SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20259, 20 May 1929, Page 14

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

STRAINING COLLEGE UNBEATEN

ABBOTT HAS A DAY OUT.

PONSONBY TEAM'S CLOSE CALL

As a result of Saturday's play Training College still retains its position at the head of the championship table with an unbeaten record to date. . Ponsonbv and University are equal ir. second placo with one loss each, while three teams are equal in'third position; The ' keenness ■ with ■which the competition is being followed •was again in evidence, there being the largest attendance of the season so far at Eden Park.

Training College Rained as clear-cut victory over Manukau in the chief came principally because its hacks combined 10 much more effect than the opposing roarguard and were quick to take advantage ;©f mistakes. It was a gamo which at stages became rather tame, but at others some brilliant movements were witnessed. The gem of the match was Abbott's first try which showed the wing-threcquarter tq be possessed of great determination and speed. Later in the game Abbott scored smother clever try by kicking to a gap and regaining possession. Altogether ho had a day out as bo scored three tries, concerted two and kicked three penalty goals, making a total of 22 points out of the 25 registered by his team. The Training College forwards again infused plenty of dash into their play and their packing in tho sicrums and line-outs repeatedly stopped the opposing vanguard from breaking through and often gave them the advantage. Staccy, Webb and Peacock" were prominent throughout, besides following up and tackling in great style. - «■% \ Backs Bustled. At times the Training College backs, •were badly bustled. Dropped and bad passes were rather frequent while the lob pass was seen more than once. Rae, half, nnd Weir, first five-eighths, played sound games, but Mackay was responsible for breaking down several passing rushes, ' especially early in the game. He was far ■ too inclined to cut-in with such good wings outside him. Lawrie was not so Sure as usual, his defence being rather '.weak. Butler played well at fullback and got. through a heavy afternoon's work with credit. • : , .' i- ■* The Manukau /onwards' were ,a bustling Ret;and! showed up .well in tho loose, but much of their good work was spoiled by Jack of combination in the back' division. - 3?. Brimble, Linden and Falwasser all did good individual work. The Ink-named, however, was too closely watched and suffered from lack of opportunities. Bryes proved a very- elnsive 'half who would show to greater advantage in a better back line. Lipscombe was very weak at fullback, but settled down better on the wing. Turei was too slow when changed to fullback and once gave away a simple try through taking things too easy. The game between University and Old Boys was far more even • than the scores indicate and on the run of the play Grammar was unluckv to lose. Territorially it held a great advantage, but breaches at the last moment threw away some splendid opportunities. The forwards kept together .and packed well. They gave the backs chances in plenty but the rearguard was very, weak and could do nothing right. Lewis, at first five-eigthths. continually took his passes standing still and threw the whole line out besides making matters easy for (he defence. ■ . . : • ..." Kearie was absent from the University team owing to an attack of influenza, his - pkee at rover being, taken by Stoii". The newcomer showed up in the loose, but his handling was weak. Anderson was the pick of the University forwards, who still have some " shiners" among their number. Jenkin at Hall. Jenkin filled the role of halfback very capably and made some good openings. Carter was also responsible -for good work at centre, but Minns did not get manyopportunities owing to faults in the fivefighths lino. Goodwin, on- the other wing, was very weak in handling. Bush played a good game at fullback and seems • to be regaining his last year's form. Playing without- Lucas. Ponsonbv had ' if close call in its game,against City. The ■game-was very even and with a'slight amount of luck City might have run out the winners. The first spell was not; characterised by any very bright play, .but in the second half the teams delighted with determined rushes by both hacks and forwards. .; The City forwards were in great fonn and sheer dash and determination carried them along in irresistible fashion. Called upon, to defend time and again, the Ponsbnby backs were often.in unhappy positions. HoltV the City rover, was promin-cnb-in more than'one rush, for his side and the injury he sustained resulted in the loss of, a great attacking force. The i'orison by vamhad to exert itself all tho way to withstand'the City onslaughts. Solomon showed up prominently and was a 'tower of strength to his side. v. For the most part the game was a forward one Particularly in the first spell, both sets of backs found difficulty tin getting under way. ' Many promising movements were spoiled by faulty handJing. The passing, too, was inclined to be slow. 12 ' Backs Lack Cohesion. •Ponsonby lacked the cohesion ' which Lucas' inclusion would have given. Individual efforts were many but tho backs as a whole cpuld not be regarded as a dangerous attacking, . force. pammick, scoring three tries, was most-prominent. Syme, at fullback, was safe, but his kicking could have been better judged. Herawini played soundly at fullback for City. K. Ifwerson showed glimpses; of his old form and his try was the result of a brilliant effort. His kicking was also a great factor, but he had few chances to exploit it. Bcrridgo was also outstanding on occasions. The final stages of the game were watched by a largo crowd and City appeared to be favoured by barrqekers. It was with some difficulty that the people Could bo kept off the line and the referee had to issue many appeals (o them to gtand back. . The first half of tho match between College Rifles and Technical Old Boys at the Show Grounds was rather tame but the second spell was much livelier.' Tho Technical team was much fitter than its opponents and this.. i s what turned the scalo in its favour. The forwards appeared to play offside a good deal and this hampered tho College Rifles backs. Mistakes Cost Tries. Most of Technicals tries Were the out. come of mistakes by the opposing side. The Technical backs showed better cornbination than tho opposing team, Turbott and Hogg, the five-eighths and Ilaslam, centre, showing a good understanding of one another's play. Besides supporting their backs well the Technical forwards .were very good on the line out. R. Con per, was one of the best backs on tho ground. The College Rifles forwards did not play nearly so well as against Grammar the previous week. The tackling of both forwards and back's was weak,'-, The two Williams played well on (he wings, each scoring fcries. But for bad handling in the first spell College Rifles would have Scored more tries.The game between Marist and Grafton although even was somewhat uninteresting. The two packs occasionally worked' hard but neither of the back lines handled! With precision. Hadley and Molloy were, the pick of the Marist forwards while C romp ton showed up for Grafton. Ruru showed a return to fonn and put in some fine.runs Stuart, Johnson arid Wajshe shone m the Marist backs; ,