RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21587, 4 September 1933, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP LEADING TEAMS HARD PRESSED TECHNICAL DEFEATS GRAMMAR Tho outstanding feature of Saturday's matches in the Auckland Rugby "Union's senior championship was tho very close scoring in all the matches. Technical Okl Boys created the surprise of tho day by defeating Grammar Old Boys at tho Western Springs Stadium by a margin of two points. University held a similar advantage over Grafton at tho end of a hard game on tho Eden Park oval. Ponsonby had n / close call in the second game at the stadium, scoring its only try against Training College late in the second spell. It was also well on in tho second spell before Marist was ablo to claim 7 an advantage over College Rifles. Manukau was fully extended in defeating Otahuhu at Onehunga. Tho results of the matches leave University and Ponsonby still together in the lead for the championship, with Marist two points away. The other teams now have no chance of success and fhe championship will be finalised snore quickly than was anticipated. Following aro the results of the matches:— University, 11; Grafton, 9. Technical, 8; Grammar, 6. Ponsonby,. 3; Training College, 0. Marist, 14; College Rifles, 3. Manukau, 8; Otahuhu, 4. • The following table shows the present positions of the teams: — Points, Ch. / P. W. L. D. F. A. pts. University .. 13 12 3 Ponsonby .. 15 11 22 192 100 24 Marist .. 15 11 4 Grammar .. 15 9 5 1 193 173 19 Grafton. . . 15 8 f> 1 170 158 17 Train.'College 15 4 9 2 123 151 10 Manukau . . 15 4 9 2 89 145 10 Otahuhu .. 15 4 10 1 104 183 9 Technical . . 15 4 11 College Rifles 15 3 11 1 123 175 7 TIVE PENALTY GOALS UNIVERSITY'S NARROW MARGIN The; only try scored in the hardcontest between University and .Grafton in the principal match at Eden Park was recorded in favour of the .former team, and this gave it victory. There was some very fine goal-kicking, Paton landing the three penalty goals which comprised Grafton's total, while Bush kicked two penalties and converted the try scored by Kedgley. Grafton did most of the attacking in the first spell, but its backs were unable to finish off their movements and frequently lost ground through bad .passing and handling. The Grafton for.wards did splendid work in the lineout, gettirg the ball almost continuously. Penalties were fairly numerous, and olay had been in progress barely a minute before, Paton failed with a kick at goal. However, 13 minutes after the start the Grafton fullback opened the scoring with a penalty from 10 yards inside halfway. Foifr minutes later, Bush evened the score with an equally fine penalty goal from similar range. Grafton's second penalty goal was kicked 25 minutes after /the "commencement of play, and exactly on the half hour Bush again equalised, and hrif-time arrived with the score 6 all. It was thus anybody's game when the teams resumed, and at the end of seven'minutes' play Kedgley registered University's try after the snappiest passing bout of the game. University then had the better of the exchanges for some time, the Grafton forwards appearing to have lost a good deal of their dash. A further penalty goal 'after half an hour's play, however, infused new life into the Grafton team "and/the last 10 minutes were keenly contested, each side defending desperately in turn. University always looked more dangerous when its backs had possession. They were driven across the field for the .greater part of the game by the opposing backs, who were assisted to a ,vcrv appreciable extent by Fraser, who played a purely wing-forward game and;' went round the scrum offside from beginning to end, being permitted frequently to play the ball just as soon as the University halfback. Under these circumstances Jagush must;be given credit for a very, plucky display. Green also played a very sound game, but Mulvihill handled indifferently, and this affected the play of the other backs. Bush gave his best exhibition of the season, saving his side repeatedly. The forwards all deserve praise for the manner in which they stuck to their hard task. ; v Paton was in his best form at fullback/for Grafton, while Moore did some splendid work at first five T eighths. There was a lack of combination among the remainder, however. Eraser's spoiling work was invaluable to his side, while Finlayson, Hardie, Mills and Davis were prominent all through. Mr. C. F. Paull was referee. OREAT FINISHING EFFORT / • MARIST BEATS COLLEGE RIFLES . / , The game between Marist and College Rifles was fast and always interesting, with'a predominance of loose forward play. The teams were evenly matched and, ,until the last ten minutes, College Itifhjs held a lead of three points. With a great finishing effort Marist put on fourteen points in this time. ' Tho forwards monopolised play for Ihe greater part of the game and, as both packs broke fast, the inside backs had a hard afternoon, and their passing suffered as a result. S. Hadley •played as a rover for Marist, making an extra back most of the time, an arrangement which gave Marist its last try. Tho Marist pack suffered a little consequently, being pushed off the ball several times. All the forwards worked well, Toye and Poland being prominent. Connolly was frequently bustled behind the scrum and his passes were sometimes wild. Bell-Booth, a promoted junior, suffered likewise. Friend, at was Marist's best back, making some' very nice openings. Both wings played well and Liddle's dropped goal was an excellent kick. Colebrook was isound at fullback. The College Rifles' vanguard worked well throughout and more than held Marist in the tight. K. Stewart did a lot of.solid work, while Ross and Stone were frequently in the picture. S. Kirk/ was sound at half and the fiveeighths gave a good exhibition,- MacCormack, making a very pretty opening in the movement from which Frankham. scored. Brown was tho better of the winga and revealed a good turn of speed. J. Kirk's fullback game was good. Marist's score came from a potted goal by Liddlo, a try by Friend, converted by Eville, and a try by Liddle. converted by Friend, all scored within the last ten minutes. College Rifles' only score was an unconverted try by Frankham in the first spell. Mr. S. Hollander was referee. *

SURPRISE BY TECHNICAL GRAMMAR TEAM DEFEATED / Play in the Technical - Grammar match was always fast, open and interesting, and in the closing stages, with the issue always uncertain, it developed into an exciting and willing spectacle. Both teams threw tho ball about in splendid fashion, and the handling of the respective rearguards was exceptionally good. Tho defence of both .sides, too, was very sound. In the scrums and line-outs Grammar held a distinct advantage, but Technical completely dominated tho open plav. Technical played a really fine game, and following an even first spell, held complete control territorially in the second spell, and undoubtedly would have been unlucky to have lost. Haslani was outstanding among the backs, and received good support from Manning and Turbott. Harris, at half, was elusive and clever, while Gribble, on the wing, was fast and scored two good tries. D. Kenne was sound at fullback. Bowling, Nelson and Neale were the pick of the forwards. Corner was in great form behind the Grammar pack, initiating good movements, and going down to tho Technical forward rushes in grand style. All the other backs were good, with A. Slyfield, Lendrum and Savory outstanding for speedy play and good defence. Matheson was sound at fullback. E. Batty, was a toiler in the tightplay, being solidly supported by Scarborough, W. Batty and 11. Slyfield. Gillett and Morgan were prominent in tho loose. Gribble scored two tries for Technical, one of which was converted by D. Keane, while Savory scored two unconverted tries for Grammar. Mr. W. Lomas was referee. SOUND DEFENSIVE GAME PONSONBY FULLY EXTENDED Ponsonb.v was fortunate to beat Training College in a closely-contested game at tho Western Springs Stadium and, had the Ponsonby defence not been too strong, tho re.sult might have been very different. Tho early stages of the game were uninteresting, neither side being seen to advantage until Training College made a rush which resulted in Gunn diving over, but, unfortunately, he could not retain his hold on the ball and an almost certain try was lost. The second half found both sides much keener, and play brightened up for the remainder of the game. The only score of tho day, an unconverted try by Bond, gave the students an incentive, and the Ponsonby team was fully extended to hold the thrustful attacks. The college forwards repeatedly secured from scrums and line-outs and sent away to their backs, who, however, just lacked that last ounce of sting necessary for a score. Kerr-Taylor played a good game for Ponsonby, as did tho threequarter line, Hook being especially good. Jamieson was perhaps the best back on the field and played a fast, aggressive game. Newdick and Solomon were the most prominent members of a hard-working pack of forwards. The Training College backs put up a good showing. Francis, at fullback, was always safe, while Fuller, Townsend and Dare were all resourceful and steady. Inglis, half, played an excellent game, getting tho ball out to his backs cleverly and never hesitating when on defence. The forwards, as a pack, were superior to their opponents, and had much the better of the scrums and lineouts. Pountney, Gunn and Skipper were the most outstanding. Mr. J. Malcolm was referee. OTAHUHU ON DEFENSIVE WIN FOR MANTJKAU FIFTEEN . With the exception of a few brilliant passages, the Otahuhu side was on the defensive throughout, while tho Manukau forwards, getting in among their opponents' back division, frequently broke up many promising dashes. In the early stages of the game play was mainly confined to Otahuhu's quarters, where L. Mason, as fullback, relieved several dangerous positions. After a force by Otahuhu, the Manukau forwards, headed by Allen, started a fast rush and carried on with the ball at foot almost tho length of tho field. Reaching Otahuhu's twentyfive, Brimble judiciously kicked to Flett, who, following up fast, crossed the line and scored. Heazlewood missed with a free kick and Manukau then lost many opportunities, but, shortly before half-time, Berridgo snapped up tho ball in midfield, beat off five attackers and passed to Hunter, who, showing a fino turn of speed, carried the ball over between tho posts, after a strenuous tusslo with Gladding. Berridgo converted, making the half-timo score:—Manukau, 8; Otahuhu, 0. Tho second half was characterised by tho accurate and clean passing of the Manukau backs and the equally strong defence of Otahuhu. A series of bright passages, in which Otahuhu had the advantage, brought play in front of Manukaq's goal posts and in a flash White drop kicked a goal. Vigorous and open play by both sides followed, interspersed with many tenso moments. Both sides to a man showed a stimulating eagerness to win and, although Otahuhu frequently had its opponents in difficulties, the game ended in Manukau's favour. Mr. G. Peaco was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Grade B. —Eden, 22. University, 8: Grammar Colts. 17. Msnukau, 3; North Shore, 27, Eastern Suburb'-., 14. Second Grad«.—Technical Old Boys. 6. Manukau. 3; Technical Colts, 14, Training College, 3; Tarnnki. 9, Marist. 5; Grafton Colts, 15, College Rifles, 5; Northcote, 21, University, 8; Suburbs, Sis, Grammar, 14; Grammar. 17, Papatoetoe. 3. Third Grade Open.—North Shore, 17, University, 14 Third Grade Intermediate.—Grammar A, 3, North Shore, 3; Northcote. 9. Manukau, 3: Manukau A, 10, Collece Rifles, 0; Suburbs, 11, Technical Old Boys. 5; Y.M.C.A. won from TS.N.V.R. by deftwit. Fourth Grade.—Ponsonby, 23. Grammar B. 11; Grammar Old Boys, 3, Otahuhu, 0: Technical Old Boys. 04, Northcote, 6; Grafton. 11. Oratia, 0. Fifth Grade.—Technical Old Boys, 8, Ponsonby. 3: Marist. 11, Grammar, 6. Sixth Grade.—Grafton, 25, Ponsonby, 3; Eden. 08, Suburbs. 3. Junior Boys.—Championship final: Parnrll, 18. Suburbs. 3. Junior grade A: Otahuhu, 13, Eastern Suburbs, 0; Manukau won from Eden by default. WAIR AR APA CHAMP! ONSHIP [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] MASTERTON, Sunday In the semi-final of the Wairarnpa Rugby Union's senior championship Carterton be>il Featherston by 9 points to 5. and will meet Gladstone in the final on Saturday week. Redmond Cup matches resulted: T'ed Star, 12. Martinborough, 11: Gladstone, 14, Dale field, 0; Old Boys forfeited to Greytown.