LEADERS DRAW

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20892, 25 August 1939, Page 11

LEADERS DRAW

PRIMARY SCHOOLS RUGBY ROLLER MILLS SHIELD SERIES TWO AUCKLAND TEAMS MEET In spite of the fact that the teams had already experienced two days of strenuous football, strongly contested matches were witnessed at Rugby Park yesterday, when the primary schools Rugby competition for the Roller Mills Shield was continued. In the A section the two leading teams, Auckland Central and Auckland North, played an exciting draw, neither side registering points, and thus necessitating a replay today. Waipa beat the Hamilton substitute team by 14 points. The B section saw a drawn game played between Thames Valley and South Auckland, while Waikato beat Auckland East by five points. The results of Ihe games were:— A Section.—Auckland Central 0, Auckland North 0; Waipa 17, substitute leant 3. B Section.—Waikato 11, Auckland East ft; Thames Valley 6, South Auckland 6. As well as the replay between the two leading Auckland teams, South Auckland and Waikato, the leaders in the B section, will meet to-day and the winners will contest the final. Exciting Draw One of the most exciting encounters witnessed since the series commenced was between Auckland Central and the Shield holders, Auckland, North. The North backs were faster than their opponents and during the first 20 minutes pinned Central down to its goal line, but the defence stood. North failed to penetrate, and a penalty in a handy position was missed. When Central did eventually force the opposition in *o i ; tts own territory, faulty handling and blind passing militated against effective attacking tactics. North changed defence into attack on several occasions with faultless line-kicking. In the second half the game developed into a sterl ing battle with Central having slightly better of the play. North made a good attempt to effect a field goal but missed, and during the next few minutes a great tussle was witnessed with North making a gallant attempt to score. Shortly before the end Central relieved and took play to within inches of the North goal-line, but several efforts to cross were unsuccessful. The game ended in a draw with neither side registering points. Walpa’s Easy Win Weak handling by the backs and the fact that the forwards were giving away a good deal of weight in the scrum accounted for the Hamilton substitute team's defeat by Waipa. The Waipa backs were altogether superior and played outstanding football, cutting the opposition to ribbons. One or two breaks were made by the substitute team but its failure to penetrate and its lack of finish deprived it of points. At halftime Waipa was leading by 9 points to 3. During the second spell the substitutes rallied, but in spite of their efforts Waipa ran up a further 8 points and the game ended with Waipa the winner by 17 points to 3. Morris, Henwood. Crosedale and Drummond (2) scored for Waipa and George converted one. Shakeshaft kicked a penalty goal for substitutes. Waikato Superior Waikato showed a. considerable improvement on its form over the past few days when it beat Auckland East by 11 points to 6 in a hard-fought game. Throughout Waikato did most of the attacking and the forwards performed brilliantly in the loose, completely outclassing the Auckland division. Time and again the Waikato forwards led well organised rushes into Auckland territory, and it was mainly in their movements that the points originated. In the second half Auckland gave a better showing but by then the decision was not in doubt. Anderson and Aubrey crossed for Waikato and Johnson kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. Harris gave Auckland East its points. Close Encounter Drawing G all Thames Valley and South Auckland played a close game. The Thames forwards were by a long way superior to South Auckland's, but* owing to the weakness of its backs the work performed by this strong division was, in the main. lost. South Auckland relied on its backs and it. was from bright movements organised in, this quarter that the points were derived. In the main South Auckland had the better of the game .and from all appearance should have won, but in the concluding stages Thames Valley maintained a steady attack and on several occasions was close to scoring. Holmes and Fearon registered tries for South Auckland, while Collins scored for Thames and kicked a penalty goal.