RUGBY HONOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 159, 8 July 1935, Page 13

RUGBY HONOURS.

TWO TEAMS LEVEL.

QBAMMAE BEATS OTAHUHU.

U2TCVERSITY GO UNDER.

Spectacular and often thrilling football ■was the order at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon, when the first round ■ of the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship was concluded. By their defeat of Otahuhu in the big match of the day, Grammar are now on level terms with the suburban team. Both sides played attractive football throughout, and kept the big crowd cheering excitedly. On No. 2 Eden Park, Manukau and PonBonby produced a match crammed full of highlights, a draw being a fitting climax. One minute from the end, with Manukau leading by three points, Jamieson . saved the day fpj Ponsonby with a penalty goal. On No. 3 Eden Park, went down ingloriously to College Rifles, and at the Show Grounds, Marist disappointed their supporters •by failing to hold the dashing Technical College Old Boys. Results were:— • Grammar 14, v. Otahuhu 8. Ponsonby 22, v. Manukau 22. College Rifles 24, v. University 13. Technical 19, v. Marist 11.

WHO WILL GO DOWN?

SENIOR GRADE PROBLEM. EFFECT OF DEFERRED MATCH. Tho first round of the A.R.F.U. senior championship haying three teams are supposed to be relegated to senior B. Owing, however, to the union readmitting Grammar Old Boys and College Rifles after the round started, fate has decreed that even on a scoring points basis (for and against) nobody can say which clubs are to be degraded, because four are level with seven championship points. College Rifles, although bottom with six points', has still to play Grammar, relegated last year, but safe now. If Rifles happened to win, and they defeated University on Saturday, then they too would be safe, and on the figures below it would take a "bush lawyer" to decide upon the relegation. Manukau and Graf ton would have to go down on a scoring points basis, but how would the union decide between Ponsonby and Marist Old Boys, both of whom have the same "difference" of two points— 89, 91 and 88, 90. So even, if a mid-week game be played between Grammar and College Rifles, the position would still be obscure if the latter were victorious. If, however, Grammar won, or the game were a draw, on the figures below Manukau, Grafton and College Rifles would be relegated to the .senior B division. Never has the competition ladder been eo interesting. Here it is:— Points. Ch. P. W. L. T>. F. A. Pts. Grammar 0.8. . 7 4 1 2 84 78 iff Otahuhu 8 5 3 — 107 78 10 Technical 0.8. .83 32 86 68 8 'Varsity » 8 4 .4 ■-*- 104 100 8 Ponsonßy 8 2 S 3 SO 91 7 Marist 0.8. ... 8 3 4 1 88 90 7 Manukau ,8 2 3 3 81 85 7 Grafton .' 8 3 4 1-.68 86 7 College Kiffes ..73 4 — 70 02 6

STORY OF POSSESSION.

Grammar's fine victory over Otahuhu in the main attraction of the Rugby day at Eden Park was a story of possession of the ball in all department. _ Grammar won by eight points, but with the generous support of the ball their basks received, they should have scored as many more again, Throughout, Ohe match , was full of spectacular incident, with thrilling excursions by both, sides to' the lines; with electric individual dashes arid with brilliant passing and inter-passingi in. which often more than half a dozen , players participated. At all stages the fast back and "forward movements up and down the field, held the crowd fascinated, cheering wildly as the fortunes quickly changed.-: -.- ... Features, of the match were the magnificent control of the set scrums by Grammar from which Mcßpatb, tehir hooker, won an overwhelming percentage of the ball, the excellent work of their line-out forwards Morgan and Lockirigton, who frequently sent their backe away, the splendid leadership of Knight, and the bullet-like passes from the base. of the scrum by Swain, a* promoted junior, who took the injured Corner's place at halfback. Highlights of Otahuhu's desperate efforts to maintain their lead at the top of the championship ladder were the magnificent battling of theiix light pack, the opportunism of their *backe, .the bfilliarice at first five-eigElh. of Gr. Solomon, who took Hedge's place-r-forced to stand down through an injured hand —a,nd the gay abandon with which they played when defeat stared them in the face. It was certainly one 'of the finest K matches of jthe season, with the pace on ' all the way. Fed generously from scrums and lineouts, the Grammar backs did not accomplish as much as could reasonably be expected. It was indeed refreshing to watch the swiftness, in delivery of Swain, af young and promising half-back. The speed with which he threw the ball out, tthe excellent direction, and the length of his passes gave the first five-eighth, Jessup, a first five-eighth's day out, but Jessup failed dismally to take advantage of the glorious opportunities that were his. He kicked too much, and when he did not kick, he ran too far with the' ball, only to be caught- time and time again in

possession. s In sharp contrast to the. mediocre play of Jeesup was the exhibition of A. J. Slyfield, at second five-ejghth. He did many excellent things, his straight and determined running leading to several openings. Perhaps it was just as well for Otahuhu that the Grammar backs did not move smoothly as a combination, for their wing flyers, Kelly and Spittall, may have enjoyed a feast of try-getting. Otahuhu were unfortunate in that they were forced to take the field without the eervices of their stars, E. J. Hedge, their first five-eighth, and H. M. Brown, their All Black wing three-quarter. Hedge badly cut a finger on Friday night, and Brown was still suffering from an ankle injury which he received in the Kanfurly Shield match last Wednesday, although he sportingly played as emergency. Nevertheless, G. Solomon, who usually plays either w»ig three-quarters or half-oacK, proved to be a splendid substitute for He.'ge, and he frequently coloured the picture with his brilliant bursts. He was the real star of the Otahuhu backs, although Pearson was always dangerous in possession. , , Forward, the lighter Otahuhu paclc shoved wonderful fighting spirit. For tne greater part of the game, with Ross, O'Neill and Breed always in the lead, the forwards held the heavy Grammar pack., but towards the end the inevitable happened, and Grammar's greater weight began to tell its tale. With the score at 11—8, one last desperate effort was made by Otahuhu to recover. A forward flung a "long nass, half-way across the held from the ruck to Pearson. Had it come off it might have developed into a sensational scoring movement. Instead, it led to a lucky try toy Grammar—the penalty of throwing wild, loose passes m your own twenty-five. ■

TECHNICAL'S STRONG FINISH,

To be eight points, down and then to red J four tries on end to Sain victory hv i<) nointfi to 11 was the splendid perfUulS put up by Technical CoUege Od Boys in their game against Marist Old Boys at the Showgrounds. .« ™e a .win that was well deserved, not only I been use the greens rallied when It seemed likely_t at they would be beaten, but also because, they wore the better team on tie «W. The match was not a'classic exhibition of tl. o code but tiuips rasced it -was mostly fast an.! onon exrHlnp-Forward, the teams were fair y wel matched, but behind the-ecrninaerii. nlcal held a definite advantage. Of ten the Marisfr £a**.ihelr tepSs=^flance&- J

but mostly they were frittered away, iixeept for Curtayne, the backs were seldom clangorous, and frequent mistakes resulted in the wings being giveu little to do. The forwards played well together, S. Hadley leading them valiantly, and with more suptport from the rear the result might have been different. Toye's persistent chasing of the ball was one of the features of the game, his following up earning him two Taken all round, the Technical backs completely outshone the opposition. Turbott played a fine game at lull-back and on the left wing Oldbury showed considerable cleverness on attack. Lush, on the other flank, received fewer opportunities, but ran with determination when given the ball. Murdoch was nippy on attack, while behind the scrum Aro was several times applauded for good defensive work. Among the forwards August was often prominent in the Une-outs, with Ayusley and MacKenzie toiling hard throughout. For Technical trios were scored by Oldbury (2), Haslam and MacKen/.ie, while Lash kicked a penalty goal and converted two tries. Toye (2) and Logan scored tries for Marist, Curtayne converting one of thsm. ;

THRILLING FOOTBALL

Rugby of the satisfying kind was served up to spectators on the No. 2 ground at Eden Park when Ponsonby and Manukau battled their way through a game that was full .of bright incidents and which ended in 'a tie at 22 points each. Play was not up to highest standard, but what was lacking in linlsh was easily made up in tho zest of the players, and the game was by no means devoid of brilliant work, in which each side shared. Possibly the heavy ground with its loilg gruss and sodden soil acted as a deterrent to a really classy exhibition. A feature of the game was the substantial score put up. Fortyfour points tflitween tho two teams indicated slackness in defence, but it likewise evidenced a lively game with few dull moments. The manner in which the scoring trend fluctuated was extraordinary. In the first half Ponsonby led 13 to 3, but before the bines got on the board again tho men from the port hud rattled up 16 points, and the marker showed Manukau 19, Ponsonby 13. Then came a tie at 19 all, and another and final one at 22 all. Within a minute from tlie kick-off Ponsonby scored from a brilliant passing movement, and tho black and whites seemed as bewildered as a matman who has been slammed for a fall when ho went to shako lianos wltn ms opponent. - From, a wide angle Tremain converted. Manukau countered with a penalty goal kicked by Berridgc, but thereafter faded from the picture. Getting the ball regularly from the scrums, the Ponies set up a strong' attack, and Manukau seemed powerless to keep them back. For half an hour they were definitely in charge of the game, and the- margin of 13 to 3 at half-time might easily have been greater. Towards the close of the spell the black and whites adopted fresh tactics, in which short punts and line-kicks featured, and these had the effect of evening up the play. On resuming Wells was an absentee from the Mauukau side, having had to retire through an injured knee. Flewellyn came on and was placed at full-back, replacing Arnold Berridge, who v,-ent up to centre. The effect of the change was soon felt. , At full Berridgo had been more or less wasted. At centre he gave cohesion to the back division. The whole team seenicd : sJnspired, and, changing over from the defensive role to one of attack, they commenced to harry the Ponies. Both forand backs engaged in devastating rushes and each had a share in tho scores that followed. In one of the rearguard movements the ball passed accurately through half a dozen pairs of hands before the winger crowned a dazzling movement with a try. Rushed all over the field for a while, the Ponies came again at the finish, and the crowd cheered both sides frantically as first one and then the other gained .a temporary advantage. It was great football. Manukau still looked like the winning team, but the blues once more displayed their old-time resourcefulness in a tight finish. . When Jamieson kicked his penalty goal in tho last minute, thus evening up tho scores, all but the most rabid partisans agreed that a draw was a satisfactory conclusion to a splendid contest. For Ponsonby Jamiesnn was outstanding amongst the backs, and in the first spell particularly was the spearhead of the Ponies' attack. On the wing Moses was brilliant and was dangerous throughout the gamo, showing at times a rare turn of speed. F, Solomon and W. Knight were •most conspicuous amongst tho forwards. For Manukau Berridge played right up to his best form and got through an amazing amount of useful work. His try, gained by dribbling through on his own from the 25 yards mark and' beating the opposing winger and the f nil-back, was a fine effort. Brltnb'le also was in capital nick, and McCormick, as usual, made numerous openings and was conspicuous in penetrating dashes that always gained ground. Flett played soundly throughout. Flewellyn's. first effort as full-back was creditable; he played safe. ;•-' For Ponsonby Ramsey, Fraser, and Moses each scored tries. Jamieson kicked three goals and Pearman two. For Manukau Wiklund, Poulton, Berridge, and Flett (two) scored tries, and goals were kicked by Berridge (two) and Wiklund. Final score: Ponsonby 22 Manukau 22 Mr. C. F. Paul was referee.

'VARSITY'S POOR DISPLAY.

Although the absence of T. H. Caughey made a big difference to the combination of the side, it was surprising to see University giving such a poor display ori Saturday, when they were comfortably defeated by College Rifles to the tune of 24 to 13. The game provided very few passing bouts of any consequence right through, and most of the spectators transferred their attention to the match on No. 2 ground. College Rifles owed their victory to the sterling work of their forwards, who never let up and played right on top of the light blue backs. For the winners, Kirk was safe and sound as the last man, frequently gaining valuable ground with so;ne excellent lino kicking. Neither wing received many chances, but Wales was responsible for a very good all-round display. Thompson opened up to his supports at every opportunity, while of an even pack Stewart, Hurt and K. Stewart were always in the thick of the fray. Bush gave his usual polished display as full-back for 'Varsity, but the inside backs failed to function with their well-known ability,? stan ling flat-footed to take their passes. Mulvihill wns perhaps the best. Inglis did his best, while In the vanguard Drake and Gibson were most prominent.

GRADE GAMES.

i SENIOR GRADE B. Eden 6, beat University B 3. Manukau 9, beat Training College 0. JUNIOR GRADE. Technical 0.8. 6, beat Takapuna 3. Southern United 42, beat Coll. Rifles 6. •Varsity 6, drew with North. Shore C. Graf ton 9, beat Otahuhu 8. Suburbs 8,. beat Grafton 6. Eden- 6, Beat Takapuna 3. THIRD GRADE. Otahuhu 29, beat Training College 0. Technical 0.8. 14, beat Waitemata 3. INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Grafton 6, beat Ponsonby 5. " ' Suburbs 3, tlrew with Technical 0.8. 3. Takapuua 9, beat College Rifles 3. ( . ' FOURTH GRADE. Eden A 25, beat Manukau 11. Grammar 0.8. 11, beat Parnell 6. Marist 9, beat Suburbs 5. Technical 14, beat Takapuna 0. ■■■• FIFTH GRADE. Manukau 22, (beat Marist 0.8. 8. Suburbs 11, beat Takapuna 0. SIXTH GRADE. Newton 35, beat Takapuna 3. Eden 39, beat Technical 0.8. 3. Manukau 45, beat Eastern Suburbs 3. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. ,

SENIOR GRADE. Mount Albert Grammar 12, drew witn Auckland Grammar ]£: THIRD GRADE. Sacred Heart, 5, beat Takapuna Grammar ' FOXJRTH GRADE. Grammar A 21, beat Technical College A 3. FIFTH GRADE. Snored Heart 25, beat Takapuna 0. iucWand Grammar B 20, beat Mr. Albert ° ra^ek"a r na'Grammar A 43,j>eat Otahuhu 0. Kowhai 6. beat Sacred Heart 0. SIXTH GRADE. Mt Albert 3, drew with Sacred Heart 3. Auckland Grammar School 10, beat Sacred Heart 3. SEVENTH GRADE. Sacred Heart 10, beat Takapuna Gramma 32, bead Auckland Grani-

JUNIOR BOYS. SENIOR. Suburbs 6, beat Eden 0. INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Ponsonby 8, beat Marist 3. Newton 3, beat North Shore 0. Suburbs 3, drew with Takapuna 3. JUNIOR GRADE. Takapuna 3, drew with iManukau 3. Suburbs 6, beat Newton 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. THAMES. Huimni 20, beat College Old Boys 9. Juniorß.—Huimai S, beat Physical Training 6. TE KUIXI. Te Kulti 22, heat Otorohanga 5. Waitetc 13, beat Waitanguru 3. WHITIANGA. Kidd Cup.—Kuaotunu 23, beat Kennedy Bay 3. TATJRANGA. Matakana 0, beat Te Puna 0. Juniors.—Jiiclca 19, beat Country, 6; Maplhi 9, beat Omokoroa 3; Cadets Old Boys 15, beat Matakana 0 ; Athletics, a bye. TAIHAPB. Pirates 12, beat Hnutapu 3. Utiku 25, beat Hula 5. Junior.—Utiku 3, drew with Huia 3.

MORRINSVILLB. Kereone 21, beat Old Boys 5. Terriers <i, boat Eastern 0. Juniors.—United 17, beat Kcreono 14; Tahuna 6, beat Tainui 3; Motuinaoho beat Old Boys by default; Terriers beat Eastern by default. PDKEKOHE. White Star 6, beat Te Kohanga 3. Bombay 18, beat Pukekawa 0. Old Boys 11, beat Tuakau 8. : Juniors. —Tuakau 21, beat Old Boys 0; Te Kohauga beat White Star by default. Third Grade. —Bombay 0, beat White Star 3. TUAKAU. Onewhoro 3, drew with Patumahoe 3. Juniors. —Onewhero 19, beat Patumahoe °' Schools.—Raglan 0, heat Tnakau 3; Mangatawhlri 20, beat Bombay 0. CAMBRIDGE. Hamilton 12, beat Cambridge G. Flannigan, Voico and Cootnbridge (field goal) scored for Hamilton, and Hulmc and Wilson for Cambridge. Juniors. —Pukorimu 3, drew with Maungatautarl A 3; Maungatautari B defaulted to Hautapu. Third Grade. —Lramington 11, boat Northern 0; Hautapu 27, beat United 0. DARGAVILLE. Whnngarel 9, beat Northern Wairoa 3. This was the iirst elimination game in the southern zone of the North Auckland Union in the Brake Shield contest. Northern Wairoa Union.: —Seniors: Ruawai 0, beat* Northern Star 6; Southern 8, beat Dargavllle 0. Third Grade. —Tnngowahine 3, drew with Ruawai 3; Dargavilie 28, beat Kaihu Valley 3; High School 11, beat Southern 9. TE AROHA. McGregor Cup.—To Aroha IC, beat Waihi 0. TE PUKE. McEwon Cup.—Papainoa United 23, beat Maketu 6. For the winners tries were scored by O'Driscoll, Bennett (2), Joyce, Webber, Mulr. Johnson and Davies converted one. For the losers, Corbett scored two tries. Junior.—United 9, beat Papamoa 3. MANUKAU. Clevedon 3, beat Drury 0. Papakura 3, beat Hunua 0. Karaka 12, beat Ararimu 0. Southern United 42, beat College Rifles C. OTAMATEA. Walpu 9, drew with Paparoa 9. Mamiigaturoto 8, beat Marohomo 0. Juniors (friendly game).—Otamatea 21, beat Whangarei 5. PAE-UUA. ' The representative Rugby match between Paeroa and Hauraki Plains and all other sports were postponed on account o£ the state of the ground and the weather. WHANGAREI. Seniors. —Hukurangl 28, beat Maromaku 15; City 23, beat Mangakahia 0; Horahora 14, beat Pipiwai 11; Maungakaramea 3, beat Old Boys 0. Juniors. —Old Boys 18, beat Opuawhanga 0. RODNEY. , Pakeri 0, drew with Makirl 0. Kaitoa 14, beat Puhol 8. Wellsford 0, beat Port Albert 4. WAI OKU. City 5, beat Aka Aka 3. Otaua 13, beat Wafpipi 3. Juniors.—City 3 beat Aka Aka 0; Otaua 8, beat Waipipi G. WAIKARE. Woodleigh 19, beat Waito'rimu 0. Waerenga 10, beat Kangiriri 3. Ohinewai 17, beat Tauiwha Wanderers 0. MANGATAWHIRI. Mangatawhiri 3, beat Mangatangi 0. Pokeno 14, beat Mercer 0. WAIPA. Rovers 12, beat Suburbs 6. Waikeria 24, beat Tokanui 6. Juniors. —Old Boys 8, beat Te Awamutu 0; Te Mawhai 24, beat Rovers 0. Third Grade.—High School 11 beat Suburbs 5; Old Boys 14, beat Te Awamutu 3. ROTORUA. Putaruru 9, beat Rotorua S. High Schools.—Matamata first fifteen 6, beat Rotorua second fifteen 3; Rotorua third fifteen 25, beat Mutnmata 0. Juniors. —Kotormi 12, beat Matamata 0. WHAKATANE. Whakatane 14, drew with Rangltaikl 14. Juniors. —Rangitaiki 8, beat Whakatane 3.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

CHRISTCHURCH. , ■ Sunnyside 8, beat Old Boys 6? ' . Linwood 22, beat Athletic 11. 'Varsity 16, boat Chrietchurch 6. Albion 8, beat Sydenham 4. Christ's College 19, beat St. Bede's 0. PALMERSTON NORTH. Feilding Old Boys 6. drew with Masscy College 6. Orua Downs 9, beat Old Boys 6. Kia Ora 13, beat United 0. Feilding 14, bent WuodvJlle 5. St. Patrick's won by .default from Kongo tea. NBJW PLYMOUTH. Stratford 15, beat New Plymouth Old Boys 0. .■ • » I'atca 6, beat Tukapa 3. United Old Boys 21. beat Inglewood 5. Kltham 27, beat Okaiawa 3. Hawera 14, beat Waimate 6. Clifton 13, beat Opunakc 6. WANGANUI. Kaierau 6, beat Ratana 0. Marist 14, beat Pirates 9. Waverley 9, beat Technical Old Boys 6.

BUNEDIN. ■ University B 6, beat Dunedin 5. Southern 17, beat Union. 6. Pirates 20, beat Alhambra 3. University A 20, beat Kaikorai 8. Zingari 0, beat Taicii S. TIMARU. Old Boys 19, beat Celtic 14. Star 32, beat Goraltline 0. Zingari 0, beatTemuka 0. FEILDING. Feilding 14, beat Woodville 5. WELLINGTON. Hutt 9, drew with Eastbourne 9. Petone 15, drew with Marist 15. Wellington College Old Boys 2G, beat Johnsonville 3. Oriental 4, beat Poneke 3. Athletic 19, beat Wellington 5. Second Division. —University 11, beat St. Patrick's Old Boys 3; Petone Iβ, beat Jliramar 4; Wellington College Old Boys 10, beat Melrose-Selwyn 7. NELSON. Marlborough 19, beat Nelson 11. INVEKCAKGILL. Star 11, beat Old Boys 6. Pirates 38, beat .Alarist 6.

HAWKE'S BAY WIN.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CARTERTON, Saturday. Hawke's Bay met Wairarapa at Carterton to-day on a sodden ground. Occasional showers of rain fell. Hawke's Bay won by 24 to 17. Hawke's Bay opened out well In the first spell, and quickly rattled on 19 points to Wairarapa's 3 from a penalty. The second spell saw Wairarnpa liven up and in quick time, increased their total to 11. Hawke's Bay notched a fine converted try, mnkiug their total 24. Wairarapa from forward play - scored twice more, but Fuller fnllcri badly with tho kicks. Scorers for Hnwke's Bay were Fredsburg, Rolls (2), Apsey, Bradley (2). Wairarapa scorers were Ward, Devlne, Stringfellow and R.! Devine. Fuller coo.vctted one and kicked..*] Jiesattxssal, . ..„: _._ _~r*