RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 179, 31 July 1928, Page 15

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP.

PONSONBY-'VARSITY GAME.

A SPLENDID BATTLE.

GOODWIN'S GREAT THY.

It is a long time since tin Auckland Rugby championship produced such a hard, clean and even struggle as eventuated at Eden Park on Saturday. The huge crowd were treated to a game that teemed with incident. Spectators anticipated a bright exhibition, and found their expectations more than fulfilled. Naturally the sympathies of the majority of the crowd went with the side which was struggling to achieve championship honours, but this did not prevent. their appreciation of the fine showing by Ponsonbv, nor their demonstrating this appreciation. Perhips, on the run of the play, University were slightly the better team—certainly the more enterprising—but few could be found to quarrel with the result.

At one stage the students looked to have the situation well in hand, but their opponents seized every opportunity, and in the final moments those anxious to secure trams were leaving with the conviction that championship honours would remain with the wearers of the blue and black jersevs. The final score provided a fitting conclusion to an epic game which showed Rugby, and especially Rugby with the Auckland pace, at its best. Promoted juniors figured in the ranks of last years champions, and acquitted themselves creditably. Bcnsemann, though overshadowed hy the fine exhibit i on which Mathias gave for his last appearance at Eden Park, prov- s ed quiti a capablo : rover, and Pope fully justified himself at live-eighths. Of the Ponsonby backs, however, the greatest credit must go to McManus, Jamieson, and L. Hoots. ine scruui half played one of his best • games, being enterprising on attack and determined in defence. The way in which he picked openings in the 'earguard of the blues was a treat to witness, and his solo effort when he went round the side of the scrum to score a dogged try was one which no other Auckland half could have accomplished. L. Hook was versatile, and always dangerous with his effective swerve and side-3tep. Far more opportunities came his way than went to his brother, who had a very quiet time on the other wing. Oammick, too, was at his best, quick, heady, and elusive. Fraser gave a good exhibition at full, but an one or two occasions was found hesitating. The credit for Ponsonby s position at the final whistle must jro largely to Jamieson. He did some fine kicking, though he missed the easiest of shots, showed up well on defence, and scored a try with a brilliant piece of opportunism. The veteran L. Righton lasted the fierce pace wonderfully well, and was outstanding among the pack. Palmer, Fleet and McCarthney were never far behind him. For the light blues, Jiush played splendidly at full, though Jamieson got past hiin for his sensational score. Bush's boot again proved a big asset for 'Varsity, his two penalties putting them well in the lead at one stage. The three-quarter line was more enterprising than was that of Ponsonby, and Goodwin stands out as its hero. Though he missed Hook badly when the latter got over, he made amends by deter mined and one of the most spectacular runs which ever concluded a game. It was an effort that sent the crowd wild. Minns, on the other wine, was well . , , . marked, but showed plenty of dash and determination. He goes for it without hesitation when the ball comes his way. Moorhouse was erratic, but it was his quickness that gave Hindenacn » »">"»• Stotter played better football than many previous Saturdays, and had he been better supported outside there would have been more points for 'Varsity. Jenkin opened patch lly, and then, warming up to his worK, convinced the public that he is really a rep. fi_veeighth. Carter performed well the scrum, though be wai hardly the equal of McManus on the day. As usual, Linton played the forward game of the day, and Hindenach was little behind him, though in a game where every one in both packs were "all out it would, be hardly fair to individualise. There is now one thing, that the football P"^ 1 ® desires more than any Ranfurly Shield contest, and that is to see University and Ponsonby meet again in another match as hard, clean and exnilarating.

CITY'S NARROW MARGIN. The showground was in good order when the City and Marist Bros. Old Boys teams turned out on Saturday. Marists were considerably weakened by the at>aence of Jeffries, who has done so well in the five-eighths line this season. Marists started, with only fourteen men, but the team was soon brought up to full strength. City seemed to settle down the more quickly and attacked strongly. The backs showed a cohesion and ability to vary play which was no doubt due to the leadership and coaclmig of Karl Ifwersen, who was the leader of all movements. There was some nice straight and cross running done by tbe City backs, but it was not until the second quarter that they were able to pierce the defence of Marists. Then two tries were scored as the result of nice passing runs. Marists did better af the spell and it-looked at one timeas if they might win. The forwards had a battle royal. There was not much between them. Fletcher was outstanding on the City side and he was ably by Fell and Crisp. Among the City backs Ifwersen and Jacob# played good games. Crook is also a good type of scoring wing three-quarter, but light. However, what he lack-m weight he endeavours to make up deter mination. Heard did good work round the scrum. Of the-Mamt formj Locke, Downing and Peters did wdl. The Marist backs at first seemed disorganised but they later settled down. lsun. Graham and Wright seemed to be about the pick. It was a good game to *atch, being fast, open and willing, and played in best of good tomjjera,

MANUKAITS BIG WIN. Manukau proved on Saturday what a great team they are on a fine day, beating a strong Grammar team by 25 points to 8, giving their best display of the season. The passing of both sides was pretty to watch, but the attacking thrust of the Manukau team was indeed superior to their opponents'. Grammar played the 3—2—3 scrum formation, but seldom did they hook the ball, as Brimble raked it continually from them. The Manukau team was at full strength, and a reshuffle in the backs greatly improved matters through VVatene going to full-back, Dykes to five-eighths, Falwassar centre, and Rata playing on the wing. The Grammar forwards were always dangerous, but poor handling by their backs let their side down continually when on attack. For Grammar, Schnauer, at full-back, was patchy; his fumbling cost an easy try, and poor tackling let Falwasser in easily once to score. The three-quarter line was very weak, passing the ball very badly and failing to tackle their men low. Skelton played a heady game at five-eighths, but was poorly supported by his outside men. He is a verv powerful kicker. Weir, at half, played well, feeding his backs without avail. The Grammar forwards met their match and although playing eight men in the scrum could not master the opposing pack in the tight. A. Knight, L. Knight, Cathcart and Batty worked hard, always being in the limelight. For Manukau, Watene, at full-back, gave a sparkling display, saving brilliantly on many occasions, and, using either foot, did good line kicking. Rata, on the wing, gave a good exhibition in a new position to him. Easily the best back on the ground was Falwasser, who played at centre, scoring two beautiful tries, the last of which he took from his own goal-line to run through the whole Grammar team. Dykes played a nice game, feeding Falwasser well. Sturmey was responsible for nearly all the Manukau movements, playing his best game of this season. He scored 12 points for his side, never missing a shot at goal all day. Leniham. behind the pack, again played great game, feeding his backs well, and was always a sound man on defence. Golding, at rover, was in his element, smothering the Grammar backs continually. Once again there wag not a loafer in the Manukau pack. Every man rose to the occasion, the best of them being that great toiler, C. Satherly, who, being on his holidays, came up from Nelson to play in this game. The hooking of Brimble and Houshara calls for special mention. J. Laird also played a great game in the pack, with Kahu always on hand to lend his weight to his lighter colleagues.

At half-time a presentation was made by Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., to A. FalI wasser and M. Kahu from their supporters and club members on the eve of their departure with the Auckland team on tour. CONDITION TELLS A TALE. Until the last quarter of their match against Grafton on Saturday College Rifles quite held their own, but they tell away so palpably in the last quarter that the final stages found them well out of the hunt. " • j The game was not taken over-seriously, and making a late start, also with one eye to the final of the grandstand match, the teams agreed to play four 15-minutes' periods. However, there was plenty of incident while the match lasted. Both teams battled hard, but they were so evenly matched that movements on either side were usually nipped in the bud. Rifles started off well, and with six points up in the early stages seemed to be working towards victory. Then it was that that great forward, Finlayson, led his fellows on with rushes that broke clean through the defences. At halftime the score was even at six all, and commencing the second half the game see-sawed for quite a while. The issue was definitely in the balance, and then Farmer, Turei and Ruru found some extra vim that turned the scale in Grafton's favour. Against this assault the Rifles wilted and failed to revive, though a last-minute effort by Donald almost notched • try. The Rifles' wing, with a fine run, bad actually crossed the line near the corner flag, but in trying to improve he was pushed out of bounds. SHORE'S HEAVY CAUSALTIES.

There were very few occasions when the game between Training College and North Shore twhich College won by 28 tc 8) looked like senior Rugby. When they took the lie.'d Shore b*.d two em<n - -»rd fr.ily in the third session Fairgray, who had been one of the most useful forwards on the field, and Simpson, had to be taken off, and the greens were playing four reserves. There was nothing brilliant about the forward play by either side. Neither pack combined well, although there were one or two shining lights in each team, Solomon, D'Authreau and Smith being outstanding among the Shore van, and Peacock and Johnstone among the winners. Shore were the stronger in the forwards; had they played with the weakness which their backs displayed College would undoubtedly have won by a greater margin. ' As a combination, Shore backs were deplorably feeble. Among them were one or two who, it is said, should not have been on the field owing to recent indisposition, but few of the others showed anything like form. Webb was probably the best in the line. He was always off the mark smartly, and besides scoring a clever try, he seized several opportunities to make promising openings. Even among the College backs, of whom it was expected that they would dominate the game, there were patches. Quite the best play of the game came from their inside backs, Mackev and Broomfield, each of whom rarely missed a chance for an opening. At full, Butler was obviously not woiTied and he made few mistakes. He tried, nine kicks at goal, but it is not to his discredit that only four of them were successful, as nearly all were from difficult positions. Mcßae was always sound, and seemed to have a hand in most Movements. Scorers for Training College were McRae Mason, Mackey, Hill (2) and Morton. Butler kicked two penalty goals and converted two tries. For North Shore, Webb and Solomon each landed tries, and Stokes converted Solomon's with a good kick. Of the four spells, the second and fourth to; th* most exciting of a rag-

ged game, but in each of these, although there -was plenty of action, nearly all efforts were individual. The first spell was most uninteresting, while good football in the third was impossible owing to the unusual number of accidents.

SENIOR B GRADE. TRAMWAYS BEAT 'VARSITY. The game was very ragged and uninteresting, but on the day Tramways deserved their win. For the winners McKov, at full-back, played a good game and kicked well. Keenan, at half, was always alert and shot the ball away from the scrum quickly. Garnett, as wing three-quarter, showed plenty of dash and kicked well. The forwards worked well together, but were not conspicuous. For the losers Millar was taken from his ordinary position as hooker and played as half. Hamiora, the five-eighth, played a good game and repeatedly saved his side. Scott, on the wing, played with dash and was responsible for 'Varsity's only try. Of a hardworking pack Carr was prominent both in the tight and in the loose. 'Varsity kicked off against a slight wind and were immediately hard pressed. They rallied and carried play to Tramways' twenty-five, where an infringement gave Millar an unsuccessful shot at goal. After the change over 'Varsity started to throw the ball about and a good movement ended in Scott being pushed out at the corner. Play travelled back to half-way, where a breach of the rules gave Millar another chance. This time he was successful. Immediately afterwards Tramways had a chance and McKoy goaled. In the second half Tramways kept the 'Varsity backs busy with consistent rushes, from one of which Howell gained possession and dived over for Garrett to convert. After the change over play livened up. From a scrum near 'Varsity's twenty-five Glass gained possession and scored well out, for Garrett to convert. 'Varsity rallied and after a good run Scott scored. Millar goaled with a great kick, the game ending with the scores Tramways 13, Varsity 8. NEWTON OUTCLASSED. Marathon had little difficulty in defeating Newton in the last match of the competition at the Showgrounds on Saturday, running home comfortable winners by 35 points to 5. Marathon have been a trifle unlucky in the championship this season, and, although they finished in third position, were only verv narrowly beaten on more than one occasion. However, it would have taken a very strong combination to defeat the Technical Old Boys' fifteen, while the University B team, who also finished ahead of Marathron, were by no means a weak side.

Perhaps the most outstanding player in the Marathon team was S. Wales, playing in the five-eighth line. He has been playing consistently good football throughout the season, and in the near future should be seen to advantage in more important football. Another Marathon player to show form above the average is Robinson, who helps to from the pack. Owing to an injury this player was put out of commission for a short period, but on Saturday showed he had not lost any of his dash and could always be seen working solidly. Of the remaining forwards, Gardiner and Kilgour were always in the limelight, while Young, Lymburne and Bishop were prominent among the rearguard toilers. The Newton team is not possessed of any players of any great merit, but, although they failed to register a victory during the season, they are to be congratulated for their fine sportsmanlike qualities. Though they were defeated by. scores ranging from twenty to nearly seventy, they always leit the field smiling. Should success come their way next season it would be pleasing news to many of their old supporters.

Perhaps the best player seen in the Newton ranks this season is Brown, who always plays a solid game in the backs. Sullivan and Purser are also a useful pair, who may be seen to more advantage next season. Of the red and white forwards, Moore, who has improved considerably this season, was the best, while Cowell and Mansfield were also wrot.hy of comment. McLean played c. good .game until he had to leave the field with an injured knee.