'VARSITY TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 136, 11 June 1929, Page 13

'VARSITY TEST.

INTERESTING CLUB GAMES.

FCNSONBY IN THE LEAD.

SENIOR MATCHES REVIEWED

Saturday's Rugby programme at Eden Park promised much more than it produced. With the third test match between the visiting Australian Universities and their Xew Zealand rivals as the big attraction, and the usual interesting club games, a crowd of 12,000, a record for the season, wended its way to the park. But the exhibition was surprisingly poor, especially for university players "who usually give bright displays. Even the club games were not up to the usual standard. Somehow the spectre of the past seemed to haunt the Australian players, for try as they would, they could do little right. Xew Zealand took an interat the beginning, and it •was soon convincing. If the attacking qualities of the backs were continually under suspicion, the Xew Zealand back line certainly was possessed of brilliant

defence. But it was to the fine play of the Xew Zealand pack that New Zealand owed its victory of IS points to 3. Their solid work was the arresting phase in the policy which actuated the whole team. Anderson, Linton, Edgar and Jolly were often seen in admirable loose rushes in which they kept a good control of the ball. Whereas the Xew Zealand forwards plaved soundly, the backs were an erratic lot, failing in essentials and fundamentals of attack. There were times, however, when the game brightened up, and one or two runs by the Xew Zealand wings,-Minns and Goodwin, were gems of brightest ray serene. Both were seen in glorious swerving runs which spreadeagled the defence. The Australian forwards could not stand up to the tight and solid play of the Xew Zealand men, but they shone 111 the loose and line outs. At one stage towards the end. they won quite a big share of the ball, but their backs let them down, the inside men wavering and faltering. The seventh series of club matches was completed, and the championship table has reached a most interesting stage, with Ponsonbv in the lead. The position of the teams is:— Points. Cb. r. W. L. D. For Agst. Pts. Ponsonby .... 7 0 1 — 1 1«»1 6S 12 Training Col. .7511 IV- 59 11 University ... 6 5 1 — 1"!) Manukau .... 7 4 3 — 02 8 Grammar. 0.8. 7 4 3 — 100 SO S 'City 7 '1 4 1 34 S4 o Grafton 7 2 3 — 80 13< 4 Technical 0.8. to — <9 109 4 Marist 6 1 f 1 30 68 3 College Rifles .7151 bO l-o 3

GRAMMAR'S WIN OVER CITY.

Although it never reached any great heights, the game between Grammar Old Eovs and City was interesting in that throughout the second and third spells there "was a difference of only one point between the teams. Grammar eventually won by the very comfortable margin of nine points, but it was only because the red and blacks failed badly to stay the distance. To many of the crowd. that watched —it was easily the biggest of the season —the game was a disappointment. On the Saturday before City had treated the Training College fifteen to their first reverse of the season, and it was expected that they would be all out further to improve their position at the expense of the Old Boys. Actually Citv played a long way below form. It is known that they are capable of better things. Wild running among the backs put °the kayo on their combination; waiting for the bounce gave Grammar advantages that they did not allow to go begging. , . C'itv opened in promising style by ■taking the lead in the first quarter, thanks to Berridge's boot. The exPonsonby player saw the chance of four good points and took it. Grammar wiped off the deficit and went one point better with a converted try before the change. Xo further blood was drawn in the second and third rallies, but in the final spell two Grammar tries, one of which was converted, put City out of the pic-

Grammar were without A. Knight, but their other stalwarts played well together. Batty was as much in the picture as usual, as were C'athcart and I. Potter. The last-named, whose worth as a very solid toiler is not always recognised", got a try and fully deserve it on his afternoon's play. L._ Knight also showed up a lot, and is in miic better form than when he made ins comeback last season. In Corner,

Grammar have a half-back "who is more likely than not to see the inside of a representative jersey before his playing clays are over. Young in years, he is as keen as mustard and shirks nothing. He is nippy on his feet, and seldom misses an opportunity of giving his backs a gallop. He al&o has the makings of a fine defensive player, and on more than one occasion oni baturdav he pleased the crowd by the "nay in which he got the ball away from _ e feet of the City forwards. is behind about as good a club pack as is plaving in Auckland to-day, and 1 1= likely that he will improve with every game. Bell, in the centre of the_ threequarter line, was uncertain in is handling, and as a result P. Skelton and Menzies did not get as ma nj opportunities as they might have . » although the first-named scored twice. In making his run for his first try, " ton recovered nicely when he certain to spoil a great chance , knock-on. Gardiner tackled har^» made too many mistakes in 13 ing. His best effort of the a^ e , the kick that converted Potters try from a wide angle. 1T The City forwards stood up well against their big .opponents, an i = not their fault that Grammar g - win. Fletcher toiled hard, and most o the others also earned their isalt. - Ifwersen was the most watched back on the field, but he did not p game he played against T^ al ? in ° 1p fege. Allen! in the five-eighth Jine, made a couple of clever openings that woum have resulted in' scores had had pace. Littlewood, a former League plaver, showed some speed, pu w dined to run wildly at times, while Kerr Tayor, who is capable of a fine o game, was not at the top of his as full-back.

GRAFTON'S BIG FIGHT,

Y\ hen Grafton took the field at Showground on Saturday with only 12 men, and not all of them seniors, the spectators looked for an immediate overwhelming of the black and whites by the speedy Training College players, and a game that would lose most of its attraction through one-sidedness. Such was far from the actual experience. Two more juniors and the veteran - Dan Wakerley brought the side up to full strength, and off the game went at a fast, open' bat, which it maintained until the close. Though definite in its conclusion, play was full of incident, and, until the final spell, far from one-sided. First blood came to Training College with a penalty, but the Grafton forwards, usually sluggish at the start, rose to the top of their form 011 this occasion, and to a man they played with such vim and determination that at half-time the score was eight all, and they had twice crossed the opposing line, while only once had the teachers struggled over theirs. Even in the third quarter, when Training College had a three-point lead, there was little between the two teams, but there was ample evidence of what must come. The black and white pack had been fully extended for three spells, they had swept the length of the field unthijrrinely again and again, but their erudition failed to last, though their determination never wavered.

The real ascendancy of the Training College backs came in the final twenty. Their forwards had opportunities denied to them in the earlier- saiges, when the Grafton pack was doiuiiuou, and Rae fed the ball out una'every Grafton forward struggle was sent back by

quick movements Weir, Alackey and (Jo. Training Loilege have a tireless forward in Siacey, probably the best for his weight in the senior competition. He is like iLinton at his best. Weir was the most prominent of the backs, and 011 his recent form should receive at least serious consideration for the position 01

"first-five"' in the representative team. He and Rae have a perfect understanding, and this counts for much of Training College's success in back movements. Miickey was responsible for a brilliant try and much good work. Lawrie is hardly as dependable in attack as he showed himself in earlier games, and -Ucßae found more opportunities coming to his wing than went to Abbott's. Butler appeared to be both full-back and rover at some stages of the game. He gave a fine display. Scott, who took Langley's place as last line for Grafton, came through a trying ordeal with credit. Ruru never got a clear gallop, but was both solid and determined. Riddell was outstanding among the backs, and played a sterling game, as did Mackav, qu/ck and reliable 'behind the scrum. He whipped the ball out accurately, "and "had several of his outside backs not taken their passes standing there were sufficient opportunities coming their way to have produced more than one try. Though not up to full strength, the Grafton pack played their game of the season. Wanoa was the Wanoa of old, and was well supported by Keary, Compton, Finnell, Kaj and Tucker. " Grafton were soundly beaten, but they deserve every credit for the keen sporting game they put up .under disheartening conditions. Wakeriy set them a fine example of enthusiasm.

"PONIES"' EASY DAY. Although Ponsonby did not put up a massive score against College Rifles on Saturday, the ex-champions were never in trouble and obviously played with a good deal in reserve. Their forwards were not impressive on the day and were apparently content to leave matters with their speedy and clever back division. Their confidence was thoroughly justified, for the "Ponies' handled tho ball in delightful fashion, quite outclassing the opposition, whose work was crude by comparison. The Rifles forwards made an excellent showing and often hacl the "Ponies"' defending, but the backs were quite incapable of piercing the Ponsonby defence. Their captaining, too, was" distinctly mediocre. For = the winners, Solomon was the most conspicuous individual player, getting through an amazing amount of

work. All the backs played well. Lucas was on the side lines with an injured foot and his substitute, McLeod, made several spectacular runs. In action lie has the greyhound style in excelsis. Bunting and McWilliams were the pick of the forwards. For Rifles Gillespie, who shifted from five-eighths to full early in the game, had plenty 3 to do in the latter positon, and did it admirably. Kirk, at half, got th 1 ball away smartly enough, but it seldom reached "the wings. In the forwards, Fogarty was at the top of his form and was in the forefront of almost every attacking movement. His collaring, too, was verr sure. He secured the only score for his side. 2\oakes and Steere is ere also noticeable in a pack that gave a good all-round exhibition.

MANUKAU SCRAPE HOME. Technical Old Boys put up a great fio-ht against the local side at Onehunga, and it was only in the last quarter that the fame swung over to Manukau's favour. From just after half-time Teed, were playing with 14 men, as Harris was not- replaced, which put their Sl " e at a <reat disadvantage, playing a back short° For three-quarters of the game play was very ragged, with Tech. showmore signs of combination than their opponents. Great forward play was the order of the day, as both pack=> worked hard only to see their backs lose ground by wild passing, and running across the field.

Aynsley, full-back for the losers, was very safe, giving a sound exhibition. Both the C'oupers made good use of any chances that came their way, and were too fast for their opposing wings. The inside backs were weak, and at times were badly bustled by the Manukau forwards. Harris, till he retired, was the l>est back of the side, stopping many dangerous attacks, besides being tricky when in possession. He fed his backs well with the ball, only to see it fumbled. Great praise must be given to their fine, light pack of forwards, who held the heavy Manukau pack throughout the game. They put up a great show in the loose scrums. Hahn was perhaps the pick of an even line, with Kennerley, C. Keane and A. Keane not far behind.

Manukau again rearranged their back line, but it was not a success in this formation. Every game this season they have altered it, "and on Saturday their combination was very poor. Leng, the full-back, was very weak, seldom tackling his man, and speculating too often. He is not up to senior A standard. Turei was the best back on the ' ground, giving easily his best display thU season. He helped the full-back out on numerous occasions. .He has a very awkward run; consequently he is hard to tackle. His line kick- ! ing was very accurate. Linden was ptarved out on the wing; his tackling and his defence genI erally were sound. E. Brimble was up to his usual standard | as a sound defensive player, being the | only Manukau back to tackle his man i low. Dykes was extremely weak, send- ; ing out wild passes. Simmons, behind the scrum, got the ball away well, and is not afraid to go down on the ball in a forward rush. The forwards were Manukaus redeeming feature, playing in great style. French, McCJuire and the consistent Satherly, were easily the pick, "all putting plenty of vim into their work. They are not always conspicuous in the loose play, but in the tight are always in the thick of it. Kalru was always nearby, lending his weight to his side, l>esides being extremely useful in the i loose, taking his pass like a back. He is very fit at present, having reduced to I 16 stone.

The referee, Mr. Martin, had to stop the game on several occasions to put -lie crowd back on one- side of the ground. There is a wire fence on both sides but 011 the side near the road is where the people break through on to the ground, and will not go back when asked to by the officials. The other side the crowd do not encroach at all on the ground.