PONSONBY WIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 122, 26 May 1930, Page 13

PONSONBY WIN.

BUT ONLY JUST. HARD STRUGGLE WITH MANUKAU. COLLEGE EXTEND' TECHNICAL. Visitors to Eden Park on Saturday, when the fifth series of matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior competition were decided, saw a splendidlycontested battle in the main match, Ponsonby just beating Manukau Rovers by 16 points to 13. It was hard, clean football, with enough excitement to keep the spectators on their toes all the time. There were no great surprises in the other games. At Eden Park University lasted much better than Marist Old Boys, Grammar were too good for City, and Training College scored their first win of the season at the expense of Grafton. At the Showgrounds College Rifles put up a great fight against Technical Old Boys, and were only beaten 3—6. With five series of matches played, Ponsonby, Grammar and Technical Old Boys are still all unbeaten. The following table shows the positions of the teams:— Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. Ag. Pts. Grammar 0.8. . 5 5— — 91 27 10 Ponsonby 5 5 112 3G 10 Technical 0.8. . 5 5 80 20 10 University .... 5 4 1 — 73 36 8 Manukau 5 3 2 — 63 4b 0 Marist 0.8. ... T. 1 4 — 30 70 2 City o 1 4 — 25 63 2 Training Col. .-514 — 43 55 2 College Rifles . 5 —>■ -5 — 28 83 — Grafton ...... 5 — 5 — 28 131 —

FAILED TO LAST.

After holding University level in the first half, Marist Old Boys weakened and faded in the second spell and were eventually beaten by 17 points to 3. As a spectacle it was'not greatly inspiring, but until the last ten minutes or so the scores were sufficiently close to keep the interest up. Before University had got properly into their stride Evans'took a pass from Cornthwaite and sprinted up the side-line to touch down for an unconverted try. For the greater part of the quarter it was the Old Bovs that did the attacking, but no further'blood was drawn. University were a lot more in the pic-

ture in the second stanza, although it was not until a few minutes before the breather that their forwards and backs opened up in a burst of passing that ended in an unconverted try by Milliken. University gave the better - display in the third session, taking the lead, when Minns got the ball after a line-out in Marist territory and raced over at the flag. In the final spell the blues gave undoubted

proof of their superiority. "When a scrum was put down almost on the Old Boys' line, the student lookers heeled it back cleanly and Rae flashed.over for a try which Mllliken connected.:. This gave 'Varsity an eight-point lead, but before the final whistle both Edwards and iiarist each scored an unconverted try. Rae fed the University backs smartly enough, but the five-eighth pair, N. Jenkin and McKay, did little that was sensational. Bracewell, in the centre of the three-quarter line, was not impressive and some of the passes he sent to his wings were shocking. Minns made the most of his limited opportunities, getting two tries, while Milliken again showed determination without any sensational turn of speed. Butler was fairly sound and what mistakes he madehe usually got out of neatly. Jolly, the rover, was on the ball more often than not, while in the pack Clarke, Anderson and Edwards toiled-hard. Edwards, in particular, played a vigorous game and. well deserved his try. In attack the Marist backs too often ran across field, but 'for three-quarters' of the game their defence was good. The forwards, of whom the Hadleys, McVeigh and Smith were most' prominent, did well in the line-outs, but were beaten for the ball in the scrums more often than one would have expected. .„

"WELL PLAYED."

Well played, Ponsonby and Mannkau Rovers. The game between these teams, as the centre of attraction at Eden; Park, was excellently contested throughout and there were few in the big crowd that saw the game who turned their feet homeward until" the final bell. It was'even scoring from the start .and there were only three pointsin Ponsonby's favour at the finish, Ponsonby began in confident fashion and for a minute or so-it looked as if the very speed of the blues' attack would throw the Onehnngfi team-right off its game. The Ponies' first score came when Hook, after a side-line dash, kicked infield for Jamieson to take the ball and go over between the posts. Cammick converted. Right at the end of the quarter-C.

put in a great individual effort that let him across for a try that Turei neatly converted. There was no scoring in the second spell, but in the third- each team got a converted • try. t Manukau got their points first, ' Jones intercepting a pass in the blue's twenty-five, and galloped over. Turei converted. Ponsonby'3 try was scored by Solomon, who got the ball after a run by ,the" backs, and Cammick converted. This

made it ten all, but then Solomon' and Hook added unconverted tries, while the only addition to the Manukau ..tally was three points from a goal from.a mark by Turei. It was the speed and quick thinking of the Tonsonby backs that kept the blacks guessing. Ja'mieson and Cammick combined well and Lucas was responsible for at le,ast one of the scores. Hook put in several good runs, although, there were a number of the spectators who believed he was lucky in not being pulled up for a knock-on on the occasion of his second try. Solomon played an outstanding game. Where the ball was he was, and there was hardly a single Tonswnby attack launched in which he did not take part. He was tireless and relentless, but it was not just sheer doggedness, for his handling was neat and he several times opened up the play for his team. Palmer. Heyward, Gallagher and Smith most often caught the eye among the forwards. B. Brimble was one of the weak links in the Manukau line, and the black rearguard were never really dangerous as a scoring machine. Jones is a player who is likely to do something sensational at any time, and his try was a good effort. Turei played; an excellent full-back game, and his goal kicking was re-

nauie. ±u was iua Manukau forwards •who very nearly beat Ponsonby. Keeping on top of their opponents all the time, they smashed many an attack before it ■was properly launched. C. Satherly was a splendid example to his team,, and it was his try in the first spell that gave them heart. Kahu delighted in the strenuous nature rif the match and ~.. threw his huge weight iin.niid to good effect In fact, every mi-mber of the forward division rose to tlu; occasion and helped to give Ponsonpy their hardest match of the season, to date-

EASY WIN FOR TEACHERS. After suffering defeat in four successive Saturdays to the strongest teams in the competition, Training College romped home on Saturday against a weak Grafton team by 24 points to 9. , . . The black and white forwards led by Finlaysou and Jackson, played a vigorous game throughout—with the exception of a few intervals when they slackened off —- but the backs were weak in tackling and hopeless in attack. Training College lost little time in making sure of a win, for they registered fourteen points before the first change over. A College kick was mishandled by Walker, and Macfarland grabbed the ball and scored under the posts. Soon after Bush took the ball in his own twentyfive and broke clean through. He handed the ball to Tilly for an easy try. Just before the spell ended Connolly added another four points with a timely drop-kick that travelled perfectly. The rest of the game followed on these lines. The Grafton forwards worked well, particularly in the loose, and had a full share of the ball, but they received poor support from the backs. The Collegians' rearguard proved too speedy andt showing pretty work at times, steadily added to the

score. In the second spell Connolly outpaced the opposition, and after sidestepping the Grafton full-back, finished up a seventyfive yards sprint with a meritorious try. The second half was rather tame. College seemed to ease down, but Grafton could not break through. McKearney added another try for his side. Bush was in excellent.kicking form

Connelly.

Connelly.

and converted all four tries. Stevenson was

also in great nick with the boot. Not only did he save his side time and again with long useful punts, but in the final spell he notched nine points for his side with a drop-kick and two place kicks from penalties. Sheddan, the Grafton half, toiled valiantly from start to finish. For Training College Hodge and Dobbs were outstanding in the pack; Connolly was in his best form, and Macfarland also put in some bright runs. Training College 24 Grafton 9 Mr. W. J. Thompson was referee.

A "FIGHTING" GAME. The only thing that marred the game at the Showgrounds on Saturday, when Technical Old Boys 6, beat College Rifles 3. was bad feeling among the players. In the scrums fists could be seen flying in all directions, and several, times stand-up fights took place in full view of the crowd. Eventuallv Referee Paull used his- prerogative, and after a particularly noticeable bout two forwards were put on the line. As one old-timer on the grandstand said, thev were "not playing the game," and it is time some of them learned that a Rugby football match is not played under Queensberry rules. Apart -from that, the game was extremely interesting and exciting, and it was a hard struggle. Only one try was scored, the result of good following by McMiken, and penalty kicks accounted for the remainder of the points. Pickering- had rather hard luck with his kicking, and had several good attempts that went just a little wide of the mark. The game was more a forward than a back one, and, indeed, it was very seldom that either back line got into proper working order. Couper. Tech's flying winger, saw very little <»f the ball, and had only one decent run during the match. The same was true of the College Rifles' wingers, both good scoring men if given a chance . Both packs worked hard. They made the game interesting, and the crowd on the stand were fully worked up by the changing fortunes of the contest.

WHITES STILL WIN. Grammar defeated City by 20 points to G in a game which was closely contested till half-time, when Grammar led 9 —3. Immediately after half-time the Grammar backs; with Corner and Weir prominent, placed the issue beyond all doubt by ring-, ing on a try which was converted, and following up with two more tries to carry the score to 20. Then in a desperate rally of passing in which forwards joined with backs, City broke through, Linden scoring. Berridge drew first blood with a penalty goal. Then Weir put Grammar ahead with his customary potted goal. Tries for Grammar were scored by L. Knight, Lewis, Bell and Wilson, two of which Corner converted. Without W. Batty and A. Knight, the" Grammar forwards by no means r overshadowed the City pack in the tight work, but they got most of the ball from the scrum. Phil Potter was seen most often of the white vanguard, but this was chiefly because of his place on. the wing, and the understanding by wMch he followed inside Weir for an in-pass by means of which a couple of scores came.to Grammar. Corner was consistent, and at times appeared to, be practising the old line-kick rule in preparation for the All Black trial Grammar's backs did hot get going till the game was well advanced, frequently fumbling their passes. , • •. . ~ City forwards packed solidly and field Grammar In the ruck, while Holt was outstanding throughout the game. The backs lacked cohesion. Lanigan, who replaced McKay at half, did not get the ball away fast enough, with the result that his outside men were smothered by the. opposition. Berridge played well in patches, appearing to lack' confidence in his handling.

' ~' . GRADE RESULTS. SENIOR B GRADE. North Shore 6, beat Suburbs 5. Parnell 13, beat Eden 11. Tramways 6, drew -with 'varsity 6. SECOND GRADE. University 28, beat Y.M.C.A. 3. Tamaki 8. beat Grammar 0. College Rifles 12, beat Grafton 3. Grammar Colts 28, beat College, Rifles 3. University Colts 11, Marathon 6 Royal Naval Reserve 8, beat Parnell 5. THIRD GRADE OPEN. Ponsonby 16, beat St. Stephen's 0. Eden 9, beat Papatoetoe 8. Penrose 19, beat North Shore 3. Newton 30, beat Oratia 6. Panmure 20, beat 'Varsity 3. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Northcote 17, beat Ponsonby 0. Grammar B 29, .beat Marist 0. Technical 0.8. 11, beat Northcote Q. m Y.M.C.A. 13, beat College Rifles 9. Suburbs 12, beat Marathon 8. University 14, beat Grammar 0. City 16, beat Royal Naval Reserve 3. Manukau 7, beat Training College 4. FOURTH GRADE. North Shore 16, beat Northcote 11. Graf toff 8, beat Marathon 0. i Eden 6, beat Ponsonby 5. '■ Penrose 36, beat Newton 0. Technical 0.8. 17, beat Tamaki 0. Manukau 6, oeat Ellerslle 0. FIFTH GRADE. Manukau 8, beat Ponsonby ?. Eden 20, beat Otahuhu 0. Marist 29, beat Northcote 3. Ellerslie 8, beat.Papatoetoe 0. ...< ■ . Technical 0.8. 22, beat Grammar 0.8. 0. SIXTH GRADE. Suburbs 9, beat Parnell 5. Otahuhu 20, beat Eden 8. Technical 0.8. 17, beat Northcote 10. Panmure 6, beat Manukau 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Marist 58. beat North Shore 0. Suburbs 19, beat Eden 3. Northcote 8, beat Ponsonby 3. Otahuhu 14, beat Manukau 3. GAMES IN PROVINCE. . PUKEKOHE. Senior.—United 5, beat White Star 0; Ramblers 3, beat Old Boys 0. JunkTrs.—Ramblers 6, beat Patnmahoe 0; White Star 6, beat Old Boys 0. .->. ; WAIKATO. Marist 14, beat Technical Old Boys 3; Old Boys 9, beat City 3. CAMBRIDGE. Seniors.—United ,3, beat g Tauwhare 3; Frankton 4, beat Hautapu d. Juniors.—Hamilton ,Old Boys 23, beat Hautapu 9; Matangi' . 20... beat •faungatautafi 0 3, beat, United 3; KaiD.it \ 6, beat Leamington 3. Thi< High School 5, beat Leam- > Kaip'aki !l>, beat: Matangi 0.

MORRINSVILLE. Seniors.—Kereone 25, beat Terriers 5; Tatuanul 9, beat United 5. Juniors. —Kereone 23, beat United B 6; Terriers 15, beat Springdale 9; United A 9, beat Te Puninga 0. THAMES. Seniors.—Physical Training 11, beat City 9. Juniors.—College Old Boys 28, beat Physical Training 0. Third Grade.—Physical Training 12, beat College Old Boys 3. OTOROHANGA. Seniors.—Kio Kio 7. bpat Otewa 3; Otorohanga 8, beat Huia 3. Juniors: Otorohanga 22, beat Mangaorongo S; Kio Kio 3, beat Otewa 0. TB AROHA. Seniors.—City C. beat Hot Springs 3. For the winners Reid and Donald scored tries, and for the losers Loveridge kicked a penalty goal. Juniors.—City 3S. beat Hot Springs 8. For the -winners tries were scored by Gibbs (3). C. Hines (5), Briggs and Maloney. Baker converted one and Maloney three. For the losers Meta and McKain scored tries, one being converted. Waihou 6. beat Elstow 0. Rodewald and Hieatt registered tries.

TE PUKE, Seniors. —Papamoa 3, beat Pongakawa 0 ; Rangiuru 6, beat Papamoa 0. Rangiuru 6, beat Papamoa. OPOTIKI. Maori Players 16, beat City 6, after a thrilling game. Country 12, beat Public Works 0, a poor game. HAMILTON. Seniors. —Old Boys 9, beat City 6. Marist 8, beat Technical 0. TAURANGA. Senior Grade. —Huimai 17, beat Te Puna 3; Athletics 11, beat Cadets Old Boys 3. Second Grade:—School 8, beat Huimai 8; Athletics 20, beat Te Puna 3. TE AWAMUTU. Senior Grade. —Te Awaaiutu : Rovers 6, drew with Kihikihi 6; Te Awamutu 12, beat Pirongia 3. Second Grade.—Te Awamutu 28, beat Kihikihi 3: Rovers 15, beat Hamilton Technical Old Boys 11. Third Grade.—Te Awamutu 9, beat Rovers 3. PAEROA. Senior Grade.—East 8, beat Suburbs 6. Second Grade.—East 6, beat Hikutaia 3. ROTORUA. Seniors?.—Waikite 7, beat Public Works 6; Mamaku 3, drew with Waiariki 3 ; Kahuknra 6, beat City 3. Juniors: High School 23, beat Ngongotaha 3. WHAKATANE. Seniors.—Poroporo 6, beat City 0; Paroa 12, beat Walmana 9; Ruatokl 6, lost to Taneatua 16. Juniors: City 9, beat Poroporo 3; Paroa 14, beat Walmana 3; Ruatoki 6, lost to Taneatua 10. MATAMATA. The first round of the Matamata subunions senior competition was completed on Saturday. Patetere emerged from.the round with a two-point lead over Matamata, with. Walton In third place and Arapuni and Putaruru next in that order. The junior competition table was practically unaltered by to-day's results, and is exceptionally keen; It is providing quite as keen an interest as the senior competition. Patetere and Wardville are level, and Old Boys are a point behind the leading teams after to-day's play. Seniors.—Matamata 11, beat Putaruru 6; Patetere 33, beat Wardville 0; Walton 8, beat Arapuni 3., , ' ■_ , ... .. Juniors.—Patetere 3, beat Wardville 0, Matamata 23, beat Arapuni 0; Hinuera 3 beat Old Boys 0. .- Thirds. —Patetere 0, drew with Wardville 0; Matamata 14, beat Putaruru 0. FRANKLIN. Seniors: Bombay 9, beat Pukekawa 9; Tuakau C, beat Te Kohanga 5; Oncwhero o, beat Pokeno 0. Juniors:'Tuakau 8, beat Te Kohanga 0; Pukekawa 9, beat Bombay 5; Onevvhero 6, drew with Pokeno 6. WAIUKU. Seniors: City 30, beat Waipipi 3; Otaua 9. beat Aka Aka 0. Juniors: City 9, beat Waipipi 3. WAIKARE. Rangiriri 12, beat Te Kauwhata 0; Waerenga 14, beat PJantatlon 6. MANUKAU. Seniors: Papakura 20. beatWhitford 3! Clevedon 12, beat Drury 6 Juniors. Manurewa 29, beat Papakura 0. RUAWAI V. UNITED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DARGAVILLE, Saturday. Before a very large attendance of spectntors Ruawal seniors defeated United by 9 a p°oTnts to 3 at Rugby Park to-day. The match was of particular interest in that both teams were equal In points and leadinsr in the championship competition. Both sides made mistakes, and 9 points of the total registered were scored from Penalty goals The match was hard and bustling but lacking in spectacular play. For Ruawai. Thompson scored the try and Dodd and Conway each kicked a penalty goal whilst Foy kicked a penalty . goal for United. ■ Mr. M. C. Astley was referee. In other pa7ts of the district matches in 'connection with the competition resulted as follow: —Public Works Department 11, beat Southern 6; .Northern Star 5, beat D Sec l 6nd e Grade.—United 11, beat Northern Star 3. GAMES IN SOUTH. DANNEVIRKE. Seniors.—Pirates 8, beat Tipapakuku 6; Excelsior 9, beat Rangers 6. MASTERTON. Seniors.—Old Boys 9, beat Masterton 3; Grey town 30, beat Gladstone 0; Carterton 29, beat Red Star 6. PAHIATUA. Athletic 8, beat Alfredton 6. NAPIER. Seniors.—Celtic 3, beat Training College Old Boys 0. - INVERCARGILL. Seniors.—Southern 12, beat Pirates No. 2 If Pirates No. 1 11, beat Star 3; Invercarglll 32, beat Waikiwl 0. DUNEDIN. Seniors.— Varsity B 12, beat Dunedin 3; Pirates 22, beat Union 9; Alhambra 9 beat Southern 5; Kaikorai 12, beat 'Varsity A 0; Zingari 5, drew with Taien 5. TIMARU. QonJnrs Temuka 16, beat Celtic 6; Old Boys 8 ' 167 b*at Waihi 11; Star 27, beat Zingari 3. HASTINGS . Seniors.—Old Boys 8, beat M.A.C. nil; Hastings 12, beat Pirates 4; Napier Old Boys 27, beat Tamatu 3. CHRISTCHURCH. Seniors.—Christchurch 12, beat Old Boys 6- Linwood 30, beat West 8; Sydenham 12. beat Technical 11; Merlvale 9, beat 'Varsity 3., WELLINGTON. Senior A.—Athletic 3, drew with Eastbourne 3: Old Boys fi, beat Oriental 3; Hurt ls, beat University 6; Marists 21, beat; Berhampore 5; Petoue 20, beat Poneke 9 * Senior B.—Old Boys 19, beat Training College 3; Johnsonville 11, beat University 3. PALMERSTON NORTH. Seniors.—Old Boys 24, beat Fellding 11; United 9, beat Kia Toa 7. . WANGANUI. The Wauganul Metropolitan Rugby Cup matches resulted:—Kaierau 6 drew A With Technical Old Boys 6; Pirates 9, beat Aotea 8; Marist 12, beat Ratana 6. UNLUCKY TEAM. WELLINGTON, Saturday. University, last year's Rugby premiers in Wellington, who have been unable to strike form this season, have suffered ■ two severe losses through injuries. "Tiny" Leys, the All Black half backj was recently admitted to hospital .suffering from injuries sustained on the.field,, and will not be available again this season. Last week J Williams, a 'Varsity three-quarter, was 1 kicked on the spine, and the hospital authorities report chat it is unlikely I he will play any more this year at least..

WHANGAREI GAMES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. The final games of the Rugby championship's first round was played on Saturday, when Citv maintained its unbeaten record. defeating'Maungakaiamea by 13 to 0, after a thrilling game. For the winners Hemi. B. Finlavson and McDonald scored. Kerr potted a goal. B. Morresey and McQueen scored tries for the losers. At Rugby Park Hikurangi 13, beat Mangakahia 3. "JOCKEY" FORD MARRIED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. There was a quiet wedding at St. Paul's Church, Papanui, yesterday afternoon when Mr. W. A. ("Jockey") Ford was married to Miss Eileen Austad, of Lyttelton. Mr. Ford has represented Canterbury, the New Zealand Army team and New Zealand, as a Rugby three-quarter.