GAMES IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20573, 26 May 1930, Page 12

GAMES IN AUCKLAND.

THE RUGBY PREMIERSHIP. FINE SHOWING. JUST BEATEN BY PONSONBY. GOOD DISPLAY BY FULLBACK. Defeated again on Saturday, this time at tho hands of tho mercurial Ponsonby fifteen, Manukau was not disgraced, and on its showing is still a force to be reckoned with in tho Auckland Rugby Lnion's senior competition. The game at Eden Park was the best seen to date this season, and a crowd of about 8000 was not slow to show its appreciation. As a result of Saturday's play, Grammar Old Boys, Ponsonby and Technical Old Boys arc still level at tho head of the championship table. Grammar Old Boys was too strong for City, but Technical had to fight lurd for victory against Collogo Rifles. In this game Noakcs (Collego Rifles) and Nelson (Technical), were ordered off by tho referee. University scored a comfortable victory at the expense of Marist, and Training College won its first gamo of tho season by defeating Gra fton

Manukau has tho reputation of being nblo to rise to great heights against Ponsonby, and tho side, although defeated, lived up to its reputation on Saturday. Manukau had just as much of tho game as Ponsonby, and it was only a couple of typical movements, in which Lucas, Ilook, Jamieson and Solomon participated early in the second half that saved tho champions from defeat. Tho Ponsonby backs played with their usual brilliance, although at times they could mako no headway in tho face of Manukau's bustling tactics. It was not so much their play from set scrums and line-outs that gave them their success, but their ability to turn to their own advantage mistakes by their opponents. Jamieson showed frequent flashes of brilliance. and L. Hook's backing-lip kept him fairly consistently in tho picture. Tho forwards wero steady, and Palmer, Gallaher and llardio wero always on the ball. Solomon was at his best at rover, and worked well with his backs. Pino Play by Turei. In ninny respects, Turei, tho Manukau fullback, was tho outstanding player on tho field. Jle has been rather patchy in past seasons, but on his two displays at Eden Park this season lie must bo a strong contestant for the fullback position in tho representative side. He made few mistakes on Saturday, and his kicking was brilliant. Jones, although hardly as impressive as on the preceding Saturday, was sound, and showed plenty of paie. Bryers worked well behind the scrum.

The Manuka l ] pack was ably led by C. Satherley, with McGuire and Dixon also prominent. Pilo made an energetic rover, but his tendency to hang off for an intercept gavo Ponsonby at least one of its tries.

Tho University-Marist Old Boys game, played as a curtain-raiser at Eden Park, was a somewhat disappointing exhibition. Tho University backs wore not ablo to get into their strido until the second half, and even then, time and again they were taking their passes standing still. The best of tho University backs were Rao and Minns. Butler played a sound game at fullback. The University forwards followed up well and outlasted their opponents. Anderson, Edwards and J Jenkin were most prominent, but tho whole pack worked hard. Jolly played a dashing game at rover. Tho Marist team faded badly in the second half, but tho backs played well in the opening stages. Conway, at half, and Loft at five-eighths, were prominent on attack, and Loombo extricated his side from soveral dangerous situations. Locke was tho most prominent of the Marist forwards. L. Knight In Form. Forward play was much in evidence in lite game between Grammar Old Boys and City, and the Grammar pack, though a little weakened by tho absence of A. Knight, paved tho way for victory. L. Knight was in his best form and was always on the ball, using his weight to advantage.

The baclcs worked together fairly well, and made the most of their opportunities. Weir was outstanding at first five-eighths. He played with excellent judgment, and was <juick to take advantage of an opening. He received a good deal of support from Lewis, whilo Corner played a steady game at halfback. The threequarter lino did not, have many opportunities, but Garlick showed ,-i creditable turn of speed at times, and Wilson showed his customary dash. Ho made somo fino solo runs, and his tackling was excellent. -Mathcson was safe at fullback.

The City backs very successfully neglected any of the opportunities given them by a slightly over-shadowed but hard-working pack. !• oolish cut ting-in and aimless kicking made Grammar's (ask much easier. Rlakey proved a dependable fullback. Tho forwards put up quite a good showing against strong opposition, with Barnes, llardley and Sorensen working well. Well-matched Teams. Technical Old Rovs was just too good for College Rifles, tho three points advantage being a fair indication of tho play. The forwards were evenly matched, although Technical dominated tho sot scrums. For Technical Harris, at half, was outstanding both on defence and ailack. The backs gave a good all-round display, Hogg, at second five-eighths, again showing up in many movements. Couper had few chances but played a solid game. C. Keane, at fullback, was sound.

Pickering, tho centre threequarter, was again the mainstay of the Collego Ililies backs, although McGregor and Denize, at five-eighths, were prominent. The backs lacked combination, but their smothering tactics gave the opposing reaiguard few chances. The forwards were again la nil y in the serums, but excelled in tho loose. Training Collego gained its first win of tho season against Gralton, and for once had matters all its own way. The forwards wero failly evenly matched, Jackson for Grafton, and Hodge for Tiaming College, being tho most prominent. The Training Collego backs were superior in every department. Their combination and ability to use openings gave them a decided advantage. Sheddan did some excellent solo work for Grafton, while Stevenson kicked three penalty goals. Push was a tower of strength for Train ing Collego. Ilis kicking was as good as over and ho frequently ran strongly to set his backs in motion.