Flashes From Saturday's Sport

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 128, 2 June 1941, Page 4

Flashes From Saturday's Sport

1 RUGBY Marist At Their Peak—Dash and confidence characterised the 'display of Marist Old Boys (22) from the outset of their game against Training College (9) to keep them on top of their, adversaries all the time. R. Sorenson's game at full-back, and as goal sharpshooter, eclipsed that of Kingstone on the day; the hacks had never played better on attack and tackled surely when the opposition had charge; the forwards turned the tide definitely in Marists' favour by a sudden switch to sweeping foot-rushes wiien a shower had made handling uncertain and by harrying the College inside backs by fast breaking from the scrum. Well screened by his back-row men, Barcnard, at half, gave his backline great service, whereas his vis-a-vis, Jennings, was harried all day by Mills and Co, and, further, his first five-eighth, Whatman, added to the trouble by standing too deep. Both teams played highly attractive football that held the attention of spectators to the end, even though the result was never in doubt for the last half of the second spell. The reappearance of A. Moffitt in the scrum, and as captain, probably had a beneficial effect on the Marist forward game. Match-Winning Boots.— W. Hare's football boots won fame as match-winning factors for Marist Old Boys and Auckland. Now that he has retired the question has arisen of how near hie successor as fullback for Marists. R. Sorenson, will be able to fill those match-winning boots. He certainly seemed well fitted on Saturday when he kicked a couple of penalty goals and converted a corner try in the first spell with the wind, and added a middlerange conversion and a 30-yard penalty goal against the wind in the second half. Added to which, his raking line-kicks against the wind kept his forwards confident and in good heart. On the day the representative full-back for Training College, C. Kingstone showed to disadvantage, his line-kicking m the second spell being inaccurate. A Win On Time.— Takapuna was fortunate to snatch victory (15 —11) from Grammar Old Boys right on the final whistle, after being in arrears throughout. It was a 'bright and open curtainraiser, especially in the second spell. The Grammar hacks had several opportunities, but many of these were spoiled on account | of sonic of the players kicking too much. , The Takapuna rearguard showed much ' i improvement after the interval, while the I forwards harried their opponents in the " loose. » Half-back Shines.—R. Brinsden, the _ Takapuna half-back, stood out for some I clever work on attack and his winning try caught the opposition well on the hop, when he wended his way through the . defence from a scrum near the line. Briusden also figured prominently in another try, when he made a splendid opening on the blind side for P. Mclndoe (another /player, No. 2) to finalise the effort. D. J. Ewert made a reappearance with his old cluib and played a sound all-round game at first five-eighth, doing good work on defence. Although he potted one goal, he overdid the practice afterwards when [ likely chances were offering. Still, he scored nine of Takapuna's 15 points. Grammar Skipper. — J. Gilmour played a fine all-round game for Grammar and led the forwards in great style throughout. He was in everything and the only ■blemish he made was when he gave a poor transfer to a support with a trv appearing certain. He was well supported hy K. Storey and C. Prins. Second Spell Spurt.— Army, the leading team in the championship, played better j in the second spell to take the honours j from University. The teams were 13-all at half-time and Army added another 13 in the second half. University's lighter, forwards stood Tip well to their opponents and were troublesome in the loose. The (better handling of the Army pack, combined with its ability to make play, was the deciding factor in the team's win. Devine, E. Jackson and McEwan and W. E. Smith were always in the picture, while Woodhead, Armitage, Ockleford and Cawkwell were conspicuous for University. Changes in personnel in the Army rearguard did not tend toward better combination. For University, Mcßac, at first five-eighth, was nippy, and a clever blind side movement started by him from a defending position enabled him eventually to score a wel)-deserved try. Underwood and Knox Shine.— After Otahuhu's splendid effort against Takapuna on the previous Saturday at Sturges Park many were of the opinion that the local side would notch a further win, but the Suburbs team played with fine dash and won B—3. Margerson, at centre for the visiting 6ide, gave a fine display of straight running and it was a treat to see him go right for the line each time he received the ball. His handling was excellent and he had the edge on his opponents when it came to a test of speed. A feature of the Suburbs play was the heady manner in which the backs played to their strong men, and in this way Underwood and Knox (full-back) were most conspicuous. Otahuhu had the visitors penned in their own territory for the greater part of the second spell, but spoilt many of their moves by unnecessary kicking. Times without number when the home backs gained possession, instead of starting a parsing movement, the boot was put to the ball and the opposing backs were able to clear. HOCKEY Coldham's New Role.— When the Uni- ] versify B team was short handed R. Coldham, who usually plays in the A team's forward lino, filled in as full-back for part of the curtain-raiser. He gave quite a creditable display, although his push and flick passes made lie was in a tight corner must have caused anxiety to his comrades, who knew that hefty hitting would have been much more serviceable. In the United back division R. Hedges was repeatedly responsible for die breaking up of the University attacks, and his defence was sound and consistent, without being brilliant. 1 Stubborn Defence.— A feature of Saturday's hockey was the stubborn defence offered by Albertians against University ! A, last year's champion of champions. The work of Jensen In goal, Brooke and Garlick (full-backs) kept; incessant attacks I stemmed until the closing stages of play. It was only then that University's for- ■ wards put in three goals in quick sueces- ' sion, and the issue beyond all doubt : j H3— 2). Albertian's forwards lacked finish- i mg power in the circle and would profit ! Iby adopting the tactics of their rivals— | C-ocpeov Crawle? and. f-^idha^

RUGBY LEAGUE Forward Duel.—The match between the leading League teams, Richmond and North Shore, was marked by a strenuous forward duel, in which the heavy Shore pack made a great showing, both in tight and open play. As Richmond could rarely win the ball from 6et scrums, the Richmond backs had limited chances only, but they showed greater facility than the Shore backs in turning advantage to account, and the combination was good. The Shore inside backs, and particularly Chatham, used the diagonal kick as a means of progression, and it did not prove as profitable as handling tactics. A Fine Pair.—Two of the Richmond forwards, who were outstanding in the match against North Shore, were L. Davis and O, Mitchell. The former came to the front last season in play up to representative standard, and this season is again in great form. Mitchell's play is marked by consistency and his speed and weight make him a fine packman. Riley Impressive.—Playing in the centre for Ponsonby against Mount Albert, S. Riley showed brilliancy in attack, with clever handling and change of pace and direction. He looked after his wings well, and assisted them with supporting play. Riley got one spectacular try, his speed and dash getting him through before the Mount Albeit defence could converge and check him. Shadbolt Plays Well.— One of the best Mount Albert forwards against Ponsonby •was R. S. Shadbolt, who was up with the play all tihe time. For a number of seasons Shadbolt has been one of the best of Mount Albert's pack. In the 1939 season his claims for inclusion in the New Zealand team were seriously considered by reason of consistently good play, especially in set scrums whore honest play is a necessary essential. Mincham Reappears.—After a season's absence from the game E. Mincham reappeared in the Richmond backs to assist that team against North Shore. He played a solid game in the centre, handling cleanly and making good openings for his wings Owing to the absence of Graham, who has gone to camp, there was a reshuffle of the Richmond backs, and as payers did not play, the team was without its best scoring wing. Promising Full-back.—The Papakura team possesses an acquisition in Seymour, who has replaced Mclnnes in the fullback position. Seymour, who gave a fine display at Carlaw Park when Papakura (9) met City (11) on Saturday, is quite young and solidly built. He has the making of a very serviceable footballer. He has a fin« sense of kicking direction and possesses a powerful boot. On Saturday he accounted for six of Papakura's nine points, kicking two penalty goals and converting H. Hogan's try.

Opportunity Missed.—Many League patrons were surprised to see the Newton captain give Trcclrea, instead of Emus, tlie vital kick at goal, which meant the winning ot the game from Marist. Time was almost up and both teams equal—23 pointe. Tredrea missed and tlie judgment ot the captain appeared faulty, seeing £mus had previously kicked four goals, mil Breed, a former representative forward, turned out to assist Marist and lie jshowed much of his. former dash. He is a great worker in the loose and will .strengthen the Marist pack should he continue playing. There was a happy coinbinatiQn between the Newton ineide backs, Watkins, Green, and Burton. The latter made several tricky runs, and the trio are likely to improve with more experience Donovan, at centre for Slariet, plaved a heady game on attack and hie- stron" straight running gave the wings- numerous scoring chances. J. Anderson in the Marist forwards, however, got most of the points—three tries and lour goals. SOCCER The "Hat-Trick." —M. Francis again proved himself one of the best inside forwards in the country when he played for Comrades against Ponsonby at Blandford Park on Saturday. He gave Evans (hie outside) some fine passes and combined in great style with nis other forwards By sconng the third, fourth and fifth goals tor his side he achieved the "hat-trick." -brands was also unlucky on one or two other occasions—notably early in the game when he put m a hot shot which had Dobson beaten, but the ball hit the under side of the cross-bar and rebounded into play lhe other Francis (Aubrey) also scored three goala, getting the second, sixth and seventh, and played a great game. Masters was responsible for Comrades' other point when he ran in to head the ball into the net from a good cross by Evans In scoring this goal Masters collided witli the goalkeeper, who, though badly winded, played on pluckily until half-time, when he was again examined by the St. John's oiea who ordered him to hospital for observation, and Gavan filled the gap in the second spell. Ponsonby Plucky.—Although beaten by 7 goal 3 to 3, Ponsonby waa in no way disgraced by Comrades and put up a plucky nght against a side which showed better combination. Ponsonby was oue man Short for the first 20 minutes of the game and gave tlie opposition a rare shock when it obtained an early lead of two goals Dowler who played a fine game, scored the nrst with a drive which gave Yearbury no chance, and Brackenridge netted the second with another nice effort. Braekenridge also scored his side's third goal Ponsonby was unlucky in the second spell' when it netted the ball from a scramble in front of goal—but the referee had blown taa whistle for an infringement against a Comrade.defender and ordered a penalty kick, which wae missed. Suburbs Surprises Shore.-Playing one man short, Subunbs put up a great game to hnish with the honours even, two goals each.' Idle eastern side held a one-poal H a( J, r, % ht , up , to within a few minutes ioi al wnistlo > when numbers told and fehore got through for tlie goal that i evened up. Cowie was in his best form 'in Suburbs goal, and when the pressure! i-was on m the closing stages brought off i some clever saves. The Suburbs defence was a feature of the game, and of a solid lot ot backs Krause, Gilbert and Collings were outstanding. Welch again led the forward line with daeh and elan, and got two good goals. He had good support from | Phippe and McKellar, but the extra man ; was missed when the forwards were ! attacking. Haycock was sound in tlie ' Shore goal when called upon, and with Booth and West were the backbone of the Shore defence. Hanley was the brst of the halves and Cooper also played -well, but is •better suited in the left win S position lhe front line was at "sixes and sevens" in the opening stages, but improved considerably m the second spell—even tlhen they wasted a lot of chances wivli cood finishing, wild shooting being the chief of. u'c>,

Wind Fair!—lt is often heard that a referee i> , lair to l>otli s*ido", but even Chat gentleman could not have boon, more impartial than the wind at Victoria Park on Saturday. This thong breeae helped Abels iu the first m>» II and Mount Albert in the second to ».-<•■ re lour Koal* to its opponent's one. Abels won the tosts and elected to play ivibh flio breeze ior the lire* spell. Within a qur.rter oi an hour 10. Bkinann, inside left, h.id t-i-orod two goate and retin-d from the ji.une with u knee injury. Lofty passes lioiu .backs to forward*! were file order of ths day, and tlio full-backs and goalkeeper, plnying into the wind, experienced a stivmuni.s time in clearing their goal mouth. Soon nfter the commencement ft the second 'half Mount Albert was down 'by five* goals I'o two, but with the help of the breeze the side gradually wine down Abols and secured three friml« to equalise matter;:. Conspicuous for Mount Albert in the fscccnd spell were Clark fcentre forward), Irvine (inside left) and Hiitchititum I left'.half.).

Orr's Great Goal.—ln excellent form at right halt for Thistle, Orr'ts goiil was one of the l««t seen at headqiiartei-s for tsonie time. Ho aimed from well over ,'>o yards range from the wing and Zimmerman had no chance to stop the crows shot. I'. Wiseman scored the other two goals for Thistle and again played a capital game. Onchunga did remarkably well and was beaten by Thistle in the curtain-raiser only by the odd goal iu iive. The MaJiukau club has lost several of its last year's players. Beicner, Koit and \Vallace were playing for Thistle agaiiiKt their clubtnates of lswt sciison, wliiist Hrackenridge, who played a frnod game for l'onsonby, was also a member of hint year's Ouehunga XI. However, after a lot of hard work Onehunga wa.s able to field a useful team and gave Thistle a fright when il obtained an early lead of two jroals—AT. Lindsay scoring the first with a good drive, and McGhee converting a conn r kick to get the second. Hutherford, who has returned after a year's absence, played a tine game at right buck. llit> 'partner Siniins, a 17-year-old recruit, gave a promising display.

Solo by Speed.—A. K. Ellis, Air Force left half, led his ton.ni to a tactical victory over Metro.-Colkw on Saturday. Kllus defended magnificently and .sent hi« dangerous forward line in action repeatedly with judicious passes. This player was unfortunate not to catch the Auckland selector's o.ye. His brother, J. X. Ellis, shone in clever forward play. It w;ts disappointing to see a young team liko Metro.-"College not always playing the ball and thero was too freqiumt appealing for free kicks and corners. As Metro, lost its m.sidii left iSutclitfe) early in the game. owing to an injury to his. head, no doubt the misfortune put his comrade* a trifle

"on edfre." Air Force won by two goals (J. V. Ellis and Caieleyl scored in the first spell, to one netted in the second by Speed, who threaded his way throujrh in a brilliant solo effort from full-back.