Army And Manukau For Rugby Final

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 2 (Supplement)

Army And Manukau For Rugby Final

TAKAPUNA'S LOST CHANCES

Army Backs Starved: No Ball From The

Scrum: Close Call For Manukau:

Grammar And Marists Win

The teams left in the final of the Auckland Rugby Union championship after to-day's play are Papakura Army and Manukau, winners respectively of the first and second sections.

Army once again figured as winners at Eden Park when a team much weakened by changes was lucky to meet Takapuna when the latter's backs were in fumbling mood and threw away winning chances by mistakes in handling. The game was fast and full of interest, Army winning 12—5. Grammar ran into second place by defeating Otahuhu 6—3, while Marists beat Suburbs 12—0. In the second division final Manukau just managed to maintain its championship lead by drawing with Ponsonby, 11 all.

ERRORS AGAINST ARMY COST TAKAPUNA THE GAME The teams were:— Papakura Army. — Backs: Warner, Schubert, Brady, Mclnnarney. Powell, iSilkey, Aloes. Forwards: Broenahan, ( 'orkhill, Massey, McOormick, Montgomery, Leekie, Farquharson, Harper, Smith.

Takapuna.—Backs: Butler, Titehener, R. Rogan, H. Rogan, L. Sanders, Brinsclen, D. Smith. Forwards; Kelly. Anderson, Brady, Sutherland, Blok, Gothard, Branch, Bushell. Takapuna was caught napping at the very opening of the game when the Army backs got going, and Warner cut in from full-back to give a pass to Schubert with a clear run in for a corner try that Warner failed to convert. Playing with the wind and sun, Army had a strong advantage, but Takapuna were showing up unexpectedly well in the forwards to keep the military men busy. Warner was again the chief factor in a score for Army. When the Takapuna backs got away Sanders kicked and Warner took the ball ami ran round to put ihis backs on attack, returning the ball to D. Brady, who scored; again a corner try that was not improved. Getting the ball frequently Takapuna threw it about and drove right to Army's line. Here from a ruck R. Rogan broke through and sent a pass infield to Kelly, who scored a. try that Sutherland converted.

When the Army serum began to get the ball play was confined to the Takapuna end, and when the defending backs got away an ineffective kick-through by Rogan was turned to advantage by Brady, who went smartly to the attack and in-passed to Montgomery, who scored. Again the try was not converted. Shortly afterwards Brady made another good scoring chance for Army, and M«lnnarney was downed at the line, inches short, Takapuna forcing, t.

bustled the Ponsonby rearguard into frequent errors, and tlie Manukau forwards kept well on the ball to hold off the Ponsonby attacks. After prolonged efforts Ponsonby got organised for a back attack, Halliwell joining in and sending Grant over for a corner try that Wiles tailed to convert. The score now was 11 all. A draw would leave Manukau still winners of the section competition, and the game went at a great pace as Manukau forwards drove over the opposition to repeated attacks that kept Ponsonby too busy to get set for scoring. In the last | minute the Ponsonby backs made their effort of the day to get down to Manuka u's line, but were driven back and the game ended: Manukau n Ponsonby U Mr. R. K.. Ilayhow was referee. ★ GRAFTON'S FOUR-POINT MARGIN OVER 'VARSITY University did the early attacking, but the heavy ground, which was waterlogged in patches, hampered back movements. The Grafton forwards gradually worked to their opponents twenty-five, where University defended solidly until Macßae. first five-eighth, relieved the pressure with a fine run. which, however, was not supported.. _ „ I University's rearguard was the more dangerous, while the Grafton forwards were troublesome in the loose. From one of these forward rushes Hull broke through to pick up and send on to Sayers. wing, who ran over behind the posts. Don converted and Grafton were 5 points up. A poor 'Varsity clearing kick a little later saw Hull take the ball on the full and score well out. Don failed with the kick. Grafton still held an 8-point lead at the interval. Early in the second spell Cawkwell kicked a penalty goal for University from a handy position. Grafton made use of the strong wind in its favour and play for the most part was in 'Varsity territory. Mishandling by the blues' backs proved costly, as the Grafton forwards were quick to break ihrpugh the gaps. Cawkwell kicked another penalty goal in the final stages, but although it tried hard to notch a try University found the defence too strong. Grafton retaliated near time with a try by McNeice, which Don converted. University came again and Brinsden. wing, scored at the corner from a back attack. Cawkwell failed with the kick. The game ended: — Grafton 13 University 9 Mr. A. V. Styles was referee-

For a spell play hung in the Takapuna quarters with Army rarely looking like adding to its score, though the forwards kept well on top of the Takapuna pack till the latter broke away in- a* passing bout to past halfway. A breakaway by Powell sent play back, and the same fiveeighth showed penetrative ability a little laiter, but his pass was dropped. Then Brinsden broke away in a spectacular run to the Army Jine, where he was tackled as he went over. In the last two minutes of the spell Army was penned down to desperate defence on its line. A flurry of fast play opened up the second spell as Takapuna went to the attack and_ was held off by individual play in Which Warner showed to advantage. Takapuna was getting the ball and H. Rogan had a run down the sideline to near the corner, while Bumsden also had a run but "held the 'ball too long. Then Butler (now at centre) did the same, and a score that had threatened three times went astray again. It came in a different way When Army infringed and Brady (forward) kicked a penalty goal for Takapuna .to make the score 9 —B. Again the Takapuna backs went away just to miss the score, and Brady had another penalty shot that just failed to land the leading points.' Again the" Takapuna backs raced to Army a line twice in succession without success, and then the Army forwards got away with the ball at foot, enabling Bilky to get the ball near the 'line to score a try that Powell just failed to convert. Again four points down, Takapuna set up a persistent attack based on its success in winning the ball from the scrums, but the handling of the backs was faulty. Towards the close of the game the Army forwards profited by this bad' handling to sally to Takapuina's end, where a series of fierce rallies ended in Army having a futile penalty shot at goal. In the last minute Takapuna made a final bid for recovery but could not shake off the defenders, and the game ended:— Army 12 Takapuna 8 Mr. W. D. Allen was referee.

SUBURBS FAIL TO SCORE AGAINST MARIST Fast play marked the opening stages, during which Le Long failed at goal ior Suburbs from a penalty. The Marist backs opened out well, while the Suburbs forwards were hard to stop tn the loose. Mills, forward, and Cooney. half, were prominent . in Marist attacks and once Sorenson dummied his way past half a dozen opponents, only to see the in-pass from the wing smothered. Suburbs took a turn when the backs linked up well, and Le Long again missed from a penalty. Marist drove back and sorenson opened the score with a good penalty goal. Suburbs retaliated and twice went close to scoring from back movements, only sound tackling by Marist saving. Marist was also dangerous in back and forward thrusts, but there was no further scoring up to half-time, when Marist led 3—o. , , On resuming Sorenson tried to put his team further ahead from a penalty, but his kick fell short. Although Marist was putting more dash into Its eflorts the Suburbs forwards were playing well and Marist back attacks were safely held. Marist's lead was increased to 6 points when Sorenson easily goaled from a penalty in front of the posts. Suburbs' backs had plenty of chances, but failed to get going as well as their opponents. A strong rush by the Marist forwards swept the defence aside and ended in Hogan touching down behind the posts. Sorenson missed the easy kick. Marist held the territorial advantage until a strong forward rush by Suburbs lust failed. Play became much faster, with Suburbs in patches showing glimpses of Its best form. Molloy. wing, next flashed into the picture with a good try for Marist. which sorenson failed to convert from an easy position. 'The game ended:— Marist 12 Suburbs ® Mr. J. C. Eagles was referee.

MANUKAU WINS SECTION ON DRAW WITH PONSONBY With the wind and sun at their backs Manukau was quickly in attacking position and opened the scoring with a penaltygoal put over by Boryer when the game had been 10 minutes in progress. Nice work by the Ponsonby backs .set the scene for a time in Manukau quarters, where Wham dribbled to the goal line and just missed getting a score from a rebound. In lively forward work Manukau drove back to the other end and Ponsonby twice in quick succession had to seek# safety in a force-down.

PRIMARY SCHOOL FINALS Finalists In the primary school competitions for the Frost and Caljxtus Shields, played off at Eden Park to-day. In the Frost Shield flnal. Farm Group (Onehunga. Royal Oak. Te papapa and Mangere Schools), last year's winners, drew with Victoria Park Group (Marist, Napier Street, Ponsonby and Richmond Road Schools). 3 all. Tries were scored by W. Hutchison (Ponsonby) and T. Cross. Domain Qroup won the Calixtus Shield by defeating Farm Group. 9—o. R. Lonergan (Newton Central) and G. Roberts and N. Caughey (Remuera) scored tries for the winning group, which Includes Newton Central. Parnell. Grafton and Remuera.

VICTORY FOR OLD BOYS Grammar speed and spoiling tactics at Sturges Park won the game against Otahuhu, the scoreboard reading 6—3 at half-time, and this was also the final score. The Auckland side faced the wind at the kick-off and within three minutes were down. Taking the ball from a high return, Hedge cut through and kicked to the corner. The ball did not go into touch, and Hinkley (wing), who had followed up, secured the ball and dived over for a try. Taking play to Otahuhu twenty-five. Grammar was awarded a penalty and Wickham equalised the score with a fine shot. A long kick by Grammar was misfielded by Kelly (full-back), and Kidd. Grammar's half-back, picked up and scored. The second spell was marked by a series of line-kicks by Grammar. Hedge broke through once and badly beat the opposition, and looked a certainty for a try, but he was upset by an opposition player and the chance was lost. Time was called with the scores:— Grammar Old Boys 6 Otahuhu 3 The referee was Mr. M. W. Thompson. When the teams met in the first round the score was 19 —14 in Grammar's favour, but the A.R.F.U. awarded the game to OtaTiuhu because the city side had played a Parnell man whose transfer was not in order.

The Ponsonby forwards battled back to halfway, where Grant broke away and sent the ball infield to his forwards, Burke eventually receiving to score a try after a sharp run. Wiles failed to convert. Manukau camped just outside Ponsonby r s goal-line and set up a series of back an,d forward forays that were successfully parried by the defenders. After a force-down the kick-out was replied to by a high kick which JLipscombe followed and gathered in, sending the ball to Brown and on to Pascoe, who scored a corner try that Boryer converted. A little later Patterson got away, and after the ball had passed through several hands it came back to Patterson, who scored a | try that Boryer failed to improve. Manukau finished the spell leading 11—3. With the wind, Ponsonby quickly got into scoring position, and with play near the line Grant got the ball and worked through a press- of opponents to score a try that Wiles converted. Only three points down, with 30 minutes to go, Ponsonby now had a good Tvinning chance, despite the arrival of rain at this stage. By fast tackling the Manukau barks

THIRD GRADE REPS The following players are required to attend the Fonsonby Training Shed at 7.30 p.m. on Monday lor the selection o£ the team to play the secondary school representatives at Eden Park on August 30: Higgs, A. Bean. Moyce. Ganley, Dow (Grammar), Warren. Ward, Hayson, Bain, Elifl ('Varsity). Arkle, Bagnall, Boon, Moone (Y.M.C.A.), Kirchant, Farminter (Technical), B. Mahon, L. Cotoe, R. Powell (Takapuna), Sarrach, ■F. Henderson, McGrory, Ready (Marist), Hall, McCormlck, Holland. Leman (Northcote), Bain. Amos. Smith, Wynyard, Odlin. Griffiths (Shore). Chatfield, S. Horton (Parnell-Tamakl).

HAWKE'S BAY WIN (P.A.) NAPIER, this day. In brilliant weather, 4000 spectators saw a great match between Hawke's Bay and Wellington, the first spell producing particularly fine Rugby. Contrary to local expectations, the Bay more than held Its own as the game progressed, and, soon after the start, an exciting race behind the line ended in Cooke scoring. Brady goaled. The following play was very fast and exciting, both sides having close calls. Intercepting a pass, Bligh added an unconverted try to the Bay total. Just before the interval, Bowman scrambled over for Wellington from a scrum. Dance converted to make the half-time score: Hawke's Bay >... 8 Wellington 5 Hawke's Bay attacked strongly at the start of the second spell, Brownlie scoring an unconverted try. Little later sent Reid over from a scrum, Brady goaling. Tries for Wellington by Jackson and Pockna l :, one being converted by | Dance, made the final score: 1 Hawke's Bay 16 Wellington V

* POLLARD COP. —By drawing with whenuapai to-day. the Garrison Artillery team won the Pollard Hup. The score was 11 all. This competition was instituted after the first ronnd of the G<M-laher-Sl-'eid.