RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22796, 2 August 1937, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

JUBIXEE TROPHY GAMES

TWO SURPRISE VICTORIES PONSONBY AND MANUKAU LOSE The senior championship of the Auckland Rugby Union was advanced a further stage on Saturday with the decision of the second scries of matches in the Jublico Trophy competition. Conditions were ideal and many closelycontested and attractive games wcro witnessed. Two surprise results were the defeats of Manukau and Ponsonby by, North Shore and Otahuhu respectively.

Otahuhu gained a convincing victory over Ponsonby in the main game at Eden Park, being clearly superior on the day in all departments, Ponsonby, however, was weakened by the absence of four key players, while the fullback had just previously played a strenuous game in tho curtain-raiser. Otahuhu scored its three converted tries in the early part of the first spell and thereafter tho Ponsonby defence improved. Many of the spectators were unable to follow the decisions of the

referee, who was vigorously counted out on two occasions. In a bright

curtain-raiser, tho Ponsonby junior grade defeated Grammar by 16 points to 8.

Mnrist easily defeated College Rifles on the No. 2 ground, although the latter team made a fine recovery in the second spell. The University rearguard, sharpened on attack by the reappearance of T. H. C. Caughey, the former All Black, proved too fast for Technical at the Show Grounds, while Grammar narrowly defeated Training College at Sturges Park. North Shore bustled Manukau throughout at Papakura to gain a well-merited victory. In a friendly match at Tuakau Grafton defeated the Franklin representatives by 16 points to 13. Following were the results: — Otahuhu, 15; Ponsonbv, 6.

Marist, 20; College Rifles, 12. University,' 16; Technical, 6. Grammar, 11; Trainings College, 10. North Shore, 11; Manukau, 8.

FIRST DEFEAT

WEAKENED PONSONBY SIDE In a game which was always bright and open and full of incident, but which seldom reached a high standard of football, Otahuhu caused a major upset by defeating the hitherto unbeaten Ponsonby fifteen in the leading attraction at Eden Park,. Badly weakened by the absence, on account of injuries, of Hay, centre-threequarter, D. Solomon, first five-eighths, Bond, hooker, and Sidford. the Auckland representative forward, Ponsonby could scarcely be recognised as the powerful fifteen which won the Gallaher Shield. It was no match for the dashing Otahuhu fifteen, which dominated the game for the most part, and the final result was never seriously in doubt. Chief honours for Otahuhu's fine victory must "be accorded its splendid forwards. Throughout the match they played as a pack, smashing down the field in concert on many occasions to place the side well on attack. In the set scrums they gained a large, share of the ball, while they also dominated the iine-outs. Foremost in an excellent display was Bellis. the Hawke's Bay forward, who is a decided acquisition to Auckland football. A fast and heavy player, he was _ one of the outstanding players of the game in a splendid exhibition. Grace, from Waikato, was always prominent in the loose, while Apps was a thorn in the Ponsonby defence with his fast-breaking and* spoiling tactics. Priest and Johns worked hard in the tight. The Otahuhu backs made many brilliant raids, but were handicapped by the poor display given by Hedge, who handled poorly and gave many shocking passes to his outside men. Moyle gave excellent service _ from the scrum, for Lawson, at first five-eighths, to provide the spearhead of the attack. He was the outstanding back on the field, and gave a very promising display. Halliwell, at fill Itback, gave one of his best exhibitions of the season, playing almost faultlessly throughout. Ponsonby was always at sixes and sevens, lacking cohesion and leadership both on attack and defence. In the second spell it made several of the fine team rallies for which it. is noted, but lack of finish prevented scores. Knight- and Eraser hearTed the vanguard, with Evans and Johnson also prominent. The outstanding backs were Frankham, halfback, who played a fine game nnder the circumstances. Donaldson, five-eighths, and ■Ramsay, the Kingman, who showed great determination in scorine an excellent- solo try.

For Otahuhu C. Williams, Moyle and Hulmc scored tries, all of which were converted by Halliwell. Donaldson and Ramsay scored for Ponsonby. Mr. G. Peace was referee.

SUPERIOR COMBINATION

GRAFTON BACKS IN FORM By varying its tactics in tho second spell the Franklin representatives pressed the Grafton fifteen to a close decision at Tuakau, in a match which produced spectacular football. Much interest centred in tho reappearance of H. P. McLean, who has bcch on tho sideline for some weeks, owing to an injury to his hand. McLean found touch with soveral fine' kicks and tackled solidly, but was not in the best of condition. Grafton owed its victory to superior combination among the backs, but the second spell saw somo impressive work by the Franklin team, which left little to be desired. Taken as a whole, Franklin held a decided advantago territorially. Hewitt proved a thorn in tho Grafton defence. The speedy winger made his presence felt lute in tho same, when the five-eighths, Barnab.v and Cathcart, showed better appreciation for the value of letting the ball out, alonj?tt o backs. McGuire, on the other wing, was starved of opportunities, but on the occasions he gained possession showed up well. In Hpitc of freciucnt knocks, Whiskey, at halfback, gave a plucky performance. At fullback Kcwish displayed an inability to .handle well. Passau, at cenire-tlirecciuartcr, played well, but wus effectively marked by Passmore. Grafton's halfback, Arkic, tune and again sent tho rearguard into action with fine passes. Killccn and Pearman revealed penetrativo abilities, and the threequartcr line was givn many opportunities. Prentice displayed qualities as a defensive player, while on attack his speed and capabilities earned deserved applause. Dick was responsible for a good display on the wing, and laton played soundly at fullback.

Finn determination marked the work of the Franklin forwards. Brown, the hooker, secured an equal share of the, scrummage honours. Carter was prominent in the loose play, with Wright, Hairs, Revcll and Jones in lino support. Bunting was best of the Grafton vanguard. He was conspicuous in (ho looao and tackled well. H. Anderson, Childs and McLean showed up to advantage, while the other forwards worked energetically. The Grafton pack was perhaps slightly overshadowed in the tight work. Tries for Grafton were scored by Prentice (2), Dick and McLean, Pcarnian con-, verting two, while Carter (•_') and Cathcart scored for Franklin, the latter converting two. Mr. E. Bush was rcfcrco.

POOR STANDARD

COLLEGE RIFLES DEFEATED Maris! ■ won fairly comfortably from College Hifles, principally because of superior combination, and, taking into account the fact that College Rifles; played a man short. The first half was notable for the poor football played by both sides. Dropped passes were frequent, set scrums brought many incidents of offside tactics, and more often than not the Marist backs were bunched together, with the inevitable result that scrambles around the scrum were regular affairs and play was constantly ragged. In the second spell College Rifles improved and reduced the big deficiency, although several promising movements broko down bccauso of mulled passes and knocks-on. The Marist half, S. Irvine, was too slow in getting the ball out to the five-eighths. Several times his booker secured the ball cleanly, but the half failed to gather, and was pounced on by the quick-breaking College Rifles forwards beforo ho could get rid of it. Both packs of forwards worked hard, but the standard of football generally was not high. , For Marist tries wcro scored by Cooney (2), D. Bailey and Toye. Rosenfeldt converted two and Cooney kicked a field goat. For College Rifles tries were scored by V ear, Dick, Duncan and Hull. The referco was Mr. C. F. Paul!.

WIN FOR UNIVERSITY

TECHNICAL'S STERN OPPOSITION

Few incidents of interest were witnessed during the University-Technical match at the Show Grounds. For the most part it was a forward scramble, and there was little cohesion among either sets of backs. Victory went to University 'mainly because of the superior speed anil attacking ability of its rearguard. The former All Black rentre-threequarter, T. H. C. Caughey, made his first appearance in the University backline this season. He scored the most attractive try of the match, after a strategic movement that was fully appreciated by the crowd. He was directly responsible for a further try and on defence was perhaps the most reliable man on the field. _ . The wenk link in University's combination was the hnlfback, Evans, whose passing from the scrum was very erratic. The first-five-eighths, Mulvihill, made the most of his opportunities, combining well with Martin, whose pace and backing up wero splendid. Hayman, the wing-threequarter, was right on his game, while Bush, at fullback, was not in his best form. »

The Technical forwards secured from most of tho scrums and line-outs, and through the agency of Bowrey, at hnlfbark, (hey were able to set up numerous penetrative movements. For most of the first spell Technical was attacking on University's line, but lacked the finish to crown the efforts. ByerIc.v and Thompson, on the wings, were always prominent, and good forward work was accomplished by Mackenzie and Mate. University's tries were scored by Hayman (2). Caughey and Martin. Bush converting two. Byerley and Thompson scored tries for Technical. Mr. J. Gasparich was referee.

GRAMMAR SUCCESSFUL

FINE DISPLAY BY HARE A strong rally by Training College over the last few minutes almost snatched victory from Grammar at Sturges Park in a game that was full of bright and open football. A brilliant field goal by Hare and a fine try by Thornton reduced the deficit to one point, with the kick at goal in hand. Although Hare's goal kick just missed, Grammar would havo been unfortunate to lose. In the opening stages Training College, with wind advantage, took up the attack, and Grammar led by three points only at the interval. Using the wind cleverly. Grammar pinned the opposition in its own twenty-five for practically the whole of the second spell. Grand work by Hare and the Training College inside backs repulsed many attacks, until Wagstaff weaved a way through from a scrum for King to convert. The display of Hare at fullback was the feature of the game. His line-kicking against the wind was very accurate, while his dropkicks'at goal merited a better fate. It was mainly on defence that' the Training College backs impressed. The inside men failed to penetrate and held over-long to the ball. Hoskins on tho wing made full use of his Tew opportunities, and Edwards, tho half, showed penetrative ability. Tho forwards battled gamely against a heavier pack and shared the honours in the scrums. Jordan. Thornton, Hammond and Thomas were most prominent. King played soundly at fullback for Grammar. His fielding end readiness to place ,his supports on attack were impressive. The backs combined well, but lacked finish. A. Brown the forward, was tried out on tho wing and showed fine aptitude, in strong running and handling. Wagstaff and Franich at five-eighths combined excellently. Spittal, on the wing, put in several determined runs, and Calo gave fine service behind the scrum. Lockington and "Walton were good open forwards, with Don and C. Brown also hard * grammar's tries wero scored by Cato and WagstafT. King converted one and kicked a penalty goal.' For Training College, Thornton scored a try, while Hare kicked a penalty and a field goal. Mr. A. A. Lucas was referee.

EXCITING PLAY POINTS TO NORTH SHORE Mnnukau was narrowly defeated by the improving North Shore team at Papakura. From the kick-off it could bo seen that North Shore was risht out for victory, its backs showing plenty of dash. Jesspp and Slyfield combined well in several passing movements. Cato, the halfback, was responsible for irood work in stopping many raids by the aggressive Manukau pack. From a good run, Spratt was tackled on tho line, but Galloway picked up and opened the scoring for North Shore with a (rood try. Pearce, tho All Black trainee, was playing a solid game at this stage. North Shorn continued to atack, first Littlcjohn and then Beehre being called upon to save, but a fine passing rush saw Spratt scoro a good try well out. Half-time sounded with tho scoro:— North Shore, S; Manukau, 0. Manukau played with more determination after the interval and from a tussle between the posts Godfrey dived over. Manukau continued to force the pace, Penrce, Godfrey and Simon playing well. Howcvfr, another fine North Shore back movement resulted in

McKinlay touching 1 down. Cunningham, the fast North Shore forward, retired injured, McCarthy taking his place. Assuming the ascendancy Mnnukau began to dominate tho play. -Tho forwards staged repeated assaults, which were finally rewarded when Pearcc dived over for a converted try. North Shore, however, maintained its slender lead in a spectacular finish. Prominent for North Shore were Cnto, Sly field, Calloway, Exlcr, Pipson and Perkins, while for Manukau Pcarco and Pepper shone out in the forward play. Liltlejohn nml \\ icklurul played soundly on defence. ~l'or North Shoro Galloway, Spratt and Mo ninlay scored tries. Marshall converted one Godfrey and Pcarco scored for Manukau. Wiklund converting one. Mr. C. Fry was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior D Grade.—Suburbs, Id. Parnell, 0; Jakapuna. Hi, Northcoto. 7; University. 12. Is orth Shore, 11. Second Grade.—Ponsonby, lf.t, Grammar, S; Otahuhu, I.S. Training Colleere, 11; Otahuhu B, s, I'nnmure, 0; Technical, 11, Mnnukau, 3. Third Grade.—Traininc Collcirc, in, University, (); Grammar, 12, Manukau, J2; Grafton, It, Ponsonby, 3. .Intermediate Grade.—Northcole, 14, College Rifles, 8; North Shore, 12, Takapuna, 3; Training Collego, 10. Marist, 8. Fourth Grade. Grammar, 11, North Shore, 8: Colleen Rifles, 27. Parnell, 0; Marist, J3, Takapnna, 5. Fifth Grade.—Suburbs, 20, Eden, 0; Mnrist, 9, North Shore, 3; Tatnaki,- 9, Takapuna, 3; St. George's, 3, Technical. 0. Sixth Grade.—Suburbs, 20, Eden, 0; Parnell, ti, Mamikau, 3. JUNIOR BOYS' MATCHES Senior Grade.—Marist. 5, Newton, 0. Intermediate Grade.—Manukau, 14, Otahuhu, O; Suburbs, 3. Eden, 3; St. George's won by default from Tamnki; Parnell won by default from Noith Shore. Junior Grade.—Manukau, 13, Otahuhu, 8; Eden, 25, Suburbs, 0; Newton. 17, Northcote, o.