RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21521, 19 June 1933, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

EIGHTH SERIES OF MATCHES. UNIVERSITY BEATS GRAMMAR PONSONBY AND MARIST WIN / The eighth series of match en in the first round of the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition was played on Saturday afternoon in cold but fine weather. There was a large attendance at Eden Park, including the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, who was loudly cheered by the occupants of the stands and embankment as he walked round the ground at half-time in the principal game, accompanied by his aide-de-camp and Mr. J. Arneil, president of tho Auckland Rugby Union. The chief attraction at Eden Park was the match between University and Grammar, and it was productive of a bright and open exhibition. Territorially, Grammar held an advantage, but its backs lacked tho finish of the oppo- . sition and this accounted for its defeat Training College proved too good for Technical Old Boys in the cur-tain-raiser Grafton defeated College Rifles by a comfortable markin on No. 2 ground, while Marist was too strong for Otahuhu on No. 3 ground. PonFonby retained its lead for the cham,pionship by beating" Manukau at the Show Grounds. University and Marist are equal in second place, one point behind tho leading team. Following were the results of tho matches: — University, 22; Grammar, 8. Training College, 9; Technical, 0. Grafton, 19; College Rifles, 5. Marist, 11; Otahuhu, 3. Ponsonby, 11; Manukau, 3. The following table shows the present positions of the teams: — Points Ch. P. TV. L. D. F. A. Pts. Ponsonby «« 8 6 1 1 120 68 13 Marist ..8 G 278 7B 48 12 ■University ..8 6 '0 Grammar . . 8 5 3 Grafton . .. 8 5 3 HI 84 10 Otahuhu .... 8 3 4 1 61 108 7 Training College 8 3 4 1 71 7G 7 College RiSes . 8 2 5 1 73 86 5. Manukau'. - 8 1 7 3G 99 2 Technical . 8 1 7 / Superior Back Play Superior combination and general tactics among the University backs were responsible for the success of this team over Grammar. Territorially, the advantage lay with Grammar, but its bac&s gave the forwards poor support. Apart from mishandling and bad passing their tackling was very weak. Injudicious kicking was also responsible for the loss of much valuable ground gained by, the forwards. Time after time the ball was kicked straight into the handsVof Bush, who returned it to toufch and invariably gained yards of ground; These tactics by the Grammar backs were persisted in throughout the match, the on'y player to show versatility being Macindoe. He found quite a few gaps in the defence and made some nice openings, but he*,.was almost invariably unsupported, his colleagues being unable to follow him and, when they did, a shocking pass would end the movement. The. GrriTimar' fullback, Anderson, va3<r-ight off his game, and his failure to stopj.Caughey and Kedgley led to University's first two tries. Later in the game he fumbled the ball right on his own line enabling Drake to add to University's total with a simple try. The wing-threequarters, Hutchison and Savory, were also very weak. The lastnamed allojved himself to be fended off by Milliken three or four times, and once a try resulted. Lendrum has played tetter games. Grammar's Best Backs Slyfield played well in the first spell, but was not so prominent in the second. He was sound, however, and kept a watchful eye npon his elusive opponent, Mulvihill. Macindoe and Corner were the two best backs It might have paid the first-named to have kicked over Bush's head when he reached him once or twice, more especially as he was not receiving adequate support. Corner was right back to his best form. He varied his play nicely, going on his own occasionally instead of passing out to his backs. He worked very hard for his side's success, but there was little support for the movements after the ball had passed the second five-eighths. The Grammar forwards worked splendidly as a pack and it was no fault of theirs that victory did not go to the side. The one fault displayed by more than one of them was inability to handle the ball when receiving a pass from the backs. These mistakes proved costly once or twice. W. Batty led the pack very ably and the taller forwards, Morgan, Lockington, Wilson and Potter, were prominent on the line-out, with Gillett showing up well in the " loose. Ball Secured From Scrums The University forwards played as though, they realised very fully that they were up against a solid proposition. Right from the kick-off until the final boll they never let up. Packing down solidly, they enabled Thomas, the hooker, to show his ability and the result was that the team secured the ball from the majority of the scrums. Sherwood and Sutherland made some fine breakaways from the line-outs, while Drake and McVeagh were continually in evidence in the loose. Anderson, as usual, was not seen much in the open, but he carried a big burden in the_ solid scrum work and rucking. University appears to have made a big improvement by placing Jagusch behind the scrum. He gave a first-class exhibition on Saturday. Tho manner in which he checked the Grammar forward rushes was highly commendable. He also got the ball away smartly from the scrums and rucks. One of his efforts, started at the feet of tho opposing forwards, and ending in Milliken's try, was a brilliant piece of work. Green showed marked improvement, probably on account of tho fact that ho looked happier in combination with Jagusch. He let Macindoe past him once or twice, but anyone so quick off the mark as the Grammar five-eighths is always likely to catch an opponent q'n the wrong foot. Mulvihill did not get so many opportunities as usual, but he played his part well. Caughey comt menccd with a brilliant try and was thereafter closely watched. He did some excellent spoiling work among the opposing backs. , Brilliant Wings Miliiken and Kedgley both played fine games, and they are improving as the season progresses. Milliken's dash when, he scored his try was an effort worthy of a high grade wing. The manner in which Kedgley fielded the lolling ball was brilliant and it enabled him to get a flying start on the opposition. Bush again.gave a splendid exhibition of fullback phy, his handling of the ball, kicking and tackling being alike positional play and finticipatiort' enabled him to bo in position to secure the ball on the full on the majority of occasions upon which it was kicked to him. ' The early game at Eden Park between Training College and Technical Old Boys produced very little spectacu- ' r '' '

lar football, although it was fairly interesting throughout. Both sets of backs saw a fair amount of the ball, but they lacked penetration. Townsend was the best of the Training College backs. Although he got through a lot of work, Dare was generally standing still with the ball and gave his outsides very little chance. Fuller was the best of tho threequarters, while Lewis was safe at fidlback. Gunn, Rowe and Webber were the best of a vigorous pack. Bowling led the Technical pack well and was particularly prominent in the line-outs. Savory and Nelson were good workers in the scrum, but the whole forward line showed lamentable weakness in tackling. Evans was the best of the Technical backs, displaying plenty of dash, until he went off. McKenzie and Manning were not very impressive behind the scrum, but Harris made the most of what opportunities came' his way, D. Keane played a sound game at fullback, his kicking and tackling being very good. Sound principles of attack in the line of backs, together with spirited following up by tho forward pack, were mainly responsible for Grafton's decisive victory over College Rifles. Plaving against the wind in the first half, Grafton was by no meians inconvenienced and obtained its first points soon after the game had opened. Roberts consistently supplied the backs with the ball, and the two five-eighths, Ryall and Moore, were prominent workers in the series of Grafton attacks. Paton. at fullback, made few mistakes and his kicks to the line were narticularly powerful against the wind. The game was .marked by a large number of .penalty kicks for infringements between the opposing forward packs. In the Grafton forwards, Fraser, Finlayson and Bunting were outstanding. College Rifles displayed a distinct lack of combination throughout most of the game, and rushes which showed some promise at first dwindled into nothing through faulty handling. At fullback Kirk tackled effectively, and Wales. Vear and Frankliam brought off several fine individual efforts. Stone and McDonald worked hard in the forwards, hut little attention was paid to concerted backing-up by the remainder. Battle Between Forwards After being equal with Otahuhu at 3-all at half-time, Marist forged ahead in the second spell to gain a clear-cut victory. It was a forward battle most of the way, neither set of backs being able to do much as a combination when they did receive the ball. Otahuhu easily held its own in the first half, but lacked leadership, which S. Hadley was able to contribute to Marist's success. Frequently the Otahuhu players would get within- an ace of scoring only to lack the final thrust. Playing with a roving commission, S. Hadley was a splendid co-ordinating link between the two divisions. He played tirelessly, and had a share in two of his team's three tries. All the forwards lent admirable supnort, with Locke and Poland often prominent. Muller, centrethreequarter, and Loombe, winger, were the most impressive backs. Muller, particularly, was frequently in the picture. Although he received fewer opportunities than Loombe, Trigg, the other wing-threequarter, was seldom found wanting. For Otahuhu Mason played a resourceful game at fullback, especially in the first spell, when he was faultless. His fielding, line-kicking and tackling were all excellent, although he was occasionally handicapped bv his lack of pace. Pilcher was probably the best Otahuhu forward, his cleverness in the open being his strongest point. Points in First Spell

In a fast and lively game, Ponsonby fully justified its win over Manukaii, although in the later stages Manukau had much the better of tlie exchanges. Ponsonby failed to score in the second spell, but held the unper 'hand in the initial half, scoring all its points during that period. Play throughout was onen, and in the closing stages, when Manukau tried vainly to score, it developed into a very exciting game. Manukau's rack played well in the open, _ but Ponsonby controlled the majority of the scrums and lineouts. After the change over, however, the Manukau pack plaved such a relentless game that Ponsonby was kept on defence for some time. The Manukau backs had no real finish to their work, however, and many opportunities went astray. All the Ponsonby forwards deserve praise. Solomon showed fine leadership and spoiling play. Fraser did good lineout work, and Bond and Gillett displayed dash in the- open. Frankliam tried hard to open up the game, and at times threw out some good passes. Jamieson nnd Pearman were always prominent for good work, while Hook on the wing showed dash and defended well. Kerr-Taylor was sound if not spectacular at fullback. Berridge was a tower of strength to his side, and was prominent throughotit, while Brimbleat times was elusive and clever, but spoiled many movements bv knocking the ball on freouently. Hunter was rood at five-eighths and Elliott at fullback was steady. The Manukau forwards proved their worth in the loose nnd Pepper and Pearce. who led many forward rushes, and Kereopa and Wiklund, who were always in the thick of it, were the best of a dangerous pack in the open. UNIVERSITY'S VICTORY SPECTACULAR TREES SCORED University won the toss arid played with the advantage of the sun. Bush set the backs going from the kick-off, but a penalty at the twenty-five gave Slyfield a shot against the wind from a wide angle. The ball went wide and University forced. Gram; mar kept play in its opponent's twenty-five for the first five minutes until Bush sent the ball well down with a penalty kick. Further penalties kept Grammar in its own half and then passing between backs and forwards took play back to University's twenty-five. Here a Grammar passing rush broke down and Mulvihill dribbled on and tackled Corner in possession. A knock-on pulled lip a University rush and liendrum started a Grammar movement which gained 40yds. of ground. Slyfield had another penalty shot from beyond the twenty-five, and he kicked a good goal against the wind. Weak tackling by the University inside backs let Macindoo away and a dangerous rush was stopped by a knock-on five yards from the University line. Mulvihill ran from inside his own twenty-five to half-way and then passed to Drake, who, however, threw a wild pass out of Milliken's reach. Corner made a fino run from a scrum up to Bush, but Caughey smothered Macindoe and, getting the ball from Mulvihill and Green, he cleared University's line. Then followed a brilliant try by Caughey. Jagusch started his backs going at his own twenty-five nnd when Caughey received the ba.ll he beat the opposing line for pace, swerved past the fullback, and raced over between the posts. .Bush easily converted, placing University in the lead. Slyfield failed with a penalty shot lOydfl. beyond **the twenty-five. Milliken made a strong bid for the line, but was safely tackled Caughey centred and the ball went over Grammar's line. Two forwards followed quickly, but were offside, and a scrum back ensued. An interception by Kedgley enabled him to reach the Grammar fullback, when he passed wildly and a grent opportunity was lost, A Grammar pnesing rush broke down near half-way. Kedgley picked up the ball and. shaking off the Grammar fullback's effort to tackle him, he ran over between the posts. Bush converted nnd the score at half-time was:—University, 10; Grammar, 3. Grammar set to work in earnest to reduce its leeway. Bush checking one rush in good style. A penalty kick enabled Slyfield to find touch three yards from the corner flag. McVeagh clearing from a line-out. A cksli by Kedgeley removed play to Grammar's twenty-five, where Corner stemmed an atlack with a mark Macindoe received the ball from Corner and raced for 50yds. before encountering Bush. Slyfield then made a poor attempt from a penalty. Play became fast and exciting as each side attacked in turn. A well-sustained University passing rush carried the ball almost the length of the field, Sutherland being finally pulled down a few yards short. The ball was kicked to Bush, who miesed with a drop at goal from near half-way. Jagusch set the University backs going in great style and the ball went out to Milliken, who fended off Savory and made a determined and successful bid for the line almost at the corner. Bush failed at'goal. - * '

Faat following by Kedgley enabled him to tackle Anderson right on Grammar's line. University was penalised in an ensuing scrum and Slyfield failed to find the line. Bush took the ball, ran infield a few yards, and potted a fine goal from 20yds. beyond the twenty-five. A great line kick by Bush sent the ball over half the length of the field. Mulvihill dropped at goal, but the ball went a little wide and bounced back. Anderson fumbled it and Drake, following up, picked it lip and placed the ball over the line for a simple try. Bush converted. A well-sustained Grammar rush was finished off by the forwards, Lockington scoring wide out. Slyfield converted with a fine kick, making the final score:—University, 22; Grammar, 8. Mr. C. P. Paull was referee. WIN FOR TRAINING COLLEGE ' THREE UNCONVERTED TRIES The Technical forwards got offside early and Townsend missed with a kick from long range. Then tho Training College backs and forwards combined in a passing rush down the sideline from half-way, Gunn and Gibson being prominent. It ended in Inglis touching down wide out. Towiißend's kick missed. Both sides continued to get opportunities, but the passing was not gopd. . Evans received the ball on the blind side and made a good run, being pulled down just short o£ the lino. Couper, following up a long kick very fast, just failed to get hold of it after the bounce had beaten Lewis. Couper then put Technical on the attack with a good kick and from a passing rush both Harris and Savory failed to get over by a few feet. Harris dribbled through on his own, but lost a race for tho ball and Training College cleared. Evans made another good run down the line, but his pass infield went astray. Half-time came with the score:—Training College, 3; Technical, 0. Technical immediately rushed play down to its opponents' line, where Training College had to force twice. Dare, Webber and Francis combined to take play to Technical's line, where the Training College backs, who were now working better, launched a, series of attacks, but failed to penetrate. Evans received the ball from a passing movement and started for the line, but ran into a heavy tackle,- in which he hurt his knee, necessitating his retirement. He was replaced by Sutherland. The Training College forwards carried the ball over the line and Rowe, who followed up fast, fell on it for a try. Townsend's kick hit tho bar and rebounded. From a loose Bcruni near Technical's line Inglis started a movement which resulted in Fuller scoring. Townsend missed the kick. Technical made a final bid. but Training College cleared and Fuller lost the ball in a handy position. The game ended:— Trailing College, 9; Technical Old Boys, 0. Mr. \y Keefe was referee. GRAFTON'S SUPERIORITY COLLEGE RIFLES DEFEATED College Rifles won the toss and elected to | play with the wind. Grafton started off vigorously and soon surprised its opponents. From a line-out Roberts passed to Moore, who sent it to Ryall, and he dashed through to touch down between tho poßts. Paton converted. After somo minutes of fast play Grafton was awarded a free kick in front ! of the goal and Paton made sure of it. The College Rifles backs took play into their opponents' quarter. Several nipvements failed, but Frankham picked up and sent the ball out to Brown, who scored well out. Stone converted with a well-judged kick. Grafton took the ball into College Rifles' territory again, Finlayson leading a forward rush. Later a free kick was awarded Grafton and again Paton sent it across the bar. Successive passing rushes by Grafton followed. but both Stuart and Ratcliffe were brought down in possession. Currey made a fine run upfield, Brown securing and kicking back into Grafton's quarter. Stone then failed with a free kick for College Rifles. Half-time was called with play Ttiicifield, the score being:—Grafton, 11; CoKege Rifles, 5. On resumption Grafton carried play into College Rifles' ground and Moore kicked to tho line. Play close to the College Rifle 9 line followed and Bunting went over to score, Paton converting. McDonald went off with art injured knee and was replaced by Somerville. Grafton was within a few yards of scoring when a free kick was awarded against them. Fraser secured the ball and passed it to Ryall, who sent it out to Stuart and Ryall backed up again and scored. Paton failed with the kick. College Rifles almost scored from a movement started by Stone, but a knock-on resulted in a ecrurn, from which Vear cleared with a long kick. After spirited attacks by both sides Ratcliffe cut through with a fast dash, but was brought down by Kirk not far from the line. Ratcliffe went off and w'as replaced by Wilkes. Col'ece Rifles returned to the attack, but Wales failed with a free kick. Play then went into College Rifles' territory and several Grafton rushes were checked only by sound defence. Tbe final score was: Grafton, 19: College Rifles, 5. Mr. J. Sweeney was referee. MARIST BEATS OTAHUHU POINTS IN SECOND SPELL Aided by a fresh southerly breeze, Otahuhu was early on the attack in its match against Marist, but efforts to score were fruitless. Then the Marist players were away. Cooney, second five-eighths, kicked high and S. Hadley followed up fast and made a lot of ground before passing to Loombe, who dived across for a fine try near the corner. Fleming's shot at goal was unsuccessful. Otahuhu resumed the attack and Pilcher was unlucky when he was beaten in a race for the ball after a fine solo effort. Tho Otahuhu forwards once more carried play within striking distance, but poor handling by the backs brought their efforts to nought. Then Mason kicked a fine penalty goal for Otahuhu, making the score at half-time:—Marist, 8; Otahuhu, 3. It was not long after the second spell commenced that Marist began to assert its superiority, although many opportunities were allowed to go begging until Loombe gained possession. After a brilliant run he dummied his way over for his second try. Fleming goaled from a difficult angle. W. Hadley was injured and replaced by Judd. Soon S. Hadley was away with the ball. He flung a wide pass to Muller, who sent Trigg over near the corner. Fleming failed to add the extra points and the game ended with tho score:—Marist. 11; Otahuhu, 3. Mr. C. W. Henderson was referee. MARGIN AT HALF-TIME PONSONBY DEFEATS MANUKAU Spectacular forward play characterised a hard-fought game between Ponsonby and Manukau. Good movements wero_ spoiled when Berridge knocked on, and again, when within an ace of scoring, Pearco was pushed out at tho corner. Ponsonby cleared and from a scrum Jamieson made a crisii run, but was tackled in possession. A brilliant interception by Brimble took play back to midfield. Kerr-Taylor then ran Hook into position, but tho last-named's pass infield was intercepted by Berridge. Then followed a good passing movement, in which Bond. Hook, Pearman and Gillett all handled. Gillett passing again to Pearman, who outpaced the opposition to score a capital try. - Jamieson converted. Ponsonby returned to the attack and Solomon, with ball at toe, broke away, but Wiklund cleared well. Manukau obtained relief from a free-kick. From n> forward rush Gillett got over, but lost possession. Fraser, however, was handy and fell on the ball for a try. Jamießon failed at goal. Further good line-kicking eased matters for Manukau and Kerr-Tay-lor was lucky to clear in the face of a. dangerous Manukau forward rush led by Pepper, Later, Pcarce was penalised and with a great kick Pearman raised the flags. Manukau was ntiacking when half-time waß sounded, with tho score:—Ponsonby, 11; Manukau, 0. On resuming a good Ponsonby movement ended when Campbell was tackled with the ball, and Elliott cleared Manukau'B territory with a nice kick to touch. The Manukau forwards were over-eager and were penalised for ofT-side play. Once again Ponsonby staged a thrustful passing rush, and Newdick threw a long pass to Hook, whoso in-pass went astray, and a promising movement broke down. Berridge broke away from his own twenty-five and passed to Flett, who. however, sent a bad pass to Brimble. Webster gained ground with a good kick, and then from a penalty, Berridge landed a good goal. Pearman had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a pennlty, and subsequent play became very willing. A scrum infringement by Ponsonby gave Berridr-e another chrince, but tho kick went wide Manukau made a strenuous effort to reduce its leeway, but the defence was too sound, and tho game endedPonsonby, 11; Manuknn, 3. Mr. C. J. Sclinauer was referee. . LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Grado B.—Eastern Suburbs. G, University B, 3; Grammar Coifs, 12, Manukau, G; North Shore, 18, Parnell, 8. Second Grade.—College Rifles, Hi. Grammar B, 5; Taniaki, ]f>, Suburbs, 5; Y.M.C.A., 14, Technical Old Boys, f>; Ponsonby. 27, Training College, 3; Technical Old Boys, 15, Grafton, 8; Northcoto A. 20. Trinity College, 3; University B, 10, Northcoto B, 0; Papatoetoe, 3. Manukau, •0. , Third Grade Open.—Newton, 17, Oratia, 7; North Shore, U, Eden, 0; Eastern Suburbs, 9, Royal Naval Reserve. 0. Third Grade Intermediate.—-"Grammar A. 21, University, 0; Subuibs, 31, Training College, .8; Parnell, 12, Northcote. 3; Marist, 14, Papatoetoe, 3; Manukau A, 14, Y.M.C.A., 3; Waitemata, fi, Manukau B, 3; North Shore B, 8, Technical Old Boys B, 0. Fourth Grade.—Technical Old Boys, 3, Suburbs, 0; Northcote, 27, Eastern Suburbs, 0: Ponsonby, 19, Oratia, 3; Grafton, 11, Grammar B, 6. Fifth Grade.—Eden, 8, Suburbs, 3; Manukau, 8, Parnell, 3. Sixth Grade.- Suburbs, 10, Grafton, 3; Ponsonby, 11, Marist, 9; Manukau won from Northcote by default; Technical Old Boys, 5, Eden, 8.

Junior Boys.—lntermediate grade: Northcote, 8, Eastern Suburbs, 3. Junior grade: Eastern Suburbs, G, Newton, 0: Parnell, G, Waitemata. 0: Northcote, 12. Y.M.C.A., 6. Secondary Schools.—Second grade: Auckland Grammar, 23, King's College, 3. Third Grade.—Auckland Grammar A, 9, Sacred Heart,-8; Auckland Grammar 9, Otahuhu High School. 6.

Fourth Grade.—Auckland Grammar A, 12, Mount Albert Grammar, 3; Sacred Heart, 21, King's College, 8; Auckland Grammar C, 21. Technical B, G: Taknpuna Grammar, 27, Otahuhu High School, 0. Fifth Grade.—Saci-Jd Heart, 22, Mount Albert Grammar A, 0; Otahuhu High School, 1(5, Dilworth, 3. Sixth Grade.—Otahuhu High School, 12. Auckland Grammar C, 3; Auckland Grammar A, 26, Sacred Heart, 0. Seventh Grade.—Auckland Grammar A, 8, Sacred Heart, 3; Otahuhu High School, 3, Mount Albert Grammar, 3. MATCH BETWEEN CYCLISTS A Rugby match played between memberß of tho Lynndale and Manukau Amateur Cycling Clubs resulted in a win for the Lynndalo Club by 19 points to 9.