RUGBY BENEFIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 234, 3 October 1932, Page 13

RUGBY BENEFIT.

PONEKE'S EASY WIN. grammar completely shaded. PERFECT handling by visiting BACKS. Poneke, Rugby champions of Wellington, completely overwhelmed and outclassed Grammar, leaders in the Auckland championship, in the Palmer benefit match at Eden Park on Saturday. A crowd of about 10,000 watched Grammar raked fore and aft, saw the favourites for the championship scattered and bewildered to the tune of 27 points to nil. ]tfot even the most ardent Poneke supporter could have hoped for such a result; not even the most sceptical Grammar follower could have believed that Grammar could have been so completely routed. It was a day when Grammar could do nothing right—they always looked an inferior side, lighting hard but hopelessly with a problem which was too big for them. On the other hand, Poneke could do nothing wrong. All their play was correct and polished. The backs worked with dazzling collaboration and understanding, and their handling was perfect. With them it was a case of the shortest and quickest way to the goal-line, and devil take the hindmost, which role in this instance was certainly filled by Grammar. The Grammar backs were like units distrait. There was no method in their phy, no cohesion in their efforts. They faltered and fumbled and were thwarted by a dreadful chain of errors. Corner was the only one among them who showed any real football form. Buckley was spasmodic. The others were effete. Even the tackling of the Grammar backs collapsed. Their passing rushes were futile, their kicking hopelessly inaccurate. Subtle Five-eighths. In sharp contrast to the inferior play of Grammar there stood out in brilliant relief the sparkling play of the whole Poneke side. Their forwards won the ball at will. Julian gave a rare exhibition behind the Poneke pack and fed bis backs with the generosity of a Father Christmas doing a suburban round on Christmas Eve. The live-eighths, E. Neal and Griffiths, made and accepted golden opportunities—in fact Poneke's dominance radiated from this fast and elusive live-eighths line, where Neil and Griffiths ever worked subtle and clever touches. The three-quarter line was fast, had frill and finish. Parsloe, the loft wing, gave a dazzling display. He is the possessor of a side-step reminiscent of Bill Elvey, and frequently he beat two men before sending the ball on. Not for many a day has there been seen at Eden Park such perfect handling, clever reverse and scissor-passing, and trenchant all-round play as the Poneke backs gave us on Saturday. Their methods were devastating. One of the best Poneke forwards was Jack Shearer, the veteran Poneke skipper. He brazenly demonstrated all the tricks of the Rugby trade—and got away with them. He was given splendid support all through by S. Neal and McPherson. There was nothing in the play of the Grammar forwards that could be discussed or praised The only two who played football of senior club standard were the two Battys. They alone were triers all the time. So the match ended in a serio-comedy— the pride of Wellington club football stamping the favourites for the Auckland championship. Among those who watched the match were Mr. G. H. Pownall, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and Mr. W. J. Wallace, famous 1905 All Black and coach of the Poneke team, both of'whom made special trips to Auckland to attend the benefit match.

TEAMS ENTERTAINED. SUGGESTION FOR ANNUAL MATCH. After the match the teams gathered informally in the Eden Park pavilion where they were entertained by the Auckland Rugby Union. Aucklanders appreciated very sincerely the cg-opera-tion of the Poneke team in assisting the benefit match, said Mr. Harry Frost, chairman of the management committee of ; . the Auckland Rugby Union. _Mr. Bob O'Brien, manager of the team, thanked the Auckland Union for the splendid reception accorded the team by the public and the members of the Auckland Union. He attributed Poneke's success to a little better finish rather than to general superiority. It had been a pleasure to all the visitors to be able to assist in such a worthy cause; Mr. O'Brien suggested that the meeting of the leading teams of Wellington-- and Auckland should be made an annual one, preferably in the cause of charity. (Applause). _Jack Shearer, captain of Poneke, and Waiter Batty, ihe Grammar skipper, also fi tt' Messrs. W. J. Wallace and ?■. Pownall paid tributes to the manly qualities of the late "Bert" Palmer. In the evening the teams were enterwined at dinner at the Royal Hotel, Mr. Harry Frost presiding. A. presentation of a cap was made to Jack Shearer, the Poneke captain, in recognition of his services to the club. The cap was the gift ?rr i£ r " L. Dixon, of Auckland, a former Wellington full-back, and an old Poneke player. The visitors were taken for a motor arive yesterday afternoon, and had tea at the home of Mr. F. Arnold, secretary of if- *-"" a k u hu Rugby Football Club, of which B. P. Palmer was a member at the time of his death. Mrs. Palmer, his mother, was present, and the Poneke players and officials were introduced to her. The Poneke team returned to Wellington by the Limited last evening. They were given a rousing send-off at the •tation.