RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

LOWER GRADE RESULTS

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PONSONBY DEFEATS MANUKAU • FINEST DISPLAY OF SEASON The Auckland Eugbv Union's senior championship competition was advanced a further stage on Saturday afternoon, when tli© weather conditions were fine with a cold wind blowing. Rain earlier in the day no doubt had the effect of •keeping a great many people away from Eden Park, where there was but a moderate attendance. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, and the Hon. R. Masters, with their private secretaries, were interested spectators. Those who stayed away have reason to regret it, as the match between Ponsonby and Manukau was the best that has been seen at tha park this season. With a little over a minute to go the score was level at 13—all, and then a penalty goal to Ponsoi.by placed the issue beyond doubi. In the curtain-raiser match Grammar retained its lead for the championship by defeating Training College by a comfortable margin. University scored a lastminuie victory over Otahuhu at the Show Grounds, obtaining two tries in as many minutes at the end of the game. Ue fortunately the match was marred through injuries sustained by B. Palmer, Otahuhu, and V. C. Butler, University. Both were/ admitted to hospital suffering from head injuries and concussion, and Palmer guccumbed at an early hour yesterday morning.

Marist scored an easy victory over Grafton at the Domain, and College Rifles proved too good for a much-weakened Technical Old Boys' team at Victoria Park. Following were the results of the matches

Ponsonby, 16, Mannkau, 13 Grammar, 19, Training College, 3. University, 19, Otahuhu, 13. Marist, 32, Grafton, 6. College Rifles, 19, Technical, 0. The following table shows the present position of the teams in the championship : Points Ch. P. W. L. D. For Ag.Pts. Grammar 12 10 2 119 ll 958 20 Ponsfonby .. 12 9 2 1 113 71 19 University .. 12 8 4 Marist .. .. 12 5 3 4 131 84 14 Manukau ..12 C 5 1 101 81 13 College Rifles . . 12 4 5 3 100 118 11 Technical .. 12 3 6 3 74 109 9 Grafton . . 12 3 9 Training College 12 3 9 Otahuhu .. 12 3 9

' Ponsonby Fortunate Ponsonby was fortunate in winning its game with Manukau by means of a penalty goal in the last minute. Ponsonby had the better of the first, spell, although Manukau made some spirited efforts when playing against the wind. After the teams changed round, however, Manukau had all the better of the exchanges. Ponsonby led by 13 points to 6 at half-time, and on the run of the play so far it could be seen thnt Manukau was going to keep its opponents busy. Five minutes after resuming Turei put heart into his team-mates by potting a splendid goal from just inside half-way. The same player kicked a penalty goal a little later and made the score 13 —all. The crowd became thoroughly worked op as play swung up and down field. Manukau continued to have tho better of tfye exchanges, and it was only rarely that Ponsonby entered its opponents' twenty-five. On the last occasion, however, the Manukau half-back was penalised for holding the ball and Jamieson won •the match for his side with an accuratelydirected kick. It was a keen struggle between the two packs, with Manukau holding the upper hand, and this gave its backs more of tho ball. Manukau was weakened by the absence of Heazlewood and Berridge, but the substitute five-eighths, W. Brimble. proved a distinct find. Very early in the s . game he proved himself a player above the average. There was brain work in every movement, and the crowd was not elow in showing its appreciation of the fine, all-round play, of this diminutive fiveeighths. Apart from dropping an occasional pass he gave a very heady display. * Turei Redeems Himself Turei played poorly in the first spell, his mistakes enabling Ponsonby to re- • two tries. He redeemed himself in the second spell by playing soundly, apart from kicking two goals. The three-quarter line was not very impressive, C. Stuart handling poorly, and this naturally affected the play of the wings. R. Stuart, gave a sound exhibition, dis- ■ playing headwork on attack and getting his side out of difficulties with sound _ defence. McLaren was another who played solidly, "getting the ball away smartly and doing gome fine defensive work. The . forwards all worked well as a pack and this gave them an advantage over their opponents. Although Kerr-Taylor made no serious mistakes he looked shaky at times when hustled. Jamieson was easily Ponsonby's best back, showing speed and headiness in all his movemrnts. His accuracy in kickicfg goals at close range won Ponsonby the match. Had. he played at five-eighths instead of at centre Ponsonby's margin may have been greater. The wings both displayed dash, but were closely marked. Tetley and Fraser were not speedy enough as a combination at five-eighths to be of best assistance to the side. McManus phyed his usual solid game at halfback. The Solomon brothers and T. Carter were the most conspicuous of the forwards, although the All Black was watched very closely. fi Grammar Not Troubled

Grammar never appeared to be in danger of defeat by Training College, which had but thirteen men lit the start and fourteen after the first 20 minutes. The retirement of Macindoe owing to cranip in the leg made the teams even in numbers for the remainder of (he game. Once Grammar had the wind behind it in the second spell it had matters practically all its own way, adding eleven points, whereas Training College was .unable to, increase its total. The fact that the Grammar pack was a good deal superior was demonstrated in the second spell, when W. Batty was able to foresake it and play at first five-eightlis. Matheson gave a sound exhibition at fullback for Grammar, his handling and tackling being good, while he frequently earned applause for his long line-kicking. In the second spell he often joined in the passing rushes, thereby giving Grammar an extra man. The threequarter line showed dash and speed, while Weir was very sound at five-eighths. Corner varied his play nicely and this gave his opponents something to think about. Ilis was a good all-round display. W. I?atty did fairly well at five-eighths, although a little on the slow side. The forwards all worked hard to sustain their advantage. The Training College forwards were not a matph for the opposition and the backs suffered in consequence. Crossman was nippy behind the scrum, while Townsend, five-eighths, was perhaps the best back on the field. He was lively on attack and

did a tremendous amount of splendid saving. Ileeps was impressive on the left wing. A surprisingly good exhibition was given by Otahuhu against University at the Show Grounds, only strenuous lastminute efforts by the latter team giving it the game. The match was keenly fought, both sides displaying plenty of open, combined movements. For University, Bnsh gave an outstanding performance at fullback, kicking with great power and accuracy. Csughcy shono in the threcquarter line as did Mulvihill, at first five-eighths and N. Jenkin at half. Brooker, Colgan, McYeagh and Stacey were the mo:st noticeable among the forwards. Butler was unfortunate enough to sustain concussion.

White was always sound at fullback for Otahuhu and showed commendable skill and sureness in handling. Inglis was dependable at halfback, it being due chiefly to him that the backs received so much of the ball. Arnold, Hammond and Palmer acquitted themselves well in the scrum. The retirement of Palmar in the second spell owing to an injury no doubt was a contributing factor to the late lead established by University. Flashes of excellent football were displayed by the Marist backs, whose speed and precision on attack were mainly responsible for their sido's defeat of Grafton at the Domain. In a fairly even first spell, Marist always looked the stronger team and in the second half it was not surprising to see Grafton overwhelmed. The Marist forwards, capably led by S. Hadley, played sound football throughout and held a definite advantage in the tight. Consequently Conway was able to send his backs away at regular intervals and his service throughout the game was consistently good. K. Smith and Cooney brought off several well-planned movements, cutting out men in the Grafton defence time after time. With slightly faster wings, Marist would have had no difficulty in increasing its sccrre.

The Grafton pack was outclassed in most departments, but A. Finlavson and Compton were tireless in the loose. The firstnamed destroyed several incipient Marist back movements. The backs lacked cohesion, but Wilkes, behind the scrum, worked energetically throughout the game. The match between College Rifios and Technical Old Boys was marred by rough tactics consequent on the ordering off of a Technical forward, half-way through the second spelL This player was fiercely attacked by an opponent, and was seen to retaliate by the referee, who instantly sent him off the field. After this incident over-willing methods were used in the scrums and there were times, when blows were freely exchanged out of the referee's sight. The defection of a forward was a big loss to Technical, as it was already one man short, owing to the retirement through injury of another forward, Williams. However, there is no doubt that College Rifles, which had by far the better of the play, Avould have won even if Technical had finished at normal strength. For College! Rifles, Souter hooked well and repeatedly gave his side possession of the ball. Stone was in good form, leading numerous forward rushes in which Donald, Ross and L. Brown were also prominent. Wales played a heady game at first five-eighths and H. Brown, the exTaranaki player, was impressive at centre. Seven regular members of the Technical team were absent through injuries when the side took the field. Tho team gave a ragged display and was not often seen in an attacking role. Nelson, McMiken and Hardley played kceen vanguard games, while A. Blow did good work on defence. A. Keane, usually a forward, filled a busy fullback position with credit.

MARIST BACKS SUPERIOR EASY DEFEAT OF GRAFTON An advantage in forward work, backed up by a marked superiority in back play, gave Marist an easy victory over Grafton on No. 1 ground at the Domain by 32 points to 6. Marist scored eight tries, two of them converted, and a field goal, against Grafton's two unconverted tries. The first spell was more or less even. Marist won the scrums, but the Grafton forwards successfully adopted a spoiling game. Finally a good passing movement by the Marist backs allowed K. Smith to cross for an unconverted try. The Grafton forwards retaliated in a loose rush from which Wilkes scored, the kick failing. Again tho Marist backs attacked and Evans crossed. However, a number of small boys were playing in the goal area and, in attempting to avoid them, Evans grounded the boll behind the dead-ball lino, the try being disallowed. From a forward scramble a few minutes Inter Stowell scored but failed to convert. The score at halftime was:—Marist. 6; Grafton, 3. *ln the 6econd spell the Grafton forwards appeared to t.iro and the defence of the backs slackened appreciably. The Marist backs received plenty of opportunities and Smith (2), C'ooney (2), Toy and Evans scored tries. S. Hadley converted one and Cooney another, the last-named also dropkicking a neat goal from the field. Towards the end. tho Grafton forwards revived somewhat and good play by Coinpton led to Bunting scoring. Jn the final stages. Dickie, the Grafton wing, made several determined, but unsuccessful. eflnrt3 to cross, and the came ended witii the score:—Marist, 32: Grafton, G. Mr. M. Kronfeld was referee.

PONSONBY'S SUCCESS TUREI POTS A GOAL Manukau kicked off against the- wind and sun, but was early forced by a long kick by Kerr-Taylor. Manukau was penalised wide out and T. Carter narrowly missed the goal. Turei failed to get in his kick and was overwhelmed. T. Carter picked up the ball and passed out to S. Solomon who sent a long pass on to Heywood._ the last-named diving over. Jamieson missed the shot. Passing in its own twenty-five got Ponsonby into difficulties. R. Stuart charged down a clearing kick and then Pearce got across following a loose scrum. Turei failed at goal, Kahu raced up to the opposing fullback and passed to Pearce, who lost a certain try by knocking on. A line-out was formed about ten yards from the Ponsonby line and following this Paddy forced his way over. Turei again missed. Turei waited for the ball to bounce and then carried it back. F. Solomon wns nearly over from tho scrum. lie lost the ball, but Somers was handy nud fell on it near tho poEts. Jamieson converted. /•- Ponsonby opened up the game and passing between the backs and forwards looked certain to rcsitlt in a try when .a knook-on occurred. Following the scrum McMnnus picked up in the loose and dived over between the posts. A strong run by Ramsay had piny near Manukau's lino again. Brimble clearing. A loose rush took the ball over the Manukau line. Turei forcing just in time. Brimble participated in a passing rush three times, taking r»iay well into Ponsonby's twenty-five. C. Stuart and Short 1 followed a kick, but the ball rolled into touch. The score at half-time was:— Ponsonby. 13: Manukau, (">. With the aid of the wind Manukau wns quickly on the attack. After play had been in progress five minutes tb/3 ball was kicked to Turei. who dropped a fine goal from a few yards inside half-way. A mis-kick by C. Stuart let Ponsonby -,ip. but Sargennt cleared. Fast following u;> took play into Ponsonby's half. Turei had a shot from a penalty nt half-way and narrowly missed a goal. Then Jamieson failed with n penalty for Ponsonby from just beyond the twenty-five. Tetley was penalised for standing offside when a scrum was formed and Turei kicked a from tho twenty-five right in front. Passing between Tetley and Jamieson saw the last-named gain a lot of ground. The erame was fast, nnd exciting nt this stage, the score being 13 all. Manukau was hav. ing the better of the play now. The Ponsonby forwards were penalised when clear ing with a loose rush, but Turei's kick was a little wide on this occasion. Brimble cut through beautifully and passed to R. Stuart, who wns overhauled by K. Carter when a try looked certain. A penalty gave Ponsonby relief. Manukau was too anxious to get lead and two further penalties pulled up likely movements. Ramsay kicked a little tpo hard, enabling Turei to force. McLaren was penalised for holding the ball and Jsmieson kicked a goal from right in front. There wns only a minute to go and the game ended:—Ponsonby, 16: Manukau, 13. Mr. A. E. Austin was refere».

TECHNICAL OUTPLAYED FORWARD ORDERED OFF College Rifles outplayed Technical, which finished the came two men short. In the early stages College Rifles did most of the attacking. In bno rush the forwards reached tho Technical twenty-five, where the defending side was penalised, and War kicked a goal. College Rifles sustained the attack until Light and A. Blow were associated in a movement that transferred the ball well into College Rifles' territory. A clearing kick by Blow pulled Technical out of an nwkwnrd position and at the interval the score was:—College Rifles, 3; Tech nical. 0. Soon after tho resumption College Rifles attacked and during a passing rush Wales gained possession and essayed a drop-kick at goal. The ball hit the crossbar and rebounded. Following a line-out Stone fell on tho ball for a try. which Vear converted. In a melee near the line a Technical forward was seen by the referee to retaliate when struck by an opponent, and he was ordered off. Technical now had only 13 men. Walker, another forward, having retired through injury early in the spell. Nelson led a Technical loose rush down Geld. but College Rifles repulsed. Vear attempted to pot a goal nnd Alhrecht. following up, dived on the ball for another try. Year's kick missed. The next try came quickly. L. Brown secured, then passed to Ross, who transferred to Donald, and the last-named beat the defence in nn elusive run of thirty-fivo yards to score ho tween the posts. Vear converted. Just before the call of time the College Rifles fonvnrds mnde a final attack and in some tight play Williams scored. Vear could not convert, leaving the finnl score:—College Rifles, 19; Technical Old Boys, 0. Mr. D. Craig was referee. SUPERIORITY OF GRAMMAR TEAMS PLAY SHORT-HANDED Training College played with tho wind and sun, but started with thirteen men. Grammar scored in the first few minutcp Corner started a passing rush and the ball w.ent to Lendrum, who cut in and beat two or three men before racing across. Corner converted. College now had fourteen men and the side was placed in a good position by a dashing run by Heeps. In a passing rush Townsend cut through and got over by the posts, but .ho had the misfortune to lose the ball. Grammar was quickly attacking again nnd a bout of in-and-out passing saw Lendrum cross again, but the line umpire's flag was up and so no try eventuated. The Grammer backs nnd forwards threw the ball about freely without result, owing to sound tackling. The Training College backs gained ground with passing and piny was iu front of Grammar's goal when the defenders were penalised and Townsend kicked nn easy goal. Macindoe retired with a leg injury. Fast following up by Buckley caught the opposing fullback in possession, and after a couple of scrums Corner ran round on the blind side and eent Buckley over at the corner. Lendrum failed at goal and the score at half-time was:—Grammar, 8: Training College. 3. Play had not lons been resumed w.heu Townsend just failed with a pot, tho ball falling a little short. Potter was penalised for tripping the opposing halfback, but Townsend missed the shot against the wind. A Grammar passing rush, in which W. Batty, playing first five-eighths in plnco of Macindoe, and Matheson, fullback, lent a hand, ended in Buckley scoring wide out. Lendrum missed the shot. Training Cyllege worked down to the Grammar twenty-five where Townsend twice failed with penalty kicks at goal. Knight removed play to the other kicking and fast following up. Weir missed with nn attempted drop at goal and Training College forced. Garlick secured the ball at the end of a passing rush and crossed near the corner. Lendrum found the angle too wide. Another try came almost immediately, Morgan scoring near the posts after a short bout of passing among the forwards. Corner converted nnd the game ended:—Grammar. 19: Training College, 3. Mr. C. M. Bailey was referee.

LAST MINUTE VICTORY FINE RALLY BY UNIVERSITY By scoring eight points quickly. University defeated Otahuhu at the Show Grounds in the last stages of a closely-contested and hsrd-fought match. Otahuhu pressed and carried £>lay to tho University line. Inglis missed a uice opportunity of scoring by not retaining the ball. Otahuhu was the first to score. Arnold initiated a movement from which Clark broke away to gain a neut try between tho posts. Pearson converted. Bush opened the University account with a magnificent penalty kick from half-way. From a scrum in the University twentyfive, Kedgeley displayed a fine turn of speed, but was pushed out within an qce of scoring. Soon afterwards G'aughey secured and took the ball across. Bush converted. Half-time came with the score:—University, 8; Otahuhu, 5. Some time after the commencement of the second spell, Inglis gathered the ball and roused the crowd with an incisive dash through the opposing backs. Near the line he transferred to Palmer, who carriod it over. Pearson converted. University retaliated and a tricky rim by Bush placed Bvooker in a position from which he scored wide out. Tho wind caused Bush's kick to go wide. Palmer received concussion and was carried off. From a penalty, Pearson, with a powerful kick from near half-way, added three points to the Otahuhu total. Mulvihill, Butler and Caughey headed a determined attack, Caughey being brought down just short of the line. Butler retired hurt at this stage. University made strenuous efforts to equalise and Bush handled the ball nicely to send Caughey over wide out. The difficult kick was too much for Bush.

After a period of fast play in Otahuhu territory Mulvihill secured, ran strongly, and transorred to Bush, who scored nicely under the posts. Mulvihill converted with an easy kick. Tho same ended with the score:—University, 19: Otahuhu, 13. Mr. J. G. C. Wales was referee.

Senior Grade B.—Kaipara representatives, 13, North Shore, 0. Second Grade.—Marist, 6, College Rifles. 5: Grammar Old Boys, 8, Tamaki, 3: Grafton, 5, Technical Old Boys, 3; Northcote. 13, University, 6.' Third Grade Open.—Newton, 8, University A. 0; North Shore, 15. Eden, 14. Third Grade Intermediate. —Technical Old Boys, 16, College Rifles, 15: University, fi. Marathon, 3; Grammar Old Boys, B. 33. Kden. 0; Ponsonby. 11. City, 0; Grafton. 17. Training College. 3 : Northcote won from North Shore by default; Manukau A won from Technical Old Boys by default; Grammar A. 11. Marist. 8. Fourth Grade.—Parnell. 8, North Shore. 5; Eden. P. Manukau. 3. Fifth Grade.—Technical Old Boys, 14. Roskill. 0: Ponsonby. 20. Mnrist, 0. Sixth Grade.— Ponsonby. 9. Eden, 0: Manukau CO. Marist. 0. Junior Boys.—lntermediate grade: Ponsonby, 14, Grafton. 6. Junior grade: Roskill won from Ponsonby by default; Suburbs. 3 Panmure, 0; Newton, 8. Otanuhu, 3. ' House Matches. —Ponsonby Boys' Band, 13, Mount Eden Boys' Band. 8; Shnrland and Company. 12. Kemnthorne-E'roesero. ( Sunday Schools' Matches.—St. Aldan s Bible Class (Remuera). fi. St. George s Bible Class (Epsom). 0: St. Matthew s Bible Class (City), won from St. Bnrnabas Bibie Class (Mount Eden), by default. AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVES TEAM TO PLAY TAKANAKI The following players have been selected bv Mr F. Sutherland to tram for the representative Rugby match between Auckland and Tnranaki at Eden Park on Saturday:— Backs—Push. Milliken. Caughcy. K. Carter, Benidse. Pearson. Jamieson, Mactndo«. Coiner. , , Forwards. —S. TTndley. Finlayson, Newdick. W. Batty, Kahu, Stone, Nelson. Drake, F. Solomon. TPJP TO WHANGAREI LOCAL PLAYERS CHOSEN The following players have been selected to represent Auckland against W hang&rei at Whonsarei next Saturday:— Backs.—Matheson. Clarke, Tetley. K. Smith, Townsend, Weir (captain), Conway. Forwards.—'T. Carter. Scarborough. McMiken, Stacey, Macdonald, Short, Potter, Frnser. Reserves.—Fletcher. Buckley. Somers. OTAGO DEFEATED VICTORY FOR SOUTHLAND [llY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Sunday On a dry ground before a crowd of 15,000 Southland defeated Otago yesterday. by 11 points to 8. The forward packs were evenly matched, but the Otago backs, who received a greater number of chances, failed owing to a, lack of thrust among the inside men. At the end of the first spoil Otago was leading by 5 points to 3, Southland's score being the result- of a penalty goal, kicked by Porter, while Finlayson scored a try for Otago which Bathgate converted. In the second spell, which was very even, MeSkimming scored for Otago, but the try was not converted. McKay got across for Southland, Porter converting. Berry scored the deciding try which was not converted.