RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 155, 5 July 1933, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AROUND THE GYMNASIUMS

GRAFTON WILL DO IT AGAIN!

LOCKJE BACK FROM WELLINGTON

Only four points separate the five leading teams at the present stage of the Auckland Rugby Football Union's senior competition, and it seems more than likely that there will be more changes in position before the season di'av.o to a close.

Fhtcd is a poor word far descubmg the teclings of the Grafton senior team when it conquered Ponsonby on Saturday, and the opinion is confidently expressed among officials of the club that the team will give a few more such performances before the competition closes. Phil Lockie, last year's captain of the Parucll senior B team, who was transferred to Wellington after the season closed last year, has returned to Auckland, and he will be turning out for his old club next Saturday. His reappearance should do much to help Parnell in future gainer, and perhaps bring about a better combination.

Cooncy and W. Hadlcy were both absent from the Alarist senior team on Saturday, and were badly missed —the former for his defensive play and Hadley for his hooking -but the team will be back to full strength next week. A good fiveeighth in P. Ronnie looks like developing into a versatile back. On Saturday he proved a very effective connecting link, and wan sound in defence. He lias certainly learned his Kugby in a good football school, being last year's captain of the Sacred Heart College first XV, playing lull-back as well as five-eighth. Some mention should also be made of the work of the Marist leader, S. Hadley, who has been playing rover in the last few games, and has opened up the play in a noticeable manner. However, lack of combination among the backs has spoiled many chances which he has given them. Last week it was announced that Alex. Jamieson, the Ponsonby captain, would probably not be available for last Saturday, but a course of massage treatment worked wonders with hit> knee, and he •was again in place, playing a sound game. The masseur who was responsible for this effective treatment was "Johnny" Johnston, who gives his time and services to the care of Rugby players who need his attention, without thought of remuneration. Actually lie devotes most of his care on Saturdays to the Ponsonby team, but a request from any other player is speedily attended to, while through the week he continues his valuable work at home, and is always ready to help the injured. Such unselfish work is beyond praise, and will surely bring it« own reward.

A striking contrast is afforded by the seventh and fourth grade teams of the Eastern Suburbs Club. After being beaten by 10 to nil in the first game of the season by Otahuhu, the seventh grade team came back hard in its next contests, beating Manukau B by 2S to nil, Good Shepheril by 22 to nil, Manukau A by 11 to nil, Eden by ti to nil. ami in the second round defeated Otahuhu by 3 to nil, a total of 70 points against 16. Incidentally, Banks, the full-back, has scored in three of the six matches. On the other hand the fourth grade team seems to be fated to be beaten by big margins, but credit must be given for the manner iu which the members of the team take their defeats smilingly every Saturday, and still stick together, trying hard to improve their game and give their opponents a surprise.

'Varsity had a day out on Saturday, only one team throughout the club suffering a loss. This club continues to attract more players, the latest being a Tongan hoy named Kaho, who hails from Wesley College, Paerata. -Kaho made his first appearance on Saturday with the third grade team, and showed promise. This team had a struggle in keeping together early in the season, but the persistent work of the coaches, Messrs. Harrop and O'Halloran, has brought about a sound combination and a good team.

The A.K.U. flying squad was busy on Saturday paying surprise visits and weigh-ing-ill various teams, resulting in twelve players being found to be over weight. These visits will be made every Saturday to various grounds.

In the Eden-Eastern Suburbs senior B match on .Saturday "Tiger" Lyons, of the Eden Club, took a blind pot at goal, bit tins: the. crossbar. Strange to say the ball fell the right way, and added four points to Eden7t score. That brought a smile to the face of the "Tiger.*'