RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21297, 26 September 1932, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

jUNiVERSITY BEATS PONSONBY

GRAMMAR AGAIN IN THE LEAD

The Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship was advanced a further stage on Saturday when matches were played 'in wet weal her and oil heavy grounds. There was only a small attendance of Eden Park io witness tho chief match between University and Ponsonby. The former won by three points, and this places Grammar onco again in the Jead for the honours. Trior to Saturday Grammar a.nd Ponsonby were level in points at the head of the table. Grammar had no difficulty in defeating a weak Grafton team at Gribble-llirst Park. The curtain-raiser at Eden Park tvas between Training College and Marist, the former winning by a narrow margin after a' keen contest. Otahuhu played right up to form to gain a victory over College Rifles at the Show Grounds, while Technical Old Boys and Manukau played & drawn .game at Onehunga. Following were the results of the matches: — University, 3, Ponsonby, 0. Training College, 8, Marist, 6. Grampar, 14, Grafton, 3. Otahuhu, 10, College Rifles, 6. Technical, 6, Manukau, 6.

Openings by Jamieson

The game between University and Pongonby was stubbornly contested, and on the day there was little difference between the teams. Ponsonby had all the better of the first spell, while University held a territorial advantage in the second half. Both sides went very close to scoring on several occasions. Jamieson made some good openings for the Ponsonby ■■ backs, but Fraser spoilt them by kicking when his side had an extra man In a passing rush. In contrast io this Bush did some fine kicking , for University, sending the ball to open spaces which enabled the threequarter lino to follow fast and make Valuable ground. Caughcy narfrowly missed tries oji two occasions after fast following up. The play was confined a good deal to the forwards, with Ponsonby holding an advantage in the first spell. After the interval, however, the University pack played spendidly in the loose, and its rushes frequently had the crowd on its toes. The backs of both teams made jvaliant efforts to open up the game, but they found the greasy ball rather elusive. It was ,a question of tactics, and Bush's judicious kicking won the day for Uniyersity. The University backs were the superior combination and on a dry ground would have given a bright display. Milliken showed great determination when scoring his try. He, Caughev and Kedgley all played good games. Keith, a promoted junior, filled the fullback position with credit. Green played a very fine game at first five-eighths. His defence was really, brilliant, especially in the first spell, when Ponsonby was hammering almost incessantly at University's line. Versatile Player - Bush proved what a versatile player he is by giving just as sound a display at second five-eighths as he would have done at fullback. Sherwood, Stacey, Drake and Hamilton did some great work in the loose, while J. Jenkin was prominent on the line out. McManus played a fine game at halfback for Ponsonby, doing a great deal of rush stopping and getting the ball away smartly from the scrums. The ground and ball were against a tricky player

like Jamieson, but his display was very sound all the same. Ho beat his man on ' a few occasions, but the openings he made were not taken advantage of. The threequarter line was always looking for opportunities, and Ramsay and K. Carter made some bold bids for the line on a number of occasions. KerrTaylor fumbled the ball a good deal at fullback,' but his mistakes fortunately did not prove costly. The forwards all played well, Newdick being conspicuous in the loose, while Cooper did fine work on the line out. P. Conway's Good Game The game between Marist and Training College was keenly contested an d it might have gone either way. Training College had the better of the first ispell and. Marist held the advantage in the second. Play was rather ragged, with play confined for the most part to the forwards. Conway was the outstanding back on the Marist side, doing splendidly both on attack and defence. Smith and Colebrook played well in the threequarter line, although they suffered irom lack of opportunities on account of the five-eighths kicking too much. Toy, C. Eadley, Locke and Judd were prominent in the forwards. Crossman and Townsend were the pick

of the Training College backs, both pky- *. jng fine all-round games. Lewis, the fullback, got the side out of many tight ' corners. Dare, Kenny, Baildon and Wellington were outstanding in the forwards. • Uninteresting play characterised the game between Grammar and Grafton at V : Gribble-Hirst Park. Neither side was up to ordinary strength, and Grafton fielded several players from the lower grades, tinder the conditions, decisive, handling of the ball was impossible, the game developing into a forward scramble. At half-time the score was 11 —3, and' Grammar was in a very subdued mood for fhe rest of the game. Grafton launched several dangerous forward rushes, and was unlucky not to score on at least two

occasions. • A sound game was played by the Grammar halfback, Corner, who was generally behind his side's most effective movements. Lcndruru, centre-threeijuarter, and Savory, second five-eighths, also impressed. Good defensive games for Grafton were played by Paton, fullback, and IJoberts, halfback. Eraser, Carmichael and Compton played jßne all-round Rugby in the losing pack, which caused Grammar a good deal of trouble. The most prominent forwards for the'winners were E. Batty, Potter -and W. Batty. Played in drizzling raiu throughout, the match between Otaliuhu and College R'fles at the Show Grounds was not, impressive.' The greasy bull prevented any concerted action by either set of backs, and the wet and heavy iiold interfered seriously with [he accuracy of kicking. Both teams, however, worked hard, and they were fairly evenly matched. Tk"re was little to choose between the two sets of forwards in the scrums, which were , frequent, both sides booking well. The Otahuhu halfback, Inglis. was particularly fast, and lost no opportunity of " sending his backs away, although accurate handling was difficult. Two other backs, Clark and Pearson, played aggressive football, while among the forwards Arnold and Short were outstanding. Arnold played particularly well, his buEtling tactics proving effective. ... Of the College Rifles backs, J. Kirk, nt fullback, was reliable. His tackling was -accurate, and his line-kicking saved his eide' on more than one occasion. Vear also showed to advantage. Of the forwards, Rosa and Stone were the mainHays, particularly in the loose.

Technical Old Boys and Manukau staged an interesting, drawn gaino at Onehunga, there being safe handling and bright passing of a slippery ball by each side. Neither club was at full strength, as the services of a number of juniors had been enlisted. Technical, for instance, had only five of its original fifteen in action, the other positions being filled by second-grade players. There was no' difference in merit between the play of tho two packs. For Technical McMiken, Ashley, Hard ley''and A. Keano frequently caught ihe eye for their honest play under gruelling conditions. Johnson played most usefully for Manukau, and he was steadily supported by Rutherford, Pearce and Ilalford. As halfback for Technical McKenzic took full advantage of the opportunities that came his way, his understanding with Manning, first, five-eighths, leading to somo effective movements. The best of the other backs was the centre, Fletcher, who displayed skill both on attack and defence. Manukau found invaluable the experience and cleverness of Berridge and R. Stuart, five-eighths, and C. Stuart, centre. Besides tho fullback, Bolton, who was most reliable on defence, they were the best of the team's backs, and wore constantly troublesome to their opponents. UNIVERSITY'S SUCCESS ONLY ONE TRY SCORED University kicked off and at once attempted to open up tho game. A long kick sent play into University's twenty-five, and then Fraser kicked into touch-in-goal. A kick by Milliken saw the ball rebound off Solomon and play settled right on University's line. A penalty to Ponsonby gave Jamieson a shot at goal from wide out, but the ball proved too heavy. Green cleared with a loose dribble to beyond the twenty-five. The crowd did not approve of a penalty against University when, the player who kicked the bnll followed up and tackled his opponent. Ponsonby wa9 soon back again and Ramsay was brought down a couple of yards short. The Ponsonby winger was forced into touch a foot or so abort almost immediately afterwards. Gn>en and Bush did good defensive work for University. Play swung to the other wing and K. Carter made a couple of strong dashes. Then McManus was almost over, a five-yards scrum being ordered. A loose rush cleared for University. Iv. Carter got j)ast Kedgley and, when approaching Keith, the University fullback, he kicked and lost a good opportunity. Drake headed a rush which. clearec!, but Newdick was responsible for sending play back again. N. Jenkin was penalised for handling in a scrum and Newdick narrowly missed a goal. Bnsh cut in and sent the forwards away, play going into Ponsonby's twentyfive. Neither side could handle the greasy ball successfully and play was mostly of a forward nature. Half-time sounded without a scoro to either side. Ponsonby ntill held a territorial advantage for the first few minutes of the second spell. Green saved by running into touch-in-goal and then McManus was penalised for lying on the ball. The ground thus lost was quickly regained, but Stacey dribbled finely to half-way. Newdick led tho Ponsonby forwards back to the twenty-five, where Green was, caught standing offside when a scrum was formed. F. Solomon took the shot, but the ball never rose, and Sherwood dribbled the ball to Ponsonby's twenty-five. Bush kicked high towards Kerr-Taylor and Caughey followed fast, but the ball rolled into touch three yards short. A University passing'rush broke down and a loose dribbling run by Ramsay, Tetley and Jamieson sent play to the other end. The forwards carried the ball on to University's line, Green and Caughey clearing. A long kick by Bush sent play into Ponsonby's twentyfive. Drake and Sherwood were nearly over after a dribbling run. Then the University backs got going in a passing rush. Caughey sent a well-timed pass to Milliken, who evaded Bams;ay's effort to tackle and then hurled himself over with Kerr-Taylor holding liim. Bush made a good but unsuccessful effort at goal. University was having the better of the play at this stage and Bush dropped at goal, the ball going under the bar. Kedgley was wrongly ruled offside and this enabled Ponsonbs* to attack. A penalty gave Bush the opportunity of clearing. Green broke through and Drake and Hamilton dribbled on. I'onsonby was lucky to get away with a force when Tetley carried the ball back. Caughey next kicked through and a try looked certain when the ball hit the corner ilag. 1 ensonby was penalised on its line, but Biun s kick was just wide. Time was called with the final score:—University, 3; Ponsonby, 0. Mr, G. Peace was referee. GRAMMAR MAINTAINS LEAD VICTORY OVER GRAFTON Except for individual back efforts, in which Grammar had some superiority, its game with Grafton developed into a hard forward struggle. Although it fielded several junior players, Grafton quickly penned Grammar, up, and was the first to score, Compton gaining a try after a forward riish. Paton's attempt at goal was charged down. Grammar replied with determined rushes and good handling saw Hutchison score. Lendrum converted. Savory and Corner were prominent iii clever back play and it_ was not long before Lendrum ran across lor a try, his 'kick missing. Just before half-time, passing by the Grammar backs ended in Buckley scoring at the corner. Savory's kick failed and the half-time score was:—Grammar, 11; Grafton, 3. In the next spell, Grafton renewed its forward rushes and several times went near to scoring, only good defensive work by Corner, Weir and Lendrum preventing tries Grammar wa3 compelled to force several times and a long period passed before it was able to appear dangerous on attack. Corner eventually made an opening for _\V. Batty to scor», Lendrum's kick failing, liie final score was:—Grammar, 14; Grafton, 3. Mr,, A. E. Austin was referee. VICTORY FOR OTAHUHU COLLEGE RIFLES DEFEATED

Play between College Rifles and Otahuhu opened slowly on a wet field wliich had been cut up considerably by players in the junior game. Both were penalised several times within the first few minutes, play remaining near mid-field. A short punt by Peterson on tbo left wing for Otahuhu saw Jones follow up fast find score between the posts. Pearson converted. The College Rifles forwnrds replied with a steady attack, but failed to score, the greasy ball proving elusive. At half-time the score was:—Otahuhu, 5; Collose yifles, 0.

Infringements by the Otahuhu forwards resulted in the team being penalised and Vear scored three points for his side. Otaliuhu had College Rifles on tho defensive when Bishop secured and commenced ft passing rush. With Albrecht lie carried tho ball practically the length bf the field, and it was only lack of support that provented them from scoring. From a scrum just outthe College Rifles twenty-five the ball went out to Clark, who dummied his way through to score between tho posts, rearsou again converted. College Rifles again attacked and a. penalty was awarded against Otahuhu for obstruction in front of its own goal. Vear took the kick and was successful. The final score was:—Otahuhu, I<J; Collego Rifles, (i. Mr. M. Kronfeld was refereo. DRAWN MATCH TECHNICAL V. MANUKAU A minute fitter the start, Manukau -was penalised and Fletcher placed Technical in the lead by kicking a gon.l from near the side-line, 35 yards out. In trying to pick up tl:e ball a Manukau forward lost a good chance. Technical moved downfield again, bright passing among the backs ending in the ball going out of bounds well ill tho Manukau twenty-five. Mnnukau was penalised. and Fletcher failed with a long shot at goal. Tho Manukau backs, throwing the ball about freely, cleared to half-way where play was found at half-time, the score then being:—Technical, 3; Mnnukau, 0. Technical was in difficulties soon after the resumption. From a scrum near Ihe lino tho backs swung into action. McLennan being grounded n few feet short. In the melee that followed Johnson threw himself over for a try. Berridge failed to convert. Technical fought willingly, and after McKenzie had carried the ball well upfield Brebner struggled across in the corner. Fletcher's kick missed. Mnnukau drew level with a penalty goal by Berridge. Technical escaped from an awkward position but was prevented from advancing farther than halfway. Manukau was vigorously attacking at the call of time, the score being:—Tech nical Old Boys, 6; Manukau, 6. Mr. J. G-. Wales was referee.

CLOSELY-CONTESTED GAME f* WIN FOR TRAINING COLLEGE Training Collego was compelled to forcb early in its gnmo with Marist after Locke had headed a loose rush. Marist maintained its attack and Lewis was instrumental in saving the situation for his sido on numerous occasions. Grossman made a nico run from the back of the serum and a try appeared certain when he sent a bad pass !o Keeps, and the opportunity was lost. Smith placed the ball well with a clever kick and fast following up had Training College in difficulties. Toy gathered the ball in and forced his way over. The try was not converted. Tho Training College forwards, led by Kenny and Dare, set up a loose rush, which ended in the last-named scoring. Townsend converted with a fine kick. Tho Training College backs started a passing rush, but Colebrook cleared well, Another passing movement ended in Keenan scoring. Townsend failed at goal mid half-time arrived with the score:—Training Collego, 8; Marist, 3. . Marist attacked upon resiunnng and Judd failed with a penalty kick from beyond tho twenty-five. A clever kick by Muller was followed up and a loose rush took play to tho Training College line. Here the ball went out on tho blind sido to Colebrook, who scored by tho corner flag. Tho try was not converted. Marist continued to' havo all the bolter of the play, but Keenan was unable to turn a penalty to account. Play was in Marist's half on about six occasions only in this spell and twice Marist was forced through long kicks. Marist was attacking strongly when time was called with the score:—Training College, 8; Marist, 6. Mr. C. .P. Paull was referee.

LOWER GRADE MATCHES Senior Grade B—Manukau, 3, Parnell. 0. Second Grade.—Grammar Colts, 16, Grammar A, 5: Navy, 11, Northcote, 5. _ Third Grado Open.—Championship final: Newton, 11, Eden, 0. Fourth Grade. —Championship final: Otahuhu, 20, Technical Old Boys, 0. Junior Boys.—lntermediate grade.: Eden won from Carlton by default.. Schools' Match.—Speight Cup: Onehunga. 12, Te Papapa, 0.

CONTESTS IN COUNTRY MASSEY CHALLENGE CUP WAIUKU RETAINS THE TROPHY v Rugby competitions were continued in th<» various country centres on Saturday, and the following results were forwarded by correspondents of the Herald:— Waiuku.—Tho Waiuku representative team retained the Massey Challenge Cup, defeating the challenging Pukekohe team by 14 points to 3. Although rain spoiled tho contest to a certain extent. Waiuku well deserved its victory. The early stages of the game pave promise of an even contest and nt half-time the score was 3 nil. Although tho Pukekohe forwards hooked the ball consistently, Waiuku absolutely dominated the second spell, making tho pace even quicker in the closing stages. Tho Waiuku pack was led by Ivempe, Hull and Bregman, wlnlo Jackson and James in the back line played sound football. Tho Pukekohe forwards gave an even display, and Wood showed to best advantage among the rearguard. Tries for Waiuku were scored by Jackson (2), Moylo and McNaughton, McGlashan converting one. Ward scored a fry for Pukekohe. Mr. II Pleydell was referee. A curtain-raiser between Otaua and Glcnbrook was won by Otaua, 9 —3.

Pukekohe A charity day was held at Pukekohe, the principal attraction being a match between teams representing the Franklin Electric-Power Board and tho combined staffs of the Pukekohe post office and railway station. The Power Board team won by 11 points to 6. C. Stoupe and Crotty scored tries for the winners and McKinnon converted one and kicked a penalty -goal. The combined team's tries were scored by G. McDonald. As a curtain-raiser, tho Pukekohe third grade representative team beat tho Green Lane fourth grado team by 13 points to 3. 1 Tuakau.—The Auckland junior representative team played a drawn with tho Franklin senior representatives. The scoro was 3 all.

Te Kuiti.—The Te Kuiti juniors defeated Waiteto by 9 points to 3 in a match in the Domain for the Kiwi Cup. The scores were two trie 3 and a penalty goal to a try. The To Kuiti forwards were tho deciding factor in the game.

Hamilton.—No club games were played in Hamilton, the local competitions having been completed. A match between the Hamilton and Lower Waikato primary schools' representatives was won by tho former team by 12 points to 0. The final of the interhouse competition for the Morris Cup was won by tho Fire Brigade team, which defeated the Unemployed by 12 points to 0. Tauranga.—A Rugby match between Maoris and Europeans was won by the Maoris by 24 points to 14. The Maoris showed good form. Thev will visit Matamata. next Saturday to play the Maori team in that district. The latter hold the Ratana Cup.

Thames. —Collego Old "Boys deefated Tho Rest by 11 points to 6. Tho Rest defeated Physical Training by 24 points to 9. Opotiki.—The football season finished with a match between a team of Gisborne Maoris and 0.M.P., champion Opotiki team this year. The latter won by 15 points to 8.

GAMES AT WHANGAREI

[BY telegram—OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Saturday

On account of the death of Mr. R. Dickson, of Hikurangi, the final senior Rugby knock-out competition between City and Ilikurangi, to bo played at Hikurangi, was postponed indefinitely. This will bo the final senior fixture for tho season. In the. junior competition, the semi-final in the knock-out competition between Mau-ngakaroinea-Waiotira and Whakapara was won by Whakapara by default. The final between the latter club and Horaliora will be played next Saturday and this will conclude the fixtures for tho 1932 Rugby season. BENEFIT MATCH [hy telegraph—press association] INVERCARGILL, Sunday The Robert Galbraith benefit Rugby match between Pirates, the Invercargill premiers, and University, Dunedin champions, proved u success from every aspect. Piriites scored a comfortable win by 23 points to 4, but the difference between the teams was due more to the fact that Pirates fielded a very fit team rather than to superior cleverness.