RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20265, 27 May 1929, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

PHE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. marist creates surprise, training college lucky. The fifth series of matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior competition was played on Saturday, Marist, one of the lowest teams in ihe competition creating a great surprise by drawing with Training College, the leaders in the championship. Training College was lucky to get out with a draw, as Marist scored two tries against two penalty goals. The chief fixture between University and Manukau did not provide very attractive football, the latter being defeated by three points after having tho better of the game. City and College Rifles also played a drawn game, while Technical Old Boys, after having a good lead on Grammar Old Boys, suffered defeat in the last quarter. At the Show Grounds Ponsonby was too clever for Grafton and ran out the most comfortable winners of the dav. Bain the previous night had made the grounds a little on the soft side, but they were in quite good order. There •was again a largo attendance at Eden Park. Following are the results of Saturday's senior matches: — University, 9; Manukau, 6. Marist, 6; Training College, 6. City, 6; College Rifles, 6. Ponsonby, 32 ; Grafton, 13. Grammar Old Boys, 16; Technical Old Boys, 13. The following table shows tho present positions of tho senior teams:— Points. Ch. P. W. L. D. For. Ag. Pts. Training Col. .. 5 4 1 77 40 9 Ponsonby .. 5 4 1 University .. 5 4 1 Manukau . 5 2 3 Grafton .. 5 2 3 Technical 0.8. . 5 2 3 Grammar 0.8. . 5 2 3 Marist .. .. 5 1 3 1 27 51 3 College Kifles . 5 1 3 1 52 92 S City . . . 5 1 3 1 39 63 3 MANUKAU UNLUCKY. Manukau, especially in the final quarter, held the advantage against University and was unlucky not to leave the field as winners, In some stages of the game it could do everything but score. University attacked immediately, but the Manukau forwards carried play back. Passing by the ■University backs went across the field, Minns gaining ground with a bright dash. Manukau was penalised well out and Bush landed a good goal. The Manukau backs were not combining well, University easily upoiling any attacking movements. Jenkin broke through splendidly from a scrum but passed wildly infield and a great opportunity was lost. The first combined movement by the Manukau rearguard saw Falwasser prominent in making a nice opening, which was spoiled by the outside Lacks crowding in their opponents' twenty-five. Manukau maintained the pressure and after several attacks had broken down through lack of finish Bryes_ just failed with a splendid drop at goal." McKay broke right through the defence from a scrum, but with the wnole back line in attendance a great opportunity was lost when a pass went astray. Just before the spell ended Falwasser placed a kick well and the forwards followed on to gain possession. After some bright passing F. Brimble touched down for a fine try. Dyke 3 made a poor attempt to convert. The spell ended with the scores:— Manukau, 3; University, 3. Kahu retired with a head injury and was replaced by Pepper. Manukau was penalised wide out, Bush's kick going wide. The University backs had some pood chances but their efforts were more or less of an individual nature. Once Carter broke clean away, only to pass into the hands of an opponent. Manukau was again penalised, this time Bush being successful with a good .kick. The Manukau forwards were proving troublesome, in the loose and often gained much ground with good rushes. Bush saved splendidly on one occasion with a host of opponents on top of him. Manukau gradually worked back and University was penalised right under its own goal. Satherley missing the easiest of kicks. University retaliated with a strong rush which ended in Goodwin racing over unopposed. Bush failed to convert. Half-time sounded immediately, with the scores:—University, 0; Manukau, 3. Manukau had the advantage on resuming and once lost a likely chance through bad passing. Keeping up the pressure Manukau could do everything but score. Falwasser made a great attempt to pot a goal, his ' kick just falling short. Manukau's efforts were at last rewarded when ,J. Brimble touched down wide out from a loose rush He failed with the kick. Play brightened up considerably now, the University team makiirg the game open, but Linden twice lowered Minns at the end of passing bouts. The spell ended with the scores:—University, 9; Manukau, 6. Bush made a great opening which let his forwards clean away, but the pace of the Manukau backs saved a. certain try. Short kicks by both sets of backs confined play to the forwards, Manukau especially in the loose holding a decided advantage. A great rush headed by F. Brimble saw Housham just fail to score by ir.chcß, a penalty relieving University. Manukau came again and: was unlucky when Satherley, wing, went over but was sent into touch-in-goal. Manukau was playing up well, much to the delight of the spectators, r.nd had university continuously on the defence. There was no further scoring, the game ending University. 9: Manukau, G. Mr. C. F. Paull was referee. A SURPRISE RESULT. The drawn game between Training College and Marist created a great surprise to all enthusiasts. Training College was off form and was lucky to avert defeat by the considerably improved Marist team. Marist kicked off and Training College commenced a back attack. Marist gained possession and carri.ed play to its opponents' twentynve a force resulting. Marist again attacked and from a penalty Malloy's kick tailed. Johnson made a promising run but sound defence saved. A good kick by Woodroofe sent play to the middle of the field, iaere a determined rush by Training College swept through the defence, tho Marist tonvards driving the opposition back. There wag no score at Ihe change round. Soon after the commencement Stuart made a good run and transferred to Johnson, who scored near the corner. The kick tailed. Training College assumed the offensive, compelling Marist to force. Stacey executed a clever solo movement but kicked too hard. Training College now forced the Pace, but faulty handling lost a likely opportunity. Stuart cut in and beat the doJcnce. He passed to Johnson, who had a clear field, the superior speed of Mclvac saving. At half-time the score was:—Marist, «J; 'training College, 0. j lie second half opened with ragged play, o? , made a good run and transferred to Viw -i j sc °red near the corner. The ■Kick failed Training College now pressed naid and offside play by Marist gave Abbott rrn^i 131 ! c ' 1 raa de good by landing a j training College struggled valiantly and Marist was put on the defence. Faulty handling again lost Training College a Jikely opportunity. The spell ended with me scores:—Marist, 6; Training College. 3. °.° d Play was witnessed in the final quarter, .Training College playing much oetter. Another penalty kick from a good Position enabled Abbott to even the scores. ..Marist then made a determined effort which ended in Training College forcing. A danGe™"s ru S ], by Training College was cnecKed by Marist, which, sweeping up the fl. ?in! r ' ball behind the corner Ihe game ended with the scores:— ?r t 6: Trai! " n e College. 6. Air. J. Sheppard was referee. A DRAWN GAME. The first quarter in the match between 11 y and College Kifles was marked by rather scrappy play. Both sets of forwards worked hard but the backs made numerous mistakes. College Rifles held an advantage at Me start, but the City forwards were doing ■well when the teams changed over. Berridge commenced a passing rush which looked promising, but a bad pass to tho spoiled the movement. Berridge was responsible for making another opening which ended in Allen running through a Weak defence to score wide out. Berridge failed at goal, Wilson then made a strong run for College Rifles but was- well tackled by Herewini. City was attacking again half-timo sounded with the scores:— City, 3 ; College Kifles, 0. City added to its total soon after play resumed, Fletcher getting over from a loose scramble following a line-out. Ber-

ndge missed the shot. College Rifles commenced to play with more clash. Wilson had a couple of penalty kicks, the second of which was successful. Tho final quarter wa? all in favour of College Rifles. Wilson made a lino dash tut was brought down by Berridge. A loose scrum was formed near City's line and Stewart dived over. Wilson failed to convert, and the scores were even. Though College Rifles had the better of the final stages there was no further score, the game ending:—City, 6; College Rifles, 6. Mr. M. Kronfeld was referee. PONSONBY IN FORM. On tho Show Grouuds Ponsonby accounted for Grafton by 32 points to 13 after a fast and interesting game. From the outset Grafton defended stubbornly, first Lucas and then McLeod going down to hard tackling. A back attack saw Lucas and Camnuck thread their way through for Solomon to receive and pass again to Lucas, who gave Righton a clear run in. The kick failed. Mooro put Giiffton in a good position, but Ponsonby cleared. A little later the same player marked a high kick, and goaled from well out, equalising the score. The Ponsonby forwards hooked to McManus, and tho ball travelled through all hands to Lucas, who raced for the line. Blocked, ho centred, took tho ball himself, and punted across to Righton. McLeod came up fast and flashed across in the corner. The kick failed. Liddle beat a line of Ponsonby men and his forwards carried on, but a penalty relieved. The spell ended with the scores: Ponsonby, 0: Graflon. 3. Cammick ran well into Grafton territory, but lacked support, and Stevenson lined. L. Hoot: received and tricked his way over •for Cammick to miss the kick. Ponsonby heeled and Lucas dashed in. transferring to Solom.li. The forward forged ahead and sent on to Cammick. who ran through to score at the corner. The kick failed. L. Hook intercepted a lone pass, but was well tackled by Stevenson, and Ruru came in with a dash for the Ponsonby line. Ponsonby, throwing the ball about in fine style, soon had Grafton again in difficulties, and Lucas capped a clever attack by swerving past Stevenson to score beneath the posts. McWilliarns converted. Ponsonby was soon back again, McManus and Jamieson sending Hook over for an unconverted try as tho spell ended. The scores were: Ponsonbv. 17: Grafton. 3. Following play in midfield Liddle fielded and out clean _ through the Ponsonby forwards. Streaking for the line he swerved by Svmes to score a great try. Ivaa converted. McLeod intercepted but ran across the field into some Grafton forwards. Receivinj; asraint Jae just pot home' in the corner. The kick missed A Ponsonby rush swept the field and L. Hook went over in the corner. Solomon could not goal. Lucas retired with slight foot injuries, Hook moving to centre, and Fraser going on tire wing. Finlayson put Grafton in a good position with a determined run, and McKay received from a scrum, to beat Solomon and score. Kaa converted, and the spell ended with the scores: Ponsonby, 23; Grafton, 13. Immediately in-and-out passing hv Pon sonby saw L. Hool: score again, the kick failing. Finlayson crossed but was beaten in the dive and Ponsonby cleared. Hool; and Jamieson sent McLeod off to score after a long run. The kick failed. Solomon raced over from a. melee at half-way. and an easy kick was missed. The frame ended with the scores: Ponsonby. 32: Grafton. 13. Mr. C. Webb was referee GRAMMAR'S NARROW WIN. A surprising recovery in the latter stages of the game against Technical Old Boys gave Grammar Old Boys victory by the narrow margin of three points. Grammar was quickly on the move, taking the ball into Technical's area. R. Harris, at half, intercepted and was soon in a good scoring position. He delayed too long and a free kick followed. D. Keane failed from n good position. The Grammar forwards executed one of their few good passing rushes, but vithout success. Morgan gained possession for Technical, but failed in spite of a fine exhibitioa of pace A further opportunity was availed of and he passed to R. Couper, who scored. Morgan failed with the kick. Skelton. with a good kick from a mark, managed to equalise the scores for Grammar. The quarter ended with the scores: Grammar Old Boys. 3: Technical Old Boys. 3. Technical had the better of play during the second quarter, its lightness being partly accounted for by several junior players standing it in good stead. L. Ivnight. W. Batty and Wilson made a determined but unsuccessful attack for Grammar, which was outclassed in Technical's next movement. A concerted rush by Porteous. C. Keane and K. Couper, who came up on the noorly-guarded Grammar right wing, saw the last-named score behind the posts. C. Keane converted. Half-time was called with the scores: Technical Old Boys. 8: Grammar Old Boys, 3. On resuming Technical proceeded to dash the hopes of Grammar supporters by adding another five points. Morgan was responsible for the t''y. which was converted by C. Keane. Grammar's play brightened. and in a determined effort Corner scored and Skelton converted with, a. great kick. Heartened by this success Grammar's play imnroved still further in the last nuarter. Good passing found it soon in the Technical twenty-five. Skeltpn scored a fine try which ho converted, bringing the scores equal. Repeated attempts by Technical were unsuccessful, and the next points added went to Grammar. Skelton kicking a penalty goal. Grammar continued to have the upper hand, the whistle going with the sc"re'-- Grammar. 1G: Technical. 13. Mr. W. J. Thompson was referee. ■ RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES. Senior Grade B.—Marathon, 12. University B. 8: Suburbs. IG. Manukau B. D. Second Grade.—Marist, 9, Ponsonby. 6: Pipnsoiiby, 22. University A. 6: College Rifles. 12, Takapuna, 0; Marathon. 0. drew with City. 9: Eden. 13. Grafton. 9. Third Grade Open.—St. Stephen's. 31, North Shore, 3: Panmure. 34. Otahuhu. 0: Ponsonby. 9. University, 3: Public Works, 14. Papatoetoe, G. Third- Grade Intermediate.—Ponsonby. 2G. Grafton. 8: Suburbs. 14. Eden. 3: Y.M.C.A.. 21. Takapuna. 0: Grammar Old Boys B. 2i, Otahuhu. 3- Marist. 26. University. 3. Fourth Grade.—Grammar 12. Suburbs. 9: Newton, 24. Penrose. 0: Penrose. 14. Newton. 3: Technical Old Boys. 22. Papatoetoe, 0: Dilworth. 8. Kiugsland G: Panmure. 8, Parnell, 4; Grammar. 12. Suburbs. 9: Ponsonbv. 27. Northcote. 0. Fifth Grade.--Ellerslie. 11. Suburbs. 6: Technical Old Bovs. IG. Marathon. 8. Sixth Grade.—Manukau, 41. Papatoetoe, 5. Seventh Grade.—Eden, 21. North Shore. 3.