RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21515, 12 June 1933, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SEVENTH SERIES OF GAMES UNIVERSITY BEATS GRAFTON PONSONBY ..RETAINS ITS LEAD The seventh series of matches in the [Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition was plajed on Saturday afternoon in fine weather. There was a good attendance at Eden Park where four of the teams most prominent on thf! ladder were engaged. The main contest was between IJniver6ity and Grafton and it resulted in a particularly keen struggle. With onlj a few minutes left for plav, Uni\ersity was awarded a try in a scramble on the Grafton line in which forwards on both sides were entangled. The decision obviously surprised the Grafton players. Then just before time Caughey knocked the ball on quite five°yards, but the .movement was allowed to continue and it resulted in a further try for University. As it was converted, this made the final score 11-3 in favour of University, and so Grafton was very unfortunate in not coming out on even terms at 3-all. Training College put up a good fight against Ponsonby in the curtain-raiser and the score at half-time was S-6 ia favour of the latter. Well on in the second spell the board read 13-12, with Ponsonby still leading. Two converted tries for Ponsonby in the later stages, however, placed the issue beyond doubt. Playing on No. 2 ground at Eden Park Grammar accounted for Technical Old Boys, although the winners had to exert themselves in the second spell to do so. Marist defeated College Rifles after a willing encounter at the Show Grounds, while Otahuhu proved just too good for Manukau on its own ground at Sturges Park. Positions of the Teams Following are the results of the matches: — University, 11; Grafton, 3. Ponsonby, 23; Training College, 12. Grammar, 21; Technical, 12. Marist, 14; College Rifles, 9. Otahuhu, 11; Manukau, S. The following table shows the present positions of the teams: Points Ch.

The match between University and Grafton was always interesting. The forward packs had a great tussle, with the honours in favour of Grafton although University secured the ball from the majority of the scrums. Fast breaking by the forwards, combined with feolid defence by the backs, however, enabled Grafton to keep the speedy University backs well in check. It was anybody's game until without about five minutes of time, when a doubttui try gave University the lead. Both teams played a wing-forward, Fraser for Grafton, and Stacej for [University. The first-named plaj ed a jvery fine spoiling game, being never far from the ball and continually worrying the University backs. He was responsible for I much clever footwork, and •was invariably associated with the loose forward rushes. University's Combination This was the first occasion for a tnonth that the regular University rearguard was functioning as a combination had been upset by the of the Australian Universities' side. A few mistakes, therefore, were excusable, but i the display on the whole was unimpressive. McKearney was off form at halfback, and this affected the play of the others. „ , , Green did some fine rush-stopping, ■while Mulvihill was tricky and made the opening for University's first try. The threequarter line was too well marked to become dangerous. Bush had a day off with his place-kicking, but otherwise played well. Colgan, Sutherland, Anderson, and Drake were the pick of the forwards. Too much credit cannot be bestowed upon the Grafton forwards for a fine game. The only fault with their display was that they became over-anxious at critical moments after play had been taken into Grammar's twenty-five, This cost them numerous penalties, and undid much of their good work. Hardie was yery conspicuous throughout, showing up well on the line-out. Mills, Finlavson and Davis all played consistently well. The Grafton back line has been considerably improved by the infusion of new blood. Boberts played a sound gams behind the scrum, while Moore fielded some difficult passes in good style. Rvall was too slow off the mark and this" affected the threequarter line, which was always looking for opportunities. Baton played a sound game at fullback, although, like Bush, his kicking was not so accurate as usual. Fast Breaking Forwards

Ponsonby's margin against Training College in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park was mainly due to that team's superior opportunism. Training College's iight pack played a great game, every forward working hard throughout. DRowe was probably the pick of the 1 pack, with Maxwell and Pountney always in the picture. The Training College forwards broke very quickly land gave the faster Ponsonby backs yery little chance to get going. Inglis, at half, played a sound game and Lewis (defended well. Townsend was continually prominent for good work, but the other tacks lost opportunities through not running hard. Kerr-Taylor played a sound fullback jgame for, Ponsonby. Jamieson was always prominent as he continually made openings for the other backs. The Training College forwards, however, smothered a number of attacks. Pearman was slow oif the mark with the result that- Campbell was caught in possession too often. Carter played well 011 the right wing. Solomon showed little inclination to play in the forwards, but combined well with the tacks. Bunting, Fraser and Newdick were the best - forwards. Grammar's Early Lead In the first half of its match with Technical Old JJoys Grammar established a commanding lead, putting on 16 points before Technical scored. The Grammar pack played well, from the start, outclassing the lighter Technical forwards, /while with ample opportunities the Grammar backs were always dangerous. The Technical backs rarely saw the ball, and when they did their passing was faulty and they failed Jo take advantage of any openings. After the interval, the Grammar forwards appeared to ease their efforts, while tlvj Technical pack played well. Its .work in both scrums and line-outs ■was superior, and the forwards broke fast to smother many Grammar attacks. The Technical backs also played

with greater cohesion and confidence, and as a result Technical was definitely on top until the final ten minutes. During the first half, when the Grammar backs were given every opportunity, Lendrum and Buckley showed dash, while Hutchison, who was not called oi\ often, was sound. Macindoo at times showed a weakness, failing to combine well on occasions with Slyfield, although at other times ho made good openings. In the forwards W. J3attj, E. Battv and Morgan were prominent in the loose, and Scarborough and Wilson worked hard in the tight. The two Technical wings, Couper and Evans, both displayed speed, but were given little opportunity. Manning and Harris were individually good, but failed to combine well until the second spell. McMiken played a solid game in the pack before he was forced to retire, the best of the others being A. Keane and Savory. Marist fully justified its victory over College Rifles, although, in the initial stages of the game, the latter team had slightly the better of the exchanges. The game was always fast and interesting and towards the finish, with College I\iflcs striving to reduce the leeway, it became a battle royal in which attack was followed by counter-attack until Fleming put the issue beyond doubt with a penalty kick. A feature of the game was the performance of the Marist forwards. Ihey easilv outshone the College Rifles pack in the loose and their fast-breaking tactics nullified many promising movements among the opposing backs. Stone was outstanding for College Rifles. He led most of the forward rushes and his place-kicking was of a high order. L. Stewart and Brown both showed speed in the backs, while J. Kirk was sound at fullback. Vear also did some fine defensive work.

With their forwards doing sterling work, the Marist backs had many opportunities. . Their combination improved as the game progressed. Friend, at first five-eighths, was a splendid asset, both in attack and defence. Ho gained valuable ground with several bright solo efforts and his anticipation was sometimes uncanny. Connolly was a dependable half. Colebrook was very safe at fullback. Fleming and Locko were prominent among the forwards. Full of interest throughout, the game between OlaJ:".ihu and Manukau provided a fitting nish to a stirring duel between well-matched teams. On its second half display Otahuhu just merited tho points. Manukau had an eight points' lead and honours at the interval, but a whirlwind attack that never let up in the second spell saw Otahuhu win. Sheer determination carried the day. The finer points of combination were seldom seen, but strenuous scrummaging, opportunism and hard open play enthralled the crowd. Tho shining light in the Manukau side in the opening spell was Brimblo at five-eighths. He dodged and sidestepped to advantage and scored a fine try. He faded somewhat later as the fast-breaking Otahuhu forwards dominated play. Elliott, at fullback, played well, although cramped by the opposition. Berridge and Biss combined well on occasions, but concerted back work was disappointing. Of the forwards Pepper strove valiantly to break through, although keenness led frequently to penalties. Otahuhu was an irresistible force in the second half, every man pulling his weight. Mason, at -fullback, was greatly improved, his line-kicking being particularly fine. Inglis was well supp led from the scrums and received good sapport from Hill and TV hite at fiveeighths. Gladding gave Trevena, a junior, ample openings to make a creditable showing. Of a grand pack mention must be made of Boss, whose smothering and following up were noteworthy. DEMONSTRATION BY CROWD GRAFTON TEAM DEFEATED University started with the sun behind it and immediately took play into Grafton's twenty-five. Good , work by the Grafton forwards sent the Hall to the other end and Paton went close with a penalty shot from near half-way. A scrum infringement hy Fraser gave Bush a shot from long range, but the ball went wide. Mulvihill secured the ball from a pass out from the scrum and ran straight past several opponents before sending out to Thomas, who scored near the posts. Bush's kick failed by a narrow margin. The Grafton forwards were over-eager and were again penalised for going round a scrum too quickly, but Bush was wide with his shot from well out. The Grafton forwards were tackling well and their bustling tactics sent play into University's half, where Paton had another penalty shot, but the ball never rose. McKearney was penalised for holding the ball and again Paton failed to make the ball rise. Davis picked up in the loose and raced for the 'University line. He threw the ball forward, however, and robbed Finlayson of a great opportunity. Penalties for offside proved costly to Grafton. The passing of the Grafton backs was erratic and tliey were unable to make headway in consequence. The Grafton forwards were attacking strongly when half-time sounded with the score:—University, 3; Grafton, 0. Play had been resumed but two minutes when Paton failed with a shot from halfway. Paton was obstructed when waiting to take the ball near hi 3 own line, but no penalty was awarded and Grafton was fortunate in forcing down. A further penalty against the Grafton forwards gave Bush an angular shot from the twenty-five, but he was unsuccessful. Fraser broke away with the ball at foot, supported by other forwards, and the crowd on # the bank showed marked disapproval by vigorously counting out the referee when he pulled up the movement and awarded a penalty to University. Grafton lost some fine chances through mishandling and inferior passing. The University backs made ground with passing bouts, but. a scrum penalty when near the line enabled Paton to gain a, lot of valuable ground. Stuart kicked the ball on further and then a scrum penalty enabled Paton to even tho score with a shot from well out. There were ton minutes left for play and, urged on by the crowd, the Grafton pack put further life into their already vigorous efforts. University was penalised for holding the ball and Paton just missed from a wide anffle. There was again disapproval by the spectators when a try was awarded to Colgan after University had wheeled ft scrum. Bush failed at goal. Caughey knocked the bsll 011 yards, but the movement was allowed to proceed and Milliken got across, although tackled. McKearney converted and the game ended:— University, 11: Grafton, 3. (Mr. J. G. C. Wales was referee.) VICTORY FOR MARIST COLLEGE RIFLES DEFEATED College Rifles scored early in its game against Marist at the Show Grounds. After mid field play, Wales cleverly intercepted a Marist passing movement and raced for the lino. Brown, who was in support, accepted a well-timed pass and scored wide out. Year's kick failed. A series cf attacks on tho Marist line severely tested the defence, the fullback. Colebrook, relieving the pressure with a good line-kick. Friend and Fleming penetrated the defence with a clever passing movement which broke down when a try seemed certain. Locke, who had followed up, secured the ball, to score behind the posts. Friend added the extra points. Connolly, the Marist halfback, beat the defence with a swerving run and passed to Friend, who was collared within an ace of scoring. Fleming increased Marist's lead when he took advantage of a difficult penalty kick. The score at halftime was;—Marist, 8; College Rifles. 3. Marist attacked on resuming. Wales having to force. Marist maintained the offensive in face of stern tackling, and was awarded a try after a scramble on the line. Friend failed to convert. Stone reduced the leeway by turning a penalty kick to good account. Xt was a splendid effort from wide out. L. Stewart showed speed in a dash foi the Marisit line, only to be forced out nt the corner. With but a few minutes to play, the College Rifles pack swept down thr field with the backs in support. Brown scoring a try. Stone was unsuccessful with the kick. Marist then took a turn at attacking. but Vear saved with a well-judged mark. Just on time Fleming was successful yith a penalty kick, and the game ended with the score:—Marist, 14; College Rifles, 9. Mr. W. was referee.

WIN IN CLOSING STAGES OTAHUHU DEFEATS MANUKAU Playing with the wind Manukau confined Otahuhu to its territory until Inglis sent Hill off and Elliott forced. Berndgo and Brirtible broke away, the last-named slipping when clear of opposition. Brinibie was again conspicuous with a fine weaving run. Mason missed a penalty goal, but iJer-l-idge turned a similar chance to account and put Majnjkau ahead. \\ lute missed a penalty lor Otahuhu, and from the 1"-°" the Manukau backs and forwards swept downfield. An open .rush bore fruit, the nippy Brinibie securing the darting o\et near the posts. Berridge easily convened. Pepper headed a forward passing run wlucn was stopped short of Otahuhu s line. Halitime arrived with the score: Manukau, o. Otahuhu, 0. , , . Otahuhu opened in determined fashion and pinned Manukau to its lino m a series of forward attacks. Reward came when White kicked u fine penalty goal, but he failed with another shot soon afterwards. Inglis passed out from a eoruin to White, Gladding, and Trevena dived over near the goal. White added the points. A great burnt by the Otahuhu forwards and backs saw Stowell almost over. Berndge and Bibs gained ground mid forced Mason to kick out at the corner flag. Play ranged from end to end to a continual roar from the large crowd. A penalty to Otahuhu near mid-field v*aa taken by Stowell, tlio ball falling just short cJ the crossbar. A scrum near Mannkiln's goal gave Otahuhu its chance and Inglis set Hill off. He parted to Gladding, who dived over near tho corner. Stowell missed goaling, and the end came with the Bcore:—Otahuhu, 11; Manukau, S. Mr. J. Malcolm was referee. PONSONBY'S GOOD FINISH FAST BREAKING FORWARDS Ponsonby attempted to use its backs from tho start of the game with Training College, but tho latter's forwards broke fast and kept tho attackers in check. Training College rushed play to Ponsonby's twentyfive, where tho backs £ot moving, but failed to penetrate. Townsend missed i\n attempt at goal from a penalty 10 yards inside halfway. Jamieson and Pearman combined nicely to carry play to tho Training College twenty-five, where the College backs got offside and Jamieson goaled from a free kick in an easy position. Townsend failed in another attempt from a penalty and Training College went to the attack again, but Townsend was twice caught in possession. Then Rowe made a good opening at halfway and Pountney carried on to score well out. Townsend missed the kick. Shortly afterwards another free kick came to Training College and Townsend hoisted tho flag with a good kick. Pearman made an opening and carried on to the fullback to send Carter over between the posts. Jamieson converted and half-time came with the score:—Ponsonby, 8; Training College, 6. Training College broke through and from an infringement Townsend kicked anothsr goal. Ponsonby carried play to the Training College line, where from a scrum Frankham sent Solomon over. Jamieson converted. Lewis effected a good save when Campbell and Carter broke away and Carter lost the ball on the line. Ponsonby threw the ball about freely, but a chance was lost when, a long pass from Solomon went astray. A scrum breach gave Training College another free kick and Townsend goaled from the sideline. Ponsonby was having the better of the play territorially, but its inside backs were given very little chance to get working. Bunting instituted a passing movement among the Ponsonby forwards and Frn6er went on to score. Jamieson converted with a good kick. Ponsonby's last score came when Carter made a good run down the sideline and handed on to Pearman, who scored between the posts. Jamieson converted, and the game ended:—Ponsonby, 23; Training College, 12. Mr. G. Peace was referee. MARGIN FOR GRAMMAR IMPROVEMENT BY TECHNICAL After establishing a commanding lead in the first spell. Grammar Old Boys beat Technical Old Boys by 21—12. tho 6Core at half-time being IG—6 in favour of Grammar Old Boys. From the outset the Grammar pack went to work with a will and. u'.ded by several crisp back movements, took play to Technical territory. Slyfield then kicked a good penalty goal from almost halfway. Shortly afterwards Grammar increased its lead. From a scrum the ball went to Slyfield, who passed tv> Lendrum. Lendrum kicked and fast following by Buckley resulted in a nice try, which Slyfield failed to convert. From an infringement by Technical in its own territory Slyfield kicked a penally from an easy angle. A movement rtarled near tho centre of tho field saw the bnll travel from the forwards to Lendrum, who gathered it in and scored, Slyfield failing to convert. A few minutes later Lendrum dropped a neat goal to give Grammar a 16 points lead. Technical then commenced to attack, and from a line-out McKenzie sent Evans away, the wing beating two men to open Technical' 3 score. Technical obtained a penalty kick almost directly afterwards, McKenzie adding three more points, making tho score at half-time:-Grammar Old Boys, IT.; Technical Old Boys. 6. On re'sumption Technical took the offensive, the forwards playing much better and breaking fast to smother tho Grammar backs, while the Grammar forwards appeared to have eased their efforts. After a brisk Technical movement in which _both forwards and backs took part, A. Keane scored, McKenzie failing with the kick. A penalty to Technical right in front of the goal posts saw McKenzie succeed with a fairly easy kick, reducing Grammar's lead to four points. In a forward tussle McMiken received a cut near the eye and was replaced by Ainsley. Grammar then launched a series of attacks, and one of these resulted in the finest movement of the day After Macindoe had made an opening the ball travelled out to Buckley on the wing, who reverse passed to Lendrum, the last-named scoring. Slyfield added the additional points. Even play followed until time was called with the final score: Grammar Old Boys, 21; Technical Old Boys, 12. Mr. H. 0. White was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Grade B.—North Shore B. 11, Manukau B. 3; Fden, 31. Technical Old Boys. 3. Second Grade.—Manukau. 8. Technical Old Boys, 3: Grnfton A, 20, Trinity College. 0; Y.M.C.A., 27. North Shore. 0; Suburbs, 17, Grammar Old Boys. 17; .Technical Colts. 14. Training College. C; Ponsonby, 16. University B. 0; Grammar A, 11 Papatoetoe. 3; Northcote A, 13, University A 3; College Rifles, 14. Grafton Colts. r>: Tamaki. IG. Marist, 13; Waitemata, 18, Northcote B. 13. ' Third Grade Open.—College Rifles, 13, University, 3; North Shore, 10, Oratifl, G. Third Grade Intermediate.—Manukau B. 15. Northcote. 11: Parnell, 3. University, 0- Eden B. 14. Training College, 8; Dilworth, IS. Waitemata, 0; Suburbs, G, Technical Old Boys. 0; Otahuhu, 24, College Rifles, 3: North Shore. 3. Grammar, 3; Eden A, 9. Manukau. 0; Papatoetoe, 11, Royal Naval Reserve. 3. Fourth Grade.—Oratia, 6, Northcote A, P; Suburbs, 0. Grammar A, 0; Ponsonby. G. Grammar B. 5. ~ Fifth Grade.— Ponsonby, 2a, Parnell, 0: Technical, 6, Marist, 3; Eden, 11, Grammar. 6 Sixth Grade.— Ponsonby. 9. Manukau. 3; Eden, 30. Grafton, 0; Suburbs won from Northcote by default; Technical Old Boys. 24, Marist. 0. Junior Boys.—lntermediate grade: Eastern Suburbs. 11. Manukau, 0; Suburbs, 12, Eden. O; Northcote won from Ponsonby by doff lilt. . ' _ , Junior Grade.—Manukau A, 9, Eastern Suburbs, 3: Otahuhu, 42, Manukau B. 0; Suburbs, 30. Northcote, 0; Waitemata. 12. Y M C.A., 3; Kden. 3, Good Shepherd. 0. Secondary Schools' Games.—Senior grcdo: Takapuna Grammar. 12, Sacred Heart, 0; King's College, 0. Mount Albert Grammar. 0 Third Grade.—Mount Albert Grammar A. 22. Sacred Heart. G: Auckland Grammar A, 44,' Takapuna Grammar, 0. Fourth Gj-nde.—Sacred Heart, 20. Otahuhu, 0; Auckland Grammar, 17, Technical College, 0. Fifth Grade.—Auckland Giammar A, 6, Snered Heart, 6. Sixth Grade.—Mount Albert Grammar A, 11. Sacred Heart, 9. , Seventh Grade.—Sacred Heart, 22, Mount Albert Grammar ,B. 0; Technical College, G, Auckland Grammar A, 3. SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS EASTBOURNE BEATS PETONE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] Wellington.—First division: Wellington, 5 Poneke, 0; Wellington College Old Boys, li Athletic, 8: Eastbourne, 15, Petono, 12: jjut t 17. Marist, 9. Second division: University. 26. Molrose-Selwyn, 9; Johnsonville, 11 Oriental, 7; St. Patrick's Old Boys, 11, Berhampore, 4; Upper Hutt, 13, Miramar, 6. Christchurch.— Sydenham, 19. Albion, 9; Old Boys, 19, Merivale, 11; University, 24, Linwood, 12; Christchurch, 19, iihthletic, 0. Dunedin.—Southern, 0, Taieri, 0: University A, 40. Zingari, 3; Pirates, 2i. Dunedin. 4; Kaikorai, 34, University B, 12; Union, 11, Alhambra, 8. New Plymouth.—Stratford, 9, Clifton, 0; Old Boys, 41, lnglewood, 11; Tukapa, 15, Celtic, 5; Okaiawa, 9, Koponga, 0; Waimate. 15, Eltham, 5: Empire Old Boys, 8, Hawera, 0; Patca, 17, Opunake, 17. Wanganui.—Knierau. 13. Pirates, 3: Technical Old Boys, 12, Wanganui, 4; Marist, 14, Ratana, 3. Masterton. —The Wairarapa Rugby Union's matches resulted:—Greytown, 10. Red Stars, 9; Carterton, 24, Martinborough, 8; Dalefield, 18, Gladstone, 11; Featherston, 11, Old Boys, 3.

P. L. D. F. A. Pts Ponsonby // 7 5 1 1 109 65 11 10 ■Marist .. .. 7 5 2 — 67 45 Grammar .. 7 5 2 — 128 93 10 .University v7 5 2 — 94 51 10 8 Grafton 7 4 3 — 92 79 Otahuhu 7 3 3 1 58 97 7 College Rifles .. 7 o 4 1 68 67 5 Training College 7 2 4 1 62 76 5 Technical O.B.*. 7 1 6 — 42 92 2 Manukau , ... 7 1 6 — 33 S3 2