RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21503, 29 May 1933, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FIFTH SERIES OF MATCHES UNIVERSITY DEFEATED AGAIN GRAMMAR AND MARIST LEAD The fifth series of matches in the [Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition was played on Saturday afternoon in fine weather and with the grounds in ideal order. There was a fairly good attendance at Eden • Park, where the chief attraction was the meeting of the University and Marist teams. The former, weakened • by the absence of Caughey, Mulvihill and Drake, in Dunedin, and of on the injured list, suffered its second defeat of the season, Marist claiming a substantial margin of points. In the curtain-raiser game Ponsonby easily accounted for Technical Old Boys in an uninspiring contest. •College Rifles and Training College played a drawn game at the Show Grounds. Grammar gave a glimpse of its best form in defeating Otahuhu on the latter' s home ground, while the margin of points in favour of Grafton _ over Manukau at Onehunga was surprising. As a result of Saturday's matches Grammar and Marist now head _ the championship list with one loss apiece. Following were the results of the matches: — Marist, 17; University, 6. Ponsonby, 19; Technical, 0. Training College, 9; College Rifles, 9. Grammar, 32; Otahuhu, 8. Grafton, 23; Manukau, 11. The folloA'ing table shows the present of the teams: —• * Points Oh. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Marist .» *. 5 4 I—so 30 8 Grammar ». 5 4 1 Ponsonby .. 5 3 1 1 66 40 7 University .. 5 . 3 2 Grafton • '• s3 n"T?2<;aK Otahuhu . . • . 5 22 1 47 63 5 College Rifles . . 5 1 3 1 42 53 3 Training College 5 1 3 1 .9 53 3 Technical 0.8. . 5 1 4 - 24 5a 2 Manukau . . o 1 4 / Roving Forward There were not many thrilling moments in the match between University and Marist. The latter team proved too good in all departments. With a solid pack of forwards it was able to control the ball to a great extent, and whenever the University backs got possession the fast-breaking Marist forwards harried them into making mistakes. The advantage held by the Marist pack in scrummaging enabled Sy Hadley to frequently play a roving game at which he was most successful. The Marist forward rushes took a lot of stopping and, had the backs profited by the territorial advantage gained for them by the front division —more especially in the first spell—the score at half-time would have been easily double what it was in the team's favoiir. For the past few seasons the Marist team has more or less depended upon its pack, but this year it has used its back division to a far greater extent, i find the results have been happy for the side. In fact, the Marist backs gave quite a good display on Saturday. Connolly, the nippy halfback, wasted no time in getting the ball out to the fiveeighths,. Friend and Cooney, who, wnth Muller, at centre, proved a very fine combination. _ Between them they ■yvorked some in-and-out passing, which ' completely beat the opposition and led to some excellent tries. Straight Running

Cooney played a very heady game, feeing quick to seize ail opening on attack and doing great work on defence. He is a distinct find for the team. Friend handled well, and his straight running was an important factor. Mmler ably supported his five-eighths. The wing-threequarters did not get many opportunities but they both defended well. Colebrook was very sound at fullback, getting his side out of many tight corners. The forwards all played well as a pack, and were capably led by their captain, S. Hadley. 'The University forwards did remarkably well against solid opposition, several being prominent on the line-out and backing up in the loose rushes. Anderson, Colgan and Sherwood did splendid work in the tight and lineouts, while McVeagh and Stacey were prominent in the loose. The University backs were not a happy combination. A rearrangement was necessary owing to absence of Caughey and Mulyihill. but it did not work with success in the first spell and was changed in the second with no better result. McKearney did a lot of good work at five-eighths, and later at half, where he speeded up the back line considerably. Milliken played a sound game and the try he made for himself when playing at centre in the first half was a high-class effort. Bracewell, an emergency wing, imparted plenty of d?sh into his play, but Garlick, on the other wing, invariably hesitated when the ball was thrown to him. Bush did not make many mistakes throughout a busy aftprnoon, and. when he decided to run_ instead of kicking, he took a lot of bringing to earth.

Poor Exhibition The curtain-raiser was a poor display of Rugby, neither Ponsonby nor Technical being able to rise to any height. The Ponsonby combined bettor in the tight work, and also in the loose, while their fast following up was in dire contrast to that of their opponents. The Ponsonby backs did not exhibit the cohesion that has marked the play of the club's senior teams in rerent years, but with the retention of the backs in their present positions combination should soon be worked up. Ponsonby's tries were scored more off mistakes by their opponents than by any initiative on the part of members of the team. Jamieson combined well with Frankham at half, and he started several smart movements from the loose and rucks. Tho Ponsonby captain appears to be approaching his best form. Penman and Campbell, two recruits, both appear to have a knowledge of the finer points of the game and should improve considerably as the season progresses. The speedy wings, Carter and Ramsay, -nere usually smothered before they could go far. Although doing nothjng brilliant, Kerr-Taylor was sound at fullback. Superiority in the forwards enabled Solomon to play a roving game practically throughout, although he_ was not so conspicuous as usual. Williams, jYewdick and Fraser all showed up for all-round good work. The Technical team waa at sixes and sevens, there being a lack of understanding between backs and forwards. The pack worked hard in the light but the important factors of following up and backing up were missing from their display. Bowling and Nel- ■ son did good work on the line-out and Ansley also assisted this pair well in the tight scrums. McMiken showed up in the loose, while A. Keane frequently left the scrum to mark Solomon, and he did so fairly effectively. Manning was too slow in getting the ball away from the Technical scrum, and the handling of the backs suffered in consequence of their being bustled by the opposition. Oklbury, 1 Sutherland and Evans all did some good things individually, but as a combination they were poor. D. Keane, who played fullback, was lame and unable to do himself justice. In their match at the Show Grounds Training College and College Rifles wore evenly matched, and tho play, although at times patchy, was always interesting. The two packs were well matched, Training College holding a slight advantage in the scrums and line-outs :!at the start, which was more than coun-

tor-balanced by the strong play of the College Rifles vanguard at the finish. There was little between either set ot forwards in the open. For Training College, Skipper, Pountney and Maxwell were always prominent in the open, while Sayers and Gunn worked hard in the tight. The best of the College Rifles vanguard was Stone, who was always on the ball and whose two tries were well deserved. Turgis followed up well, while Macdonald, Ross and Grenville worked hard throughout the game. The forwards dominated the greater part of the game, and indifferent passing and solid tackling broke up most ol : the back movements by both sides. For Training College Townsend played a good all-round game, Dare and Fuller being the best of the remainder, while Lewis was safe at fullback. Vear and Brown both showed considerable dash in the College Rifles rearguard, while Wales, at centre, gave a good display, marred only by the manner in which he crowded his wings at times. Tho game between Grafton and Manukau at Onehunga was fast and willing and, with each side battling for supremacy in the second half, there were many exciting moments. It was exhilarating to watch. Grafton's final lead of 12 points was a fair indication of the play. Although Manukau held its own in the first half, it was in the second spell that Grafton's superiority became apparent, both in the forward and back divisions. The Grafton pack was ably led by Finlayson. Berridge was one of the best backs on the field. His anticipation at times was uncanny and his straight running a treat to watch. His goal-kicking has lost none of its accuracy, although on the day he was outclassed in this department by Paton, the Grafton fullback, who gave his best performance this season.

Playing an ideal fullback game, Paton was a" tower of strength to his side, and time and again he turned defence into attack with judicious line-kicks. Sergeant, who played a forceful game, used his weight and speed to advantage in scoring Manukau's final try, the result of a clever passing movement, in which all tho backs participated. Brimble, the Manukau second five-eighths, was very nippy, and his solo efforts troubled the opposition. Pepper was the outstanding forward. That territorial advantage does not indicate superiority in play was convincingly illustrated by the Grammar Old Boys' backs at Otahuhu. Their clean handling and straight, speedy running repeatedly carried play from their half and led up to points at tho other end. True, their success was materially assisted by a disorganised Otahuhu defence. Clarke, who took the field . unfit, had to retire after 10 minutes' play, and Jones played throughout nursing on 6 hand. The fullback, White, was absent through illness. In rucking and in the tight the Otahuhu forwards more than held their own, Williams, Heath and Ross being prominent. Given similar strength in the back line Otahuhu would have provided sterner opposition. Inglis at half made numerous openings to see the attack fritter out through lack of pace and poor handling. The Grammar backs operated in machine-fashion and had always ample, room to work. The fine running of Savory and Buckley was responsible for six tries. Macindoe put in a good day's work with Slyfield at five-eighths. The Grammar forwards were faced with strong opposition. Lockington and Morgan put in a lot of useful work.

PONSONBY'S SUCCESS TECHNICAL FAILS TO SCORE Ponsonby was penalised early in its game against Technical, McMiken taking the shot, but the ball hit the cross-bar and rebounded. A little later .Oldbury had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty bevond the twentv-five. Fast following up by Carter enabled him to tackle D. Keane in possession and a rush started by Solomon ended in Williams forcing his way over. Pearman converted. A passing rush, in which backs and forwards combined, again took play near Technical's line. The Technical forwards did eood work in the loose, but the backs were all at sea in their passing rushes, their mistakes proving costly. Frankham rjjeed away from a scrum and. meeting no opposition, he got right to the fullback, where he pasE;ed to Jamieson, who, although tackled, was able to ground the ball between the postß. Pearman converted and half-time sounded with the score:—Ponsonby, 10; Technical, 0. The opening stages of the second spell were marked by straggling play. Passing among the Ponsonby backs placed the side on attack, Ramsay making dashes, but being checked near the line on each occasion. A couple of penalties gave Technical relief and Oldbury gained further ground with a kick to the fullback. A passing bout sent the ball out to Couper, who, however, was unable to get past Kerr-Taylor. A centre kick was fumbled by the Technical backs and a passing rush developed, Fra:ser scoring near the posts. Pearman converted. Ponsonby wns attacking again when the ball was kicked out to Campbell, who dropped a goal from the twenty-five. The game ended with the score:—Ponsonby. 19; Technical, 0. Mr, C. F. Stratford was referee.

GRAFTON BEATS MANUKAU MARGIN OF TWELVE POINTS The Manukau backs took the initiative at the outset when Brimble began a passing movement, Paton, the Grafton fullback, averting danger with a well-judged linekick. Maintaining tho pressure, the Manukau forwards attacked in a dribbling rush and Berridge took advantage of a penalty kick. Grafton retaliated when Wilkes accepted a pass from Fraser and dived over. Paton converted with a fine kick. The Grafton pack was aggressive in a dribbling rush, but the Manukau fullback relieved tho pressure by finding the lino. After a clover solo effort Elliott sent the Manukau rearguard away in a passing movement, but Burke charged down a kick, snatched up the ball and eluded the defence to touch down. Paton's kick failed. Hunter, the Manukau half, put his side 011 attack, and Sergeant was collared when within an ace of scoring. Half-time came with the score:—Grafton, 8; Manukau, 3. Grafton attacked on the resumption, but Brimble turned the tables with a high kick. Following up, Berridgo gained pusjession and passed to Kereopa, tho ball going to Pepper, who scored between the posts. Berridge converted and the score was 8-all. Ratclifle, who was injured at this stage, was replaced by Bradley. Hunter secured tho ball from a scrum and splendid passing by fho Manukau backs saw Sergeant accept the final pass to scramble across. Berridgc's kick failed. Manukau, 11; Grafton, 8. Grafton drew level when Bradley showed speed on the wing and touched down. Paton put his side in the lead with a splendid kick. Grafton's lead was increased a few minutes later when Mills scored a try, Paton converting. Moore put tho issue beyond doubt when ho crossed the Manukau line after a swerving run. Paton added the extra points, the game ending with the score:— Grafton, 23; Manukau, 11. Mr. R. Leathart was referee. DEFEAT OF UNIVERSITY MARIST TEAM TOO GOOD University kicked off with the sun and immediately opened up the game. The Marist forwards took play downfield and from a scrum Connolly passed out to Friend, who ran straight and fast. He lost possession when tackled, but Miller was handy and he dribbled over and scored in a good position. Cooney failed at goal. A nice piece of footwork by McVeagh placed University on attack. A passing rush saw Bracewell, McKearney and Milliken gain ground, but the tackling was sound. A loose rush placed Marist on attack again and S. Hadley went close with a penalty shot from well beyend the twenty-fivo. Toye retired with an injured shoulder, Locke replacing him. Milliken ran Garlick into a good position and then went round fast on the outside to take the ball again and score near the corner. Bush missed tho shot. Marist assumed the lead again almost immediately. A loose forward rush beat the defence, Eville scoring. Cooney's shot was unsuccessful. Poland had a shot from well beyond the twenty-five, the ball falling short. Friend dribbled the ball away from ruck (ind Muller gathered it in and passed back to Friend, who grounded the ball near the posts, Cooney missed the easy Bhot. Cooney made a fine opening and then threw out a lone pass. A certain try was

lost when Poland knocked on. Bush had a penalty, shot from just inside half-way, the ball falling short. University attacked again, but erratic handling by tho backs lost some likely chances. Half-time sounded with the score: —Marist, 9; University, 3. University rearranged its backs in the second spell and the passing was improved as a result. A University passing rush broke down and a Marist rush developed. Cooney racing to Bush before passing to Friend, who ran round behind the posts. Coney converted. Mnrist was penalised beyond the twenty-five and Bush kicked a good goal from wide out. He had uont.her shot, from a similar angle on the opposite side of the field, but narrowly missed. Colebrook checked a strong University attack, finding touch well down. University made big efforts to open up the play, but Cooney intercepted a lob pass and placed Marist on the attack. A throw forward lost a great opportunity. Universiy appeared dangerous in the last lew minutes, Connolly checking a rush in fine style. A fine run by Connolly from a scrum took him within a yard of the line. University was penalised in front of its posts Friend kicked a goal, making the final score:—Marist, 17; University, G. Mr. A. E. Austin was referee.

A DRAWN GAME NINE POINTS TO EACH SIDE For the first ten minutes of the game 1 etween Training College and Collego Kil.es play was scrappy, with 1 raining College holding a slight advantage. After several Training College attacks had taken play to the College Rifles twenty-five, training College was awarded a free kick, winch Townsend turned to advantage. The score was evened when the College Rifles forwards rushed play to Training College ttrritory and off-aid© play by a .Training College forward enabled Vear to kick a goal. The College Rifles backs made soveial passing attacks which were nullified by poor passing and good tackling, and tt'.en the Training College forwards got possession from the loose. The movement -van continued by the backs, Richmond being pulled down just in time. Play returned to midfield, where it continued until the College .Rifles forwards made a strong sally. The backs then broke away and B.own was thrown into touch by Lewis after a good clash. The interval cama with the score 3-all. . Immediately on resumption Townsend intercepted a pass and raced for the corner, scoring a good individual try, which he just failed to convert. College Rifles then attacked, but a number of back movements failed. Richmond retired with a cut near the eyo and was replaced by Nairn. Stone fielded a high centering kick by Wales and scored by the posts. Vear failed to convert. Training College held the advantage for a period anil off-side play by a College Rifles forward allowed Townsend to kick his second penalty goal. College Rifles almost scored from a fine back movement. Wales dummying his way nenrly to the lino nnd then handing on to Brown, who was thrown out at the corner. After the line-out Stone scored in a forward scramble on Training College's lino and Vear failed to convert, leaving the teams level: —Training College, 9; College Rifles. 9. Mr. G. Peace was referee. GRAMMAR'S BIG WIN WEAK OTAHUHU DEFENCE Grammar opened the scoring against Otahuhu ten minutes from the start. Strong work by tho Otahuhu forwards pinned play on Grammar line. Corner relieved, and immediately afterwards set bi3 backs off. By clean handling the ball went through to Buckley, who scored well out. Slyfield failed to goal. Two minutes later Grammar went further ahead. Macindoo received from Corner and ran strongly before handing to Savory, who cantered over. Slyfield missed from an easy angle. Otahuhu lost Clarke, who retired hurt, a junior. Smith, taking his place. The Grammar backs swept downfield when Corner sent Macindoe and Slyfield away. The last-named kicked ahead and Buckley picked up in his stride and scored. Slyfield converted. Almost from the kick-off Grammar added more points. An opening was seized by Lendrum, who dived over at the corner. Slyfield missed. Corner retired injured and Currey took his place. Reward came Otahuhu's way when Ingliß secured from a ecrum and passed to HillCutting in, he handed to Smith, who scored by the posts. Mason converted. At halftime tho score wa3Grammar, 14; Otahuhu, 5. An astute kick by Hill led to a scrum on tho Grammar line, and Mason missed with a penalty kick close in. A brisk melee developed on Otahuhu's line when Macindoe essayed a drop-goal. The ball rebounded from the bar and Batty and Scarborough made great efforts to score. A fine passing run by Savory and Currey saw the firstnamed cross in a good position. Slyfield converted. Currey intercepted finely, and, cutting out the defence, he passed to Savory, whoso path was clear. Slyfield failed to add points. The speedy Grammar bac.ts again flashed into action and Savory ran to the line before handing to Buckley, who cantered over. Slyfield goaled finely. Just when a score for Otahuhu seemed imminent, the Grammar backs broke clear. Macindoe, Slyfield and Savory all hanaled before Currey went over. Slyfield again goaled. Still Otahuhu battled gamely, and from the scrum Inglis secured, and, slipping round on the blind side, ho passed to Peterson, who dived between two opponents to touch down. Mason missed the kick, and the game ended: —Grammar, 32; Otahuhu, 8. Mr. C. F. Paull was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Grade B.—Eden, 20, Parnell, 11; Technical Old Boys, 18, Eastern Suburbs. 3: Manukau 23, North Shore A, 0; Grammar Colts, 19, University, 5. Second Grade.—Northcote A, 6, Grafton A, 3; Grammar B, 6, Northcote B, 3; Otahuhu, 14. Manukau 6: Technical Colts, 17, University B, 0; Suburbs 6. Trailing College, 6- Tamaki A, 8, Waitemata, 3; Grammar A, 42 North Shore. 0; Marist, 9, Graft on Colts. 0: University, 14, Papatoetoe, 10; Technical Old Boys won from Trinity College by default. , „„ tt ■ Third Grade Oppn.—lsewton, 63, University, 0; College Rifles. 11, North Shore, 0; Eden, 14, Howick 3. Third Grade Intermediate.—Manukau A, 6 Marist. 0; Parnell. 9, Suburbs. 3; Dilworth Old Boys, 16, University. 11; Waitemata, 5, Northcote. 3; Grammar A won from Training College by default; Technical Old Boys, 16, Eden, 0; Papatoetoe, 11. Y M C A , 0. Fourth Grade.—Northcote A, 17. Suburbs, "■ Oratia won from Northcote B by default; Ponsonby. 11. Otahuhu, 0; Grammar Old Boys B, 17, Eastern Suburbs, 0 Fifth Grade.— Ponsonby. 5, Manukau 0; Grammar, 16, Suburbs, 14; Technical Old Bovs, 31, Parnell, 0. Sixth Grade.—Eden. 16, Mninukau, 0; Suburbs, 25. Ponsonby. 0; Northcote, 9. Marist, 6; Technical Old Boys, 15, Grafton. 0. Junior Boys.—lntermediate grade: Suburbs, 12, Eastern Suburbs, 0; Northcote. 11. Parnell, 11. Junior grade; Eden. 8, Manukau A, 0; Parnell, 9. Y.M.C.A., 0; Eastern Suburbs, 2S, Manukau B. 0; Otahuhu, -3, Good Shepherd Convent, 0; Newton, 33, Northcoto, 0. . . Secondary Schools.—Senior practice. H.M.S. Dunedin, 21, Mount Albert trram"Se'cond Grade.—Mount Albert Grammar, 29. Auckland Grammar, 3. Third Grade.—Mount Albert Grammar, 16, Auckland Grammar, 15; Sacred Heart, 12! Takapnna Grammar, 0 Fourth Grade.—Sacred Heart, 9, lakapuna, 0. _ Fifth Grade.—' Takapuna Grammar. 19, Auckland Grammar. 3; Technical College. 5, Sacred Heart, 3. Sixth Grade. —Mo un t Albert Grammar. 30, Takapuna Grammar. 0; Technical Collego, 9, Sncred Heart, 0. Seventh Grade.-Mount Albert Grammar. 12, Sacred Heart. 3.

SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS PONEKE NARROWLY DEFEATED [BY TELEGRAPH —FRTCSS ASSOCIATIONI Chrlstchurch.— Rugby matches were played in cold weather, with the grounds 111 good order. Results Sydenham, 12. Merivale, .10: Christchurch, 10, Linwood, 3: Lmversity, 25, Albion, 16; Old Boys, 22. Athletic. 5. Wellington.—First division: Wellington Collego Old Boys, 8, Hutt, 5; Marist. 12, Poneke, 11; Petone, 10, Athletic, 3 ; Eastbourne, 13, Wellington, 8. Second division; St.'Patrick's Old Boys, 13. Johnsonville. 12; Oriental, 22. Melrose-Selwyn, 5; University, 9, Upper Hutt, 9; Miramar, 14, Berhampore, 3. Masterton. The Wairarapa Rugby Union's senior championshjp games resulted:—Carterton, G. Red Stars, 0; Martinborough, 11, Masterton, 10; Greytown, 12, Dalefield, 6; Featherston 3, Gladstone, 3. New Plymouth.—Stratford, 7, Star, 3; Clifton, 17, Old Boys, 10; Celtic, I, Inglewood, 8; Ivaponga, 8, Opunake, 0; Patea, 12 Hawera, 3; Waimate, 5, Empire Old Boys, 0; Oliaiawa, 6, Eltham, 5. HAMILTON REPRESENTATIVES JUNIOR TEAM SELECTED The undermentioned players of the first junior grade have been selected to represent tlie Hamilton Rugby Union against the Morrinsville Union's junior representatives on Saturday next Fullback, Jackson (Frankton); threequarters. Holmes (Old Boys), Mills (Old Boys), Lindsay (Ruakura); five-eighths. E. Tukere (High School), Nicholls (Ruakura); halfback, Gillespie (To Kowhai); forwards, Duncan (Te Kowhai), Tietjens (Old Boys), Guthrie (Ruakura), Johns (Frankton), Deveich (Marist), Morgan (Old Boys), Grice (Technical). Grace (Marist). Reserves: Forwards, Jamieson (Te Kowhai), Whitaker (Old Boys); backs, Slow (Technical), Paterson (Old Boys). A practice will be held at Rugby Park 011 Wednesday at 7 p.m.