NORTHERN UNION.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1166, 15 August 1912, Page 19

NORTHERN UNION.

The second contest this season for the Northern Union Cup eventuated at Victoria Park on Saturday, when the Wellington and Auckland representatives tried conclusions. The day was ideal for football and as a result lar°e crowds of enthusiasts made their way to the popular Freeman’s Bay recreation ground in anticipation of witnessing a keen contest. Estimates of the attendance vary, but two League officials were confident that the number present was close upon 8000, and this estimate would probably be near the mark. « * * * The result of the match and how Auckland defeated the visitors from the Empire city by 16 points to nil is well known, and never was victory more deserved than was the case on q-iturdav last. The play throughout was fast and exciting, but. the Auckland vanguard was superior to the opposing forwards, and to this much of Auckland’s bloodless victory is due. The Wellington men made a game fio-ht in the first half, but their play deteriorated considerably in the second spell, and during the last quarter of an hour they were a very much beaten team. * The winners showed by far the better knowledge of the game and succeeded where the visitors failed. From a spectators’ point of view the match was a splendid one, being full of bright, nippy flashes of play, which followers of the game are beginning to think are a lost art. # :Je To review the form shown by the individual members of the teams, it is only right to take the Auckland thirteen first. Hargrave, at fullback was safe and sure, and, but for a strong inclination to try and beat too many opponents, his display was faultless. His kicking was really good and all of his attempts at goal which failed were lacking only in direction. Of the threequarters, Weston showed out best in attack, but he was well supported by Tobin and Papakura, who also played well and tackled in deadly fashion. The two “stars” were the five-eighths, Reke and .Curran, whose play raised the enthusiasm of the onlookers every five minutes of the game. They .supported, each other in great style,. .were .quick to take advantage of any f ,openings, handled the leather with an accurracy and neatness which was only to be admired and summed up, they played like a “band.” Webb, at half-back, who captained the team was clever and made many fine openings before sending the ball out to the backs. He was also good in defence, but grew a bit tired toward the end, when defeat was out of the question. The forwards were an even set and played a hard strenuous game from first to last. The two Haywards and Gillett were conspicuous throughout. * * * * Murphy, the Wellington custodian did not shape too well, and his , performance taken right through was below representative form. His chief defect lay in his faulty taking of the ball. The threequarters, Gilmour, Bradley and Cook were a solid trio, both in attack and defence, Cook in particular putting in some brilliant work. Kelly and Baskville, the fiveeighths, did not compare favourably with Reke and Curran on the Auckland side, and they were inclined to pass wildly, and this lost many good scoring chances in the first half of the game. The halfback, Barber, who captained the side showed fine form, but was at a’ disadvantage in having to play behind a beaten pack, and consequently he was not given a chance

to display his capabilities to the full. The forwards were a willing lot, and are to be complimented upon their game stand. In the first spell they were seen in a very favourable light, but the second half found them out, and they failed to cope with their more seasoned and better conditioned opponents. Their play was a trifle ragged and they did not work with the concerted action which characterised the movements of the Auckland vanguard. :|s # The curtain raiser to the Welling-ton-Auckland match on Saturday was between Ponsonby United and North Shore Albions, the former winning by 12 points to 3. si: * The New South Wales League team is due at Wellington, from Sydney, on the 20th inst. Wellington will be met on the 24 th, and four days later the match with Taranaki will take place. Arriving at Auckland on the 30th, the team will play Auckland on the following day, then proceeding to Rotorua, where a local team will be met. The team will return here on the 6th, and on the following day the match with New Zealand will be played. Hawke’s Bay will be met on the 11th, Canterbury on the 14th, and Wanganui on the 19th. On the 21st a final game will be played at Auckland, the team afterwards leaving for Sydney. s :>: # * The following team will represent the Auckland Rugby League against Waikato at Eden Park on Saturday: — Fullback, Hardgrave; threequarters, Weston, Tobin, Roope; five-eighths, Blakey, Curran; half, Webb; forwards, Rukutai, Dunning, Mitchell, Fricker, Seagar, Gillett. Emergencies: Keneally, Healey, Jackson, Griffin, Stanaway, Lambert. * * T * An Australian writer, touching 'upon the New South Wales team, which is to tour the Dominion, says:—The New South Wales Rugby League team, which is to leave Sydney for New Zealand on August 17, and play a series of ten matches, will be composed of the following:—Backs: H. Hallett, C. Fraser, H. Messenger, A. Broomham, V. Farnsworth, D. Frawley, H. Thomson, C. Russel, D. Garlick, J. W. Davis, C. H. McKivat, A. Halloway, Ray Norman. Forwards: S. Pearce, W. A. Cann, E. Courtney, C. Sullivan, P. A. McCue, F. Burge, G. Cummins, W. Noble, and A. Curran. When the side lines up, New Zealanders will see a fine burly lot. Their uniforms of light blue help to give the players a solid appearance. Physically, then, the New South Welshmen must impress. The team is admitted to be a powerful one, although there is some doubt whether the magnetic Messenger will make the tour. It is certain that great efforts will be made to induce him to show himself to the Maorilanders, who have heard so much of him. “Dally” is always an attraction, and without him the side will be deprived of its star. If he is an absentee, New Zealanders will certainly miss seeing a great kick.