RUGBY FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 204, 30 August 1933, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AROUND THE CLUBS. PROMISING PONSONBYS. PARNELL B DO WELL AT THAMES. An unbeaten record is shown by Ponsonby'e fourth grade team, which has a considerable lead over its nearest rival on the championship ladder. The team, which has risen from seventh grade, winning the championship each year—seventh, sixth and fifth grades—appears unbeatable in its present grade, and may move up again next season. One of its most promising players is the half-back Broad, who looks a certainty for future senior honours. Ponsonby's second grade team, which is at present level with Tamaki at the top of tljfi. section, has been showing excellent form lately and supporters consider its prospects excellent for championship honours. The Parnell senior B team was defeated by the Thames B representatives on Saturday by 17 points to 11. The team, which included a number of third intermediate grade players, put up an excellent showing against much heavier opponents, and it was only in the late stages of the game that Thames put the issue beyond doubt. Satherley and Kurdall were the outstanding players for Parnell, while Mackintosh, Burton, Craig and Grotte played good solid games. An arm injury compelled Hearling to retire, and his absence made a big difference to the team. Bunt, of University, who was hurt at the beginning of the season, is back in the firing line and is a real acquisition to the second A grade team, showing plenty of speed and nippiness and cutting through well.

The Marist Club has suffered a big loss with the departure of Leo Cooney, the clever second five-eighths, for Hikurangi last week. Cooney has shown great promise this season and will be missed by his team in the battle for the championship. To offset this loss, however, the club has gained "Dad" Ryan, who has been transferred to Auckland from Thames Valley. "Dad's" elderly appearance is belied by his years, and as he haa been playing well this season, he should do much toward filling Cooney's place. The Grammar Colts-'Varsity senior B match on Saturday was watched by a large number of spectators and it can safely be stated that everyone was enthusiastic about the game, which was a splendid exhibition of forward football. Grammar's fine pack kept the game tight to thenadvantage and kept the 'Varsity backs from swinging into action. The latter's forwards rallied gamely, and Grammar found plenty of opposition. Sheath, 'Varsity's half, gave what is considered by good judges the best exhibition of defensive half-back play, senior or junior, seen for a long time. He spoiled many of Grammar's movements and although battered by the heavy forwards he came through with flying colours.

JUNIOR MANAGEMENT. "FLYING SQUAD" STILL ACTIVE. At last night's meeting of the junior management board of the Auckland Rugby Football Union, a report was received from the "flying. squad" stating that several teams were weighed last Saturday, and some players were found overweight. These players, it was pointed out, must be weighed again before playing next Saturday. It was resolved that the second grade A section be transposed after September 9 and the B section be treated likewise to allow finality to be reached by September 30. It was resolved to finalise the third intermediate A and B sections on September 30, and to play the semi-finals and finals on the following three Saturdays. Permission to travel to Thames on September 16 was granted the Manukau second grade team. INTER-HOUSE COMPETITION. THE FIXTURES FOR THURSDAY. Games arranged in the dnter-house Rugby competition, at Victoria Park, at 4 p m. to-morrow: —Farmers' Trading Co. v. Macky, Logan's, Mr. C. W. Schnauer; Ross and Glendining v. Milne and Choyce, Mr. M. Adams; Sargood, Son and Ewen v. John Court's, Mr. S. Hollander.