KEEN CLUB RUGBY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 129, 3 June 1935, Page 12

KEEN CLUB RUGBY.

EDEN PARK THRILLS. GRAMMAR BEATS PONSONBY. DISPLAYS OF TEMPER. Apart from several unnecessary incidents in which kicking, punching and late tackling were features, the GrammarPonsonby match, the big attraction of the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship on Saturday afternoon, provided much that was spectacular. The last few minutes were packed with thrills, with the luck all against Ponsonby. Otahuhu had a real day out at Sturgess Park, and through the speed of their backs they swamped College Rifles by 34 points to 10. Grafton and Manukau provided a colourful match at the Showgrounds, Grafton winning by 11 points to b. Although they trailed behind at half-time, University recovered well in the second spell to beat Technical College Old Boys by 14 points to 9 on No. 2, Eden Park. Results were: — Grammar 17, beat Ponsonby 16. University 14, beat Technical 9. Grafton 11, beat Manukau 6. Otahuhu 34, beat College Rifles 10.

UNFORTUNATE "INCIDENTS." Fortune's wheel turned several vital points against Ponsonby in the last few minutes of their match with Grammar In the main attraction at Eden Park, and although Ponsonby tried all manner or attack, they could not find a way through a splendid Grammar defence The last few minutes provided a real thriller, with the" whirlwind methods of the Ponsonby forwards and the lightning attack of their backs to keep the crowd cheering incessantly. Ponsonby went down by one point, 17 A11 through the match sparkled as first one set of backs and then the .other attacked In spectacular array. With the pace clapped on as it was, it was per hap* natural that tempers should have bctfprae f raved but there were several incidents that plainly disgusted the spectators and earned deserved boos. Both sides were equally to blame. Throughout there was solid work among the forwards, but at one stage there was a great deal of unnecessarily willing work in front of the stand When the battle was being waged a.little fiercer than at any othr stage, Don (Grammar) and Wilkinson (Ponsonby) were concerned in a punching duel, and other fists were living as well. Not content with this bad display of temper, Knight used his feet with considerable force and little discretion, only to end up by kicking one of his own men. Again a little later the same player attempted a deliberate trip. It failed, Init the intent was there. Ponsonby soon got even in this illegal contest when Moses late-tackled Fletcher with a diveiuinp long after the Grammar man had got 'rid of the ball, and Fletcher went down in a heap; knocked out temporarily. In all hard games when two packs with plenty of devil, such as Ponsonby and Grammar, are opposed: there is sure to be an occasional punch, which will be forgotten liv the players and ignored by the referes but indiscriminate use of the feet is a practice which is a menace to the game and which should be dealt with in only one way by the referees—the ordering off of the player concerned. , It was a great pity these Incidents occurred, for both sides were praised continuously by the crowd for their colourful exhibition. One would have thought that the Grammar pack would have controlled the game but that was not to be. The Ponsonby puck more than held its own and actually in the loose/was superior It also won an equal share of the ball from set scrums, and when the backs were so admirablv fed by Frnnkhnm. there were plentv of thrilling raids on the Grammar Hue ' There was more design in the Ponsonby back attack than in that of Grammar's, although the five-eighths were inclined to run across Held a little too much. One of the features of the match was Hie brilliant display behind the Grammar pack of XI. XI. N. Corner. It was by far his best exhibition Ibis season. He had a tremendous amount of work to do but he did if all capably and never once faltered in the face of fierce Ponsonby forward attack. Corner's defensive work was astonishing He covered invariably, and when the Ponsonby supporters thought oh several occasions that their forwards had broken clean awav for a try. Corner flashed Into Ihe picture from nowhere to stem the tide as he went down at their feet or snatched the ball from their very toes to find the line brilliantly. TOO STRONG FOR MANUKAU. Completely outclassing Mnnnkau in (he first half of (he principal game at the Showgrounds, Grafton rattled on 11 points, and despite frantic efforts in the second half, the seaslders could not make up the leeway and had to be content with six points. Grafton's team was disorganised when it took (he field, and combination was not expected. However, the forwards battled industriously and their efforts so bottled up Manukau that except for three short trips the latter did not get out of the home hnlf. One of these trips was from the kick off, nnd momentarily Grafton was troubled, to the great delight of a very large crowd of spectators, who throughout the game rewarded Xlannkan's slightest effort with hearty applause, but neglected to give similar credit to good work by Grafton.- Grafton backs immediately got to work, and quickly moved to Manukau's half. Killeen was in possession, but he sent over n heautlfnl cross-kick which Dick gathered in his stride, and his pace carried him over against two defenders. Another excellent back movement which did not appeal to the spectators gained another try and a free kick also added points. Manukau had two lucky escapes when with care points could easilv have been gained. In the second half Xlaniikau battled hard and made the play much more even, but following an unconverted try and a penalty goal, could not get sufficient territorial advantage to make good a winning chance. Manukau's combination was not at its best, and the futile efforts of the pack in holding up the possessed GraJ'ton forwards greatly hampered the, backs, who had little opportunity to get going. Berridge, the Xlanuknu fullback, was hampered for lack of room. He was patchy, twice saving brilliantly, but also twice being caught in possession when lie had no excuse other than a fault of hanging on too long—and that's not an excuse. Occasionally his line kicking was good, but his one great effort, was a shot from a penalty, which sailed straight between the posts from near the sideline. Paton was as safe as usual, while he too landed a beautiful goal from the sideline. Mis one fault was in taking things too easily and two fast following Manukau forwards gained fully hirty yards by catching him in possession. Brimble and Killeen were not up to standard, although the former did not have the opportunities of the latter. Fraser nnd Dick, both of Grafton, were the best of the three-quarters, but the playing honours of the match went to Anderson, the promoted Grafton Junior, who got through a tremendous amount of work and who appeared to be the inspiration of the Grafton pack. He was ably supported by Mills and Hardy. . not looming up as much as usual in this game. The Manukau pack were not inspiring and badly lacked a leader. Pepper, who came on at half-time vice Pearce, tried to do his best and effected some result, hut the combined effort not strong enough. UNIVERSITY BEAT TECHNICAL, After trailing Technical Old Boys for the greater part of the game, University came with n great rattle in the last twenty minutes and eventually won comfortably bv 14 points to 0. The green forwards were soon off the mark and promptly showed superiority, both in the pack and in loose work. They were -well backed up by the rearguard, and ns a consequence the light blues were on the defensive for almost the whole of the first spell. Qpite a big score might have been set up by Technical but for Bush's line kicking, for the blue backs, who were without Caughey, could do nothing right. Three tries were secured bv Technical in this spell—one each by O'ldburv. Haslam and Aro. Oldbury and Aro each got their tries after punting past Bush and following through for the touch down. The blues had a brief invasion of green territory and Inglis shot over in a twinkling—a smart piece of work. Starting the second hnlf the play became more even, and as it proceeded the blues established an advantage which they steadily increased until they had Technical well beaten. It nppeared that the effective and persistent line kicking by Bush had taken the sting out of the Technical attack, Whatever the cause, the fact was that in«the latter part of the second half t' e blues

were in complete control. Lewis and Klrkland each scored tries, one pf whichwas converted by Bush, who also kicked a penalty goal. Until they tired Technical gave a fine exhibition. Their forwards were sound to a man, and amongst the backs Oldsbury, Fordham and Aro were most conspicuous. The try secured by the last mentioned was particularly meritorious, as he got through on his own from a scrum about 35 yards out, first dashing through the University pack and rearguard before pushing past Bush. Rayment was very solid as full-back. On the University side Bush was easily pre-eminent and next came Lewis and Mulvihill, Final scores:— University fl i Technical Old Boys » llr. J. Gasparich was referee. OTAHTJHU'S BIG SCORE. Few of the record crowd which watched the Otahuhu-College Rifles clash at Sturgess Park could have been disappointed with the sterling game played by the home team. With any sort oi. luck the score (which was 34—10 in the i fu\our) should have been nearer the hat century mark, as several fine efforts weie spoiled by hard luck. The red and blacks win was due to the condition of the team and the almost faultless display of a superb set of bucks playing behind a great puck. Although the score against Collefei. Rifles was heavy it was no indication of a thorough trouncing us they were always | dangerous, but lucked the finish and cohesion of their opponents. Otuhuhu's vanguard carried too many guns for the Rifles, and it was a thrilling sight to see the ball handled by all the backs in great style to culminate in a score. Individually the red and blacks all shone. Bayer earned repeated applause for his capable handling and sound line gicking. His goaling was again good, one kick from the side line being an exceptionally praiseworthy one. Moyle, behind the scrum, gave his backs every chance, his clean snappy sending on to Hedge enabled the latter, who was well marked, to bring off much specaculiir play, his speed and hearty play being factors that contributed to the big score. Hill was particularly sound, and Pearson was outstnnding. His strong swervv runs witli u powerful fend started many line passing bouts 'and he was always u thorn in the side of the opposition. Brown was brilliant, his speed being a feature and his ability to fend being outstanding. His judgment in cross-kicking had the opposition in sore straits time and again and enabled the other red and black speed merchants to cut in and score. On Saturday's play Brown is easily the outstanding winger in the competition. Breed's try was a nice piece of work. Williams, Jones and Evans were alawys prominent, and Jury put in some solid work. The College Rifles team individually played good football, but there was a lack of team effort und this together with the speed of their opponents contributed to their smull score. Kirk, at full, was well und truly tried and came out with colours flying. His sure handling and tackling swung several almost certain tries, l'udrottl was a tireless worker und was prominent in every move. Year and Wales bundled well, and many times got close to scoring. The latter had much of his work spoilt through lack of support. Thompson's work behind the scrum was clean, but the speed and smashing tactics of the red and blacks nipped much of his work in tho- bud. K. Stewart was an outstanding forward. Barker's try was u well-earned reward for his fast following up tactics. Batty and McDonald were always in the picture. The game was hard and strenuously contested with no injuries and wns ably controlled by Mr. J. G. C. Wales, who gave very sound rulings. GRADE GAMES. BI.ACKWF.I.L SHIELD. Dioinede 14, beat Philomel 3. SENIOR GRADE B. Training College 3. bent 'Varsity B 11. 'Varsity B 14, beat Training College 3. Munukau B 8, beat Parnell 0. JUNIOR GRADE. Waitemnta 14, beat Ponsouby 10. Technical Old Boys 19, beat Eden 12. Suburbs 29, beut Oratia 0. Grafton 33, beat Pan mure 12. Manukau 12, beat College Rifles C. THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby 15, beut Manukau 3. Otahuhu 10. beat Grammar 0.8. 3. Technical 0.8. 10, beat Takapitna 3. INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Grafton 15, beat Parnell 11. Ponsonby 25, beut 'Varsity 5. Technical 0.8. 14, beat Tukupuua 3. Suburbs 20, beat Northcote 5. FOURTH GRAD2. Eden B 10, beat Northcote 0. Technical 0.8. 31, beat Shore 0. Suburbs 24, beut Parnell 3. Grammar 0.8. S, beat Manukau G. FIFTH ORADJS. Suburbs 0. drew with Technical 0.8. 0. Manukau 8, bent Howick 5. SIXTH GRADE. Parnell 13. beat Mnrlst 3. Eden 33. beat Eastern Suburbs 0. Suburbs 25, beat Newton 3. Manukau bent Ponsonby by default. JUNIOR BOYS. Suburbs 18, beat Manuknu 0. Eden 8, beut Northcote 4. INTERMEDIATE. Suburbs 8. Pent Northcote 3. Ponsonby 9, beat Manukau 8. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. FOURTH GRADE. Sacred Heart 22, beat Technical Col. 3. FIFTH GRADE. Sacred Heart A 9, boat Technical A 6. Auckland Grammar 19, beat Dilworth 0. SIXTH GRADE. Auckland Grammar A 3, beat Technical A 0. Auckland Grammar B 15, beat Technical B 5. .Sacred Heart A 0, drew with Otahuhu Technical 0. Mount Albert 22, beat Sacred Heart B 3. SEVENTH GRADE. Sacred Heart A 18, beat Grammar A 3. Sacred Heart B 25, beat Grammar B 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. MASTERTON. Red Star 14, beat Martinborough 0. Carterton 11, beat Dalefleld 0. Greytown 17, beat Old Boys 13. FEILDING. Fcilding Old Boys 24, beat Rongotea 5. Feilding 13, beat Kia Toa 11. NAPIER. H. 5.0.8. 11, beat Havelock 3. Celtic 18, beat Technical 3. Pirates 10, beat Marist 8. GISBORNE. Celtic 26, beat H. 5.0.8. 9. Y.M,P. 21, beat Old Boys 5. Waikohu 14, beat Marist 12. CHRISTCHURCH. Old Boys 15, beat Chrlstehurch 3. Sydenham 9, beat Merivale 3. Sunnyside 21, bent 'Varsity 11 Albion 9, beat Linwood 3. NEW PLYMOUTH. Seniors.—Tukapa 29, beat Old Boys 14 • p « tea 20 beat Star 5; Hawera G, drew with Eltham 6; Opunake 0, drew with United Old Boys G ; Clifton 8, beat Athletv 0; Stratford 13, beat Kaponga 4; Waimate 14, beat Inglewood 9. DUNEDIN. Seniors.—Southern 28, beat Alhambra 0; Union 15, beat Pirates 8; Taieri 6, beat Zingarl 3 ; Kaikorai 9, drew with Dunedin 9 ; 'Varsity did not play owing to vacation. INVERCARGILL. Seniors.—Blues 16, beat Marist 4 ; Pirates 24, beat Old Boys 0. TIMARU. Seniors.—Star 30, beat Waihi u : Zingari 9. beat Old Boys 3; Temuka 14, beat Geraldine 3. TAIHAPE. Pirates 7, bent Hautapu 6. Utiku 9, drew with Huia 9. Juniors.—Hautapu 3. drew with Utiku 3 ; Huia, beat Hiwera. WELLINGTON. Seniors. —Second division : Johnsonville 10. beat Miraniar 3; University 29. bent Melrose-<Selwyn 5; Orientnl 9. beat Petone 6; St. Patrick's Old Boys 27, beat Berhampore 0. . OAMARU. Seniors.—Mahono S, beat Old Boys 6; Excelsior 18. beat Athletic 14. ■ HASTINGS. Seniors.—M.A.C. 17, beat Eskview 3; Old Boys 6, beat Hastings 3.

ALL BLACK TRIAL.

GAME AT WANGANUI. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WANGANUI, Saturday. An AH Black trial game was played here to-day In Ideal weather. The teams were : — WELLINGTON AND WAIRARAPA. Full-back: Heml (Wairarapa). Three-quarters: N. Ball (Wellington). C. Stringfellow (Wairarapa), A. flrignt %?ve n efg°nVhs: Langdon (Wellington), Devine (Wairarapa). Half-back: Sadler (Wellington). Back row: Stevenson (Wellington) •_ • Middle row: Barry (Wellington), Butler (Wellington), Trass (Wairarapa), Lams (W #ro a nt aP row: Hull (Wellington), Ongley (Wellington), Leahy (Wellington). Reserves: McNeile (Wellington) . forward; Tindill (Wellington), back. WANGANUI - TARANAKI - MANAWATU AND HOROWHENUA. Full-back: Collins (Taranaki). Three-quarters: Bradley (Manawatu), Campbell (Wanganui), Edwards (Taranaki . Five eighths: Campbell (Horowhenua), C. Brown (Taranaki). Half-back: Gudgeon (Taranaki). Back of scrum: McKenzie (Manawatu). Middle row: Mclntyre (Wanganui), Clarke (Taranaki), Steere (Wangauui), Merwood (Horowhenua). ..-■»••«■ i , Front row: Henry (Manawatu), Fowler (Taranaki), Fastier (Taranaki). Reserves: Bishop (Horowhenua), forward: Morgan (Wanganui), back. The greens showed to better advantage in back play in the early stages, due to the fact that they had more combination tnan the reds, who were mostly strangers to one another. The red forwards did slightly the better work in the scrums, but this was offset by the superior back play of the greens, who staged some fine passing rushes. Good tackling, however, kept them out for a time. The first score came to the rcie as the result of Braxlley passing to Merwood. who crossed after twenty minutes' play. Later Horn! potted a goal, and then Ball got over as the result of a good opening by Stevenson. The greens were now getting the ball from the scrums, and at half-time the score was 9 to 3 in favour of the greets. In the second half Trass crossed for the greens and Hemi converted. A period of even play followed and then Stevenson scored, Heml again goaling. At this stage Stringfellow was injured and retired. Tindill taking his place. Beautiful play by Langdon next let Devine in. Hemi again converted and later kicked a great penalty goal. Just on time Campbell, with a great run, scored for the reds. Collins goaled, and the game ended in a .comfortable win for the greens. Wellington-Wairarapa 27 Taranaki-Wanganui-Manawatu-Horowhenua • 11 There was an even battle between the forwards for possession, but Sadler was much superior at halfback to Gudgeon, while Langdon outplayed (lie other first fivo-oighth. L. Stringfellow was fair at centre, while his vis-a-vis, Campbell, was the pick of the losers' backs, Ills tackling being deadly and his try a fine one. Ball was the pick of the wings, but got more chances than the others. Hemi outplayed Collins at fullback. Of the forwards, MClCenzie and Mclntyre were the pick of the losers, while Trass, Hull, and Ongley were most conspicuous for the winners. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TE KUITI. Seniors.—Wnltnte G. beat Waitanguru 3; Te Kuiti 25. beat Old 80y5.9. Juniors.—United 10, beat Waitete 3. TE PUKE. Seniors.—Makctu 9, beat Papamoa United 3. Juniors. —Papamoa 9. beat Maketu 3. CAMBRIDGE. Seniors.—United 11. drew with Northern 11 ; Leamington 14, beat Hautapu 8. Juniors.—Leamington 8, beat Pukerlmu 3 ; United 9, beat Maungatautari A 3; Northern 14, beat Hautapu 8 ; Karapiro 12, beat Maungatautari B 0. Third Grade.—Representative trial: B 17, beat A 14. In the United-Northern senior game. R. A. Hughes, the United captain, suffered a broken left leg just above the ankle. He was taken to the Waikato Hospital. PUKEKOHE. Seniors.— White Star 12. beat Tuakau 3: Onewhero 10, beat Old Boys 9; Bombay ir>, bent Patumahoe 3. Juniors. —Onewhero 12, beat Old Boys 5 : Tuakau 9. beat White Star 3. Secondary Schools. —Senior: Wesley College IG. beat Pukekohe Technical High School 3. Juniors: Wesley College 14, beat Pukekohe Technical High School 9. TAURANGA. . Matnkana (Taurnnga) 21, beat Rang!urn (Te Puke) 14. Itangataua 14, beat Tc Puna 5. Juniors. —Judea S. beat Cadets 6 : Matnkana 23. boat Athletics 0; Omokoroa S, beat Country G. PAEROA. West C, drew with Old Boys 6. Juniors.—Hikutaia 19, beat Maoris 0; Xetherton 3, beat West 0. Third Grade. —High School 14. beat West 0. TE AROHA. Walhou 10, beat City 0. Juniors. —High School G, beat Elstow 3 ; Waihou 16, beat City 3. MORRINSVILLE. Kereone G, beat Terriers 0. United 9, beat Eastern 0. Juniors. —Motumaoho 14, beat Tahuna G: Terriers 5, beat Old Boys 3; United 17 beat Eastern 3; Tainui 27, beat Kereone 3. TE AWAMUTU. Seniors.—Waipa 15, beat Hamilton B 3. Juniors. —Old Boys 23, beat Tokanul 0. HELENSVILLE. Seniors.—Kapakapa 10, beat Helensville 9; Parakai 17, beat Kr.uieu 12. Juniors.—Woodhill 19, beat Silverdale 0 ; Helensville 9, beat Kapakapa 3; Parakai beat Kuineu. WAIHI. Seniors.—Mataura 11, beat Katikati 3. Juniors.—Mataura 8, beat High School A 3. THAMES. Seniors.—College Old Boys 12, beat Physical Training 3. Juniors. —Physical Training 31, beat Hui Mai 6; High School 13, beat College Old Boys G. Third Grade.—College Old Boys 17, beat High School 13. WHANGAREI. Hikurangi 16, beat Horahora 5. Maungakaramea 30, beat Maromaku 0. Junior.—Old Boys 9, beat Horahora 3. Third Grade.—High School 9, beat Hikurangi 5. TAUMARUNUI. Seniors.—Manunui 10, beat Athletic 0. Juniors. —Tongariro 27. beat Taumarunui 0. Third Grade. —High School 6, beat Taumarun'ul 3. HAMILTON. Hamilton 8, beat Waipa 6. HUNTLY. Auckland Marists 14, beat Taupiri 13. OTAMATEA. Seniors.—Waipu 8, beat Maungaturoto 3. Taipuha defaulted to Paparoa. Kaiwaka 26, beat Marohemo 3. Juniors. —Maungaturoto 13, beat Paparoa 3; Batley 14, beat Kaiwaka 8. RODNEY. Port Albert 13, beat Puhoi 0. Matakana 12, beat Pakiri 3. MANGATAWHIRI. Pokeno 11, beat Valley 0. Mangatangi 6, beat Mercer 0. Juniors. —Valley 3, beat Pokeno 0. WAIUKU. City 8, beat Otaua 0. Waipipi 11, beat Aka Aka 9. Juniors.—Otaua 11, beat City 6; Waipipi 5, beat Aka Aka 3. WAIKARE. Ohinewai 3, drew with Rangiriri 3. Waiteriniu 11, drew with Woodleigh 11. Waerenga 9, beat Taniwha Wanderers 0. Ohinewai is in the lead with 9 points, Waerenga being next with 8, while Rangiriri is in third position with 7. ROTORUA. Waikite 35, beat Kahukura 11. Kotoiti 23, beat Utuhina 8. Juniors. —Kahukura 5, beat Okero 3; Utuhina 11, beat Old Boys 0 ; High School 9, beat Waikite 3. OPOTIKI. Omaio (Apanui) 13, beat High School Old Boys (Opotiki) 13. O.M.P. 6, beat Country. 3. Juniors.—O.M.P. G, beat City 0; High School Old Boys 3, beat Country 0. WHAKATANE. Jackson Shield. — Pakehas 11, beat Maoris 5. ' . Juniors. —Taneatua 8, beat Ruatoki 0.

Competition ladder :— ch P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Otahuhu .... 4 4 — — 80 37 8 Grammar 4 3 1 — : « 0- o University ..5 3 2 — 57 oV t> Manukau .... 5 2 2 1 50 51 o Marist 4 2 2 — ?„ -,t I Grafton 5 2 3 — 42 oO 4 I'onsonby .... 4 1 3 — 41 47 J College Ulfles .3 1 2 — 20 55 2 Technical O.B. 4 — 3 1 32 41 1