INTER-ISLAND MATCHES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1262, 25 June 1914, Page 21

INTER-ISLAND MATCHES.

SOUTHERNERS WIN BOTH GAMES.

THE B TEAMS MEET,

The past week saw the North and South Islands measure Rugbj’ skill in Wellington, A and B teams from both islands disputing supremacy, and in both instances the Southerners proved their superiority over the Northerners at the Dominion’s national game. The match between the B teams was played at Athletic Park on Wednesday, and was of an attractive character, being evenly contested, the result always being in doubt up to the final whistle. The South Island B fifteen managed to secure a win by 13 points to 8, their tactics being more of the finished order than was the case with the Northern men. Particularly did this apply to the South Island backs, who, with their centrethreequarter, Cockcroft (South Canterbury), playing magnificently, excelled in their attacking movements. Their success in hooking the ball and their combination in the second half undoubtedly won the. match for them, for at spell-time the North Island had 8 points to their credit against South Island’s nil. The Southerners fully realised the enormity of the task before them, and they set out with a determination to turn the tables on their opponents from the North. This by virtue of systematic and sustained efforts they effectively did, upholding the prestige of South Island football by running up 13 points and preventing the Northerners’ scoring account from being augmented by a single point. This change of fortune caused no little surprise among supporters of the Northern representatives, for

with the good lead of eight points when the second half was commenced there was every indication that they would triumph over the Southerners. Wasted opportunities on attack contributed largely to their downfall, for even though the Southerners were beating them for the ball in the pack, chances when they did come were not availed of to advantage. The ball frequently hung fire at Stewart (Auckland), who was too slow in sending the leather on to the wings, Loveridge and Kaipara, who had little chance of distinguishing themselves. The most prominent man on the ground was Cockcroft, who handled the ball with wonderful accuracy, and was a tower of strength to his side by reason of the many openings he made. Watson, at five-eighth, also displayed good form, and gave his backs plenty of chances. Of the Northern backs, Nunn (Wellington), at half, created a favourable impression, his nippiness and smartness in getting the ball away leaving nothing to cavil at. The Northern threequarter line did not show up to advantage, but the Aucklander, J. O’Brien, at full-back, played a safe, heady game, seldom causing his side any anxiety. The North Island men scored early in the match, P. Ryan getting over in the corner, and McKenzie added the extra points. Before half-time Nunn secured a mark for the North-

erners, McKenzie sending the ball over the bar, the score at the interval being: North 8, South 0. On resuming Watson was instrumental in giving Hassell a chance, and the Canterbury forward shot across and registered the South’s first, score. Cockcroft converted. The Southerners were now thoroughly roused, and a hot attack resulted in Cockcroft getting across, but he failed to add the extra points, the score thus being even at this stage. The match looked like ending in a draw, but a scrum near the Northerners’ line gave Green a chance, and he outwitted an opponent and then sent the ball on to Atkinson, and the Buller man had an easy task in registering the final try of the match, which enabled tLe South Island men to leave the field victorious. Cockcroft converted, the final score being: South Island 13, North Island 8. THE A TEAMS IN OPPOSITION. Saturday’s match at Athletic Park between the A teams of the North and South Islands had a further interest to Rugby enthusiasts than inter-island supremacy, for on the showing made by the participants in the game depended their chances of wearing the fern leaf during the forthcoming visit of the New Zealand representative team to Australia. Every player therefore endeavoured to excel himself in Rugby skill and science, and though opportunities count for much in football, influencing an exponent’s play in no small degree, the consensus of opinion when the names of the team selected to represent New Zealand in Australia were made known a few hours after the interisland match was that the selectors, Messrs. J. Lynskey (Wellington), D.

Gallaher (Auckland), S. Wilson (Christchurch), and Harris (Dunedin), had done their best under the circumstances.

The match was played in bitterly cold weather, and this probably accounted for the meagre attendance, only 3000 persons being present. The playing area was in a soft state, militating against brilliant football, and after a hard tussle the South fsland won by 8 points to nil, the victory marking their sixth win in interisland matches, the North Island having won seven, while one has been drawn. Play was very even throughout the first half of the game, during which no score was registered by either side. After the spell the Southerners made desperate efforts to break across their opponents’ line, Taylor eventually succeeding in scoring the first try of the match, which Graham converted. Shortly after the South Island scored again, Pyle notching a try in the corner, but Cockcroft failed with the shot. No further scores were obtained, the match ending: South 8, North 0. The ground conditions were not favourable for spectacular play, and the only back who appeared to be thoroughly at home was the North Island skipper, R. Roberts, of Taranaki, who got through a tremendous amount of work in praiseworthy style. Neither Stewart (Auckland)

nor Stohr (Taranaki) played up to New Zealand standard, though the latter showed occasional brilliancy, and is worth a place in any New Zealand team on account of his great kicking powers. The five-eighths, Weston and McKenzie, were only fair, being outplayed by the opposing fiveeighths, Black and Crawshaw, both of whom shaped well, particularly the former. J. Ryan, at full-back for the North, gave a serviceable display, and is probably the best man in the Dominion in that position. Cockcroft again showed excellent form for the South, but was well served in the way of chances. H. Taylor rendered good service behind the South Island pack, and was considerably smarter than his vis-a-vis, E. Roberts. Lynch played solidly on the wing threequarter for the South, and his inclusion again in the New Zealand team was quite expected. Scott, at fullback, did not show to nearly so great advantage as Ryan, his play being marked by indecision.

The Aucklanders, A. McGregor and G. Sellars, both members of last year’s New Zealand team which toured California.. did not journey to Wellington to take part in the North v. South Island match, thus forfeiting their chances of inclusion in the team for Australia, only the claims of those players who assembled in the Empire City receiving recognition from the selectors. Other prominent players who could not make the trip to Wellington were J. Cuthill (Otago) and H. Dewar (Taranaki). The inclusion of the two young Auckland backs, L. Weston and J. O’Brien, in the New Zealand team was received with much enthusiasm in the Northern City.

OTAGO NOTES. (From our Dunedin Correspondent.) At the eleventh hour Jock Cuthill, Otago’s brilliant centre three-quarter, who had been elected captain of the South Island team to meet the North Island at Wellington on Saturday, discovered that he was unable to make the trip. Cuthill was keen to represent the South Island and had made preparations for departure when he was confronted with exam inations set down for Saturday and Monday, and he was compelled to remain and sit for these. A curious coincidence in connection with this is that the player appointed to fill Cuthill’s place, and who was also elected captain of the South Island teaxn, was none other than Cockroft, the ex-Otago ’Varsity centre, now of South Canterbury.

Cuthill, as I have previously mentioned, would have been a certainty for the New Zealand team for Australia had he been available, but I regret to say that he is unable to make the Australian tour. It is a thousand pities that New Zealand will not be represented by the best team. On this year’s form there is no finer back in New Zealand than Cuthill, the Otago University captain, and I know many in Australia who will be disappointed that he is not in the side.

Writing in this strain I cannot' help mentioning, too, that New Zealand suffers a double loss in that not only Cuthill, but Alex. McDonald, the “All Black” and captain of the New Zealand team in America last season, is not available for the Australian tour.

It was bound to come. Eckhold, the Otago representative five-eighths and half-back and also an ex-New Zealand rep., who retired this season never to play again, has been dug out of his retirement to assist Southern in the big match against the crack University team. It is extremely probable that Southern will keep Eckhold in the team for the remainder of the season. Eckhold is a sound defensive player—a demon to go down to rushes —but his attack is crude and his penchant for punting to the touch-line instead of letting the ball out has earned for him a reputation. Still, when things are going wrong and the opposing forwards all coming through with the ball at their feet, Eckhold is a hero, and no better man could one have on the side.

It hits on the nail about University men being unavailable for New Zealand matches, I might as well conclude with a grouch that the crack ’Varsity backs are not available for the Otago team when it goes on a Northern tour in September. Efforts, however, will be made to arrange, if possible, for the best of the backs to get away. The Otago forward team, whatever happens, should be powerful, as there is an excellent choice of material in this department.

Harris, a University wing threequarter and five-eighths, who was overlooked in the selection of the South Island teams, has scored more tries than any two players in Otago this season. As only half the season is gone it appears as if Harris would put up a record for Otago. Colin Gilray, the ex-Scottish international, who has played for New Zealand, Scotland and Oxford University, and whose opinion should carry some weight, states that Harris is the most promising scoring threequarter back he has seen. When Harris flashed through the Rugby arena two years ago he was hailed as a “discovery,” as undoubtedly he was, but last year he failed to fulfil his early promise, and it is only now that he is coming to light again. As an attacking player Harris is approaching the first flight, but his defence, unfortunately, is weak, and until he masters this he will never be regarded as a sound back. On Saturday last, against Dunedin Harris made a thrilling run from inside his own twenty-five to the Dunedin line — a distance of 75 yards—and was tackled just as he was about to cross for the try. It was a great effort, but greater still the fine sprint that Fortune (the man who tackled Harris) put in to catch the ’Varsity flyer. The benefit match to the wellknown’ “All Black,” Steve Casey, who is retiring at the end of the present season, is set down for September 5, before the Otago team sets out on its Northern tour. The Otago Rugby Union has granted the use of Carisbrook to the Southern Club, but as it is against the principle of giving benefit matches to retiring players, it has nothing to do with the Casey benefit, which is being run entirely by the Southern Club, of which Casey has been a member all his football career. The next thing that will happen will be a proposal from the Kaikorai Club to give a benefit match to Alex. McDonald, the other Otago “All Black” and captain of the Kaikorai team. The Otago Union, if it is not to be accused of inconsistency, must grant the use of a ground to the Kaikorai Club if it makes application. These benefit matches to retiring players, unless under exceptional circumstances, such as illhealth or hardship, are against the true principles of amateurism.

Saturday was the first occasion this season that the Auckland Rugby League charged admission to Victoria Park, and the response from the public testified to the popularity of the League game, over 5000 being present to witness the various matches. Ponsonby defeated North Shore by 2 points to nil after a close game, while in the other senior matches Newton beat Grafton by 15 points to 4, and City gained a verdict over Otahuhu by 5 points to 3. The Taranaki representative Northern Union team will visit Wanganui next Saturday to try conclusions with the local team. There is every prospect of an interesting struggle.