RUGBY PREMIERSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20597, 23 June 1930, Page 12

RUGBY PREMIERSHIP.

PONSONBY RETAINS LEAD. PENALTIES FOR OBSTRUCTION. SOLOMON PLAYS FINE GAME. As a result of its win on Saturday Ponsonby maintains its lead in the senior competition of tho Auckland Rugby Union with an undefeated record to date. Grammar Old Boys is in second place two points behind, followed by Technical Old Boys, which is three points behind tho leaders'. Tho slippery natufo of tho grounds on Saturday resulted in several stoppages for injuries. Without the services of McWilliams and Lucas, Ponsonby snatched victory in tho last minute from Technical, and although it scored three tries to its opponents' one, was somewhat lucky to leave the field victors. To win Ponsonby had to convert a try fairly well out, but amid excitement, Jamieson made no mistake with tho kick.

Ponsonby had several penalties awarded against it for obstruction and should have had more, as one forward at least persisted in pushing his opponent in tho lineout throughout the game and went undetected. It is hard to understand why tho referee did - not award a penalty try instead of a free kick when C. Keane was badly obstructed right on the line and underneath the goal. Technical certainly gained three points, but five would have won U the match.

Ponsonby adopted a new back formation, Pope going to first .five-eighths and Jamieson to centre. A change was mado in the second spell, Jamieson going to his usual position, Hook to centre and Pope to tho wing. There was certainly an improvement through tho change, but the Ponsonby backs mado many moro mistakes than is their custom. This to a largo extent can be attributed to the excellent tackling of the Technical team and in this respect Haslam, at second fiveeighths, did great work, often doing the job of. three men. Prospective Representative. As a matter of fact, Haslam, as has been said before, is a representative player iu the making and seems to bo improving with each game. Not only is ho a fine defensivo player, but ho also shows cleverness on attack. ■ Couper showed much moro determination than of lato, but is still inclined to kick instead of running on. Harris, at half, again played a fine all-round game. It is hard to follow why Ponsonby, in tho final quarter, persisted with its backs instead of changing its tactics and letting the forwards take command of the attack. Once only did the forwards try to break through—this was from a looso rush —and a try was just missed. Ponsonby held the advantage in weight but did not use it in an effort to tiro the opposition; Jamieson, except for mishandling on occasions, played a good game, and Hook was always dangerous. Only lack of experience allowed Cammick to catch the opposition unawares with a penalty kick in tho final stages. Nevertheless, Cammick is to be given credit for a clever move when a penalty goal could not win the match.

The outstanding player of tho field was Solomon, who played a gi'eat game. Frequently starting attacking movements lie would join in again and when there was any defensive, work to be dono lie was always handy. Minns' Strong Eunning.

Tho match between University and City was evenly contested. University repeatedly gained possession of the ball and its backs had plenty of opportunities, but tho attacks on the whole lacked thrust. Minns was conspicuous for some fine runs and would have done even better had tho man in possession drawn his opponent instead of passing too soon and compelling the threequarter to make his own opening. City has somo promising talent- in its side, which only needs to develop combination to give other teams some clogo calls. A weakness at present with tho insido backs is their failure to go down to stop rushes. Speculating cost tho team a lot of ground on several occasions on Saturday.

Grammar Old Boys played very ragged football to beat Grafton. An earlier gamo had ploughed the ground up well ami the players had difficulty in keeping their feet. It was astonishing to see the Grammar team attempting to play open football with a greasy ball on such a ground. Tho back division was weakened by tho omission of Corner, although Weir made a good deputyllo sent out good passes and his strong kicking frequently gained much ground. Tho rest of the back division was unimpressive. Hutchison showed a slight improvement at fullback. Of tho forwards E. Batty, G. Slcelton and R. Potter wero most prominent. P. Potter played soundly at rover. A Spoiling Policy.

Grafton played more of a spoiling game and its backs were seldom seen in passing movements. Halls, on the wing, had few opportunities, but showed that ho is a strong runner. Scott was solid at fullback. Tho outstanding player of the side, however, was Fraser, tho rover. Ho has a line senso of anticipation and frequently breaks through to make openings for his backs. The pack was not solid enough to stand up to the heavy opposing forwards, but used spoiling methods to advantage. The match between Manukau and Training College was a mediocre exhibition scarcely up to senior grade football standard. The score, B—3 in favour of Manukau, was a fair indication of the play. Tho fact that only one try was scored gives an indication of the lack of sustained back movements. Only two players were really outstanding, Bush, tho Training College fullback, both for his brilliant line-kicking and safo handling, and Pepper, the Manukau forward, for his untiring play. For Training Col lego Bush played a brilliant game. Of tho remainder of the backs McFarland was seen to best advantage. Ho and Conolly figured in soveral promising movements. McKearney, at first five-eighths, was responsible' for some good work although a tendency to hold on ■too long marred his play. Morrison acquitted himself well while of tho forwards, who wero an oven pack, Hamilton impressed most. - < Combination Lacking. A lack of understanding between the forwards and backs of both teams was a noticeable feature of tho Marist-College Rifles match at the Show Grounds. Neither team combined really well and although there wero good individual efforts on both sides the football was not of a partciularly high standard. _ The final score, 17 —13 in favour of Marist, would indicate that tho teams wero fairly evenly matched, but whilo Marist scored three tries, College Rifles did not cross tho opposing lino. Marist was the better team, but over-eagerness on tho part of the forwards resulted in many penalties which College Rifles turned io the best advantage. Tho ground was veVy heavy and tho work of tho Marist backs was good under adverse conditions. M. Smith, at second fivo-eighths, niado many opportunities and Corntlnvaite, at centre, and Evans, on tho wing, wore quick to seo chances. Walsh, at fullback, was sound on defence. With the exception of S, and C. liadley and Judd, tho forwards wero not outstanding : Of the College. Rifles team. Albrerht. and Gillespie were the best of the backs, while L. Johnson, a! fullback, was reliable wil.h loiu distance kicking. The College Rides forwards were {oo light in the scrums, althouch J. Stehr and A. Warren were prominent in tho loose.