HIGHLIGHTS OF WEEK-END SPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 238, 8 October 1945, Page 7

HIGHLIGHTS OF WEEK-END SPORT

Inter-Island League Test.—North continued ks domination of inter-island League when it defeated South at Carlaw Park by IS points to S. It was a game in which concerted play by either side only occasionally reached a high pitch. South had the better of the plav in the first half and led by 8 to 6, both sides getting two tries. In the second half North put on two more, both of which were converted by the full-back, J. Smith, who also kicked a penalty goal. North got more of the ball in the second spell and developed better back play, but not before the opposing inside men, J. lUcNaugbton and C. Mountford, had several times cut the defence to ribbons. The efforts of the pair would have brought tries had they not been penalised for some breach of the rules. On the whole the South backs were more Impressive than North. W. Mountford, at centre, and J. Soster, the full-back, being in the limelight. There was little snap or penetration by the inside North backs; the speedy Nordgren, on the wing, got few chances but twice at the end of the Chain he dropped his pass. He got a try in the first spell with sheer speed. Rirniui giving him the opportunity Full-hack Rivalry.—Much interest in the League match was centred in the displays of the fullbacks, J. Smith and J. Sos'ter. Their handling of the ball was often brilliant and Smith helped to make North's third try by joining in at the end of a run and bringing the play back to the forwards. Smith's tactical play and knowledge of the offside rule thwarted the opposing forwards, but he had nothing on his younger West Coast rival in allround play. His goal-kicking was poor at the start, but accurate afterwards. Successful Debut.—lncluded in the North team when the South Aucklander, G. Moyes, was not available the City forward, F. H. James, revealed enterprise and stood out for his work in the loose. He got. two of North's tries, the first when he followed up a penalty kick taken by Nordgren and snapped up the ball when W. Mountford waited for it to bounce. His second try resulted from Smith's collaboration with the other backs to send several forwards away on the sideline. Philomel Reach Final.—There were some tense moments during the Falcon Cup semi-final tie at Blandford Park on Saturday, when Philomel passed into the final of the competition by the defeat of Comrades, though it took two hours to find the verdict. By their 3—2 victory the sailors got their just deserts, but if they had been more careful and painstaking with their shooting they could have saved themselves the extra half hour of play. Both teams appeared to have the cup tie feeling and discarded studied tactics in the heat of the fray. Comrades were well served by McCamish, who again saved a penalty during the game, but the backs were much too careless and in the last two games have conceded four spot kicks. It might have been costly carelessness. Dickey and Hooton were fairly reliable on the wing half positions while Fincham. as pivot. was often out of position. The forwards could have received better support but all were aggressive when opportunity offered.

Philomel forwards were more prominent than were the back division. Swann and S. Green were most in the picture of the vanguard, the extreme wingers, Scott and Glsby, being inconsistent in their form. The fast moving Comrades forwards gave Philomel backs a busy afternoon. ' Yeomans was again safe and reliable, but he was generally tested from long range, the deadly tackling of Prichard and Clem Bell making parting with the ball far out the acme of discretion. J. Green gave the most impressive display amongst the half-backs, who did not always sliow to advantage. Swann (2) and S. Green got the Philomel goals, and Evans and Pickett netted for Comrades.

AVhcnuapai Wins Premiership.—After trailing o—3 at the interval, Whenuapai dominated play for the greater part of the second spell (o score an B—38 —3 win over Ponsonby in the iinal of the Auckland Rugby Union's Gallaher Shield competition at Eden Park on Saturday. Ponsonby went under after having every chance. Playing with the wind advantage in the first spell, Ponsonby failed to capitalise several likely scoring chances, mainly through erratic handling and over-eagerness. The defence of both sides was first-rate, and seldom did an orthodox attacking movement make a great deal of headway. YVhcnuapai's efforts were more sustained than Ponsonby's, and it was its persistent hammering away which eventually paved the way for its merited win. Play was keen, hard and fast all the way, and there was no lack of colourful incident as attack and counter-attack followed in brisk succession. Whenuapai was the better team on the day. Gunning scored an unconverted try for Ponsonby, and Deas and Cornell scored for Whenuapai, Donaldson converting one.

End of Season Rugby.—The curtain will be rung down on the Auckland Rugby Union's 1945 season next Saturday, when Whenuapai, winners of the Gallaher Shield, will meet the Pollard Cup winners, Marlst, in a Jubilee Trophy match at Sturges Park. In addition to the championship final, other games played last Saturday resulted:—Grammar 29, beat Navy 3; Otahuhu 19, beat Manukau 15; Grafton 2G, beat University 8.

Golf Championships.—The second and third rounds of the Auckland Club's championships played over the week-end produced surprises in all divisions. In the seniors O. Brewer, after eliminating E. L Bartleot at the eighteenth, went on to decisively beat S. H. Abel, who had headed the qualifying play. A long hitter of the loose wrlsted type, Brewer did well around the greens against Abel and holed three resourceful putts in the first ! half. This he played in 30 and was 2 up. Brewer will meet P. C. Savage next Saturday in the 36-holes final. A young player. A. Robinson, beat I. Fraser and then K. N. Wilson in the intermediate event, Wilson having led the field in the medal play. The other semi-finalist is M. R. Thompson, another of the club's younger players. One of the upsets in the junior event was the defeat of H. Plumley, Jun., who had qualified well ahead of the other competitors. ' Referees' Jubilee.—The Auckland Rugby Referees' Association concluded its golden jubilee celebrations on Saturday. At Eden Park, an Auckland fifteen drew o-all with a Hamilton referees' team, while there was an impressive parade of past and present members of the association later in the afternoon. The celebrations concluded with an enjoyable smoke concert held in the evening. Dr. L. H. Briggs, president of the Auckland Association, was in the chair. King's College Champions.—Many excellent bouts were witnessed at the finals of the King's College boxing championships held in the school gymnasium on Saturday night before a large attendance of parents, old boys and friends. The Sidebottom Cup, awarded for points won in interhouse competition, was won by School House. On behalf of the school Mr. V. R. Maxwell expressed thanks to the Auckland Boxing Association officials. Messrs. N. MacLcan, P. Seabrook and E. Armishaw, who conducted the bouts. The results were: — Seniors — Heavy-weight championship: Hay (12.0). beat Hull (11.10) on points. Light heavy-weight; Hosking (11.4) beat Reid (11.2). Middleweight: Shult (10.9). beat MacAlister (10.1.'!). Welter-weight: Van Staveran (10.11) beat Jury (10.2). Lightweight: F.rson (9.7), beat R. T. Bush (9.11). Bantam-weight: Edmiston (9.2). beat Dove (9.4). Feather-weight: J. H. Hindmarsh (8.13), beat Hunt (S. 10). Juniors—Heavyweight: Begley (11.11). beat Foster (11.11). Light, heaw-weight: Pritchard (9.10), beat McGlvn (9.11). Middle-weight: North (9.3), beat Land (9.0). Welterweight: Knnckev (S.S), heat S. T. Bush (8.11). Light-weight: Burns (8.3). beat Ludhrook (S.O). Bantam-weight: Macky (7.11). beat McCready (7.12). Featherweight: McCorkindale (7.4), beat P. C. Hindmarsh (7.5). Flyweight: Balme (6.11), beat Lamb (0.7). Paper-weight: Speight (5.13), beat Carpenter (5.12).