RUGBY HONOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 142, 19 June 1933, Page 12

RUGBY HONOURS.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

PONSONBY STILL. LEAD

TITLE-HOLDERS GO DOWN

Present holders of the Auckland Rugby .Union's senior championship title, Grammar Old Boys, bowed to a more clever set of tacticians when they met University in the big match of the day at Eden Park on Saturday* One of the biggest crowds of the season) .including the Govcrnor v rGeneral. Lord Bledisloe, watched the .play. - The results of Saturday's games-leaves Ponsonby still at the head of the. championship table by one point, followed by University and Marist, on even terms.- • Play in the b'K match alternated between dazzling, heights and depressing depths. University were always sounder and more constructive in their methods than Grammar, a.id with a fast and elusive back line to add the finishing touches, they scored a decisive and wellearned win. The curtain-raiser ended in a nine-nil victory for Training College over Technical College. Old Boys. Ponsonby went :' out to the Show Grounds, where they beat Manukau by eight clear points, and a similar win was scored by Marist over Otahuhu on No. 3, Eden Park. Grafton held sway for most of their game with College Rifles on No. 2. Eden Park, and ran out winners by 19 points to 5. There was plenty of incident, the Grafton backs playing witii more cohesion than their opponents—a big factor in their victory. . ■ Results were:— University 22, beat Grammar 8. Training College 9, beat Technical 0." Grafton 19/ beat College Rifles 5. Marist 11, beat Otahuhu 3, Ponsonby 11, beat Manukau^. The championship table is:— Points. Ch.

CLEVER UNIVERSITY BACKS.

After the defeat of Crammar by University in the main attraction at Eden Park, it now appears that it will he a race for the championship between Ponsonby and University. Much depended on Saturday's big match,' and, realising this; Grammar paid more attention to training than they have done previously this season, even to the extent, it Is reported, of having scrum practices every lunch hour last week. All their efforts were praiseworthy but unavailing, and they were beaten by a better balanced side and a superior set of tacticians. Great things were expected of the two teams, but it was a game of patchwork, alternately brilliant and drab. University won convincingly. There was more cohesion and "design in their work than in the play of Grammar. They played with a purpose, and there was always a studied plan of attack, whereas the Grammar men were far too oftenunits, distrait;'. Forward, there was much hard work. S Territorially, 'Grammar held an advantage here, for the greater part of the game, anctit was only towards the end that they were shaded. But the lighter University pack stood up magnificently to the Grammar onslaught, and succeeded in winning enough of:.the ball to allow their backs to'.make, the Grammar defence dance to a merry tune. Four times they pranced through, to the delight of the crowd and the consternation of a scattered and frail Grammar defence. It was in defence that Grammar failed dismally. . The' only man among their backs to cover up consistently was Corner, and had it not been for his.shrewd anticipation and unfailing backlng-up, more 'Varsity tries might have Been Scored. Corner, by the way; showed airmail round return to form. He started off tinder suspicion, mishandling and throwing out wretched passes to.Macindoe.but as the game progressed, so he improved, until in. the end he was playing like the Corner of 1930. Maclndoe was erratic. Slyfield heldVthe Grammar attack together'as best he, could, and did some really clever things, but, apart from Corner, he was the only one among the backs whose methods could be praised. They never looked Jlke a dangerous scoring machine .. With the University backs it was a different story., They studied the outlook before making a move, and contributed touches of. artistry that delighted the crowd. The attack was directed by Mulvihill, at second five-eighths, who played splendid footbalN Many failed to appreciate how really valuable he was, because often his work was. unobtrusive. Jagusch was a serviceable halt, but Green was a very mediocre first fiveeighths, frequently making the way for Mulvihill dlfllcult bv running across the field and unloading too late. It was on these occasions .that Mulvihill showed his real ability. Time after time lie straightened up the attack, and ran his three-quarters .into position to send them sailing away ih>. full cry for the goal-line. Caughey. collaborated as Caughey can, schemed in equal merit, and scored a really brHliant try. with a-deft side-step and a swerve that left the defence bewildered. Kedgeley scored a try .that was almost identical. He could have done it five minutes before, but passed instead of going on hir. own. ~,„, A rich and rare try was scored by Milliken, the University right wing, who blazed the trail of individualism we used to feast on in the days of Jack Steel. When he scored the position,., looked hopeless. A scrum had gone down on the grand stand side of the field near the Grammar line. .Tagusch sent the' backs away. They ran diagonally, not one of them made even a suggestion of straightening up, and it looked to be just a futile attack that would collapse. But when the ball reached MUilken the crowd rose to its feet and cheered wildly as he raced down the line n an electric dash. With a fen.d that carried so much force that it knocked Savory off his feet, he sailed down the side-line, and, with wonderful determination, crashed into the arms of Lendrum and Anderson—and over the line. He scqred where, many.,a threequarter would have failed.

GRAFTON'S BACKS GET THERE.

With both packs fairly evenly matched, it was the ability of the Grafton backs to attack which gave the team the victory over College Rifles on .No. 2 on Saturday to the tune of 19—-5. .. -,_. Perhaps College Rifles made the mistake of not keeping the ball more forwards and relying on them to do the work of attack, because the backs were fairly sound on defence, but as.soon as the pack was held up, back they heeled it to the half, only for the movement to break down. There is something lacking In the inside combination of the College backs. They simply could not get started, though towards the end Frankham led several good individual rushes. On defence they were much better, and S. Kirk did some sterling work. Neither wing had much to do, and .T. Kirk s positional playi might have beep ? improved, though of course a high wind make things awkward- Of .the pack', Ross-and ,Ston,e stood out, as they usually do,, and because one could>-not see much or him, one could: suppose that Hurt .worked hard in the tight. >*:,';.*■■ The Grafton backs were definitely superior -J they worked as a team, arid capped several nice movements. Ryall was the best back on the field. He was responsible for one very nice bit of work, and was more than a useful link. Roberts played a sound game behind the scrum, better on attack thrfn defence though. --. .-."•' " ' The pack were not so superior, and there were some stern forwaTd tussles..- Grafton got the ball in the line-outs, where Hardie did good work, but it was even pegging in the scrums and the rucking. . Flnlayson, Bunting, and .Jackson laboured, unceasingly, while Fraser was outstanding in the loose. A forward of his weight should, however, be more than an extra back, and should do more in the tight.

ANOTHER WIN FOR MARISTS.

In an interesting and well-contested; "a me at Eden Park Marist Old Boys always | had a shade the better of the odds against; Otahuhu and finished /np with a. margin of 11 points to 3. The. lads from the. country hare been unfortunate as to their back division In being deprived through injuries of the services of their two crack threequarters. I'earson and Clarke. Had this pair been in their places on. Saturday the score board might have told a different story, for in the first spell..with the assistance of a favourable wind, the maintained a .pronounced territorial advantage. Many scoring opportunities were made by a fine, bustling pack, but thevrearguard completely failed to utilise their chances. Marist-* were scarcely • at their best. The puck plugged along honestly and fed the r.aarguard from start to finish, but the

backs, though giving good individual displays, were not in scoring mood. Times without number Connolly would send his men away and just as often a promising movement would fail at the critical juncture through faulty handling. The first score came to Marist after a-quarter of an hour's play when Swin Hadley made an opening for Loombc to score. Otahuhu evened up just before half-time, whem Mason kicked a penalty goal from well back. At the change over it was expected that Marist, with the wind now in their favour, would set up a good lead, but the reds rose to the occasion in line style. Their backs commenced to combine in short, sharp dashes, -which had the opposition bustled for a while. Gradually the blues asserted themselves and tries were scored bv I.oombe and Trigg, the first being converted by C. Fleming. The country men were not yet disposed of, and in a linal sortie they pressed the bines hard. Stowcll got the ball when kicked from the centre and was unlucky-to knock on with a clear path ahead and only a fewfeet from the line. Final scores :— ' Marist Old Boys 11 . Otahuhu ~ 3 Mr. Henderson was referee. .

EXCITEMENT AT SHOWGROUND.

The large crowd, a record for the season, which saw the Ponsonby-Manukaii game "at the Showgrounds received its full money's worth, as both teams played some thrilling Rugby, which brought the spectators to their feet time after time. Tonsonby's win by 11 points to 3 was not a popular one, as the team got away with, at times, such offences as shepherding and obstruction at which the crowd was not slow to voice its disapproval.

The first spell produced some fast, open football, both contestants throwing the ball about in a delightful manner. Ponsonby held the whip hand and its lead of 11 clear points at the interval was mainly due to its clever back division. Manukau's ambition in the second spell was to keep the ball out of the hands of the opposing backs. Pepper *vas appointed to nip their attacks in the bud, and he kept them quiet. He played a great game. Manukau kept.it tight as much as possible and the' forwards played a magnificent game. -Both packs threw in everything, and' it ,must be a long time since such a splendid exhibition of forward play has been seen out there. As the display rose to greater heights, the enthusiasm and interest of the spectators, who almost to a man were with Manukau, increased. The honours of the spell were with Manukau, especially in the last few minutes, when they issued some strong challenges.

Pearman, besides being the winners' best back, was the best on the ground. He was followed by Frankham, Jamieson and M. Hook. It would be unfair to pick and choose amongst a fine pack, but Bond must be mentioned. Tries were scored by Pearman and Fraser, Pearman also kicking a penalty and Jamieson converting Pearmanli try.'

The losers' best backs were Hunter, Berridge, T. Allen and Brimble. Pearce and Pepper were the pick of a great pack. Berridge kicked a penalty, and these were the only points.

SUCCESS OP SURE-HANDED FORWARDS.

Technical College Old Boys again failed to fulfil the occasional promise they have given this season, and -were beaten by nine points, from tries- scored by Inglis, Howe and Fuller for Training College, which might easily have been 15 points, as- all the tries were within comfortable range, and one right between the posts. -But Townsend's kicking was astray. With ooly three points .against them, the Tech. fifteen started the second spell, with ;the wind behind ; them, T like winners, but though their forwards got plenty of ball'and more than held their own in loose play, the inside backs failed to give the wings any real scoring chance. There was little Tjetwecn the two teams, with the exception of Training College forwards' ability to handle in bursts of short-passing, which gave the side two tries, and paved the way for the, third score. 'The Old Boys' handling among th» .backs was their weak point. Townsend was the outstanding back for Training College, and he played well to his forwards in setting them off with the ball in hand. Dare at times made good openings, and the other backs were safe. Webber showed up more .frequently in the Training-college' pack, where all did good work regularly in loose play, though rather overshadowed in the 'heavy; rucks of their opponents. Harris and D. Keane could not be blamed for Tech's, defeat. The latter defended excellently at full-back, while Harris worked heroically on defence and. attack', but seemed never able to get the threequarter line going. The forwards .as a whole worked solidly and got more than their share of the ball from the scrum, but they were bustled by the teachers', quickpassing tactics when the rucks opened up.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

$;G.S.-,KUN AWAY FROM KING'S.

Playing up splendidly in the second half, Auckland'Granimar School scored a meritorious- win against King's College at Middleriiore on Saturday. The. dark blues 24—3 victory was one >of the heaviest defeats inflicted upon the inaroons in the long iistory- of the contests. As usual,'.the' game attracted a large gathering of friends and supporters of both schools, and. the. side-lines were gay with the rival colours. The first half was evenly fought out, King's, with the wind behind them, being,, more on. attack than defence. The College opened the scoring with a, penalty goal kicked by Tapp, but Grammar took the lead when Logan scored and Reid converted. With only two points between the teams at the start of the second spell an exciting tussle for victory was anticipated, but Grammar surprised by running up nineteen points, while they kept their own line uncrossed. At times the dark blues had complete charge of the game, and high! tackling let them through when good defence might have kept them out. In the closing stages, King's made a game effort to rally, but they were unable to reduce the margin. Tries were scored in the second haif by Fraser (3) and Logan, while Reid kicked a penalty goal and converted two of the tries. To say that Grammar was definitely the better team is merely to state the obvious. Reid, their full-back and was never bustled, and ran up to send his backs away whenever the opportunity, offered, ahe backs.were; splendidly,-served behind the, scrum, Pattison being responsible for two of the tries that were scored by fraser. Keeping well together, the forwards saw & it that' their backs got plenty of the ball. To the disappointment of the wearers of the maroon and gold, the college team were nintble to maintain tne standard they set in the first half. In the early spell the forwards Splayed and quick breaking And fast following up frequently bustled the blue backs, but itf the second half they were definitely shaded, and at times pushed right off the ball by their heavier opponents. GMerillv?the backs were not as fleet of foot at the Grammar rearguard, and numerous attempts Tat. passing were muzzled before the ball got to the wings. In defence, the maroons too often went for their men round the neck, or attempted to intercept a pass in preference to going for the man with the balU Fol both these weaknesses the; college ■paid dearly, and Grammar registered a .runaway victory. i

SENIORS. Takapuna 3, drew with Mount Albert 3. SECOND GRADE. I Auekland Grammar 23, beat King's College 3. THIKD GRADE. Auckland Grammar .A 0, beat Sacred Heart 8. \ -"• „ , - Mount Albert 24, beat Takapuna 8. FOURTH GRADE. Auckland A 12, beat Mount Albert Grammar 3. . • „ Sacred Heart 21, beat King's College 3. Auckland "Grammar C 21, beat Technical B 6. ?. ■ ' - Takapuna.4l, beafOtahuhu 0. FIFTH GRADE. Sacred Heart 22, beat Mount' Albert Grammar A 0. SIXTH GRADE. Otahuhu 11, beat Auckland Grammar C 3 ."•:'•' 'Auckland Grammar A 26, beat Sacred Heart 0. ; ' , „ ■ Technical 19, beat Takapuna 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Auckland Grammar A 8, beat Sacred Heart 3. . : 4 , „ _•_ „ Takapuna 51, ; > beat A.G.S.B. 0.

GRADE GAMES.

SENIOR B GRADE. Eastern Suburbs Jfi, beat University B 3. Grammar Colts 12, beat Manukau 6. i North Shore IS, beat Parncll S.

SECOND GRADE. College Rifles 16, beat Grammar B 5. Tamaki 18, beat Suburbs 5. Y.M.C.A. 14, beat Technical 0.8. 6. Ponsonby 27, beat Training College 3. I Technical 0.8. 15, beat Grafton 8. 't Northcote A 20, beat Trinity College 3. University B 10, beat Northcote B 0, Papatoctoe 3, beat Manukau 0. THIRD OPEN. % Newton IT, beat Oratia 7. ;,' North Shore 14,. beat Eden 0. J Eastern Suburbs 0. beat Royal Naval Reserve 0. . THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Grammar A 21, beat University 0. Suburbs 34, beat Training College 8. ,'- I'arnell 12, beat Northcote 3. ! Marist 14, bent rapatoetoe 3. 'Manukau A 14, beat Y.M.C.A. 3. . Waltemata 0, beat Manukau B 3. North Shore B S, beat Technical 0.8. B 0. FOURTH GRADE. Technical 0.8. .3, heat Suburbs 0. Northcote 27, beat Eastern Suburbs 0. Ponsonby 10, beat Oratia 3. Grafton 11, beat Grammar B C. FIFTH GRADE. Eden 8. beat Suburbs 3. Manukau S, beat Parnell 3. SIXTH GRADE. , Suburbs 10, beat Grafton 3. Ponsonby 11, beat Marist 9. Manukau beat. Northcote by default. Technical 0.8. 5. beat Eden 3. JUNIOR BOYS. Intermediate Grade.—Northcote 8, beat Eastern Suburbs 3. Junior Grade.—Eastern Suburbs 6. beat Newton 0; Parnell 0, bent Waltemata 0; Northcote 12. beat Y.M.C.A. 6.

GAMES IN THE PROVINCE.

PUKEKOHE. Old Boys S, beat White Star 6. Patumahoe 7. beat Ramblers 0. Old Boys have a lead of four points for the championship. Juniors.—White Star 0. beat Aka Aka 3: Ramblers 0, beat Ki'i Ora C; Old Boys 6, drew with Patumahoe 6. Third Grade. —Bombay S, beat Pukekohc 7. • < • KAUKAPAKAPA. Visiting Eden Senior B 18, beat Kaukapakapa S. THAMES. Huimai 13, beat Physical Training 0. United 10, beat College Old Boys 9. Juniors.—Physical Training 21, beat High School 13: Ramblers 12. beat Huimai 3; College Old Boys 8, beat High School 6. RODNEY. Port Albert 0, drew -with Wellsford 6. Puhoi 0, beat Warkworth 3. Pakiri 2C, beat Maoris 0. Wankworth is the leading team and Puhoi, Port Albert and Matonia are all onlv one point behind. Juniors. —Port Albert 19, beat High School 0; Kaipara Flats 3, drew with Matoma 3. WAIUKU. Waipipi 9, beat Otaua C. Aka Aka 12, beat City 0. With two more games to be played Waipipi is leading Otaua and City by a point. FRANKLIN. Tuakau 11, beat Bombay 0. Te Kohanga 8, bent Pukekawa 0. Juniors. —Bombay 16. beat To Kohanga 0; Onewhero 9, beat Tuakau 4. HBLENSVILLB. 'Seniors. —Helensville 14, beat Parafcai 0. Juniors. —Parakai 0, beat Silvcrdale 0. ' WH.ANGAREI. Senior seven-a-slde (final) : City beat Old Boys by a touch down. Junior: High School 3, beat Horohoro 0. The High School teams won the junior, third and fourth grade competitions. OTAMATEA. Seniors: Waipu 38, beat Paparoa 0. Maungaturoto 17, beat Kaiwaka 0. Juniors.—Waipu 15, beat Paparoa 6; Taipuha 5, beat Walrere 0; Kaiwaka 10, beat Maungaturoto 5. VDARGAVILLE. Seniors: Southern 8, beat Kaihu Valley 6. Dargaville 22, beat Ruawai 5. Juniors. —Northern Star 8, beat Southern 0; Kaihu Valley 24. beat Awakino Point &; Ruawai 6, beat 5 Waiura 0 S Tangohine 11. beat Dargavillo 3. Third Grade.—Dargaville 17, beat Dargaville District 6.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

FEILDING. United 20, beat Feilding C. » TAIHAPE. Huia G, beat Hautapu 3. Pirates 11, beat Utiku 0. . Championship points are: —Hautapu 8, Huia 7, Pirates 7, Utiku 6, Old Boys 0. Juniors. —Hautapu 16. beat Hiwcra 5; Pirates 13, beat Huia 6; Utiku 12, beat Huioiai. Championship points are:— Hiwera 12, Utiku 12, Hautapu 11, Pirates 8, Huia 3, Huimai 2. PALMERSTON NORTH. Old Boys 3. beat Kai Toa 0. St. Patrick's 23, beat Massey College 0. United 20, beat Feilding 6. HASTINGS. Celtic 11, beat Hastings 9. Hastings Old Boys 34, beat Tamatea 14. WELLINGTON. A Grade, first division: Wellington 11, beat Eastbourne 6. Marist 17, beat St. Patrick's Old Boys 5. Hutt 14, beat Oriental 3. Petone 12, drew with Old Boys 12. Poneke 17, beat Athletic 6. Second division: Onslow 10, beat Miramar 6. Johnsonville 11, beat Petone 10. Hutt 11, beat Melrose-Selwyn 6. University 13, beat Berhampore 6. Poneke 5, beat Upper Hutt 0. BLENHEIM. Final: Marlborough 16, beat Nelson 11. MASTERTON Red Star 5, beat Martinborough 0 Old \Boys 10, beat Mnsterton 6 CARTERTON. Carterton 15, beat Dalefleld 3 ._, Featherston 7, beat Grey town 5. ' ' NEW PLYMOUTH. Star 21, beat Old Boys 12. Tukapa 0, drew with Inglewood 0. Stratford 21, beat Celtin 0. Kaponga 3, beat Patea 0. Eltham 8, beat Hawera 3. Waimate 17, beat Okaiawa 0. Opunake 3, drew with Empire Old Boys WANGANUI. Kaierau' 20, beat Marist 5. Pirates 11, beat Old Boys 6. Ratana forfeited to Technical Old Boys. , GISBORNE. Young Maori Players 17, beat Old Boys High School Old Boys 6, beat Celtic 3. . NAPIER. Pirates 12, beat Marist Brothers Old Boys 10. High School Old Boys 14, beat Technical Old Boys 11. Celtic 11, beat Hastings 0. Hastings High School Old Boys 34, beat Tamatea 14. CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch 11, beat 'Varsity 8. Sydenham 8, beat' Athletic C. Albion 23, beat Merivale -15. ■■■ Old Boys 13, beat Linwood 10. - - DUNEDIN. Kaikorai 19, beat Southern 9. "Varsity A ■ 26, beat Dunedin 3. Taieri 11, beat Zingari 0. Alhambra 12,' beat Pirates 8. Union 6, beat 'Varsity B 3. INVERCARGILL. Invercargill 14, beat Star 11. Old Boys 22, beat Waikiwi 3. Championship points are: Pirates 8. Old Boys 7, Star 6, Invercargill 6, and Waikiwi 1.

THIRD BEATING.

WALLABIES GO DOWN AGAIN. CAPETOWN, June 17. In a Rugby Union football match at Kimberley to-day the Australian "~ team (the Wallabies) was beaten by a combined Kimberley-Griqualand West team bv 14 points to 9. "The results of the previous- four games of the tour were:— June 3.—v. Natal, won, 14—3. June 7.—v. Western Transvaal, won 20—3. June 10.—v. Reef and Country, lost 6—13. I June 14.—v. Pretoria,- lost B—l3.

Team. V. W.vI/.-D. F. A. Pts. Fonsonby „_* 8 6 11 120 .68 13 Marist 8 6 2 — 78 48 12 University„.,... 8 6 2 — 116 59 12 Grammar \-.~.. 8 5 3 136 115 10 Grafton 8 5 3 — 111 84 10 Otahuhu ...... S 3 4 1 61 108 7 Training Col. .. 8 3 4 1 71 76 7 College Rifles ,. 8 2 5 1 73 86 5 Manukau 8 1 7 — 36 99 2 Technical 8 1 7 — 42 101 2