RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

JUBILEE TBOPHiY GAMES OTAHUHU BEATS TECHNICAL A DISAPPOINTING MATCH Windy conditions prevailed for tho It |hi r d series of matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition for the Jubileo Trophy 011 Saturday. All grounds were in fair order. The principal game at Eden Park between 'Otahuhu and Technical produced little',exciting football, Otahuhu winning by a margin of fire \j points. •* Better .Rugby was witnessed in the curtain-raiser game, in which Pongonby beat Training College after , being six points behind at half-time. Grafton travelled to North Shore, where, in a , bright and open game, it prevailed over the home. team comfortably.. A ragged exhibition between University and Manukau y at Sturges Park, Otahuhu, resulted in a win for the former team, a great potted goal by R. G. Bush, the University fullback, being the deciding factor. For the first time this season a senior grade match was played at .the Western Springs stadium, where, after ft very closely-contested game, Grammar scored a single-point win over College Rifles, M'arist had the bve. Following are the results 'of Saturday's matches:— Otahuhu, la; Technical, 8. Ponsonby, 23; Training College, 19. Grammar, 14; College Rifles, 13. Grafton, 19; North Shore, 8. University, 10; Manukau, 6. NUMEROUS ERRORS V ■■ . BOTH TEAMS LOSE TRIES S3 n ■ The chief game between Otahuhu and Technical was disappointing:, in spite of tna fact that a strong wind interfered with play. side made numerous errors. Playing with the wind in the first spell, Otahuhn nged it to gotid advantage, with the exception of over-strong .kicking by the backs, this allowing -Technical to force down without much difficulty. Otahuhu led at half-time by 13 points t6 3. ( In the second spell the Technical forwards played well.in the loo.se and paved the way for a converted try. Otahuhu did not reveal the same form as that of the previous Satorday. Several times, when backs and forwards broke with only the fullback to beat, passes were either badly given or badly moiled, this costing the team tries.' Technical had difficulty in fielding a team approaching its usual strength, several reserve players being called upon. Blow, at fallback, played an erratic game, while Ansle.v, a forward, filled a wing threequarter position. '■ The outstanding Otahuhu back was Pearion, af centre. This, player did some brainy work and his try when he kicked through and gained possession on the bounce was a particularly fine effort. Hedge played another good game at five-eighths, and one brilliant qit-in of his should have resulted in an easy trv. Williams, usually halfback, filled the custodian position fairly well, while Brown showed ,great dash on the wing. Carroll, although injured in the second spell, did some good work on defence. - Among the forwards Williams. Jones and Meredith were always to the fore. > Technical was poorly served by its halfback, fieidi who failed to get the ball away tmtrily, and this hampered the five-oighths. Bather of whom was impressive. Byerley, it centre,, was easily the best back in a line which lacked combination. August, Cooper, Keane and Apps played well in the forwards. Twc Otahuhu players, Moyle and Bountree, retired in the second spell, while Technical lost August about ten minutes before time. ' Otahuhu played with the wind in the first spell and Technical was compelled to force three times in quick succession. Hedge once broke through but, with support offering, elected to pot and a likely try was lost. Otahuhn's first try came as a result of Byerley slipping and losing the ball. Pearson

gained possession at halfway and ran to Blow before Sending Halliwell over wide out. , After Meredith was held up on the goalline, the ball travelled across to Brown in a bright passing bout, the winger scoring at the corner. Pearson kicked a fine goal. Otahuhu scored its next try through a fine solo effort by Pearson, who kicked* high and followed' through. Two of his own side and the Technical fullback all over-ran the ball, bnt Pearson took the bounce well to cross in a handy position.. Hedge converted. The Tecbniral forwards pressed hard and McKenzie paved the way round the blind side of a sciuni for a try by Lash. The halftime score was:—Otahuhu, 13; Technical, 3. Early in the second spell, from a scrum on Otahahu's line, Reid dashed across for a • try beside the posts. Lash converted. Otahuhu lost a great chance when Hedge cut in brilliantly, but a high pass from. Pearson to Brown was not accepted. The final score was:—Otahuhu, 13; Technical, 8. Mr. A. A. Lucas was referee.

WIN FOR PONSONBY

SECOND SPELL RECOVERY After being six points behind at halftime, Ponsonby made a characteristic recovery in the second spell of its game with Training College, tt win by 23 points to 39. Training College commenced the second half in good style? Grant scoring a brilliant try, which ,Hate converted. From this static Ponsonby's combined attacks were too well executed and Training College was compelled to yield the lead. The losing team made a t , itont effort to retrieve thp position in the final frw minutes, but none of its move-' ments looke.i really dangerous. Training College gave a bright exhibition in the first half, the forwards, with the aid ol the breeze, holding their oppon- ) ents wen However, it was the ability to handle and the dash of the Ponsonby vanguard that proved too much for Training Collegs after the interval. Hook. Ponsonby and Hare, Training College, the two fullbacks, both played outstanding football, there being little to choose between them on the day. Hook was tackled in possession once or twice when he had plenty of time to get in his kick, but otherwise his display was faultless. Hare displayed initiative in often coming up into line with his backs to set them in motion. He had baa luck with his goal-kicking, several fine efforts being carried just outside the posts ,by the variable wind. He made a "he attempt to save the game with a field Wal againsjt the wind from mid-field, the tall missing narrowly. The Ponsonby backs were always dangerous in possession, every member requiring close attention. The Training College back 9 were quick to realise this and played very close up throughout. I). Solomon played soundly in- the Ponsonby five-eighths, but was inclined to overd" the cut-in. He excelled at and his good try in the second Bpell wa„' the result- of his alertness in this respect. Jamiesoi. was elusive and quick off the mark. A fine cnt through on his part Paved tae way for Ponsonby s first try, the five-eighths passing on to Hay, who outpaced the defence. Moses, on the wing, had few [MI change?, but paved the way for a try oy veering infield frcm the sjdeline, beating three opponents and running almost to the line before passing to Carson, who scored. , Grant, on the Training College wing, was the outstanding thrcequarter on the field, his two tries being splendid individual efforts. ,Silcock, behind the scrum, was also impressive. His passes were swift and welldirected, and his try round the blind side was n Pretty one. , , , . . F. Solomon was the winning team s best forward, bein in almost every movement. He was very hard to stop and once broke clean through the defence to pass to Carson for a good try. Solomon was well supported bv Carson and Knight, both of whom were rewarded with tries. Dobbin and Armitage were prominent it the Training College vanguard. Ponsoiib.v» tries were scored by Carson (2), Hi>y, T>. Solomon and Knight, four being converted, by Hook. For Training College prant (d), Dobbin and Silcock scored tries, two of were converted by Hare, who also kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. G. C. Wales was referee. AN EVEN CONTEST VICTORY BY A POINT Hard but nninteresting play characterised Jne game at Western Springs Stadium, where nl?i nun * t registered a one-point win over J-ollew JRiflcs. a sodden field militated against Mtball Both sides endeavoured in the •Jrst spell to open np play,: but- with ylittle sS and after the change-over the game «*olv«I itself into a Vigorous-forward contest. fifteen was slightly superior departmiuts and the 8 ? ore °i Points to 13 was a fair indication of 6 «ren s th of the teams.

Grammar soon took play into its opponents quarters. -After a close passing rush in front, of the posts. Sp.ittal received the ball and ran over to open the scoring. Spittal demonstrated the value of a speedy wing by aflraiiv evading- his opponents to touch down. The Grammar rearguard proved a strong combinalion. Cata, at first five-eighths, did'much effective work on attack, while on defence he was very safe. Flett, the other five-eighths, gave able support. On the left wing Kelly lacked chances, hut in possession he showed that he possessed the qualities of a good wing. A useful pivot at centre, McKay handled faultlessly in spite of h greasy ball. Coimer, behind the scrum, sent the ball away quickly and cleanly and sometimes broke through the defence alone. King was sound in the fullback position. Slyfield was the pick or the forwards. He seemed to be on the ball all the time and was very prominent in the loose. Buckley, a breakaway, gave a good display, while A. Brown tackled well and used his speed in the loose. College Rifles had a slight advantage in the set scrums, Fassmore's hooking being clean. Pike and Bunting led the attacks and bore the brunt of the work, while Barker was also prominent. Thompson, behind the scrum, gave a neat display. Ho paved the way for one try and made numerous .dangerous moves. Wales and Vear combined well and were given good suppoiri by Tilly. The wingers, Anderson' and Griffiths, saw little of the ball. Russell, fullhack. was too slow in his movements. , ' Spittal (:>), Brown and Kelly scored tries for Grammar, Corner converting one. For College Biftes, Gunn, Barker and Vear scored tries,' Wales converting two. Mr. H. B. Craig was referee. r • . NORTH SHORE BEATEN GRAFTON BACKS IN FORM Grafton defeated North Shore by 19 points to. 8 at North Shore on Saturday in a game that was notable chiefly for Grafton's clever back play and accurate kicking. Play was fast .inrt willin throughout. North Shore showed itself to bit? a weak team that almost completely lacked cohesion. Its back play, however, showed definite signs of improvement. There was scoring right from the opening of play, J. Anderson getting over for Grafton within a minute or two of the commencement, Pearm.in converting. Within a minute or two Finlayson equalised for North Shore and Jessup converted. Prominent throughout the game, Jessup was a tower of strength to the North Shore team. Grafton assumed an early lead when Bunting threw his weight about and appeared to toss the whole opposing team aside to score another try, which brought Grafton f s total to eight. Paton" w'a'i Grafton's next scorer with a neat penalty:-Johnson and Burgess also scored for Grafton Buiiting converting one. Just before the final whistle blew, Massey crossed the line for North Shore, making the final score: —Grafton. 19; North Shore, 8. Mr. C. i\ Paull was referee. WIN FOR UNIVERSITY PLAY BELOW STANDARD Ground conditions were against good football at Sturges Tark, Otahuhu, where University defeated Manukau by 10 points to 6. Play was of a ragged and rugged nature, with only rare flashes of combined handling work, and the sodden ground and slippery ball were handicaps that became greater as the game proceeded. University opened tho scoring when Brundell snapped up a loose ball and sent Drake through, for Kirkland to go over rtear the corner A.fter repelling a strong Manukau attack University went- further ahoad. Inlercepting a. loose oass. Medhurst broke clear and after" a piece of crisp reverse, passing McVeagh crossed well out. Manukan staged a series of s'rong attacks and Anderson and Pearce were held up near the line. At halftime the score was:—University, 0; Manukau, O. Manukau forwards opened strongly. An astute pass to Anderson enabled him to cut through and Schubert swerved and outpaced Bush to score a good try. The University pack harassed the defence and a return was fielded by Bush aßout 40 yards out. Steadying himself, he let loose a drop-kick which sailed over between the posts. Another effort of a similar nature just missed and then a Manukau rush yielded a score. From the scrum Anderson got away and:after cutting through and drawing the defence he passed to Schubert, who dived over as he was tackled near the corner. Manukau's defence was hard pressed toward the end, two kicks being charged down and scores narrowly averted. The game ended with the score:—University, 10; Manukau, 0. University's most impressive back was Brundell, a diminutive third grade halfback. He gave a plucky and skilful display, going down on the ball lepeatedly and foraging to advantage He was well supported by Comes and Coonny, until the last-named retired injnred. Brake, Lange and Medhurst were prominent in the pack. Littlejohn, Manukau s fullback, gave a fine display and never faltered under attack. Anderson and Schubert, were outstanding in the threequarter line. Pearce, Brown and Moir were good battlers in the tight. Mr. L. Bay was referee LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Grade B. —Northcote juniors, 14, Takapuna, 0; Suburbs, 37, Marist, 6; Parnell, 4, Manukau, 3; Eden, 13, University, 0. Second Grade. —Final: Technical, 6, Waitemata, 3. m „ Third Grade. —Grammar A, 5, Technical, 3. Fourth Grade. —Northcote, 16. Takapuna, 0; Panmure, 6, Manukau, 3. Fifth Grade.—Parnell, 9. Manukau, 0; Eden, 0, Suburbs, 3. Sixth Grade—St. George's, 25, Panmure, G; Suburbs, 6, Eden, 5. Junior Boys.—Senior grade: Eden, 12, Takapuna. 3; Suburbs, 13, Parnell, 5; Newton, 29. Mannkau, 9. ,

intermediate Grade.—Eden, 22, Takapuna, 6; Marist, 11, Suburbs, 0. Junior Grade. —Manukan, 15, Panmure. 0; Takapuna, 0, Suburbs, 0; Northcote, 30, Parnell. 0: Newton, 14, Eden, 0.

WIN FOR HAWKE'S BAY COLTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NELSON, Sunday In a Rugby football match played under fine conditions HawkeV Bay Colts overwhelmed Nelson by 37 points to 11. Hawke s Bay led at half-time by 21 points to 8. Play was fast, but not high-class. There were few clean scrums and few combined back movements. NORTH AUCKLAND MAORIS [by telegraph—own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Sunday The following team has been clujsen by the Maori Advisory' Board to represent Tokerau against East Coast at Ruatona for the King's Cup on Saturday-C. Wells (Whangarci), Sf Hona (Whangaroa), It. White (Whangarei). M. Walters (Northern Wairoa), Tahurangi, Taniora (Whangaroa). M. Burkbsirdt M- Panapa (Northern Wairoa), E. Pairama (Rodney). H. Whiu (Bay of Islands), W. Cooper (Auckland), P. Stanaway R. Flavell, B. Wordley (Northern Wairoa). 0. White (Whangarei). A. Napier (Mangonui). Reserves: Wirimu Kanara (Hokianga), J. Rodgers (Bay of Islands). Mr. Lou Parore, of Bargavilio, has been appointed manager. ' ' : MANAWATU BEATEN [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION*] PALMERSTON NORTH, Sunday Wellington defeated Man'awatu by 12 points to 11 in a match played in a strong wind, Both sides were without their best players owing to the test match with Australia. Spectacular Rugby waß staged, especially in the second half. NORTH OTAGO WINS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] OAMAKU, Sunday North Otago defeated Ashburton yesterday by 17 points to 6. North Otago led by 6 points to 0 at half-time, and dominated play in the second spell, RESULTS IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Christchurch. —Challenge Cup final: Sydenham, 11, Christchurch, 6.