RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 238, 8 October 1934, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

GRAMMAR SURPRISE.

GRAFTON WELL BEATEN.

MARIST ELIMINATE OTAHUHU

On a sun-baked field at Eden Park, the semi-finals in the Auckland Rugby Union's Jubilee Trophy competition were decided I on Saturday. j In tho curtain-raiser Otahuhu failed to | produce their best form, and a weakened I team went down to Marist Old Boys by JlO points to 0. The winners scored ail their points in tho first half, and were not seen at their best in the second, when Otahuhu were not strong enough to make up the leeway. The main match of the afternoon, between Grafton and Grammar Old Boys, provided a real surprise, the whites defeating the championship winners by 20 points to 11. The play was fast and interesting, and it was not until the second spell that the heavier Grammar forwards assumed control, which allowed their side to make up points lost in the first half, and finally to run away from their opponents. The final between Grammar and Marist will be played, at the Show Grounds next Saturday. GRAMMAR'S GOOD FORWARDS. Due in a large measure to the convincing play of their forwards in the second spell, Grammar Old Boys scored a well-merited win over Grafton. The success of the whites at the expense of the club championship winners came as a surprise, but their 20—11 victory was in no way a fluke. Their play in the second half, when they wiped off a live-point delieit and added another nine points to make them comfortable winners, was inspiring, and the spectators did not allow their good efforts to pass unnoticed. Grammar opened tho scoring when Buckley returned a blind side pass to Corner, for the half-back to race through a scattered defence for an unconverted try. Grammar went further into the lead when Kelly scored an unconverted try, but a penalty goal by l'atou and tries by Stuart and Ryall, one of which was converted by I'aton, gave the black and whites a tivepoint lead at. the interval. In the second spell the Grammar forwards gave their backs more of tho ball, and the scores were levelled when Slytleld raced through for a splendid solo try which Corner converted. As the Grafton side faded towards the finish Grammar took definite control and in the last. 20 minutes added nine points—tries by Morgan and A. Browne and a penalty goal by Slyfield. The Grammar forwards played well togethpr, with Knight, Pnllock and McBeatlV tolling hard all through and Morgan shining in the open. The backs were excellently served by Corner, and Sly field was given numerous opportunities for accurate line-kicking and straight-running. Tli© last-named's form was as good us anything he has shown this season. McCowan at full-back, handled well and made good use of the line. The Grafton forwards were well led by Finlayson, who was going as hard at the finish as in the beginning. McLean shone in the line-outs and was also instrumental in breaking up a number of tho Grammar attacks. Inglis was constantly troubled by the Grammar breakaways in attack, but his defence was excellent. Ryall played a tricky game but, like the other backs, bis opportunities were limited. Paton showed a safe pair of hands and tackled with determination.

MARIST BEAT OTAHUHU. Although Otahuh u made n determined finish in their game against Miirist Olil Rovs, they never really looked like winning, anil at the final whistle tlie.v were still seven points behind. It was not an Inspiring game, the country side failing to reveal the form which made them winners over College Rifles a week ngo. Alarist jumped into the lead at the start, Curtayne cutting through strongly tor a try which Hadley converted. Otahuhu replied with an attack which allowed White to register four points with a field goal, hut the Old Boys soon skipped away again as the result of a try by Fraser-Smitli which was converted by Hadley. For the greater part of the first spell Marist were iefinitely in command, and unconverted tries by Judd and Fraser-Sinith gave thera a 16—4 lead at the breather. In the second halt the Old Boys rested on their advantage, but Otahuhu were unable to take advantage of the position, although they added live points when Evans scored a try which Solomon converted. Over the final stages the country team tried to play more together, and for a time they kept their opponents tied up in defence, but that was all that they could do. There was no further score, Marist winning by 16 points to 0. On the day the Old Hoys were definitely the better team. Their forwards, with liulley, Hadley, Toye and Judd working well, gave their backs plenty of the hull, while the backs at times combined nicely. I'urtayne, in the five-eighths line, made some elever openings, while Loomb showed improved form. Kramer-Smith, on tiie wing, ran splendidly and well deserved his two tries. White, the Otahuhu full-back, was below standard, his tackling being uncertain. The backs showed little combination, Solomon I being the most consistent. Hedge at times j revealed Individual brilliance on attack. 1 Among the forwards O'Neill and Lazarus frequently bustled the Old Boys with their fast following up, while Evans and Jones were good workers In the tight. MEAT COMPANY V. ABATTOIRS. The second annual match between teams representing the Auckland Meat Company and the Municipal Abattoirs was played on the abattoir grounds at Westfield before a large gathering of supporters of both teams, Including Mr. Tom Marks, of the Meat Company, and Mr. It. Rugg, manager of the abattoirs. Both teams were very evenly matched and the first spell ended with the points three to nil in Abattoirs' favour, the result of a clever try by Breed. In the second half the bustling tactics of Meat Company's forwards gave their opponents little respite, and three tries were notched by Guinlvan, Armlshaw and Murdoch, none of which was sonverted. An excellent game played in a great spirit ended with the score 9 to 3 in Meat Company's favour. FRANKLIN BEATS WAIUKU. At Waiuku on Saturday in a Rugby match for the Massey Cup, Franklin (challengers) defeated Waiuku (defenders) decisively by 14 points to 3. WAIHI K.O. FINAL. In the final of the Waihi knock-out Rugby championship on Saturday, Mataura defeated Convent Old Boys by 6 points to 0.