TWO GOOD GAMES IN PROSPECT AT EDEN PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 152, 28 June 1940, Page 10

TWO GOOD GAMES IN PROSPECT AT EDEN PARK.

Major upsets on the Rugby ladder, have been provided by Xorth Shore at Eden Park.during the last two seasons. 'In 1038 there-was a victory over. Grafton j then the "leading team, which was truly sensational. Shore overwhelmed their opponents in the lirsfe half to score 22 points, "and held the fort gallantly in the second spell to end up with a ten-point win, though they did not score again. And last year Shore were the first to defeat Suburbs after they had come from the second division and were threatening to upset the leaders. Both - these games were played on Xo. 1 ground. Thus Shore's first appearance before the grandstand to-morrow in the curtain-raiser against Otaliuhu will be- awaited • with riiucli interest. Prospects for the men • from over the water were not too good at the beginning of the season, but the young players have j moulded into a very promising side. There has not been much concerted, back play in Rugby this season, but Shore .have a speedy lot who may provide some thrills. There are good reports of. Stancich, first five-eighth, who is a newcomer to tho team from over the water. •Otaliuhu, too., are playing their first game of the season on .Xo. L ground. It will be recalled that last year after promotion they were runners-np to Marist in the championship and they beat Marist in the opening match of this season.. Tho strength of the red and blacks lies in their Moylc-Hedge combination behind the scrum. The former scored three tries against Grammar a fortnight ago, while Hedge has thrilled the local supporters by his lively displays. ,D. Cochrane, fiveeighth, reappeared • last week alter being on the injured list for a month, and should give cohesion to the three-quarter line, in which the Finlay brothers have been shaping well. There is no finer forward in Auckland than 11. Grant, who was in Mr. P. W. Lucas' elect for the ipostp&ned game with Waikato on the King's Birthday. The two leading teams, Marist and Grafton, will meet in the three o'clock game, and in view of Marist',s narrow win last week and Grafton's defeat of Suburbs it should bo an evenly-contested game. Marist have not risen to spectacular play, but they are a solid combination with an even set of backs and forwards. To-mor-row K. Bell-Booih will reappear in the three-quarter line, after being out for several weeks with injuries, and as Xeary, a promoted junior, has made good in the five-eighths position, Hardy has gone into tho reserves. Two of the youngest forwards, I). Mills and J. Hogan—they are both 39—have been showing up. The former came from St. Bede's, Christchurch, and is a model type with a knowledge of line-out play and dribbling. He js the principal try-getter so far in the forwards. Owing.to losing no less than six of its players during the week the Mariyt juniors will default to-morrow and several of the side appears in the reserves for tho. big game. Grafton will field the same side as they dUI Inst week. In a pack which contains live men new to senior ranks there are ihree seasoned players. Hull. Jtoddick ami Tannahlll, all able to hold their .own In a solhl vanguard struggle—and that is sure to be a feature of the game. The younger men are virile and last week gave an excellent exhibition of following-up. Kosser. the hooker, has been able to get a share of the ball for his backs tills season, while Don. as he gains weight, is going to be a very useful player. In the backs Grafton, like their opponents, have a sturdy full-haek in Tate, but lie nas. not shown tlie same judgment in his kicking that Hare has done, and occasionally lets his side into difficulties. Johnny Dick and Pearnian are coining back to the form which has made them two of Auckland's outstanding backs, while F. Dick nearer the serum Is a former I'onsonby player. Alongside him is -R. Clarke, who came from Coromandel this season. The teamfi are:— MARIST, —Hare; Mollo.v, 11. liell-Itooth, F. Hell-Hooth ; Xeary. Curtayne; Cm.ney; .T. Barry, Sullivan, George, Iselgrave, Mills, Bond. MotUtt. Ilogan. Reserves: Hardy, Butler, Langford, Bees ton. GRAFTON.—Tate; Wiley, Pearman, .7. Dick; F. Dick, Clarke; Witheridge; TannaMII. Itosser/'Houten. Don. Hull, Barry, McKee, Roddick. Reserves; Lit wry, iMeharry, 31111s, Bullians. $ OTAHUHU.—Turnbull or Doherty; A. Finlay, 'K. Finlay. Bennett: Cochrane, Hedge; Moyle; Jones, Webber. Grace, Priest; Crowley, Grant, Moore, F. Barry. • NORTH -SHORE.—O. Sheehan : Ra.vnes, Graham, Robertson; Slytield, .Stancich; Arkle; Shand. Martin. Scott. Cameron, i Goodaerc, Doyle, Speight. I'. Sheehan, ■ Exler.. Reserves: Lang, Kelly, Edwards, a Buckley, Ilolt.