RUGBY THRILLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1936, Page 13

RUGBY THRILLS.

EDEN PARK GAMES. I TECHNICALS nippiness. | CLUB SERIES REVIEWED. '| i Quickly, teams in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship series have settled down, with the result that many fine matches were seen on Saturday. Thrill after thrill was packed into the big attraction of the day, the match between Technical College Old Boys and Grammar Old Boyn, and with never more than two points separating the teams the excitement was intense. The nippiness of the Technical backs gave them victory by a single point. Fonsonby and Training College provided a spectacular curtain-raiser, victory going to the more experienced Ponsonby side. On Xo. 2, Eden Park,* University fought hard to draw against Grafton, while Marist beat College Rifles on No. 3. At Sturgcs Park, Otahuhu, playing their first match of the season, triumphed over the promoted North Shore side. Manukau had the bye. Results were:— Ponsonby 17, beat Training College 11. Grafton 17, drew with University 17. Technical 0.8. 9, beat Grammar 0.8. 8. Marist 9, beat College Rifles 3.Otahuhu 19, beat North Shore 6. Manukau, a bye.

TOUCH AND GO. Relentless battling among the forwards and a shrewd understanding, allied to cleverness among t;ic backs, was responsible for the victory of Technical' College Old Boys, last year's champions, over Grammar Old Boys ill the star attraction. It was a game of thrills throughout, with the pace on all the way. There was a glorious climax when, with Technical only one point ahead, Spittall, the Grammar wing threequarter, made a determined burst down the line in a final grim effort to bring victory to his side. lie was flung Into touch. I For Technical College in the last few' minutes of the game, if was touch and go, with Grammar hammering away at their line incessantly. The ball was . tossed about among backs and forwards in the reckless but spectacular manner that betrays desperation. It was a glorious few minutes, in which play swung from flank to flank —grim effort on the part of the Grammar backs countered by relentless tackling by their opponents. With the fierce pressure of the Grammar attack, it seemed that the Technical defence mußt eventually collapse, but never did even one man falter. Grammar's last-minute efforts to score were grand, yet Technical would certainly have been unlucky to have lost. It was the nippiness of the Technical attack which caused Grammar most concern. Tho spectators revelled in it. Early in the game the Technical backs found a weakness in the Grammar second five-eighths line, and Murdoch and Alexander often pranced through to make brilliant openings. In fact, the Grammar backs were harassed and hemmed in throughout the match, and the man who contributed to their discomfort more than any other was MacKenzie, the Technical loose forward, who did not pack into the scrum, and who used his roving commission with much effect. Technical deservedly won by 0 points to 8. Mr. J. G. C. Wales was referee.

PONSONBY'S SECOND SPELL BURST. Bright football was played by the light j and dashing Training College side against I'onsonby in the curtain-raiser to the main game at Eden I'ark, but Ponsonby's greater experience and ability to take advantage ut the openings whicn came their way in the second spell carried them on to victory. Great dash among the forwards, with eager backing up by the backs, kept Training College ahead in the iirst half, and ln'. ir performance up till the time the spell i i gave their supporters every justiheauoa for believing that they, would win. \> hen. the second ,speU started4t difr icrent story. I'onsonby, living up t<r their reputation as a second-spell team,' started. to play real football, and it was not' tong before they had a comfortable lead.;:' Keen interest was naturally taken »in .thfe play of L). Solomon, the 1033 All Black, who made his first appearance at Kdetl' l'ark this season. He did many clever things and was the real pivot r of the I'oiisonby back attack. Next in order of merit among the backs on the field was E. Grant,- who turned over this season from University to Training College, and proved once again to be a dangerous winger, with pace on attack and anticipation on defence. He, saved at least one I'onsonby try. There was plenty of bright play throughout the match, with Training College taking the laurels in the iirst half, and I'onsonby overshadowing their bright exhibition in the second. I'onsonby won by 17 points to 11. ■■■■■%

HEDGE AND PEARSON SHINE. The game between Otahuhu «nd North Shore, played at Sturges Park,, while not productive of high-class football,;;was .made' up of many turns which appeal to the big; gallery of spectators, Otahuhu winning py, 10 points to Shore's ti. The red and blacks were much superior to their, opponents, the speed and snappy play of Hedge, Carroll, l'earson and Brown providing many great passing bouts. The Slioreites appeared to have the advantage of weight in the pack, but could not use it to advantage, as Clark, Otahuhu's hooker, gained _ the ball nine times out of ten. The visiting backs were content to play a spoiling game, ana on quite a number ot occasions the five-, oighths were playing well out of P°sUlon. Otahuhu ran up 13 points in the first half with the wind in their favour, while their opponents failed to register a score ln the second half Shore's extra weight began to tell against Otahuhu, who up considerably, and it was the solid taekling of the red and blacks' rearguard, together with Beyer's strong kicking, which kept them out. I Toward the end of the game Shore had Otahuhu penned in their twenty-flve, and three successive scrums on the home line failed to produce scores through tpe solid defence of the red and blacks rearguard. Otahuhu's. first score for the season came from snappy play by Hedge ani Pt" son, the latter's pace enabling him to cut through the field and touch down, for And} ; Beyer to convert with a fine Kick. The second try was the result of a smart send on from Solomon to Hedge, to Carroll, to Pearson, who beat the field badly to score. Beyer had no difficulty in piloting the ball over the bar. Otahuhu 10, North Shore 0. Hedge had the big crowd on its toes on many occasions, cutting through the opposition in fine style, sending the ball on to Pearson, who gave Brown his opportunity to score. With 13 points in their, favour at the change-over, an casing up was noticeable and the green and whites were showing up better in Individual play, | McKean being very prominent. J or a " infringement a penalty enabled increase the score to lb. Shore s £* st . came from a kick by Waters, who kicked a fine penalty. On one of the_ few occasions that Grant was given the ball he made a great run down the line. *Rom a scrum Hedge cut through, sent to Pearson, then to Brown, who ran over for his second try. Shore' now made a spectacular ral *y and with the ball at toe swept over the line, where Rosenfeld touched down. .McKean broke away smartly from the scrum and sent the ball fo Adams, made a fine run down the line to be pusnea out. It was at this stage that the red and black backs gave a great exhibition ot passing, the ball being handled by each player in turn, even Beyer going up and Clark dropping to full-back. . For Otahuhu Beyer had his kicking boots on and was very safe. Brown did well, although on one occasion lie appeared to De at a loss to know what to do with the ball. Pearson was at his best, Ills safe handling and strong running beingfeatures of his play. Grant was rarely given the ball, and on the few occasions that he am get it he was crowded out on the line. With 13 points' lead it was expected that this player would have been a try* out in the second half to see what hei was made of. Hedge was brilliant and at times his pace got him well ahead of his supports. Hi was Teddy Hedge at his best. Carroll delivered the goods and teamed well with Heilgo. Solomon, behind the scrum, fed his backs well and was great on defence. The forwards all worked hard, with O'Neil, Bullott, Clark and Rountree Pr Up in against a fast and forceful opposition, Shore backs did as well as could be expected, Woodham being very safe. Finlavson handled well and showed some fine turns of speed. Waters, at tr e. played a fine game and was weli by Adams. Sainty and SomervUle out of position on many occasions. Sliaw, at half-back, could not do j'thout the ball. McKean was a ,S r ? at . worker and Rosenfeld was ™ry prominent. Donaldson save promise of, good football, but had luck to meet with an injury to Jus ribs early in the game and. to retire. Mass y put in some solid work. Mr G. Peace was referee.

A DRAWN GAME. In a game that was well contested and containing much that is best in Rugby football, Grafton and University played a i drawn game with 17 jioiuts all on the No. 2 j ground at Eden Park. It was level going for most of the first spell, with not much j advantage to either side, but.in the second | halt the big Grafton forwards asserted a | definite superiority. Then it was that the value of a reliable goal-kicker was exemplified. It was fine for the blues to watch the accurate flight o£ the ball las it soared between tho posts and over the crossbar from Bush's kicks, but it was a keen disappointment to the Grafton pack to see tho margin of points which they laboriously built up steadily dissipated in this fashion. The conditions were favourable kicking—a dry ball and not much wind—and Bush showed his appreciation by kicking four goals during the afternoon, thus accounting for 11 of the 17 points his side scored. On the other hand, Grafton crossed the line five times and only one of the tries was coni verted. Grafton were without the services of Rutherford, who lias iujured his shoulder, ! and Fulton came on .as centre. In the for- ! wards McLean and Bunting were most conspicuous and in tho back division Killeen - was outstanding, while Dick was always , dapgerous when in possession. j For 'Varsity "Bush was a tower of strength. His kicking both for the goal and for the line was always effective and : his tackling sure. Towards the close of the game he strove to force the pace for his side and clinch victory by running well up the field to give his three-quarters a chance, and these tactics were also useful. rr lnglis at half got through a fine work and behind him MulvihilJ and Hitman were most noticeable. For Grafton tries were scored by Dick (2), Morley,- Lilley and Bunting, and one was . converted by McLean. 'Varsity's two tries were both scored by Lewis. 'Mr. J. Finlayson was referee.

MARIST ON TOP OF RIFLES. After a gruelling game characterised by willing exchanges among the forwards and splendid tackling among the backs, Marist finally ran out the winners of the match on No. 3 ground at Eden Park, beating College Rifles by 9 points to 3. Play in the first half was sound, but by no means spectacular since neither set of backs produced any good combined efforts, but Marist had by far the better of the second spell. Cooney and Curtayne got tbrough. l a good deal of work in the Marist fiveI eighth line, Cooney, in particular, proving himself the spirit of the Marist attack; . The splendid tackling of Wales, the Rifles captain, was a foil for many of their most ! promising efforts, however. Bell-Booth, \ on the left wing, was always dangerous | and several times proved a source of trouble to the College Kifles' defence. Among the ■ forwards Butler, of Marist, was easily the i most outstanding packman on the field, . and ably supported by Bailey and Iladley : he led his team to victory. Batty was • prominent In every College Rifles forward ; rush, and was unfortunate to receive a J nasty knock on the bead towards the end of the game. Marist's points came from a Ifree kick by Cooney and tries by Curtayne and Lane. Passruore kicked a goal for the Rifles. Mr. J. Gasparich refcrced.

GRADE GAMES. SENIOR, SECOND DIVISION, ramell 11, beat 'Varsity 8. Manukau 5, beat Takapuna 3. Eden 9, beat Marist 5. SECOND GRADE. Training College 13, beat Marist 0. Training College 14, beat Otahulvu C. Ponsonby 46, beat North Shore 0. Suburbs 14, beat Etlen 3. Grafton 21, beat Manukau 3. Eden 0, beat Marist 5.. THIRD GRADE. Grammar A 11, beat Technical 0.8. 0. Otahuhu 9, beat Grammar 3. Ponsonbr 9, beat Technical 0.8. 6. Parnell 14, beat Sacred Heart 11. Marist 8, beat Manukau .6. Training College 17, beat North Shore 11 Manukau Colts 22, beat St. George's 0. Manukau 23, beat Parnell 0. Manukau 20, beat Waitemata 3. Grammar 25, beat Otahuhu O. Takapuna 6, beat Tamaki 0. Eden SI, beat Suburbs 0. 5-1".- FOURTH GRADE. - j ..Qramtnar ! l4; beat Newton <5, Technical O.B; 6, drew with Otahuhu 6. ' Northcote-10, beat North Shore 5. Suburbs 22, beat Takapuna 9. - fifth Grade. Parnell 19, beat : Technical 0.8. 0. 'P(ltisQnby.'i24, beat Grammar 0. Manukau 8, beat North Shore 3. Suburbs 70, beat Northcote 0. Suburbs 60, beat Manukau 0. Papakura 14, beat Glenora 3. Eden 30, beat Takapuna 0. SIXTH GRADE. Otahuhu 23, beat St. George's 0. Green Lane 3, drew with Papakura 3.

JUNIOR BOYS. SENIORS. Parnell 23. beat Takapuna 3. Manukau 9, beat Newton 6. Suburbs 41, b<?at Marist 0, INTERMEDIATE, Newton 16, beat Suburbs 3. Northcote 12, beat North Shore 3. Manukau' 6, drew with Manukau Colts 6, Takapuna won by default from Ponsonby, JUNIORS. Takapuna 6, beat Newton 0. Manukau 10, beat Panmure 0. Suburbs 15, beat North Shore 0.

GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. THAMES. College Old Boys 25, beat Physical —Ramblers 10, beat College Old Rots 6; High Soliool 33, beat Hui Mai 0, High School 14, beat College Old Boys 0. TE PUIiE. United '6. drew with Pukehina 6. Papamoa 21, beat Maketu 6. Juniors.- —United 3, beat Papamoa 0. TAURANGA. Rangataua 23, beat Matakana 8. 3 ' l b i e , at be T a e t^u> F taua 3 • Judea 8, beat Matapihi 6; Athlctics 11, beat Cadets Old Boys 0. HELENSVILUE. Parakal 22, beat Sllverdale 3. if. n kanaka pa 18, beat Helensville 3. juniors.— -Woodhill 21, beat Parakai 0. DARGAVILLE. Northern Star 11. beat Southern 3. 1 Boys 13 Kaihn Valley 13, beat Tangowahine 0 , 16. beat High School 6. WHANG AREI. City 9, beat Maungakaramea 0. Hikurangi 11, beat Kaitoa .Ho r ahora 6 . CUy'o. beaTHigh School' 5; Onerahi 11, beat rade High School 17, beat Old School C 5; School B 6, beat School D 0. OTAMATEA UNION. • Maungaturoto 12, beat W a ip U 8 . "Pjrnaroa 28, beat United "• _ Mangawai 10, beat Kaiwaka 0.

games in the south. WELLINGTON. Eastbourne 8, beat Poneke 6. Athletic 20, beat Marist u. Wellington 19, beat Petone IT. Old Boys 15, beat Hutt 7. INVERCARGILL. Marist 15. beat Albion 11. Blues 12, beat Star 0. Pirates 45, beat Mataura G. MASTERTON. Red Star 19, beat Martinborougli 5. NEW PLYMOUTH. Tukapa S4,.beat Old Boys 5. Tnzlewood 8 # bGfl.t Star o. Kaponga 17/ beat Obaiawa 0. Stratford 22, beat United 0. CHRISTCHURCH. am Boys 10, beat Varsity n riiristchurch 24, beat Albion o. 22, beat Merivale 21. Sunnysfde 18.' beat Linwood S. PALMERSTON NORTH. FefldTng ofd Boys 9, beat Feilding B 0.

HASTINGS. M.A.C. 13, beat Celtic 11. Havelock North 11, beat Hastings 7. WANGANDI. Kaierau 14, beat Marist 3. Technical Old Boys 11, drew with Old Boys 11. ,«• Pirates 14, beat Ratana 3. NAPIER. Napier High School Old Boys 16, beat Marist Brothers Old Boys 9. Hastings High School Old Boys 18, beat Pirates 7. DUXEDIN. Alhambra 22, beat 'Varsity B 11. Ivaikoral 8, beat 'Varsity A 0. Southern IS, beat Dunedln 3. Union 21, beat Ziugari 3. Pirates 19, beat Taieri 14, TIMARU. Star 7, beat Old Boys 6. Temuka 9, beat Zingari 8. Wailii 10, beat Geraldine G. TAIHAPE. Hautapu 0, drew with Pirates 0. Utiku 12, beat Old Boys 3. Mangaweka 2, beat Huia 0. OAMARU. Athletic 26, beat Excelsior 0. Maheno 28, beat Old Boys 3.