RUGBY IN HAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 15

RUGBY IN HAIL.

CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS. GRAFTON DOWN TO MARIST. TWO MATCHES DRAWN. Hail storms, thunder and a biting wind that whistled around the grandstand made conditions uncomfortable for players and spectators alike at Eden Park oil Saturday afternoon, when the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship of 1036 opened. With eleven teams in the first division ot' the competition, the season gives promise of many interesting matches. Last year's champions Technical College Old Boys and University produced spectacular play in bursts in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park, the game ending in a draw. The big attraction was the match between Marist and Grafton, and after a hard battle in which the forwards won most of the applause, Marist were victorious. Training College, back in the field after an enforced absencc of a couple of seasons, opened with, a spectacular win over College Rifles. North Shore's reintroduction to first grade was not encouraging for them, Ponsonby winning by nearly 30 points. Manukau and Grammar battled to a fivepoint draw at Sturgess Park, while Otaliuhu had a bye. Results were:— Marist 8, beat Grafton 6. University 6. drew with Technical 6. Training College 21, beat College Rifles 0. Ponsonby 32, beat North Shore 3. Grammar 5, drew with Manukau 5.

A FIERY PACK,

A fiery pack that never let up throughout the. match and a set of backs that produced a stubborn defence contributed to the win by Jlarist over Grafton in the main attraction at Eden Park. Under the atrocious conditions, and ill view of the fact tnat the match was the first of the reason, splendid forward football was produced. One of the features of the match was the excellent line-out work and leadership of the Marist pack by .T. Butler, the Marist captain. He was a real inspiration to Ins men, and they hunted after him in fine stvle Mcnugli, Sullivan and Itadley being ever at his heels. It was the bustling tactics of this big and solid pac.k winch carried Marist to victory. The effort;? of the Grafton pack wei>« just as sound and effective in patches, but they did not exert themselves &s consistently ns did tlieir opponents. , , , It was not a day for back play, but there was enough to get a line-on the. pos-. nihilities of the respective sets. Neither appealed as likely to be outstanding, and tliev will probably be noted for their solidity rather than their brilliance. There was an exception-, however, in-either side. Back to the Marist fold from the North, Li. Cooney, at live-eights, did several reallv clever things and lie gave the impression ' that he will settle down to be the real pivot of.the Marifit back attack. Doubtless the best back on the field was B. A. Killeen, who has started fresh and fit after a season of bumps, injuries and recurring knee trouble last year.; He was responsible for some brilliant bursts, scheming all through for the tries that would bring victory to his side. Mneli interest was taken in the play of Rutherford, Grafton's .new centre from Taranaki, but liis bow to Auckland football was not auspicious. His handling was always erratic. The Grafton backs, however, taken man for man, looked a more likely lot than Marist, and with Killeen to add lustre to their play, they should settle down into a solid attacking force. _ Grafton have bagged "a good catch in Gable, a big forward from Nelson, who proved himself as capable with liis hands as with his feet, and he was always followed closelv by Duncan, with McLean, the new Grafton skipper, giving spasmodic support. The familiar figure of Bunting was frequently -prominent. He had an opportunity of winning the match for his side with a penalty goal in front of the posts, but a treacherous wind carried it outside the' posts and Grafton's chances of success thereafter faded. •

Mnrist's eight points came from n. try by Sullivan and another by Lane, 'tlie first' being converted by Cooney. Grafton scored two tries, Clarke going over after fast following-up, and Arkle, their new and nippy half, scoring, brilliantly in a blind side dash. r Mr. G. TV. Henderson was referee.

WHERE CONDITION TELLS.

The benefits of a thorough preparation were strikingly manifested on Saturday, when Training College had a runaway victory over College Rifles by 21 points to nil. The students were evidently trained to the minute, and on the day, with conditions that made a special cjilJ for. endurance, they would have been a tough problem for any team in the competition. The game was played under abominable conditions, with frequent showers of heavy sleet and cyclonic gusts. In the tirst half Training College liad to face the gale. It was a severe test, but they met it hardily and had all-- the best of the game, though their actual score when the spell ended was only five points. Rifles, were beaten both back and forward, and it was surprising to note how well the students handled and dribbefl the slippery ball which proved so elusive for their opponents. In a team where success came chiefly from allround excellence it is invidious to particularise. Hare at full-back gave an outstanding performance. He handled exceptionally well, converted three out of four tries, and kicked a penalty goal. Grant, on the wing, showed a line turn of speed when he completely beat the opposing backs to score the first try. The other three tries were all scored by Fletcher from the five-eighths position. Rifles were unfortunate, first in meeting so fit a team, and secondly in not being able to take the field as originally intended. Their half, Thompson, was an absentee, his place being taken by Vear. The fullback,- Tilly, was a remove from the threequarter line, and lie was obviously uncomfortable in the new position. Wales got through an immense amount of work, and 13. Batty and Buntin were conspicuous amongst the forwards. Final score : Training College 21, College Rifles nil. Mr. J, O. C. Wales was referee.

"SCRAMBLE" AT STURGESS PARK.

The weather conditions under which the game between Manukau and Grammar Old Boys was played at Sturgess Park were such that nothing more than a scramble could hane been expected. The winning of the tows gave Manukau supporters high hopes that the judicious use of the gale would enable them to pile up a good score in tile first half and at the same time ta«e the sting out of Grammar's attack in the change over. Contrary to expectations Grammar, with the ball at the toe, took play right into the southerners' territory, and it was only the excellence of Grant's defence that kept them out. Concerted play was impossible, and a sodden ball, which was blown in all directions, precluded any accuracy in passing, and the game developed into solo efforts. With no scores recorded at half-time Grammar's chances for a win looked good, but Pepper, l'earce, Wiklund and Co. took a hand, and it was well over 20 minutes before Grammar took play into tlieir opponents' territory. Then came one of tUe few bright turns of the game. Knight booted the ball hard and followed over the line, but could not touch down. A general mix up followed, and Kelly was awarded a try, which Sly Held converted. Kelly received a nasty knock and had to go off. Up and down the field play of the Soccer type followed, and then Manukau made a determined effort to equalise. From a scramble Pearee went over near the posts and Wiklund goaled, making the score five i ail. ' '

Grammar pressed hard for a win and were nearly over once or twice. Wiklund,. who had been playing a great game, received a very painful knock and was going off, but changed his mind and limped back to put his weight.in the pack on his goal line when the whistle went.

For Manukau, Grant at full-back played splendidly. Flett was always prominent,, 'mil little worked hard. Hadfield at half handled as well as could be expected. Wiklund was easily the best forward on the ground, being on the ball all the time. lie was ably supported by I'epper and Pearce, two tireless workers. Tile former took the ball at his toe right through iiis opponents for about 40 yards, and it was from this that Manukau's score came.

Grammar's custodian. McCowan, _ wns v ery safe, and Fletcher showed surprising speed at times. Jessup and Kelly played well. Corner was very safe and his tackling was excellent. Lockington, C. i'-rown and Slyfleld were the pick of the f .rv.ards. Knight's effort from which a !■■■■;re resulted was his best piece of the The gale of wind gave . his pace 1 weight and enabled him to beat r to the ball. Mr. E. C. Paul was,

Through a keen, even forward struggle. With the bitter elements ot" winter as a third contestant, to a thrilling surprise finish—that was the general trend of the ; drawn curtain-raiser, Technical Old Boys v. university. It might be said that in j the last minute of the game came the first I big thrill of the season for the crowd at Iwlen Park. It was right on time, with the score at o—3 in the favour of last year's champions, and it looked as if that would be the way In which the game would end. But with a valiant effort, which culminated in a pretty passing rush, in spite of tlie slippery conditions, right along 'Varsity's back line, the royal blues carried the ball on to Teclinical's goal line. Trying to put an end to the game, one of the greens threw the ball out, and his side was penalised. Bush took the kick across the wind from the sideline, and tlrew the game gloriously as the rain poured down again. Combined back play was difficult, but some tine individual work was -seen. The two full-backs', Bush and Turbott, were prominent, being both safe and enterprising. Turbott won Teclinical's try with a line dash. Hayman, 'Varsity's ex-Canter-bury three-quarter, was full of great lire and energy, and his speedy dashes were highlights of the game. The forwards were evenly matched, with little between them in the pack. Among Teclinical's liaeks Lash was prominent, solid in defence and strong in kicking. At half-back HeW worked soundly in difficult conditions. SHORE OUTCLASSED. North Shore suffered a severe but by no means ignominious defeat at the hands of Ponsonby, who combined with such effect that playing with the win a in the first half they soon piled up the points, and at halftime were leading 2(!—0. The game was played under miserable conditions, and a certain amount of Ponsonby's success may be attributed to the assistance of the wind and rain in tlie first spell. The Ponsonby backline were in great form, and the game ended 3- —3 in Ponsonby's favour. Jamieson was as elusive as ever at first fiveeighth, while D. Soloman outside him was responsible for many of his side's tries, fast following up and clever placing of his kicks seeming to he the basis of his play. Ilay was brilliant on the wing, and made very few mistakes in defence, his splendid kicking with both feet being very useful.

In the second half the Shore forward division battled valiantly, but the Fonsonby pack proved equal to tlie strain, and by constant passing were able to score three more tries. \V. Knight was tlie best of a solid pack of Ponsonby forwards, while all the North Shore forwards played gallantly in front of a weak set of backs. Tries were scored for tlie "Ponies" by F. Soloman, Carson (2J), Hay (4), D. Soloman, Moses and Fraser. Jamieson converted one. North Shore's only try was secured by Castaign. Mr. J. G. Gasparich was referee.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIOR SECOND DIVISION. University 11, beat Takapuna 3. SECOND GRADE. Otahiiliu 32. beat College Rifles 6. Training College 34, beat Shore 0. Grafton 20, beat Eden S. Manukau 5. beat Marist 0.8. 3. Grammar 0.8. 3, beat Nortlicote 0. Trinity College won by default from Panmure. Technical 0.8. 12, beat Ponsonby 5. THIRD GRADE. Technical 0.8. 37, beat, Ponsonby 0. Manukau 23. beat Takapuna 0. Grammar 10, bent Waitemata 0. "Takapuna 12, beat Grammar 3. Grammar A 22, beat St. George's 0. Grafton 24, beat Training College 6.

" THIRD INTERMEDIATE. , s I Grafton 27, beat College Rifles 0. !- Marist 14, beat Otaliuliu 3. e Eden 29, beat Philomel 0. c: Training College G, beat Sacred Heart 0. % Manukau S. beat 'Varsity 0. i Grammar won by default from Shore, s t FOURTH GRADE, f Northcote 26, beat Parnell 0. Marist S, beat Shore 3. 7 . Grafton. 27, beat College Rifles 0. Takapuna 12, beat Grammar 0.8. 3. t 1 FIFTH GRADE. ' Ponsonby 29, beat Northcote 3. . . •Marist won by default from Grammar. Parnell 30, beat Shore 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. i 1 TAURANGA. 5 The Rugby season opened in bleak 1 and windy weather. Results : — Cadets Old Boys 19, heat Kangatuau 14. Juniors.—Omokoroa IS, beat Athletic 0; Matapihi IS, beat Cadets Old Boys 11. B THAMES. The Thames Rugby Union opened Its ; season in wintry weather. Results:— College Old Boys won by default from Physical Training 11. beat Ngatea 6. Juniors.—High School 20, beat College Old Boys 3. DARGAVILLE. All football fixtures were abandoned on account of wet weather. RODNET. Port Albert 10. beat Wellsford 3. Puiioi C, beat Kaipara Flats 0. Paltiri G, beat Warkworth 3. WHANG AREI. Citv 9, beat Old Boys C. Maungakaramea 0, drew with ICiotoa 0. Senior B. —TVliatitiri 12, drew with Manaia 12 ; Pipiwai 6, beat Mangakahia 0. Juniors. —-High School 5, beat Old Boys 3; Oneralii 23, beat ITorahora 11. Third Grade. —Horaliora 32, beat Old Boys 0. Fourth Grade.—High School 8. beat Old Boys S. . PUKEKOHE-FRANKLIN. White Star 3, beat Bombay 0. Onewliero 11,' beat Tuakau 3. Old Boys 12, beat Patumalioe S. Junior.—White Star 9, beat Bombay 6 ; Old Boys 6, beat I'atumahoe 0. The One-whero-Tuakau match at Onewliero was abandoned. POKENO. Sevcn-a-side Tournament.—Pokeno A was the winner, defeating Mangatangi 15—0 in the final. HAMILTON. Owing to the sodden state of the grounds and the wet weather conditions, Rugby football matches were postponed. MATAMATA. Stockdale Cup Senior Knockout.—Wardville 6, bent Patetere 3; Ilinuera 44, beat Matamata 0. Juniors.—Wardville 0, drew with Walton 0; Old Boys 12, beat Ilinuera 0. PAEROA. ITikutaia 12, beat Convent Old Boys 3. 1 Netherton 8, beat West 3. ROTORUA. Whaka 11. beat Utuliine 8. Waikite 32. beat Kahukura 8. Juniors. —Ngongotalia 9, beat Utuhine 3 : Waikite 5, beat Ngakuru 3 ; High School G, beat Old Boys 0; Rotoiti 9, beat Whaka 3. TE PUKE. United 8, beat Maketu 0. J uniors.-—Papamoa' 3, beat Paengaroa 0. WIIAKATANE. < Paroa 27, beat Taneatua 0. !. ! Poro Poro 25, beat City 6. , Juniors.—Waimana 21, beat Poro Poro 0; Wairaka beat Whakatane. ; Third Grade. —High School beat Tanea- l tua.

OPOTIKI. O.M.P. 6, beat Country 0. Juniors.—High School Old Boys 6, beat Country 3,; O.M.P. S, beat City 6. OHURA. ' Ohura 20, beat Tokirima 5. Matiere 17, beat Nihoniho 13. MANUKAU SUB-UNION. At a meeting of' the Manukau Sub-Union it wns decided to commence the season on May. !), when both senior and junior competitions will kick off. Seven clubs are now affiliated with the union. Clearances for players to play with city teams were discussed at a special meeting of the union, at which the chairman of the management • committee of the Auckland. Rugby Union attended. C. Ross and W. Lilburne (Hunua) were granted dispensa-, tions to play with Oiahuhu, and R. Dow (CleVedon) to Ponsonby. , Competition games will be played at Papakura this season. J?lie AucKlnnu Union's senior b.ve team is also to play matches throughout the sub-union s territory.

CHAMPIONS SHARE POINTS.

2—3—2 SCRUM. WELLINGTON BREAKS AGREEMENT (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Several clubs played the 2—3 —2 scrum formation in the opening games of the competitions of the Wellington Rugby Union yesterday, although the majority of the delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union favoured three men in the front row in the Dominion. Other clubs used the 3—i—1 formation and one club adopted the 3 —2 —3. Mr. J. Prendeville, president of the Wellington Rugby Union, interviewed on the subject, said that clubs could play what formation they liked within the rules. These only stipulated not more than three in the front row. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Union had decided that there should be three men in the front row for matches under the control of the national body and recommended unions and clubs to adopt that formation. The Wellington Rugby Union had decided that it would use three men in the front row in its representative matches and had recommended clubs to adopt that formation. The clubs, however, were not bound to do so. Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, spoke at the annual meeting of that body in favour of uniformity throughout New Zealand. When asked if lie wished to comment on the fact that some clubs had used the old scrum formation ho said that he did not desire to say anything at present.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH. NAPIER. Technical Old Boys 9, drew with Havelock 0. Marist 5, beat Pirates 3. MANAWATU. Rugby Old Boys 8, beat Kia Toa 6. Feilding Old Boys 42, beat United 5. Massey College 17, beat Feilding B IG. HASTINGS. Hastings 3, drew with Napier Old Boys 3 Celtic 32, beat Hastings Old Boys 11. CHRISTCHURCH. Sunnyside 6, beat Albion 3. Christchurch 37, beat 'Varsity 3. Merivale 10, beat Linwood 0. Old Boys 6, beat Athletic 0. NORTH OTAGO. Athletic 12, beat Old Boys 6. Malieno 30, beat Excelsior 0. INVERCARGILL. Old Boys 39, beat Matnura 12. I'irates 35, bent Marist 0. Star 9, beat Albion 3. WANGANUI.

Marist 3, drew with Technical Old Boys Waverlcy 43, beat Old Boys 3. TARANAKI. Tukapa 33, beat United Old Boys 5. Clifton 10, beat Old Boys 3. Kaponga 10, beat Eltliam 0. Opunake 8, drew with Waimate 8. WELLINGTON. First Division. Poneke IC, beat Old Boys 6. Eastbourne 0, beat Wellington 3. Athletic 0, drew with Petone 0. Hutt 9, beat Marists 5. Second Division. St. Patrick's 0.8. 21, beat Marist 8. Johns 3, beat 'Varsity 0. United 3, beat Oriental 0. Athletic 15, beat SJiramar 9. TIMARU. Star 4C, beat Celtic 3. Zlngari 20, beat Wallii 10. Old Boys 20, beat Temuka 8. DUNEDIN. University A 19, beat Zlngari 0 Union 13. beat Alhambra 3. Dunedin !). beat University B 0. Southern 7, bent I'irates 3. Taierl IG. boat Kaikorai 3.