Flashes From Saturday's Sport

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 140, 16 June 1941, Page 4

Flashes From Saturday's Sport

RUGBY No CoHrt.fyiai-tial.— TV ■„,:,, ~f a ll the '■''"•'I I " , ' ''■'?'' "^"i , ' : ■"■•!' Side, -ul, Us hist check .... Saturday „, defeat „„ merit by ill.' y. hi;-, >r, ,„■ tlu- to,vii dubs. Takapuna. (,| < •■'-■ I'l.iy. the-!,. ,;,,,.« 3, 01 . vlll ;uiy ocriisH.ii lor <-ouit-i»mi Li.-il or pack-drill in [lit; Army melcs. for Xukapuua was tlio '""''■■ >■ '.'in uli llio day. t !i;111_:.-.-• in the u /'", ; •"'; ;i'. J i'!';:i:il;!c from (Iμ- rlih and (low 01 'in- (.;■:,m, !m. mi,] LlliVe urjij.sj xvrli- I.'it '.'• v Iljl ' .■•l»>.-iic- u ..f tI.G ilei-t .-x-Miimikau t V Mv,i !, W. Smith, and ,v t (!„. !„,„,,,i, lg llir.-i-i|ii..m i<. Take, and lk,y. On the w iy the |,1.,y «,.„, , t is .loiihttul it Ta.le or lay ~,,:,(,| | liUl! saV| ~l ,|,,, mat( . h . Tllo f . x . (iKiimr. however, ui (\Vii.s!k. an ex-Somh-i;. 1 ", 1 . 111 ' , lni " mid;! l.iiv.. lavoured laK.ipuim. tor ;i ! .si, -HM-t;,, klill;: forward of Smith's ability ,ni-l,i 1,;, v, upse-t the ■Lakapuiiii Imi ks sulli, ;, ntly In i>ll ible th.i Army forwards ti. p.ill l!i.:\i;mif out of tlio (ire W they had ,1,.,,,. „, 1 , i ,| 1 , l - ga,ne«. A, in all the games u> da to, the Army liac-kis, though performing well individually! missed tliv KUmdanl of team iilay one might expect from performers of their vuovinehll experience. C. l)iii::aii seemed more roiilidcnt .it i'uil-h.ick tliiiu otl.er.-i who have served the to;an in tliaf. position.

One '•Soaguil' r Is Handy. A tendency to give a-A.iy points by piein.it uve "lifting' 111 tho s, rum was the only weakness uf lakapuuaV forwards who In■!,[ tlio I'apakuiM Cfinip pack on Fat unlay U-Un than any other town ir.-,in had done, previously. Iho hoiu-sr ami etl"ecti\ ,■ work done in the Inn- ami ruck play was a feature of Tak.ipiinas jj.imc. out' c\< -niion being Mai l-rasor, who exploited his "u iuging" came with a skill he hail foriueily shown for IV.nsnnby. ;,,,.I a smvrss lliat was dmchiefly to tlu« eli'orts of tlio solid seven who loyally tool: tlu- heal ami burden of tlio Army shod;.-;, and made openings for liim. ■■OiU' scamill .s handy. Init more than one is too 11,11,h." comuic'iied an Auckland selector wlw was wat.-liinjr the game ns Mill snapped a try alter othen; had bustled the ball over the line. Johnson's Hooking.—The outstanding ability ot Johnson as hooker fur Technical Old Buys was ably demonstrated against Otahuhll at Smiles Park. The visitors took serums iiv-lead c>:' im.'-,.u;s and won Uliem con.-isrently. Unfortunately this advantage was nullified by t u> lack 01 penetration by th,- five-cigiahs, who >hnj'ly went the ball on t-i r.i i-ht. across tlie field and allowed the Otahului liark* to sweep down on the rhiv—i|ii;.i ier line. Aehur-it liad haid luck with aics kicks at Coal; one hit the ]iost ami two wi« deflcited at the critical moment, liy the wind.

Reverses For Army.-—ln addiiion to the defeat of I'apukma Camp, li: -12, by Takapuna oil Saturday, Ilutt Army (suffered its first boat ins when Maris;. Old "Boys won 9—o at Wellington, while the Canterbury ri'pvitsoiit'atived vamiuishud an Army XV., in that district, 16 - l>. Tlie other games at Wolliiijrton rotsiilted: -\thletic "I heat Toueke ,'!: Ilutt 8. beat .lohnsniivillu 6: EafitbomiP JO. h... ;t V.'ellinu'ton Colle-e O!d Boys Ui; Welliirj-iou 20. beat. Air Force S; J'clono 17. heat St. I , a; rick's Old Boy« 11; Oriental G. boat University 0. At Duiuiliu: University A 22. beat Soutlievn champion) 13.

Fruits Of Coaching.—The TJuiiby spirit of challenge to the lawn tennis from across the harbour, once confined to Di-vonport, seems to have s-hifted dciinitcly to Xak;ijiuna muler the liijrh si-Vwioj influence, fostered by Mr. Frank .Sutherland a year or two back. An understanding of each other'** play in attack and defence, and mutual confidence, -was observable in the Tflkapuntt game Anny. On the. day. too, the backs showed a steadiness and judgment in usinj; tlie sideline for position that knorki-d the Anny oft balance when the latter looked dangerous. It betokened sound coachinjr.

'Varsity Improves.— .Milion--), liontcn by TiaimiL- C'olii-sfc 12 ;:, rm\vi>ii.v jiuvc aii improved showing and perlmp.s ilu-ie was not that difference between the teams on the run oi play. T'lie University forwards worried the opposition in the loose, -while the fine ,play ot McHae, at thtst five-eishth, caused College to ■watch him closely throughout. »-\ ejilcadid by him led to University's only try. The former Otago ihalf-Jbac-k, Iv. Simpson, who has not played for a fortnight, made his reappearance behind the University si-ruin and his good caiabimition with oiten led to danjreroiis atta-ckiiif; moves which a stronger thrrt'-quarter line may have turned to bettor advantage. At full-back for Trainiuj; College Kinirstone <lid liis ■work well, except when ho was badly 'beaten by Pulham, the LJnivorsity centre. in a tricky run. The wings. and Thornton (the latter apiin gcttinff a couple of tries) -were strong runners, while McLean, in the centre berth, is an improving p:layer. He scored one try and was lucky not to be awarded another a few tniinates .previously when he won the r;K-e for the touchdown, the referee, however, Ibeing of the opinion that lie had not made ■proper contact. Butler, first five-eighth, played :i sound nil-round game, and lie scored a fine try when he weaved his ■way through the opposition. Fairr, outside five-eijrhtli. was inclined to run urmss field.

With Gilmour As Leader. — J he one player on Grammar side wlio -played a crratcr part limn any other in Onnninar Old Hoys' defeat of Maiist Old Hoys, vvia •T. Oilmour. Skippor, frnal-kickcf, support m the front row and louder in most of the ruok play, he rovnllcd in tho ii.unc He started Ilic passing Imiit that lirouplit Grammar's first try, and was leading in most of the (pain's forward diivrs. as well a* kicker of iliree coals. Also it was a hurried pass from him that z.we Marist a try—but felio halanrn was still on tho credit side, and it was 3\rarists' trilmto o£ roncentrating on him an tlio obvious danger-

point that paused his one error. It has to be acknowledged that Gilmour's lead in honest toiling ivas loyally supported by the (Jnunniar pask, to the ultimate undoing of Marists. ISeveral times late in the

sraine. the MarLst forwards broke through in characteristic dribbling forays that -were

not met as resolutely as they should have been by Grammar's hacks, but the Grammar forwards always rallied in time lo save the situation. Kti'ective as spoilers of the opposition passing bouts, Grammar's backs were good when the ball was \ip, whi!,- 1511 key and Mao])onald shone in at tal king moves. Sorenson, for diarists, had an oil-day in gval-kicking 'that might have thanked the result. LEAGUE Richmond's Lead Reduced —The big surprise ft the Auckland Rugby League championship on Saturday was the defeat of the leading team, Kichmond. by Newton, the iina! score being 17 points to 14 in N"i \vion"ts favour, the result being that liuhmoiid is still the leader, now by a margin ot two points. In the main match "i the day North Shore beat City by 1G points to 14 as the result of a potted goal, l\v (.'l.irke, in the last minute ot play. Kichmond is now loading in the championship with JO points aiul'NortTT Shore is in next position with S points. City and Mauuk.tn are bracketed in third position, each with six points. Then follows AJarist and Newton each with five points. I'onsonby and Mount Albert each with four points, and Papakura in last place, without any points. Both Kichmond and City have played six mutches, one match more than North Shore.

Smith Shows Form.—Tn defeating City by Iβ points to 14 Xorth Shore owed a lot to J. Smith, ibs centre three-quarter, who. in addition to maintaining goal-kick-ing form, showed cleverness in constructive play. Smith got a very spectacular try, the result, of interception in inidtield. Smith worked out on a diagonal line to draw the defence, and then with a wide swerve, in the opposite direction ;_?ot through to score between the posts.

Sound City Full-back.-- Consistent good form lias been shown thin season by W. Clark at full-back, riaying against North Slime, he pavn an exceptionally good exhibition, fielding cleanly and kicking with jroo.l direction and range. The City fullback had a hard and heavy day in stemming Shore attacks, but his defence was beyond question.

South Island Forward. — Playing for Newton, against Richmond, was' M. iianiard. the former Canterbury forward. I all and 14 stone in weight, ho made a good impression when he played in the trials in Auckland and wae considered unlucky to miss a place in the 1939 team whirl, went to England. ll e was a South Inland representative in the 1 f>."i7 and 1038 seasons. One of the vital scores registered by Newton was a try obtained by 11. r.miis. tho Newton wing three-quarter, hums had little room to work in, but his great, pace got him round the Richmond. think to score at tlie corner flag.

Richmond Backs Play Smoothly.—The play of the Richmond hacks against NewUi« was smooth. Webb showed dash and enterprise at the base of the scrum, Williams and Lowther teamed with understanding, in the five-eighths line. Tittleton played * very resolute, game in the centre, while nn the wings Jack and Savers, with limited chances, displayed speed and linish. But the Richmond backs lacked tho guiding hand of Solomon, who was aliment.

Marist Improve.—After a run of defeats Mumt secured a well-desei ved win against I onsonby. Jt was a greatly improved Mnrist side, tho forwards, in particular, being outstanding and proving too good ior the Ponsonby six towards the end. There was practically no difference in the merits of the teams in the first half, whfn Ponsonby had a slight lead. Once Marist had nettled down after the chaiiKC-over its forwards dominated the play, the Ponsonby defence being bombarded time and again. Half way through the second upcll the score was even, J7 points each. K was at this stage that the Mavist forwards came into the. limelight. I'onsonby stemmed attack after attack, but eventually Kitilaysou, Marist forward, who had played a great game all through, scored the winning try. Tt was good football by both teams, and fast and open. Kay was tho pivot of the Ponsonhy attacks, and he was well backed by MoMnnue, Hiley, Carr and Hughes, while Williams played a, brilliant game at half-back, and the full-back, Scott, was very sound. Kay accounted for 14 of Ponsonby'es points, scoring two splendid tries and kicking four goals—two conversions and two penalty goals. To a man the Marist forwards played a solid game, while the outstanding hacks were Smith, McWilliams, Best and Dickson. Marist won by 22 points to 17.

Run-Away Victory.—Clever play at centre three-quarters iby Ja<:k ILnnti was a feature u£ the victory for Manukau over I'iipukura. Ileiiii tiuctl a qiiick change of l>lllll to ibeat tlie tackier, and many times changed direction to fool tlie opposition. llcini -was responsible ifnr 20 out of the 43 points scored. l>y Maniikau. J. Murray, the Manuka*! fivc-citfhUi, save a brilliant display and was in every movement worth while. The ex-New Zealand Maori representative scored three clever tries, and is a. derided .inquisition to the League code. The brothers, K. and W. Martin, figured prominently in Man-ukau's Riii-eess. The former, a five-eijihth. ma<le several tine npeningp, while W. "Martin did «ood work in the forwards. They scored a try each. •T. C'ootes, the New Zealand representative forward who turned out last. Saturday week for Manukau. went bark to Wellington, his home town, diirinj: last week. It is not known for cerLain whether Cootes will play in Auckland again thie season.

N.S.W. Beats Queensland.—After toeing down 12 —6 at the interval, and another two points from the kick-off in the second spell, New South Wales staged a splendid recovery to l>eat. Queensland 18—14 at Sydney Orieket Crouud on Saturday. A crowd of 31.000 produced a. "gato" of £1035. The teams were roni.itcliod for the King's Birthday in Australia to-c!aj\ SOCCER

Auckland Rep. Side Chosen.—Mr. 1«\ Kullibrook, sole selector ot the Auckland representative team to play Wellington at the Basin Reserve on June 28, 1i:ls picked 12 players ami has every confidence in bringing ibaok tlie English F.A. trophy with him. Cooker has played jn,*it oonsi.stently this season and is deserving of selection in the Auckland goal. It. ]\iggans and 31. Speed .picked themselves as buike an<l ciiu ibe ri-lietl upon to n»ut up a very solid defence. The half 'baok-line is a new one to rep. honours, but all three, players, Orr, Ken- and Hutcliinson, have been at Uie top n£ their form and should give a good ac-co'iuit ot themselves. In the forward line there are few surprises and it is hard to say who will <l>e the uiilmky player to be twelfth noon. l'resuiuably, A. Francis will iplay at contre-forwanl with ]{obinson and M. Francis on the right wing, and planters i.s a moral for out-

side-lea't. This leaves L. Woods and I*. Wiseman, <>.f 'Dhistle, to choose from for the inside-left position. Jsot.li players arc in fine forwi.

Shore's Surprise.—Shore showed a decided return to form when it sJiaded t/he efronfi Metro-College side by the «xld go:Ll in seven, after one of the fastest and most interesting games Bern on the Devonport ground for some time. The pace was ou up to the tinal whistle, and on tlie run of. the play Shore was a deserving winner. MatYo wan unfortunate in losing lloody just 'before the first spell ended, especially as he was playing a. gjod game. Flyger replaced him in the second spe.'l. Gordon had a hard day in Metro's goal and came through with credit, but his backs were inclined to crowd when the pressure wae on, and he was unsighted several times on this account. Speed and Turner were the best of the Metro backs, and Sutcliffe and Putt shared the honours in the front line. Ilooth and Danby proved solid defenders for Shor<\ and Dacre showed good form. Kiehartls w;m outst'anding on the right wing for Shore, while Clayworbh, Beery and \'iil»ntine played sound games.

Ponsonby Too Good.—ln the curtainraiser Pousoii'by was the better side on the day's play and deserved its 2 goals' victory over the Air Force team. Ohaip■man scored the fii-at goal for the Ponies after a nice forward movement and Dowler obtained his side's second <joal with a. good shot. Doibson was s;ufe in goal for the winners. Veart, Htuggett antl House were the outstanding hacks, whilst Dowler, Chapman and Woo<le (an ejt-Petone •player) were the pick of tlie forwards. Air Force was unlucky in losin-j i'eobles in the second spell with an injured cartilage he had ibeen a iine game. A. Ellis, at centre-half, was also in Rood form and Latime.r right-back, made pome, nice clearances. Tho Air Force vanguard was a good line with Waters. Williajusand filen lining the juost prominent iplayers, l>ut the line jiwt liickcvl thoso tinishing toiK-hee to make it really dangerous.

Suburbs Fight Hard.—Although beaten by three goals to one. KasU'rn Suburbs save an improved display against the leading teiiJii, Thistle The victors iplayed in tho first half with the wind and the sun behind them, registering two goals. After the spell the young Suburbs team made use of the wind and kept the ball well into the Thietle territory, but ithe defence of the Thistle full-backs, and that of Cocker in jroal was too solid. Davie, at left full-back, gave the best display on the field, his tackling and clearances being faultless. Lack of a steady combination between the forwards deprived Suburbs of all the chances which their (backs gave them. In ipaj-ticular, tlie younger members of the forward line do not possess a forceful shot to finish off their movements, although Welch at their head is Round in this respect, he is always too well-marked.

Penalty Clinches Game.—"Despite the weakness of the left winger, Oneikunua did not deserve to be tw\> goale down against Abels, at the Domain. The turning point came late in tlie second spell, after Onehunfra had striven valiantly to wipe out a deficit of 2—o. Brass, reduced Abel's lead to one tioal, when he headed in a lofty pase by M. Lindsay, who wae transferred 100 late to repair the daniiiso on the extreme left. ][« brother and Brass hammered away at the defence of Birchall (in jroal) and a .pair of solid full-backs: but too many opportunities had frone by. and before the right winjj could pet another chance Robinson «hot home a penalty to clinch victory for his nide. Quito a number of spectators, in the poor visibility caused by showerj' conditions towards the finish, were of'the opinion that the breach was outside the penalty area.

Another Chinese Victory. —Tn the first of their txo jrames ncrainst Victoria on Saturday the visiting Oliiueee Soocer team at the outset Was treated to shock tactics by the St;ite representatives, who led 2—o after 10 minutes' play. Uhirui had roluoed the deficit by one ponl at the interval, and shortly after resnimilisr cqualisetl. The Olisnese then save a taete of their quality and repistexed five more goals, while Victoria failed to ecore ajrain. the final tallies toeing China 7, Victoria 2. The return match was arranged for this afternoon, when the Kind's Birthday is iboinc celebrated throughout Australia. The visitors in their four contests t-o date lost only the openinsr fixture, when Xew South Wales was victorious 6 —4. Five Tests are to he iplayed.

An Exciting Draw.— Comrades and M.A.G.0.8. wae the main attraction at headquarters and a rawt exciting match, in wlhich some brilliant Soccer was witnessed, ended in a draw of 2 goals each. All four goals were scored in fhe first .halt, with Comrades having slightly the 'better of the exchanges. After the interval the pace "was on from the start, ami neither bide let up until rhe final whistle sounded. In this spell Mount Albert was a much-improved side and more than held its own and a draw wan a very good result. Ward eeored tfrio first goal for the Old lioye with a good rfiot, and Patterson added ills second point after a nice forward movement. Masters obtained i>oth Comrades' pools; the first he headed into the net from a good centre by A. Francs, and the second when he obtained the ball from a scramble in irout of «oal and jrive Thorn no chance with a pood shot. Thorn pivo a pood exhibition in (?oal for the Grammar eide, and Woodha.ll and It. Speed were a eouud pair ox back*. Hntrhinson played brilliantly at left hah", and Ces. Ward was in good form at centre ("lark and Pattetvon were the pkk of the forward line. For Comrades Yearbury brought off some fine rstiv.w in pin I. Kiwrauri was Oβ safe as usual and was ably supported by McKeima. Fincham was the mainstay <>f the half line-. Comrades phiyed A. Francis at centre and Marvin went to ineide left; evidently thie was done with a view to Aubrey l":idin»r the re]i. vanguard at Wellington. Evane ina<k> some cood runs on the viaht win}! and put over eome nice croww, whilst M. Francis and Masters were always in tlie picture. HOCKEY Lack of Finish.— Once again Albertians suffered defeat in a close game, goLns under to Mount Kden by 2 goals to 1. Albertiarus must study circle tactics to hope for puecess. The team had pome splendid field movement*? and as much of the play as Mount Kden. but failed miserably when the dnnjter zone was reachfd. There was no backing up <>r followinj: in oi shot* and this error them (several •splendid chances. Crawley's Versatility.—r.. 11. Crawley, of the University A team, distinguished himself by giviiijr a sound dct'ennivy exlii'iitiun in the full-back position United. 'Hiis plnycr has the distinction of having (started as goalkeeper several years ago and gained representative honours in that poeit.JU. Then lie moved up to centre forward, where h<> has performed remarkably well for quite a number of seasons. Xow tried out as a full-back he has shown that he has the ability to adapt, bus etyle of play either for attack or defence. Weakness in Penalty Corners.— When St. Luke's fought out a fcorcless draw with Training College, the most notable feature of the match was the failure of both teamfi to take advantage of the penalty corner hita awarded. 'J , he feeble attempts to convert the advantage—for a penalty corner nhould be an advantage to the attacking side —brought to mind, and contrasted adversely with, the wonderful co-ordination which the Watts brothers had in the heydays of their careers. This phase of the game is one which all the eenior teams could pay attention to jiiet now. and as a result of studied practice greatly benefit. Priest Injured In Gala. A fast slmr struck and injured a priest, playing a fright back, and then glanced into the coal net, during the State zone and country hockey carnival, which commenced on Saturday at Cranbrook Playing Fields. The shot", from Alexander (Newcastle) caught Father BoiKiher (Central Southern), president of the ttoulburn Hoc-koy Association, on fcho face. He fell and was carried from the field by hie team mate*. Hie lace was not gushed, but Father Boucher wae advised l>y a docror to take no further part in the day's play. He had played only to fill a last-minute vacany. Newcastle won 3-0, and by a 6uni!.ir ecore it also defeated Metropolitan South, State champion XI.