PONSONBY WINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 170, 20 July 1936, Page 12

PONSONBY WINS.

GALLAHER SHIELD. CHAMPIONS FOR 1936. REVIEW OF THE GAMES. Saturday's Rugby ' was played under conditions which could not have been much worse. - Fields in some cases were quagmires, while there was a constant 1 drizzle. By their defeat of Otaliuhu, Ponsonby have won the Gallaher Shield. They were level with Marist in the senior championship with 16 points; but 011 Saturday Technical Old Boys, the team beaten the previous week by Training College, came to light against Marist in the curtain-raiser, so that the latter team is out of the championship, and now lies second to Ponsonby with 10 points. They are a good second, because the next team, Otaliuhu, has only 14 points. Training College sprung another surprise. They beat Grafton 15—6 in rather a scrappy game. College Rifles scored their second win this season by beating North Shore' across the water. Manukau and 'Varsity played a scoreless draw out at Otaliuhu, while Grammar Old Boys were 011 tour at Putaruru, where tljey beat the local team 17—8. Results of Saturday's matches: — Ponsonby 12, beat Otaliuhu 6. Technical 9. beat Marist 6. Training College 15, beat Grafton 6. University 0, drew with Manukau 0. College Rifles 18, beat North Shore 8. Final positions of teams: — . Points. Ch. P. W. Ij. D. F. A._ Pts. Ponsonby -....10 !) 1 — 215 10-> 18 Marist 10 8 2 — 182 SO 10 Otaliuhu .... 10 1 3 — 1-8 103 11 Grammar ... 10 (i 3 1 17.j 133 13 Grafton 10 4 4 2 14a 137 10 University .. 10 3 4 3 10.» 140 -1 Technical ... 10 4 o 1 1-1 10- ■' Manukau .... 10 3 5 2 8(> 90 8 Training Coll. 10 3 7 — 102 1.17 6 College Rifles 10 2 7 1 82 174 .> Xortli Shore . 10 19 — 87 -70

CHAMPION AGAIN. Ponsonby's win over Otahuliu on Saturday, 12—0, gave them the Gallalier Shield, the trophy for the winner of the senior championship. It was a decisive, win, four tries to two free kicks, and it was something else. It was another proof of Ponsonby's ability to wait to exert pressure until the team lias played itself in, so to speak. Otahuliu held the blacks and the blues on Saturday in the first half; had. in fact, the territorial advantage; but there was no doubt as to the better team after the spell. The Ponsonby pack played well. It adapted itself to the conditions —and conditions on the day could not have bwn much worse—the pack not trying to handle, hut to keep tile ball, at their toe. As a matter-of fact the backs did this too, for the most part. Solomon was a tower of strength in this loose play, and he was seconded by- Fraser and Bond. Hook was the outstanding back on the field ; and his display was not a one-day spasmodic hurst of brilliance, but rather an Improvement on many good games. His handling was beyond reproach. He took the ball from any angle on a day when the ball was as slippery as it could have been. His anticipation too, must have been good to ouable him to do this. He did not have a

great deal of tackling to do, but wliat there was was sound. His line-kicking was well judged. In fact his was a sound allround game. D. Solomon also handled well, to get his side out of one or two awkward places. Frankham was in everything. It was a day for half-backs. Ho was just the man for the day, going down to rush, after rush, after rush. Otahuhu were beaten by a better team, but that does not mean they were' outclassed. There was just that little difference of finish. They were in Ponsonby's half in the first .spell as much as the winners were In the loser's in the latter half. But they just could not cap many a sterling forward effort—and Fonsonb.v could. Lilburne, Meredith and .Tones were prominent in the loose—even though the second-named is a hooker. O'Nell also did good work in the tight. Moyle and Beyer were the best of tli» Otahuhu backs. As stated It was the halfback s day, and Aloyle, like his vis-a-vis was in everything. Perhaps it is true to say that lie opened up play (what little open play there was) more than Fronklmm Hedge has a useful stab kick, which he early saw was going to be useful on such a day. Pearson at times did brilliant Th» s f ,?h £ \ rly in backl »* Beyer up. Ihe full-back played an excellent game Besides putting over two kicks, his held line kickingf * U ' Bh ° rder ' Particularly his . Ponsonby has won the Gallaher Shield 5-c e 7°and r SS!"" 1 Vict ° ries were W24 - A BLOODLESS DRAW. nf A ti?o eluge before the commencement versity ''Zd"" con'difFot *£rBB Longley nearly gave his side first chance to score, but Bush got to the ball first to hnlf%» i" e "m* 1 cnrce dribbled for nearlv half the length of the field, a hard kick at the end spoiling a chance. University Muhihill and r 9P eratl °" s - Kirkland, hnii . „ ' E - c - Cooney handling the ball as if it were dry, to take plav to Manukau s line, where Pearce got in a good save. Brimble, Pearce and Halford were prominent In an invasion of the blues' territory then Mulvihill flashed into the picture, beating the field badly, and taking play to the opposition lin#, Where Little John brought him down. The change-over at half-time saw Bush go up to centre and Hayman take his place at full. With a favourable wind Bush essayed a number of high kicks but his boot was too strong, the ball going over the dead ball line, and giving his forwards unnecessary running. Wiklund had hard luck in hitting the post from a free kick. A little Inter Bush had a long shot from a free, missing narrowly. Midfleld play, with exchanges by the full-backs and then Cooney, Mulvihill, Inglis and Drake got away, but I-ittiejohn kicked to safety, the whistle going without any score for either side being registered. For Manukau Llttlejohn gave a sound display at full. Allen and Schubert handled well. Brimble was great in the mud Longley got little of the ball, but when it came his way his play was sound Pearce was easily the best forward on the ground, with Wiklund, Smith and Halford supporting well. Pepper gave little assistance. University's back line handled in fine style, Mulvihill being easily the best. Inglis put in some capital work behind the pack, while Cooney and Kirkland were always prominent. Bush lacked judgment in much of his kicking, and was slow. Dalton, Drake and Thomas were the pick of the forwards. Mr. A. A. Lucas was referee. RIFLES' SECOND WIN. Running up a ten-point lead by the time the interval arrived, College Rifles, however hard pressed t||ey were by North Shore forwards in tfiij second half, had enough way on to cq;rry them to victory by 18 points to 8 at Dgyonport. Rifles showed excellent fori 1 ., especially in the lirst half, when they had Shore baffled by back play that was surprisiugly eflicieut in the condi-

tions. Shore, in view of the performance against Grafton on the previous Saturday, gave a disappointing exhibition, although they rallied somewhat just before the interval, and during the second half easily maintained territorial advantage. The surprising accuracy with which Rifles' backs threw the ball about brought eight points in the first few minutes of the game. I'assmore's excellent hooking and Thompson's line work at the base ot the serum sent the line away time and again, rather much to the bewilderment ot the defence. Shore's indecision brought a try against them, when Stewart crossed without much difficulty. About three minutes later Anderson; on the wing, was over at the end of an orthodox passing movement. Shore finally woke up to some effect, when Jessup led his men to the attack and Waters kicked a penalty. Barker crossed before the interval. The home forwards showed something of energy in the second half, when they held ltilles penned up almost continually. It was a rattling forward game now. A spell of scoreless plav was followed by a runaway try by Barker, with a 00 yards dash, and Shore answered some time later with their only try, when McKean crossed, Waters converting. There were few chances to shine and nliiv was mostly hard ruekintf forward work, varied by high kicking, with Rifles mainly 011 defence. , , l'assmore, Barker and Batty caught the eye among the Rifles forwards, the former converting three tries, in addition to solid work throughout. There was plenty ot strength available in the backs lor the occasions when use could be made of It. The same old points ot strength and weakness were evident in Shores l'h'J'; " might have been an overwhelming uete.it u the stvle of the game had not changed, lor ;he hacks were hopelessly .outclassed in the first spell. Their activities were confined mainly to defence, for tliey syklmn the ball themselves, and in strength defend they proved lacking. lhere was "ood work individually, however, Jessup being outstanding. The forwards eai life later on and worked solidlj together. Weakness in hooking was again evident.

TECHNICAL SPRING A SURPRISE. I'layed on a sloppy ground and m««t »' the time in drizzling rain met 1 at Eden I'nrk brought one of the notable surprises of the season, Technical Old Boj,s beating the redoubtable Maristj oy .) points to (i. , The slippery condition of ground and ball were all against "classy Kugby, and it was a question of suiting the plnj to the (lay and In this respect the greens showed' greater resourcefulness, and as a consequence thoroughly deserved V 1" victory. The work of their forwards in tlie loose was outstanding, and the backs seemed to know by instinct when it was wise to pick up ■or to kick wildly at the elusive greasy ball. When they did up their handling was better thai? tliafcfcof the Marists' rearguard. Marists were obviously beaten in the first half by the weather'conditions. Many times the classy backs got going with movements that on a dry day would almost certainly have brought success but under the conditions ruling some one always failed to take his pass or lost possession when a score seemed likely. In the latter part of the game Marists realised that their only chance to avert defeat was through their forwards. They called on all reserves and the magnificent pack of the light blues, using their weight to advantage, combined in a series of irresistible rushes. They looked like annihilating the opposition, and for the last twenty minutivs play was almost wholly in Technical's twenty-live yards. Almost ceaselessly they threatened the line, but the greens hud got a lead and hung to it with extraordinary tenacity. At times it appeared that they were rucking to clear their lines, actually it was the determination of the team as a whole plus individual resourcefulness that enabled them to hold the margin. In these desperate efforts to stem the terrific onslaughts of the Marists' pack the greens incurred penalties that seriously jeopardised tnelr winning position. Three times in quick succession Cooney tried to kick a penalty goal, but always the heavy, slippery condition ot tne ball bertt him.

For the winners M. Turbott played very soundly until he had to retire half-way through the second half. Laßh and Byerley were in capital form, an.T TCeca stood up splendidly to his strenuous task at half.

For Technical Apps and Keane caeh scored tries, and Lash kicked a penalty. Marists' score comprised a try by McGrory and a penalty goal klcKe<» vy cooncy. TRAINING COLLEGE AGAIN. The Training College pack cannot lny any claims to brilliancy, that lias been shown on several occasions this season, but as grafters and enthusiasts the.re are few sets of forwards in Auckland to equal them. On Saturday every man stood up to his work, dribbling and following up through the mud with a vigour that proved a little too much for the less enthusiastic Grafton pack, and the Students ran out the winners of a great game by 15 points to G. In calling it a great game, however, it must be emphasised that it was a great forward game, for neither baekline showed much form, the Grafton rearguard, in particular, making the mistake of trying to keep to entirely orthodox movements, which had little effect against the high kick and follow-up tactics which brought two tries to their opponents. The Training College backs showed sound common sense in not trying to pass, their policy being to follow the example of their forwards in kicking along the ground and not trying to pick up the ball.

The game was bright from the start, and despite the slippery conditions and unmanageable hall there were plenty of flashes among the backs. Dick, for Grafton, and Mathison, for Training College, showing sound form. Hare played brilliant wetday football for the winners, his kicking, handling, backing up and tackling being almost beyond reproach, although at times he might have displayed a little more opportunism. He converted all three of the Training College tries from far out in the field, and in two cases from near the side line. Fletcher and Shaw were as sound as ever on defence. Pearinan and Killeen were tlie only other Grafton backs, apart from Dick, to be outstanding, Pearman handling beautifully throughout the game.

In the forwards Armltage, of Training College, was the best man on the field, and was not at all perturbed by the slippery conditions, his solid rucking and fast folup playing a large part in his side's success. Other prominent forwards were Anderson and Gable, of Grafton and Dobbin, of Iraining College. The winners' and Dobbin h" tri ° S by Grnnt ' Mathlesou and Dobbin Hare converting the three Dick scored for Grafton and Pearman kicked a splendid penalty goal. e,lrman

MANUKAU REPS. V. 'VARSITY. t * Ir : Dawe, sole selector, has chosen tlie following players to represent the Manulean Sub-union in a match against Auckland University, on Saturday next, at Papakura :—Backs: Loveridge, Hogan (Karaka), Baird (Clevedon), Picnrd, Kirk (Hunua), \V. Cossey, E. Cossey (Drury) ? rgan (Drury), Waterhouse, Murno (Clevedon), Wright, Kidd (Karaka), 1. Basham, G. Bashani, Gibbs (Manurewa). f| sen ' Gs . : S" lon (Drury), Goldfinch (ICaraka)' * ognrty (Clevedon), Steeu Junior representatives to play against Manukau Colt 9, at Manurewa, on Saturday- Backs: Sutton, Parker, Dunn, Xleverl (Ararimu) Rainger, Smith (Clevedon) Osborne (Papakura). Forwards: Dunn ITnvM ' r n te ' D " lon < A >»rimu), Larsen, rugby reps. TWO MORE FOR SOUTH TOUR. whotn d hl tlo i nal Rl, . sby representatives to * be cllose 'l to take part in the Southern tour after Saturday's plav have been selected. They are A Byerley a three-quarter, and J. August, a forward Both are from Technical Old Boys. WAIKATO BEATEN. TARANAKI WINS BY EIGHT POINTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday. In the most dismal and depressing weather experienced this season, with heavy raji falling practically the whole of the time, Taranaki defeated Walkato at Pukekura Park by 11 points to 3. The game was. for the most part, a forward scramble on a field that has not been so greasv or muddy for many a long day. and while there were attempts on both sides to open up the game and make it attractive, they were futile. The ball became too slippery and greasy to handle with accuracy. The forwards played valiantly, and In the circumstances the referee allowed them a little more latitude than usual. For the winners the score consisted of tries, scored by Fowler and McXiole, one oE which was converted by Collins, who also kicked a penalty goal. Catley scored for Waikato.

WAIRARAPA DEFEATED.

HAWKE'S BAY WINS JUBILEE GAME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) MASTERTON, Sunday. In the fiftieth match between the two provinces, the Hawke's Bay Rugby representatives defeated Wairarapa here yesterday by 33 points to 13. Wairarapa held the visitors fairly well in the first spell, but the superior weight of the Hawke's Bay forwards told in the latter stages of the second spell. A high westerly wind blew throughout the afternoon and marred the game. Wairarapa started off in great style. Dcvine received from a scrum nnd sliced his way through for a line try, which Lang converted. It was some time before the visitors drove Wairarapa off. Then Kolls came crashing through from a ruck to score. Aldrich broke through and gave Kolls a clear run in. Bradley converter. Near the interval Hawke's Bay went into a 13—.1 lead when Bradley scored a try, which he also converted. Within the first minute after resumption Peterson raced brilliantly down the line, and. from an ensuing scrummage, the chain of Wairarapa backs handled safely for Eastwood to cap the movement with a try. Then came a period of Hawke's Bay ascendaney, and Bradley and the forwards thundered through, Bradley increasing the tally with a clever potted goal. Wairarapa was not done with, and a judicious short punt bv Devine found a gap. Lang followed up fast, collected the ball and went across. Lang converted, and Wairarapa was within four points of its opponents. The visitors superior weight, however, was telling its tale, and, although Wairarapa battled gamely Hawke's Bay took full advantage of a wilting defence and in the closing stages the team put on 10 points in quick time Kolls, Grant and Johnson scored tries, all of which were converted by Bradley. GRAMMAR ON TOUR. EASY WIN OVER PUTARURU. In a fast, open game, spectacular in spite of the greasy field and sodden ball, <*rammar, who drew the bye in the Auckland senior competition this week, defeated the Putaruru representative team by 17 to 8 For Grammar Flett, Fletcher, Lockington and Sp.'ttal scortil, nnd Scott kicked a penalty. Tries for Putaruru Were scored bv Wright (2) and Kitt converted one. " Fletcher was the outstanding back on (he field nnd he played a magnificent game under difficult conditions. Wagstaff was safe behind the Grammar ecrum and originated some brilliant movements. In the forwards the solid country pack held Grammar. Behind the scrum Prendergast (Putaruru) played a sterling game, while May, the fast winger, was unfortunate in having few opportunities. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR B GRADE. Manukau 3, drew with Suburbs 3. Marlst 6, beat 'Varsity 3. SECOND GRADE. Grammar 14, beat College Rifles 0. Grafton 22, beat Eden 5. Ponsonby 20, beat Training College 3. Waitemata 11, beat 'Varsity 0. Suburbs 9, beat Training College 8. Technical 0.8. 12. beat Otahuhu 5. Panmure 6, beat Marist 3. THIRD GRADE. Grammar Colts 8. beat College Rifles 3. Ponsonby bent Tamaki by default. Manukau Colts 11, beat Grammar A 3. Manukau A 14, beat Training College 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Northcote 8, beat Technical 6. Marist 0, beat Ponsonby 3. Grammar 57, beat College Rifles 0. Grafton 3, beat Otahuhu 0. Ponsonby 3, beat Parnell 0. Marist 20, beat 'Varsity A 3. Training College 5, beat Suburbs 3. Technical 0.8. 11, beat Eden 0. FIFTH GRADE. Parnell 11, beat Technical 0.8. 6. Eden 14, beat Grammar 0. Suburbs 9, beat Ponsonby 3. A Marist 6, drew with Takapuna 6. St. George's 9, beat Tamaki 6. Manukau 11, beat Shore 5. SIXTH GRADE. Suburbs 6. beat Eden 0. Panmure 8. beat St. George's 6. Manukau 6, drew with Otahuhu 0. JUNIOR BOYS. SENIORS. Parnell 12, beat Eden 0. Suburbs beat Ponsonby by default. INTERMEDIATE. Shore 6G, beat St. George's 0. Suburbs 6, beat Northcote 0. Takapuna 6, beat Parnell 3. Manukau 20, beat Otahuhu 0. JUNIORS. Takapuna 6, beat Suburbs 0. Eden 3, beat Monte Cecilia 0. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SENIORS. Sacred Heart 14, beat King's College 0. Mount Albert 16, beat Takapuna 0. HOUSE MATCH. McEwan Engineering Co. 11, beat Taupiri Dairy Co. 8. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. PALMERSTON NORTH. Feilding 0.8. 3, beat Feilding A 0. Massey College 3, drew with Old Boys 3. Kia Toa 33, beat Feilding B S. TIMARU. Temuka 12, beat Old Boys 3. Zingari 18, beat Celtic G. Representative match: Town 24, beat Country 23. INVERCARGILL. The annual match between Town and Southland Sub-union representative teams was played on Saturday, resulting in an easy win for Town by 32 points to 0. DUNEDIN. Southern 19, beat Ivnikorai S. Zingari 17, beat 'Varsity B 11. Pirates 11, beat Dunedin S. Alhambra 15, beat Taleri 9. 'Varsity A 11, beat Union 3. WELLINGTON. First Division. —Petone 0, beat. Wellington College Old Boys 3; Athletic 7, beat St. Patrick's College 0; Marist 17, beat Eastbourne 8; Poneke IS, beat Jolinsonville 6; Hutt 21. beat Wellington 3. Second Division.—Wellington 14, beat Miramar 3; Athletic 23, beat United 0; University 27, beat • Pirates 0; Old Boys 14, beat Oriental 0. OAMARU. North Otago 14, beat Otago Sub-Unions 9. WANGANUI. Wanganui 34, beat'Taihape 14. - ■ CHRISTCHURCH. Sunnyside 4, beat Old Boys 3. Sydenham 17, beat Cliristchurch 11. Athletic 13. beat Linwood 8. Albion 14, beat 'Varsity 8.