THE RUGBY GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19674, 28 June 1927, Page 14

THE RUGBY GAME.

PONSONBY HOLDS THE LEAD. COLLEGE RIFLES' GOOD EFFORT. SHEEN IN EXCELLENT FORM. The results of Saturday's matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior cornpetition give Ponsonby, winners of the championship for tho past three seasons, a lead of two points over Grafton. Up to Saturday Grafton was equal with Ponsenby in the lead, but the defeat of Grafton by University, which in some quarters was not unexpected, has upset tho interesting position. However, Grafton is still iti a winning placo on tho table. Grammar Old Boys is one point behind Grafton, and with six matches -still to be played Ponsonby's chances are not yet secure. The College Rifles team was a vastly different side ou Saturday from tho one which lined out against PonsOi by in the first round, and suffered deft it by 28 points to 5. It was a much filter team, showed better understanding, and tackled determinedly, all three factors enabling it to hold the lead until the last ten minutes of the game. Ponsonby won by 13 points to 6. Setting to its work with dash and .spirit, College Rifles was the only team in the picture for the first twenty minutes, 'id was unfortunate in not adding a coi. !o more tries to its tally. During that period the College Rifles vanguard outplayed the opposing forward-line, with tho result that tiie rearguard was given several opportunities. Right up to half-time the Collego Rifles backs hammered away. Had the threequarters possessed more speed the result of the game would have been beyond doubt at this period. Strange to say, College Rifles tightened up play, still holding the lead, in the third quarter. It was probably due to this error that it lost the game. Ample evidence of the mistaken method was given in the last ten minutes when Ponsonby gained the lead. College Rifles then began to make tho plav open again, and even at this stage looked as if it might still save the game. Sheen's Brilliant Display,

Sheen was in brilliant form, at first five-eighths, for the losers. Especially in the first half he was a continual source of worry to Ponsonby, making several fine openings. On defence, too, he was a tower of strength, repelling attack after attack by clever anticipation. Without doubt it was Sheen's best display of the j season, and in view of the New Zealand team's tour to South Africa, it is pleasing that he has struck his best form. Du Chateau played a great game at halfback, his cleverness in getting the ball away quickly being of great assistance to Sheeu. Du Chateau also opened up the play in good style from all sorts of positions, thus giving his backs more opportunities than a less versatile half would have been capable of doing. A nephew of the illustrious Teddy Roberts, Dn Chateau seems to possess some of the "tricks" of that fine player. Teape was better on defence than on attack, while Wilson marked Lucas well, his strong kicking being of material benefit to his side. Gillespie played a sound game at fullback. The forwards all worked tirelessly throughout, holding Ponsonby until the dying stages. Pilling, at rover, played a fine game, often breaking up Ponsonby back attacks by sure, quick tackling. Although Ponsonby was hard pressed it was never a beaten side. Even with its weakened ranks the team as a whole played with good understanding. Berridge was sadly missed, Tonkin, who replaced him, being a weaklink. The transfer of Hook to first five-eighths really won the match for Ponsonby. Hook played fine football, cut in splendidly at times, and was always dangerous. He was instrumental in giving his side the try which placed it in the lead. Lucas was closely watched, and it was only toward the end that he was able to got'the ball in attacking movements. His trv was a brilliant effort. Lucas also defended splendidly. Had ho not been in the team College Rifles would have won tho game easily. Symes, after he settled down played a fine game at fullback. Righton was tho pick of the forward line and played a great game. He was equally prominent m both tho loose and the tight work. University Bustles Grafton.

Grafton played without its usual dash on Saturday and consequently was beaten by the bustling University side. The match was by no means inspiring, passing rushes being spasmodic and unpolished, while there were too many minor infringements. Tho passing of the University rearguard was wild, and the inside men continually bored to tho sideline. The absence of straight running was also an unusual feature of Grafton's rear attack, Paewai being an equal offender with his partners. The Grafton forwards swept tho field in fine dribbling rushes in the last quarter. Both sides were sound in defence, considering the slippery state of parts of the ground. Up to half-time there was rlo score. However, in the second half the University forwards assumed command and swept toward Grafton s lino in some sound combined movements. The pressure was kept up, and with flashes of individual brilliance, Keeno and Bradanovitch were responsible for movements which brought tries. Among the University forwards, Stone played a particularly solid game. Keene shone in patches, while Colgan and Brooker worked hard in the tight. Play Among the Backs.

Jenkin and Bradanovitch combined well in the backs, but Bradanovitch continually ran his outside men across field. He was responsible for one fine movement when bo dummied Paewai and ran 50yds. 'to the line, leaving Stevenson standing on his way. Butler played another sound game as the last, line of defence for University. He tackled solidly, fielded the ball well and kicked for the line with sure judgment and length. Wanoa, Cornpton and Finlayson worked hard in the Grafton pack. In the loose Compton played surprisingly well, and fully justified his inclusion in the Auckland second representative team. Lockie was not sound behind tho scrum, failing to appreciate positional plav on attack. Farmer and Paewai defended solidly. Tho All Black was too well marked to show much of his cleverness. Ruru was not able to get far, owing to the pace of McLeod, who opposed him. Two Close Games.

The match between Grammar Old Boys and Training College aroused little enthusiasm. In the first half of tlio game Training College adopted bustling tactics, which prevented the Grammar backs from working smoothly. However, in the second half Grammar played a different game. The forwards sent the ball out fairly regularly, and Training College was penned up for most of the spell. There was not much to choose between Marist and North Shore on Saturday. As usual, North Shore relied mainly on its forwards. Tho team's tackling was not up to its usual standard, otherwise Loft would hardly have run through the whole defence when scoring the first try. Toward the end of the game, the forwards gave Marist a hectic five minutes while the match hung in the balance. The North Shore backs were weak, Franklin giving the best display, while Solomon and Grace caught tho eye among the forwards. Johnson played his usual sound game at fullback.