ROUND THE CLUBS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 139, 14 June 1934, Page 20

ROUND THE CLUBS.

PLAYERS WHO SHOW FORM. MARIST'S CONTINUED ILL-LUCK. Once again on Saturday Auckland Rugby enthusiasts saw the now familiar reversals of form, coupled with plenty of excitement and first-class football, and again speculation is rife concerning the position* of the senior teams at the conclusion of the first round, and which teams will be relegated to the senior B division. • 1 Altheflgh defeated, Marist gave Manukau something of a shock on Saturday, the forwards playing splendidly and overshadowing the fast-breaking Manukau ■ pack. McGrory and Fowler played sterling football in the Marist pack, while in the backs W. Hassan, playing his first game of Rugby since leaving college, was outstanding, his strong running being a feature. If he had obtained more of the ball from the first five-eighths, who kicked far too much, the result may have been different. Hassan is certainly an acquisition to the team. Grammar's game against Grafton was ; an exhibition of tactics, the former playing to instructions from headquarters. Lockington, who is out with a broken nose received against Waikato, was missed in the forwards, among whom Scarborough was conspicuous in the hard work, but there was no cohesion among the inside backs. The redeeming features of the back play were Coiner's magnificent display and Matheson's showing at iull-back, his best this season. The College Rifles pack has not been the same since Ron Ross went away, particularly as Ross was the only man who could fit'in the middle of the scrum with Stone, these two having been associated as lockmen for the past two years.' Since his departure the club has been hard put to it to pack the scrum with the forwards available. Previously the team took a fair share of the ball, but now, with an unevenly-balanced pack, the backs are not getting anywhere near the same chances. The rearrangement in the Manukau back division, Poulton going to second fiveeighths and Berridge to centre, seems to have brought about a much-needed improvement on attack. In the forwards Johnson gave a great display of hoojking, seriously rivalling' W. Hadley, of Marist. Although Marist is at the bottom of the senior ladder and seenis certain to be relegated to the B section, it must be admitted in fairness to the club that it I.as had a particularly unfortunate time. Injuries have played havoc with the players every Saturday, Rogers not being available last Saturday, while another trouble has been the incapaeitation of Turner, the half-back, followed by Connolly, who took his place, leaving town to take, up a position in the country. Despite continued reverses Coach Swin Hadley can still muster a smile, and spectators, while sorry that this misfortune, should have overtaken such a popular club, will agree , with him that it is only a phase and that the sun will shine_ once more, whether they .are in the senior B or the senior A division. Otahuhu continues to shape nicely, although on Saturday Pearson, usually very good with his hands, knocked on two critical passes. ■ The team possesses some really hard workers, including Evans and Peterson, who like lots of it. Cossill, Marist's big forward, is out with an injured knee, and he will be sadly missed in an already depleted team. Manukau senior B team has not had the best of luck, but it can still hold its own ■ with the best pack in the competition. Langton, Elwin and Taddy are the trojans of the team, while Way is showing great improvement since being tried at wing three-quarter. Where he scored two fine tries. Great performances are being given by veteran Tommy Davis, who has been • playing for Manukau for about 20 years, and .can still hold his own with the best. Manukau also possesses some promising players in the second grade, particularly the three Martin brothers, Muir, Godfrey, McGiven and' Hector Grant, the lastnamed shining at full-back, Martin and Hellier are the pick of the Eastern Suburbs third grade forwards, both playing first-class games, while Edkine at full-back is capable of great exhibitions of positional play and line kicking. The junior boys of the same club also possess a. fine full-back in Clarke, who is the outstanding player of the team. College Rifles third grade team, which is'composed of last year's third intermediate team, which fought out the final of the section last year,- has yet to be defeated. The side is showing form which is a tribute to the work: of Mr. A. D. Thomson, who has been associated with the Rifles third grade teams both as player - and coach since 1919. Eden seniors can still claim that they have not had their line crossed this season. Despite the statement of the official , organ of the Union that 15 points have been scored against Eden, the real scores are 85 points for and !) .against. Penalty kicks were gained by Grammar Old Boys, Manukau and Shore.

MOASCAR CUP.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PALMERSTON X., this day. In a contest here yesterday for the Moasenr Cup, the Palmorpton North High • School (Holders), 21 points, beat To Auto, 3 points. ■ ■•

WAIPA DEFEATS TAUPJRI.

The AVaipa Rugby Rub-union reps, yos"ferflay- defeated Taupiri, on the letter's field, by 18 points to 6. -

THAMES V. TE AROHA.

On 'Saturday next Thames -will play To A'rohn at Rugby, The Te Aroha players will ho selected from:—Backs: O. Jackson. K. Pilkington, C. Worrall, h. Burgess, D. Lcceo, R. Ronton. McCarthy. I. Graham, E. Graham. Forwards: B. Mikkelsen. A. Edmonds, A. Dickon, IT. Dickon, R. Haggerty, Parton, 11. Rowe, K. Payne, Frear, K. Coulton.