game.

Vernall, at half, played his best game to date on attack and defence, his snappy passes keeping his back line constantly moving. In the forwards Shaw, at breakaway, was responsible for many openings, and found his posilion on Saturday.

Spencer and Hyland, the second row men, did great work in the pack, Silencer’s try being a fine effort. McCormack, Sutton (capl.) and Woodhall were right on their game, throwing the leather around in dashing style.

Needless to say Sutton had full command of the ball from thcTpack and starved the opposition hacks. Mr Hill was referee.

Athletics Team Entertained

Whilst in Auckland the Athletics

team were the guests of the Richmond Club, who saw to'it that the visitors enjoyed their brief visit. The programme took the form of a smoke concert on Saturday night and a bus drive on Sunday afternoon. At the smoke concert tribute was paid by the chairman to the excellent performance put up by the visiting team.

The musical programme was contributed by members of the two teams and outside talent.