RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21823, 11 June 1934, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FURTHER EXCITING GAMES GRAFTON AND GRAMMAR DRAW MANUKAU TAKES LEAD AGAIN The seventh series of matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship was productive of further close and interesting contests, that between Grafton' and Grammar on the oval at Eden Park providing a finish as thrilling as the majority of the games played at headquarters this season. The large crowd had its interest sustained right to the very end, as the teams were level in points, 14-all, and Grafton's . last-minuto desperate effort to pull the game out of the fire, had the spectators right on thoir toes. A draw was a satisfactory result on the general run of the play. University showed something more in keeping with its true form by defeating College Rifles on No. 2 ground. By its success over Marist at Onehunga, Manukau once more assumed the lead for the chajnpionship, being a point ahead of Grafton. Otahuhu played a drawn game with Fonsonby at tho Show Grounds, each side scoring eight points. Technical Old Boys had a bye. Tho playing fields at Eden Fark wero in good order after heavy rain, although some of the other areas were slippery. Following were the results of the senior matches: — Grafton,/14; Grammar, 14. University, 14; College Ritles, 8. Otahuhu, S; Ponsonbv, 8. Manukau, 8; Marist, 3. A THRILLING FINISH KEEN PLAY AMONG FORWARDS The main , match at Eden Park between the Grafton and Grammar teams was productive of spme remarkably fine forward play. Both packs went to work with a will from the kick-off. and there was no let-up until the final whistle. There was a great tussle for possession of the ball in tho gcrums and'line-outs. Honours were about even in tho earlier scrums, but Grammar was more successful in the second spell, while its bigger forwards secured more of the ball on the line-outs. The contest, however, was by no means confined to the forwards, as the backs on both sides attempted to open up the game at every opportunity. The outcome was that there was always plenty to occupy the at- . tention of the spectator. Unfortunately for Grafton. Stuart was a very weak link, and this prevented the speedy threequarter line from displaying its real worth. Ingli3 played a very fine game behind the ecrum, setting his .line going from all angles. It was an excellent performance against such'a solid pack. The other backs, with the exception of Stuart, all played good games. Paton was safe at fullback, his chief mistake being in permitting Corner to run past him to score. The Grafton fullback had his kicking boot 3 on, and this enabled the side to finish on level terms.

The Grafton pack deserves great credit for its sterling performance. Finlayson was always in the thick of everything, while McLean looked for the open play. All the other forwards deserve praise for their grit. Credit for Grammar's 14 points can be awarded almost solely to a very fine pack of forwards and brilliant play by Corner. Apart from the last-named, the other backs were inconsistent, from the first five-eighths right back to Matheson. With the amount of ball they received, the Grammar backs .should have been capable of a much better showing. ' ' ,

There was not an idler in the Grammar pack, and some of the forward rushes in the second spell were worth going a long way to see. A tendency to offside play and foolish breaches round set and loose scrums cost the team- numerous penalties, otherwise Grammar would have won. Morgan was the best forward on the field. C. Brown retired late with an injury, sustaining slight concussion./

Corner was the outstanding player on the field, his all-round exhibition being equal to anything 1 he has shown during his career. His try was a beauty. Getting possession from a scrum near Grafton's twenty-five he wa3 through an opening round the side in a flash. He left Paton standing with a swerve and, although others touched him with their hands, they were unable to hold him. On other occasions Corner varied his play cleverly by using a short punt to a gap and giving his forwards an opportunity of ewoopnig down on the opposing backs.

Grafton led at hslf ; time by 8 points to 6. For Grafton Paton kisked a penalty goal and Dick scored a try which Paton converted. Gillett scored for Grammar and Slyfield kicked a penalty goal. Corner's try. already described, was obtained two minutes after_ resuming, and then Grammar led by a point. A penalty goal by Paton saw Grafton in the lead again, and a 6imilar ecore a quarter of an hour later increased Grafton's lead to 14—9.

The succession of penalty kicks appeared to annoy some of the Grammar forwards, and one of their number woe warned during a scuffle near the side line. A stab kick by Corner was emartly followed up. and a well-sustained rush ended in a try for Pollock. Slyfield equalled the score with a fino conversion. Play during the closing stages was particularly lively, Grafton providing the final thrills by going full out for victory. Savory was pushed into touch right at the corner and the whistle sounded with tho result a draw, 14-all. Mr. C. /W. Henderson was referee. UNIVERSITY'S SUCCESS SUPERIOR BACK PLAY Making'good use of its speedy backs. University held a lend of 9—3 at half-time over College Rifles, and the score was a fair indication of the piny, although University had had most of the luck. Right at tho end of the epell Cauflhry was pulled down on the line after a great burst through. A converted try to College Rifles soon after the resumption put it within one point of University, and play becamo very keen. The College Rifles backa were now combining better and. with tho forwards doing great work, the University team had to put in a speil of hard defensive play. Tho effort, however, spent itself, and in the closing stages University's backs again dominated the. gamo. Kedgley lost a certain try by knocking the ball on, and shortly afterwards Lewis went over with a great dash down the sideline, but he had put his foot out. The final scoro came from a great combined movement, started in tho University tuenty-fivo by Bush, in which backs and forwards handled perfectly. Kedgley finally scoring between the posts. The try was convertecl and the game ended soon afterwards with the score:—University, 14. College Rifles, R. j The University backs worked better than they have done since the first match of tho season, nrjd their price and clean handling made them always dangerous. Bush played a very fine game in the fullback position, his exhibition being practically faultless. The' ihreequarter line, with more opportunities thrui usual, gave a fnste of its quality, both wings, especially Lewis, showing up well. Mulvihill displayed a pleasing return to icrm, and wns a strong factor in the University attack. Inglis. reinstated as half, and Jenkin wjire both reliable. The forwards Tvere up against a strong pack, and wern much improved, giving their backs a good share of the ball, McVeagh and Sherwood were tireless workers, and of the others Lnnge was often prominent. McCormick was the best of tho College Rifles backs, and wns responsible for some beautiful 'openings. Wnles had a hard task cheeking Cnughey and came through with credit. Thompson, at half, wns about the soundest of tho other hacks, nil of whom played well, but were unfortunate to strike university in scoring mood. Kirk player! another safe fullback game. The Colleee Rifles pack was generally superior in the tight, but failed to finish off Its efforts by scoring. Stone and Batlj' worked well. University's score consisted of tries »by Mulvihill and Kedgley (2). one being convfrted by Bush, who also kicked n penalty goal. The points for College Rifles wero made up of tries by Brown and McCormick, oni being converted by Wnles. Mr. J A. Malcolm was referee.