Rugby Football in South Auckland.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 59, 24 May 1935, Page 5

Rugby Football in South Auckland.

TO-MORROW’S BIG GAME.

PUKEKOHE v. FRANKLIN.

CAN THE FORMER WIN? Can Pukekohe defeat Franklin, the South Auckland Rugby champions, in the first representative match of the season to-morrow? There are man> who favour Franklin’s chances but there are some who think that Pukekohe can defeat the champions. They are of the opinion that Pukekohe’s formidable pack will swing the balance in favour of the' maroons. Pukekohe’s backs, while not brilliant on attack, are fairly solid on defence. The Franklin team is fairly well balance with attacking backs as its strongest point. The visiting backs are capable of producing high-class Rugby and they should be right in top gear frojn the kick-off to-morrow. If Franklin can win the ball then Mahima, Rata, Grey and company will know what to do with it. Franklin’s pack cannot be taken too cheaply as it is well balanced and contains youth and experience. A great game is expected providing there are not too many infringements.

Two curtain raisers have been arranged while an added attraction will be the appearance of the Pukekohe Municipal Band, which will render an appropriate programme of music. The teams are: —

Franklin: Full-back, J. Hira (Onewhero) ; three-quarters, L. Swanson (Onewhero), K. Grey (Te Kohanga), G. Hewitt (Bombay) ; five-eighths, .T. Rata (Te Kohanga), W. Barnaby (Tuakau) ; half-back, P. Mahima (Te Kohanga) ; forwards, M. Taua (Te Kohanga), G. Cathcart (Tuakau), T. Ewe (Te Kohanga), R. Skilton (Bombay), M. Procter (Bombay), A. Thomas (Pukekawa), G. Dyer (Onewhero), H. Harlick • (Tuakau). Reserves: Backs, P. Kewish (Tuakau), .T. Moore (Te Kohanga) ; forwards, C. Wilson (Bombay), T. McGuire (Pukekawa). Pukekohe: Full-back, R. Brady (Patumahoe) ; three-quarters, R. Harlin (White Star), A. Wilkinson (Old Boys), T. Cossey (Patumahoe); fiveeighths, F. Wharfe (White Star), F. Loughrin (Whits Star) ; half back, R. Sheppard (Patumahoe) ; forwards, B. Guise (White Star) (Capt.), J. R. Massey (Old Boys), A. Havard (Patumahoe), L. McAlpine (Patumahoe), E. Reynolds (White Star), A. Mofiltt (Old Boys),. Garter (Patumahoe), D. Wilson (White Star). Reserves: Forward, L. Adams (White Star); back, A. Fallows (Old Boys). SOUTH (AUCKLAND UNION. ,~>The management committee of the .'South Auckland Rugby Football Union met on Tuesday evening, when there were present: Messrs S. P. Day (president), R. S. Whiteside, F. Knight (Waiulcu), G. H. Jemison, A. J. Patterson (Pukekohe), F. Mueli, W. Bain (Waikare), N. Patton, G. Leathern (Mangatawhiri), J. Mill, R. Evans (Franklin), F. McGrath (primary •schools), and W. G. Patterson (secretary).

The question of arranging a champion of champions club competition, was deferred until a later date.

'Messrs S. P. Day. and W. G. Patterson were appointed joint managers of the South Auckland team to visit Auckland to play a curtain raiser on June 3.

The secretary was asked to approach the Taranaki Union for a match against one of its touring teams this •season.

The Pukelcohe Union was granted permission to play Kaipara at Helensville on June 3, and at Pukekohe on August 24. The secretary was asked to endeavour to arrange a match with Thames, and failing Thames a match with Hamilton.

The "Franklin Union was permitted to travel to Waihi on the King’s birthday. The draw for the season was discussed and will be finalised at next -meeting.

The secretary distributed a ball to each of the sub-unions affiliated, to "be given to a school in each sub-union district.

Speaking for the South Auckland Primary Schools’ Union, Mr McGrath said at a meeting of his union it was decided to conduct three competitions this season —the Morrison shield, the Gratitude cup, and the Dean shield — for midgets sst. and under 11 years of age and barefooted. Rules similar to those governing the other competitions had been adopted. Mr, McGrath pointed but that the union was in need of funds as the cost of assembling ttife 1 tetherri Roller, Mills' team, ’and of sending it'to Paeroa in; quest of' the' Vancouver cup, was 1 Tieavy. --He 'suggested"that delegates from -'sub-unions should ask their respective bodies to allocate one day in the season to the schools’ union and give the proceeds, or a percentage -thereof, for the encouragement of the game in the schools. He pointed out that the schools’ competitions could be played in any district, but for convenience 1 sake they had in the past been played at Pukekohe. It was decided to commence all inter-sub-union senior fixtures at 2.30 p.rn., as 3 p.m. was much too late for .players whojwere employed onfarms.

THE MANGATAWHIRI UNION. . MERCER LOSE TO VALLEY. • In its second clash with the Valley the Mercer team suffered defeat by nine points, although it was by no means disgraced. The .game was hard and fast. Mercer have had a lot of trouble in fielding a full team up till now and last Saturday was no exception, there being no fewer than seven men away with influenza and injuries from previous matches. These men were replaced by juniors who put up a great showing and who seem to be equally as solid as some of the senior members. The teams were: —

Mercer: 11. Hutton, D. Scott, R. Morey, W. Graham, Hewison, P. Lowther, H. Glass, R. Barron G. Trebes, L. Donovan (capt.), H. Smith, R. Lang, F. Gordon, L. Cronin, .T. Heta. Valley: Dimmock, Mcllroy, Parker, Drummond, D. Walshe, E. Walshe, Belcher, Buckingham, Mace, Tipene, Findlay, Richards, Faulder, McClay, Couch, H. Dimmock, Vause, Ailingham.

In the first half W. Graham put over a splendid kick for Mercer and for Valley Dimmock scored two tries and Walsh collected one, and . the whistle blew with Valley six points ahead. After the spell Richards piled on another three points for the. visitors, making the final score: Valley 12, Mercer 3. The referee was Mr B. Syverston. POKENO v. MANGATANGI. A very keen game was witnessed between the Pokeno fifteen, and Mangatangi on the Pokeno grounds on Saturday. The game was fast and exciting right from the start, both teams infusing heaps of dash into the play. At the interval Mangatangi was leading by ei£ht points to three, hut with the change round the Pokeno team rallied and soon evened up the scores, R. Dean sending over several splendid kicks. . Unfortunately three players of the visiting team suffered slight injuries. The final score was Pokeno 14, Mangatangi 8. Mr P. Brown made a splendid referee.