RUGBY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 136, 12 June 1933, Page 12

RUGBY.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

PONSONBY" STILL IN LEAD.

GRAFTON'S GALLANT FIGHT,

After Saturday's games, played in glorious weather, Ponsonby still lead the way in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition, with three teams, Grammar, University and Grafton on equal terms. Ponsonby has a onepoint lead. A good crowd watched the games at Eden Park. The Grafton-University clash was the big match of the day, and it provided a hard and fast struggle, with all the luck on 'Varsity's side, two tries in the last few minutes giving them an 11—3 win. The curtain-raiser at the Park was the meeting of Ponsonby and Training College. The game, like the big match, was close and hard, with plenty of incidents to keep the spectators interested. At half-time Ponsonby led by only one point, and half-way through the second spell the score was 13—12 in favour of the leaders, but two converted tries towards the end shattered Training College hopes and they went down fighting, 12 —23. On No. 2, Eden Park, Technical College Old Boys gave Grammar a good run for their money, and Grammar had to go all out to win. After a , r ha . r ?" f °"?H game at the Show Grounds, Marist scoied a win over College Rifles by 14 Po;n|s to 9, and out at Sturgess Park, Otahuliu won by three points from Manukau. Results were: — University 11, v. Grafton 3. Ponsonby 23, v. Training College 12. Grammar 21, v. Technical 12. Marist 14, v. College Rifles 9. Otahuhu U, v. Manukau .8. The championship table is:— Points. Ch. Team. P. W. 106 65* Ponsonby ? 5 2 — 67 45 10 Marist ' £ o — 128 93 10 Grammar ..... ' •> - 10 University : O" 79 8 Grafton 7 4 3 - 0- 79 b Otahuliu ...... J f | J 68 67 ' 5 College Rifles .. 7 - 4 g Training College 7-41 Technical 0.8. . 7 1 0 — 4- J- g Manukau 7

TECH.'S FIGHTING DEFEAT,

giSasse^ their own. Takine it all round. Grammar were most noticeably superior in the " S",*™? 1 teVYVni well Buckley was the best wing on the field showing dash and determination every time he got the ball. His handling has 'improved, too. Morgan is a c°ming forward, and, while Scarborough and .Wilson never let up in the tight, Lockington and W. Batty followed hard after in the loose. Every green forward came up to scratch, and as a team they did as well as anylitrbt pack could have against such telling weicht. A. Kcane was again conspicuous in the loose. His-weight is against liim in the tight. Savory, McMlkcn and Bowling were also in a great deal of the play.

PONSONBY BEAT TRAINING COLLEGE.

Although they were beaten b.v a margin of 11 points. Training College pla.ved gamely against a heavier and lnore experienced Ponsonby team, and the spectators acknowledged their efforts with a round of applause as they filed off the field. llic game was not' productive of much brilliant football, but the spleudid efforts o£ the College forwards and the closeness of the scores until within a few minutes of the finish maintained interest. In the first half Training College played the better Rugby, but it was l'onsonby who had a two-point lead at half-time. The blue and blacks opened the scoring with a penalty goal kicked by Jamieson. College equalised with a try by Pountney, and took the lead when Townsend landed a penalty goal, but a try by Carter, converted by Jamieson, made it B—G at the breather. Early in the second spell Townsend landed another penalty goal, Pousonby replying with a try by Solomon, converted by Jamieson. A third penalty goal by Townsend made the score 13 —12, but in the last ten minutes game Ponsonby made their position safe ns the result of tries by Fraser and Pearman, both converted by Jamieson. The final score was 23—12. Ponsonby were not at the top of tlieir form, and it was fortunate for them that they were able to make the most ot' the opportunities that came their way in the second half. Kerr-Taylor showed improved form at full-back, and took no risks when it was necessary for him to find the line. Frailkhani and Jamieson were a good deal in the picture, the last-named making a number of openings that should have brought scores. Newdick, limiting and Solomon were the most prominent of the forwards. The Training College forwards played untiringly throughout, Howe and I'ountney being always well up with the ball. luglis, behind the serum, defended splendidly, and on at least two occasions brought down Solomon when he looked likely to go through unstopped. Townsend was in good kicking form, and showed initiative on attack, but the other backs lacked dash. Lewis, the full-back, tackled strongly, and on one occasion brought down two men and bustled a third, so that a likely score ■was averted.

MARISTS TOO GOOD FOR COLLEGE RIFLES.

At the Showgrounds. Marists proved too good for College Uifles. and In a well contested came came out on 'top by 14 points to £>. The winners were without the services of Swiu Hartley, who had to take a day off for an injured knee. To.ve was also absent from the forward ranks, and Loom bo from the three-quarter lino. These defections took a good deal of the siing from Marists' attack, and Iho opposition wore not, slow to recognise, the fact. However, once the substitutes settled down to their positions, which they did after about 30 minutes' play. Marists asserted definite superiority, and despite the closeness of the score they never looked like losing. The first score went to Rifles when Wales intercepted, and. showing lots o£ pace, made, a, fine opening for Brown to score. -Vear failed with the kick. Cooney broke away, and, getting Hides out of position, left about six backs in possession with only the full-back to beat. Fleming, the last to receive, fumbled just in front of tiie goal posts, and an easy chance -to score had been thrown- away. However, the attack left Rides at sixes and sevens, and Locke was given a clear run through. The try was converted. On resumption Marist dashed oil with a strong attack, and from scrums in front of the goal a rebound sent the ball over the Hue. Stewart and Colebrook both grabbed at it simultaneously and the referee decided in Marists' favour. From the kick-off Rifles gained a slight advantage, and a superlative penalty kick by Stone from well back gave Rifles their second score. After an uneventful period with Marists making all the play. College ltifles staged a fine movement. In their best exhibition of the match they hud Marist bustled, and a brilliant cut. in _b.v Frankhtjm gave Brown the chance to score. Stone's kick missed. : Marist 11. College Rifles 9. .lust before the referee's whistle sounded time, C, Fleming kicked a line goal from a penalty. Marist . 1-t College Rifles .............. 0 Mr. Lomas was referee.

LUCK WITH 'VARSITY. Football is a funny game. Two tries in the last few minutes gave University a lucky win over Grafton in the big match of the day. Up until a few minutes before time the score was three points all, and a draw would have fairly indicated the run of the play as respectively befel both sides. But it was not to be. Fortune was kind to 'Varsity. A scramble on the line following a scrum saw a merry mix-up, with 'Varsity and Grafton forwards crashing over in a heap. And the referee gave 'Varsity a try. Soon afterwards, Caughey broke away, and with a flagrant knock-on carried on a movement which ended in Milliken scoring and McKearney converting on time —eight lucky points in nearly as many minutes. Such is the luck of the game. Some of the rulings of the referee, Mr. J. G. C. Wales, were hard to follow, and at one stage there was a minor demonstration by the crowd. Over on the bank there was a good deal of booing and counting out. Two bad pieces of obstruction were allowed to pass. Paton, the Grafton full-back, was bowled over when nowhere near the ball, and McKearney, the 'Varsity half, was tackled and wrestled with by a fast-break-ing Grafton forward when the ball was still in the scrum. . ' There was any amount of interest in the game itself.' For the first time in a mouth the 'Varsity back-line combination were together again, but they were for the most part ineffective. IJoth sides played a wing forward, Stacey for University and I'raser, a. tirrlcss worker, for Grafton. l<ast breaking by the Grafton forwards and resolute tackling by Hie rearguard, kept a stranglehold on the University back-line attack, and it was these tactics that kept University in check until just near the end. Grafton were definitely better among the forwards, and, led by Finlayson, played splendid all-round football.

A LAST-MINUTE WIN,

Otahuhu's win on its home ground at StursMaS Park was well merited. It looked very much as if it would be a drawn contest with the score B—S and time almost up, but right on the whistle Gladding went over for an unconverted try. Jne suburban team would have been unluck> not to have won. In Ihe first spell Manukau held a slight superiority, especiallv in the back division, and put on eigiit points, but after the refreshments the winners registered their 11 P o '" I ,'?' should have put on some more. With the forwards winning possession, the backs plaved some good football. Otahuhu's best back was Mason, the custodian,' who played a fine game. lie repeatedly placed some beautiful line kicks, and when he decided to run he usually beat several. opponents. Trevena, a promoted junior, did not get many opportunities, but gave a promising display. Gladding, at centre, was always dangerous, and his winning try capped a good performance. Inglis played another sound game at half. Iu the forwards, Williams, Sheath and Jury played their usual honest games, and were in the thick of everything. Ross also worked hard. Clarke, their representative three-quarter, expects to be fit for next Saturday, and his inclusion will considerably strengthen the back line. For the losers, Elliott played a very sound game at full-back, some of his work creating a favourable impression. Berridge, ut centre, was the most enterprising back on either side; Ills corkscrew runs and sudden change of direction often had the opposition guessing. Brimble was brilliant on occasions. The division felt Carrlngton's absence, caused through injuries received the previous Saturday. It was left to Manukau to produce the best forward on the ground, and that was Pepper. His fast following up was a revelation to the patrons. Pearce was not far behind hiin. Benjamin and Constable also did some good work. ICeroopa was tit again, and his extra weight was what the pack wanted.

GRADE GAMES.

SENIOR B GRADE. North Shore B 7, bent Manukau B 3. Eden 31, beat Technical 0.8. 3. University 19, beat Parnell 0. Eastern Suburbs won from North Shore A by default. North Shore B (the Navy team) is now leading for the championship. SECOND GRADE. Manukau 8, beat Technical 0.8. 3. Grafton A 20, heat Trinity College 0. Y.M.C.A. 27, beat North Shore 0. Suburbs 17, drew with Grammar 0.8. 17. Tech. Colts 14, beat Training Col. (i. Ponsonby 10. beat University B 0. Grammar A 11, beat I'apatoetoe 3. Northcote A 13, beat University A 3. College Kifles 14, beat Grafton Colts 6. Tamaki 10, beat Marist 13. Waitemata 18, beat Northcote B 15. THIRD OPEN. College Rides 13, beat University 3. North Shore 19, beat Oratia 6. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Manukau B 15, beat Northcote 11. Paniell 3, beat University 0. Eden B 14, beat Training College 8. Dilworth 15, beat Waitemata 0. . Suburbs 0. beat Technical 0.8. 0. Otaliuliu 24, beat College Itities 3. North Shore 3, drew with Grammar 3. Kden A 0, beat Jlanukau 0. Papatoetoe 11, beat Naval Reserve 3. FOURTH GRADE. Oratia G drew with Northcote A 6. Suburbs 0, drew with Grammar A 0. Ponsonby 0, beat Grammar B 5. FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby 25, beat Parnell 0. Technical 0, beat Marist 3. Eden 11, beat Grammar 0. SIXTH GRADE. Ponsonby 9, beat Manukau 3. Eden 30. beat Grafton 0. Suburbs beat Northcote by default. Tech. 0.8. 24, beat Marist 0.

JUNIOR BOYS'.

INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Eastern Suburbs 11. boat Mitnukau 0. Suburbs 12, beat Eden 0. Nortlicote beat l'onsonby by default. JUNIOR GRADE. Manukau A 9, beat Eastern Suburbs 3. Otahuhu 42, boat Manukau B 0. Suburbs 3G. beat Nortlicote 0. Waitemata 12, bent Y.M.C.A. 3. Eden 3, beat Good Shepherd 0. SECONDARY SCHOOL GAMES. SENIORS. Takapuna Grammar 12, beat Sacrcd College 0, drew with Mt. Albert Grammar 0. THIRD GRADE. Mount Albert Grammar A 22. beat Sacrcd Heart 6. Auckland Grammar A 44, beat Takapuna Grammar 0. . FOURTH GRADE. Sacrcd Heart 20, beat Otahuhu 0. Auckland Grammar 17, beat Technical College 0. Takapuna Grammar 33, beat King s College 0. FIFTH GRADE. Auckland Grammar A G, drew with Sacred Heart 0. . . „ , Takapuna Grammar IS, beat Kings College 3. SIXTH GRADE. Mount Albert Grammar A 11, beat Sacred Heart 0. lvowliui Intermediate S, beat Takapuna Grammar 3. SEVENTH GRADE. Sacred Heart 22, beat Mount Albert Grammar }.! <•. Technical College G. beat Auckland Grammar A 3. Takapuna Grammar 14, beat Mount Albert Grammar 12. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. THAMES. Rep. Match.—Thames 17, beat Hauraki Plains 0. Turua 13, beat Thames 1! 11. Juniors.—Thames 19, beat Hauraki Plains 5. WHJTIANGA. Kuaotunu 2G, beat Kaimarauia 0. United 17, beat Whittling! 12. MANUKAU. Seniors: Manurewa 0. beat Hunua 3; Cleredon 3G. beat Papakura 0. Juniors: Clevedon 9, beat Papakura 3; Manurewa 9, beat Drury 3. DAItGAVILLE. Seniors: Maungaturoto 9, beat Paparoa 0: Kaiwaka 3, beat Marohomo 0; Waipu (the leading team) had a bye. Juniors: Paparoa 10. beat Maungaturoto 9 ; Waipu 9, beat Wairere 3. WHANGAREI. Senior.—Old Boys G, drew with Horahora G; Maungakarainea defaulted to City owing to ii dispute concerning the referee. Junior. —Old Boys 3, beat Hukercmii 0.

HELENSVILLE. A team from H.M.s. Dunedin visited Helensville and in a match played under ideal conditions beat the Kqjpara junior rens by 23 to 3. The home team's score was a penalty goal. Superior combination Droduced the score for the visitors. P The warship plays three games to-morrow afternoon, two against Auckland Grammar and the other against Takapuna Grammar. PUKEKOHE. Ramblers 17, beat Kia Ora 10. Junior.—White Star 22, beat Patumahoe 3: Old Boys 9, beat Ramblers 3. Secondary Schools. —Wesley College -2, beat High School 0; High School 3, beat Wesley College 0. TUAKAU. Tuakau 3, beat Pukekohe 0. WHAKAIANE. High Schools (friendly game).—Whakatane 12, beat Opotiki 5. OPOTIKI. IT. 5.0.8. 15, beat City 0. Country 8, beat O.M.P. 5. Juniors.—City 6, beat Country 3. TAURANGA. Athletics 17, beat Cadets Old Boys 6. Juniors.—Matapihi 11, beat J'e Puna 0 ; Cadet Old Boys 41, beat Baptist 0; Rangataua 20, beat Athletics 3 ; Country 12, beat Matakana 6. MORRINSVILLE. Kereone 30, beat United 2. Terriers 14, beat Eastern 3. Juniors. —Kereone 3, drew with Old Boys 3;. United 15, beat Tahuna 3; Terriers 9, beat Talnui 0. Third Grade. —Terriers 11, beat Kereone 0; High School 6, drew with Eastern 0. DARGAVILLE. Northern Walroa 22, beat Grammar Old Boys B 11. Junior. —Kaihu Valley 12, beat Northern Star 0; Northern Wairoa Co-op. Dairy B,' beat Kaipara Steamship 0. Third Grade.—High School 30, beat Dargaville District 3.