FOOTBALL LEADERS BEATEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 139, 14 June 1943, Page 5

FOOTBALL LEADERS BEATEN

CITY AND MARIST

SATURDAY'S GAMES

MANUKAU AND GARRISON WIN

There was some levelling up on Saturday of the positions in the Auckland senior championship tables in both the Rugby codes, the two leading teams suffering defeat. City fell to Manukau at Carlaw Park', whilst Marist sustained its first defeat nf the season when Garrison won 13—8 after a scoreless first spell at Eden Park.

There is now no unbeaten club in the 13-a-side code, but in the Union game Manukau is still unbeaten, although it lost a point on the last two, weeks by draws with Technical Old Boys and Navy. As a result of Saturday's games Garrison, Marist and Manukau are all level pegging.

At Carlaw Park there is also a triple tie — Manukau, Mount AlbeS. and City ail having 10 championship points to their credit.

Manukau, however, has played one game less than the other Xlll's. The 1942 champion's only defeat was by Richmond on May 8. Mount Albert lost to Marist (opening game of season) and Richmond, while City had previously been conquered by Mount Albert. Richmond is lying next with eight points — four victories and two losses (Newton and City).

The surprise of the Soccer series was the three-goal victory of Eastern Suburbs over Papakura, in a high-scoring engagement. Somerville is still leading in the Davis Cup hockey competition. RUGBY UNION In a fact and interesting match at Eden Park Marist, the leading team in the Rugby Union's senior championship,

Somerville is still leading in the Davis Cup hockey competition.

RUGBY UNION

In a faist and interesting match at Eden Park Marist, the leading team in the Rugby Union's senior championship, suffered its first defeat of the season at the hands of Garrison by 13 points to 8. There was no score at half-time. Garrison scored three tries (two converted) after the interval, and Marist registered two tries (one converted). Two drawn matches were played in the series. In the curtainraiser Navy led Manukau by 8 points at half-time, the latter scoring a similar number in the second spell. This was Manukau's second successive drawn game, and the side still remains unbeaten. The other drawn match on Saturday was between Army and Technical Old Boys. Grafton-Ponsonby finished with a wide margin over M.T.P. The matches resulted: — Garrison 13, beat Marist 8. Navy S, drew with Manukau 8. Army 3, drew with Technical Old Boys Q Grafton-Ponsonby 25, beat. M.T.P. G. Five-eighths at Fault.—Garrison deservedly won the contest against Marist in a game which provided some sparkling football. Both teams made the play open, and there were many thrilling back and forward exchanges. The Marist flve-elghth (Rae. second, especially) made the error of trying to cut in too much against a sound defence, which was on top of its opponents all the time. This caused the Marist backs to run across field, whereas if the five-eighths had "unloaded" quickly the defence would have had a more torrid time. Neary. Marist centre, made some nlco breakaways, while the rival full-backs, Sorenson and Littlejohn (Garrison) came through a hard afternoon's work with credit. Hedge, Garrison first five-eighth, played a good game, and he scored a clever try, as did Galley on the wing. Gunning, M. Smith, Thomas and Klssin wcro always In the fray in the Garrison pack, while among the Marist vanguard Fitzpatrick, Carroll, Dunbar and Bailey were often prominent.

Navy a Shade Unlucky.—The sailors, who had an advantage of 8 points at the interval, were a little unfortunate In not taking the honours against Manukau. This match was also bright and interesting, the Navy backs making the play open and having fine support from the forwards. Manukau forwards played well, but the backs did not link up to best advantage.

Edwards 16 Points. —Though they can no longer call on Paton to take the kicks, Grafton-Ponsonby havo found a worthy substitute in Edwards. He converted all five tries on Saturday, and in addi-

tion played a splendid game In the forwards. He scored two tries, his tally of points thus being 1G out of the Grafton-Ponsonby score of 25—by which M.T.P. was beaten—to six. Tetzlaff, half-back, also scored two smart tries. He was easily the best back on the field.

Scoreless Second Spell.—Frequent ofT-stde infringements marred portions of the Army-Technical same. Each side's three points came from penalties In the first half. In the second spell both teams played hard football, but neither could score. Army seemed likely to take the load at one stage, when its pack wore the opposition down to the goal-line, but McLean (Technical half) cleared well. Hooking against Pike, the Auckland representative, Shelton obtained a fair share of tha ball for Army backs, whom Sutton viSLS serving well from behind the scrum.

ELEVEN-ASIDE FOOTBALL Another series of the Soccer ' championship games was played on Saturday, and some interesting contests' were witnessed. Blandford Park was in excellent condition in spite of recent rain, and the best game of the day was the curtainraiser in which Eastern Suburbs sprung a surprise over the Papakura XI., establishing a five-goal lead at half-time as the result of clever football. Papakura rallied in the second spell and made a fine game of it, but the Suburban side again' responded and had a three-goal lead when time was called. Metro College B registered another victory, this time Training College being its victim. The teachers lost Smith in the second half and continued with ten men. In the chief attraction at headquarters Metro College defeated Garrison in a game spoilt by weak shooting. Comrades took two points off Ponsonby, and Air Force had a comfortable win over North Shore, while Mount Albert A was seven goals up on its B team. Results and scores:— Eastern Suburbs S, beat Papakura 5; Metro-College 3, beat Garrison 0. Comrades 2, beat Ponsonby 0. Air Force 5, beat North Shore 1. Metro-College B 3, beat Training College o ' Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys A 8, beat Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys B 1. Goals Galore.—The curtain-raiser between Papakura and Eastern Suburbs was played at a great pace and some clever Soccer was produced by both elevens. Suburbs started at a tremendous pace and had established a lead of five goals to rill when half-time arrived. Papakura scored three goals in quick succession after the interval, and exdtement grew; but Gilbert added two more points for Suburbs, to put the decision beyond doubt Goals were scored for Suburbs by Gilbert (3) who played an excellent game on the left wing- Dempsey (2), inside right: Ray Welch (2) who was again In fine form and proved himself an adept for headers; and Neilson, inside left. For Papakura, Donaldson, who led the front line in fine style, netted on three occasions, while Valentine and Danby were the other scorers. Danby's goal was a... beauty—a free kick from 35 yards range at an angle, the ball going into the far top corner of the net. Other players to catch the eye were Gay, Smith, Espie and Drummond (Suburbs); Nimmo, Todd, Flyger and Yates (Papakura). Chances Thrown Away.—The Garrison side had only itself to blame for dropping two Points to Metro-College, as It strcrald have established at least a four-goal lead early in the game. The side did everything but score—at least two shots ballooned over the crossbar from practically on the goal line. In the second half Metro improved and had the better of the exchanges, and goals were scored by Hope-Ede and Les Woods (2). Players worthy of note were Brass, Woods McLuckle, Speed, Gordon (Metro); McGillivray, Harris, Higgs and Morgan (Garrison).

Airmen's Four-ffoal Victory.—Air Force proved too good in team work for the young North Shore side and the airmen finished four goals up at Devonport. Shore put up a capital right, however, and brought off some nice combined movements at times. But for poor finishing in front of goal the Suburban XI. would have been closer up at the finish. Caisley and Williams played clever games in the Air Force front line and they had good support from their colleagues. Dacre (ex-North Shore), Peebles and Davis were a useful trio in the backs. Scott (in Boal). Christie and Roman played soundly in the Shore defence, while Mason and Gilbert were the best of. the forward line.

Drammond 'Cup.—The A.F.A. has accepted a challenge from the Navy for a Drummond Cup game, and the first of a series of three matches (which are always so popular) will be played as the main attraction at Blandford Park next Saturday, commencing at 3 p.m.

RUGBY LEAGUE The largest attendance of the season gathered' at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when City, the leader of the present season in the League championship, met Manukau, the club champion of last season. The match was keenly contested and good team-play by Manukau in the second half brought victory. Results were:— Manukau 13, beat City 8. Marist 21, beat Otahuhu 8. Mount Albert 14, beat Newton 5. Richmond 22, beat Ponsonby 7. Lowther Three Tries.—There are few better back divisions than the Richmond set, and the form shown against Ponsonby was impressive. A rearrangement by moving the faster. men nearer the scrum would give even added thrust. With McGregor at five-eighth and either Lowther or Kinney in the centre, Richmond would. have the ideal attacking combination. The present fiveeighth combination lacks pace. In scoring three tne.i Lowther gave a fine display. He used his speed to advantage, and accelerated cleverly to beat an opponent. McGregor did well at centre, but could improve his play by straighter running. Payne at five-eighth is improving with experience. Ponsonby played D. Williams behind the pack for the first time this season, and he gave good service round the scrum. Although Williams is in the army he expects to play again. Sknonds and Riley Sharpshooters.—Outstanding goal kicking was a feature in Marist's good win against Otahuhu, which, like Newton, is a better team than results show. There was a strong wind blc-vlng downfteld, but the kicking of Simons (Marist) and Riley (Otahuhu) was sent over four penalty goals from five attempts. Riley's shots were from difficult angles, and he secured four good goals from six attempts. He is a left-foot kick. Lino Umpire Causes Skipper's Retirement.— The ordering oft of N. Johnson, captain of Otahuhu, came as a surprise to a group of spectators In a good position to see the incident, which was reported by the line umpire. Mount Albert Kecruits.—Three new players have strengthened the Mount Albert team this season, C. W. Conza, G. E. Baulcomb nnd A. Jones. The first-named (a noted distance swimmer) is a 13 ! ,2 stone Rugby man from the West Coast of the South Island who plays in a tireless way and is ■ quickly getting to understand a new fame. Baulcomb, a sturdy forward, and Jones, a second five-eighth, are from the Glenora Club, and last year were prominent juniors. Jones has already made a -big impression by his good handling and ability to make play for his supports, and he has been giving exhibitions singularly free . from fault. Forward Duel.—ln the match between City and Manukau, it was a great struggle all the way had a splendid leader in Hawca Mataira, who got much support from Arthur Dufty and Findlater. The outstanding Manukau forward was S. Watene. Good games were played in the open by Tβ Tai, Thompson. Rogers and G. Shtlton, the last-named showing skill at opening up play for his backs. Outstanding Backs.—Newton has two outstanding men in its rearguard. They are T. Gregory ana S. Ranei. By common consent the formir is : the best back in the League game at the moment. He has been playing second five-eigntn for Newton, where his all-round play has been valuable. His real place is at centre three-quarter, and there he has given his best displays. Rangi '/uS'lrniklf will DAVIS CUP HOCKEY Although the general standard of play did not reach the heights expected-from earlier displays there were frequent Rlimpses of clever stickwork and spectacular short passing movements to delight the spectators at Papatoetoe last Saturday. Somerville's better combination overwhelmed the Papakura side (U—u;, despite a stubborn defence put up by the loser's back division. Grammar Old Boys accounted for St. Luke's (s—l), .nwm> by dashing forward play. University produced some sparkling hockey when t beat A.S.C. (3—l), and Mount Eden defeated Training College (4—3) in a match that was full of incident. Varsity's Old Failinß.-Despite the f s°' f "JSi StUtl Se tS brfmani '"moVe'menis S orMaSi? Emott and W\ K. Smiler-hcid the opposing defence continually in difficulties, hut once the circle was reached all the good work was too often nullified This was mainly caused by poor e : ffirn.th ron \hr^ c =a2 wirk frirtit full-back) and R. Baker (.centre break up the opposition's efforts by interception. Lawry Family Acain.—The St. Luke's rearguard was unable to-cope with the fast raiding G t r r a u m ™ a J SSror tle° a L t?S, b rs er t S he We c?ev P e r r°So2 and ball control of Hector, at centre, enabled him to weave his way through the opposition while Mine Ch Gofdon OTSwTSST'up wit" the standing "»'»» t opportunities offering Both scored two of their side's tally. R. Harold being the other scorer. A BiE Improvement.—The Mount Eden players in their encounter with Training College made full amends for the poor display of the previous week. Team-rortc prevailed, and some fine movements were brought oft. It was pleasing to note the manner in which the wing forwards both centred, and gave their insides the opportunity to drive home the attack. Currie was seen to great advantage; his Inst goal being the result of a nippy piece of work. Jenkins gave a sound display of goalkecping, and although three goals were scored against him he had no chance of seeing a ball owing to the tactics adopted upon two occasions. Whether It was by accident or design the praotice of one player racing across the circle to the goal-mouth, when the ball was hit on the goal-line during a penalty corner, was one that incurred three serious breaches—obstruction, offside and shadowing. I''ast following in when the player takes a shot at goal is entirely different, and legal. How they stand. Position of the clubs:—

Goals Chp. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Somerville 6 4 - 2 32 8 10 Grammar 6 4 1 1 19 13 9 : Wesley United ..5 4 1 - 21 8 8 1 University 4 3 - 1- 18 4 7 Training: . College 5 3 2 19 14 6 Mount Eden 5 2 2 1 15 IS 5 Papakura 5 2 3 - 11 17 4 St. Luke's 6 1 5 - 8 22 2 Air Force 4 1 3 - 12 25 2 Owai Rovers .... 4 1 3 11 22 2 A.S.C 6 - 5 1 6 26 1