RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22239, 14 October 1935, Page 17

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GRAFTON MAINTAINS LEAD grammar defeats PONSONBY Another series of matches in the senior championship of the Auckland Pugby Union was played on Saturday, when hard ground conditions were encountered/ Many clubs fielded teams which included players from lower grades. The leaders in the competition, Grafton, scored a fairly comfortable victory over Manukau at Waikaraka Park, Onehunga, thus maintaining its lead of one point over Technical Old Povs, which won by defaulr from "University. Grammar Old Boys proved too good for Pons6nby in their meeting at Western Springs, while Otahnhu defeated College Rifles at the Show Grounds. Marist drew the bye. Following are the results of the matches: —• Grafton, 14; Manukau, 6. Grammar Old Boys, 23; Ponsonby, 11. Otahuhu, 16; College Rifles. 9.

SUPERIOR FORWARDS SECRET OF GRAMMAR'S WIN The harassing tactics of the Grammar Old Boys' forwards, combined with the smooth functioning >of the rearguard, effected the defeat of Ponsonby at Western Springs Stadium by 23' points to 11, and its elimination from' the Auckland Rugby Inion s senior championship. The ground being hard, play was enlivened by brisk, open attacks. although there were drab passages owing to aimless kicking and movements. At no time did Grammar's superiority seem jeopardised. ... , , „ A vigorous beginning was made by (.mammar and Ponsonby's defence was severely tested. The Grammar pack .vas fur more - successful in the scrums, but much of the good work was neutralised by the fiveeighths, who in the early stages were freonently incapable of passing the opposing forwards and five-eighths, by whom they •were quickly surrounded upon receiving the hall from the halfback. Swain. The Gram--4 mar forwards, however, played a robust game, packing tightly and co-operating in determined and effective loose rushes. 11l several set scrums the Ponsonby forwards were pushed yards back off the ball. Au the game progressed the Grammar fiveeighths, Sly field and King, showed to better advantage, being instrumental in sending their supports away on rushes marked by teamwork of an exhilarating type. Although handicapped by being behind a beaten pack the Ponsonby inside backs acquitted themselves well and collectively were much more convincing than the opposing insides. Of these Slyfield was the sounder and made some useful bursts, yet marled his exhibition by holding on too lcn?. Very little slacking was in evidence among the Grammar forwards in tight work. In a fine pack Mcßeth. A. Brown and C. Brown were noticeable for their efforts, and two others repeatedly prominent in loose rushes were Knight and Don. Swain was again impressive, as halfback, letting his backs have the ball without hesitation, at the same time blending cunning variations in his play. The centre, Fletcher, supplied thrust to the Grammar attack by his strong, straight running, and his cohesion with the wingers. Kelly, on the, right wing, displayed oommendafcie determination and this gave him his second try. McGowan, at fullback, was apt to be bustled, but he made some good saves. Unlike Grammar, the Ponsonby forwards were seldom a concerted force, losing touch with one another in loose rushes. For individual skill Solomon W. Knight. M. Fraser and Bond continually attracted attention, the hst-named particularly bein,? at the head of nearly every lueh. ihe halfback, Frankham. was alert and resourceful. and did some fine defensive work. Jiroifson was patchy as five-eighths. his reluctance to part with the ball losing one ctttaiin try.' Pearman was steady and participated m several bright movements. Ihe threequarter line did not function freely, the Grammar tackling causing a good deal of rnnning across the field. During the first spell Slyfield kicked, a penalty goal and Grammar's score was increased by two tries, obtained by Kelly and A. Brown respectively, one bein.? converted by Slyfield. Pearman kicked a goal for Ponsonby. Shortly after play was resumed Jamieson scored and converted. Slyfield kicked another penalty goal, after which fine play by the Grammar backs produced another two tries by Kelly. Jamieson then succeeded with a shot from a penaltv. but A. Brown gained Grammar s fifth try. the final score being:—Grammar. 83: Ponsonby. 11. , Mr C. P. Beecroft was referee.

GRAFTON VICTORIOUS DEFEAT OF MANUKAU Fielding a team including ten junior players, the Manukau side was beaten on ltg borne ground at Onehunga by Grafton by 14 points to 6. There was a good attendance. , Grafton opened play with a series of back attacks, the forwards sending the ball Hack on every opportunity. Manukau was penalised and Paton kicked a penalty goal. Two more penalties were awarded against Manukau. but Grafton failed to make use of them. Grafton wns keeping Manukau well •on the defensive nnd but for a solo effort by Brimble the home team rarely looked dangerous. Grafton's second try was trie result of passing between Paton and Killeen ending in a try to Paton, who converted his own try. ... » The second spell opened with hard football among the forwards, when a Manukau forward, Wiklund. was prdered off. Though one man short, the Manukau pack worked with spirit and held their opponents valiantly. <The backs were given more chances and Brimble supplied the necessary thrust. Manukau's first points cams from an opening from. Brimble, the ball being transferred to Berricige, thence to Heighwny, who Mored in the corner. ~ . t Grafton retaliated with a side-line burst by Dick which ended in a try too far out for Paton to convert. A penalty goal was kicked by Berridge, but Grafton went furahead with a try from a .movement between Inglis, Killeen and Mills, the latter securing the try. For the Grafton team Paton and Killeen in the backs, nnd Mills in the forwards. *ere outstanding. Of the Manukau players Brimble and Berridge played fine games in the back division. Dr. L. H. Briggs was referee.

OTAHUHU'S SUCCESS " AN UNINTERESTING CONTEST The game at the Show Grounds between Otahuhu and College Rifles was mainly a •(tenuous, but uninteresting, forward one wnich produced very few concerted pack Movements. In the first spell College Rifles ""d clear territorial advnntane and appeared t 0 have a splendid chance of succe«. but itfter the interval Otuhuhu rallied »«JP#fly and won comfortably. Otuhuhu scored first. Haydon, wmg-three-QUjrter. made a strong dash before sending infield to Beyer, who had raced up f r °m 'B9 fullback position. Beyer crossed at the corn er and'converted his try with a beauti- ™ kick. College Rifles reduced defiijlfcy five minutes later when Kirk, from "O yards out. potted a field goal. • For the next fifteen minutes College Rifles •'tacked strongly, its energetic and willi jP®, forwards keeping play contitiuiilly in vtahuhu territory. Otahuhu recovered lust before the interval, however, and a quick •J e ®l from a loose scrum, with the opposing barks out of position, enabled the entire back line to handle before Lee scored at the flag, half-time score was:—Otahuhu, 8; College/ Rifles, 4. , Otahuhu increased its lead soon after the the backs giving another glimpse °" Rood football. Williams drew his man »nd sent Hedge over for a try. The Col ;5; Is&e Rifles tram was undaunted and its "rwards battled their way to Otahuhu s where Batty scorod and Funnel! con parted. From this stage Otahuhu main- . Willed the ascendancy, and, wheif Hedge ®ade an opening. Haydon scored (inopposed. Beyer converted, and the game ended with |f th * score:—Otahuhu, 16; College Rifles, 9. % , "oor tackling characterised the play of n °th teams. There was an abundance of and high tackling throughout, which enabled attacking movements to penetrate wuch further than they normally would nave done. 'j. The Otahuhu backs were better thnn their ?rponents and they provided the few excit* movements of the contest. Hedge, playlßS at centre-threequarter, was' the most •mterprising back on the field and he made ®any clever openings. His backing up on Oafence was excellent, but his tackling was aaie. ' Beyer played his usual ate%dy

fullback game and his long niul accurate lino kicks saved his forwards a great amount of work. Lee, on the wins, displayed improved handling and several times outwitted and outpaced his opponent. Lazarus, Ross anc] "Williams played solid forward games in a fast and willing, but overeager, pack.

The College Rifles rearguard contained lower grade members and did not function smoothly. Wales wrs conspicuous for good individual piny, while Tilly was prominent on defence. The pack dominated the first spell, but it faded in the latter part of the game and was by no means as forceful or effective as previously. Bunting and Batty employing bustling tactics played sound forward games, while Birtwistle gave a firstclass exhibition in the loose. Mr L Rny was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Junior Representative Match.—Auckland. 20, Thames Valley, 13. House Matches.—A, Yates, 10, J. J, Craig. 7; Retail Chemists, 29. Wholesale Chemists, 9. POSITION OF TEAMS

Ptfl. Ch. Grafton P. W. L. D. F. A. Pta. 15 9 5 1 165 132 19 Technical O.B. 14 8 4 2 166 106 17 Grammar O.B. 13 7 4 2 160 147 16 Otahuhu 14 8 6 175 146 16 Ponsonby 14 6 5 8 193 173 15 Marist 14 7 6 1 171 167 15 University 12 5 5 2 1&1 190 11 Manukau 14 3 8 3 121 ' 1G2 9 College "Rifles 13 3 10 — 115 229 6