MANUKAU ON TOP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 137, 12 June 1944, Page 5

MANUKAU ON TOP

'VARSITY'S THIRD WIN

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Lack of a reliable goal-kicker was largely responsible for Navy's defeat by Marist in the principal Rugby match on Saturday. Towards the end of the second spell the conversion of a try from a fairly handy position would have levelled the scores, but both this kick and a penalty from the same spot a couple of minutes later went wide of the posts, and Marist increased its lead with a converted try. Results were:— Marist IG, Navy 9. Training College 22, Grammar 12. Manukau 27, Technical 14. University 16, Otahuhu 13. Championship points now are: Manukau 7, Navy, University and Marist 6, Otahuhu and Training College 5, Grammar 3, and Technical 2. Marist's win was well deserved, but came only after a hard struggle. The combination and relentless attack of the Marist rearguard told its tale in the end and the back line was superior to the opposition. It was not for lack of chances that the Navy rearguard did not measure up to the standard set by the opposition. The loser's backs, however, did not link up nearly so well as a combination. There were many, keen forward struggles, Navy l'UCking better than the Marist vanguard which, however, was seen to advantage in other phases. For Marist tires were scored by McCarthy, Rae and Fox (2). Sorenson converted two tries. Warner kicked a penalty goal for Navy and Barcharcl and K. Smith scored tries.

By downing Technical Old Boys, Manukau again went to the head ol the championship ladder. Consequent upon injuries sustained the previous Saturday, Manukau fielded a weakened side, but, even so, it did not experience any great difficulty in coming out on top. Manukau scored five tries to the one registered by Technical, whose other 11 points all came per medium of the boot of the full-back, R.. Sharplin. Though play throughout was fast and fairly bright, it was lor the most part on the scrappy side, neither team showing any real design or purpose. Superior initiative and the ability to turn to good account what scoring chances came its way accounted chiefly for Manukau's success.

University had its third successive victory when it beat Otahuhu 16 —13 in a very hard and even game at Sturges Park, Otahuhu. The University backs were somewhat disorganised through losing their centre, Jones, who was injured in the first spell, but nevertheless they had the edge on their opponents and it was this fact which gave them victory in the last few minutes o£ the game. Shortly before the final whistle Otahuhu had established a lead of 13—8, but two tries in quick succession by the first five-eighth, Wilkins, gave University a lead which it held to the end of ;he game. Paewai, back in iho half-back position, and Wilkins were the most impressive of the University backs. The former, besides capably handling his duties at half-back, shone in frequent solo efforts which wero always dangerous to the opposition. Both packs of lorwards wero evenly matched and played hard throughout the game. Hedge Cooper and Conway stood out in the Otahuhu back line, the latter kicking very accuratclv to score seven, of his side s points. £or University tries were scored by Wilkins (2), Grace and Paewai, Smeeton converting two. cooper scored two tries for Otahuhu. Convay converting both and kicking a penalty goal.

Training College's win over Grammar Old Boys was due to the superiority ol its backs, who took every opportunity to make the game faist and ODen whereas the Grammar tacctis were to keep pfay confined more to the forwards The Grammar forwards kept together well and times threatened danger to tho College lme, but for he most part the defence was sound. College played attractively, handling the ball even in its own twenty-five on occasions.