FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18447, 10 July 1923, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. NOTES AND COMMENTS. :'," There' w<»re three - surprise victories in the senior club cup championship" competition ; on Saturday. The greatest surprise of the three was the defeat of the champions. Grammar Old Boys, by Graf. ton. The contest was a great battle of forwards, ; iiri > which the Grafton pack showed marked superiority ; in the fast, open play, 1 : and outclassed Grammar on the line and in the heavy loose play.'': The Grammar players failed to find their game until the final quarter, when it was too late to recover and secure the lead, which Grafton held gloriously to the end. There was a deal of offside play on both sides,■! consequent on the over-eagerness of the teams to securo advantage on attack, This feature marred to a marked degree! an otherwise good game. „ The Grafton pack played an important part in the' victory, the forward rushes testing severely the Grammar defence, which, however, was fairly sound, the weakness being more of; the individual than team character. The Grafton backs, with their forwards playing so well, were afforded every opportunity on attack, and they did not fail to make excellent use of the chances. Findlay, the Grafton fullbacx, played a good game in the position. Not omy was nis defence sound and his kicking accurate with good range, but his fielding, passing, and running frere fine features of his play, Findlay has just recovered from a ,serious illness, and his recovery to football form is pleasing in the circumstances. A splendid run from halfway by the Graifton fullback to the Grammar line, where he passed to Prentice to score a try, was '. one of the features of a fin© display. - Grafton's Good Display. The Grafton threequarter lino was well served. Cooke, who was playing centre, excelled in the position, and gave a great exhibition of centre play. His fast following up and certainty on attack were an excellent exhibition of centre threequarter play. Cooke, who is one of the best all-round backs in Auckland this season, has had a meteoric career. From a third grade player of a season ago Cooke jumped into prominence as a first-class senior and finally an Auckland representative, playing his first "big" match against the Maoris. Cooke is an equally capable five-eighths, and would make an ideal rover, or to use the more correct term, fly-half." English sides never play a rover, or if so doing refer to him as a " fly" halfback. On the wing of the Grafton threequarter line, Hughes played a good game, showing up well botJa in defence and on attack. Thompson was not a success on the opposite wing, and his place will probably be, filled by Austin for the next Gralton engagement. Buckland was solid at scrum half, and Prentice was prominent as rover. The forwards played fine combined foot.ball, their passing rushes frequently staggering the Grammar defence and threatening danger at all times. Helander, O'Brien, and Keary stood out for good play in a fine pack. ; .'•*:. ' Disappointing Form of .Grammar. The ■ play of the Grammar backs was somewhat disappointing, and was below their usual . good form. The close play of the opposition created a deal of faulty .fielding, with the result that the Grammar backs scarcely settled into their . stride. Goodacre played his customary' careful game at fullback, extricating his side from danger on several occasions by good line lacking. The threequarter line was well found at centre with V. Bddeley in the position, but the wings were not seen to special advantage. K. Ifwerseh played his usual intelligent game at five-eighths, and was successful in his goal-kicking. The Grammar backs have still the tendency to over-do the short punt, an action which' only serves on rare occasions when the opposing backs are out of position; the short punt then is,a. swift chance for % a surprise attack. In this connection there is the authority of Sellicks, the old English Rugby player, who recently stated that kicking is much overdone by many backs. The attack punt does come off now and then, as on the law iof average it is bound to do, but how often do we see a premising attack break down by a kick into touch, or, worse still, by an aimless punt, which any opposing fullback worth his salt will return with heavy • interest ? Sellicks must have had the Grammar backs in memory when he wrote in this strain: Kicking into>. touch 5 is a most valuable accomplishment, and has worn down many fine sides, but it does not lead to tries! ''. 'j r - : y'"- • Brains in Rugby. The aim of the Rugby player is to score tries, and if this is kept in mind many of the heresies will automatically disappear. 1 Hard tackling, straight running, and going for the line will always win matches,, and if players would impress these points on their minds Rugby : football would soon show a big improvement. Perhaps the best means to. dismiss the subject is to insist that the first and final essential in Rugby football given to necessary strength and physique, is brains.",".' The second surprise in Saturday's football was the defeat of University by College Rifles, after a game in which the students had several chances of scoring from positions which they failed to realise, and certainly did 'not materialise. The light blue backs and forwards showed up in i clever play and footwork in the first spell, but in the second half the powerful College Rifles pack dominated, and with their backs flung into action won a good game at the finish. The match between Marist Brothers Old Boys and Ponsonby. was a great battle of styles, the Marists' forwards dominating the Ponsonby pack, with the latter's backs rising superior over the opposing rearguard. Marists secured a lead of five points in the first spell, and in the second added six more points to Ponsonby's four points potted goal. The game was keenly contested and marked by good forward play on both sides, the Marists'pack showing specially fine form. This ■win now leaves Marist Brothers and Grafton in the lead for championship honours. The meeting of these teams in the final will be a great contest, and a rare battle of vferwards. The third, surprise on Saturday was the defeat of North Shore by Suburbs, whose victory marks the second of the series for the Suburban club. / Neither team was at full < strength. ' North ■- Shore suffering more severely than their opponents,, who, on the run of the play, were the superior scoring side and ran out victorious at the finish. \ • Hie match between Newton and Eden, won by the former by six points to nil, was not remarkable for; any show of brilliancy. Both' teams • were weakened by the absence of prominent players, and it was with some difficulty that fifteens were placed in the field. Newton was the superior aide in an evenly-contested game. ' New Sooth Wales* Tour. I Keen interest isv being taken in the I approaching visit of the New South Wales' Rugby touring team, which opens, its New Zealand campaign at Wellington on August 18, with the first match against Manawatn and Horowhenua. / The New South Wales team will be a particularly strong side, and with the honours of last season's All Blacks and the recent Maori team full upon them will '* go all the way" to return the honours. Auckland Rugby supporters will not see \ Raymond Nothling, Crossman and company until September 8, when the match against ; Auckland will be played., ' Maoris' Remarkable Escape. ; The members of the Maori touring team had a miraculous : escape 11 -1, gravelling ■,;•.. to Wanganui : by the ill-fated Main -, Trunk express late On Thursday : evening. The Maoris were to have been accommodated in a special reserved carriage next the postal van, but five minutes before the train's' departure a railway,; guard approached Mr., Paratr the manager, advising him to transfer his team to a first-class carriage in the ' ■-!'■ .' '-'■'":':I?-'- ■ - ' ■ '

centre of the train. •. Mr. IJarata did not hesitate to accept the advice, arid swiftly had his team - comfortably . seated in Xa' carriage coupled in the middle of the train. The players ' little thought that their sudden transfer meant the averting •of a terrible tragedy. The Maoris seemingly appreciated . their. remarkable escape by Beating Wangaaui by" 15 points to' 8. The next match will be played .at Timaru against South Canterbury to-morrow, the Maori team meeting Otago in the "big' game at Dunedin on Saturday. " ' ■ i ■ ' i '' "" INTER-SCHOOLS' MATCH. HIGH SCHOOL BEATS CHRIST'S. The annual match between Christ s College and Boys' High School, Christ- ; churcn, was played at Lancaster Park on Wednesday, resulting in a win for Boys High School by 23 points to 0. Enthusiasm was at fever heat when 1 the teams took the field. The .effects; of influenza were felt by both teams, neither side being at full strength. Christ's College were the greater sufferers, as three players* of the first fifteen— D. T.« Lewis, centre threequarter; W. J. Hutchinson and G. Williams, forwards—were unable to take tne field, while ; High (School were without Broughton, a fine forward. The turf was a trifle heavy owing to recent rains, but the ground improved during the play under a drying wind. On the run of tha game Boys' High ; School was distinctly the superior side The-standard, however, was not up to previous years. Boys' High School, though winning easily, did not play really good football. Many mistakes were made by the inside backs, and the fielding in the passing rushes was faulty. Cross-fleld running by the rival backs was also a bad feature, and many opportunities to score ■ were lost. The forwards -of both teams showed clever footwork, and at times brilliant tackling. ■ Christ's College won the toss, and played with the breeze 'in their favour. Play was bright and open after the kick off Boys' High School were the first to score, Porterfiwd dashing over to score a try, which Cromb failed to convert. High School asserted their superiority, and Brown, with a clean pick up, raced over to score the second try, which Cromb again failed to convert. The first spell ended . with the„ scores :—Boys' High School, 6; Christ's College, 0. Playing with the wind in the second spell High School at once attacked, but FleVning lost an almost certain try by hanging on to the ball too long. High School again rushed to attack, Mortlock and Fleming giving Moffatt a chance to score a try at the corner. ' He also converted the try with a fine kick. High School were now leading by 11 points, and had the game well in hand. Berry was the next to score for High School. The kick at goal failed, but the School again attacked successfully, Moffatt scoring a try, which was not converted. With the forwards beaten Christ's College had a difficult task on defence, which School again broke through for Berry to score a try. Cromb missed with the kick for Ijoal. School pressed the attack, for Mofiiatt to scorc his third try. The goal kicking was below form, and again the kick failed, the game ending: Boys' High Sohool .. .. 23 Christ's College .. i .. 0 Mr. C. W. Allard was referee. BOY SCOUTS' COMPETITION. SEVENS-SIDE TOURNAMENT,' The first round of the s®ven-a-side footi ball tournament took place on Saturday ; afternoon. Competition was keen, and , resulted as followit. Seniors.-- 0, v. Grey Lynn, 15; St. Barnabas' A, 0 points, v. St. Mary's, 6; Hobsonville, 12 points, v. St. Barnabas' B, 0. Juniors.— Lynn, 6 points, v. Leys Institute, 3; Onehunga Town A 0 drew with St. Mary's, 0 • Onehunga Town ,■ B, 6 points, v. Kitchener, 3; St. Bar- . nabas, 21 points, v. St. Andrews, 0. TUAKAU v. BOMBAY. i [BY rrEI-EGBAPH. — COKILESPOXDENT.] ' ; , TUAKAU, Monday. A largely-attended football match between Tuakau and Bombay for the Taylor Shield was played here on Saturday. The teams were very evenly matched, and some fine exhibitions of football were , witnessed, two of the foremost players being thews, of Bombay, and J. Wright, of Tirakatt., This is the second match played for the , shield. Tuakau have held it each season by playing a drawn game, the score in each match being 3 all. OTAMATEA UNION. [BY TEXiEORAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MAUNGATUROTO, Monday. The Otamata Rugby Union Cup competitions were continued on Saturday under favourable conditions. Results : Seniors : Maungaturoto 15 v. Paparoa 0; Rovers 9 v. Waipu 0; Oneroa 9< v. Hakaru 5. - Juniors : Oneroa. 9 v. Hakaru 3; Paparoa 3 v. Maungaturoto 0. f ' "?'• •: BAY OF ISLANDS COMPETITION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] KAIKOHE, Monday In 1919 the late Mr. George Main presented a shield for competition among | the clubs of the Bay of "Islands Rugby Union. It has been won twice by the Ohaeawai team, in 1919 and 1921, and twice by the Kaikohe team, in 1920 and 1922. On Saturday the deciding.match for this season was played at Kaikoho between the Kaikohe Maoris and the Ohaeawai - team, - and Tilted in a win for Ohaeawai after a very exciting match by 9 points to 0. This makes Ohaeawai the winners in the competition - for tha season and holders of the shield for the third time. The Kaikohe Maoris gained the next highest number of points in the competition; with Kaikohe next, followed by Tautoro, and then Kawakawa. UNDER LEAGUE RULES. NOTES . AND COMMENTS. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. The following f able shows the position of the teams in the League senior championship competition:— \

Saturday's games resulted in Athletics and Manat . Old Boys , retaining / their portions in the lead ,of the championship competition. City received a set-baok at the hands of Devonport and will now have to battle very hard to regain the j; lost ground. Unfortunately . for Devonport things went badly :> for that team in the first round, and it is in an almost impossible position to secure the championship. It is quite .on the >. cards, however, that Devonport / may - defeat all the leading teams and add great interest to the competition. Ponsonby has also to be seriously reckoned with. That team is in the same position as Devonport and if .it had not defaulted to Newton, would have stood .a chance of winning the champion- - ship. The most it can' hope, to do now is to inflict defeat on the leading teams. By scoring a clear-cut victory over. City on Saturday the Devonport players at last gave a sample of their.true form. The game throughout was ■ the best exposition of the League code seen this season. City had • the better of matters i during the first spell, thai'' opponents being handicapped more or less by having the sun in their , eyes, Notwithstanding this the: North Shore man kept City very busy. The handling 'ij of the ball by ; both sides wnf \ fairly good in patches, but it lacked fir/sl; I on many occasions. This was no dovbVdue to the fact that there have been prac- | tically no opportunities of playing ii.is passing game this season owing to th : > continuous wet weather. With a few more' games in dry weather & great improvement in combined team work should be made by.all the tearao. '.v.; J

With City leading by 10 points to 5 in the first spell 'i the ■ Devonport men were set a hard task 'to win ,in the second half. They rose .to the occasion >in great : style and . -won handsomely. The constant pressure on the City bilcks in the second spell made itself apparent toward the end of the game. They appeared to girt rather " bustled " and their combination fell away. v . It was a!; great game, however, full of exciting incident, and was' fought out to the " finish : in fine style :! by both sides. ' , • ; l , • ■ «; --v • • Of tho individual! players Taylor at fullback for Devonport showed excellent form. He was well tested and waved his. side repeatedly. Oodick at centre threequarter made some fine ; dashes and was well supported by his colleague# on the wings. ' The inside .backs Laing, Webb, and Garrett, worked together ; exceedingly well. Tho first-mentioned ' was always alert to make or seize an opening and kept the attack moving opportunity offered. Ho. was ably iiupported by Webb 'and Ga:rrott. .Among the for-, wards Douglas and "O'Brien were prominent in all the good work, and Johnstone also operated with fine dash. Hand was unsuccessful -with ; several shots at goal but the efforts were all good and with a little luck would have added to the score of his side. The City fullback, , Crewther, gave a sound exhibition. i< He had a groat deal to do and played. with good judgment. In the threequarter line the Davidson brothers made good use of thdr ; speed but their handling: was not up to their best form." Wilson played a good game on the wing, both in attack and defence. Wetherall and r Flynn at five-eighths had a • busy time and (jot through their work well. The former, was particularly good in defence and also opened up the game well. The forwards all worked with a will, Thomas t Reid. and Hawkes being very prominent in the open. Mackie also co-opera well with the backs. By registering a win against Newton on Saturday Marist Old Boys demonstrated that they possess a good. scoring side. The game was well contested, but the winners showed the better _ combination and made the-' most of their scoring, opportunities. Of ; the backs Sherlock played his usual sound game fielding the ball and kicking with great judgment. Gallagher, Stevens, Bristane, . and McNamara combined well in attack. The forwards all played well, Stormont and Johnston being prominent on the open work. Gregory, at fullback for Newton, gave a useful display, and of the other backs, Poison and Sorrenson appeared to advantage. The latter, who has been absent in the country for some time, showed that the change had not affected his form. ' Athletics had little difficulty in defeating Richmond by ...'a fainf margin. , The winners combined well, both forwards and backs demonstrating . ability to handle the ball. McGregor, who has been : showing consistently good j firm at fullback during the season, again;, j>ave a fine display. Of the other backs Dufty. Timmings, and Kirkland played well together, their combined attacks being very difficult to stop. Timminzs was responsible for some fine side-stepping and frequently tricked ; the opposition. Among the forwards, who all worked well._ Miller gave a fine exhibition. The Richmond players did not perform up to their usual standard and evidently had an off day. H<wlon played a pood game at fullback and McLean and McKenzie gave flashes of good play, but the team work lacked finish. The forwards stuck to tb'ir task in good style but were overmatched by their heavier opponents. , THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NOTES AN]) COMMENTS. ' SENIORS AND CHATHAM CUP. The following tables show the positions of*the various Auckland senior teams in the club competition and the Chatham Cup contest. ■ , , ■ , ,

Brotherhood turned out at full strength against Philomel on] Saturday and as. the ground had recover ed,'' a"'good gain© was witnessed at Dcvonport. s of the play was the defonoo put; Up •by the visitors' defence, , Patterson - and Winks being prominent i;n breaking tip the sailers' • attacks. Their . halves • gave a good display, but are inclined to dear at all costs Instead of clearing and at the same time putting their forwarda into a good attacking position. On the ' play o!f Saturday, Brotherhood's previous heavy defeats can .. be ascribed only to shortage of players. With a faster left wing, the club will show vast improvement in the closing stages of the competition. ; Philomel were very lucky several times to escape having a further, score against them. The goal scored by Donee;an was the result of a very good combining movement. ' The sailors were [ brilliant in patches-— Corbett set the pace all through the game, ably assisted by Penny and Harvey. , Hopkins was off colour, but McHligott was very steady. Of the forwards Mulberry aid McJßae were best, Merritt had little opportunity to shine, Howartb keeping .too close a watch on his movements, with the result that he had to bring his wings into use and by judicious passing net them away time after time. Clark, in Brotherhoods' goal, gave a great display, being quite 000 l in some very tight corners. Thistle were perhaps & little unlucky to go down by one goal to nil against Northcote after having quite as iauoh, if not a shade the better of the game. A draw would certainly have' been a truer indication of the play. It was during the last two minutes that Northcote's clever outside left, Burford. who had been playing ( sparkling football right through, tricked' a couple of defenders and swung across the goal-mouth a low driving shot., which Anderson just touched, leaving Baker with an open goal. It was a well de'served reward for persistent efforts on Burford's part and probably ; the only time during the game that Brittain was caught out of position.. Brittain was in wonderful form . and repeatedly held up many dangerous movements. The', game ! was a hard one, but not by any _ means a'good exhibition. The outstanding weakness on both J sides was tho lack of cohesion between the half line and the front line of attack, Both linos of . halves • indulged in far too much ballooning. This is a great weakness in practically all senior teams, and halves shou'd remember it is far easier for a forward to take a ground pass than one in the air. c The Thistle forwards were not a happy family, many glorious opportunity being missed by Stewart, Keane and Dodds. Both wings, Williams and Macdonald, played well. The latter has a bad habit of standing ' too far forward. Knott for Northeote is a marked man, and did not get many opportunities. Tremain was clever at times, but was inclined to be out of position. JSlsby was not a success as , outside right. -Thompson .was the outstanding half on the field, playing very fine : football. . Both backs, Alpo and Metge, i performed well, with MoAneny very; sal's in goal. . Northeote v,ill .be hard pushed to' knew 'what to do on Oraxton's return, as in the opinion of. .many, McAneny 'is quite his '.eqM&and Ki'i .performed wonderfully in the last few | gf'rfUOS. • „ ; No.'2 ground at the Domain was still very sticky, but the play ;in the Harbour Board Y.M.O.A, match was fairly inlor toting, although Y.M.C.A.- ran out ■winners by 2 ,goals to 1. Harbour Board ■were within an *' tee of scoring on more V-. V- ' : .= '• / v.- ■;■! ' .■■ - " v.

1 : ibao one occasion,' hut sound 'defence - and ; > good . goal-keeping kept them out. Not one of the Y.M.C.A. forwards. played up to i form 'f 1 and .■ in this department; ; Harbour ; Board ; with good combination were far ~ superior. 7 , • J The Y.M.C.A. halfback line i was ■J sound, Shenkin in I particular playing welL iiPitkea again ; shone out as a 1* back, i while Miller in goal repeatedly saved his r aide. Humphreys and Webster were the f pick. Vof ' the *.• Harbour ■ Board's ■ forwards, ■ while Siiergold'a goal was - a fine effort. • Thfi player receiving an excellent centre • from Webster found the net with a good i, shot, v None of the Harbour Board's backs • were severely tested, as Y.M.C.A. fori wards played with little combination./' > The North Shore victory ' over Ponsonby , by 2 goals 'to 0, came as a > great surprise • .after the marine suburb's three successive 1 ( defeats and Ponsonby's series of triumphs ! ; over strong teams. White- in no way ■ i wishing to belittle Shore's win. it is an ' | undoubted fact that had Ponsonby on • i the; day possessed an inside forward with ■ only average shooting ability, he must • have scored at least half a dozen goals. ' Combined work in both sets of for- ' wards was conspicuous only by its abl sence. North Shore's two goals came from 1 brilliant individual' efforts, the only I bright spots in an otherwise colourless 1 game. Without mentioning individuals, ' it is by no means too much to say that the shooting of Ponsonby's inside men ' was shocking for senior players, v Simm • on the left wing was the only forward ' . who played op to form. - Ij, Meager, Neeaham and Mitchell in Ponsonby's half lino were the life and soul 1 ;of the team, while. Norman in goal also : ; gave a very crcditable display. The ' ; halfbacks kept their forwards exception- ' ally well provided with the ball, but ail ' to no avail. It must have been a heart- ' breaking job. ' 1 j For North Shore, Woolley, L. Dacre and Hall were, the pick of the forwards; ; ' The bulk of the defensive work fell to ' Buchanan at centrehalf. Simpson improved greatly in the second spell, but ' Craig's play was never very convincing. | H. Midler in goal • gave his usual finished display, and saved many a score against ■. his eide, when true, fast shots came in 1 from Samm on Ponsonby's left.

. ■ Ch. • J P. • W. . L, D. Pis. Athletics .. .. 8 7 1 — 14 Marist Old Beys ..87 1 — 14 City .. .. 7 5 2 — 30 Ponsonby .. ... 7 'I 4 — 6 •' Dovonpcrt ,.,,8 '1 5 — 6 Newton .« , . 8 2 6 — 4. Richmond .... 8 0 8—' —

SENIOR COMPETITION ■ ~ 'rrr ~ 'Goals Cham. P. W. L. D. For Agat. Pts. Ponsonby .. 11 7 5 1 Si W 15 Philomel .... 10 >7 3 0 31 15 14 Northcoto . . 11 7 is 0 51 21 li North 'Shores .. 11! 7 4 0 SO 19 14 Thistle .... 10 .5 « 1 25 16 11 Harbour Board 11! 4 7 0 18 23 - 8 Y.M.C.A. ..11 5 8 0 15 27 6 Brotherhood .. 11 2 9 0 14 50 4 CHATHAM CUP. Goals Cham. P. W. L. D. Forrest. Pts. Northcoto 4400 ,12 5 8 Philomel .. 5300 10 2.6 Thistlo .... 3 1 0 * 2 4 Ponsonby ..4220 11 5 4 Y.M.C.A .. .. 4 1 3 0 5 8 2 Harbour Board 4 1 3 0 7 11 '2 North Shore • ..4 1 3 0 3 10 2 Brotherhood .. 4 1 3 0 7 19 , 2