RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20247, 6 May 1929, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

,THE SENIOR COMPETITION. SECOND SERIES OF MATCHES. TRAINING COLLEGE'S SURPRISE. The second furies of matches in the senior competition of tho Auckland Rugby Union was played on Saturday, Training College causing a surprise by defeating Grammar Old Boys in'the chief fixture Eden Park, after a most exciting contest. '1 ho lighter Training College pack played a bustling game throughout with much success and received splendid support from tlie rearguard. J lie curtain-raiser between University rmi College Rifles was very "one-sided in favour of the former, but a close game resulted between City and Grafton on the No, 2 ground. At the Show Grounds Ponsonby was much too clever for Technic .il Old toys and ran out easy winners, diarist gave Manukau a good game at Ouehunga, the latter winning by three points. Playing conditions were, ideal and There was an 'attendance of 7000 spectators. Following arc the results of matches on Saturday:—• Training College, 0; Grammar Old Hoys, 6. Cnivei'sity, 45; College Rifles, 6. Grafton, 16; City, 9. Ponsonby, 29; Technical Old Boys, 3. -Manukau, 9; Marist, 6. The following table shows the present positions of the senior teams: r, Points. Ch. ■ ■ .... I.WL. D. for. ag. pfs. 3 raining College . . 22 jSfanukau • . . .. , i 2 ** < Grafton .. ..22 —— 30 15 'a Grammar 0.8. ..2 1 1 Ponsonby . . . . o : \ _ i?, " University ..2 1 1 ~ SG 2G 2 Jechnical 0.8. ..2 1 1 __■>(. 30 College Rifles .. 22 -Marist .. ..2 -2 jij 0 U,J ' • • • • 2 A TWO-POINTS VICTORY. Playjng with much better understanding *s a team Training College scored a two" points victory .over Grammar Old Boys J raining College set about its tusk in earnest from the commencement, carrying play 1o the Grammar line, where Olsen was penalised for playing the ball 011 the ground, r roni a handy position Abbott kicked a nice goal. Grammar forwards rushed play 1o the other end. a free-kick holding them" up right under the posts. Playing a bustling game I raining College was soon away again, Bell saving brilliantly. Then from a penalty well out I'. Skelton just failed, rrequent penalties against Grammar entj Bell broke through splendidly and unsupported kicked. A great race between himself. Butler and Weir ended in a force, although Bell appeared to gain the touchflown right under the posts. Plenty of fast open play kept the game very exciting. Rae was stopping the Grammar forwards in great style and the Training College backs were combining weii. Lawrie made a fine opening, which Abbott further improved, the forwards,joining in to send Peacock over unopposed behind the posts. Abbott easily converted. The spell ended a minute later with plav right 011 the Training College line, the scores being :—Training College SGrammar Old Boys 0.

Urammar forwards immediately rushed play to its opponents' line, but safe kicking drove them back. Eventually a great kick by Butler went out at Grammar's twenty-five fiag A series of lineouts saw Grammar gradually gain the advantage until I*. Skeiton missed at goal from a penalty well out. The pace of the game had now slackened. The Training College forwards were standing up well to their heavier opponents. while the backs, with clever reTerse passing, often had Grammar in trouble. A rush headed by L. Knight just before half-time ended in a penalty at the twentyfive. this time P. Skeiton being successful with the kick, making the scores:—Training College, S; Grammar Old Boys. 3. The opening exchanges after half-time were in Grammar's favour. Abbott saving a certain try by lowering Eady right on the line. The Training College wins then broke clean away from a wild Granftnar rearguard attack, but' Gardiner tackled him safely. A spell of even play followed until the Grammar forwards came away, but A. Knight spoiled the advantage throuji getting off-side. Abbott was again prominent 2n a dash, which transferred play to the other end. but the Grammar rearguard, now playing better, was soon back again. A foolish kick by Rae went across his own goal, and after a couple of Grammar forwards ottenipted to get over, E. Batty gained possession and dived through. P. Skeiton missed the easy kick. Grammar Smaintaired the pressure, two free-kicks driving it back. The Training College backs were still dangerous in possession, but the quarter ended without further scoring, the scores being:—Training College. 8: Grammar Old Boys. U.

Grammar worked hard to gain the lead in the last quarter, but penalties held its vanguard up. Rue received a kick on tiie head and had to retire. Kidgeley replacing him. Each side took turns on attack. But ler once stopping W. Bjitty well in the face of a hot forward rush. Grammar forwards continued ot give away penalties and from one of these Abbott's effort just went under the bar. Butler saved magnificently ■with a host of Grammar players upon him rnd two further penalties held up the Grammar forwards From another 1 Abbott bad an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Exciting play followed until the end of the quarter. Training College having the better «.;f the final stages. From a passing rush right <>u iheir own line the Grammar backs made a fine effort, P. Skelton breaking through to half-way, but his in-pass was knocked on and the ganie-tnded:—Training College, 6: Grammar Old Boys, G. Mr. E. C. Stretton was referee.

UNIVERSITY'S HEAVY SCORING. Intent on making amends for the lamentable showing oil the opening day University played bright football against College Rifles and won with almost ridiculous case. The game in the hist spell was somewhat Jagged, with the College Rifles' forwards doing their utmost to keep the ball away from the University backs. College Rifles, too, opened the scoring, Wilson kicking a goal from a penally. Stung to reprisals the University forwards swept downfield and College Rifle;} was penalised. Bush equalised the'scores with a tine goal from near the side-line. University was now showing something like its form of last season and when a College Rifles back movemem broke <!own at Gillespie, Linton kicked through and followed up to seoie a well-merit',.' try. Bush converted. Then Keene stemmed Ihe College Rifles forwards an.l sent his backs away. The ball flashed out to Minns ?nd in a great run tin winger outpaced three opponents and scored between the j'osls. Bush converted. University. 13; College Rifles. 3

The University defence was tested bv the College Rifles forwards at Ihe openinr; of the second spell, but it was not long before the champions counter-attacked. Keene came into a back 'movement and Goodwin, left unmarked, raced to score at the corner. The University backs again attacked from a scrum ir College Rifles territory. They ■were too fast and too clever for their opponent? and Goodwin put in a good dash tor his second try. Bush converted. Shortly before half-time C ; lle.-pie kicked a penalty A-oa! for College I'sfies. University. 21 • College Rifles. f>.

Offside play and wild passing robbed the dealer part of the third spell of any degree of interest. University battled hard sigainst keen, spoiling play and finally JenInn gave his backs room in which to move. Maibeson drew his man and Minns made a. great dash to score nt the corner. University. 21: College Rifles. »; An.other University back movement saw Minns obtain another trv at the comet at the start of the final spell, and a few tuin ntes later he passed infield for Anderson to burl himself over the line. Bush converted the second try. Minns was in scoring mood and. following up " well-placed kick bv Matheson, he beat Webber for the ball and scored between the posts. Goodwin varied t::e monotony by . scoring af the end of a run. in which backs and forwards combined. Bush- converted both tries and then took a hand in a scoring movement, sendJenkin and Anderson away for (he latter to score. Bush failed with the kick /"id the game ended University, 15: College Uiflr-s. 6. -Mr. A. Peace was refetee. A RAGGED GAME. Rouged forward play characterised Ihe rreater part of the came between City and Grafton. <he latter team asserting itself in the final stages to secure the victory. City had the better of the exchanges in the curly part of the game, allhonsh Finlny*o!) and Kan, at 'he head of the Grafton pack, threatened danger on one or two occasions. The City backs wore putting some

dash into their play and finally Berridge made ail opening for Denize to score. The kick failed. City maintained the attack in tile second spell and Holt, who had been responsible for much fine work at rover, kicked a good penalty goal. City, howover. was hardly playing as a team, and gans were found in its defence when the Grafton backs swung into action and Runt scored a good try. Wanoa converted and after spasmodic play half-time came, with the scores:—City. 6: Grafton, 5. the City forwards gave their backs some opportunities at the opening of the second half, but combination was lacking and tho passing was wild. Finlayson and Wanoa headed a. Grafton attack, and Liddle, on the wing, dashed past Herewini for a try. Holt and Fletcher toiled ot, the head of tho City pack, but Grafton was now holding the upper hand. The final spell saw City's hopes revive when N. Ifwerson flashed out in a run which save him a try at the corner. and his side a lead of one point. Grafton set up an attack and after a struggle Between IJuru and Kerr-Taylor for possession of the ball the former secured it. and scored an unconverted try at the corner. More ragged forward play followed until the Grafton backs broke away and Liddle capped n neat movement with a try. Langley kicked a fine goal and the game endedGrafton, 16: City, 9. Mr. L. Guiney was referee. MANUKAU WINS AGAIN. At Onehunga Manukau won from Marist by fl points to G, after a gruelling forward game. Falwasser commenced an early attack, but the Marist vanguard shifted play to halfway, where Stuart had an unsuccessful shot from a penalty. FaUvasser clearing. An Infringement by Molloy gave AVatone a chance, but his kick fell short, Turei smothered a Marist back attack and 10 Brimble caught Stoupe and initiated a Manukau rush, in which Kaliu handled twice. A forward pass, however, spoiled the movement. Falwasser side-stepped through and Satherley's pace carried him over, but lie lost, possession. The spell ended without any score. Hard play marked the openinc of the second spell. Wright sent his backs away, but Mallet was well collared by Golding. From a scrum in midfield Golding broke clear, but was beaten by the bounce. Then Satherley bustled Walsh and scored beneath She posts. Watene easily converted. Mnrist rushed Manukau to its twenty-five, where tight- play ensued. Tho Manukau backs shifted piny to midfield. where Turei and then E. Brimblo dropped their passes. Offside play by Golding gave Stuart a chanco and lie was successful with the kick. Ferguson replaced Satherley, whose fineer had been dislocated. Hard play in Manukau territory saw Gourley. the Marist rover, come, through fast in following a low kick. lii the dive for the ball he just touched down before two Manukau men. It was a good try. Stuart missed an easy kick, and half-time was called With the scores:— Marist. G: Manukau. 5. From halfway Kaliu came through twice and Manukau were hot on the attack. Watene. Lindrum and Lipscomb© essayed a rush, but. the wing missed his pass. Falwasser took a bad pass from Turei, but E. Brimble was well collared. Walsh retired hurt, and Marist played short until a junior took his place. E. Brimble cut through, but Kaliu mulled his pass. A moment later E. Brimble received again and dropped a great goal. Bad handling cost Marist an almost certain try and E. Brimble cleared. Marist came back and Manukau defended sternly. The spell ended with the scores:—Manukau. 9: Marist, G.

The last, spell was marked by splendid forward rushes by the Marist pack, with Hadley and Molloy in the van. Manukan, except for brief excursions into Marist territory. defended hard. Stuart was almost over, but Watene smothered liim. Lips- - combe transferred play to the other end in a dash that carried him to the corner flag. Marist was back again and storming the Manukan line when the final whistle sounded with the scores:—Manukau 9: Marist. 6. Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee. PONSONBY IN FORM. The Ponsonby team's combination was too good for the lesser experienced Technical Old Boys' team in the match at the Show Grounds. Ponsonby forwards, led by Swain. Solomon and Palmer, took possession at the outset and carried play into the Technical Old Boys' twenty-five, where Jameson missed a pass and lost a fine opportunity. Swain retired with an injured leg, being replaced by Appletou. A free-kick helped Technical Old Boys, but Lucas replied with one of his celebrated line kicks, only to miss a free-kick from a. good position. Technical Old Boys' backs started a promisng rush. Hogg being prominent, but R. Hook cleared easily. Jameson backed him up and Hook had a pot, which was spoiled by on infringement by a Ponsonby forward. Lucas was never allowed to get far, although he

gave many opportunities to the Hook brothers on the wings. The first Quarter ended without either side scoring. R. Hook and Solomon made a good run at the beginning of the second spell, and were just stopped by K. Couple with a flying tackle. McManus forced his way through, and passed to R. Hook, who outpaced tho opposition to score between the posts. He converted his own try. The pace eased somewhat, and play was in midfield at half-time, the scores being:—Ponsonby, 5: Technical Old Boys. 0. The Ponsonby backs pressed hard on the resumption of pla-y, and R. Hook potted a neat goal from a different position some 40yds out. Keeping tip the attack, the Ponsonby backs, fed at every opportunity by the half, McManus. swept down the field. Cammick passing to L. Hook, who scored at the corner. He failed to convert. Technical Old Boys were outclassed in the scrums, and Ponsonby was thus enabled to use the backs to "great advantage. The third quarter ended with the scoresPonsonby. 12:

Technical College. 0. At the opening of (lie last quarter the Ponsonby backs and forwards combined in I a passing rush, which was stopped inst in time. Lucas secured, and. supported by Cammick and Jameson, passed to the latter. who wended his way through the tired defence to score between the posts. R. Hook converted. Technical Old Boys made a final effort, and Rosevear broke away, only to be overhauled by L. Hook. Lucas cleared. K. Conper took a mark in a srnod position and sent the ball over, securing the. only points for his side. Ponsonby gave no more opportunities, and It. Hook added four more points with a clever pot. The backs attacked again. Fleet and Cammick scoring easily in quirk succession. R. Hook failed to convert. Fleet's try, but Cammick converted his own. The game ended with the scores:—Ponsonby, 29: Technical Old Boys. 3. Captain J. G. C. Wales was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Senior Grade 8.--Marathon, 13, v. H.M.S. Dunedin, 0: Kingslund, 15, v. Tramways. II; Parnell, 17, v. Suburbs, 3; Uuivcrsiy, 20, v. North Shore, 5. Second Grade.—Univeisity. 8. v. College Rifles, 3: City. 9, v. Takapuna, 5: Ponsonby, 21, v. Marathon, 5; Grammar Old Boys. 13, v. St. Heliers, (h Technical Old Boys, 8. v. Marists. 3; Eden, 23. v. Philomel. 3: Grafton, 22, v. Grammar B, G; University B. 13, v. Training College, 3. Third Grade.—Monukau, 0. v. College, Riles. 0; Takapuna, G, v. Northcote, G: Suburbs, 2G, v. City. 0; Otahuhu, 22. v. Kingsland. 5; Grafton. G, v. North Shore, 3; Penrose. IG, v. Marathon. 0: Kingsland. 7, v. Point Chevalier. 5; Training College, IG. v. Parnell, 13; Ponsonby, 70. v Grammar A. 0. Fourth Grade.—Newton. 3. v. Parnell. 0; Grammar Old Boys. 15, v. Mannkau B, 0; Dilworth f/ld Boys, 35. v. Xorthcote. 0: Mannkau A. J7. v. Penrose, 3; Technical Old Boys, 'lB, v. Y.M C.A., 3; Kinesland, 5. v. North Shore. 3: Eden. G. v. Marists, 3: Otahuhu. 8, v. Suburbs, 5. Fifth Grade.—Ponsonby. 45, v. Marathon. 3; Mannkau. 5. v. Maris). 3: :Otahtthu. 10, v. Technical Old Boys. 3: Suburbs, 17. v. Eden 12. Sixth Grade.—Ponsonby, 12, v. St. Heliers. 0; Marist. 25, v. Suburbs. 0.; Manukau. -12. v. Parnell, 3 Primary Schools.—Akarana, 0, drew with Newton. 0. •