RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1934, Page 17

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ROUND THE CLUBS.

GOSSIP ON THE PLAYERS.

SUBURBS CLUB'S GOOD START.

Followers of Rugby are certainly getting spectacular ana exciting football with the defeat of fancied teams every now and again, and it is a matter of general comment that two of the three teams which last year tied for championship honours are now occupying the lowest places on the ladder.

Fortunes vary, and with the exception of a few partisans of particular teams Rugby followers have been delighted with the football fare which has resulted in this year's competitions, -while they have been no less pleased with the performances of the teams which last year occupied the humble positions on the championship table in defeating the former loaders. Just how the liugby Union -will deal with, the question if, at the end of the first round, last year's champions are the lowest on the ladder and therefore in the position suggested of being relegated to the senior B division, is another matter which is intriguing the Rugby populace.

The Marist team played its best game to date against Grafton on Saturday, both hacks and forwards going great guns. The referee's decision in awarding a penalty kick against Marist from a movement in which K. Smith went over the line was rather hard to follow, and if this try had been allowed the Grafton team may not have had cause for jubilation.

Manukau went down for the first time this season, but individually some fine games were played. Wells, of the senior B team, excellent form at fullback, Heazlewood moving lip to liveeighths, where Brimble was very badly nnssed, that excellent little player having contracted a dose of the popular 'flu. For some reason known only to themselves the forwards were not as persevering as usual.

Eastern Suburbs' third grade team features three Slattery brothers at fiveeightls, centre and wing, and they provide an excellent combination. One of the trip, Len Slattery, is quite an artist with the drop-kick, and he will stay an artist until he tries it too often.

Connolly, last year's senior half-back for Marist, who this year was superseded by another, played his lirst game for the seniors on Saturday, and gave a sterling display. On defence and attack he combined well with Curtayne, and when they settle down and' <jet acquainted they should shine together.

There is jubilation in the Ponsonby camp. Not only lias the team recorded the second victory of the season, but it downed the only undefeated team into the bargain. Perhaps the blue and blacks will soon show an additional and consistent "return to form.

As Ponsonby, so Otaliuliu, which thought Saturday night an excellent time for celebration. Despite predictions which did not augur well for their first appearancc at headquarters, the lads from ten miles out played with a will, the forwards showing even better combination than in defeating 'Varsity, but the backs are still a doubtful quantity, and need more concentration and effort.

All does not appear to be well in the Marist camp. Another setback to the club has been the intimation that Kingi Smith, the speedy winger, is leaving for the United States next week,- while. Cossill and .Elliott are on the injured list. Harold Muller, the skipper, has also notified that he is retiring from active football, but now that he has struck form, and because the club is not rich in talent, he may reconsider his decision. Harland,' Otaliuhu's winger, shaped well against Technical or; Saturday, while Hedges, who has come from the third intermediate grade and was playing his first senior game, was nervous at first, settling down after a while to play a steady game. . , , W. McGrory, the big Marist forward, is another of Marist's casualties. After playing excellent football he will be out of the game for some time, having received a cut on the head on Saturday. White, Otaliuhu's full-back, broke a run of successes on Saturday when lie missed a shot at goal for the first time this season. He had sent the ball over the bar on seven occasions in seven attempts, but his eighth shot missed. Suburbs juniors had a great day on Saturday. The second grade team vron by default from Newton, the third intermediate defeated Grammar 12 to 3, the fourths beat Manukau 14 to nil, and the fifths defeated Marist 11 to ml. In th# junior boys' competition the seniors defeated Takapuna 19 to 3, the intermediates defeated Eden 9to 8, and the juniors defeated Manukau 29 to nil. Suburbs Club teams so far have not yet liad a defeat this season. , , , , The Technical Club also had a good day, five -wins being scored, two of the other teams losing, and one drawing. TWO REP. PRACTICES. The Auckland representative Rugby football team to visit Hamilton on June 4 for the match against Waikato will practice at the Training College ground this evening at 7.30 o'clock. The team travelling to Thames on the same date will practice to-morrow evening at the Parncll sliea 7.30 o'clock. JUNIOR MANAGEMENT. Transfer's were approved at last night s meeting of the junior movement board of the Auckland Kugby Union • j' "F Marist to Gratton , ■'■ Mclfroy, " College Kiflcs to Grammar Old Bo.vs. . , . The reerading of C. Hill, of Marist Club, from intermediate to fourth grade was approved ( "jo C ldecl to write a letter of appreciation to Mr. Todd for past services to the board. Mr. Matthews,was elected to take Mr. Todd's place. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Matches to be played in the Aiickland Primary Schools' Itugby I'ootball tnions competitions:—

SHOW GROUNDS GROUP. Fixtures for Friday : — Seniors.—Ellerslie v. R ?muera No. 1, 3.15 p.m.; Cornwall Park v. Convent, Ellerslie Reserve, 3.15 p.m. N Intermediate—Ellerslie v. Rem " e ™'±i°' 1, 2.30 p.m.; Cornwall Park \. I anmure, Ellerslie School, 3.15 p.m. Rpmnera Junior A.—Ellerslie v. Remuera Re nhi era School, 3.15 p.m.; Cornwall Park A v. Cornwall Park B, arranged. Junior B.—Ellerslie v. Qtahuhu B, Ellerslie School, 2.30 p.m.; R c ft m "" a . Otahuhu A, Remuera School, 2.d0 p.m. EDEN PARK GROUP. Next week's arrangements: Seniors (Wednesday, June G).—Kowha} A v. Kowhai B, Eden Park, No.. 2, 3.i0 p.m.; Eastern Senior v. Maun ß t Normal School, 3.15 p.m. T „_„ Intermediate (Thursday, Jun )• „ Brixton Road v. Eden, Eden Park No.* 3.15 p.m.; Kowhai A v. Kowhai B, Eden Park, No. 2, 3.15 p.m. . . Junior Open (Tuesday, Julae o.). Mount Albert v. Euenuale, Eden lark, *o 2, 3.30 p.m.; Mount Eden v. Kowhai A, Eden Park, No. 3, 3.30 p.m., Convent v. Kowhai B, Gribble-Hirst Park, 3.10 P- •> Brixton Road, a bye. r„r,o Ti Junior Midget < Tues £ a & ln „ u SLk'No Edendale v. Mount Albert, R oa d', 2, 2.45 p.m.; Mount- Eden v. Brixton tfoau, Eden Park, No. 3, 2.45 p.m. THE DOMAIN GROUP. Next Friday's engagements;— Seniors.—Newton Central v. ermon Street. No. 3; Meadowbank, a bye Intermediate. —Parnell v. N No. !); Graf (on, a bye. ~ 7 • Juniors.—Parnell v. Newinnrket. Grafton v. Newton Central, No. 4, Meaao hank, a bye. VICTORIA PARK GROUP. Fixtures for Friday: Juniors.— Ponsonby v. Vermont . No. 3 ground : Bayfield v. ' No. 4 ground; Wel'.esle.v Street a »J£ nt Inf erme>*^tes. —Ponsonby v. R . Street, No 1 ground ; Bayfleld v. PnaVi 2.ground; Wellesley, Jwo I.::- ■ —