WEEK-END GAMES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 157, 5 July 1943, Page 5

WEEK-END GAMES

KEEN RUGBY RIVALRY

THREE TEAMS LEVEL

Three teams are again equal in the lead for the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby Union as a result of Saturday's matches. They are Manukau, Marist and Garrison. Manukau, which until Saturday was two points in the lead, suffered its first defeat of the .season at the hands of Army, while Garrison and Marist each registered wins. Manukau had previously played two drawn games, and Garrison and Marist had each suffered two defeats.

After the score being 5-all at halftime in the chief match at Eden Park, Army ran out winners against Manukau by a margin of eight points. In the curtain-raiser Garrison, which was one point in arrears at the interval against Navy, won by five points. GraftonPonsonby avenged its previous defeat by Technical Old Boys, and Marist had a runaway victory over M.T.P. The matches resulted: — Army 19, beat Manukau 11. Garrison 20, beat Navy 15. Grafton-Ponsonby 17, beat Technical Old Boys 6. Marist 40, beat M.T.P. 3. Forwards Play Well. —Fine play by the Army forwards, who were well supported by the backs, was the deciding factor in carrying the side to victory over Manukau. There were many thrilling rallies, and tries were narrowly missed by both teams, but on the play Army was the better side. Army fielded a stronger side than usual, and the Manukau forwards, who have led the way to victory for their team several times this season, were halted by clever team work on the part of the opposition. The Army pack kept together well both in the tight and loose, and although the backs lost chances through not combining at times there were other occasions on which the rearguard linked up effectively. One of the shining lights in the Army backs was Morrison, centre, who did some fine attacking work and scored a couple of tries. Among the Army forwards Vorrath, Frazer, Hyslop, Tane and Clough were always in the thick of the play. On the wing for Manukau Dunn defended capably and was dangerous cn attack with limited chances. Of the forwards Marks, Vazey, Smith and Young were in the picture most of ahe time.

Divisional Representatives.—Captain Walter Barclay, Lieutenant George Orrell and SergeantMajor Charles Cammick have nominated the following players, from whom the Divisional XV. to meet Northern Military District, at Whangarei next Saturday, will be selected: —Full-back, G. H. Hook; three-quarters, C. H. Stewart, J. Smith, H. Whyte; five-eighths, R. L. Dobson, T. Whaanga; half-back, A. R. Bean or A. Nicholson; forwards, R. Tibbie, A. Jacobs, J. Green, C. L. Pring, G. Terry, J. Pihopi, A. R. Arblaster, A. Johnson, reserve backs, R. Perry, D. Hart, J. Proctor. The Aucklanders will be chosen by Corporal Arthur Baker, chairman of the Auckland Rugby Union.

Bright Curtain-raiser.—Garrison and Navy provided quite a bright curtain-raiser in which play swung up and down at a fast pace, especially in the sccond spell. There was not much between the teams, but Garrison thoroughly deserved its victory. For the winners Hedge played a fine game at first five-eighth. He was in the limelight throughout, whether cn attack or defence. He scored one dazzling try which he converted, kicked a penalty goal, converted another try, and on time potted a splendid goal after angling cleverly for position—l 4 points in all. .

Marlst's Biff Scorc. —So quickly did Marist pile up the points against M.T.P. that someone must have lost count. The Marist coach and tho reporter counted 40 points, but the referee declared, along with a number of spectators with whom the writer subsequently spoke, that Marist had amassed only 34 points. According to the writer, Bob Sorenson scored 22 points with his boot. He kicked a field goal from 40 yards out, landed four penalties and converted three tries. He played his usual sound game at full-back, and with fastmoving Marist backs dominating the play he was often with them in passing movements. The wingers. E. Enright and Fox, scored five of the six Marist tries. Pox, in particular, v.-ith three tries to his credit, put in some splendid runs. LEAGUE FOOTBALL

The second round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was started at Carlaw Park on Saturday. In the majority of the matches high scoring ruled. Results were:— Marist 11, Mount Albert 7. Richmond 34, Newton 11. Manukau 32, North Shore 10. City 25, Ponsonby 15. Pine Solo Try.—ln a match in which individual effort was more conspicuous than combined play, A. Knight, the Marist heavy-weight forward, got a great solo try against Mount Albert. Knight, who has not played the League game prior to this season, made a clean breaK at half-way, and then used pace and changes of direction to work through to the Mount Albert try-lme and score. The spectators generously applauded an exceptional individual effort. Clever Forwards.—Two fast and open were played on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Paik, which was in good order after the heavy rain. S beating North Shore, Manukau once again showed how good and 'Ifmnn Or ftnd dS Te Ca Tai sC got f r ip<; from oD A n play. Shilton ana ie two each while Rogers and Rudolph scored one each Rogers Improves with- each same, and of I the forward^ 1 foliovMngJup S Vlw^^?^and^?aeknng fhe"score 1 Sfc well. otherwise the tries would have been harder '°vL Ponsonby Player.—Ponsonby has secured the services of a good type of forward to- Napier who was outstanding against City. , ~ sulendid game the week previously against Marukau Napier is over 15.0, a fast and strong runner, 'and is a decided acquisition to the Ponsonby forwards. Plenty of Chances.—Richmond had an easy task against Newton, and the former teams baclks were given plenty of opportunities by McDonald, its half-back. Payne and Tittleton in unison in the five-eighths line, and McGregor In the centre showed great speed and ability to penetrate. The centre got two tries and Kinney and Lowther, on the wings, also each got two tries.

Good Light Forward.—ln the Newton pack a brilliant exhibition of open play was given by R. Duncan in the last-man-down position. Fast from the mark, he quickly joined in attack or defence. Duncan is very light, but in speed and ability gives good service.

DAVIS CUP HOCKEY The win of Training College over Wesley-United (3 —2) has spoilt the latter's chances of winning the championship. University, by beating Mt. Eden (5 —2), now takes the lead, and with one match more to play than the other three teams at present in second place (Wesley-United, Somerville, Training College), should retain that lead to the end of the round, even if it loses the game against Wesley-United.

At Walker Park, St. Luke's easily accounted for Air Force (7 —0), while it was unfortunate that Papakura was forced to default to Owai Rovers.

Grammar Goes Goal Hunting.—The unusually high tally of 12 goals was hoisted by the Grammar Old Boys side in its match against a weakened A.S.C. team. J. Buchan (full-back) scored three from, penalty corners, and his stinging shots gave the A.S.C. goalie little chance of stopping them. G. Lawry and D. Grove were also in the hunt, each scoring three goals apiece, mostly as a result of quickly snapping up opportunities in their opponents' circle. B. Michie (2) and R. Harold (1) completed the list of scorers.

p. Elliott's Fast Following In.—The Mount Eden defence managed to hold the fast raiding University vanguard to a one-goal lead in the nrst spell while its own forwards at times counterattacked in a convincing manner and had their efforts rewarded on two occasions. In the second session, however, the students had all the better of the exchanges, and repeatedly maoe onslaughts on the Mount Eden goal, only the stubborn defence of F. Horspool (full-back) and R. Jenkins (goal-keeper) savi:«; the score from mounting higher. P. Elliott, the 'Varsity centre-forward, scored three of his side's tally and his fast following in during close circle play proved him a dangerous man. Many of his efforts merited j US t reward of a goal. "' 'emulations Upset.—Several surprise have been sr n ng upon hockeyites this season, but Training Co 1 lege by defeating Wesley-United, upset many calcufations and provided the most, sensational wto to date in the Davis Cup championship. The same was played at a very fast pace, and while some excellent hockey movements were provided, these were somewhat marred by the crude tactics of two Wesley players, who times allowed their feelings to become frayed. There was very little between the teams, but Training College was more finished in its work, and to this success Was due. The defensive work back divisions reached a high standard, and the l£? Dtece was by College, in the closing stages, v 1 Wesley launched an all-in attack in an enaea.vcur to make at least a drawn of ft Of the teachers' rearguard EversHeld was hpr the last line of defence and he not nn • tacl . ! so well, but cleared with strong Siirt c ected hitting. Webb made some good am L hi- was somewhat slow in covering liic Dartner Wyatt proved the outstanding forward ™ tha 'ground and a very dangerous shot in the - i p McGillivray showed to advantage, *ind though Yorkewas penalised for sticks in the flrit holf ho made amends in the second, especially with Ms use of the sideline when Wesley ? y the bie attack. Forsman, on the right male some fine advances, and gave the J 711 !?' man y good opportunities when t in centres. Howard, the Wesley goalStopped some good shots, and he varied liis tactics cleverly in meeting the attackers. Hedges full-back, shone in one of his best disarid was a difficult proposition for his P ir£nentT to Overcome. Miller, centre-half, gave a opponent display. He maintained excellent "ViuinS throughout and the manner in which mamtli.ied the attack was worthy of better -nit*: Fielder tackled in great style and the results. *ieiae difficult to overcome. left wing, especially in the first half. hb min? fine openings that the inside forwards no? improve upon. Alpress capped his efforts in the second spell, he went through the S h ,wn defrace to send in a shot that rattled the net strings and reduced the teachers' lead, TAME TENNIS TOURNEY

Auckland Table Tennis Association s open merit Was concluded at the Choral Hall on night before pn enthusiastic crowd. A Saturday <-• '-ulaycd In both the men's Hi riiaWhcisard driving and brilliant a earning n i applause. Exhibitions r Sp also Biven'by Auck r*-': leading players, and Ko jrratw apprecia'.: • :cults of tournament Slav were- Men's seen- . ' il: O. Jaine beat A. SJW *rf;, 21_15, 13—21—15. Final: Jaine J 111 ?'. Dae'2l—l4, 21—14, 21—8. Women's final: Manson be.r Miss Smith, 21—14, 21—18. The r-atch between Jaine and Tills was spectacular and evenly contested.