RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 150, 28 June 1927, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SECOND ROUND STARTED.

,' HIGH ALL-ROUND STANDARD.

POXSOXBY'S LEAD IXCREASED.

The opening games of the second round of senior games on Saturday indicated that the club standard is now higher all-round than it has been for some years, and that followers arc likely to have a' series of memorable games before the club season ends. Ponsonby, Grafton. Grammar, College Rifles and University- are all well matched, while "Marists, Shore and Training College can extend any one of the live top dogs. The lirst matches of the second round were characterised by especially keen play, and the results had the effect of putting Ponsonby in a clear lead, and knocking Oaf ton back. The championship positions arc: — vts. Prs. Oi. I*. YV. J,. JX For. Asr. I'is. Ponsonby s <; i l in 4i; 13 *;rafton S ."> 2 1 S2 t;:; 11 <;r:inimar 0.8. S ."> :; — S."i 71 in <"ollp.ee Rifles . N 4 4—■ S2 lii 4 S diarist s 3 3 2 tirt r.s S rniversity ... 7 3 3 1 tu »>4 7 Xorfh Shore . . S 2 fi — tl2 02 4 Training College T — G 1 2!) S<; i The lirst of the big games outside of sub-union fixtures will be played at Eden Park on Saturday week, when the IMaori team is scheduled to play Auckland. This match should provide an admirable test for the Auckland team, should the Maori side be anything like the standard of last year's New Zealand native nfteen.

A correspondent complains that the names en the Eden Park scoring board are so small as to be undecipherable from the distance of the members' stand. He suggests that the names be coded 'as "Pons.'' "G. 0.8.," and "Teachers" for Ponsonby. Grammar and Training College, and that the coded names be printed larger type. #

At the -weekly meeting of the Auckland Referees' Association last night a request from Thames for qualified referees to control the Peace Cup matches ivas referred to the Appointment Board. A report was received that the U9e of eye-bolts instead of pegs for the goal nets on Soccer grounds against the Jviighy sidelines at the Domain had removed a possible source of danger to Rugby players. Discussion on a lecture by T. A. Fletcher (Wellington) on the subject of the offside rule was deferred till next meeting.

MARISTS' GOOD WIN,

SHORE'S EFFORTS LACK DASH.

Three points, diarists' margin over Shore at Devonport, is not much to boast about, but Tykes were distinctly the better side on the day, and they'would lave been unlucky to lose. Both teams lad to rearrange the lay-out on the field, as the result of absentees, and this had the effect that neither showed their best combination. *

The Shore backs were very disappointing, and though solid in defence were hardly ever in the picture as an attacking force. Franklin, an emergency wing, played well, and Johnson at full-back "was worth a lot to his side. The local forwards seemed to be lacking the '"devil" that has won them many victories in the past, and it was only in the last quarter of an hour that they showed their real worth. Exceptions must be made of Solomon, Grace, and Reid, who were on the job from the kickr off to the call of time.

Loft.

Solomon.

The Marist Lacks were as nippy as ever, but the adjustments already referred to seemed to spoil their combination, and many pretty openings ended in a blank. Locke as full-back "was a poor substitute for Cornthwaite, "who had been moved up to five-eighths. He was tolerably safe, but painfully slow. Stoupe was always in the forefront of the attack, but some recent successes with the dropkick appear to lave made that feature an obsession "with him. At any rate, he had at least four, if not five, pots in Saturday's game.' 2sot one accomplished its mission, and on at least two occasions he had good ehances of success had he "carried-on" for a try.

Loft is a lad who seems to improve as the season wears on. He was always troublesome to the opposition, and the try which he secured after threading his •way through the thick of the Shore team was worthy of any star performer.

GRAMMAR STAYS BEST,

FAST MATCH WITH TEACHERS.

For' nearly three parts of the game "with Grammar on Saturday Training College looked like downing the whites. The college men had three points on the score board and, as they were holding their own with Grammar on the run of the play, there was all reason to expect them to score a win. However, no game is won till the bell goes and, in the latter stages of the match Grammar

et out to wipe off the debt against them. Their big forwards, led Jsy Kiiight and Batty, bustled their way through the opposing pack and fairly battered down the defence. Xot that they did this without any resistance, because the Training College men were not •living in without a solid checking, and it really took a long time before Batty succeeded in scoring a» rather fine try, after three of the team had handled the ball. The try converted, Grammar led 5 to 3, and later, in order to have a little to come and go on, they put on another three points, and when the game closed they had the Training College beaten by S points to 3. The winners thoroughly deserved their victory, and particularly in the latter stages did they maintain the strong pace set from the start. The showing of Training College was a rattier good one, and they will offer strong opposition to all othqr cliib teams, and will be a strong factor in iHS7»dinjj good' ga^ef. v •

A CLOSE CALL,

POXSOXBY FULLY EXTENDED,

Ponsonby got the fright.of their lives against College Rifles in the big match at Eden Park in Saturday. Except for one little upset, Ponsonby have had .i life this season that has been almost as sweet a«d complete as was the case' last year, but Saturday's battle must have given them a nasty jolt. The champions certainly had to bring out. their whole box of "tricks to beat College Rifles.

It was a very different combination that College Rifles brought onto the field on Saturday. They had learned one lesson on the first day of the season when Ponsonby walked off with 23 points to spare. The College Rifles forwards, led all the time by Fogarty, Gallagher and Stewart, scored a try in the first two minutes, and they kept up a crackling pace all" through the game. The backs made the most of every chance when in a handy, position and when their side was in danger, each one went for his man and tackled hard and low. The all blue team played great unlucky at times.

The most dangerous man in Auckland club football is undoubtedly Lucas. The defence has to make only one mistake, and that mistake is generally fatal. If there is a weakness anywhere, Lucas will find it, and when he docs —well, the boy on the score board generally gets busy. On Saturday, Lucas was badly up against it. In Wilson, he. had a solid man opposite him. All the time Wilson watched Lucus and the crowd watched this pair. Time .after time Wilson went after Lucas —and got him, But at the end.of the day, Wilson made one slight mistake.' It was fatal. Lucas flashed through and with an amazing side-step that will long be remembered by the crowd, he beat (Jillespie and grounded the ball under the posts. It was a fine piece of work. Then again, Sheen's try was a beautiful exhibition of cleverness and. speed. When a scrum was put.down near the Ponsonby line, Du Chateau whipped the ball out on the blind side before Ponsonby had realised it was in the scrum. Sheen took, it at top, ■ and, flashing through the momentary opening, he was across. Although Sheen did a lot of good work on attack, his best work was his defence. * After the fine game tbatDu Chateau played behind the Rifles- pack on Satur- j day, he must surely be seriously considered for rep. honours. He got plenty to do and did it well. He was seldom caught with the ball, whipping it out to Sheen in great style. It was through a clever short-punt by him that Fogarty was able to score the first try. When the Ponsonby attack was at its height, he went gamely down to the onslaughts. Altogether, he played a heady game. By the way, Du Chateau is a nepliew- of Teddy Roberts. He is full of the tricks of Teddy Roberts and he certainly has the football brains of the half and fiveeighth that a few seasons ago was the idol of Wellington Rugby. / There is no doubt that Berridge makes a big difference to Ponsonby. He was missing on Saturday, and it was plain that Ponsonby's attack was badly upset. Hook came in from the wing to first five-eighth after a time and played well. He made a big difference to the back machine.

By far the best trio of the Ponsonby forwards was- Pahner, Righton and Short. They are three fine battlers ana 1 they got through a tremendous amount of work. ' "

THE SENIOR B GRADE

MANUKAU MOVE UP.

Before a large crowd, at Onehunga, Manukau scored an easy victory over Tramways, outplaying them.-everywhere The winners' handling was "very-skHful and accurate, which pleased their supporters. Tramways, on appearances, were a good team, but lack of combination was their downfall.

For the winners, Amouhanga, at full, 1 gave his usual spirited display. J Lipseombe, on the< wing... gave a'fine "ex- ] hibition, and his kicking, too, was handy to the. side. Rata and Sturmey, at five-eighths, combined well, the former being always, the pivot of the attack,' though at times-kiijclined to be selfish.Taylor wandered, occasionally .from" tfe-: , centre--info, the forwiards, where.,he gen-, ' erally. plays. Ingram, a new half-back' from Taihape, played- a brilliant.game, • and fed his backs with speed and - accur- : acy. "Baby" Kahu was the pick of'the vau> and his-twp tries .were very fineefforts. Wakefield, Brimble and Bell ably assisted, their colleague. The beaten team endeavoured to keep the game fast and open till the finish. They were unlucky to strike Manukau at the top of their.form, and in--good football weather. McCoy, at full-back, had a very busyiafternoon, and hV'gavie a fair exhibition; his main 'fault was standing too close tb'the backs, &K& the" stab kicks of the opposing backs caught him out of position on several occasions. Boag, on the wing, is the makings of a useful player; he is speedy and a good tryer. Keenan, at five-eighths, was good, but lie was outshone by his rivals' five-eighths. The half wanders out of position .too-frequently. The forwards were an even lot, but in the" loose their work was poor, and .high tackling is their worst fault. A Win Without a Try. Although neither they nor their opi ponents scored one * try, Otahuhu ' managed to beat Waitemata bv 10 s points to 3. Otahuhu's score was made • up of two penalty goals and one potted ; goal, and a remarkable thing was that i every point was scored by Knight. He [ and Brady were the outstanding members of his side. For Waitemata, , Clarkin kicked a penalty goal. The game throughout was a first-class exhibition, both teams maintaining a very solid defence. On the Improve. University B held the advantage of ! points scored in their game against. | Suburbs, played on the Avondale racecourse. The game was played very openly by botli sides, the backs having ■ their share of the game, and some fine ■ passing bouts were witnessed by the I spectators, who showed their apprecia- ' tion of good play. Both these teams i are improving as tfce season advances, and as tiiey have youth on their side,

they «an look forward to being a most formidable proposition before the season closes.

Tries were scored by Reflly (2), Thompson and Maiugay, and Kaa converted one, for University, while Walters and J. Forsyth scored a try apiece for Suburbs, Hardman converting one. Both sides were spoiling their play by over eagerness, but, with a little more understanding, will overcome this difficulty. This applies especially amongst the back division of the Suburbs team.

The forwards of both teams played strongly throughout, and it was mainly through their efforts that University were able to come out in front.

'Varsity too Good,

Played as a curtain-raiser to the big match at Eden Park, the GraftonUniversity clash was a bit disappointing. 'Varsity put plenty of sting into their work, both backs and for wards combining in well-directed movements. On the other hand, Grafton played a "dead"' game. Their play was colour-, less. There was, only one bright spot in the Grafton attack and that was Paewai. He did his best to get the machine going, but somehow the movements always' broke down. Thert again, the 'Varsity defence was sound. The gC7U of the mateh Was the try by Bradanovitch. He dummied Paewai, and after a great race of fifty yards, he scored a brilliant try. ThA University live-eighth still forgets that he has men outside him. and when he. does remember, he quite often crowds them on the touebline. MeLood, on the wing, made things lively whenever he got a chance. His speed often had Ruru in a tansrie. The two hardest workers in the 'Varsitv pack were Stone and Keene. They bustled Grafton' all day lonp. Wanoa. Compton and Finloyson were the best of the Grafton pack. Tech. Win Again. .After a hard, even game, in which both sides showed flashes of combination. Technical 0.8. defeated Ellerslie by S points to 5, For the winners, Keane and McMiken scored tries, Keane eonverting one, while Green scored and Richards converted for the losers. Of the Technical 0.8.'s backs, Haslam was outstanding, his swerving and straight running being perfect, though at times he went too far on his own. All the forwards played well, Jones always being prominent. For Etlersljc, Short and Panopa were hard-working forwards, while Green and Brown were the best backs, the former's try being a nice effort.

KING'S V. GRAMMAR.

Many spectators came away from Mangere on Saturday afternoon dissatisfied. Their opinion was that the first of the two annual College fixtures had been lacking in much of the brilliance associated with these games. There was certainly not the continuity of back effort that a fine day and an ideal ground presaged, and herein lay the cause of the popular verdict. There was, however, - what most people fail to " appreciate fully—a ding-dong struggle between twa solid, fast and evenly-matched packs, whose footwork and following were a treat to watch. It was a "day when forwards dominated, and broke in so-quickly on the rearguard as to nullify many a movement. Only in the last ten minutes was there much of back play, and then it gave King's the reward that their forwards had made possible..

THE REP. FIXTURES.

HOME AND AWAY MATCHES. The Auckland representative fixtures for the season at Eden Park are:— July 9—v. Maori team, August 6 —v. South. Canterbury. ' August 20—v. Manawhenua. August 27 —v. Hawke's Bay. September 3—v. Wairarapa. September 10—v. Otago. September 17—v. Wellington. Away From Home. August 20—v. King Country. August 24 to 27—v.- East Coast teams. September 3—v. Thames Valley. Special Matches. July 16—Charity Day at Eden Park. August 13—College Day at Eden Park.

MANUKAU ASSOCIATION.

On Saturday last the second round J of the Manukau Rugby Football Association ended. The games played were fast and bright-football was witnessed. A large crowd attended the PapakuraClevedon, junior match at Papakura, but the Papakura. "ponies" "were too good for Clevedon, and trounced them to the tune of 16 to nil.

The following are the results of Saturday's play:—Seniors: Hunua 3 beat Drury 0; Clevedon 9, beat Papakura 0. Juniors: Papakura 16, beat Clevedon 0; Hunua 13, beat Drury 6.'

PIAKO REP. TEAM.

The following team will represent Piako seniors .in the Poland Cup matqh against -Waihi at Te Arbha on Saturday next: —

Fullback, S. Goldsbury; three-quarters, Flynn, Tdwers; McQuarters; five-eighths, Lane and' -Harrison; half, , Douglas; rover,' ; F. ; Goldsbury; forwards,. Young, Meanning, McLaren, Baldwin, Riddle, Stevenson, Thornton. Emergencies: Backs, Gray, Stewart; forwards, Higgins, Cleave.

The junior representatives to play Waihi. at "Waihi on Saturday will be:—

Full-back,. Strange; three-quarters, P. Mace, K. Munro, Woodroofe; fiveeighths, Heathcote, Hill; half, Tremain; rover, Goodfellow; forwards, Burmester Heiatt, Cross, F. Mace, Lusby, Clarkin Keaney. Emergencies: Backs. Lipsey Whellen; forwards, Beggs and White.

CAMBRIDGE REPRESENTATIVES.

TEAMS TO MEET HAMILTON.

'" The following wil represent the Cambridge Union in their matches against Hamilton, at Hainilon. on Sautrday nest:—

A Team (to travel). —Full-back, H. Roberts; three-quarters. C. Thompson. A. Thompson nad Russo; five-eighths. A. Hart and Voysey: halfback. McDonnell; rover, W: Bourke : forwards, front "row J. Bourke and J.'Dagg. lock Bert Hall, middle row McDonald and MeXamara. breakaways Dan Bourke and F. Cooper. Emergencies: Forwards. Tyer and Cowan; backs, Hannah and Bluck.

B Team (at Cambridge).—Fullback. W. Brodersen ; three-quarters. Morrow, S. May and Giles: five-eighths. I. Peake and Appleby; halfback. 'SmJllie; rover. Ted Hall: frowards. front row Temai nnd Fletcher, lock Wilson, middle row Collett and Miller, breakaways Grayling and Howell. Emergencies : Forward. . Duncan nnd Nickle; backs, Morrice and McDonald.

BIRCH CUP.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) THAMES, Monday. The following Hugby players have been selected to represent Thames against Coroman'dcl. at Thames, on Saturday for the Birch Cup:—Winder. Moran, Harrison, A. Winder, Dufty. Donnelly, Pratt. W. Pollock, Lomai, Kinlock, Ensor, Borkhardt, Hayward (captain). Benney, Strange, Emer--Ben«ie»: Morrliegr, McMahon, Xhemat, 359. .JT-