RUGBY CONTESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 166, 16 July 1934, Page 13

RUGBY CONTESTS.

COLLEGE DAY GAMES.

GEAMMAK OUTPLAY OLD RIVALS.

GKAFTON BEAT UNIVERSITY. School and senior club matches were staged at Eden Park on Saturday, which was observed by the Auckland Rugby tmon as its annual Charity Bay. The college games proved disappointing, and chief interest at headquarters centred in the match between Grafton and University.

In the school games Sacred Heart College defeated Mount Albert Grammar School by U points to 5, while Auckland Grammar School inflicted another heavy defeat on King's College to the tune of 33 points to nil. In the club competition games in the A division, Grafton beat University by five points to nil and thus improved their chances of annexing the championship. Manukau encountered trouble against Technical Old Boys and had to be content, with a scoreless draw. In the third game in the A division Otahuhu took the win from Ponsonby by 33 points to 9. In the B division games Grammar defeated Eden without trouble, Marist Old Boys got home by point against College Rifles and North Shore beat Grammar B by 16 points to 11. Positions of teams after Saturday's play :— Cham. Pts. Ist 2nd P. W. L. D. Kd. Kd. T'fl. Grafton 2 2 11 4 15 Manukau 2 — 1 1 12 1 13 Otahuhu 2 2 9 4 13 Ponsonby 2 — 2 — 10 — 10 University 2 11 — 7 2 9 Technical 0.8. .-2 — 11 SI 9 SENIOR GRADE B. Cham. Pts. Ist 2nd P. W. L. D. Rd. Rd. T't'l. Eden 2 1 1 — 14 2 16 North Slioro ... 2 1 1 — 12 2 14 Grammar A ... 2 1 — 1 7 3 10 Grammar B ... 2 — 2 — 10 10 College Rifles .. 2 — 1 — 0 1 7 Marist ........ 2 2- 2 4 6

GRAFTON'S FIVE-POINT WIN.

NO SCORE.

BIG DAY AT OTAHUHU.

Solid forward work but inferior back play by both sides resulted with the meeting of Grafton and University on No. 2 ground. Eden Park, Grafton winning by a converted try to nil.

Grafton opened out quickly, and It was not long before they were storming the University line, scrum infringements and off-side play by Eraser robbing them of bright chances. For the greater part of the first spell Grafton held sway, mainly through the fine work of their forwards, among whom McLean was outstanding, ably supported by Finlayson, who may have lost some of his pace but none of his cunning. When the Grafton attack was at its height it was Caughey and Bush who came to the rescue, and they saved with fine long-range line kicks. Frequent over-eagerness by Grafton aided the University defence, and many penalties were given against the attackers. Half-time came and neither sid-e had scored.

Without improving in the standard of the football, play became faster and even harder in the second spell. Straight to the attack went Grafton, : i& when their onslaught was becoming dar.gcrous Lewis kicked hard through to follow up fast. He knocked on, but was unnoticed, gathered in the ball and kicked over the head of Paton, the Grafton full-back, but the rest of the Grafton backs covered up quickly, and a promising University attack was smothered. .-. Soon came the only try of the match. Following up a high kick, the Grafton forwards bustled Hamilton, the University full-back, and he lost possession. Miils picked up and passed to Smith on the -open side, and with a clean break the -"forward raced on to score between the posts, a dive tackle by one of the University backs failing to connect. Paton kicked an easy goal. Towards the end Grafton attacked almost continuously. They were heeling from the ruck in fine style, but their backs. were seldom dan■fie For' five minutes - they, hammered inces•santly at the University line, but they loud not find a hole in the defence. Out of the ruck shot Mclean with the ball under his arm, and, fending off three ■tnckiers he looked almost certain to score, nut lost the call as he fell over the line. Paton a minute later missed a penalty attempt, and then University set *about the task of recovery. They left.it too late.

ire P w?r«Ve a o P ffi e e r ns C &K wiTonfv the solid defence of the Manukau fi, that kept the all greens from crossing the Hue. They were particularly well served in the way -oft penalties, but in practically every instance it was the resuß offside play by the Manukau forwards The game was really a solid battle hctween bo.!, packs and thegrent work of the vanguards in the loose was a feature of the match. On the other hand, the chief faurt of the Manukau team was the ft hre or their' hacks to *»°£°%£»*„-$ degree of accuracy, and golden ties often went astray through faulty handling. On the run of play lech, were a- little unlucky in not scoring an outrJgFor W Tech.. McAdam, at full-back was inclined to get hustled in the early stages, gut'settled down as the game proceeded. Oldbury and Common revealed *>Peea on the flanks and made the most pi any chances that came their way. Hj*B«g Murdoch collaborated to the best- advantage, while Aro displayed keen anticipation at the base. Of a hard working vanguard Savoury, Keane and MeKenzic were always in the 'limelight. „„„» «,n The Manukau full, Heazlewood, gave an outstanding exhibition his handling and defensive work being brilliant Wells was the better of the wingers while Berridgc did not receive many chances. Foulton was erratic, but Briinble waa responsible for some very fine work. The forwards all toiled hard with Fearce and Pepper always in the van.

The big attendance at Sturgess Park, Otahuhu, on Saturday, to view the clash between the home team and Ponsonby was an excellent tribute to Rugby*S assist local charity, which should receive considerable benefit from the big gate takings. Right from the kick-off Otahuhu pressed the blue and blacks, and for the greater portion of the first ndllW *« confined to the visitors' half. With WJntt and sun in their favour the home side made every effort to run up a score and rang on 10 points for two converted tries to :.; points scored by Ponsonby for a try. In the second half the Ponies "vened things up for a brief period, hut the red and blacks were hammering away although they could not pierce the defence. Ponsonby added G points and Otahuhu 3 during this spell all from penalties. «»»*« at the end Ponsonby gave the red ana Macks an anxious time, faulty handling spoiling several scoring chances, and it was a relief to the Otahuhu fans to hear time called with the score 13 to 9 in thcii "The'Otahuhu pack individually Vlaywl a good game, but lacked cohesion, probablj missing the services of Peterson. Thompson, until injured, played well,, and Jury, Clark, Williams. Jones and Cox were[righton form. Solomon played' a sterling game, Uis try being a great effort and JM kicking adding 5 points. Hedge although well marked, treated the crowd to some of his versatile play, when he went through the opposition. Hill was responsible for the try scored by Hedge and T> la red a sound * game. Pearson shone time ana again, and was unlucky on two occasions not to go over the line. White, at fullback, did not cause his side any anxjety, doing all that was asked. Moses at full for Ponsonby was very safe, lhe threequarter lino was always aggressive, ana many limes were denied of a scoie b.v fault'v passes at the finish. Jameson s try was a brilliant effort. Pearman landed a great goal from the side line, and was always dangerous when he got the ball. Frankham was excellent behind the scrum getting the ball away in good .style, la* pack worked well and got their share ot the ball. Our of the forwards was rathci too vigorous in his play, but the referee Issued a timely warning, and the penalty kick fo,- the illegal tackling of Hedge met with rounds of applause. Frank Solomon was an interested spectator on the terraces and should have been pleased With the i display given by his brother, although u nieant.tbe defeat of. his own. team,