YEAR'S HONOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 13

YEAR'S HONOURS.

SPECTACULAR PLAY. PONSONBY'S SUCCESS. MARIST BEATEN IN CLOSE GAME. One of the largest crowds of tile club season saw Ponsoilby beat Marist by 11 points to 6 in the final of the Auckland Rugby Union's Jubilee Trophy competition at Eden Park on Saturday. They, are the champions of 1936, having wou both the Gallaher Shield and the Jubilee Trophy. Ponsonby's combination and team work, the foundation on which their success has been built, was once again the deciding factor. They were always just a little bit better than Marist.. Most of the first spell was devoted by Marist to a series of solid forward and back attacks, but the Ponsonby defence was wonderfully sound, and although Ponsonby were forced to stand up to a constant Marist attack the teams were on even terms when half-time came. Aided by a useful wind and a strong sun. Ponsonby set to work in the secondspell, and their persistence eventually carried them to a well-merited* victory. Clever combination and a perfect understanding of one another's play won for Ponsonby the match. Their backing up

was exceptionally good, especially in defence, and the Marist backs always found themselves confronted with a swarm of blue and black defenders. Interest was sustained throughout the match, and although it was not consistently brilliant, there was always plenty of lively incident.. Fine forward work on the part of the Marist pack, led by Butler and McGrory, won applause from the crowd. Another feature of the match was the splendid efforts on attack of the Marist inside backs, Curtayne, Cooney and Logan, the latter giving a splendid exhibition under difficult circumstances. Ponsonby have to thank the two Solomons, Frank and Dave, for contributing much to . the success of the team. Frank Solomon played a wonderfully constructive game on attack, opening up the play in splendid fashion, and giving an excellent service to his backs. His roving tactics were always a source of annoyance to the Marist back attack, and often its smooth running was upset by the wily Solomon. Equally valuable to Ponsonby was Dave Solomon, who at times reached brilliant heights on attack, and whose defence was a feature of the match. SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP. The early game at Eden Park, Manukau Tersus Suburbs, for the second division senior championship, turned out a reall.v willing game. The ground was bard and other conditions were not ideal, but both teams went to work from the whistle and made a great fight of it. Manukau deserved the win. but it was lucky for tliem that their tackling stood the test for toward the end the' Suburbs team hammered oil their line unceasingly and never let up the pressure. On the whole the teams could not have been better matched, and the game was very even. The star of the game was Hatfield, the Manukan half-back, «ho seldom made a inVstake. His try was a clever piece of work, and the just reward of steadv play throughout the game, Elliot, the full-back also played well and used his head by kicking his backs into position. On the Suburbs side Margison and Brad.\, the five-eighths, were both outstanding. Brady's penetration having his opponents beaten on several occasions. Sinclair, the full-back, played a heady game and was Just as good as Elliot In the forward divisions Godfrey and Dean stood out for Manukau, and Burgess for Suburbs. Godfrev proved a fine leader for the winning pack and followed up consistently li e final result, was about p What coii l l) 0 expected, Manukau won fl—•>. T h e. « inners points came from a try' by Hatfield .and a penalty goal by C. AVilliams. Margisou scored for Suburbs. REFEREES BEAT OFFICIALS. Flashes of old form gave interest to the game on Saturday in which the referee tram beat the club officials by -1 to o. Malcolm, back to Wellington representative form, repeatedly came up fro ,'. , f). lt to go right through the opposition. But the highlight of the. match was A. A. Lucas effort, when he sold a dummy | n nosts style and cut in to score between the pos s. .T. Harris scored the only try foi the officials, while for the referees Lucas Lip.j combe, Simmons, C.chero an U d •cored! and -Malcolm converted thiee tries. RAILWAYMEN ON FIELD. The- Otaliuhu Railway Rugby football team journeyed to I< rankto Saturday .to play the P IoC !L winnors™ nncVwon 17—3. Tries for the scored by Shippe -■ 1, i )V Kerr Currie 1, and one being converted bj Kern For the losers one try was scored by blip Griffiths. PEACE CUP WINNERS. THAMES HEPS. FETED. Through the generosity of Rugby football the : Thames Rugby Union entertained the members of the Peace P team at a social on Saturday evenin„, - • J. W. Artiury, president of the union, presiding over a large attendance, ahe lengthy toast list included "The Peace Cu P j c ' im ' proposed by the president, responded by Mr. A. Story, captain of the - team, "Selectors for the Past Season, by Mr, V. Mackay, responded by Messrs. A. Fleming and G. Buchan; "Thames Yallej and Thames Rugby Unions," by the Mayor of Thames, Mr. S. Ensor, responded to by Mr. J. Grant, chairman of the management committee; "Thames Valley and Referees." by Mr. F. Vedder (T-V.R.U.); and W. Lomas (T.R.U.) : "Affiliated Clubs, hv Mr. .T Pratt, responded by Messrs. AStory (Old Boys). \V. H. Hoult (High School), E. McDonald (Physical Training), D. McGregor (Ramblers) ; "St. ''o, 11 " Ambulance," by Mr. H. Murray, responde-a to by Mr. G. McLeod. WANGANUI TEAM AT TAUMARUNUI (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TAUMARUNUI, Saturday. A game which was played this afternoon between a Wanganui metropolitan team and a combined team representing local sub-unions proved spectacular, and after a good exhibition Wanganui won by bo to 19. The New Zealand selectors, Messrs. Mark Nicholls and Ted McKenzie, were present. w Outstanding players were Barton (\\ an»afaui, formerly of Taumarunui), and Crossman (a King Country five-eighth). The Curtain-raiser between Ilikuranp find Kaltieke juniors resulted' in a win ior Hikurangi by 13 points to nil. GRADE GAMES. THICcD INTERMEDIATE. KNOC&-OUX FINAL REPLAY. Grammar A 3, drew with Eden 3.

FRIENDLY MATCHES,

OFFICIALS' MATCH. Referees 21, beat Club Officials a. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HUNTLY. Huntly 20, beat Panmure 0. KAIPARA. Junior Grade Reps.-—Waitemata 24, beat Kaipara Junior Reps. 3. HAMILTON". Morris Cup.—Final: Box Factory 11, bcot Post and Telegraph 0. TAURANGA. Peina Memorial Cup.—Tauranga 23, beat Kaokaoroa 10. ROTORUA. Mitchell Shield. —Final: Kotoiti 12, beat Kaliukura 6.