RUGBY HONOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 118, 21 May 1934, Page 14

RUGBY HONOURS.

i R : DAT OF SURPRISES. LUCK AGAINST RIFLES. CHAMPIONSHIP UPSETS. Once again it was demonstrated that form counts for nothing in this year's Auckland senior Rugby championship. Outstanding in a day of splendid Rugby on Saturday was the decisive defeat of Grammar Old Boys ai the hands of Technical College Old Boys. The. match, was the curtain-raiser at Eden Park. Second in order of surprise performances was the defeat of University by the little-known Otahuhu side.

In the main attraction of the day, which was watched by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, fortune frowned on College Rifles, a doubtful penalty kick in the last ten minutes giving Manukau a win by a single .point. One point only also separated Ponsonby and Marist, who fought a hard fight at the Show Grounds. With two more upsets to the championship table, the position of the teams is hopelessly indefinite, and with such erratic form being shown by the various teams, it would be difficult to pick the ultimate

wmnere. Results were:— Manukau 9, beat College Rifles 8. Technical 12, beat Grammar 0. Poneonby 6, beat Marist 5. Otahuhu 15, beat University 9. Positions of teams in the championship:

UNBEATEN MANUKAU.

Luck was with Manukau, and luck definitely against College Eifles in the big match of the Rugby day at Eden Park. Only one point separated the teams when the final whistle sounded, and it was a penalty goal by Heazlewood in the last ten minutes of the game that gave Manukau the win and kept them the only undefeated team in the senior championship. There was a good deal of feeling over that penalty, the players saying that it was awarded against Kirk, the College Rifles full-back, for lying on the ball. Rifles' forwards, who were close by, say definitely that Kirk had rolled at least two feet away from the ball when the penalty was awarded.

If that is so. College Rifles were robbed of the match. It was a critical stage and a critical penalty, but on the other hand, two minutes before, Manukau lost a certain try. when, after a spectacular passing bout, Flett beat his man, and with three men in support, and only the full-back to beat, he sent a misdirected pass which no one could have taken. Such is the luck of the Rugby game. Its fascination is its uncertainty.

The match itself was full of interest. Territorially, there was not a great deal between the- teams. The forwards were evenly matched, and there was some stout work in this department by either /side. In tight and set scrums College Rifles held definite command, but in loose play they were outpaced and outwitted by a faster and more subtle pack. Splendid football for College Rifles was played by Ross and Stone, and : .Stewart proved that his bald patch is merely a snare and delusion. Pepper and Pearce were again the leaders ,of the Manulcau pack, and given admirable support' by Trott and Kereopa, they gave splendid service. The backs fought just as hard a duel as the forwards, and it says much for the College Rifles defence that Manukau did not find a "way through. Although there was more pace and more enterprise among the. Manukau backs, they could not crown their movements, and each was brought down with determination as he handled the ball. Kirk, the College Rifles full-back, ;'. got through a tremendous amount oft work, with the honours thick upon him. . Where the attack of the Rifles backs failed was close into the scrum, Therewas too much delay in '. getting the ball away from the half to the first five-nigh th. and from the first to the second. It was a pity, for McCormick, at second, was playing splendid football, N and he and Wales gave two of the best, exhibitions on the field. Heazlewood gave his usual sound display, kicking with length and admirable direction. At first five-eighths Brimble was as elusive as ever, and given good service by Hatfleld, he was always dangerous. Berridge did good and grotesque things, and his erratic play affected the three-quarter line, although, even if he had played better, Poulton'a handling was uncertain.

OTAHUHU'S BIG DAY.

The clash between Otahuhu nnd TJnirersity at Sturgess Park was full of thrills and the" great crowd of spectators was treated to a first-class exhibition of Rugby The ground was In excellent order and the weather perfect, and right from the kickoff, neither side let up. Owing to the absence of Caughey. Bush went up to five-eighths, his place at fullback being taken by Jcnkin. In the second half .MnlvihJll. at centre, changed places with Bush. For the first ten minutes the University three-quarter line was throwing the hall about freely, and it was only the good tackling o f White, the .Otahuhu "full-back, that kept them from scoring. From a scrum outside Otahuhu's twentyfive Inglis sent the ball away smartly to Steele, who whipped it out to Bush to send on to Mulvlhill, who cut in and gave it to Colganto run.over unopposed. Bush's kick hit the hop of the post, and only Otahuhu's line umpire signalled a goal, which was disallowed by the referee. A little later Cox was off-side and Bush kicked a spectacular goal from near the half-way mark, and half-time found University 6 to nil. ■ In the first spell Otahuhu was playing more of a sporting than a scoring game, but on resumption after the spell the forwards hopped right into the fray. From a line-out Hill made a great opening for Tearson, who dashed over, White making no mistake with-the goal. With a point behind, Otahuhu made things merry, and with the ball at their toes the forwards carried over and Jones scored. White again goaled. Play" was liard nnd Cox was injured and had to leave the field, his place being taken , by Lazarus. The Otahuhn forwards were now having the better of the game and were tackling well. Pearson brilliantly, intercepted a pass from Mnlvihill to Bush, and ran over unopposed. White again rose' to the occasion and goaled. University backs now livened up nnd the best passing bout of the day saw the ball go from Inglis to Steele, to MulvihUl. who badly beat three Otahnhn men and passed to Lewis to score. Bush failed with the kick. Otahuhn now made a hot forward sally to University's line and were only prevented from scoring tl-rough over-eagerness. The Otahuhu forwards won ■ the game, and although University were defeated they were at all times dangerous. The margin of six points in Otahuhu's favour might have been wiped out if Bush hfld been in kicking form, but it was his day off. For the winners White was easily the best back on the ground, his defence keeping University's score down. Time and again he was sorely tried by Bush's long range kicking, but came through with colours flying. The three-quarter line did 'great work, Pearson's two tries being worthy of him at his best. Teddy Hedge gave the crowd some ' thrills when he went through the opposition several times. Solomon, at hjllf, although not quite as fast as his opponent, gave a good exhibition, going down to every rush that came, his way. He also varied his play, which Inglis, the University half, failed to do. In the forward line all worked like Trojans and more than held their own. Special mention must he made of the game played by Pederson, who was the best forward on the ground. Jenkin, the University full-back, played a. good game. Mulvihill, at eentre-three-qnarter and later when moved up to flveeighths, played a sterling game and made many openings. University's second try being due to Ms good play. Steele, a promoted irenlor B player, made ra promslng start. Bu«n, at centre, gave University many cUaneea, and his line klcklnj; was one of-the lectures ot the game. Inglls, at halt, had »ard work owing to the smothering tactics of. the OtahuAU forwards, but lie failed -JJiijy his play." In the forwards Colgan "wereoutstanding, but all did

PONSONBY'S FIRST WIN.

After a keen struggle at the Showgrounds Ponsonby at last got their feet on the championship ladder by taking a win from Marist by the small margin of six points to five. It was not a brilliant exhibition of Rugby, but play was fairly open, and the final issue was in doubt until time was up. The winners' exhibition was anything but inspiring, and at times one wondered what would happen if Solomon were suddenly removed from the team. However, the forwards seemed to last better than the Marists' pack, and held the light blues when pressure was on iii the latter part of the game. Amongst the backs Lcndrum was the pick, and i Jamiesson worked hard throughout, with occasional patches of brilliance. Prankhani I wns good at half, hut Colebrook at full was right off his game. Marists had \V. Hadley back in the vanguard, but their half, Turner, was out of action through | pneumonia. This was unfortunate for Old Boys, as they were getting the ball from the serums. Curtayne was a fair substitute, but not quite smart enough in getting the ball away to the backs, l'ousonby's score consisted ot two penalty goals kleUe'.l by Richardson, while ./udd got a try for Jiarists whicn was converted by Fleming. Mr. A. E. Austin was referee.

TECHNICAL'S GOOD WIN,

Well-deserved success came the way of Technical Old Boys when they defeated Grammar Old Boys by 12 points to Uil. Their win was a surprise one, but there was no luck about it, for on the day the greens were definitely the better team. After their big win over University on the previous Saturday Grammar Old Boys were generally expected to get home comfortably against Technical, but actually they were never in the hunt. The greens opened confidently, and a penalty kick by Murdoch within a couple of minutes of the start gave them heart. Loiter In the spell Murdoch put over two more penalties, so that Technical had a nine-point advantage at the breather. Unfortunately for Grammar, the wind which had aided Technical in the first half, died away after the changeover, and in the second spell the only addition to the score was u neat try by Aro, which Murdoch failed te convert. Naturally the greens were elated at their success.

Outstanding among the Technical backs was Murdoch. Apart from his successful goal-kicking—and two of the penalties which he put over were extremely good ones—he was a source of worry to (lie whites, making several fine openings and showing a keen anticipation of the ruu of play. Aro played a good game behind tLe serum, while llaslani's experience was a big help to his side. A feature of the play of the Technical rearguard was their sound tackling. The Technical forwards played relentlessly throughout, and in the line-outs frequently broke through to muzzle the Grammar backs before they could get going. MacKeuzie, Ansley and Keane were always prominent. Grammar was a team divided, and never really settled down. Talking heard among the players indicated that things were not going as they should do. The backs were badly at sea, those inside. In particular, being unimpressive. Matheson played well at full-back, and Hamon showed dash on the few occasions that he was given the ball. The Grammar forwards gave their backs plenty of the ball, and It must have been disheartening to them to see so many chances frittered away.

MANUKAU SUB-UNION.

The first round of the inter-club matches was concluded on Saturday in the Mamikau Sub-union area. Matches were played at Cievedon, Papakura and Manurewa. The senior game at Cievedon was won by Drury by 13 points to 11 after a strenuous game, the scorers were, for Drury, Dillon, Sinton and 11. Cossey, Brooks and Hoult converting two ; while for Cievedon Bell. Tlalliwell and Mason, with Dow converting one. Drury juniors accounted for I'apukura by 20 to nil, and for three parts of this game it was an even go, the winners getting the majority of their points in the last few minutes.' At Manurewa the local juniors won by 22 to G against Cievedon. This was a fast game, and not so one-sided as the scores would indicate. Messrs. It. Forbes, G. Wrightson and J. Cossey were referees. The position at the end of the first round i s: —Seniors: Hunua 2 games, Drury 1 and Cievedon none. Juniors: Manurewa 3, Drury 2, Cievedon 1 and Papakura none.

GRADE GAMES.

SENIOR B. " University 11, beat Parnell 3. Grammar B 11, beat Tech. 0.8. 3. North Shore 48, beat Eastern Suburbs 0. Eden 13, beat Manukau 3. JUNIOR GRADE. Eden 14, beat Takapuna 3. Northeote 18, beat College Rifles 0. IJniversity A 14, beat Marist 0. Oratia 3, beat Newton 0. Ponsonby 17, beat Grafton 13. Otahuhu 18, beat Tech. 0.8. 3. Manukau 10, beat University B 0. THIRD OPEN. Tech. 0.8. 20, beat Waitemata 5. College Rifles 20, beat Manukau 6. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Suburbs 12, beat College Rifles 3. Grammar 5, beat Grafton O. Ponsonby 19, beat Y.M.C.A. 3. Parnell 0. beat Manukau 3. Tech. 0.8. 20, beat Northeote 8. Tamaki 10, beat University 5. FOURTH GRADE. Suburbs 3, beat Ponsonby 0. Grammar 11, beat Tech. 0.8. 5. Northeote 10, beat Takapuna G. Eden Iβ, beat Manukam 6. FIFTH GRADE. Tech. 0.8. 18, beat Ponsonby 0. Grammar 0.8. 17, beat Grafton 3. Eden 22, beat Marists 0. Manukau C. beat Takapuna 3. SIXTH GRADE. Tech. 0.8. 3, beat Ponsonby 0. Suburbs 46. beat Otahuhu 0. Parnell 9, beat Northeote 8. JUNIOR BOYS. / SENIOR. . Eden 22, beat Manukau 0. INTERMEDIATE. Newton 67, beat Y.M.C.A. 3. Suburbs 16, beat Parnell 0. Eden 3, beat Manukau 0. Otahuhu 25, beat. St. Barnabas' 0. JUNIOR. Suburbs beat Good Shepherd by default. Newton 12, drew with Parnell 12. Eastern Suburbs 3, drew, with Takapuna

GAMES IN THE PROVINCE.

WHANGAREI. Senior.—City 13, beat Old Boys 9; Hiku rangi 9, beat Maungakaramea 3. Juniors.—Horahont 5, • beat Old Boys 3; City Services 5. beat High School 3: Wa'iotira 3, beat Manaio. 0; Hukerenui 8, beat Wliakapara O. . : .• . Third Grade.—Waiotira 17, beat Hikurangi 3. HAMILTON. , Frankton 8, beat Tech. Old Boys 3. ' Old Boys 9. beat Horotlu O. Marists 17, beat Railway 4. PUKEKOHE. Tuakau 6, beat White Star 0. Patumahoe 11, beat Te Kohanga 9. Juniors. —White Star 11, beat Old Boys 8. Third Grade. —Bombay 9, beat Pukekoho TAUPIRI. Gordonton 8, beat Taupiri 3. Juniors.—Gordonton 8, beat Tauplrl Qt MORRIXSVILLE. Kereone 14, beat Eastern 5. Terriers 14. beat United 3. Juniors. —Motumaoho l<s, beat United 0; Krreone 26, beat Eastern 3; Tahuna 24, beat Terriers O. CAMBRIDGE. Northern IC, beat Leamington 0. ' United 13, beat Hautapu 11. Juniors.—Hautapu 5, beat United 0; Northern 6, drew with Maungatautari 6; United 3, drew with Karapiro 3. Third Grade.—Leamington 14, beat United 3. THAMES. Hul Mai 11, beat College Old Boys 0. United 5, beat Physical Training 0. Juniors.—College Old Boys 13, "beat Hui Mai 3. TE AROIIA. Waihou 17, bent Hot Springs 5. ,: City 54, beat Tul. 0. o J " nlors - — lT ot Springs "i. beat Manawaru 3; Waihou 12, beat Elstow 3. / PAEEOA. TTnited 9, 'beat OUT; Boys 3. Juniors.—Ketherton 9, beat Old Boys 3; Hikutala 21,, beat West O. ■ -Third Grade.—-Nethertda-St -teat Old *6aB&3Q» , - . ... ~ ..... .-■■.. .•.-.: ~:

TAURANGA. i Athletics 22, beat Rangataua 11. Te Puna 11, beat Matakana 0. Cadets Old Boys a bye. Juniors.—Country 14, beat Bangataua 0; i Cadets Old Boys 11,- beat Athletics 0; Matakana a bye. j HUNTLY. Seniors. —Orini 12, beat Huntly 4. Juniors.—Huntly 27, beat Waahi 0. Third Grade.—Huntly 6, beat Ngaruawahia 3; Huntly High School 27, beat Orini 0. " OTAMATEA. Seniors. —Paparoa 3, beat Marohcmo 0 ; Maungaturoto 9, boat Kaiwaka 0; Waipu 28. beat Msingawai 0. Juniors,—Taipuha 29. bent Paparoa S; Mareretu 14, beat Buttery 0; Walpu 28, beat Kaiwaka 3. DARGAVILLE. Seniors.— (At Te Kopuru) Dargaville 3, beat Southern 0; (at DargavUle) Waima (i, bent Northern 3; Kaihu 3, beat Ruawtll 0. Juniors (at Dargaville).—Northern Star 0, beat Waima 3; Dargaville r>, beat Kaih'i RODNEY. Puhoi 0. beat Port Albert 0. Wellsford 3. beat Kaitoa 0. Pakiri O. drew with Miironm 0. Juniors. —Warkworth 0, beat Matoma 0; O.M.P. 12, beat City 0. AVAIIII. Convent 0.8. 9. drew with Katikati 9. High School 0.8. 0, beat Waikiuo 3. TE PUKE. United 23, beat Pongakawa 8. Rangiuru 2G, beat Papamoa 0. Juniors.-—Kangiuru 20, beat Pongakawa 3 ; United S, beat Papamoa 5. "VYIIAKATANE. First rep. game of season, Rangataiki 12, beat Whakatane S. OPOTIKI. Old Boys 10, beat Country 5. O.M.P. 25, beat City r>. Juniors.—Old Boys 10, beat Country 3; O.M.P. 12, beat City 0. ' FRANKLIN-PUKEKOHE. Tuakau G, beat White Star 0. Old Boys 11. beat Onewhero 8. Patuinahoe 11, beat Te Kohanga 9. Pokeno 0, beat Bombay 0. Juniors.—Pukekoho-AVhite Star 11, beat Old Boys 8; Ramblers 13, beat Patuniahoe 3; Franklin-Bombay (i. beat Tuakau O; Onewhero 4. beat Te Kohanga 3. Thirds. —Bombay 9, boat Pukekohe 0. WAIUKU. City 14, beat Otnua 0. Juniors.-—Aka Alia l>, beat Walplpi 4; Otaua 13, beat Gleubrook 5. MANGATA WHIRL Maramarua 3, beat Mercer 0. Valley 11, beat Mangatangi 0. Juniors.—Valley 10, beat Pokeno 8. WAIKARE. Waiterimu 15, beat Ohinewal 0. Woodleigh 14, beat Kangirirl 7.

WAIPA. Rovers IC, beat Suburbs 3. Juniors.—Rovers 21, beat Te Mawlmi 3. Thirds.—Te Awamutu (J, drew with High School 0; Suburbs 0, boat liorcra 0. MANIAFOTO. Piopio 6, beat Te Kuiti 5 Nehcnehenul 0, beat United "3. Juniors. —Waitete 9, boat llangatiki 3; Te Kuiti 6, beat Mangaotaki 0. MATAMATA. Patetere 12, beat Matamata 8. Ilinuera 0. drew with Wardville 6. Juniors.—M'atamnta 3, beat Walton 0; Patetere 13, beat Old Boys 0 ; Ilinuera 41, beat Kaungaiti 0. Thirds.- —Old Boys 22, beat Ilinuera 3.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

TAIIIAPE. Hautapu 11, beat Iluia 5. Utiku S. beat Pirates :i. Juniors.— Hula 0, beat Iliwcra S; Pirates G, beat Utiku 3. WANGANUI. Kaierau 33, beat Waverley S. Pirates 12, beat Old Boys !>. Marist 19, beat Technical Old Boys 5. NAPIER. Maori Agricultural College 11, beat Marist Brothers Old Boys 3. Celtic 17, beat Pirates 3. Hastings 24, heat Tamatea 8. Technical Old Boys 17, beat Hastings High School Old Boys 11. Napier High School Old Boys 12, beat Havelock North 9. NEW PLYMOUTH. ~ Eltham 15, beat Tukapa 12. Star 29, beat Empire Old Boys 13. Okaiawa 8, beat Opunake 0. United Old Boys l<!. beat Waiinate 8. Hawera 23. beat Injrlewood 9. ► Stratford 18. bent Patea 7. Clifton 9, beat Kaponga 8. PALMERSTON NORTH. Feilding Old Boys 20, beat Massey Collego 5. Old Boys 20, beat United 9. Kia Ton. 15, beat Feilding 8. St. Patrick's 15, beat Woodvillc 6. WELLINGTON. Senior A.—Fjrst division : Hutt 23. boat Athletic 11; Pfetone 14,- boat Ponoke 9; Marist 17, beat. Wellington 11: Wellington College Old Boys 24, beat Eastbourne 9. Championship Points. —Marist, Hutt and Wellington College Old IJoys (1933 champions), 8 ; Petone and Poneke, (>; Athletic, 4; Eastbourne and Wellington, 0. Senior A.—Second division : University 24, beat Oriental 2: Johnsonville 3, beat Onslow 0; Melrose Selwyn 0, beat Miramar 3; St. Patrick's Old Boys 21, beat Berhampore 0. \ • CHRISTCIIURCH. Old Boys 5, beat Christchureh 0. Sydenham 17, beat Linwood 3. Merirale 17, beat Albion 6. 'Varsity 20, beat Athletic 13. TIMARU. Old Boys 18, beat Star 12. Zingari 14, beat Temuka 11. Pleasant Point 3. beat Geraldine 0. Waihi 11, beat Celtic C. DUNEDIN. Alhanibra 11, drew with Union 11. 'Varsity A 0, drew with Taieri (J. Kaikorai 35, beat Dunedin 0. .Pirates 11, beat 'Varsity B 5. Southern 20,. beat Zingari 0. INVERCABGILL. Star 9, beat Pirates 3. Old Boys 14, beat Invercargill 0.

rts. ch. "W. Jα. D. P. A. Pts jranukau 4 4 — — 41 32 S Technical O.B. 4 2 2 — 80 14 4 tJrafton 8 2 1 — 42 23 4 Grammar 3 2 1 — 43 31 4 College Rifles .4 2 2 — 43 3S 4 University ... 4 1 3 — 70 60 2 Marist 4 1 3 — 23 CO 2 Ponsonby ....:> 1 2 — 20 41 2 Otahuliu 3 1 2 — 2S 35 2