RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP UNIVERSITY BEATS MANUKAU BUSH KICKS THREE GOALS Weather conditions were ideal for football on Saturday afternoon, when the Auckland Rugby Union's senior competition was resumed after a break of a few weeks while the representative team was on toun The grounds were hard, causing injuries to several players. Considering the counter-attractions tbero was a good attendance at Eden Park, where chief interest centred in the meeting of University iind Manukau. The first spell was rather ragged, but play brightened up considerably after the interval, the University backs giving an improved display, and eventually the side won by a comfortable margin. Bush accounted for more than half University's points by converting Loth tries and kicking a penalty goal. Grammar maintained its lead for the championship by defeating Technical Old Boys by 11 points to 0. Otahuhu continued to show improvement in scoring an easy win ovei; Grafton. Marist and College Rifles drew after a keen contest at the Show Grounds, while the Training College vacation gave Ponsouby a win by default. Following were the results of the matches/ University, 13, Manukau, 3. Grammar. 11, Technical, 0. Otahuhu, 21, Graf ion, 8. Marist, 6, College Rifles. 6. Ponsonby won by default from Training College. The following table shows the present positions of the teams: — Points Ch. Team ' P. W. L. D. For Ag. pts. Graihmar .. 11 51 Q Ponsonby ..11 S 2 X !>7 S8 1< University . . It 7 4 Manukau .. 11 6 4 1 PS Go 13 Marist ..11' -i 8 4 99 78 12 Technical ... 11 3 5 3 74 90 0 College Rifles .11 3 5 3 81 118 9 Grafton .. 11 3 8 ■ — G9 141 6 Training Col. . 11 3 8 £ Otahuhu .. 11 3 8 9C 11- 6 Hard-earned Victory University's victory over Manukau was hard the game being keenly contested right through. The result was in doubt 4ntil late in the second spell, when Bush increased University's total with a penalty goal. After a ragged first spell the game brightened up a good deal in the second half, when the Uuiversity backs held the upper hand. Heazlewood, the Manukau fullback, and Carter, University's half, stood down on account of injuries received on the Southern representative tour. Manukau's was th& greater loss, as the side had to substitute a third grade player in the fullback position. The forwards had a keen tussle in the first half, when each gained almost an equal share of the ball. The handling .and passing of the University backs were erratic, and this spoiled several rushes. Butler /was a weak link at second fiveeighths, being caught in possession mach too frequently. Bush played a fine all-round game, getting his side out of difficulties several times when it was hard pressed. lie fielded the ball brilliantly on occasions and/ his kicking saved the forwards a great deal, Caughey and Milliken both played good games, displaying fine speed and understanding when in possession. Caughey scored two good tries. Kedgeley, on the left wing, watched his opponent instead of the ball and dropped several passes. I Mulvihill Plays Well Mulvihill gave an excellent display at first five-eighths, his straight running being troublesome to the opposition, as it led to opening for the other backs. Unfortunately, however, these could not be turned to the best advantage owing to Butler's slowness. Mulvihill's quickness off the/ mark enabled him to check many Manukau rushes in their early stages. Jenkin gave a sound display behind the scrum, getting the ball away well with snappy passes and stopping rushes in good style. The /forwards all worked hard, Stacey giving an outstanding display. He was in practically every loose rush and he was responsible for the movement which led up to University's last try.. The University pack secured the ball from the majority of the scrums in the second half. McLaren gave a solid exhibition as halfback for Manukau, but his tendency to run across the field made it hard for the backs outside him. Although R. Stuart made a few'mistakes he was the soundest back on the side, doing some fine defensive work. Berridge was below form, his handling being indifferent. The threequarter line had few opportunities on attack, but the wings both displayed dash when in possession. Considering he is a third grade five-eighths, Young did fairly well at fullback. Speight, Kahu, Wiklund and Rutherford were prominent in a hard-working pack. Ground Causes Injuries The . contest in which Grammar defeated Technical Old Boys by 11 points to 0 and maintained its lead in the championship was generally of an uninteresting natyre. Play was also slowed up by many stoppages for injuries, due to the hard ground, and. in the second spell, Technical was unfortunate when its centre, Fletcher, was hurt and left the field. Technical's back play was greatly affected, for Fletcher had been the most effective back on the side, although he was Tv*ell marked by his opponents. There was no question of Grammar's superiority on the day, but it was not until, late in the game that the side was definitely in the ascendancy. This was due mostly to the better plan of action of the backs, the halfback, Corner, playing easily the best game on the field. His passes were invariably well directed, even in the face of the fast-breaking Technical forwards. The five-eighths. Weir and Macindoe, ■were steady, and Buckley proved'to bo a 'dangerous attacking threequarter, scoring two tries in as many minutes. Apart from Fletcher, Manning, halfback, and Turbott, first five-eighths, were useful for the losers, whose backs, however, rarely impressed on attack. The Technical forwards played a fine game against formidable opposition, and did well in the scrums, although tliev were at a disadvantage in weight. Nei-f-on, McMiken and Bowling were three who consistently worried tho Grammar backs, and made dangerous rushes. W. Batty, A. Knight and E. Batty were prominent among the Grammar forwards. Scarborough handled well, but he showed a tendency to retain possession too long ■j Well-merited Win Although the Grafton team was not at full' strength, Otahuhu fully merited its decisive win by 21 points to 8. In the second half especially, there was not the slightest doubt which was the better team. All the members of the winning team' played with a will. Peterson was ■the best of a fine line of backs, his two tries being the result of determined and elusive running. On the other wing Clark saw less of the .ball, but he never failed to /take full advantage of his opportunities. Pearson worked like a trojan both On attack and - defence, his kicking espeeif ally showing the benefit of practice on the southern tour. His dropped goal was a

splendid effort. Inglis varied his play nicely behind the pack until he left the field injured in the second spell. McLean was the more penetrating fiveeighths. Tho veteran Arnold gave tho (ilayers of both teams a lesson in heady forward play, and was equally competent when he replaced Inglis at halfback. Palmer's hooking and work in the tight were invaluable. Heath and Cox, and Castles, a -promising junior, also gave sterling displays. Of the Grafton players, Pa ton, at second five-eighths, was often prominent and Larsen was sound at halfback. Finlayson and Compton were the best of a fairly even pack. Tlie ficore of six-all in the match between Marist and College Rifles at the Show Grounds was a fair indication of the respective merits of the two teams, which were evenly matched. The game was not a brilliant exhibition, both sets of backs indulging in wild passing at times, but the forwards worked hard and monopolised most of the play. In the later stages, the game was interrupted several times by the referee, who warned members of both sets of forwards, among whom there were some lively exchanges Of the Marist team. S. Hartley played probably the best game. He lent weight to the forwards, and in the later stages acted as a very useful additional back. Conway was fast and accurate at halfback, while Muller and Toyc, the fiveeighths, supported him well. Colebrook played a sound defensive game at fullback, his tackling being always reliable. The College Rifles team produced few outstanding payers, although the combined effect was good. In spite of receiving a heavy blow on one leg, Dickey was steady at fullback, and saved tho situation on more than one occasion by accurate kicking. Vear was fast, and provided good support for the halfback. UNIVERSITY'S SUCCESS MANY PENALTIES AWARDED Manukau kicked off against tho wind and sun, but au early penalty for offside enabled .Bush to gain a good deal of ground. A dropped pass by Berridge let Lniversity through, and Young forced just in time. Attempts at passing were met with Bound tackling. R. Stuart and Wiklund were injured, but both were able to resume. Oyer eagerness by the forwards on either sido led to quito a number of penalties, borne passing bouts by the University backs looked likely, but mistakes at tho critical moment kept them in check. A high kiok and fast following by Bush compelled Manukau to {0 W ay for the first 20 minutes was very scrappy, due principally to reckless passing. Caughey checked a Manukau rush, but a penalty was given against University tor shepherding. Berridge missed the shot from a handy position inside lha University forwards swept right downfiefd with a loose rush, Jenkin and Drake being prominent. A penalty near the l ine pulled them up. A University passing bout ended in Caughev scoring a fine try. Instead of going out to his wing ho suddenly straightened up when going at top. lie swerved right past the Manukau fullback and grounded the ball in a good position. Bush converted. . , , . Play had been in progress half an hour. A couple of minutes later Manukau was penalised, but Bush failed with a kick f 1 " 01 ? 1 10 yards inside half-way. Butler saved University well in the face of a strong forwaid dash by the opposition. Bush, Stacey and Drake headed a counter-rush to the other end, where Drake was penalised for offside right in front of the goal. Bush.then failed with a drop at goal from just inside halfway. Half-time arrived with the score: University, 5; Manukau, 0. . University attacked upon resumin« through R. Stuart fumbling. MaKing good use of the wind. Manukau worked down, Bush saving finely right on his own line University was penalised and .fcserri<lge kicked a goal. . , A strong Manukau rush took play to ita opponents' line and a try seemed likely, when a knock-on stopped the rush. R Stuart made a strong run. but Milliken intercepted the pass out to Sergeant. Mulvihill then saved University and Bush gained furthef ground with a clearing kick. Turei was forced into touch by Hush a P then University was forced down. A dash by Caughey and Milliken ended in the lastnamed centring. The forwards followed quickly and Turei ran behind to save. University had two or three chances from the scrums which followed, but Butler held on on each occasion, and then a loose Manukau rush removed play to midfield. Both sides were attempting to open up the play at every opportunity. R-. Stuart was penalised for holding the ball when he had no chance of dropping it. and Bush kicked a great goal from near the sideline beyond the tW Pas«ing G between Caughey and Milliken saw University continue its. attack. K; Stuart broke through a passing rush and took play into University's half. A tricky run by Mulvihill cleared again to. half-way. Berridge and R. Stuart failed in an attempt at scissors passing, and University worked further down. Butler marked in a handy position, but missed the pjiot at goal Stacey started a passing rush at halfway'and passed in to Colgan, who 6ent on to Mulvihill. The last-named sent a timely pass to Caughey, who had too much pace for the opposition. A "no charge was ruled and Bush kicked a goal. The game ended with t'ae score: University, 13. Manukau, 3. Mr. G. Peace was referee. GOOD WIN FOR GRAMMAR MARGIN OF ELEVEN POINTS Technical set up a strong early attack again Grammar, Turbott and tletcher being prominent in brisk passing which carried play to near Grammars line, where Savory replied with a fast retaliatory run From a ecrum, Corner made a good opening for hi 3 backs, tho movement ending on the wing when Savory was nicely tackUd by Gribble, and Technical was able to clear under pressure. Play was confined to the forwards for a period, W. Batty, B. Ratty and Potter making a determined rush which sorely tested the Technical defence. The lighter Technical forwards were putting up a good fight, but their share of success in the scrums was not roado use of by the backs. Near the end of the spell. Grammar's backs, well served by <-<o™er, attacked repeatedly, and one movement, begun after a loose forward rush, ended in Macindoe scoring. Corner converted, technical was unlucky when I lelcher was called back for accepting a forward Posa f rom Evans' after he had run. round behind the posts Fletcher also missed two penalty kicks'. The half-time score was: Grammar, in tho second half, and the effect of Grammar's weight became apparent, technical was also placed at a disadvantage when Fletcher was injured and leit tho field. Savory, who had replaced Lendrum at centre for Grammar, ran Lendrum nicely into position, and the winger raced down the line. He was pushed into to.uch by two Technical backs when a try was imminent. Determined tackling stopped Gronmnr until near the conclusion of tho game. Ihe forwards heeling cleanly fro? 1 scrums, Corner was instrumental in. making the openings allowing Buckley, wmg-threequar-ter. to score two tries after spirited runs. Corner missed the kicks, ond the final scoro was: Grammar, 11; Technical, 0. Mr. C. W. Henderson was referee. A DRAWN GAME MARIST AND- COLLEGE RIFLES Marist kicked off, facing the sun and a light breeze. A passing rush carried play into the College Rifles' twenty-five, but a penalty allowed the side to clear. A series of scrums in midfield followed, until Kirk sent a quick pass to Stewart, who scored near the corner. The kick failed. Immediately afterwards College Rifles secured in midfield, and a smart passing rush among the forwards resulted in Stone scoring a try which was not converted. The Marist forwards replied with a fast movement, and narrowly missed scoring, but College Rifles cleared. Wales secured in midfield and beat Colebrook, but lost the ball before he could touch down, loye intercepted a pass between two College Rifles backs and scored unopposed near the fla-g. The kick was unsuccessful. At Halftime tho score was: College Rifles, G; Marist, 3. When play was resumed, Marist attacked, but a series of infringements by over-eager forwards kept the side away from the College Rifles line. From a scrum near the line Marist hooked cleanly to Conway, who went through his own forwards to score. Once again the kick failed. Marist continued to attack, and Conway took a shot at goal, but the ball fell short. Marist remained within striking distance until Dickey cleared with ft well-placed kick. Vear broke away but was unsupported, and could not, force his way through, A mark taken in a good position- gave Poulton a shot nt goal,, but his'kic)c was short, and ! College Rifles cleared easily. The game ended with the ecote: Marist, C; College 1 " Rifles, 0. i Mr, A. E. Austjn was referee.

GRAFTON OUTPLAYED OTAHUHU'S DECISIVE WIN Running up nine points in about as many niinutca when the score was. G—B against it Otahuhu forged ahead to defeat G rut ton by 21 points to 8 on No. 3 ground at Eden Park. "At the commencement Grafton rieia the territorial advantage. First Halls, the Grafton winger, was nearly across, but, no was well tackled by four players then Larsen, the Grafton halfback, secured from the ruck and darted over for a try. \\. nen Baton took the kick from well out, both umpires signalled a goal, but the referee overruled their decision The cross-wind carried the ball outside the left-hand post. Grafton continued to hold the upper hand, but McLean battled his way to place Otahuhu on attack. A few minutes later McLean sold the dummy splendidly, and after Castles had handled, Inglis dived across for a well-earned try. White failed with the kick. Grafton retaliated, Benjamin capping a loose rush by scoring. Paton converted, and tho 6core at half-time was. Grafton, 8; Otahuhu, 3. Otaluihu's second try came when Palmer sent tho ball to Pearson. Clark accepted a pass and kicked, allowing Cox to follow up. fast and score. Pearson could not add the extra points. His opportunity came a few minutes later: securing the ball in front of the Grafton goal, ho took his time and potted a fine goal. In the lead for the first time, Otahuhu played with renewed vigour Arnold could have scored, but sent the_ ball on to Clark, who likewise passed to Pearson. the representative player failing to gather the ball. Then Pearson gained possession and sent his winger Peterson over for a fine try. „ Jones just landed a goal from well out. Otahuhu now definitely held the upper hand, having scored nine points in quick succession. Although the halfback, Inglis, retired with an injured leg, there was no let-up on the part of Otahuhu. Then from a penalty Pearson placed a fine goal, following tight play near the Grafton lino Palmer threw a swift pass to Peterson, who cut past three men for a fine try. Jones failed at goal. The Grafton forwards made a desperate last-minute bid, but without success, and the final score was: Otahuhu, 21: Grafton, 8. Mr, C. F. Fowler was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Grade B.— University, 8, North Shore, fi; H.M.S. Diomede, 8, Parnell, 7. Second Grade.—Marist, 8. Ponsonby. 8: College Rifles, 48. Royal Naval Reserve. 0: Tamaki, 3, Nortbcote. 0; Grammar Colts. 23. Technical Old Boys. 8. Third Grade Open.—Newton, 0, Oratia. 5; North Shore, 12, University, 7. Third Grade Intermediate. —Manukau A. 32 Panmure, G; Grafton. 8. Grammar B. 3; Manukau B. 0, Training College A, G; Ponsonby, 28, Technical Old Boys, 0: Uiiiversity, 11, Suburbs, G; College Rifles. 11. Marist 5; Grafton, 10, Grammar Old Boys. 3. Fourth Grade.—Technical Old Boys. 11. Parnell. 3; Ellerslie. 6. Manukau, 5; Technical Old Boys Colts. 11. Parnell, 3; Grammar Old Boys A. 7, Northcotc. 5. Fifth Grade.—"Marist. Hi. Eden, 10; Ponsonby, 6, Technical Old Boyß, o. Sixth Grade.—Marist. 10, Northcote. G: Suburbs won from Parnell by default: Ellerslie. 11. Eden, 3; Ponsonby, 14, Technical Old Boys, 0. Junior Boys.— Intermediate grade: Suburbs won from Penrose by default; Eden. 24, Northcote, 3. Junior grade: Suburbs. 21. Newton A, 5. Church Games.—St. Georges (Epsom). 45'. St. Mark's (Remuera). 0: St. Barnabas (Mount Eden), 9, St. George's (Kingsland). 0. INTER-SCHOOLS' MATCH AUCKLAND TECHNICAL BEATEN A team selected froni the four Bay of Plenty high schools defeated Auckland Technical College at Gribble-llirst Park on Saturday afternoon by 10 points to 3. Although the game was played willingly, it lacked tho spectacular movements that are usually associated with secondary schools' Rugby. A disappointing feature was the weak tackling and lack of cohesion on each side. Bay of Plenty deserved its success and would, no doubt, find the game a useful preliminary to its match with Mount Albert Grammar School on Thursday. The game opened in uninteresting style, there being some ragged movements by each side. Francis gained possession in the loose and passed to Donner, the visiting winger outpacing.-the opposition to score wide out. Haro converted with a good kick. Then Technical made determined efforts to scure. A rush by the backs saw the ball pass right along the line to Beeston, who struggled across in the corner. McC'ook could not convert. Just before half-time Bay of Plenty moved down to near the Technical line, where Dick tried to slip across on the blind side. When right on the line he was picked up by a Technical forward and carried back about 3yds. Technical managed to clear and at the interval the score was:— Bay of Plenty, 5; Technical, 3. After the resumption play livened up and each side launched attacks in turn. The retirement of a Bay of Plenty forward. Bennett, left the visiting team with 14 men. In spite of this handicap the team succeeded in scoring again. The ball was taken into tho Technical twenty-five and hero Francis made an opening for Donner. He transferred to Rand who carried on to score between the posts. Ilare converted and the game ended:—Bay of Plenty High Schools. 10: Technical College, '). Mr. E. Keefe was referee.