RUGBY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 208, 4 September 1933, Page 12

RUGBY.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. UNIVERSITY'S CLOSE CALL. GRAFTON BEATEN BY TWO. One of the most spectacular games of the Rugby season was provided with the meeting of University and Grafton, the bis attraction in the continuation of the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship on Saturday. Graf ton battled valiantly until the end, but went down in a hectic series of attacks by cither side by two points. The crowd was kept shouting with excitement throughout. Supporters were given a bis surprise when they saw Grammar, champions of last year, beaten by Technical College Old Boys, and another minor surprise was the narrow win of l'onsonby over Traininrr College, who were beaten by a single unconverted try. The match could just as easily have gone the other way. The other winners were Marist, who beat College Rifles by 14 points to 3, and Manukau, who were four points better than Otahuhu at Onchunga. Results were:— University 11, beat Grafton 9. Technical 8, beat Grammar 0. Ponsonby 3, beat Training College 0. Mariet li, beat College Rifles 3. Manukau 8, beat Otahuhu 4. The championship tabl i is:— Points: ci.. Team. P. W. L. 1). F. A. Pts. University ... ]5 12 a — 207 107 24 Ponsonby ... 15 11 2 2 192 100 2-1 Marist 15 11.-4 — 171 1)8 22 Grammar ... 15 9 5 1 1!(8 173 19 Grafton 15 S (i 1 170 158 17 Train. College 15 4 9 2 123 151 10 Manukau 15 4 9 2 89 145 10 Otahuhu .... 15 410 1 104 183 9 Technical ... 15 411 — 73 100 8 College Rifles 15 311 1 123 175 7

PLENTY OP ACTION.

With the ball being thrown about with reckless abniulon, Urafton and University staged a series of thrilling raids on one another's goal line In the last few minutes of the match. Splendid loose forward play by the Grafton forwards was countered by the speed and cliisiveness of the University backs. There was any amount of action throughout. With the scores ever close, there was always plenty of excitement. All through it was refreshing football, open, fast and spectacular—better than the crowd hull seen in club football at Eden Park for a long time. One was reminded of the football of six years ago, when I'on.sonby used to stage those thrilling hist-niiuilto recoveries and have the crowd on lip-toes with shouting and swaying as the Pousonuy backs brilliantly engineered moves frnrii under their own goal posts and cut the defence to pieces with their dazzling passing and inter-passing. Perhaps Saturday's match was hot as good as all that, but it was certainly a very refreshing change from the. solid, almost stodgy football that the crowd has seen in some of the matches this year. The game itself, as was anticipated, settled down into a battle of wits between the Grafton forwards and the 'Varsity backs. One try only was scored, but 'Varsity should have scored more. There was some glorious goal-Vieking on the part of the two full-backs. T'atnn ami Bush, Taton scoring Grnflon's total of nine with his boot, and TSush running up night points In similar fashion, the odd try giving 'Varsity the ■win. A splendid scrum was packed by Grafton and in set scrums they nearly always won the bull. Once out. Wilkes gave speedy service, but there was little penetration among the Inside backs nnd everv attack was quickly «in*ißhPfl. Forward, Grnftnn played pplenrlidlv nnd some of their loose rushes were admirable. Hardie had no en mil on the rround nnd he was willingly supported bv the speedy Fraser fwllfsn sneed, nt times vrns Inclined ti< zot him ahead of the ball), Finlayson, Sbndbolt nnd Hunting. A severe test was put on the 'Varsity pack, who would never earn a big reputation as hard ruckers, but Ihese forwards, ably led by Anderso.n and Sherwood, lighting hard, managed to stand up fairly well to the more enterprising and bustling tactics of the opposing pack. There were occasions when the Grafton forwards smashed their way through and raced on in thrilling fashion with the ball at their feet. It was sit times such as these that Bush won the applause and admiration of the crowd by scooping the ball from their feet and deftly finding touch. Bush played tine football and one wondered just what would have happened if there had been a less-talcntcd full-back in his place. There were many bright and resourceful things done by the 'Varsity backs. .Tagusch rlid not play "the football be is capable of Bnd often his slow delivery handicapped the attack. In fairness it. must be slid that Fraser often reached the bail before the half-back. Mulvihill did some tricky things and generally played soundly. Blthough his hands were not as certain as usual, faughey was given not the shadow of a chance by the opposition, who pn-il morn attention to him than to any of the others, and it was rather surprising tlint the others did not turn this to better advantage. One interesting feature wns the great three-quarter duel between Milliken and Halls. The 'Varsity winger tried various ruses to find a way past Ins vis-a-viP. but time after time ho was resolutely brought down.

PONSONBY'S NARROW WIN

Sound defence rather than sparkling attack was the outstanding feature of the main game at the Western Springs Stadium, where Pcmsonby scored a narrow win over Training College. The fact that only a single try—a try which gave Ponsonby a 3—o victory—was scored, indicates the closeness of the. match. Taken all through, Ponsonby were rather lucky to win. They certainly called the tune at the commencement of the game, but when the College forwards settled down they gave more than they took. At half-time the Scoreboard was blank. Play in the second half was more interesting, and midway through the spell Fraser went across for on unconverted try. llic Ponies' success stung College to vigorous action, and for a long time they hammered away at their opponents' goal line, and did everything but score. Right to the finish It was anybody's game, and the closing stages were played to excited barracking from ! the side-line. ? ■'■'■ When given the ball, Frankham sent it out smartly to the Ponsonby backs. Jamieson was lively and quick to seize an opening, but was well marked, while Pearman spoilt his display by uncertain handling. Of the three-quarters, Hook was more in the picture than the others. Solomon was a great help to his side, and when he got the ball it often took two or more of the College players to bring him. to the ground. Bond and Cooper also worked hard among the forwards. Inglis, the College half, and Dare, first five-eighth, were continually prominent in defence, while Townsend needed careful watching on attack. At full-back, Francis tackled soundly and made few mistakes in his handling. Pountney and Bond were fine workers among an untiring pack. ,

MARISTS' CONDITION BRINGS VICTORY.

At the Showgrounds Marists, after trailing College Rifles for three-fourths of the game,-came with a great rattle at the finish and romped home by 34 points to 3. The winners sadly missed their fiveeighths, Cooney, who has changed his residence to Hikurangi, and the crack threequarter, Loombe, was a spectator through an injury to his face. Rifles let it be known early that the opposition would have to give a run for their money. They had distinctly the better of the first spell, which they finished with a three points advantage. This score came to Rifles as the result of a brilliant dash by MeCormick, who penetrated the Marist defence with a tine corkscrew run and then passed to Brown. Wales missed Brown's pass, but Frankham dashed in and made the score.' '■ * In the second half Marists commenced to monopolise the scrums, hut it Was not until the final quarter of an hour that they were able to break through the resolute defence of the Rifles, who were only beaten when Liddlq potted a goal from the tweutyfive yards mark. Thenceforward Marists dominated the game, and in the last ten minutes had a tired opposition done to a turn. Tries were scored by Friend -and Ijiddle, one being converted by Friend arid the other by W. Hadley. Final score: i 'Marists 14 College Rifles 3 Mr. Hollander jvas.referee, __ '

GRAMMAR PACK BEATEN.

The Grammar Old Boys' forwards were beaten in every department of the game except the line-outs by the Technical College Old Boys' pack at the Western Springs Stadium on Saturday. Technical won 8-— O. Each side scored two tries, two good tries, but Technical managed to convert one of tli em. The green pack were never dominated by the whites. They secured from the majority o£ the scrums; they were superior in the loose; Ihey broke away more cleanly after the tight. A feature of their play was the consistent baeking-up. Nelson and Bowling stood out in the tight, while Savory and A. Kenne were prominent, in many u forward rush. Every man did his job, however, backed-up and backer-lip. There seemed no reason why the white pack should have been beaten; but they just were. One missed the old white phtilan sweeping irresistibly up the field. It is true, though, that they were not fielding their strongest team. Scarborough worked hard In the tight, and E. Batty in tin? loose. The white hacks were slightly the better in attack, and Savory got one beautiful try. Both wings in fact played well. Chapham, a junior player, at first live-eighths, did his Job, and once, cut through the whole green fifteen, and was most unlucky not to score. Matheson was as safe as usual, though he did not find the line so accurately. The Technical defence was sound. Haslain was outstanding, but there was no weak link. Harris made one or two good openings. Haslam was always dangerous, and always backed up. 1£ anything, the handling on both sides was the weakness. The positional play of D. Keane was good.

MANUKAU V. OTAHUHU.

At Onehunga, Manukau had all the better of their second meeting this season with the Otahuhu fifteen, and deserved their win by S points to 4. With the home team winning possession, the winners' backs, especially in the first 40 minutes, delighted the suburban fans with some pretty penetrating movements, Both teams lost golden opportunities, but it was Manukau's day. With his team adopting the offensive game practically all day, lleazlewood did not have a very strenuous afternoon. Before the interval Berridge's performances were brilliant. In one <i() yards dash he evaded man after man before sending Hunter over. In the second spell ho tried to do too much, and with four or live men at his heels every time he handled he was grassed many times in possession. Hunter, ut centre, was the most enterprising threequarter, and played quite a good game. For, the best all-round display Brimble, playing inside Berridge, takes the honours. Both on attack and defence he played one o£ his best games, and received a great hearing from his supporters. Iladtleld, behind the pack, saw a lot of the ball, and he sent his men away with well-timed passes time and again. ManuUau's best forwards were Pepper, Kereopa, Constable and Johnston. Pepper played a wonderful game. Only 21 years of age, but with five years' senior experience, he has played some great football this season, and it. is very difficult to understand why be has not at least been given B provincial honours. Wiklund, nursing a back injury, and Pearce, with u bad foot, did not turn out.

The losors wore very disappointing, as flioir display was much below expectations. With very limited opportunities. the bucks had to piny in the role of defenders for probably three-quarters of the game, a role in which they were often found wanting, particularly in tlio first spell. At times Mason's defence was splendid, but on many occasions lie failed to clear. A new left wins, Boloskl, went well, and showed promise. White, second live-eighths, severely handicapped with a had hand, gave a much bettor display after the interval, and was very prominent, both on attack and defence. Throughout the Benson the forwards linve proved themselves individually to lie a very even lot. They keep together and work as a pack. On Saturday the most prominent were Evans, Williams, Cox and Joucs.

SHIELD RETAINED.

WEST COAST CHALLENGE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. In fiuo weather and before a crowd of IS.OOO people, West Coast to-day played Canterbury (holders) for the Ranfurly Shield. J. Beban replaced Hughes In the Coast backs, and J. Hattersley replaced Hart In the Canterbury backs. The West Coast forwards nave a taste of their quality, and B, King led their fast vanguards in a brilliant rush to Canterbury territory. Canterbury attacked for the first time after Jlullan. following Up fast, had bustled Gilbert. The forwards were them straight away, taking the ball down to the Coast line. In a set scrum the forwards hooked cleanly, and Mullon sent out like a (lash to Hazolhiirst, who cut in and scored cleverly. He converted. Canterbury 5, Weet Coast U. Another Canterbury attack followed. The Coasters streamed out to stem the onslaught, but llazelhurst took advantage of a slender opening to cut in again and run .brilliantly into position before passing iu;iield to Hex King, who scored between the posts. llazelhurst goalcd. Canterbury 10, Went. Coast 0. ' When Morllock and llazelhurst tried the scissors page the ball was dropped, and Freitas went through like, a Hash. Fong, Taaf'o and Schroder followed up hard, and Canterbury were hard put to slave off a try. Again the Coasters broke through in the loose. llazelhurst was offside, and Martyu opened the Coast score with a penalty from the side line. Canterbury 10, West Coast Canterbury swept into the attack, led by Oliver. Manchester, Kex King and Andrews were doing great things in the loose. A Canterbury passing rush saw the ball dropped, but Oliver took the opportunity and booted the ball through, and Andrews, Manchester and Hartuell carried on to the line. Cottrell snapped up and went over for a try. llazelhurst goaled. Canterbury l<3, West. Coast 3. The second spell opened with vigorous forward, rushes. Oliver found the line in the visitors' territory. King started the Coasters off in a great rush, Hattersley just getting back in time to save. Then Kiug secured again to send Taafe, Fong, and Schroder off on a run which seemed certain to produce a try till the winger knocked on.- A scrum infringement near the Canterbury line gave Martyn u. chance of steering the kick between the posts. Canterbury 15, Coast U. Oliver ran' brilliantly in a Canterbury back rush which drove through to the Coast twenty-live. Canterbury were right in their stride and a pretty blind side movement, in which Mulla.ii drew the oppdsition before sending llazelhurst away, ended with a good try by the left winger, Hattersley. Hartnell's kick was a failure. Canterbury 18, Coast G. , In a loose rush Kirkland secured and burst past two men to send B. Seandrett over •to run round and score behind the posts. The -try was a neat one following excellent loose work. Martyn converted. Canterbury 18, Coast 11. : Mprlock, Oliver and Hattersley shone in a rush from the left wing, the centre's pace taking him past three men. The rush broke, down about live yards from the Coast line, but before the Coasters wero back in position Mullan whipped the ball back to Hazelhurst, who sprinted over underneath the posts. Hazelhurst converted. Canterbury 23, Coast 11. Play : changed position at a great pace, Canterbury having to defend desperately at times. Hughes was injured, ahd replaced by Jamlesou. There was a sensation when Gilbert ran from full-back half way through the Canterbury team and passed to Jones, who was grassed a few yards from the line. Coast's reward came when King secured and dived over. Martyn's kick missed. Canterbury 23 West Coast '. 14

NAVIES AT PLAY.

AUSTRALIA V. NEW ZEALAND. At Eden Park, at 3 o'clock to-morrow (Tuesday), the Australian and New Zealand naval teams will meet in a Rugby contest for inter-squadron supremacy. Mr. J. G. C. Walls lias been -appointed referee. PRESENTATION TO KEITH •• . ANDERSON. Wedding bells will ring merrily at St. Mark's Church, Remuera, this evening, when K.. I);- Anderson. Auckland and University representative Rugby footballer, will he married to Miss I'eggy Ford, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Ford, of Keniuera Itoad. Anderson led the University side to victory against Grnfton in the big of the llugby day at Eden Park on Saturday. After the match. Anderson's blub-niatcs gathered to make him a presentation of a i silver salver, engraved with his name and . the name of the Auckland University Footbali Club. >, l<