NORTHERN UNION NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1113, 10 August 1911, Page 11

NORTHERN UNION NOTES.

AUCKLAND-WELLINGTON MATCH. A GRAND EXHIBITION. CUP REMAINS IN AUCKLAND. A match between the Rugby representatives of the rival provinces— Auckland and Wellington—never fails to attract a large crowd of enthusiasts, and when the Auckland and Wellington League teams came to do battle against one another at Victoria Park on Saturday there was an attendance of close on 5000 to witness this match under Northern Union rules. The Wellington team

challenged Auckland for the handsome cup presented by the English Northern League foi' competition among the provincial teams of the Dominion, but the Wellingtonians failed to wrest the trophy from the holers, who gained a victory by 16 points to 8. Rain fell early in the afternoon, but this did not interfere with fast and certain play to any extent. In fact, the game was of a very fast and spectacular character, 'being brimful of exciting incidents. Though the Aucklanders had an eight points 7 ead when the whistle sounded the end of the game, they did not by any means have an easy victory, as half-way through the match the Wellington men had a two points advantage, and were giving the onlookers a treat as far as thrilling football was concerned. It was only the excellent combination of the Auckland team that enabled the northerners to stave off defeat, as the contest was much closer than the final score would lead one to believe, while it was fought out in the keenest possible manner. While the form of the visitors was in most respects very fine, they did not play as well collectively as one would have thought, seeing that they have had every opportunity of studying one another’s play. Their individual attempts, however, left nothing to cavil at, and had they combined better the result would probably have been reversed. It did not take long to see that the Wellington team included some really good material, and as it is now practically certain that a New Zealand League team will visit Australia each year, several shining lights for Wellington in Saturday’s match may catch the eye of the selector later on. A. Gibson, wing threequarter, and A- Seeling, five-eighths, a brother to the popular “Bronco” now playing for Wigan, are two very clever exponents of the Northern Union code, and their displays for Wellington were of a meritorious character. The Auckland team, which included five of the returned members of the New Zealand League team which lately toured the Commonwealth, fully deserved their victory, as their play savoured more of the finished order than that of the visitors. “Scotty” McDonald, the clever little forward and halfback, whom many Australian writers claim should have proceeded Home with the Australasian team as understudy to the N.S.W. crack half, McKivat, fed his backs well, and with the mainstay, Robinson, playing right up to concert pitch, the wings got plenty to do, the combination working splendidly. The Auckland forwards also grafted together with a will, their work always being of a high standard. They are a fast, dashing set, and brought out all the advantageous features of Northern Union forward play in a vivid manner. They were a superior vanguard to the visitors, but nevertheless, were kept busily employed, the struggle between the forward division being very keen from start to finish. The team took the field as follows: — Auckland. —'Fullback: H. Childs. Three-quarters: A. Asher, Robinson, J. Kay, E. Asher. Five-eighths: F. Morse. Half-back: H. Jackson. Forwards: W. Griffen, C. Dunning (captain), J. Bennett, R. McDonald, Stanaway, and G. Seagar. Wellington.—Fullback: H. Quarterman. Three-quarters: R. Siddells, E. Buckland, A. Gibson. Five-eighths: R. A. Seeling (captain), R. Mitchell. Half-back: J. Braid. Forwards: E. Lambert, A- Prideaux, T. Prideaux, Irwin, J. Hogan, and W. Storey. Auckland had the best of the opening stages of the game, and though the ball lingered very near to Wellington’s line on several occasions, the visitors managed to clear the danger. Wellington setting up a hot attack in Auckland’s territory, matters assumed a dangerous aspect for the home team, and finally Mitchell secured the leather and sprinted through the opposition and scored. Seeling was entrusted with the shot, but failed. Wellington 3, Auckland nil. Wellington continued to hold the advantage for a while, but the Aucklanders rallied, and their backs figured in several passing runs which were nipped in the bud just when a score looked imminent. Their efforts were soon re-

warded, however, as a passing tun ended in Kay getting across and registering Auckland’s first try. Seager failed with the kick. Wellington 3, Auckland 3. Asher getting away with the leather, put in a good sprint before he was grounded by Buckland. The Wellington forwards by sheer hard graft carried the leather into Auckland’s 25, and being well supported by their backs, Mitchell gathered in the leather smartly and dashed across and scored. Seeling landed a good goal. Wellington 8, Auckland 3. Auckland made several likely looking attempts to break through their opponents’ defence, but the passing of the backs was erratic. “Opai Asher grasping an opening dashed across the line in the corner. Bennett made a good, though futile attempt at goal, and half-time sounded shortly after with the score: Wellington 8, Auckland 6. n The Auckland forwards started off at a great pace on resuming, and the game waxed fast and furious, but the visitors’ defence was not to be penetrated. Wellington being penalised, Morse was entrusted with the kick, and succeeded in piloting the leather over the cross-bar. Wellington 8, Auckland 8. The period of play that followed this score worked the excitement of barrackers up to high pitch both sides striving hard to get in the lead. The superiority of the Auckland forwards, however, told its tale, and after a struggle in close proximity to Wellington’s line Bennett got across for the local men. Morse landed a neat goal. Auckland 13, Wellington 8. Both sides were shining out brilliantly on the attack, but the Auckland backs were responsible for the most serviceable work. A good kick by Jackson was followed up smartly by Kay, who outwitted the WeTingtonians and scored Auckland’s final try. Morse failed at goal from a difficult angle, and a couple of minutes later the whistle blew for noside with the score: Auckland 16, Wellington 8. The game was ably controlled by Mr. Cunningham. On the winning side Robinson was the best of the threequarters, and is undoubtedly the making of a star p’ayer. He is a very heady back, and a clever runner, and should prove a good scoring man. “Opai” Asher showed improved form, and now and then was seen in those sensational dashes that years ago made him an idol with the football-going public. Morse, at five-eighths, played a very useful game, while his goal-kicking was also highly creditable. “Scotchy” McDonald was responsible for a grand display up till the time of his accident, and his services will be greatly missed by the Auckland team in the remaining fixtures. The forwards gave a good account of themselves, Griffin, Dunning and Seager being a trio of solid graftGTS. H. Quarterman, the Wellington fullback, got through his work satisfactorily, his fine kicking proving very handy at times. A- Gibson played a sterling game on the three-quarter line. He is a decidedly nippy player, and besides being endowed with plenty of pace he has mastered a clever sidestep which he worked with considerable success. E. Buckland shone up well on occasions, and lacked nothing in dash. Seeling, at five-eighths, was a host in himself until the time of meeting with a serious injury to his knee. He is a strong kicker, and rendered his side no end of assistance, R. Mitchell did his fair share of the work at five-eighths, and is a cool and tricky man in the position. Of the forwards Hogan was associated with a good deal of the visitors’ best work, but has a tendency to get offside. Irwin and Storey also showed up prominently. AUCKLAND v. LOWER WAIKATO. The Auckland team will journey to Frankton on Saturday, where they will play the Lower Waikato representatives. Northern Union football has been steadily increasing in popularity in the Waikato, and the team to meet Auckland is said to be a fairly strong combination. Messrs. Oliphant, Anderson and Jackson, selectors to the Auckland Rugby League, have chosen the following team to

represent Auckland against the Waikato men: — Fullback: Childs- Threequarters: S. Dillamore (Ponsonby), A. Carlaw (Ponsonby), Robinson (City), A. Asher (City). Five-eighths: Morse (City). Halfback: A. Jackson (North Shore). Forwards: Bennett (Newton), Dunning (Ponsonby), Griffin (North Shore), A. iStannaway (City), G. Seagar (North Shore), Rukutai (City), H. Fricker (Ponsonby).