RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 18 September 1929, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

PENALTIES FOR OFF-SIDE.

FINAL OF CHAMPIONSHIP.

UNIVERSITY AND PONSONBY.

The victory of Wellington over Auckland last Saturday marked the first occasion nine years since Auckland was defeated by that team on its own ground. Then': was a good deal of obstruction in Saturday's match and Porter was the sufferer several times. However, Mr. F. E. Sutherland kept a very firm hold on the irame and cave a splendid exhibition wi>h the whistle. The unusual number of penalties t, i'.-a"ded against the forwards for offside play calls attention to the fact that there is far ton much tendency on the part of many forwards to look for the open play. Auckland is uot the only province at fault in this respect, as it seems to be a general tendency throughout New Zealand at the present nine.. In > 1927 Auckland was the only undefeated province, winning ull its ten PtatAes. and scoring 241 points against 53. Last season it- played 14 matches, won nine, lost five and scored 261 points asainst 174. This season the team played nine matches, won sis, lost three and .scored 177 points against 97. Results of games played this season are as follows; Ciat Waikato, 2:>—l7. Rent Waikato. 3C —0. Lost to Wairarapa, 14—17. Beat Hawke's Bay. 32—6. Beat North Auckland. 15—9. . Beat Canterbury. 17—6. ' Beat Kins Countrv. 17—6. Lost to Tarar.akt, 11 —14. Lost io Wellington. 16—22. A Keen Enthusiast. An interested spectator at the match between Auckland and Wellington on Saturday was Mr. F. X. Evans, an expresident. oi the New Zealand siari Canterbury Rugby Unions and a well-known referee about 25 years ago. Mr. Evans is considered one of the b«ist referees the Dominion has produced. He officiated in the match between New Zealand and J). R. Bedell Seivrighi's British team played in Wellington in August, 1904. It

was tie only test match played during that tour and was won by Xew Zealand by nine, points to three. The Ancldanders participating in the giime were:—l 7,. McGregor, fullback, D. tiallaher. wing-forward, and three forwards, G. A. Tyler, C. E. Seeling and G. W. Nicholson. Mr, Evans, who is still ft very keen Rugby enthusiast, has been on a holiday tour and has seen representative matches in various centres. He said the. lineout play in Saturday's match was not as good as that in the game between Havre's Bay and Manawhenna.

After a sped of representative matches fcincfc • the end of July the final of the Auckland Rugby l rxion's senior championship will be played on Saturday between those old rivals Ponsonby and University: These teams fought out the nonoars last season, University succeeding. During the season the teams met on three occasions, Ponsonby winning the first match, the second being drawn and I niversity winning the last and with it the competition.

Twa Losses Each,

' The match on Saturday should provide a fitting final for the season and as the TnaJority of members in each team have been participating in other games in the ■ interval of representative fixtures neither side should lose much on the score of fitness, So far each team has played 13 matches, won 11 and lost two. Ponsonby has scored 251 points against ICS and University 205 points against 74. Ponsonby suffered defeat twice at the hands of Grammar Old Boys, and University by Ponsonby and Training College.

/ The success of Technical Old Boys in the Auckland Rugby Union's Pollard Cup competition is pleasing to record. As it was comprised of young players who showed much promise in the senior competition tins season the team is expected to be a more formidable combination next year.

A. clever exhibition at second fiveeighths was given by J. Wood, of the South Auckland team, in the match against Auckland's second fifteen at Pakekohe on Saturday. Many times he swerved past as many as three opponents and on nearly every occasion beat at least one. His threequarter line to keep in touch with him, otherwise South Auckland would have scored more tries. Wood was also sure and quick in fielding and sound in tackling. He is an experienced player who may be expected to go further in representative football if he maintains Saturdav's form.

A Promising Wing

On rite wmg, Stephens, a young player from the Manukau sub-union, gave much promise, showing resource and speed. South Auckland's la-it try was generalled nn/l capped by him. Blocked on ihe wsng, he short-punted in-field right in front ox his forwards, who carried on through the bustled Auckland pack, the bail working to the wing again. Stephens secured, and with a short dash was over as the Auckland fullback dived at him. At centre-threaquarter, G. Brownlee played well. A weighty player, with a good turn o? speed and ability as a goalkick, he was responsible for South Auck

land's first try. and also the previous penalty goal. Once his pace enabled han tA overhaul and bring down an Auckland player who had broken through the ruck ami covered about half the length of the field in a spectacular solo dash, which earned him almost, t-o the goal-line. If

they reproduce their present, !'.rm :n future, matches, Wood, Stephens and Brownlee should be worth attention when provincial players are being selected. ihe soie selector to-the Auckland Rugby T'nson, Mr. V. R. Meredith, has nomiiiated ten players for selection in the North Island team. Although the number is large there is no doubt those sugnested have proved themselves worthy *<i '■nnsideration. It will he interesting i', how Corner fares in the final selection, as Mill. Wairarapa. appears to be |>tH most serious rival for the haiiuack position.

"WRESTLING CHAMPION.

MATCHES FOR C. EKLUND

. The New Zealand Wrestling Association has matched Clarence Eklund and lurri Alley in a catch-weight contest at Wellington on Monday next. Eklund is in training :n the Southern centre, while &VIW is at present in Auckland. ■ Eklund won the world's light-heavy ■weight title about three years ago. He •then lost, it to Ted Thye, but later regained it. He has defended it four times fcinca. against such prominent wrestlers as Abe Coleman, of New Jersey, United Ss&tes of America; Roy Carpenter, T. Lancaster, Ohio; and Pete Brown, of .Dallas, Texas. The powerful Russian, < ount Georges Zaranoff, was recently defeated by Eklund.

/. Eklund will again defend his title on f'etober 1 against the Canadian champion, Farmer Vance, at the Town Hall. Jt is expected he will be matched again 2:1 Auckland the following week and then in Wellington a week later. Christchnrch and Dunedin people will probably have ♦ho opportunity of "seeing him in action. 'Th* next Auckland match will be on next, when Walter Johans%>a will meet Naranjan Singh. Jack woranaon was to have met George Walker that evening, but Walker has not yet f Kid sufficient time for training.