RUGBY HONOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 148, 26 June 1933, Page 12

RUGBY HONOURS.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. FIRST ROUND COMPLETED. PONSONBY STILL LEAD. With the first round of the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship completed on Saturday afternoon, Ponsonby still head the list, one point ahead of University. Marist, Grammar and Grafton are all on equal terms, two points behind University. A fair crowd watched the big match of the day at Eden Park, the speed and cleverness of the Ponsonby backs eventually triumphing over Marist. It was an interesting and hard game, with Marist making a bold bid to unseat the leaders. Training College gave the Grammar supporters some uneasy moments, but Grammar eventually won by four points. At the Show Grounds University's fast backs again carried the day in their match with College Rifles, and won by 13 clear points. Otaliuhu put up a stubborn fight against Grafton at Sturgess Park, going down B—l3,8 —13, and Manukau, on their own ground, scored their first real win of the season by defeating Technical College Old Boys by 11 points to 3. Results were:— Ponsonby 19. Marist 13. Grammar Old Boys 15. Training College n. . University 24, College Rfles 11. Grafton 13, Otahuhn 8. Manukau 11, Technical Old Boys 3. The championship table is:— Points Ch. P. W. Jj. D. F. A. Pts. Ponsonby ... 9 7 1 1. 139 81 15 University ... 9 7 2 — 140 70 14 Marist 9 6 3 — 91 G7 12 Grammar .... 9 6 3 — 151 120 12 Grafton 9 0 3 — 124 92 12 Otahuhu .... 9 3 5 1 69 121 7 Training Col. 9 3 5 1 82 91 7 College Rifles 9 2 6 1 S4 110 5 Manukau .... 9 2 7 — 47 102 4 Technical ... 9 1 7 — 45 112 2 BOLD BID BY MARIST. Marist made a bold bid to unseat Ponsonby from the leading position in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship, and were alternately the joy and despair of their supporters. The match, given pride of place on No. 1, Eden Park, ended in a win for Ponsonby by six points. It was the pace and cleverness of the Ponsonby backs that paved the way to victory. They started off badly, with Pearman, at first five-eighths, sending shocking passes to Jamieson, but .Tamieson soon altered all that by going himself to the inside position, and after the change it was a different story. Jamieson's artistry contributed much to the downfall of Marist. He was at the top of his form, and engineered clever ' moves that were frequently a puzzle to the Marist defence. In this respect Solomon schemed in almost equal merit. His uncanny eye for an opening was often responsible for the Ponsonby backs sailing away toward the goal line, and in defence he was splendid. At the base of the scrum Frankham did all sorts of clever things, but it was his unerring accuracy in delivering the ball to Jamieson that won him most praise. The Ponsonby three-quarter line was not effective as an attacking force and several movements broke down through the erratic play of Campbell. Kerr-Taylor, at full-back, gave the Ponsonby supporters many uneasy moments, although at times he did splendid work. Ponsonby's forwards had to tight all out to hold their own with Marist, but they did what was necessary—they won enough of the ball to give their backs opportunities to win the match. Playing with telling cohesion, the Marist pack gave a splendid exhibition, with S. Hadley again playing an outstanding game. In line-outs and in the loose they could not be held, and were often seen sweeping downfield in beautiful dribbling rushes. The backs were not given many opportunities to display what talents they have. Connolly did his best give his outside men a chance, but he found the way difficult. Cooney did some clever work with limited opportunities, and Muller was sound. The wings had little to do. GRAFTON'S LAST-MINUTE WIN. Otahuhu were decidedly unfortunate not to leave the field on even terms with Grafton, who had to go all out in the second spell to win 13—8. With the score B—B, and a few minutes to go, the game looked like ending in a draw. Play was swinging from one end of the paddock to the other, with Grafton fighting desperately for the extra points. They swept through at last, and Wilkes dived on the ball at the end of a ruck over the Otahuhu line, and Paton converted. The large crowd appeared to consider that the ball had been previously forced down by an Otahuhu defender. The home team went very close to scoring twice before the whistle, but they could not wipe out the deficit. It was a great game, and full of interest rlg*ht through. In the first 40 minutes Otahuhu was definitely on top, but after the interval Grafton pulled themselves together. and played the football which has brought them such success this season. Otahuhu's attack was considerably strengthened by the reappearance of F. Clarke, whose fine game at centre, together with the brilliant display of a new right winger, Papesch, made a big difference. Grafton was without the valued services of Finlayson, who was nursing an injury, and half-way through the second spell they lost their half-back, Roberts, who was injured. Ryall filled his place, Stuart moved Into second five-eighth, and the newcomer, Wilkes, took Stuart's place at centre. For the winners, Paton was not up to form, but Currey played a fine game, as also did Roberts. He sent out some beautiful passes. Stuart also was prominent, and Moore improved as the game advanced. Wilkes, during the short time that he was on, was very impressive, and scored two tries through his fast following up. The forwards were a fine lot, perhaps the pick being Shadbolt, Fraser, Crump and Bunting. Mason, for the losers, played a splendid game at full-back. He received frequent applause for his splendid linekicking. The whole three-quarter line, Papesch, F. Clarke and Gladding, who was handicapped with a bad hand, gave a fine display. Hill and White went well before the interval. Inglis, at half, played well, but was troubled all day by the fastbreaking Grafton forwards, especially Fraser, who appeared to get away with a lot of off-side play. No attempt can be made to classify such hard-working forwards; There is not a more honest pack ! in the competition. MANUKAU AT LAST. There was jubilation at the Onehunga ground, where Manukau Rovers defeated Technical Old Boys to earn their first championship points of the season—the two points that previously stood to their credit had come by way of a default. It was a hard and strenuous game, with much of •the play confined to the forwards. Two tries, one of which was converted, find a penalty goal to an unconverted try gave Manukau an 11 —3 victory. Midway through the first half clean healing by the Technical forwards let their backs away and a strong burst by Manning made things easier for Oldham, who scored In a likely position. D. Keane's kick hit a post and bounced on the wrong side. An unconverted try by Wilclund made the score even at half-time. Manukau established a handy lead when Wiklund scored his second try, which Heazlewood splendidly converted from the side line, and they made their position safer soon afterwards when Heazlewood put over a penalty goal from almost half way. In the closstages the clashes between the forward" became warmer and if the play was not brilliant it was at least highly exciting. :It was Heazlewood's" first game for Manukau since his return from Wellington and he helped materially to give the blacks their first win. His powerful kicking, accurately directed, frequently saved his side in defence or allowed them to attack, while his tackling was very sound. There were occasions, however, when he lingered over long among the scoring backs after running up to give them the ball. At such times the home side was left with its back line uncovered, and on at least two occasions Technical went within an ace of turning the weakness to full advantage. Berridge got through a lot of saving work, while Brimble was fast off the mark and difficult to lay by the heels. Webster's passing from the scruin was erratic, but that alone was not responsible for rill the movements that broke down a.t Hunter. Wiklund played tirelessly, as also did Constable and Pearce. It was not for want of «* trying on the part of the Technical forwards that the srreens did not win. Bowling was outstanding and Savory and Hardly were also a . lot in'the picture. The backs dropped too many passes to be dangerous and theis best movement was the one that brought them their only points. D. Kenne, who 1 played full-back for the greater part of the game, took the ball well and was generally sound. 1' 11'

GRAMMAR TOO SOLID FOR COLLEGE On No. 2 ground at Eden Park Grammar Old Boys established an early lead against Tx-alning College and lasted long enough to win by 15 points to 11. Tlie students put up a great fight, and gave a very fine exhibition of sparkling liugby, but the weight of the Grammar forwards and their superior pack work proved too big a handicap. Grammar were without the services of Mclndoe at fiveeighth, and their crack forward, Walter Batty. Hutchison, their winger, had to go off after a few minutes' play, his place being well taken by J. Bailey. Training College lost their full-back, Richmond,' quite early. Lewis took his place, and Miller came on at centre-right. From the jump the Grammar pack took charge of the scrums, and Corner sent the ball away with faultless precision and monotonous frequency. Just as often it went straight along the line with no headway made before the Collegians broke up the movement. The students were not satisfied with being mere spoilers, and with smart interceptions frequently changed defence into attack. The lirst score came to Grammar when Lendrum made an opening for J. Wilson, and shortly after the centre sent out to Savory, who piled on the pace, and got round the opposing, winger for a good try. Slyfleld, who was in great form with the boot, converted both. Students rallied and finished up a strong attack with a penalty goal kick by Townsend just before half-time. The second spell was chiefly noticeable for the classy exhibition given in the open by the Collegians. As a combination there was something lacking, but individually they played bright football, and some of their movements were positively dazzling. Their handling of the ball was clever, their anticipation almost uncanny, and their methods spectacular. This applied both to forwards and backs. Territorially they had all the best of the second half, and finishing as fast as they began, they had Grammai supporters guessing as to the outcome. Corner had a big share In maintaining Grammar's lead. Finding that his backs were making no headway from his passes he changed liis tactics, and tried some solo dashes. The first was a beautiful dummying movement, which went half the length of the field, and then another was almost as good. In the last quarter of an hour Grammar forwards gave their best exhibition of the day, and. using their weight to advantage, forced their way over, the try going to Lockington. Slyfleld again converted. Almost immediately after Lewis I followed fast and made an opening for Payers to score. Townsend's kick missed. Still fighting valiantly, the Collegians went down with flying colours, for in the last minute of play Lewis started a beautiful piece of work in which Rowe, Miller and Francis also took part, the last-named scoring under the posts. Skipper converted. The final score was:—Grammar 15, Training College 11. Mr. C. Stichbury was referee. BETTER 'VARSITY BACKS. It was the superiority of the 'Varsity backs, and the brilliance of Caugliey in particular that gave them the victory over College Rifles at the showgrounds, 24—11, on Saturday. Both packs were more evenly matched. The game was a better one than the scores would seem to indicate. Caughey on Saturday was the best back on the field, and the mainstay of his team. He always did something with the ball, either gain ground himself or else make things easy for his wing. One thing he might have tried more often in the second spell, when the backs were given less room to work In, he might have short-punted. Mulvihill was not impressive. When he did not have all the paddock he wanted, he was often caught with the ball. Too often he tried his corkscrew run, and ran nowhere. He also might have kicked more often. Be it said, though, that some of the time, Green ran across, and he had not only to do his own job, but to straighten up the running as well. Still, he could have kicked instead of going into the pack. Green handled surely enough, but ran across a | little. Jagusch got the ball cleanly and crisply, with a good pass. Stacey. Colgan and Sutherland stood out on Saturday, with Thomas hard at it in the tight. College lacked combination in their backs. Individually they were sound; each did good work by himself, but they could not work togther. The three-quarters all played well, and to give Vear his due, he was not a fit man, and was only playing because there was no one else. To start with, the backs adopted wrong tactics. They should never have given the dangerous 'Varsity rearguard so much paddock. Things were not so bad when they got down to defence. Stewart, Ross, Greensmtih and Hurt were prominent, the two former in the loose as well as the tight, and the two latter In the hard stuff. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR B. University 23, beat Technical Old Boys 3. Grammar Colts 15, beat Parnell 5. Eastern Suburbs 0, drew with North Shore B 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. PALMERSTON NORTH. Fellding Old Boys 12, beat United 6. Kia Toa 15, beat Feilding 0. St. Patrick's 18, beat Old Boys 3. WANGANUI. Old Boys 11, beat Marist 3. Kaierau 40, beat Ratana 0. HASTINGS. Marist 24, beat Hastings 0.8. 0. Pirates 5, drew with Celtic 5. NAPIER. Napier Old Boys 22, beat Tamatea 3. Hastings 15, beat Tech. 14. GISBORNE. Old Boys 6, drew with Celtic 6. H. 5.0.8. 22, beat Maoris 8. . WELLINGTON. Wellington 21, beat Athletics 5. College Old Boys 19, beat Eastbourne 13. Hutt 27, beat St. Patrick's Old Boys 6. Petone 8, drew with Marist 8. Poneke 13, beat Oriental 3. Second Division.—Onslow 17, beat Berhampore 3; Petone 29, beat Hutt 10; Poneke 11, beat Johnsonville 10; Melrose-Selwyn 16, beat Upper Hutt 11; University 6, beat Miramar 0. NEW PLYMOUTH. Old Boys 11, beat Tukapa 6. Star 24, beat Celtic 3. Clifton 15, beat Inglewood fi. Patea 10, beat Empire Old Boys 8. Okaiawa 6, beat Hawera 3. Kaponga 6, beat Waimate 0. Opunake 4, beat Eltham 0. MASTERTON. Red Star 16, beat Old Boys 8. Featherston 11, beat Masterton 8. TIMARU. Zingari 6, beat Geraldine 5. Star 19, beat Pleasant Point 3. Temuka 19, beat Old Boys 0. FEILDING. Kia Toa 15, beat Feilding 0. CHRISTCHURCH. Sydenham 18, beat Old Boys 3. Merivale 16, beat Linwood 8. 'Varsity 40, beat Athletic 13. Christchurch 24, beat Albion 12. DUNEDIN. 'Varsity B 15, beat Alhambra 3. 'Varsity A 14, beat Pirates 0. Southern 19, beat Union 0. Kaikoral 20, beat Zingari 9. Taieri 34, beat Dunedin 0. INVERGARGILL. Pirates 27, beat Waikiwi 11. Star 18, beat Old Boys 9. WALLABIES WIN AGAIN. SECOND RHODESIAN VICTORY. CAPETOWN, June 24. In the return Rugby match between the Australians and Rhodesia, played at Buluwayo, the Wallabies, after travelling 2600 miles within a week, defeated Rhodesia by 31 points to 0. The Australian forwards, adapting themselves to the South African 6crum formation, opened up several passing movements. Australia scored 12 points in the first spell. The Wallabies have now played seven games. They won the first two, lost the next three and won the two Rhodesian fixtures. The next matches are:—June 28, v. Griqualand; July 1, v. Western Province; July 8, v. South Africa (first Test), at Capetown. N.S.W. BEAT QUEENSIiAND. BRISBANE, June 25. In a Rugby Union football match yesterday New South Wales defeated Queensland by ID points to 14. The score at half-time was:—New South Wales 13,