RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21811, 28 May 1934, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FURTHER SURPRISE RESULTS PONSONBY DEFEATS MANUKAU THRILLS in- principal game The fifth series of matches in the ucklnii'l Rugby Union's senior championship competition was responsible for further reversals of form. The biggest surprise was the defeat of Manukau the leading team, b,v Ponsonby at ihe Show Grounds. The latter team, hitherto regarded as being weak, claimed a substantial margin of points at the finish. * College Rifles, which had given Manukau such a closo game the previous •week, defeated Grammar Old Boys on the Eden Park oval after one of the most exciting finishes over seen on the ground. Grammar was leading 5 —3 with two minutes to go, and then College Riiles scored a sensational try which gave tho team a popular vietorv. Tha large crowd at the park, including the jurymen engaged upon tho Bayly murder trial, had many thrilling moments,; and left tho park well pleased with the match and its result. Having defeated Grammar hy such a wide margin the previous week, the. Technical Old Boys team was expected to prevail over Otahuhu in the curtain-raiser at E(]en Park, but, hero again, calculations were upset, as Otahuhu came out on top. Marist put up a surprisingly good game against Grafton on No. 2 ground, and it was only in the closing stages that Grafton was able to claim superiority. University had a bye. # Following wore the results of the matches: — College Rifles, 6; Grammar, 5. Otahuhu, 11; Technical, 5. Grafton, # 17; Marist, 12. Ponsonby, 19; Manukau, 6. SENSATIONAL FINISH WELL-EARNED VICTORY A sensational try in the last two minutes of the game gave College Rifles a wellearned victory over Grammar. The contest could be summed up in very few words , actually. The Grammar forwards dominated the situation all along, and tho backs were consequently given a feast of the ball. Their play, however, was very stereotyped and lacked intelligence or variety. On the other hand, the opportunities which came the way of the College Rifles backe were not one in ten compared with the opposition, but there was some objective behind every one of their movements, _ and this ib what eventually brought the side victory. Under the circumstances, and considering the great odds under which tho team battled, the win gained by College Rifles was one of, the most meritorious recorded ill Auckland over a, long period of years. The contributing factors were that the forwards, although outplayed in all departments, never faltered for a moment; the backs tackled in deadly fashion, and effectively spoiled all attempts at scoring from passing rushes by either smothering them in their earlier stages, or driving the players in possession straight across the ground. A team of ordinary backs with the amount of ball Grammar received should have run up a big total of points, but the Grammar backs were clearly outgeneralled, and this ability on the part of the College Rifles learguard fully compensated for the overwhelming of the forwards. Only once in the second spell was there any attempt at variation of play by the Grammar backs, and that was when Corner once stabkicked into a space, ran up and secured possession again, and passed to Knight, who lost a certain try by knocking on. i hi# ghould have been sufficient encouragement to the backs to vary their tactics moro, but the same stereotyped passing went oa right to the final whistle. 1 _ . No praise could be too loud for the College Kifles backs. Individually and collectively they gave a splendid performance. The only real weakness lay in Year permitting Buckley to fend him off and run round him too often in the first epcll, but he remedied this defect after the interval. McCormick, Wales and Brown were particularly brainy, their work all round being of a high standard. No better evidence of headwork was necessary than when Brown scored the winning try. The whole movement is well . worthy of description. Grammar was attacking at the College Rifles twenty-five when Wale 3 secured the ball and passed out to McCormick, who sent in back to Wales after making ground. Wales passed out again to McCormick, who dashed along the lino and then centred beautifully. Brown had anticipated the play and was upin a flash. I Unlike the majority of backs, he wisely refrained from attempting to pick the ball . up. but judged the distance nicely and kicked the baU just far enough over the line. Then ho outpaced the opposition and foil on .the ball. The entire movement fully merited the loud and prolonged cheering which came from every quarter of the embankment and stands. Sixteen minutes after the start of the game Wales kicked a penalty goal for Collego Riflr«, and Grammar scored a converted try actually two minutes after halftime, but the ball had been kept in play and had noPbecome dead. The opening for this try was mrlde by Stchr, from whom the ball went to Knight and Gooch, who crossed near the piiMs. Slvfield converting Grammar had much the better of the I) lay territorially in the second spell, hut, in Fpite of a rearrangement of tho bucks, its passing rushes were no more successful. There were many thrilling moments for the supporters of both teams in the second half, more particularly as the hands of the clock advanced, and it was left lo the three College Rifles backs mentioned to srnd the crowd home well satisfied with the ;.;nm<: and the result. Apart from the three mentioned. Kirlt played another excellent fullback game, while Albreclit and Thompson both gave eound ami plucky displays. The forwards all deserve credit for the manner in which they stuck ,t° l l' e ' r cutis. The Grammar forwards, too, must be commended for a creat exhibition, and they might, have done better had they controlled the ball themselves instead of giving it to an ineffective back line. / Lawrence, College Rifles, and Slehr, Grammar, ritired in the second spell with minor injuries, being replaced by Ware and Jatubbs respectively. Mr. C. F. Paull was referee. WIN IN SECOND SPELL OTA H UHU'S IMPROVEMENT The first half of the game between Techrical ar/d Otahuhu was all in Technical - !! favour, and Otahuhu rarely left its own twenty-five-. The latter team seemed unable to settle- down and, with the Technical forwards dominating the situation, and the hacks opening up play wherever possible, Otahuhu was five points down at the interval. For the first ten minutes of the sreond spell Technical continued in the ascendancy, and then Otahuhu suddenly asserted s!self. A fry which oame from a scramble on 'lie line seemed to put new life into the forwards, who from then to the end of the game shaded the- Technical pack. After a penalty had put OtaTiuhu in the had the Technical backs started to throw the brill about, and the game became nuich faster. However, the Otahuhu backs were 3iow taking a hand, and from one of thenmovements came the final score, which left the result 11—5 in Otahuhu's favour. The Otahuhu backs failed to achieve any cohesion un/il the second half of the game. -T'earson was easily the best of them, and showed a gqod turn of speed. His judicious kicking was'of great help to the forwards. White was reliable at fullback, and Gladding showed up with some fine bursts, but the backs aa a whole failed to combine well, Solomon played a sound halfbuck Kama, and his defence was excellent. Once thr;,- found their feet the forward? ran nil over Technical. Coleman. Jones and Lazarus were outstanding, and the whole pack was Very fast the loose.

Technical failed to infuse the tame dash into the it displayed agaiuat Grammar the previous week. Although playing well enough individually, the backs seemed unable to finish off their movement. Haslam marred what would have been a good display by faulty handling. Aro, at half, was about the soundest of the backs nil round, while Murdoch, although making some excellent openings and paving the way r for a good try. was closely watched and j did not have the opportunities of the previous week. Ilis anticipation was good. Oldbury was the most prominent threequarter, showing considerable dash. Lord played an improved game in the last line of defence. The Technical pack did well in the first half, but in the second was lacking in vigour. Crump, Savory and Weber were always in the thick of the fray. Otahuhu's 11 points consisted of a try by Coleman, converted by White, a penalty by White, arfd an unconverted try by Cladding. nil in the second spell. Teclinicat's points came from a try by Oldbury. converted by Murdoch. Mr W. Lomas was referee. MANUKAU OUTPLAYED PONSONBY'S FINE RUGBY Seldom has such wonderfully exhilarating ' and interesting football been witnessed at I the Epsom Show Grounds as that provided ! on Saturday when Manukau. the championship letidcr. tasted defeat for the first occasion this season at the hands of a completely revitalised Ponsonby side. Manukau i failed to crosw Ponsonby's line, its points i accruing from penalty goals. Features of i the game were the thrill; of the less-fancied side rattling its more formidable opponent, fine forward play, and stout tackling by both teams. Although beaten in every phaso of the came. Manukau. in the final quarter of an hour, with Heazlewood electing to play in the five-eighths line, made despairing although belated efforts to reduce the leeway amid excited barracking by what must have been the season's record crowd for the Show Grounds. Admirably led by Solomon and Bond, the Ponsonby forwards went off at a great pace, hustling and bustling their opponents about all over the field, and keeping the Manukau defence hard at it. .The Manukau rearguard. which was minus Brimble, had little of the ball with which to display its pace. Following a forward rush. Potter, the exGrammar forward, forced his way across. Then Bond swerved his way over somewhat cleverly for another try, and, following a fine back movement. Carter scored a capital try. Pearman converted two tries, and so Poneonby led at half-time by l;t points to 0. Ponsonby sustained its offensive throughout the second spell, which incidentally was characterised by a good spice of violence. Following a brilliant Ponsonby back movement. Moses scored, and later, breaking away from a scrum near half-way. Frankham feinted his way rather elusively past several .Manukau players for a nice try. It was a real gem of elusive cleverness. Meanwhile Heazlewood. with two excellent penalty goals, registered his side's only points. The Ponsonby forwards dominated proceedings in every phase of forward play, overshadowing a Manukau pack of no mean calibre. Bond, who hooked with notable success, found plenty of speed and stamina to join the forays, and was the outstanding forward on the ground. He obtained capital support from Fraser. Thomas, Potler and Somers. The whole eight were fast to cover up in defence and none was better in this than Solomon. Behind the paclc Frankliam and Jamieson. who revealed glimpses of his former mercurial play, combined well together, while Pearman and Hook introduced plenty of zest into their play. The wings, Moses and Carter. proved very speedy and guileful, while Colebrook at fullback got through his work efficiently. For Manukau. Pepper and Pearce produced footwork every bit as good as_that of the opposition, and Constable and Kereopa did useful work in the fight. Prone to run across field on the rather few occasions on which they obtained possession, the backs were harassed throughout by a most watchful .defence. Berrid&e. however, rose to great heights at times, then lapsed into mediocrity. Heazlewood produced his usual fine game, and when he went to five-eighths his place was ably filled by Wells, a newcomer to senior football. At the conclusion of the match F. Solomon, the Ponsonby skipper, and hi« team, received a great ovation. The final score was: Ponsonby. 19: Manukau. 5. Mr. J. B. Finlnyson was referee. GRAFTON BEATS MARIST EXCITING END TO MATCH In nil exciting finish on No. 2 ground at Eden Park. Grafton defeated Marist by 17 1 points to 12, after Marist had led 9—o at half-time and 12—11 at a later Binge. After a somewhat dull first spell, play livened up considerably after resumption. Excitement rose to a high pitch toward the finish, but the game was seldom high-class football. Both packs played vigorously, and gave the backs plenty of the ball, but poor passing among the rearguard robbed many movements of success. The Grafton backs were superior to their opponents, and both the wingers, Currey—who scored a brilliant try—and Savory, were dangerous when in possession. Paton, fullback, had an off day, and was frequently bustled. The stalwarts. Finla.vson and McLean, led the forwards well, and others who were often prominent were Smith, Shadbolt and Har- ! die. On the whole the team deserved il« success, although there were times when Marist seemed to have the ascendancy. The Marist pack put in a lot of solid scrummaging, and it. is difficult to discriminate among the forwards. The backs lacked combination, but good individual exhibitions were given by Muller, five-eighths, and 8011-Booth, wing-threequarter. Grafton's points comprised tries by Inglis, Savory. Currey and Dick, and a conversion and a penalty goal by Paton. For Marist, Toye. Smith and Fowler scored tries, and Bell-Booth kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. G. C. Wales was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Grade B.—Technical Old Boys, 11, Parnell, 3; Eden won from Eastern Suburbs by default; Grammar Old Boys, 9, Manukau, 0: North Shore, 14. University, ti. ... Junior Grade.—Waitemata, 11, Technical Old Boys, 0; Otahuhu, 22. Marist, 0: Suburbs won from Newton by default: University A, 6, Grafton. Colts, 3: Ponsonby, 22, College Rifles, 6; Eden, 9, Mauukau, 3: Ta<capuna, 19. Oratia. 3: Grammar Old Boys, 3, Northcote, 0. . Third Grade Open.—l Old Boys. 6. Eastern Suburbs, t>; Eden, 3, North Shore, 0: College Rifles, 17, Howick. 3. _ Third Grade Intermediate.—Technical Old Boys, 19, North Shore. 0; Otahuhu. 0. Pnrnoil, 3- Suburbs. 12, Grammar Old Boys. 3: College Rifles, 16, Northcote. 8; Manukau, 11. Y.M.C.A.. C. win Fourth Grade.-Suburbs, 14. Maiiukan. 0: Grammar Old Boys. 7. Marist, 0: L<len. 2:). Otahuhu, 0; Technical Old Boy 3. o, Northcote, 6: Ponsonby. 12, Takapuna, 0. Fifth Grade. Ponsonby, 8. Grafton. 0: Suburbs. 11. Marist. 0: Technical Old Boys, 2?. Manukau. (J; Kdeu. 17. Takapuna. 5. Sixth Grade.--Parnell. 15, Ponsonby. 0: Technical Old Boys. 53. Otahuhu. 0: Manukau, 11. Northcote. 3. Junior Boys.-Senior grade- Eden. 17. Eastern Suburbs. 0; Suburbs. 19. Takapuna. 3. grade: Eastern Suburbs. 9 Eden, 8: Suburbs. '29, Manukau. 0; Good Shepherd. 3. St. Barnabas', 3: Manuloiu. 0. Y.M.C.A., 5. Junior grade: Parnell. 35. Good Shepherd, 9; Newton. f>, Takapuna. 0. SOUTHERX CHAMPIONSHIPS [nv tet,kc;rapit—puksr association] Wellington.—Old Boys. 13, Poneke, 0; Marist,, 12, Athletic. 9; Hut't, 9. Petone, S; Eastbourne. 6. Wellington, 3. Second division: St. I'ntrick's Old Boys. 12. Oriental. 0; .Tohnsonville, 15. University. 6; Berhampore, 14. Melroee-Selwyn, 5. Christchurch. —Merivnle, 12, Christchurch, 6; Albion, 23. University. 8: Old Boys, 11, Lin wood, 5; Sydenham, 9, Athletic, G. Dunodin.—Knikorai. 32. Taieri. 8; Southern. 19. Albmnbra, 3; Zingnri, 11, Pirates, 8: Union, 10, Dunedin.,B. New Plymouth.—The Taranaki Rugby Union's matches resulted: Tukapa, 20. Waimate. 12: Pa tea, 12, Opunake, 0: Stratford United Old Boys, 13, Clifton, 9; Star, 18, Inglewood, 8; Stratford. 9, Okinawa, 6; New Plymouth Old Boys. 23. Empire Old | Boys, 14; Eltham. 0. Kaponga, 0. Masterton—The Wairarapa Rugby Union's matches resulted: Carterton, 18, Gladstone, 3; Old Boys. 12. Greytown, 3; Martinborough, 2fi, Red Star, l>; E eaf herston, 20, Masterton, S. TOUR CANCELLED WAIRARAPA TEAM [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] MASTERTON, Saturday The Wairarapa Rugby Union has reluctantly decided to abandon its tour this season of Auckland, Taranaki, North Auckland and Waikato, as such would prove too great a drain on its resources. The only representa•tivc fixtures Wairarapa will play this year are against Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Manawatu and Bush.