RUGBY LADDER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 14

RUGBY LADDER.

PONSONBY STILL LEAD. GRAMMAR GO UNDER. SPECTACULAR' BIG GAME. Old rivals, Ponsonby and Grammar, produced a fast and spectacular game in the' star attraction at Eden Park on Saturday i afternoon, when the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship series was continued. It w.as a match in which speed beat solidity., for Ponsonby to maintain their lead at the head of the championship table. In one of the highest scoring games senior Rugby has known for many a day, Marist swamped the promoted North Shore team in a curtain-raiser. Out at Sturges Park Otahuhu soundly beat University in a bright match. College Rifles scored their first victory of the season with a win by a point over Manukau. At Papakura Grafton beat Technical by one point. , , The well known Ponsonby forward, Frank Solomon, was badly injured in the big match and was carried off on _aj stretcher to be taken later to hospital ior observation. Results were:— Ponsonbv 27, beat Grammar 20. Marist 54, beat North Shore 3. College Rifles 9, beat Manukau 8. Grafton 9, beat Technical 8. Otahuhu 22, beat University 8.

- DEFEAT OF GRAMMAR. Bv a spectacular and convincing victory over their old rivals, Grammar, in, the star attraction at Eden Park, I'onsonby maintained their lead at the head of the championship table. It was a victory in which the collaborative efTort of forwards and backs triumphed over the greater weight of ii sifle which was forced to rely mainly oil its forwards to bring them success. There was not a dull moment, and, playing up to "the high standard of the football the previous week, the teams produced a spectacle that kept the crowd cheering. Within the first few minutes, Grammar were six points up, their forwards at this stage having a strangle-liold on the game. Then Ponsonby set to work, and the backs revealed an understanding that never once broke down, and speed that left the Grammar backs gasping. With devastating attack that scattered and bewildered a defence that was already under ' suspicion, Ponsonby forwards and backs.collaborated brilliantly, and their first two tries were glorious efforts. AVith a lightning burst that was typical of him, Janiieson burst clean through to score between the posts. An incisive dash by Moses put Ponsonby on attack again, and in the next minute a delightful piece of work between Jamieson and D. Solomon—a perfect Windside movement—led to a try by Knight. Two minutes later Carson went over, and, with Hook's three conversions, Ponsonby had 15 points on the board—a nine-point lead. . Territorially there was not a great deal between the two teams, but Ponsonby's ability to seize with both hands every opportunity that came their way, and their swift, open and spectacular tactics led them to a victory that was richly deserved. They played the open, telling game,, throwing the ball about with glorious abandon and delighting with their speed and elusiveness. The Grammar backs were not » happy lot. McKay, a newcomer in the fiveeighths line, showed pace and penetration, and Fletcher, at centre three-quarter, was always dangerous in possession. A young and dashing wing, D. Flett, played attractively. But the Grammar backs were not able to collaborate like their opponents, and were seldom really dangerous as an ing force. Individually they did many good tmngs. GRAFTON'S NARROW WIN. Under ideal conditions and followed by a very large crowd, Grafton came out victors against Technical 0.8. by 9 points to 8 at Papakura. Grafton lost the toss, and Technical kicked-off with the sun in their eyes. Graf- + for the first w ? chnrge on the Grafton I'orfvpi^ol d 8 ?- w Byerley score. Lash converted. Poor play, with many offside infringements, - followed. - Grafton were awarded a free-kick in front of the goal? Biw Pearman missed. Immediately after Fraser scored a try after a „ effort - Pearman missed. Technical o, Grafton 3. Two free-kicks were taken by McLean without effect. An )J<h hnVl ? s F r , um b >'- Grafton saw if J"' 1 ., hl ' post with a good kick. Technical s backs went right away, the ball passing across the ' field twice Turbott ■scoring a splendid try.—Lash mi™ed. ,J* e J eCO , nd °P en ed with vigour, both sides playing football'of the .best quality. Anderson off-side, gave Lash another easy JFJ*f± f hich he missed. This was immediately followed by Pearman missing another, a he game was now keen and after up and down play l)ick pnshtd his way over making Grafton's score-6. Pearman missed! August was putting In some hard work tor Tech. Lash missed another "free." Rayment essayed a pot, but it went wide. Grafton now were making every effort to equalise. Grim , passing rushes were being spoilt by off-side play.. The Tech. forwards w S i. n? hard and gained a free kick which Lash again missed. Grafton's effortii •were soon rewarded, Dick going over for a great try. Roddick missed. The game ZfX n ,?™,! lard ' b "£ the whistle blew with Graf ton on the attack. OTAHUHU DEFEATS UNIVERSITY. Otahuhu, with a rearranged team, Including reinforcements by the inclusion of Jones in the forwards and Carroll In the backs, gained a very decisive win by 2° points to 8 over 'Varsity at Sturges Park, ihe and blacks were superior in both the forward and back divisions, the latter having too much pace for the blues' rearguard. The game was a bright one with plenty of hne handling • by the backs. Otahuhu 3 six tries were the result of clever attacking and brilliant handling, with a strong wind and a bright sun in their favour Otahuhu scored three tries in the first half. Bush had s'everal attempts to score for his side but it was not his kicking day. ■ >. 'Varsity's chances looked 'good with the ' change over, but the fed and blacks were going great guns and., rang on 13 points in the second spell to 'Varsity's <fl£lit. Be ,ver was very sound. " illiams, in his new position on the was a Mr improvement on last week Brown tackled well and was. a muchth,f rOV Player. Pearson's speed showed the opposition up in, sojne of his laany wi efforts. Carroll played well, his judgment in passing being a big factor i.i hU sides success.- Hedge lost his opponents time and again, and Movie was outstanding. The forward Were aU goJd! particularly Joe Jones and O'Neill For 'Varsity Bush had a day off. being slow with his returns. Cooney and Mulvihill were the best of the backs, together with lugHs at half, who was a tireless worker. Morgan, Thomas and Drake-were the of a hard working pack. Mr J Malcolm was referee. RECKLESS PLAY. College Rifles scored a surprise but well • I'-served win on Xo. 2 ground where they }>:«t got home by 0 points to 8 after a gruelling game. Although the Rifles had the advantage of a steady breeze in the iirst half there was no score, and Manukau I had easily the upper ,han(l throughout the! spell. The inside backs worked with machine-like accuracy and kept two very| capable wings constantly on the run. The blue forwards battled'well but the backs showed a general lack of understanding when compared with the splendid combination of their opponents, although Thompson pia.ved his customary excellent game' behind the scrum. BrJmlile was as sound a« ever and showed great Soundness ofhandling as well us penetrative ability. In the Kecond spell It was a different tale. MrCormick sprinted through a gap in the Manukau defence and threw the ball wide to Clapham. who had a clear run in. A moment later l'hssmnre goaled with a kick from well out. and then the Rifles showed Just what they really can do.' They struck the top of their form, and despite the gallant efforts of their opponents tliey Hirew the ball about with such reckless abandon that tliey had the Manukau team, which is an undoubtedly better side, defending their line desperately on a-number ol

| occasions. About half way through the | spell Sayers scored for the blacks through I sheer pace, and not long after the oppoftunism of Brimble resulted in Hankins I goin£ over near the sideline. The Rifles canio again, however, and right on time Wales finished a very sound exhibition by diving across from a scramble near the corner. Pearce and Smith of Manukau were the pick'of the forwards on both Sides, with Stewart, of Rifles, running them very clos?. Batty was also prominent in everv blue rush. Thompson and Wales pinvetl outstandingly for the winners, and Brimble deserves special mention for a characteristically sound display in the | Manukau back line. I MARIST HAS A FIELD DAY. For the curtain-raiser at Eden Park Marist Old Boys were opposed to rsorth Shore and won all tlie wny, putting up tlie big score of r»4 points to 3. Quite early it was apparent that the lads from across tlie water were 110 match for Marist. bliort of training, they lacked and condition, fatal defects when faced with a fifteen wlio took the field at tlie ton of their form. After the first quarter of an 1 hour it became clear that Marist had tlie match in hand and thenceforward they made it a practice game. Not an aimless, liappv-go-lucky exhibition, such as one sometimes sees under such circumstances, but a display of Rugby as it should be played Tlie spectators were treated to attractive, exhilarating football as tlie Marist backs, with speed and accuracy, had the opposition completely bewildered. With machine-like precision and almost monotonous regularity, Hadle.v shot tlie ball from well-packed scrums and just as surely Irvine flashed it out to his fiveeighth. Quite often every back in the team handled tlie ball with short, snappy passes, ordinary and reverse, and the speed of the movements left the opposition standing. When the referee blew his whistle for time Marist had to their credit tlie extraordinary score of 34 points, comprising 14 tries, of which six were converted. Tries were obtained bv Logan (4). Hardy (3>, fooney (3), Bell - Booth (2), Butler (1), Toye (1).. Curtayne converted live and Elliot or<. The o'nlv score for Shore was a try secured by McNeil. AUCKLAND TEAM CHOSEN. The following team has been chosen by Mr. .T. H. Mtiir. sole selector to the Auckland Rugby Union, to represent Auckland in its annual match against Waikato at Hamilton on Wednesday next : — Full-hack— R. G] Bush (University). Three-quarters. —J. DieK (Grafton), A. Fletcher (Grammar), K. Moses (Ponsonby), Five-eighths.—l). Solomon (l'onsonby), C. Murdoch (Technical). Half-back.—T. Thompson (College Rifles). Front Row.—A. Brown (Grammar), W." Hadlev (Marist), W. Cooper (Technical). Second Row. —T. Lockington (Grammar), J. Butler (Marist). W. Carson (l'onsonby), Ij.: Drake (University). Back Row—ll. F. McLean (Grafton). Reserves.—Backs : E. Moylc (Otahuhu), E." Grant (Training CoLlege). forwards : H. Bond (Ponsonby), C. Smith (Manukau). WAIKATO REP. TEAM. The following players have been selected to represent the Waikato Rugby Union in a match to be played against Auckland nt Hamilton on Wednesday :— Full back. -A. Lissette (Hamilton). TlirpA-niinrtGrs.—l}. Buick (Hamilton), A. j/AHken (Morrinsville), A. 11. Griffiths ' "Half-back.-—L. Russell (Morrinsville). Five-eighths.—G. Solomon (laupiri), W. Cameron (Morrinsville). Back Row.—L. Partington (Hamilton). Middle Row.—F. Cassid.v (Hamilton), J. Lewer (Morrinsville), T. Thomson (\>aipa), G. Leeson (Morrinsville). Front Row.—J. Leeson (Morrinsville). E. A. Catley (Taupiri), J. M. laylor (TauPl Reserves. —Forwards : J. Tristram (Hamilton), J. Sliarpe (Matamata). Backs: F. Jones (Hamilton), Peake (Cambridge), Karl (Taupiri). GRADE GAMES. • •' SENIOR B. Marist 9, beat 'Varsity 0. Suburbs 12, beat Manukau 6. Eden 29, heat Takapuna 3. SECOND GRADE. ponsonby 50. beat , Training College- 3. Technicol Old Boys' 15, beat Otahuhu 0. Grafton 3i: beat Marist 3. Northcote 21,»beat Shore 5. Panmure 13, beat Suburbs 3. Waitemata 41; beat Manukau 0. THIRD GRADE.. Manukau Colts 6, beht Grammar A 5. Grammar Colts 22, beat College Rifles 0. Grafton 44, beat Waitemata 3. St. George's 22, beat Manukau 9. Parnell beat Training College by default. Technical Old Boys 6, beat Takapuna 5. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Eden 22, beat Ponsonby 0. Marist 15, beet 'Varsity, 0. • Ponsonby 18, drew with Tamaki 18. Grafton 16, beat Otahuhu 8. Grammar Old Boys 59, beat College Rifles 3 ' Technical Old-Boys beat Shore by default. FOURTH GRADE. Shore 14, beat Newton 11. Manukau 33. beat Ponsonby 3. Suburbs 8, beat Technical - Old Boys 3. Marist 14. beat Grammar 6. Takapuna 22, beat Otahuhu 14. FIFTH GRADE. Takapuna 18, beat Marist 6. St. George's 3. drew with Northcote 3. Shore o,'heat St. George's 3. Manukau 8, beat Parnell 5. Suburbs 13. beat Ponsonby 0. Eden beat Grammar by default. SIXTH GRADE. Grafton 9, beat Technical Old Boys 8: St. George's 19, beat Parnell 11. Eden 12, beat St. George's 0. Manukau 11, beat Otahuhu 9. Suburbs 28, beat Panmure 3. JUNIOR BOYS. ■ SENIORS. ■» - Parnell 8, beat Eden 3. Suburbs 20, bent Ponsonby 3. Newton. 23, beat Takapuna 0. INTERMEDIATE. Manukau 11, beat Marist 5. ■Manukau'Colts 14, beat Shore,o., Suburbs 9, beat Otahuliu 0. St. George's 19, beat Parnell 11. Newton 15, beat Takapuna 0. JUNIORS. Shore 12, beat Parnell 0. Suburbs 9, beat Eden 0. Takapuna 17, beat Manukau 9. GAMES? IN THE SOUTH. | NAPIER. : \ Technical Old Boys. 23, beat Napier High School Old Boys 11. • M.8.0.8. 9. beat M;A.C. 4. MASTERTON. i Red Star 12, beat plfl Boys 5. Martinborougli 16,-' beat Gladstone 14. Carterton 14, ~beat. Dalefleld 3. NEW PLYMOUTH. Taranaki B 1,4 beat Wanganui B 6. r • WANGANUI. Taranaki 17, beat Wanganui 9. CiHIfISTCHURCH. •Sunnyside 16, beat 'Varsity 0. Lihwobd 30. beat Sydenham 6. Old Bovs 17, beat Merivale 3. Albion 24, beat Athletic 14. DUNEDIN. Zitigari 11, beat Dunedin 8. . . Unfon ' 22, beat Taieri 14. Pirates 12, beat; 'Varsity A 8. Southern 41, bftat 'Varsity 0.8. 0. Kaikorai 17, beat Alhambra 6. i IXVERCARGILL. Invercargill 17, beat Old Boys 8. Mataura 14, beat Star 13. Pirates 23, beat Albion 13. . TIMARU.' i Temuka 16, beat Celtic 6. ! Star 'St beat Zlngari 6. Old Boys 9, beat Geraldlne 3. : NELSON. Nelson 5, beat Old Boys 0. W'aimea 9, beat Rivals C. Rovers 8, beat Pirates 5. WELLINGTON. (First Division.) Athletic 10, beat Wellington 8. Wellington College Old Boys 13, beat Eastbourne 6. Poneke 11, beat Marist 3. I'etone 3, beat Hutt 0. (Second Division.) Johnsonville 15. beat Oriental 6. St. Pat's College 0.8. 19, beat Athletic 3. Miramar 11, beat United 7. University; 13, beat Pirates 9. oa'maru. Old Boys 19, beat Maheno 14. Athletic 11, beat Excelsior 8.

TARANAKI WIN. ■ ' ! I GAME WITH WANGANUI. , (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ' WANGANUI, this day. ! A Rugby representative match between . Taranaki and Wanganui was played to-day I in fine weather before a large attendance. ! Wanganui kicked off with the sun in their eyes and took play well into Taranaki, , territory. Here they were awarded a free and Petersen kicked a line goal. Wanganui 3. Taranaki O. The visitors immediately attacked and a passing rush ended in Ford crossing. The kick failed and the score was three all. The game had only been in progress for ten minutes. The locals again invaded Tarartliki territory and were awarded another penalty, Petersen again goaling. Wanganui 0, Taranaki 3. Even and fast play followed, mostly in Taranaki territory. The locals were getting tlie ball from the scrum and the backs were playing well. They maintained the attack until Taranaki were relieved by a lino run by Ford to the Wanganui twentyfive. Passing by the visitors' backs let Fen ton away and he scored a lino try, which was not converted—six all. Wanganui quickly returned to the attack, a wild pass spoiling a great chance. Then Chase was all but over. A Taranaki forward rush beat the locals back to to their own half, where play was at half-time. Wanganui <> Taranaki 6 The second half opened at a fast rate. Ford broke. away but Campbell overtook and grassed him. The visitors were forced back to their own twenty-five, where Peterson missed an easy shot from a penalty. Wanganui pressed hotly, Taranaki fighting for their lives. The locals were all but over three times in quick succession. Mishandling by the locals gave Taranaki a chance to assume the aggressive, and further mulling left Galbraith over for a try which Collins converted. Taranaki 11, Wanganui 6. The local forwards, showing dash, quickly had Taranaki penned down, but MeNeile. by fine play, forced the locals back. Chase, however, secured and scared near the corner after a splendid run. Taranaki 11, Wanganui 9. The locals again attacked strongly and did everything but score. Beaten back to their own twenty-five, Wanganui were penalised, and Collins landed a goal. Just on time 'MeNeile broke through the defence to score a try, which was not converted. Taranaki 17 Wanganui 9 GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TE AROHA. Sharebrokcrs Cup Competition.—Thames 12. bent Te Aroha 3. Third Grade. —High School 12, beat City 0. TUAKAU. Training College 20, beat Onewhero 11. Patumalioe defaulted to Te Kohanga. Third Grade. —Onewhero 0, beat Bombay 5. TAURANGA. Matakana 10. beat Rangataua 8. Cadets 13. beat Te Puuga 3. Juniors.—Athletics 3, drew with Ranga- | taua 3; Judea 14, beat Cadets 6; Omokoroa 7, beat Matapilii 6. lIELENSVILLE. Helensville lfi. beat Silverdale 8. Parakai 20, beat Waimauku 3. Juniors.—Woodhill S, beat Parakai 3; Ivumeu 12, beat Kaukapakapa 11. TAIIIAPE. Ilautapu 20. beat Huia C. Mangaweka 19, beat Old Boys 8. HAMILTON. Te Awamutu 14, beat Hamilton Marists 10. Old Boys S. beat Technical 5. Rovers 25, beat Frankton 24. DARGAVILLE. Northern Star 9, beat Southern 8. Kaihu Bay 14, beat Ituawai 3. Junior. —Dargaville 0, beat Northern 3; Tangowaliine 11, heat Old Boys 6. Third Grade. —Dargaville 11, beat Ruawai 8. CAMBRIDGE. Leamington 14, beat Northern 9. United 13. beat Hautapu 8. Juniors. — Pukerimu defaulted to Northern ; United (i, drew with Karapiro 6; Hautapu 18, beat Leamington 10. i Third Grade.—-Northern 12, beat Hautapu 6; Leamington 9, beat United 3. PUKEKOHE. Bombay 20, beat Old Boys 9. White Star 8. beat Tuakau 3. Juniors.—Bombay 9, beat Old Boys 0. MORRINSVILLE. Old Boys 7, beat Terriers 3. Ivereone 44. bent Kiwitahi 3. Juniors.—United 24, beat Motumaoho 0; • Taliuna 9, beat Old Boys 6; Eastern 3, beat Rovers 0; Terriers 17, beat Kereone 6. Third Grade.—Eastern 11, boat Terriers 8; Old Boys ,9, beat United 0. TE AWAMUTU. Rovers 25, beat Frankton 24. 1 Juniors.—Old Boys 17. beat Ngutunui 13 ; Te Mawliai defaulted to Waikeria B. Third Grade.—Suburbs 15. beat Te Awamutu 0 ; Old Boys C. beat High School 3. Juniors.—riopio 16, beat Te Kuitl 11. Third Grade.—AVaiheke 12, beat High School 9. THAMES. Poland Cup Match.—Thames 14, beat Te Aroha 6. TE PUKE. Papamoa 14, beat Maketu 5. United 8, beat Pnkehina 5. Juniors.—Papamoa 9, beat United 6. MANUKAU. Clevedon and Hunua 12, beat Drury and Clevedon 6. HUNTLY. Taupiri East 17, beat Taupiri West 3. Vancouver Cup.—Huntly H. 5.0.8. 16, beat Tainui 6 Huntly 12, beat Gordonton 0. WHANGAREI. Kai Toa 14. beat City 12. Hikurangi 5, drew with Old Boys 5. Senior B.—Mangakahia 13, beat Manaia 9. ' / Juniors.—Hikurangi 9, boat City 0 ; Hora Hora 10, beat High School 8. Third Grade.—Hora Hora 9, beat Onerahi 3 ; High School 21, beat Old Boys 11. Fourth Grade.—Old Boys 32, beat High School 0. WHANGAREI V. N. WAIROA. Team chosen by Mr. C. Child to represent \\ hangarei against Northern Wairoa at Dargaville next Saturday in the first representative Rugby football match of the season : Full-back, Burch (City) : three-quar-ters, R. White (Ivia Toa). Tapper (Old Boys), Rarity (Hikurnngi) : five-eighths, Weir (Maungakaramea) • half-back, Smith (Old Bovs) :: forwards Br.vdon (Hikurangi), Bindon (Old ttovs)' Mclnnes (Hikurangi), T. O'Shea (Maungakaramea), Finlayson (Hikurangi), C. White (Kia Toa), A. Alison (Kia Toa), Ferguson (Old Boys). Reserves: Backs, Roos (City), E. Wilson (Old Boys) ; forwards, H. 'Grant (Old Boys), McConnell (Hikurangi). N.S.W. BEATS QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, May 31. In a Rugby Union return match nt Brisbane, New South Wales again defeated Queensland by 20 points to 13.

Ho-w the teams stand pts c}) P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Ponsonby S 5 — — 10 Marist » 4 1 — •*> 3< 8 Otahuhu 4 3 1 — 68 43 h Grammar .... 5 2 - 1 <0 6S .> Grafton 5 2 2 1 t>0 00 o University 5 1 - r ,™ Technical .... 4 1 - J 7® ? Jlanukau 4 1 J 1 -0 4o 3 Training College 4 13 — 4.S ->l ~ North Shore .. 4 1 o — 3- ll(i - College Rifles .5 1 4 — _< J±