A.U.C. 20-V.U.C.16

In spite of the heavy state of the ground at Auckland the game was interesting to watch. Both sides were willing to "give it a go," and some fine movements were seen. The V.U.C. pack had a decided advantage in the set scrums, especially in the second half. In the loose the two packs were more evenly matched, with Auckland slightly superior. Outstanding forwards for Victoria were Russell, who played a great game both in the light and the loose, thomas, meads and Taylor. Among the backs the five-eighths, Larkin and Bryers, handled the ball well and showed good understanding. The play of this pair was on the whole, most enterprising. Bryers frequently found gaps in the opposing defence, but seemed to lack just the necessary pace to showa clean pair of heels. The full-back, McVeagh, played a sound game in every respect, and he showed no unwillingness to going down on the ball.

For Auckland, Drake, Lange, Hodge and Caldwell were the best of a hard-working pack, with Martin and Hayman the best of the backs. Cooney was prominent in the first half, but did not get many opportunites later in the game.

In the first half play was fast and open, with the Auckland backs handling well and opening up the play at every opportunity. After half-time play was rather less spectacular: V.U.C. got most of the ball, but it rarely passed the second five-eighths. Some solid forward work marked this half, honours being equally divided in the loose, but V.U.C. had the better of matters in the tight.

At least half the regular V.U.C. Senior team could not make the trip, and it was, in the circumstances, a creditable performance to run A.U.C. so close. The northerners, however, have not won a single club match this season, are bottom in the grade and will be relegated at the end of the round. Four old stalwarts in Caughey, Bush, Mulvihill and Thomas decided not to turn out again this year, the loss of these men, all of whom were Auckland representatives, being severely felt.