RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 21

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CLOSE OF THE SEASON REPRESENTATIVES' RECORD CHAMPIONSHIP TO TECHNICAL A protracted llugby season wft 1 - brought to a conclusion in Auckland on Saturday afternoon when the senior championship was finalised, lechnical Old Boys defeating Grammar Old Boys in a keenly-contested match at the Show Grounds. The season has been an outstanding one from many points of view. Early interest was created by the playing of several trial matches throughout the Dominion preparatory to the selection of the All Blacks who are now in Great Britain. Auckland's representation in the touring combination comprised the following seven players:—T. H. C. Caughev, H. M. Brown, D. Solomon, M. M. N. Corner, W. E. Hadlcy, C. S. Pepper and H. F. .McLean. This was universally regarded as being a remarkably fine representation from any one union. Tbo Auckland representative team held the Ranfurly Shield at the beginning of the season, but, after staving; off a challenge from North Auckland, lost the trophy to Canterbury. Jn all, nine matches were played, including one against the Maori team after its return from Australia. Five games were won and four lost. This does not look a wonderful record on paper, but, when it is considered that Auckland lost the services of seven All Blacks—almost half its team —it must bo considered that the team did very well indeed. A succession of injuries upset the team, and the sole selector, Mr. J. H. Muir, was worried very early in the season in this respect. However, he was not afraid to try out players, and he eventually got together a team whose record must compare favourably with that of any other province. For instance, the four losses were by two points, three points, four points and six points respectively. On the other hand, the wins were all by fairly substantial margins. Taken all round, therefore, Mr. Muir is to be heartily congratulated upon the success he made of his first year as sole selector. The record of matches is as follows: v. North Auckland, at Whangarei.— Won, 21—5. v. North Auckland, at Auckland.— Won, 29—8. v. Taranaki, at New Plymouth.—Lost, 29—3 i. v. Canterbury, at Auckland.—Lost, 13—16. v. Maoris, at Auckland.—Lost, 10 —14. v. Hawke's Bay, at Auckland. —Won, 22—13. v. Southland, at Auckland.—Won, 26—12. v. Otago, at Auckland.—Lost, 11—7. v. Wellington, -at Auckland —Won, 28 —14. Points for, 189; against, 130. THE CHAMPION FIFTEEN CLUB'S SUCCESSFUL SEASON The Technical Old Boys' Club is to be heartily congratulated upon its winning of the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship. The club was formed in 1920 and entered senior A grade in 1929 This year marked its first success in tho-senior championship. The real reason for the team's victory was the players' strict adherence to training, combined with a splendid I club and team spirit. Haslam and TurI bott were the mainstays of the backs, while Lash's goal-kicking was an important factor. Aro, Murdoch and Oldbury all played well, the lastnamed being unfortunate in dislocating his shoulder in the semi-final of the Jubilee Cup competition. Weber, August, A. Keane and MoKenzie were the outstanding forwards, the two firstnamed being the only two of average forward size. Weber, Haslam, Turbott and Murdoch all gained representative honours, while several of the team secured places in the B representative fifteen. The team was very capably coached by Mr. R. F. Galbraith, and captained by M. Turbott. The lastnamed was recently married, and, in honour of the occasion, the senior team made him a presentation after last Saturday's game. ' The Technical Club as a whole had a very successful season. Apart from winning the senior championship and Gallaher Shield, the first grade team won the Jubilee Trophy competition. The junior, third and third intermediate teams were all runners-up in their i respective grades, while the fifth grade : team won that particular championship. As the result of the good performI aiices of all its junior teams the club won the Southland Shield, awarded for the highest average of points scored by the three best junior teams. Technical gained the remarkably fine average of 92.7 points. It has alwaj's been the : club's policy to encourage its junior members, and this is borne out by the fact that several members of the successful senior team commenced in the fifth grade. Juniors filled the places of injured senior players with the greatest credit.

REACHING FINALITY METHOD OF PLAYING OFF There has been a good deal of misunderstanding as to how the senior championship came to be finalised last Saturday, and it requires some explaining. The positions of the three leading teams prior to tho special meeting of delegates last Wednesday night was as follows: —Grafton, played 15, championship points ; 19; Technical, played 14 championship points, 18; Grammar, played 13, championship points, 16. At this stage Grafton had to play College Rifles, Technical had to play Ponsonby and Marist, and Grammar had to play Otahuhu, Manukau and College Rifles. The delegates for teams other than the three leaders agreed to withdraw from the competition and allow the points for the unplayed games to be credited to the leading teani£. This brought the championship points to the following:—Technical, 22; Grammar, 22; Grafton, 21. It was thereupon resolved to finalise tho competition by playing off tho two teams with most points —Technical and Grammar. As Technical won, the points finished as follows: —Technical, 24; Grammar, 22; Grafton, 21. THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS AUCKLAND GRAMMAR'S SUCCESS Although the competing teams in the Auckland secondary schools' Rugby football competition were reduced to four, this season's contest was an interesting and a close one. The championship went to Auckland Grammar for tho seventh successive time. The positions of the teams in the championship ended as follows: Pts. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pi*. Auckland (Trnmmur 0 4 1 1 7C> 49 9 Mt. Albert Grammar 6 3 1 2 67 38 8 Sacred Heart .. 6 3 2 1 29 23 7 King's College .. 6 0 0 0 18 80 0