How they Stand

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 211, 6 September 1941, Page 6 (Supplement)

How they Stand

Positions of teams in the Auckland Rugby Football Union's competitions:— Ch. P. -W. L. D. Pts. JUNIOR A Suburbs 13 u J - 22 •Varsity 13 10 3 - 20 JUNIOR B Technical 12 11 1 . 22 Marlst 12 10 1 1 21 THIRD ORADE North Shore 15 13 1 - 26 Grammar 15 12 1 3 26 INTERMEDIATE (Final) Eden 14 13 - 1 27 Newton 14 9 3 2 20 ' FOURTH ORADE Otahuhu 15 15 - - 30 Marlst 13 11 2 - 22 Takapuna 15 11 4 - 22 FIFTH GRADE (Final) Eden 14 13 1 - 26 Marlst 13 10 3 - 20 SIXTH ORADE Newton 13 12 1 - 24 Suburbs 13 9 4 • 18 Ponsonby 10 1 3 « 14 Review of Seifcon

Shortly after the 1941 season commenced it became obvious that certain changes in the running of the junior competitions would be necessary in order to overcome difficulties which were giving clubs and coaches many headaches. "Blackout" regulations, and the consequent scramble for training sheds, players in camp, week-end parades, Home Guard duties, all contributed to make coaching a most unenviable job. For the first week or two it was a case of dead reckoning with the "lead" going all the way. However, as the season got under way, things were not so bad. No club had a monopoly on "hard luck," all being affected one .way or another. Furthermore, a new spirit soon made itself evident. Players seemed to realise that the winning of the championship wasn't of paramount importance, and while there was no slackening of the "will to win," it soon became a case of playing for the joy of the game, with the result that good judges of football consider that this season has produced the most enterprising Rugby in years. There is no doubt that some of last year's junior, thirdgrade and, yes, intermediates, are now playing up to senior standard, throwing the ball about in great style. Radical Innovation In order to ensure that all players would get a game, and that, in the event of one team being hopelessly short, while the opposing side had "spares" on the side-line, the Junior Management Board introduced its "lend or lease" act. This provides that the team with players to spare may xjffer any number of emergencies to the opposing side. If the offer is accepted (and there is a definite right of refusal), the team lending players is immediately credited with one championship point. This was certainly a move in the right direction and the board is to be congratulated on its initiative. Three Rep. XV.'s Fielded Compared with previous years the teams competing in the various I grades have been on the light side, but the standard of football was as high as ever. Notwithstanding the many difficulties, the Junior Management Board fielded three representative sides—junior, third-grade and intermediate, and games were arranged for each. The juniors played Hamilton reps, at Hamilton, and were successful 15—6. For the first time on record the Third Grade Reps, defeated the Secondary Schools at Eden Park, 11—8. At Pukekohe, the Intermediates met a much heavier team in Pukekohe Juniors, but managed to obtain a draw, 9 all. A return match has been arranged at Eden Park. In the junior A section Suburbs were declared winners after a playoff with 'Varsity. Technical Old Boys were successful in the B section, and the semi-finals between these two teams should provide some bright Rugby. In the third grade North Shore, and Grammar are all together with 26 points, each having three more games to play. North Shore will play Northcote, Garrison and Marist, while Grammar has matches with Y.M.C.A., 'Varsity and Technical. The last-named team held Grammar to a draw in the previous round, and may still be dangerous, while Northcote is quite capable of extending Shore. Eden won the intermediate championship with Newton as runnersup. The winner has been most consistent, having one draw to mar an otherwise unblemished record. In the fourth grade Otahuhu has been outstanding. The team-work, tactical knowledge, and enterprise displayed are indicative of sound coaching, and whoever is responsible is to be .heartily congratulated. In what was virtually the final as far as the championship is concerned, Marist and Otahuhu met at the Domain, and after a great game Otahuhu was victorious.