SATURDAY'S RUGBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21243, 25 July 1932, Page 11

SATURDAY'S RUGBY

LEADING TEAM DEFEATED MANUKAU BACKS SUPERIOR BERRIDGE RETURNS TO FORM The two outstanding features in connection with the first series of matches in the second round of the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship on Saturday afternoon were the defeat by Manukau of Grammar, the leading team, and the score of 17 to 0 registered by Training College over College Rifles. Manukau's success has brought the teams at the head of the ladder closer together and the future matches will be more interesting in consequence. The principal game was a hard one between the forwards, the Manukau pack having slightly the better of the exchanges. So far as back play was concerned the Manukau rearguard was much superior, displaying its best combination of the season. The three tries were scored by the wing-threequarters, but the inside backs all had a hand in them. Manukau's win was well deserved, as .the side had the better of the play from a territorial point of view. Berridge played a fine, heady game, displaying that high-class form which brought him into prominence four or five seasons ago. His jinky running made him a thorn in the side of the opposition He beat his man a few times and it was only sound tackling that kept Manukau's score dowa. This performance undoubtedly earned Berridge his place in the touring representative team. McLaren gave a sound exhibition of halfback play, checking rushes well and sending out good passes to his fiveeighths. Both wing-threequarters, Turei and R. Stuart, displayed much dash wh«n in possession of the ball. Turei's first try was a splendid effort of determination. Heazlewood played his usual safe game at fullback and he kicked with good judgment to open spaces in the Grammar back division. These tactics frequently gained ground for his side. The Manukau forwards all played well as a pack. Solid Defenders Matheson and Weir did some remarkably fine defensive work for Grammar, and but for them the team would have been more heavily defeated. Both sustained head injuries, but these did not affect their play. Stubbs, a promoted junior; occupied the left wing for Grammar and he showed great speed and ability to handle the ball. One brilliant dash took him over the line at the corner, but he had the misfortune to put his foot into touch a couple of yards out. Macindoe was not so conspicuous as usual. This was on account of the fact that he was playing to instructions, endeavouring to work the ball back to the forwards as much as possible. The Batty brothers, •'Potter and Scarborough were the most prominent forwards. After being three points behind Technical at half-time, Marist outplayed its opponents in the second spell and won by a margin of six points. Although each side scored two tries, Marist undoubtedly deserved its success. In Technical's favour it might be said that the team had the better of play in the first half, but after the interval Marist more than made amends for its early showing. Marist has its forwards to thank for its victory. Fletcher Prominent No player earned as much favourable comment as did the Technical centre, Fletcher, the former Manawatu representative, who was playing his second game for the club. A thrustful player of more than ordinary ability, Fletcher repeatedly broke through the defence by means of his deceptive runs. Apart from S. Hadley, Marist forwards whose consistency caught the eye were Quirk, Lockie and Eville. The halfback, Conway, besides smartly giving the ball to his backs, was always watchful for opportunities, while Cornthwaite, at first five-eighths, was a tower of strength on both attack and defence. Poulton did well at centre, Smith made a number of fruitful dashes on the wing, and Loomb effected several good saves at fullback. Nelson, A. Keane, McMiken and D. Keano were the best of the Technical forwards. In company with Fletcher, Morgan, the right wing, produced some spectacular movements. In the absence of Haslam, Turbott, the team's usual fullback, went to the five-eighths line, where he gave a good account of himself. Blow, a forward, replaced Turbott as fullback, his defence and kicking being surprisingly sound. Good Back Play Tho first half of the University-Grafton game was evenly contested, but University gradually mastered its opponents, to win by a margin of 11 points. The winning team showed more cohesion in attack, nearly every combined movement being among the University backs, who were outstanding in the latter half of the game, in which four tries were scored and converted, to Grafton's one try and a penalty. Bush and Milliken were the best players for University. The first-named, as well as kicking magnificently, displayed a tricky side-step that proved very useful on occasions. McVeagb, Mulvihill and Colgan all worked well, while Carter, at half, lost no opportunities in getting the ball out to his backs. Moore gave a good exhibition at fullback for Grafton, Paton and Wilkes also being prominent among the backs. Larsen did not gain possession of the ball from the scrums sufficiently often to initiate any spectacular movements. Fraser and Whimp were tho most noticeable in the forwards. Penalty Kicks Missed Otahuhu has suffered considerable loss this season through inability to turn penalties to profit, and this was again emphasised against Ponsonby on Saturday. Five kicks were awarded Otahuhu in fairly easy positions and yet not one point was added. This failing does not entirely account for its defeat, as there was weakness in the back division both in offensive and defensive play. While the score flattered Ponsonby its back superiority merited a win. Jamieson and K. Carter were prominent in strong running and fine openings were made by Fraser and Tetley. The majority of tho moves were initiated by the five-eighths. Tho Otahuhu back play was mainly borne by Pearson and Clarke. Hill McLean erred in over-kicking when li*:mJJing would have been more profitable. Pearson's keenness led him to run his men out of position and hang on too long to the ball. A fine display was given by Inglis at half. His efficiency was impaired by a bad knock, but even then lie was a live wire, and made many clever openings. Forward Otahuhu was superior. It hooked the bail in most of the scrums and was only overshadowed for a brief spell after the interval. Logan, Jury and Heath were outstanding. .For Ponsonby Bond, Newdick and Meikle took the eye.