PALLARD CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 215, 11 September 1928, Page 13

PALLARD CUP.

MARATHON UNLUCKY. When University and took the field on Saturday at the Show Grounds it was generally expected that the farmer weadd aeore « comfortable victory, but when the final whistle sounded the students only had a single point to spare. la fact they were a very lucky team to have won, for Marathon, after holding the upper hand for the most part and being in front till nearing the end, were only beaten by what most he termed a lucky try. Nevertheless the students put all their heart into their work and thoroughly deserved the victory. Perhaps the beat Phryw on the field was Stodder, the University five-eighth, who was a*wavs ! in the firing line, and h» try was the result of a very heady nolo movement. Babbage, the half-back, gave Stedder every opportunity, never failing re set his backs moving. The renaming backs all worked nsefuHy and on several occasions were seen in -some pretty passing movements, but they failed to finish them off. The Varsity forwards were a useful set, with Miller and Black outstanding. The Marathon backs were' «H upset without their "star" five-eighth, Wales, but, notwithstanding this drawback, they played exceptionally wcE and the *wp wings, Young and Stewart <4he latter in particular), did fine work for their side. But the real shining light of the aide was Leach, the rover, who besides playing very fine football kicked two good goals. The coloured forwards were a very pushing" Jot and repeatedly beat the students for the ball from Ihe ! scrums. Outstanding among their number were Robinson and Sheath, who were always ready to do their share of "the work.

AH EVEN 00. Suburbs *nd 'Tramways provided a very fast, and open game of fiugby loothaH that delighted the spectators and kept them thrilled for i 3» duration of the game. Scaring Was free on both sides, as each in turn had the advantage of the wind. For Suburbs tries were registered by Ott, -Smith <2), and Thorn (2), Thorn converting one and kicking a goal from a mark, white Smith also converted one try. Par Tramways tries were scored by Sogers, Boag |2), and Otaen, two of which were converted by McCoy. Suburbs won by 20 to 16. It was a good game and bota teams showed marked improvement since they nut previously. - Taafcrwaye have -a wellbalanced team, and with players like Howell, Gordon and McGrath in the forwards and Boag, Olsen and McCoy aniongsi the .hacks they .should Jbe Able i%fkj(ogm&k. "own;' -cmai'.weSt season. Suburbs' forwards worked weff together, with Watts, Greehsmith and Sadgrove showing out to advantage. The backs handled well, McLeod, Thorn and Wilkin playing good football. Wilkin is only a fourth-grade player, but behind the Saburbs pack he showed good skill and ought to go far if he maintains the promise now show-

fgapjnji, dowh agaih. i With both aides depleted by the repre-1 aentatire fixtures the Ponsonby-Gxam-■Ufun for the Pollard Cop developed ate a. single between, for fha nest part, second-grade players. Grammar, particularly, -was practically fielding a junior aide. Despite this, however, the game proved fast and interesting, and the heavier Ponsonby side had to fight every inch of the .way to gain their 19 points. Grammar did not succeed; in scoring, but were rather unlucky. Daring the greater part of the last spell they practically had charge of the game and hammed the. bine and blacks in their own twenty-five. Ponsoabyfr, points were made up of fire tries scored by McLeod, Durbridge, Edgars, Bishop and Thomas. Dodd and Thomas each converted one try, and the, game ended with the scores: Ponsonby,! 19; Grammar, ft.