Glimpses From Saturdays Sport

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 172, 22 July 1940, Page 10

Glimpses From Saturdays Sport

By defeating King Country by 19 points to lo at Taumarunui the Auckland Rugby representatives made full amends for their lack of team play on the previous Saturday against Waikato. The backs combined much more effectively and gave a fine forward line the necessary support. It was a splendid exhibition of the Rugby game as it should be played—two fine forward teams striving desperately for the honours, the backs of each side linking up as the occasion warranted, good defence, and for the most part hard and low tackling. Rarely is a better dicplay staged at Eden Park and the crowd was thrilled from start to finish. Great credit is due to the King Country side, several of the players having to travel many miles to participate. They showed combination worthy of a city team and the Auckland Rugby Union would be well advised to stage a return match between the teams at Eden Park.

Forward Battle. — The striigzle for honours between the forwards was worth going a long way to see and thrilled tiie hearts of many an old player. Superior in hooking. Auckland got the ball from the scrum more quickly than their opponents!, but the line-outs were evenly divided, as were the exchanges in the tight, with the Auckland vangua.ri generally superior in the loose as a combination. 8

Hare's Fine Game.— A splendid display wan given by Bill Hare. Auckland's fullback has never been necn to better advantage and his goal-kicking a hied 10 point." to the score. He wan well tested on defence and saved brilliantly at times. He made one error which gave away a try When trying to run out from behind his goal-line. His vis-a-vis Schroed< r kicked and handled well, but had to give way to Hare on the day. Rrhroeeler made a bad mistake in going high for Contrhion When the latter scored his third try.

Coughlan's Dash and Speed.— ln scoring Auckland's three tries "Buster" Coughian •had a real day out and was in rare form. His sudden burst of speed and determination was a thorn in the side of the opposition. His all-round play and dive for the corner When he scored his second try had the hallmark of a fine wing. ColmoreWilliams made many strong bursts and only sound tackling held him in check. Wiles, at centre, played right up to form. Two or three of his passes to ColmoieWilliams in the first spell were too high and slow. Five-eighths Improve. — The rearrangement of the Auckland five-eighths had a decided improvement in the general ailround play of the team. Pearman linked up well with Tetzlaff and Barlow, and did fine work on defence. Barlow shone at second five-eighth in some nice cut-ins and also defended ably. The half-backs, Tetxlaff and Graham, got the ball away well and came through a hard defensive day with honours. Tetzlaff was more nippy on attack than against Waikato, while Graham worked in nicely with Crossman.

Crossman Stands Out..— Undoubtedly King Country's outstanding back was C. Crossman at first five-eighth. Whether on attack or defence he did his work with the finish of a seasoned player. Some of his good play was nullified through the outside men running across field. The wings, Benbrow. up to his retirement, and Kjestrup, tacked determinedly. The general all Yound play of the laitter suggested that he will do well in the future.

Two Fine Packs. —The Auckland pack had a fine set to contend with and both vanguards played great football. The Auckland front line went so well that it would be rather unfair to individualise. Two dashing King Country forwards were Thornton and Wilson. Coffin, back row, was often offside, while one or two of the other men were inclined to this tendency.

Twenty-first Birthday..— The Athletic Club at Taumarunui celebrated its twentyfirst birthday with a dance on Saturday, at which the Auckland team were guests. Messages of congratulation were read from former members who were unable to attend. Mr. J.#>lcCullough, of Hamilton, a former club captain, extended his best wishes. He thanked past officers and various commi/btees for their support and especially the present president, Mr. M. Rice. Mr. R. Smith, a foundation member, thanked members for their support during the past 21 years. Mr. I/. V. Carmine, president of the New Zealand Rugby •.Union, and Mr. J. Sweeney, manager of the Auckland team, added their congratulations.

Players In Khaki. —lnterest centred at Eden Park on Saturday on former prominent footballers who have joined up and are in the Armv. Among these are Sergeant R. G. Bush, All Black, New Zealand University representative and Auckland full-back for many years. Bush, who has filled out considerably, showed his old

form in handling on Saturday, but he let one try thro'.in'h. Othres in the United Service team ivjre .McNeight, the big forward who captained the Rugby League side to Australia: Slytieid. who need to play for (Sra.mmar; and ('able, the cxNorth Shore forward. Flett, who played on the wing, is Uhe ex-Auckland sprint champion and the (inini'iiiar winger who won representative Humours two seasons

Services Too Late.—Though they came with a devastating iut»h in the final few minutes of their game at Ivden Park against Auckland Colts, United Services did not have the finishing touch to carry it through. Walter Hatty, former All Black, who is their coach, was confident before the (fame, hut their run came t.n> larc. \o small part in the defeat of the Servk-CH side ntis played by the University forward Cawkwell. who scored eight points, a conversion and two penalties. Without -liim t'.ie team could never have won. On the wing Kavnea played brilliant footlwll, and if his luck had been in he would have scored a couple of tries. .T. Uourke. of l'onsonby, played a solid forward game, and Thurston, the Training College centre, who scored one of t'he trie*!, amply justified his selection.

Players For Training.— Men required to train at the Pomonby Club's died ro-night. with a view to selection for the Auckland representative side to play South Auckland at I'ukekolie next Saturdav: Haitiwell. I'nderwood. Ovllies. I>av. Curtavne Neary, Stone. Slyfield. Arkle. Shadbolt. I*. Khcchaii. Tannahill, Kxler, Armitagc, Morgan, (lcgg, Goodacre, Cameron, Wilson. The Auckland representative team for Hawke's Bay and the Auckland Colts side are also required to train to-night*.

Collegiate Representatives.— The secondary schools' Rugby representatives to play the third grade open representatives in August will be chosen from the following players, the abbreviations being Auckland (irammar School fA.G.S.). Takapuna dammar School (T.G.S.), Mount Albert Grammar School (MA.OS). Sacred Heart College (S.H.C.). King's College (K.C.). Seddon Memorial Technical College (S.M.T.O.—Hacks, Rich (S.M T0 ) Moore trCC). Noakes (K.O ) Carew (MAGS.), Moves (5.M.T.0.). Stevens (A.G.S.). Harrison fM.A.G.S,). Seton (K.C.), Maxwell (S.H.C.i. forwards. Cantwell fA.G.S.), Southwell < A.O S ) Foreman (T.G.S.). Davidson (S.M.T C ) Index (A.0.5.), Sutherland fT.O.S.), Brennan (os£l' rx Topia fSH.C), Murphv (S.H.C.), Hemus (M.A.G.S.). The latest results have made the on the championship table very interesting. Training College, by their win over Grammar Old Boys, gave United the lead, and they themselves moved up into second place, level with the Grammarians, just one point behind. The unusual total of drawn games was further added to when not only Albertians and Mount Eden, but also Soverville and 'Varsity B finished up with honours even.

Full-backs' Tactics.— When Hughes .and A. Horspooi nettled to their task against Al-bertians they worked with a splendid understanding. Not only was Hughes' stopping sound but many clearances were remindful of his best efforts. Al-bertians were compelled to make several changes in their team. The newcomers, especiallv Jackson and Turner, full-backs, proved very sound.

Even Going. -Supporters of Somerville ?i wf-"' I>r i Ke at tl,e manner in which the Whippets raced ,fo the attack from the start of play. Fulton was most prominent throughout, although at times \ Uroun ma<le some nice openings. Moir and Davies were sound at full-back. Somerville e last line of defence, Broun and Hmith, gave a solid rather than a brilliant display lhey were :both difficult to pass, while their clearing hits were both powerful and well directed. Downing kept good position at centre-forward, but the left wing half, Swinburne, was inclined to lose position.

United Takes Lead.— With their win over 'Varsity A by 3 goals to 1 United now take the lead in the hockey championship. It was the bustling game played by their forwards which turned the scale in their favour and the forceful penetration of the inside men—Fenton, Cooper and Monteith—frequently had the 'Varsity defence stubbornly defending. In contrast, the 'Varsity vanguard had a recurrence of their old trouble of dallying with the ball in the circle, and this fault caused them to lose several opportunities.

Twigden Speculates.— A highlight of the Grammar-Training College hockey match was the accuracy of the stickwork in trapping and intercepting either long or short passes. In contrast was the surprising number of attempts at hitting speculators. In this respect G. Twigden (who was filling a vacancy at full-back for Grammar) was somewhat lucky that he connected with so many. On numerous occasions a miss would have spelt disaster for his side, but his luck (or was it his keen eye?) held to the last whistle.

For the third time this season the Rugby League lead has cnanged hands. Newton made a comeback, at the start, after lean years, with an unbroken sequence of five wins. Then Shore stopped their run. and Newton has not won a match since, Saturday's defeat by Ponsonby being their sixth on end. At the same time as Shore beat Newton. Richmond started a run of successes. This they continued at Carlaw Park in the latest game agains 4 : Shore, and thus displaced their opponents at the top of the ladder. There is only one rung between the two sides now. Mount Albert, last year's champions, who did not find their form early in the season, have rallied and are now in third place, three points behind Richmond.

Splendidly Led.— 'Hie Mount Albert team owes much of its success in the senior code to the great leadership of Banham. in last Saturday's game against (Sty it was Banham who made nearly all the openings which resulted in scoring movements. He was the pivot of the team, and his nippy work in the back-line thrilled the big crowd. Banham had the full support of every man of the rear division. The half-back, Clements, was outstanding. When he got the ball from the scrum he sent.out clean, crisp passes. Cato, Cowley and Mclnnaniey played brilliantly, and Verrall proved a safe full-back. Gunning, Herring and Leatherbarrow shone in the forwards.

Ponsonby's Surprise Win. — Ponsonby sprang a surprise when the side beat Xewton in a last-minute try. To within ten minutes of the end it looked like Newton's day, but Ponsonby's playshowed more sting at this stafe and their opponents were penned in their own territory. As a result of brilliant play Ponsonby scored two tries within four minutes, giving the side the lead and victory. Apart from these two tries the teams were very - evenly matched. Newton led by 9 points to 5 at half-time. Ponsonby scored 12 points in the second half, winning by 17 points to 14. The two full-backs contributed largelv to the scores. For Newton Dempsey kicked three goals and Kay retaliated by kicking the same number for Ponsonby".

Smith's Four Goals.— Eight or the 13 points which North Shore collected in their match against Richmond on Saturday were contributed by J. Smith, the Xew Zealand representative player. At the moment Smith is kicking with greater accuracy than any other plaver in the gajne. Ho was lucky with one penalty shot. The ball struck the top side of the cifiKK-bar and then bounced over.

Devlne Opens Up Play.— One of the few League forwards in Auckand who has an idea of opening up play for his backs 19 M. Devine, who played an outstanding game for Richmond against North Shore. Tall. fast. 14 6tone in weight and surehanded, Devine was ever on the look out for opportunities, and did not hesitate to sweep the ball out with a long pass to the backs. Devine was an ideal connecting link and the mainspring in the launching of many promising Richmond attacks.

Outstanding Leose Forwards.— Two outstanding forwards in loose play for North Shore in their match against Richmond were CS. Petersen and E. Scott. Both' are good opportunists, handle well and make their best endeavours when their opponents' try-line is close. Petersen, who formerly played with Ponsonby, is having his first season with Shore. He is a tall, fairly heavy forward of the virile type. E. Scott is comparatively light for set-scrum work, but his open play is consistently gocd and he is one of the best tacklers in the League code.

Bruce Donaldson Reappears. — After being out of the game several weeks through a shoulder injury, received when the Auckland representative side played the Maori team, Bruce Donaldson was back with the North Shore team on Satin day to assist them against Richmond. In the absence of V. Scott, who is on the 'injured list, Donaldson played at fullback for most of the game, and gave a sound display in a position strange to him.' Last season Donaldison came to the League game, and distinguished himself as a fiveeighth with the Mount Albert team. He changed over to North Shore this season. Chatham Supplies Thrust. — There was brilliant thrust on occasions by E. Chatham, playing in the five-eighths line for North Shore against Richmond, where he was partnered with J. Smith. Sharp from the mark, and quick to seize an opportunity, he was the most brilliant of a set of- backs who did weil in every respeot, except attacking combination. Manukau's Utility Player.— One of the solid players for Manukau in their match against Marist was J. Broughton at fiveeighth. Coming from the Wairarapa district, he joined the Manukau team when it was formed, and played in the three-quarter line. He is a player of the sound kind, and very useful for the reason that he can play in various places. In the match against North Shore a week ago he played in the pack. Hard-working Forward.— Among the forwards in the Newton senior League team is Jack Ginders, well-known to supporters of the code in Auckland and Dunedin. Gindere has played League since 1922, and has earned representative honours. He first played League for the Parnell School about 1922, and then for the Akarana fifth grade team, which won the championship in 1927. He then joined .the athletic team and played third grade for about a year. A year or two later Ginders went to Dunedin. and, joining up with the City team, proved one of its best forwards. He played with this team, the second best' in the Otago competition, for three seasons, and played in Auckland with the 1 South Island team in 1934. He remained in Auckland and played with the Richmond senior forwards for half a season. For four years Ginders has held his place in the Newton side, which is sufficient proof that he is still a good all-round forward.

By their victory over Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys at Blandford Park, Comrades qualified for the provincial final of the Chatham Cup, and are to oppose Glen Massey at Hamilton next Saturday. The winners of this game are then to visit Wellington to play the final of the North Island. Comrades thoroughly deserved their victory, playing a bustling game and never giving the Old Boys a chance to settle down to their usual short passing game. These two teams are the leaders in the championship, but Saturday's game was for the Chatham Cup only. I Ponsonby held third place on the j ladder by defeating Thistle, while Shore made a comeback in a big win over Onehunga. Riggans Very Safe.—Riggans played one of hie very best games and proved a great stumbling block to Xeedham and Fyvie, the Old Boys left wing. His tackling was always clean and his kicking good. He was ably supported by McKenna, the pair having a perfect understanding and giving the Gram man- forwards few openings. McKenna made one had fault early in the game when a penalty was given against him for hands; Grammar however, failed to'convert,' the kick, thus missing a great chance of securing an early lead. Fincham was the pick of Comrades' middle line, and got through a lot of work, his goal being a very good effort. Healy also played a very solid game.

M. Francis' Sixteenth Goal.— M. Francis, who is Oomradi.>s' leading goal scorer this season, put fhe decision beyond doubt when he scored the third and final goal for his side. This brings his tally up to 16. He is closely followed by Masters, who fried hard' to increase his bag, but he was not successful, and his score still remains at 13. Walters scored Comrades' other goal, and kept Jiis forward line together well, giving his wingers some excellent passes and combining nicely with his inside men. Evans put over some good centres, and his corner kicking was accurate.

Sime's Big Day.— To score all of the six goals for North Shore against Onehunga was the exceptionally fine feat for H. Sime. It was a signal reappearance in the forwards, after starting the season last week in goal, prior to which illness kept him out of the team for some time. Shore dominated the game and when the opportunities came to Sime. at centre, lie consistently found the goal. The Shore backs functioned wll, Dobson, a fourtii grade lad, who had already played in two earlier games, giving a first-class display at full-back.

Hutchinson's Good Save. — With Ycomans well beaten, a goal looked certain for Comrades, but Hutchinson popped up in the Old Boys' goal to save a great drive with his head. Hutchinson was a very hard worker throughout the game. Ward and Woodhall gave him every assistance to make the half-back line a good one in spite of Comrades' solid attack. Yeomang was good in goal, one save from a corner by Evans being a brilliant one. Speed was the better back, but Sims was a good partner to him. Fyvie played a good game at inside left and Hopkinson at centre. The latter scored for Old Boys and was a trifle unlucky with two other good attempts, one hitting the upright and the other the cross-bar. Clark put over some nice centres, whilst Xeedham and Cherry completed a forward line that was by no means disgraced. Angus Reappears for Thistle. —Angus, w r ho is home on leave from the R.A.F. at Palmerston North, signalised his appearance by scoring two Thistle goals. He is certainly very" fit and has lost none of his pace, and proved an asset to the Thistie side. Cocker gave a good display in goal and Amie at outside left was in good form. Good Centre Halves.— Both Cleal and Morris were iii excellent form in the Ponsonby v. Thistle game, with the honours of the day going to Morris. Morris, who is a Cambridge Blue, is a tower of strength to the Thistle XI. Wiseman also played well in the Thistle half-back line. Chapman, who scored two of Pon6onby's goals, proved himself a great opportunist. Dowler scored their other goal, this being a brilliant solo effort. Innes and Callaghan were both in form. Rouse and F. Blackie gave Cleal every support to complete a good half line, while Ziebel and Haggett made a good pair of backs. Ponsonby deserved their win by the odd goal in five, the game providing a most interesting curtain-raiser.

New Blood. —A newcomer to the senior ranks of the League code is F. Zimmerman, who played his second game in tlhe Newton senior forwards- He ris of sturdy build and already shows much promise. Zimmerman, while still very young, first played League in the senior B grade for R.V. for one season. He hails from Whangaroa, but has spent most of his young life in Auckland.