LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17467, 30 July 1928, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

INTER-ISLAND game. EASY WIN, FOR NORTH. 44 POINTS TO « POINTS. , AUCKLAND, Saturday. In tte Inter-Island game here this afternoon North had a runaway victory over South to the tune of 44 points to 8 points. As an exposition of the code the play rarely rose to the heights associated with seine of the club games this season, hut it was a hard-gripping struggle, interspersed . with an occasional thrill and bright inter-play, with now and again the pretty passing game that appeals so much to spectators. It would be superfluous to say much about the fact that the better team won, and once again the fact was endorsed that the League standard of the 'North is a lons way ahead of the League .standard of the South- The Northerners, backing up with speed and doing unorthodox things, bewildered their opponents. As a demonstration of orthodox play the South gave a good exhibition, and a tribute, is due to their forwards, who played with wonderful buoyancy and chased every fleeting hope to the last ditch. Individually and collectively the North backs were superior, both in the swift covering defence which has become part and parcel of high-class back play, and in rapid'manoeuvres to get position for flnaiisation of scoring chances. Without saying it unkindly one would hesitate to swap any of the North Island backs for a South Islaudcr on the day's play. Individual Comment. Dui'ly, Welheriil and Dclgrosso ;North) all played up to the great iwklikc kind which will be wanted when the Hmglishrncn come. Hardgrave was the debounair scoring wing and showed great pace. Brisbane figuratively starred in the centre, the only slightly below par man being liaynpr, soundness personified in his way, but without the p-xec to carry him through that a rep. wing requires. It cannot be said that the North forwards were really impressive, and at I limes they seemed a bit up against it. j On the day the South pack wore the \ superior pack, clever Ja the light and .resolute in. the loose. O'Brien and Goodall were truly great, and on their play can scarcely be left out of any National side. But for the fact that they were dific'ierit in the finer points of the game, the South backs were quite promising. Behind good forwards Woods, the Canterbury half, played a Very bright game snei got the ball away well. The South Dve-cighths line couM not discover an inLidbte for swift covering defence, but Spiilane is the makings of a champion, .and one try he got was the most impressive solo event of the day. Ecki,D!'f was a splendid ail-rounder. Mason caught the fancy of the crowd by his rosolutc running, while Cordon Blazey •was the most impressive of the lot. This lithe, tail, fair-haired Soulh Islander captivated the affections of the crowd by his radiant tackling and the wonderful length that lie kicked- On the day he was second only to the one Dufty, and thai is paying the Otago crack a very high compliment. WIN FOR NGARUAWAHIA. The Ngaruawahia and Taupirl teams met on Saturday afternoon, when Ngaruawahia disposed of their opponents by 15 points to 8. CHRISTCHURCR. Marist 24, beat Woolston'7. Waimairi 20, beat Addington G. DUNEDIN. Christian Bros. 20, beat Pacific 10. Kaikorai 16, beat City 10. QUEENSLAND v. N.S.W. j VICTORY FOR THE FORMER. BRISBANE, July 29. . In a Rugby League match y islcrday, Queensland defeated New South Wales by 28 points to 17.