LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17409, 23 May 1928, Page 4

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

south Auckland play. THREE SENIOR TEAMS LEVEL. . NOTES AND COMMENTS. f l',y "Verax.") 'Hi*, first round of the Srnrth Auckland Rugby League scalar competition was brought to a. clone last Saturday when Taupiri r/wfc and defeated Iluntly, last year's champions, by the narnow margin of one paint, and Hamilton disposed of Ngfiruawahia by ton points. Tauplrl's Success. The Taupiri v. Huntly match provided a thrilling contest, from start to finish and some fine football was witnessed from both teams. Jones, of Huntly, .scored the only points in the j first spell, and the half time bell sounded with Iluotly holding a three point lead. In the second spell both •teams settled down to their work right away, and each battled hard for supremacy. Huntly added a further three points 'to their total when Paki dived over the line. But Buff came j to light with a try for Taupiri, which i Sherlock converted, and the latter | player kicked a penalty, which gave Taupiri their one point victory. HAMILTON BEAT NGAKUAWAHIA. The Hamilton team journeyed to Ngaruawahia to play their match, and the thirteen of the Delta township pat up a very stubborn fight in the first half. AiLhough the visitors held a four point lead when the halftime bell was sounded, honours were j very even on the run of play. When the second spell opened opened HamilI ton went to the attack, and were not j long in adding to their total. The I visitors had all the best of the second spell and ran out comfortable winners.

j Home Team's Display. | Is'garuawahia played some very nice j football at times. They have a very I capable leader and good sportsman in Joe Menzies, whose football days are far from over. He played a very good game right through, and was a tower : of strength to his team. Abbott, their half, was injured just before the game ended. i Hamilton's Improvement. j The Hamilton team have greatly I improved their standard of football. J They have settled down to a proper | training system, which had a lot to do i with their comfortable win last Saturj day. There are"still"a few minor adjustments to make, but under the ! careful eye of -Mr Worth, their coach, : these matters will be speedily adjusted. The team underwent a few changes for Saturday's game. S, Muir came up to first five-eighth to replace Taylor, who was injured the previous Saturday. J. Hines slipped out for his first game in S. Muir's place, and L. Muir replaced Astlc on the wing, the latter player taking his place in the pack, and G. Quinn replaced Watts in the pack. Jack Hines, a custodian for the Royal Blues, never put a foot wrong. His" srame right through was good. A. Taylor and L. Muir, on the wings, both have speed, which they made full use of. The former, when more accustomed to his new position, will make a good scoring man. Everest, at centre, played a solid game both on attack and defence and is a dangerous man when in possession of the ball. Hill, at second five-eighth, was solid, being quick to sec and to seize the openings. He combined well with his centre. S Muir. at first five-eighth, did not produce his best football in the first spell, but improyed later* in the game. C 'Vernall behind the pack, had his share of the ball but has not yet reached his last year's form and was a trifle slow last Saturday. The front row of the pack was a solid one. S. Hogg. T. Everest and Woodhall all used their weight to advantage.

The Vanguard Men. . Quin and Vcrnall, in the second row, did ttheir work well. The former was particularly prominent in the open and his try was a good one. \stle, at breakaway, made no mistakes His sure handling and speed enabled him to add six points to the Hamilton total. The results of last Saturdays matches leaves the senior competition very interesting as Hamilton, Huntly and Taupiri are on even terms in the points table. GAME FOR SATURDAY. Great interest is being taken in the Huntly v. Hamilton match which is to he plavcd at Hinemoa Park next Saturday ' Hamilton are very keen to hold •the'lead and Mr E. Worth, their coach, is leavina- no stone unturned to see that his team are fit when they lake the field against last year's champions. WSTH THE JUNIORS. The Hamilton juniors for their first game put up a good tight against Ngaruawabia juniors. The first spell ended in their favour, 3 —o. In the second spell the Delta learn held the •vdvantagc There are the makings of some good players among-1110 local juniors when they become more accustomed to the cod,. They hove capable leaders in Prince and J. Muit.