RUGBY SURPRISES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 117, 20 May 1935, Page 14

RUGBY SURPRISES.

OTAHUHU'S FINE WIN.

GRAMMAR DOWN TO MARIST.

UNIVERSITY OUTPLAYED.

Calculations of even the wisest were all astray on Saturday, when the third scries of senior championship matches of tin; Auckland Kugby Union brought with it a ti'io of real surprises. Spectacular victories by Otahuhu over Grafton, Marist over Grammar and Manukau over University contributed to a, day of exciting and first-class football, and the. results leave Otahuhu at the head of tho championship ladder with two wins and no losses. They drew the bye on opening day. Largo crowds flocked to headquarters to sou tho dashing Otahuhu side, of whom Mich glowing reports had been heard, and the crowd must have been very well .satisfied with the colourful exhibition they gavo to triumph over Grafton, last year's champions. Grammar, who lust week trounced University by superb- forward play, showed a complete reversal of form in their curtain-raiser match with Marist on Mo. 1 Eden Park. There was seldom any devil in their work, and they allowed themselves to be outplayed by a team who were unquestionably better on the day. It was anticipated that tho game would bo close, but even the most fervent Marist supporters could not have hoped that their team would have romped to victory as they did. As though tho two Eden Park surprises •were not enough, Manukau added furtherto a day of thrills by their complete and devastating defeat of University at the Showgrounds. .Four tries were scored by Manukau, but their lino was not once crossed. University's seven points coming from the boot of R. G. Bush. College Rifles, playing on No. 2 Eden I'ark, won by the slenderest of margins ngainst Technical College Old Boys. Each side scored a try. Rifles converted; Technical failed. Results were:— Otahuhu 15, Grafton 5. Marist 16, Grammar 3. College Rifles 5, Technical 3. Manukau 14, University 7. Positions of teams in the championBMp: - Pts. Ch. P. W. l>. D. F. A. Pts. Otahuhu .... 2 - — — 20 18 4 Marist 3 2 1 — 40 81 4 Manukau .... 3 1 1 1 33 32 3 Grammar .... 2 1 1 — 24 y*7 4 University ..3 1 2 — 28 38 J Ponsonby 2 1 1 — 11 1;J - Grafton 3 l 2 — ->•> JU - College Rifles 2 1 1 —• Iβ -21.2 Technical 0.8. 2 — 1 1 14 1G 1