THREE XV.'S LEVEL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 163, 13 July 1942, Page 5

THREE XV.'S LEVEL

Just ns goal-kicking gained It a narrow win on the previous Saturday, so did this means of scoring bring about the llrst, defeat of M.T.P. (previously the loading XV) at the harms of Garrison in the llrst series of mutches In the second round of the Auckland Rugby Union's Gallaher Shield competition. Garrison scored all Its 13 points In the first ppcil to M.T.P.'s unconverted try. M.T.P. added two penalty goals to its total in the second half. Staged as the principal attraction at headquarters, the match drew a good attendance, which was provided with some good, hard football. Ranfuriys, the promoted side, scored a win over Orafton-Ponsonby In a scrappy curtain-raiser by a margin of 11 points, while on the No. 3 ground at Eden Park hal ' " harrow win over Technical Old Hoys. At. Walkaraka Park Manukau took the honours from Air Force (No. 2) In another close match. Three teams are now equal In He lead for championship. They are M.T.P., Ranfurlys and Garrison. The last-named has played one more game than the other two teams. Conditions were again favourable for fast, football. Results of matches:— Garrison 13, beat M.T.P. 9. Ranfurlys 17. beat Grafton-Ponsonby 6. C.H.O. 11, beat Technical Old Boys 8. Manukau in. heat A!r Force No. 2 11. Altken Ms* Day Oat.—Former Wnlkato captain Bad a day out for Oarrleon. nnd his kicking Brought about the nrst defeat of M.T.P. A. J. Altken kicked three penalty goals and potted another, thus scoring all his side s points. All three kicks were good ones, especially his llnal penalty goal lust prior to half-time from near the tourhllne. Altken also proved a hnrd man to •top, and in getting his potted goal he bumped On his vis-a-vis. Gregory, and sent the ball noar.ly between the uprights from lnrioe the M.T.P. 2S from a slight cngle. He nl.no did somo fine defensive work. In the full-back role. Llktlelohn had a lot of work, and came through the ordeol With much credit, his handling and kicking being good. Hard Exchange*.—There were some solid forward exchanges. with Oarrlson# always dangerous In tho looso while holding the advantage In the llneouts for the most part. McLeny's good hooking, too. went a long way to keeping the M.T.P. backs in check as well as tho general high atandard of Garrison's tackling. The Garrison players were quick on to their men. and were thus able to rhcck in the early stages attacking waves which might have developed dannerously. There was little In It. both teams loelng goo* opportunities at the critical moment. In tf™ Garrison pack. Cunning was always to the fore, and Sheehan and flirt ford alio pl.iyad well. The aide was again unlucky to lose the services of M. Smith (captain) in the first spall. In the for-, wnrds, Mitchell did some fine all round work for M.T.P. and wes well assisted by Zimmerman and Brlggs. with Anderson and Petersen prominent In the loose. W. Tlttletnn egaln nlayed a capital nil-round game at five-eighth. Scott Mull-back* improved Inter In the game to give a fine dlsplny. His powerful kicking repeatedly drove the attackers well back. Rattle of thr Vanguards.—The use made by Technical Old Doys of their forwards in closepacked drives, to which their inside backs largely contributed by returning the ball to the forwards, balked C.R.O. from getting their fine threequarter line Into effective operation, and eventually forced the Army side to adopt similar shock tactics. The gome thus became a battle of the forwards with the initiative mostly held by 0.R.0.. who might have added half a dozen more points had Brown been in his customary ■oal-klcklng form, for Technical often penalise;! fn their own quarter. Abbot and Brlnsden were eonetanj dnnger polntj to the oppoeltlon by their annpplne.is In turning defence into attack, by ploying to th e forwards.