Flashes From Saturday's Sport

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 224, 22 September 1941, Page 4

Flashes From Saturday's Sport

RUGBY Best Crowd of Season.—ln ideal spring weather conditions the largest crowd of spectators that has assembled in Eden Park for many years attended the annual Auckland v. Wellington representative match on Saturday, and thoroughly enjoyed a fast and cxeiting game that Auckland won by 13 points to 3. But for an off day on the part of the Wellington goalkickers the result might have been narrowed down to a margin of a point or two either way. Advantage was taken of the fact that it was the last match of the season to present the Bert Palmer Memorial Cup and the Mackie Trophy to the winning junior teams. Otahuhu colts (junior boys) and University second fifteen respectively. Following this ceremony the assembled spectators, at the request of the Union president (Mr. Harry Frost.) stood in silence for three seconds prior to I the start of the representative game as a tribute to players on service overseas. Fast Pace Throughout Starting off to a roar of encouragement from the thousands of partisans of the respective teams, the game hit a great pace at the outset, which was maintained to the finish. At first it appeared that neither set of forwards or backs could snatch the initiative, and that the issue would be decided on goalkicking. Wellington's captain, Todd, three times failed with shots at goal from moderate range, while Kingstone, Auckland's full-back, got on the target at the first attempt and put his side three points up. Backs and forwards on both sides threw themselves into attack and counter-attack at great pace, with many exciting incidents, but the defence was equally skilful. Just before half-time Kingstone, who had been conspicuous for very fine saving work, coming up sharply into a three-quarter attack by Auckland, caught the Wellington deftnee napping. He carried on with a brilliant run, beating Dance, the opposition full-back, to score a try that he converted. The Second Half.—Play went in similar fashion throughout the second half, with Wellington just missing chances to score by penalty kicks and tries before the halfback, O'Halloran, made a fine opening and sent the ball ori to Stanaway to score a corner try. Jnear the close of the game Auckland made several dangerojis forays and from one of these Tetzlaff and Schubert combined in a dash from a scrum near the line. Schubert cleverlymaking the best of a few inches of space to score a corner try that Kingstone converted. .The Individual Players.—Much fine individual play was shown on both sides, back and forward, with Milk, Johnson. Tetzlaff and Brinsden prominent for Auckland, and Todd, O'Halloran and Dance conspicuous for Wellington. The one big disappointment for the spectators was the f' ilure on both sides to get the respective three-quarter lines into full action. Cancelling each other out among the inside backs, they left no chances for the wing three-quarters to really do their stuff. Glimpses given by all the wingers of exceptional ability kept the crowj expectant of rare thrills when they really got to grips— but those speedsters never got real chances to try each other out. Kingstone Brilliant.—Play throughout was fast, hard and lively, with many individual flashes of brilliance on both sides, but the performances of all others were overshadowed by Kings-tone's brilliant [ full-back display for Auckland. He nursed his forwards by great line-kicking, and equally discouraged the opposing pack by snatching away scoring chances from them with Sure fielding and long return linefinders. His goalkicking piled up seven points, and his well-judged crash into the attack wheu he scored left the opposition agape. Referees At Grips.—The Auckland XV. again won the annual competition with Wellington merees for the Green &iield, the score at Gribble-Hirst Park in favour of tJje holder being 22—9. The scorers were:—lAucklandl: Tries iby FTett, Graham, Mace And Muffins; three conversions by Mace, and a potted coal by Canavan. Wellington: Try by Randell; penalty goals by Ellison and TregurtJha. Pukekohe Again.—The final Peace Cup match for the season, played at Pukekohe between the home team and Waipa, ■proved a bright and exciting struggle, and it was anybody's came until the final few minutes, when Pukekohe (which had won the cup from Matamata on the previous Saturday) placed the result beyond doubt with two quick tries. Some fine forward play _ -was witnessed, while the sound tackling, of both teams, and support of players in. trouble, would have done credit to *ny provincial fifteen, Waipa had the better of the first spel 1 and gained possession from the scrums, but the backs, although splendidly served at half by C. Calder (formerly of Southland) could not link up properly, especially in the threequarter line. The fine loose play of the Waipa forwards, too, often went for nought owing to this defect. The Pukekohe backs were the better in all-round play and togeCher with the splendid work of the forwards carried the side to welldeserved victory. One of the features of the game was the good play of the two half-backs, Calder (Waipa) and E. Miller (Pukekohe). All the forwards got into the fray with vigour. For the winners Rogers, Chitty and Mclsaac caught the eye; while for Waipa, Hinton was always in the picture. This Week's Representative Game.— The South Auckland team to play the Auckland B representatives at Eden Park next Saturday includes nine of the Pukekohe team which won the Pcace Cup. J. Dunn, three-quarter, who was not available for the match against Waipa owing to an injury, is included, making the whole Pukekohe three-quarter line. Other Pukekohe players in the backline arc M. Hihira, -second five-eighth, and E. Miller, half-back. The Pukekohe forwards selected are G. Chitty, J. Dean, C. Mclsaae and A. Rogers. The sole selector, Mr. N. Sandin, has announced this team: — Full-ba-ck, P. Kewish; ♦hree-quarters. J. Dunn, T. Longhrin (captain), D. Koni; five-eighths, M. Hihira, L. Bright; halfback, E. Miller; forwards—front row, D. Pountney, J. Dean, G. Chitty; side row, G. Conroy, C. Mcisaac. E. Reynolds, A. Rogers; back row, A. C'hipnian. Reserves: Backs, J. Thomson. D. Thomson; forwards, R. Johnson, R. Marshall. Albion and 'Versity Southern Champions.—AJbion won the Canterbury senior championship by beating Army unexpectedly by 15 points to 0. Thid was a match between the winner of the senior A section of the competition and the winner of the senior reserve section. Army had accounted for six teams in the A section and Albion had a record cf seven wins in the reserve section. Army played without Dewer and Blair, two of its stronger players, and Rankin, the All Black forward, played at centre. On a hard, dry ground the lighter Albion side was too nimble for Army. At Dunedin University A won the championship by one point ahead of Southern, last year's champion side. This was University's first win since 1934. Results were:—University A 19, beat 14; Southern 42, beat University B 0; Kaikorai 16, beat Dunedin 12; Taieri 16. beat Alhambra 9; Pirates 13, beat Union 11.

LEAGUE Last-Minute Try.—Scoring of a lastminute try enabled Maoris to beat Pa'kahas by 21 points to 17 at Carlaw Park, after a game that was fast and open all the way. The Maoris led by 16 points to 3 at half-time, but in the second half the Pakehas made a recovery, and kept on scoring until in the lead by 17 points to 16. It was then that Maoris ca,me with a passing run that carried several changes of direction, and Gregory scored close to the posts, and Henii converted, it being his third goal in the match. Fine Full-backs. —Tn the Maori-Pakeha match, the full-backs of the respective teams, R. Marti® and R. Scott, ga.ve good displays. Martin played soundly, fielded cleanly, and kicked vith good judgment. Scott, one of the youngest full-backs in the game, was cooi and resourceful and showed ability at times to run 1 his backs into action. Three Tries to Riley.—Playing at left winjr tbrcequarter for the Paikeha team against the Maoris, B. Riley, the Ponsonby player, got three tries. Most of the attacking play went to Riley's wing, where he showed fine pace and determination when the ball was handed on to him. Deputy Half-back.—The Maori team did not have a regular half-back to play against the PnkeJia team, but a good substitute was found in T. Chase, the Manukau player, amd the sharp way he sent the ball out gave the Maori 'backs plenty of opportunities for action. This season, Chase has played in every back position, although his best place is possibly at left wing three-quarter, where he is able in attack to exploit a side-ste-piping run off the left foot. The Roope Rooster.—The second series of matches in the Roope Rooster competition will see some of the strong clubs opposed to greatly improving teams, and the mate-lies .promise to provide more than usual interest. Following is the draw for next Saturday: — Richmond v. Marist, Manuka.il v. Newton; North Shore v. Ponsonby; Otahuhu y. City. There was not a great deal between Marist and Mount Albert in the first series. Marist had the better of the first naif, arid thus advantage was carric*! on until the end. However, Mount Albert put up a great fight to retain their place in the competition. The 'backs did not function too "well and "this cost t>hem "the day. Behind the scrum, Clements was much out of form and ofter ran across the ground, hindering the movements of the five-eighths. There was also a lack of penetration by the Mount Albert threequarters. Leatherbarrow did his work well as the hooker, but the 'backs failed to press -home this advantage. In scoring two tries, Costello. the Marist five-eighths, made a good im.pressiop. Costello executed several dazzling runs and his first try left six Mount Albert -players diving at space in an effort to check his tricky run. More will be heard of Costello, provided he is carefully eoadhed in the positional play of a five-eighth. Otahuhu s Good Form.—The Otahuhu form against Papakura created a good impression among the spectators. It was a solidly-built team, which showed enterprise and combination. Papakura gave a poor exhibition, and its defeat was quickly foreseen. '.Ihe Otahuhu backs were outstanding. and some clever movements were seen. Blockley, Milligan and Mullins teamed well, but the outstanding player of t''ie side was R. Martin in the forwards. He 16 a brother of Ralph Martin, Manukau full-back. Martin, who has played for Otahuhu for several seasons, has been through all the grades and can now be classed as a senior player of a high standard. He was the winuer of the Dickson medal this season. This J medal is awarded eaoh year to the best .sportsman. Allan, the Otahuhu full-back, also played a great: game, and was in kicking form, registering a penalty and two conversions. Burgess was the best of the Papakura backs.

Soldier and Footballer. —A shining light in t'he three-quarter line of the Otahuhu B team is R. Milligan, who was a former Otahuhu Rugby player. He played senior Rugby last season, and only recently returned from active service overseas. He paved the way for at least two tries scored by Otahuhu against Papakura, a match which waa won by Otahuhu by 25 points Co 5. N.Z.R.L. Old Boys . —The team to represent the New Zealand Rugby League Old Boys' Association against South Auckland next Saturday will 'be selected from:—C. Du'fty, B. Sehultze. S. Hargraves, S. Prentice, T. Hanlon, B. Powell, J. Satherly, D. Herring, S. Clarke, J. McLeod, G. Campbell, H. Ruby, W. McLaughlin, C. Dunn, W. Telford. H. Brisbane, A. W. Seagax, E. McNeil and J. Purdy. SOCCER _______ Brilliant Goalkeepinff.—One of the main features of the Seatoun-Comrades* match at Blandford Park was the excellent dis- - play given by the respective keepers, i ishcr, this season's Wellington representative, made some magnificent saves between the posts for Seatoun, including a penalty kick taken by Masters. When hard-pressed, Fisher made great use of throwing the ball clear. McCamish in Comrades' goal also rose to the occasion and played his best game of the season. He stopped two terrific drives from B. Yeoman, the visiting centre forward, and played an excellent game throughout the ninety minutes. R. Boyes In Fins Form.—Scatoun's captain, R. Boyes, played a great game at centre half for his side. His tackling was always clean and his passes placed with fine judgment. B. Yeoman led the visiting vanguard in masterly fashion and scored both goals for his side, the final score being 2—l. D. Yeoman, who toured Australia with the secondary schools XI., played well at inside right and fed Edmunds, his winger, with some nire passes. Edmunds had to leave the field with a knee injury in the closing Btages, and for the last 15 minutes the visitors played one man short. Comrades' Halves.—Matthews. Fincham and Healy were set a hard task to hold the strong Seatoun forward line, but up to the interval the halves gave a great account of themselves, and broke up several promising attacks by the visitors. In the second spell the trio was inclined to lay back too much, thus overcrowding its backs and was not quite so effective as i.i the first half. Masters scored for Comrades from the centre-forward position, but went to outside left in the closing stage*. Walters going to centre, and it is possible the line would have been more effective had this change been made earlier. Both sets of backs got through a lot of solid work, but spoiled their play by rather wild, long-range kicking. The pace was on throughout, the ground being in perfect condition, and there was never a dull moment in an excellent game. Otago's Challenge Fails. — Canterbury staved off a challenge for the Football Association Trophy, decisively defeating Otago, at Christehuroh, by 4 goals to 1. Although Canterbury had the better of the game in the first half, for the gTcatcr pare of the second spell it was on the defensive, and at one stage was decisively rattled. A lucky breakaway gave Canterbury another goal and from then on the result was a foregone conclusion. In the first half Canterbury displayed great combination and was able to retain possession of rile ball. In the second spell the Otago forwards gave the crowd several thrills with brilliant downfield sorties. Scorers for Canterbury were G. Smith (2) and Bailey (21. while Skinner scored for Otago. Wellington plays the winner on I Saturday nest.

In Second Round.—Ponsonby had no difficulty in entering the second round of the Falcon Cup, winning convincing!} from Eastern Suburbs by 8 goals to 3. The Ponies' team ■work proved too much for the young Suburbs side, and although Suburbs had a great deal of the play territorially they could not finalise their attacks. In contrast their opponents were always dangerous in front of goal, and the Suburbs halves had a hard task trying to hold the fast moving Ponsonby forwards. Gay, Collings and McKellar played sound games in the Suburb* backs, getting through a hard afternoon with credit. R. Welch, Gilbert and A. Welch worked hard in the Suburbs front line, but found the opposing defence a tough proposition. This was A. Welch's first appearance for some weeks owing to illness. and lie perform fd quite creditably on the right wing. Both fore and aft Ponsonby worked with cohesion, and although Haggett was crippled soon after the came started he elected to continue, and played quite a good game. Dobson proved safe in goal, and Vcart and Broun proved sound defenders in the Ponies' defence. While all did so well it is hard tt> individualise in the forward line, but Chapman stood out for clever distribution of the play, while Dorwler and Callaghan proved a strong attacking forcc on the wiags. Air Force Surprise Abets.—Air Force put up a splendid recovery in the second half to eventua ly defeat Abels in the Falcon Cup by 4 goals to 2 after being down by the odd goal in three at the interval. Baker, Glenn, Willoughbv and Williams scored for the Service XI., whilst Blake and Birchall netted for Abels. Willougliby played a fine game on the right wing for the Air Force and Everson excelled at centre half. Blake, Robinson and C. Ekman were the pick of Abels. Falcon Cup Survivors.—The two winners in tlie first round oi the Falcon Cu£», Thistle and Abels, were eliminated on Saturday, the former 3—l by Metro.College. The other teams ctrll left in the knock-out competition arc Saturday's otiher two victors (Air Force and Ponsonby), and t>he sides which had the byes —Comrades and North Shore. HOCKEY Surprise Results.—Wsien two rounds of the Devonport Shield were played at Hobson Park the surprise of the day was Mt. Eden's two wins over such strong elevens as University and Training College. _ A further surprise, in view ot the team's first march performance, was Training College's win over Grammar Old Boys. The scores in all eight matches were an indication of the c*osene«6 of play, for with the exception of University's tSiree goals clear over St. Luke's and the drawn game between United and Somerville, all otiher games finished with only a one-goal margin between the teams. Failure To Follow In.—P. Robinson gave a spectacular exhibition between the posts for Grammar in its match against Training College. On one occasion, when one of the teachers had a high stinging shot, Robinson jumped to reach it? with (his 'band and glanced the ball over the crowbar. The only goal of the maOch resulted from another stingng 6hot which Robinson attempted to stop with his hand, bur although partially successful the ball trickled into the net. The College forwards lost a wonderful opportunity when fhe same goalie went down on his knees l to smother a «hot and the ball lodged underneath his pads. He was puzzled to know where it had gone, and had the College forwards been following in fast enough the umpire would almost certainly have been forced to award a penalty bully. Albertians' Young Goalie.—When the Albertian team took the field for Saturday's game it was noticed that a diminutive goalie was in charge oi the net. He proved to be R. Jensen, a fifth grade player, and brother of J. Jenson. the chrbs usual custodian. He displayed a good knowledge of goalkeeptnz, stopped well with the pads and got in quick clearances, but could show a greater tendency to come out and meet some attacks.