RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21611, 2 October 1933, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PONSONBY. BEATS UNIVERSITY MARIST DOWN TO MANUKAU The Auckland ltugby Union's senior championship competition was continued on Saturday afternoon in fine weather, with the grounds very hard as the result of the dry spell. The fact that tho thrco leading teams were engaged in tho principal matches drew a large attendance to Eden Park. By defeating University, Ponsonby assumed'tho, lead for the championship, Marist having been beaten in the curtain-raiser by Manukau. With one more series to be played, Ponsonby has a lead of two points over University and Marist. Ponsonby will bo opposed to Marist next Saturday, and, if it wins, it will gain premiership honours for tho season. On tho other hand, if Marist is successful, and if University is able to defeat Collego Rifles, then Ponsonby, University and Marist will all bo level once more. University started off well against Ponsonby, but. fell away in the second spell, with the result that Ponsonby had a comfortable margin at the finish. Manukau was too good all round for Marist, , whose backs lacked cohesion. Tho margin, however, was small. There were two surprises at the Show Grounds. In the curtain-raiser. Training College easily defeated Grafton, while College Rifles had a narrow win over Grammar Old Boys in the succeeding game. Playing at the Outer Domain, Technical Old Boys accounted for Otahuhu. Following were tlio results of the matches: —- Ponsonby, 22; University, 13. Manukau, 9; Marist, 7. Training College, 18; Grafton, 3. Collego Rifles, 18; Grammar, 15. Technical, 11; Otahuhu, 6. The .following table shows the present positions of tho teams: — Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Ponsonby , s 17 12 3 2 22G 126 26 University . . 17 12 5 Marist 17 12 5 Grammar „. 17 10 f. 1 221 196 21 Grafton , . 17 8 8 1 180 193 17 Manukau . . 17 f> 9 2 111 164 14 Training Col. 17 5 9 3 149 I(>2 13 Technical ~. 17 5 11 1 92 174 11 Coll. Rifles .. 17 5 11 1 158 202 11 Otahuhu .. 17 4 12 1 11G 213 9

PONSONBY SECURES BALL DEFEAT OF UNIVERSITY Ponsonby owed its victory over University primarily to the fact that its forwards were able to secure the ball irrom the big majority of the scrums, thereby keeping it away from the ficetfooted University backs. Another im]x>rtant factor in Ponsonby's success was the fine all-round play of Solomon, who scored three of the five tries obtained by his team. University started off in very promising style and at the end of twelve minutes' play Mulvilhill beat the opposing backs and raced up to Kerr-Taylor before passing to Caughey, who ran over the line. Four minutes later Bush Bcored one of the most popular tries of the season. He fielded the ball on the right touch line about the halfway line, ran infield and then straightened up., The spectators rose to their feet as he swerved and side-stepped man after man. He finally beat the fullback and ran over between the posts. The crowd applauded hi 3 effort for some moments. The University forwards had been playing lively football up to this stage, and the backs had given a bright display. Mulvihill was Tight back to the splendid form he showed early in the season. From this stage onwards, however,. he was the victim. of some late tackling and charging which affected mot only his own play but that of the threequarter line. In the last five minutes before halftime Ponsonby had drawn ahead with two converted tries. The first was registered by Frankham, who ran round the open side of a scrum near University's line, and, although held by two players, he lifted himself up sufficiently to bo able to ground the ball o'ver the line. Then, right on the half-time whistle, Solomon handled the ball three times in a great rush. He was stopped by Bush,' but got to his feet again in time to take the ball finally and go right round behind the posts. Jamieson converted both tries, und this gave Ponsonby a two points' advantage as the teams changed round. Ponsonby went further ahead shortly after the opening of the second spell. Solomon stood back behind Frankham, and when the ball came out of a scrum he forced his way over on the blind side. This movement was repeated a little later in the game, and once more the. defence was caught napping. - University made great efforts in the last fifteen minutes. The ball was secured from a scrum near Ponsonby's line and Milliken left his wing for the first five-eighths position, making an extra link. The ball travelled smartly out to Caughey, who ran round behind the posts. Prior to this Jamieson had increased Ponsonby's total with a penalty goal, and then Ponsonby obtained two more tries in the last ten minutes, one by Solomon in the manner already described and the other by Fraser at the end of a passing rush. The game showed weaknesses in the defence of the five- eighths lines on either side and this is what made the difference between the teams. Forward there' was not a great deal in it, except, that Ponsonby obtained the ball from tho majority oir scrums, whereas the University forwards excelled in the loose, particularly Sfcacey, Thomas and Drake. Williams wag. the outstanding Ponsonby forward; in fact, he was tho best all-round pack forward on tho ground. Solomon played as rover and'his anticipation of play and ability to seize openings very materially assisted his sifle to victory. Frankham and Fraser both played sound games in the Ponsonby backs, while Kerr-Taylor's ability to handle the ball well got him out of difficulties time after time. The University backs started off in promising style, but did not make much headway in the second spell. Bush was at the top of his form at fullback. Mr. C. F. Paull was referee. MARGIN OP TWO POINTS MARIST BEATEN BY MANUKAU Manukau gained a -well-deserved win over Marist by two points. Hcazlewood opened tho score with. a good penalty from the sideline. Toward half-time the game became very fast, first tho Marist backs and then Manukau's forwards traversing most of tho field in spectacular fashion. Early in tho second half Berridge cut in beautifully'to send Flett over. Shortly afterwards Pcarce picked up and broke away, and Berridge capped tho movement by scoring. Neither of these trios was converted. Friend then scored an unconverted try from a good Marist back movement, and Hare dropped a beautiful field goal from well jbevond the twenty-five. Marist was within two points'of its opponents now aiid it strove desperately to score in the closing stages, but

Manukau continued to do its full share of the attacking, and a fast and spectacular game ended:—Manukau, 9; Marist, 7. Heazlcwood was in good forin at fullback, his line-kicking showing excellent judgment. His fielding of the ball, however, was faulty at times. Flett and Poulton played good games and Berridgo was prominent for some nice openings, that which led to Flett's try being a fine piece of work. Brimblo exploited the short kick to some effect. Pearce, Constable and Kcreopa were solid workers in a pack that lasted well through the hard forward conditions. Hare, a Sacred Heart College boy, making his first appearance for Marist, |j created a good impression at fullback, his potted goal being one of the best seen this season. Friend, at centre, showed up as Marist's best back, infusing plenty of dash into his game. Both he and Liddle, however, threw away excellent chances by hanging on too long in good positions. Muller played soundly at first five-eighths. Connolly had a very bad day and seemed worried by the Manukau forwards. Ho passed wildly from the scrum and did not give his backs much chanco S. Hadley, alternating betweon forwards and backs, was always prominent. The pack came through a hard "afternoon with credit, Locke, W. Hadley and Toye playing well. Mr. J. G. Wales was referee. EXCITING SECOND SPELL SUCCESS OF COLLEGE RIFLES Full of interest throughout, the game botween College Rifles and Grammar Old Boys orovided an exciting finish to a stirring duel between two well-matched fifteens. Play was always fast, open and willing, and, although Grammar had a comfortable 9 —o lead at half-time, College Rifles played relentlessly in the second spell. _ln the closing stages, when Collego Rifles became an irresistible force and Grammar fought hard to retain its slender ! lead, the play developed into a battle royal, in which attack was followed by counter-attack, until K. Stewart, after a combined College Rifles movement, dived over to score the deciding try. Tho packs were very evenly matched, but toward tho finish the College Rifles forwards, with K. Stewart and Stone leading them, took command. They were solidly supported by Watson, Hurt and Ross. For the Grammar pack Lockington, Morgan, Scarborough and Mueller were great toilers. Tho Grammar backs wero a slightly better combination than Collego Rifles and threw the ball about; in fine style. The Corner-Clapham-Slyfield combination was very effective. Corner played splendidly, sending out good passes, while Clapham and Slvfield both made some fine openings. Buckley gave a pacy exhibition of wing play, while Matheson played his usual sound game at fullback. L. Stewart, Wales and McCormick were the leading lights in the Collego Rifles rearguard, with J. Kirk playing safely at fullback. Tries wero scored for College Rifles by L. Stewart, S. Kirk, McCormick and K. Stewart, Wales converting three of them. Grammar's score consisted of five unconverted tries,- Buckley (twice), Clapham and Sl.vfield scoring, while a penalty try was awarded Savory. Mr. J. Malcolm was referee.

SUPERIOR TEAM WORK WIN FOR TRAINING COLLEGE End-of-season lethargy and summer heat appeared to militate against enthusiastic ltugby at the Show Grounds, where Training College defeated Grafton. Training College was altogether too resourceful and, playing with much dash, completely dominated tho play. Tho Training Collego forwards were superior in every department, excepting, perhaps, the line-outs. Following an B—o lead at half-time they played with yet more vigour and determination in tho second spell and tlio issue was never in doubt. The Grafton side, which was very successful earlier in the season, has fallen from its high estate in. recent weeks, but nevertheless, tho heavy Grafton pack kept/ the game much more even than the score might suggest and succeeded in getting the ball from the lino-outs and scrums often enough for the backs to show their paces. Although Moore and Stuart ran with plenty of dash and made some good oponings, tho fast breaking of the students and their resolute tackling generally allowed of little being gained. Townsend, of Training College, was the mbst versatile back on tho field and played a really splendid game. Dare, too, played finely, while his defence, like that of Lewis, was splendid. Among the forwards Pountney, Gibson and Gunn were ever ready to join the forays. For Grafton Mooro and Stuart were tho best backs, while Fraser, the ex-Grammar School winger, showed promise. Finlayson, Bunting and Crump all stayed consistently well among the Grafton forwards. Tries for Training Collego were scored by Pountney (2), Skipper and Rowe, Townsend converting threo of them. points'came from a try by Stuart, the result of a splendid solo dribble from near half-way. Mr. G. Peace was reficroe.

BY A CONVERTED TRY TECHNICAL BEATS OTAHUHU After a strenuous and hard-fought game Technical Old Boys prevailed over Otahuhu at tho Outer Domain by a converted try, 11—6. During tho greater part of the game the score was oven and both teams were fully extended in attempting to gain the advantage. Two minutes after the commencement of the game Technical opened its account with an unconverted try and almost immediately the suburban team equalised. Tho score remained at 3-all until after half-time, when tho play became much more willing and tempers were somewhat frayed. A further try for Technical was scored early in the second spell, but Otaliuhu equalised when Whito landed a penalty goal. Technical s final try was scored a few minutes before tho whistle. The Technical backs were heavier than thoir opponents and played a sounder attacking game. D. Keane played a solid game at fullback, but his goal-kicking was rather weak. Common was tho most spectacular of a good threequarter line, but Turbott and Gribble wero also seen to advantage in several movements. Murdoch's display at first five-eighths was particularly good and fully justified his promotion from junior ranks. The forwards played well as a pack aild wero fairly successful in tho line-outs. Savory and Ashley showed to tho best advantage. Mason, the Otahuhu fullback, was not at his best and was not particularly sound on defence. The remaining backs all played well and were seon in several nice passing rushes, White, Tnglis and Trevena being the most outstanding. The forwards were heavier than the Technical pack and secured the ball more frequently in the set scrums. Tries wore scored for Technical by Common, Harris and Murdoch, who also converted one, while the Otahuhu score comprised a try by Trevena and a penalty goal by White. Mr. W. Lomas was referee