RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE CLUBS AND PLAYERS.

SATURDAY'S PLAY REVIEWED.

GAMES IN T THE WET.

An outstanding forward at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, a fortnight ago, was "Son" White. For one thing, he kept his mind on the ball and didn't waste energy, as others did, in "playing the man." The New Zealand half-back Dalley has a formidable rival in his home towu this year in Mullan, who may beat Dalley for his place behind the Christchurch pack. P. Ward, the well-known Canterbury and Linwood Rugby forward, has left Christchurch to reside in the Taranaki district, and he will probably not return before the end of the present football season. He has represented Taranaki before, and he will probably be playing for that province this season.

There is a controversy in Wales as what is the Welsh national emblem —the -leek, the -daffodil, or what? Major S. S. Clark, of' Swansea, throw? light on the subject as far as football is concerned. He was hon. secretary of the South Wa?es Football Union from 1879 to 1881; he v:as a playing qiember from 1875 to 188 j and he states definitely that the emblem of the old South Wales Football Union—predecessor to the Welsh Union—was a white leek placed diagonally across the breast of a black jersey. In 1831 the Welsh Rugby Union was formed, and they adopted the "Prince of Wales' Feathers" as their emblem—this is now worn on a red jersey. Major S. S. Clark was first capped" for Wales against Ireland in January, 1882. He also played against them in 1887.

The change in weather rather upset calculations on Saturday, and was a bit of bad luck for some of the* teams, but the experience had the effect of bringing a number of forwards into the limelight, and also of testing the versatility of a number of backs who had shown up in dry-day games. One satisfactory feature of the day was that the excellent allround standard of play shown previously was well maintained under adverse conditions. Ponsonby and Marist Old Boys are as yet unbeaten, but on the run of play neither side can claim any great superiority over the other teams. The positions in the championship competition are:—, 1

Points Ch. < p - w - L. D. F. A. Pts. Ponsonby 3 2 — 1 42 14 * Marists ..... 3 1 _ 21715 4 3,2 I—3l 20 4 Grafton ..... 3 1 1 1 28 29 3 University .. 3 1 l 1 22 04 3 Grammar .... 3 1 2 — 26 28 0 Col. Rifles .... 3 1 2 — 27 53 •• Tr. College .. 3 — 2 l 15 25 1

Hawke's Bay Fixtures, s Hawlte's Bay, the champion Rugby province of the Dominion, has followed the policy of giving their representative team a chance to acquire combination by playing plenty of representative matches, and, distributing these games throughout the season.

The holders of the Ranfurly Shield | fceve again followed this wise policy j this season, as no fewer than eleven representative engagements are opposite their name on the list of fixtures. Starting off with a match against Wairarapa •t Napier on June 3, Hawke's Bay in torn meet* Poverty Bay, at Napier, on Jane 11; Wairarapa, in Wairarapa, on July 9; Taranaki, at Napier, on July 27; Manawhenua, at Napier, on July 30; and Bush Districts, at Pahiatua, on the 1 same day; Wanganui, at Wanganui, on August 24; Auckland, at Auckland, on August 27; and Poverty Bay, at Gisborne, on the same day; -Canterbury, at Napier, on September 3; and Taranaki, irt Taranaki, on September 17. Vocal Encouragement. Those who remember in the days when all Auckland made its way to Epsom, and at Potter's Paddock, now Alexandra Park, were supplied with some of the most historical Rugby games in the Dominion's football history,, will not easily fdrget the vocal efforts of the late Joe Bracelin. Poor Joe was a worshipper of the City Club—where the team went, he » went too. Those were the times when the wearers of the red and black were right in the dress circle of club football, when "Bronco" Seeling, George Smith, Eddie Young, "Opae" Asher, "Bob" McGee, and others saw to it that the club • figured prominently on the local football map. Many a time the tall blue gum then growing opposite the old Junction Hotel at the corner of Manukau and Great South Roads flew the colours of the City Club, and it was always interesting to know each Saturday just which club's colours would be flown. But if the names of Asher, Seeling, and Smith were household words in Auckland, so also was that of Joe Bracelin, undoubtedly one of the greatest barrackers football has known. Joe, whose voice had a range almost equal to IYA. never deserted his club and his "Go on C-i-t-y," the word City being long drawn-out, ha* net been challenged. The present Marist Bros, team has at least -one vigorous supporter, but he is many removes, from the standard of Joe Bracelim However, he is a trier, and on Saturday he marched up and down Nos. 2 and 3 grounds, on hoth of which Marists had teams playing. If vocal encouragement could win a game he was certainly. doing his best, to try out al system, and when Tykes evened up the score against Grafton he was more delighted than the team. It is good to see clubs with such keen supporters and one could wish for more, of them. This particular enthusiast follows an occupation all the week in which, quietness is essential, but he gets well even on Saturday afternoon when he accompanies the Marist team. Half a dozen real good barrackers are worth a lot to a team. : Honours Even. "You cannot expect to see spectacular football when the ground is sloppy," remarked a linebird at Fden Park on Saturday.- Perhaps he was right, but when two sides full of determination to win meet the state of the ground matters not a great lot. When Marists and Grafton met on No. 2 ground the conditions underfoot were not good by a long way, but it'was. an even break for both teams 'and adopting methods to suit the conditions the. forwards were given a strenuous hour and a-half's work. From the moment Mr. Meredith blew his -whistle to., set the game in •wing there was notila dull'moment and "9ie few supporters who cliallenged bronchitis, influenza, or a cold by parading •he side lines, and urging their favourites on, were at a high pitch all the time, but more particularly in the dying Itages of the match when both :,, the

Marist and Grafton forwards endeavoured to break down the opposition. The feature of the match was the few occasions either side really got within scoring distance of their opponent's line, the play being confined almost throughout between the two twenty-five's. There were odd times when one or other of the teams would get within a yard or two of the line, but this did not happen often, and the evenness of the teams is supplied by the score, 3 all —a penalty goal each.

Under conditions such as those obtaining mistakes were frequent and while some players were responsible for particularly bright individual efforts at times, it would hardly be fair to single them out for special mention, because from hooker to fullback there were 30 out and out triers. Practically all the attacking was credited to the forwards, the backs being invariably engaged in stemming the oncoming massed charges of the packs with a ball at toe. If anything, the Marist backs were more inclined to attempt bouts of passing than the Grafton rearguard, but the laudable efforts did not meet with success. -

One Penalty Each. j The match between Grafton and Marist Bros, while supplying all the ingredients which delight the crowd was remarkable in some • . respects. The way the plav hovered about the centre of the field almost continuously desspite the wet ground and greasy ball, the rare occasions either side looked like scoring, and the absence of anything which could possibly come under the heading of "rough play" were features which must have impressed. Again, the breaches of play, breaches which really mattered were almost absent during the whole of the game there were only two penalties awarded in positions which, offered the opportunity to turn them into points. Strangely enough, both were made the best use of, Stevenson goali j for Grafton and Loft for Marists. Two goals out of two attempts is not bad kicking on a wet day. '

Grammar Forwards Bustle Ponsonby. Twice now Ponsonby have sailed very close to defeat. Last week they could only make a draw with Training Col lege, after the students had led most of the way. On Saturday the Grammar forwards had Ponsonby bustled for the greater part of the game, the champion team's backs coming to light with

a brilliant rush in the last few minutes that ended in Cammiek getting across for a spectacular try.

It was only the sound work 1 of the Ponsonby backs that kept the Grammar van from getting across time and time again, and the white lucks had to play a desperate defensive game in the last few minutes to keep the blue and black backs at bay. iUtiiough the conditions were right against fast and accurate handling, both sets of back 3 gave a bright display -if passing on occasions. The Ponsonby van was always dangerous when it got going, but the tackling of the Graminar team was sound, and it was not often that a man was missed. All through the Grammar forwards played a great game, with Knight, Batty and Goodacre always shining out. That trio, *Aitb Potter close at hand, "made things hot for Ponsonby in the loose, and when Jt came to tight work the whole Grammar pack made matters lively. McManus and Berridge did a lot of good work behind the champion's pac-k, and they pulled their side out of difficulties a number of times. *.>s. fiadeley turned out for Grammar, but it was hardly a day for him. Most of the work, both in attack and defence, fell

to McCarthy and Hook, a duo who went down in great style to the Ponsonby onslaughts in the last few minutes. Play was fast for the greater part of the game, with the Grammar forwards. slightly overshadowing the Ponsonby van, and the champion's backs being just a little better t,han the Grammar set. There is no doubt that Ponsonby were just a little lucky in pulling through. However, they got there, and they still head the championship.,, table. - t . Shore Too Hefty For Teachers. It was evident in Saturday s game that the Training College, is a , more dangerous fifteen on a fine day .tkan on a wet one, for the students fell away from "the form that they displayed 011 the previous week, and they appeared to feel much mere than their lieayiei opponents the effects of the heavy going, though the spells were but 10-minute ones. Had the game gone the usual J\

full distance, Shore would have had a bigger margin to their credit. In the first half Training College quite held their own, and the play, under the conditions of weather and ground, was fast and interesting, with the light blues making more effective use of then backs than Shore did. The weight and keenness of the green forwards, however, told its tale later, and the stronger suburban pack broke through repeatedly to keep the opposing backs hard on the defensive. Two features of the struggle were worth special mention—the magnificent kicking of Matheson, which pulled his team out of trouble time after time, and the great game played by Soloman. who shone particularly in the lineovU. He led his

vanguard in rush after rush, and they demonstrated that they are a pack to be reckoned with. Of the Shore backs, Palmer and Mouatt came in for a lot of solid work, while D. Reid, who was responsible foi the only score, did much more than the brilliant run which fooled the blue defence and gav# him the easiest of tries. It was the one occasion when the tackling went sadly astray. The Training College forwards, badly beaten in the second half, sadly missed Anderson, who Injured his arm just before half-time, but his backs were hampered with the Mason stood.up soundly to everything, wet ball, and their chief work lay in defence. Here Meyer was in his ele ment. Minns, on the wing, again demon strated bis pace off the jmark and soundness in defence. When he £ets a 'ittle more experience he; should be thf type of wing three-quarter for wliiclthe Auckland selector wil} be looking.

Rifles First Win.

After losing their matches against Ponsonby and North ShoVe, College Rifles came to light on Saturday with a win against University. Although there was a difference of only five points ip the score at the final whistle, the Rifles' backs were a long way ahead of the students' rearguard ,and on a fine day would probably have rattled up a much bigger score. As it was, both sides scored well, considering the adverse conditions, and the handful of spectators who shivered on the grandstand were well satisfied with the display. After a shaky start the star trio of the College side, Johnston, Sheen and Barclay, gave a taste of their best, combining well and giving a lot of trouble to the defence. Barclay, who was making his second Auckland appearance, showed out considerably better than against Shore on the previous Saturday, and there is not likely to be any further changes in the Rifles' inside backs' combination. With a trio of this calibre, the Rifles, on a fine day. should make a good showing against any team in the competition. Du Chateau, a recruit from Wellington College, replaced Kirk behind the scrum and made a good impression, although Kirk hopes to be fit enough to play again within a week or so. Of the forwards, Fogarty was the best, revelling in the sloppy conditions. On a number of occasions he came through with the ball at toe, setting an example which might well be followed by those forwards who seem to forget that they are allowed to us# their feet. "Varsity were a much weakened team, being without the services of seven of their regular playing members, five of whom are in Australia. As it was the light blues made a good fight of it, drawing within five of the Rifles' total of 16 points. Blakey was cool in the fullback position, and got through a lot of work, but Olsen received few opportunities. The forwards battled gamelv, but without avail, to pull the match out of the fire.

SENIOR B SECTION.

TOWN A D COUNTRY GAMES.

- Ti am-w a.ys were obviously weakened in their game on Saturday through the absence of thre- of their best forwards Dempsey was away as the result of a broken bone in his nose, and Oxenham with a broken collarbone, whilst Lorigan ad the flu." Under the circumstances it was not surprising that the husky City team registered its third win. Their forwards. led by Ormsby, McLean, E tell and Barnes, surged through the opposition, and many of their rushes would have done credit to much older teams. Their backs handled the greasy ball remarkably well, Jacob at full, in particular being very sound. i enc * half Tramways looked dangerous for a while, but with this exception the* game was one-sided.

. Takapuna, with three men short journeyed to Ellerslie to play the home side, and must be congratulated on turning out with twelve men on such a wet day. -At barlf-tima they called the game off—Green, Short, and Panapa havin* scored tries for Ellerslie, one of which Green converted. Of the home side Green handled the greasy ball well, while Short was a hardworking forward.

Though the Otahuhu—Manukau game at Onehunga was not of a high order, it was nevertheless interesting. The Otahuhu team played with great spirit and thoroughly extended Manukau till the last quarter, when their defensive tactics yielded to a brilliant try bv Taylor. Though narrowly beaten they* put up a ?reat light, and their attacking qualities just lacked the finishing touches. Arnold played brilliantly till he retired with a broken finger. He was ably supported by Brady, Roberts, Muir and Logan. Their forwards are a very even hardworking pack, and held their own with their rival's. Lipscombe, . Kahu Oenize and Latherlery were missing from Manukau s team, and their places were hard to fill. Te Paa at full-back gave a dashing display, and Rata at centre was pleasing. Amouhanga, Housham, Laird, McClusky, Brimble and Fletcher, played with dash. Their tackling was very deadly. Credit must be given to F. Vickery, a fifth grade-player who played half-back, and came out of the hard crame with flying colours.

Newton tried conclusions with the local team at Avondale, the ground being in fair order. Although the turf was very wet there was- a complete absence of mud. The game opened with some fine forward work, but both sides were spoiling things by trying to handle the ball instead of keeping it to .their toes. Many infringements of the game were taking place, and from one of these Simmonds placed a nice goal, Newton 3. Play got ragged as the game progressed, neither set of forwards seeming to relish the tight work. Suburbs worked, down field to their opponent's twenty-five, where Hovell secured possession, and after a fine run side-stepped the opposition to score tbc finest try of the rirtteb. The change dvfcr at half-time saw a few attempts by the backs in . passing bouts, but the ball Jvas too greasy to handle, with the reffilt that the movements broke -down-before-much ground .was

gained. Newton in a strong forward rush carried play to Suburbs goal line, where they were rewarded with a try. Somervill, the Suburbs half, had to retire through injuries. Both sides were at fault in the scrums, and a little coaching in this department of the game would show beneficial results. Newton added two more unconverted tries before the final whistle, making the score 9—3 in their favour. For the winners McLean and Magee were the pick of the forwards, while fsalder at fullback played a very safe game, getting his side out of many difficulties. For Suburbs, Horill and Hardman played the best of the forwards, with Turner and Topliss showing good form in the backs. Despite the condition of the ground, the University B v. Marist B game was open throughout, and the handling of the ball quite good. Babbage, the University half, played a faultless game, getting his backs away at every -opportunity, while both full-backs played sound football. Kaar, University's hooker, played well, and scored the only try for liis side. Roderick scored a try for Marist, and the match ended in a draw, with a score of three all, neither try being converted. | Toward the end of the third quarter, University made desperate attempts to cross the Marist line, and were driven back only with difficulty.

WAIPA V. PUTARURU

iFrom Our Own Correspondent.) TE AWAMUTU, Monday. The Waipa senior reps, will play their first match of the season against Putaruni, at Putaruru, on Saturday next The team chosen is as follows: —Fullback, Johnson (United); three-quarters. Shepherd (United), Winter (Te Awamutu) and Kay (Parawera) ; five-eighths, Quin (Te Awamutu) and Johnson (United) ; Half. Wilkes (United) ; rover, Crotty (Rovers) ; forwards. Aspin (Te Awamutu), Kirk (United). Furgis (Parawera), Callls and Cairns (Te Awamutu), Crowley (Parawera), Storey (Rovers). Emergencies: backs, Mate (Parawera) ; forward, Holmes (Te Awamutu).