LACK OF FINESSE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21189, 12 August 1940, Page 10

LACK OF FINESSE

WAIKATO RIGBY DEFEAT GAME OF LOST OPPORTUNITIES AUCKLAND WINS 8 TO 3 It was a repetition of the game at Eden Park, Auckland, earlier in the season, when the Waikato Rugby representatives met Auckland in the return game at Rugby Park on Saturday. Waikato lost by eight points to three but the encounter was a tale of lost opportunities on the part of the home tifteen, which secured the advantage territorially, particularly in the second spell, when the side dominated play. At half-time Auckland led by 8 points to 0, and seldom the team looked likely to add further points after the change-over. In the forwards Waikato dominated the game in winning the scrums and line-outs with almost uninterrupted regularity. The passing in the backs was not always up to standard but Waikato, even in the rearguard, made the play all the time. It was a lack of finesse at the vital moments which resulted in Waikato’s failure to score, while great opportunist movements when Waikato’s backing up was all astray, led to Auckland scoring two surprise tries in the first half. They were commendable efforts, however, and the reward of great following up. In the second half Waikato played on top of Auckland all the time, but the visitors’ defence was splendid, W. Hare, the fullback, being in magnificent form. The game was fast and at times exciting in the second spell. Run of Play The teams were:— Auckland.—W. Hare, L. Schubert, A. Wiles, L. Colmore-Williams, N. Pearmaf, R. Barlow, P. Tetzlaff, D. Mills, M. Nelson, H. Priest, R. Hull, W. Smith, A. Johnson, A. Moffltt, J. Gilmour. Waikato.—J. Ensor, C. Perkins, A. J. Aitken, B. Paterson, R. Everest, J. Everest, W. Brown, C. Satherley, J. S. Maclean, W. H. Warrender, W. Daniell, E. B. Macky, J. M. Taylor, E. H. Catley, P. J. Farren. Jt was a dry ground, despite the heavy rain preceeding the game, and Waikato dashed immediately to the offensive. Satherley had an opportunity to kick a penalty goal but his effort was short. The home fifteen was on its toes, however, and R. Everest sped through a gap to cause consternation in the Auckland ranks, but Brown kicked the ball behind.

With a plethora of the ball, the Waikato backs adopted aggressive tactics but a penalty kick relieved Auckland until the Waikato forwards, led by Farren, resumed the offensive. With a speculator kick, Maclean found touch right on the Auckland line, but when Waikato won the ball Brown’s poor passing foiled an opportunity. Fielding the ball well, ColmoreWilliams found touch way back in Waikato territory and, with the ball at toe, the visiting pack swept the attack to the line but Ensor forced down. It was not long before Waikato’s superior forwards were racing to resume the attack but Hare’s kicking from the Auckland fullback position placed Auckland again on attack. Surprise Try Always ready to seize an opportunity, the Auckland forwards dashed to the attack when Waikato temporarily lost control and it was during the momentary lapse in defence that Schubert went through to dribble the ball over the line for Hull to go on to secure a most unexpected score. Hare’s kick failed— Auckland 3 Waikato 0 With the wind behind him, Hare secured a gift opportunity when lifted in the scrum but his penalty kick failed. Waikato’s prowess in the forwards

thrilled the crowd when the fastest of the packmen secured an opportunity. Taylor secured the ball under his arm and then started a passing rush in which Catley, Farren and Warrender threw the ball about. Then R. Everest precipitated the attack and Maclean centre-kicked to cause trouble to Auckland but again Hare retrieved lost territory with brilliant line-kicking. Auckland again added points to its tally by opportunist tactics. Perkins fielded the ball in Auckland’s twentyfive, but, presumably by mis-kick-ing, made an opening for Auckland which the Auckland forwards pursued when Ensor was found wanting and Smith made the opening for Colmore-Williams to cross in the corner and run around under the posts to score. Hare converted— Auckland 8 Waikato 0 Temporary Superiority Auckland, heartened by success, was securing more of the ball from the rucks now, and Waikato was repeatedly forced hard on the defensive. Tetzlaff fielded the ball in mid-field at Waikato twenty-five and a brilliant attempt to shoot a field goal just failed, as half-time sounded. Waikato forwards initiated a devastating rush from the outset of the second spell but Perkins’ mishandling nearly led to further trouble for the home team. The game had been deprived of any concerted back work until Paterson raised the crowd to its feet as he sped for the corner after the ball had flashed through the hands of all Waikato’s backs. He crashed in Colmore-Williams’ arms inches from the line, however.

Temporarily Auckland was unleashed from the defensive but soon Farren, then R. Everest, made openings for a dash for the line, but Paterson fumbled when he had a chance to use an over-lap in his favour. Great Movement R. Everest dazzled the crowd in cutting a passage clean through the Auckland defence and Satherley was right in line to carry on before Catley took charge of an assault which was held up on the line. Twice five-yard scrums went down on the line, and from the second one the Waikato forwards barged over as a phalanx which led to Macky pounding down on the ball to score. Satherley missed an easy goal— Auckland 8 Waikato 3 When Auckland retaliated by forcing the play into Waikato’s twentyfive, Catley played off-side but Hare missed an easy chance to goal. Again Waikato brought the crowd to its feet as Satherley gathered possession to open a barage which pierced a passage in the Auckland defence. Perkins made the final dash after Aitken had co-operated, but Auckland gradually worked back, before developing a rapid attack when the backs co-operated to out-manoeuvre the Waikato defence. For a time Waikato was in a desperate position but Warrender’s work in the forwards was chiefly responsible for the respite. Kick Missed Catley and Warrender sped into attack again but Gilmour was penalised for obstruction. Aitken missed a comparatively easy kick. Moments later Satherley was given a chance to goal from a free kick but the ball fell short. Perkins and Satherley followed with speedy resolution bu+ Hare’s masterful handling at the fullback position saved Auckland again. Macky, however was the spearhead of another Waikato forward movement. Paterson held up a determined Auckland thrust just on time. The final score was — Auckland 3 Waikato 3 Mr C. Wallace, of Cambridge, was the referee. FULL OF INTEREST MATCH WITH MAORI TEAM CAMBRIDGE WINS BY 13 TO 3 (Special to Times ) CAMBRIDGE, Sunday. The principal Rugby match at Cambridge -yesterday was a match at Victoria Square between’ the Pukemoremore Maoris and a Cambridge team, the latter winning an interesting game by 13 points to 3. The early stage of the game was evenly contested. Cambridge attacked and Baxter went close up. Cooper bad a shot at goal but missed. From several lineouts in the Maoris’ territory Cambridge pressed and Jones just failed to score. Following a Maori attack Cambridge retaliated with a line run by Kelly. Sutherland earned on and the movement resulted in his scoring between the posts. Cooper When Cambridge was hotly attacking Turner, the Maoris’ captain, received a Kick on the leg and was compelled to retire. Cambridge continued lo have, the better of matters up to half-time but there was no additional score. Just before the bell for the spell, Mikaere and R. Thompson were seen in some excellent work for the Maoris. On resuming, the Maoris solidly at- | tacked. Wetere had a shot at the up- [ rights but missed. Baxter followed up a high kick rot* Cambridge and the Maoris i were in trouble. From the Maoris’ 25 Harvey took the ball and went over in Ute corner for Cambridge. Cooper missed the

‘j AVi'tcre tried a shot at tlio uprights • just inside or hall-way ancl the hall fell just a little short. Catulnidg-o continued to press and from a liuo-out ill the Maoris’ I T. Neil pink the hall through at his reel and scored a deserved try. Cooper converted. The Maoris now took a turn at attack and were almost over. Play was up and down the Held at a r««t pare and when the Maoris attacked again Wetere went over for a try. He missed the conversion. The game ended with the final scores: Cambridge 13. Maoris 3. Mr L. Bear refereed. OTHER RESULTS Auckland Gallagher Shield, -uhurhs it, otahuhu p.m-onby 0, Grafton 3; North Shot*: j : r> . I liV ;H. .Maui!Rilli-' !7 . Parnell'' 11 ; Air Force *l3, Garrison \ : Ii!I< ; \ I ip. -- ’■ in- »nb\ ;- . Provincial •i'aim -. papaktir'i i 7, finery ; . . ra New Plymouth Taranaki. 1 Manawaiu la. Christchurch Sunnyside 21, .Sotiile; n 'J; Athletic it. Old Boys 10; Univer.-ity 19, Albion 6; Army 15, Merivale 3; I.iuwood 3a. Christchurch 12; Air Force 10, Technical 0; | Territorials 21, New Brighton 6. Wanganui Pirates 15. Marist 5; Wanganui and Old Boys 21, kaicrau 0. Dunedin Alhambra 19, I niver-itv B 3: Pirates < 18. Taieri I<>: .Southern 13, Kaikorai (•; l rr.vrrsity a 15, zingan 13, Dunedin li. Union i.