KEEN RUGBY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 112, 14 May 1934, Page 12

KEEN RUGBY.

FINE CLUB MATCHES. GRAMMAR'S SMASHING WIN. THIRD SERIES OF GAMES. An attractive programme and a brilliant day drew one of the biggest crowds that have watched club Rugby for many a day at Edeu Park on Saturday. Again it was a day of surprises. Pride of place in the matches was given to Grammar and University, and the big crowd which watched them was treated to a slashing display of concerted forward work by Grammar, backed up by periodical brilliance by the backs. On the day Grammar were superior in every department. • Grafton were the delight of even tlieir most sanguine supporters, and completely outplayed Ponsonby in the curtain-raiser. A reorganised Marist team checked the winning run of College Rifles on, No. 2 at Eden Park. Manukau had a close call at the Showgrounds, where Technical College Old Boys ran them to a 5—3 finish. Results were:— Grammar Old Boys 30, beat University 14Grafton 24, beat Ponsonby 6. Marist 12, beat College Rifles 9. Manukau 5, beat Technical 3. Championship points are:—

GRAMMAR'S SLASHING FORWARDS. With clashing forward attacks that •scattered the University inside backs like chaff before- the wind, Grammar, showing forward domination that was superb devastated University In the big match ot < the day at Eden Park. The score was bO points to 14. In less than 20 minutes the Grammar forwards had, applied such terrific pressure on the University defence that from then on the Grammar forwards held sway over all, and the backs gave a delightful dis.- ' play of hard and straight running. Uuiversity started well, and in ten minutes they had scored six points, but before the first spell was completed tliey were a disorganised side, fighting hopelessly with a problem that was obviously too big for them. The University back line, of which great things were expected, was completely crippled. The Grammar backs were fast to move up, and any attack was smashed before it got properly under way. Most of University's trouble lay close in to the scrum, where Inglis and Green were hampered by the fast-breaking of the Grammar forwards. Although their job was a hard one, they showed neither the fighting powers nor the adai>tability to overcome ■- 5 '- the difficulty. In consequence the University three-quarter line was seldom able to show the speed and elusiveness for which they are renowned. Caugliey alone tried hard to direct the attack, as he usually docs, but his inside men were badly bustled, and all his scheming failed. On the other hand, the Grammar backs were served with a generous supply of the ball by" a pack of forwards which covered themselves with glory. Corner had a feast behind the scrum, and, as usual under such circumstances, he used the blind side discreetly for Incisive dashes, and gave an ' " all-round service from the scrum of which the Grammar backs took full advantage. ; - Outstanding among the Grammar backs ! was Stebr, a slip of a second five-eighth, whose speed, stralgnt running and lightning side-step bewildered the University defence., Stehr did a lot of damage at —- second five-eighth, but what a danger he would be at first. Among a pack of forwards who worked throughout with cohesion and understanding, A. Knight played splendidly. Out of comparative obscurity Knight has come to display all his old craft. Up until he went off with an eye injury, Lockington was perhaps the next best forward on the field. But the whole of the Grammar pack played magnificently, and it is almost unfair to single out any one of them. It was encouraging to see those sweeping forward movements which brought back memories of the type of forward play we used to feast on. GRAFTON TOO GOOD FOR • PONSONBY. As a curtain raiser spectators had the pleasure of seeing Grafton give their best display of the season. Playing a fast, open game the black and whites never gave the Ponies a chancer and' won' by the substantial margin of 24 points to C. Ponsonby was a mere shadow of the team that has -thrilled the crowd with spectacular, dashing liugby every year for a long period. . After a promising beginning their forwards went right to pieces in face of a strong-assault by the Grafton pack, and for the rest of the game they never looked like regaining the ascendancy. Solomon battled nobly to get his men into action, but with the exception of Frankhum and Lendrum none of the others were outstanding. \ Grafton looked u different team to the one which went down to College Itifles the previous week. .The vanguard appeared to be ; in-rare condition and overwhelmed the opposition. ,The backs, too, were fit cnojugh, but their especially tlie three-quarters, was at times deplorable. In the first .half they missed several certain tries through, faulty passing or fumbling at i the critical moment. Throughout the game the ball came out consistently to - the black and white backs and they had ,1 every chance to finalise, yet only one of -• Grafton's tries was secured by a back. !*; Something better than this could have !*> been expected with a dry ball and an ** absence of wind... Pa ton was in good form •wt; both in line kicking and goaling, and was •* »» responsible for Jhalf of the 24 points scored '."'t-by his-side. In the last ten .minutes with the game practically won the black and whites made a practice match of it, throwing the ball <i-»* about with-cheerful abandon. Some pretty ; movements' were executed greatly to the 11... delight of the spectators. -y? Grafton's tries were secured by Stuart, t'ek Bunting. Fraser . and Davis. Paton eonverted three, struck the post with a fourth Vt aiid kicked two ' penalties. Ponsonby's 2, score consisted of a try by Solonom and a penalty goal by Lendrum. !.$• Mr.: C. F.. Stratford was referee. •M : 1 Sfr j MARIST 08. SURPRISE. ■fi After, being defea.ted in their first two games, Marlst Old Boys placed a much- ' jjk shjiffled' team on the field for their match against College Kifles and succeeded in seorV*T a surprise' 12-:—9 tvin at the expense of the dark blues. Of the Old Boy backs only one player was in the same position as *« he : occupied the previous Saturday, the others having been given new positions or £$ dropped from . the team. That the very definite action of the selectors was justified ' was prowed by the result, even though the ■ win miglit easily have gone the other way. Against Kifles the Old Boys were a 50 per cent better side than they were a week

With W. Hadley, Marist's fine hooker, on the side line recovering' from the effects of 'flu, it looked likely that College would repeat their earlier successes, but they received an early setback as a result of tries by Loombe and McGrory. A try by Lawrence made it 6—3- to Marlst at half-time, but the dark blues went to the front when Wales landed a penalty goal and Vear crossed for an unconverted try. A penalty goal kicked by Elliot made Marist level again and then in the last few minutes of the game .Smith intercepted a pass and raced through unopposed to give the Old Boys the winning points. A promising unit of the Marist side is Hell-Booth, who played a heady game on the wing and was responsible for several excellent saves. Loombe figured in several good runs on the other flank, while Smith wns always on the lookout for an opening. In the five-eighths line, Rogers showed up well. With Hadley missing, the forwards were not able to give their backs much of the ball, but they played hard all through, Eville, Fleming and McGrory being a lot in the picture. McGrory was outstanding and was missed when he had to retire in the second half. Given almost n monopoly of the ball the Rifles backs did not make the most of their chances. Albreclit tried to go too much on his own, and there was a general tendency to crowd the wings, probably because the Marist backs were standing well up to their men. McCormick put in several electric runs, while Brown provided some of the best thrills of the day and was unlucky not to score on the, occasion that he kicked over the full-back's head and re- • gained the ball with a clear field ahead of him. If the rearguard had played as well in the first half as it did early in the second, the Rifles would probably have won. Among the forwards Stewart, Hurt ai»d Stone kept well up with the ball.

CLOSE AND EXCITING.

It -was a great clash between Manukau and Technical Old Boys, full of exciting incidents, which brought the large crowd at the Showground to its feet on occasions. Manukau won 5—3, and thus preserved its unbeaten record, but there were many patrons who setimcd to think that the losers were unlucky not to, at least, make a draw of the contest.

Heuzlewood was in great form, liis splendid line kicking gaining him a lot of upplause. All the backs in front of hint piayed well, but they did not see as much of the ball as on the previous Saturday. Heighway, on the wing, was very dashing, and Hatfield, behind tiie pack, was often very elusive. In the forwards, Pepper and Pearce were on the ball all day, and both played wonderful games. Constable and Kereopa also played well.

Lord, custodian, played a pretty safe game for the losers, 'i 11 rboll and Haslam \Vere well watched all afternoon. Aro, half, and Murdoch, first five-eiglith, were good, and made every possible attempt to set the men outside them moving into action. In the puck, MacKenzie and Ansley were very prominent in the loose, while Weber and Crump worked without giving up, in the tight. MANUKAU SUB-UNION. The Manukau second scries of games were played on Saturday and were all carried out as per programme, despite the trouble with the- referees. Messrs. E. Earlly, It. Howarth and C. Tliorburn filled the breach, and did excellent service. Games were staged at Clevedon, Papakuru and Drury, good crowds watching all the matches. At Clevedon, Hunua scored its second success this season by defeating Clevedon by 11 to G after a very close game. It was six all up till five minutes from time. At Drury the local juniors beat Clevedon convincingly by 25. to G, Drury played with better combination than the previous week, while Clc\£don lacked dash. The scorers were: R. Hoult, D. Hoult, Campbell, Kitson, Watson, Lever, Robinson, with Cossey converting two of the tries. For Clevedon Pratney secured the try and Shaw kicked a penalty. Manurewa journeyed to Fupakura and beat the local boys by 14 to nil. The Papakura team was lighter all round than their opponents, but held them until the lust ten minutes, up to which stage it was only three nil. Then. Manurewa opened up the game and put on 11 points. Tries were obtained by Bennett (3), and Basham, Drumm converting one. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR B. Grammar 0.8. 22. beat Parnell 0. ' University beat Eastern Suburbs by default. Eden 9, beat Technical 0.8. 0 North Shore 15, beat Manukau 9. SECOND GRADE. .Eden 20, beat Oratla 0. Newton beat Trinity College by default. University A 9, beat Technical 0.8. 0. Grafton A 19. beat Nortlicote 8. College Rifles 5, beat Grammar 0.8. 0. Waitemata 8, beat Otahuhu 0. Grafton Colts i). beat Marist 3. Takapuna- 15, beat University B 11. Suburbs S, beat Manukau G. THIRD OPEN. Eden 31, beat Howick 3. College Rifles 9, drew with Technical 0.8. 9. North Shore 13, beat Manukau 9. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Grafton 16. beat College Rifles 3. Y.M.C.A. 12, beat University G. Ponsonby 14, beat Parnell 11. North Shore 13, beat Northeote G. Suburbs 3, drew with Technical 0.8. 3. Manukau 0, drew with Otahuhu 0. FOURTH GRADE. Suburbs 17, beat Northeote 11. Marist 9, beat Manukau 3. Technical 0.8. G, beat Takapuna 0. FIRTH GRADE. Ponsonby 11, beat Takapuna 3. Technical 0.8. 23, beat Grammar 0.8. 8. Suburbs S, beat Eden G. SIXTH GRADE. Northeote 11. beat Technical 0.8. 0. Suburbs 27, beat Ponsonby 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. MANUKAU. Hunua 11, beat Clevedon 6. Juniors.—Manurewa 14, beat Papakura 0; Drury 25, beat Clevedon 6. -Ml games were controlled by qualified referees.

WAIUKU. -Walplpl 3, beat Otaua 0. Juniors'.—Glenbrook 12. boat Waipipl 0; Waluku 3, drew with Otaua 3. - —~ MORRINSVILLE. Koreone 13, beat Terriers G. ■ Eastern 0, beat United 6. Juniors.—Kereone 3, drew with Old Boys 3; Matumaoho D, beat Eastern 8; Tahuna 6, beat Uni/ted 0. Third Grade.—Terriers G, drew with Old Boys 6. TE AROHA. City 13, beat Waihou 9. Hot Springs 19, bea,t Tui Maori 0. Junio-r.s.—Hot Springs G, beat Elstow 3; Waihou 15, beat Manawaru G. Third Grade.—Waihou 9, beat City 3. In the senior game the Waihou full-back,-Dunsford, had one leg broken and was taken by St. John Ambulance to hospital THAMES. College Old Boys 9, beat United 6. Juniors. —Huimai G, beat Physical Training 3. PAEROA. United 21, beat West 6. Juniors. —Hikutaia 23, beat Netherton 6; West 8, beat Old Boys 0. Third Grade. —Netherton 24, beat School 3. WHITIANGA. Whitianga 12, beat United 0. Kuaotunu 14, boat Tairua 3. CAMBRIDGE. Northern 14, beat United 8. Leamington 11, beat Hautapu 9. Juniors. —Hautapu 17, beat Maungatautari C; Leamington 22, beat United U ; Northern 10, beat Karapiro 6. t .. Third Grade. —Hautapu 14, beat United 10 " OPOTIKI. City G, drew with Old Boys G. O.M.P. 25, beat Country 0. . Juniors.—Old Boys 11, beait City G, O.M.P. 13, beat Country 3. TAURANGA. Cadets Old Boys 12, beat Matakana 11; Te Puna 9. beat Rangataua 3. _ Juniors. —Matakana 11, beat Cadets Old Boys 3; Athletic 11, beat Country 3. HAMILTON. Seniors.—Old Boys 18, beat Marists 9. Technical Old Boys-W. beat llorotiu 8. Frankton 28, beat Railway 0. HUNTLY. Seniors.—Te .Hoe 3, beat Huntly 0. Juniors.—Huiitly 9, beat Te Hoe 8. Third, gftide.—Huntly S, drew with Huntly High School 8; Wallii Juniors 33, beat Taupiri 0. OTAMATEA. Waipu 22, beat Marohemo 3. Kaiwaka 12, beat Paparoa 3. Mangatero 18, beat Mangawai 5. Juniors. —Waipu 17, beat Battery G; Maunguturoto IS, beat Paparoa G; Mareretu 20, beat Kaiwaka 0. DARGAVILLE. Southern defaulted to Walma. Ruawal 3. beat Northern 0. Kaihu Valley 22, beat Dargavillc 0. Juniors.—Kuihu 9, beat Northern Star 6; Northern Wairoa IG.. *>eat Uurgaville 0. WHANGAREI. Senior.—Horithora 3, beat Maungakarajnea 0; City 26, beat Mangakahia 3; Old Boys 15, beat Pipiwai 9. Juniors. —Whahapara 11, beat Public Services 3; YVaiotira 14, beat Old Boys G. Third Grade.—Waiotira. G, beat Hikurangl 3. PUTARURU. Putaruru-Liclifield United 9, beat Tokoroa 3. RODNEr. Pakiri 14, beat Port Albert 3. • Kaitoa 9, beat Matoma 3. Welisford G, beat Pulioi 3. Juniors.—Port Albert C, beat Matoma 3; Warkworth G, beat Kaitoa 3. TE PUKE. United 17, beat l'apamoa S. I'ongakawa 17, beat Rangiuru G. Juniors.—Pdpnmoa G, beat Rangiuru 5; United 1- beat Pongakawa 5. " WAIPA. Suburbs 29, beat Tokanul 0; Waiklria 14, beat Te AwinnVitu 3.' • " Juniors.—Te Awamutu 35, beat Te Mawhai 5. i

Third Grade.—Old Boys 5, beat High School 3; Te Awamutu 14, beat Rovers 0.

MATAMATA. Wardvillc 20, beat Matamata 12. llinuera 6, beat l'atetere 3. Juniors. —llinuera 2G, beat Matamata 0; Wardville 5, beat Old Boys 0 ; l'atetere S, beat Waharoa U. Third Grade.—lligh School 1!), beat Walton 5; Uinuera won by default from Waharoa. TAUPIRI. Taupiri G, beat Orini 3. „ Ngaruawahia tl, beat Gordonton 3. Juniors. —Huntly West 33, beat Taupiri 0; Ngaruawahia 13, beat Gordonton o. Third Grade. —Ngaruawahia 12, beat Orini 0. MAX G ATA WIIIK I. Pokeno 20, beat Mercer G. Valley !), beat Mnruiunrua 0. , Juniors.—Mercer U, beat Valley 3. MAN'IAPOTO. Piopio IS, beat United 5. llangatiki 11, beat .seheuenhenul 3. Juniors.—Waiteto 3, drew with Te Kuiti 3; United 17, beat Hangatiki U. FRANKLIN AND PUKEKOIIE. Te Kohanga 20, beat Old Boys 5. Bombay S, beat iutumuhoe 3. luakau 12, beat unewliero 11. Juniors. —White Star 00, beat Patumalioe 3; uld Hoys U, beat Hainulers 3, at I'ukcKolie ; Tuaiiau 'J, Lieut uiicwliei'o 3 ; Boinoay ;J, beat xe ivolianga 3. Thud Grade. 12, beat Bombay East 3. WAIKABE. Oliinewai 3, beat Waerenga 0. \\ auereuui 0, beat Kang.riri 0. WAIHI. Mataura 0, bent High School Old Boys 0. Katikati 12, beat \\alkino O. Juniors. —com eut .OiU Boys G, beat Higu achool Old Boys 3. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. TARANAKI. Tukapa 11, beat Stratford 3. Patea 11, bout .New i-iyniouth Old Boys 0. Star 3, urew witn United Old Boys 3. liawera 3, drew witn Kapongu 3. Opuuuke 12, beat Empire Old Boys 3. Eitlium 14, beat Waimate G._ Okuiuwu G, beat Inglcuood 5. GISBORNE. Celtic 22, beat V.M.T. 0. High School Old lioys 11, beat Old Boys £>. ' MASTEHTOX. Red Star 0, drew with Dulefield D. Carterton I>, beat Grey town 3. Feutlierston 0, beat Uld 13oys o. Alar un borough 21, beat Aiasterton 0. NAPIEIt. Napier Old Boys 11, beat Celtic 0. Technical 11, beat Kskview t>. Hastings 11, beat Uavelock North 0. Hastings Old Boys Hi, beat X iratcs 3. M.A.C. 11, beat Taniatea 3. WELLINGTON. Athletic 27, beat Eastbourne S. Marist 11, beat l'etone G. Poneke b, beat llutt t>. College Old Boys 14, beat \\ ellington u. Second Division. —St. Patrick s uld Boys 14, beat Johusonville 12 ; University 14, beat Miramar 0. PALMERKTON NORTH. Old Boys 21, beat Massey College 14. United 18, beat St. Patrick's 0. I'cildmg Old Boys 32, beat lending 0. CIIIUSTCHURCII. . Old Boys S, beat 'Varsity 0. Christchurch 7, beat Lluwood 5. Albion o, beat Sydenham 3. Merivale 24, beat Athletic o. DUNEDIN. Alhambra 11, drew with University B 11. Southern o, beut Tuieri O. University A 11, beat Kaikorai U. Pirates S, beat Dunedin U. ■ Zingari 24, beat Union 5. . - TlSiAltU. Wailii 0, drew with Zingari G. Old Bovs 27, beat Geraluino 0. Pleasant Point 17, beat Celtic G. Star 11, beat Temuka 'J. AUCKLAND V. WAIKATO. THREE FULL-BACKS FOR PRACTICE.

The following 21 players have been chosen by Mr. V. 11. Meredith, sole selector to the Auckland Kugby union, to practice in view of the first representative match of the season against W aikato at Hamilton on June 4:— . Backs. — Corner (Grammar), Brimble (Manukau), Slyfield (Grammar), Wales (College Kifles), Hanimon (Grammar)," Kedgley (University), Buckley (Grammar), Caugliey (University), Heazlewood (Manukau), Matheson (Grammar), Bush (UniForwards. —Finlayson (Grafton), Hadlev (Marist), Pepper (Manukau), McLean (Grafton), A. Ivnight (Grammar), Koss (College Rifles), I'eacocke (University). Morgan (Grammar), Orgin (Ponsonby), Solomon (Ponsonby). It is stated by the selector that it does not follow that the team will be picked from the above names. Many young players are showing promise and form, and it may be that other names will appear when the final selection is made. Three full-backs have been, picked, and that position is perfectly open. The team will train at the Training College ground on Wednesday evening at 7.30. •

Pts. Ch. P. W. Li. D. F. A. pts. .it Manukau ..... 3 3 32 24 0 Grammar 2 'J 43 1J 4 College Kiflcs .. • 3 - 1 — 33 -4 - i Grafton 3 2 1 — 415 1.3 f University .... 3 1 2 — 67 oO - .1 JIarist 3 1 - — t>l - Technical O.B. .31- — 18 14 - I'onsonby 2 — - —■ J* Otahuhu 1! — - — 13 ~t>