PONSONBY'S WIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23130, 31 August 1938, Page 20

PONSONBY'S WIN

EOUNI) UNCOMPLETED

TECHNICAL DOES WELL MISFORTUNE OF MARIST LOSSES THROUGH INJURIES Ponsouby has won the Auckland Pug by I Jnion's senior conipet it ion for the Gallaher Shield, although J here still remains one series of matches to complete the round. Since Ponsonby is so far ahead of the second team, Technical, there will be no purpose in playing the final series, set down for September 24. A match between the Barbarians fifteen, composed of former representative players, and the Auckland team, lias been arranged for that day.

Ponsonby is to be congratulated <>n its third successive win in the championship. It is the result of team work and almost perfect understanding. The ability of H. Bond, the hooker, who gave liis backs unlimited opportunities, was a decided factor in the side's continued victories. Two matches only were lost throughout this season, against Grafton in the first round, .and Marist in the second. With D. Solomon the star of the rearguard, the backs frequently turned what appeared to bo losing positions to wins in the later stages of some games. The team has consistently exhibited perfect cohesion between backs and forwards, a feature that has characterised fche play of the club's teams for many seasons past, and the players' conscientious training has had a deserving reward. Tlia coaches are Messrs. C. E. Cammick and R. G. McWilliams, both of whom arc former representative footballers.

The comparatively young Technical fifteen did particularly well to hold a high position throughout, and is three points behind the winner. It is a matter for self-congratulation that players of little experience, compared with the members of the Ponsonby team, formed such a formidable combination, and fully extended every side it met in the first division. The team came from the second division at the end of the first round with not one loss registered against it, although it was held to a draw by Suburbs The Technical forwards are very liv.ely, and the back-lme is composed of virile players who liavo given bright exhibitions. The experience gained by the team this year should stand it in good stead next season. .Mr. 11. l'\ Galbraith has proved an efficient coach.

APPEARANCE OF HADLEY

GRAFTON TEAM'S ILL-LUCK

NORTH SHORE SHOWS PROMISE Marist is unfortunate in that in the middle of the competition it lost its regular five-eighths, L. Curtayne and whoso absence was felt on a number of occasions when the side was defeated. The ex-New Zealand representative, S. Hadley, coached the team and actually turned out on one occasion a month ago and displayed something of the form which earned him a place in the All Black team in 1928. McGrory and Barry were also absent for periods through injuries. Since the side beat Grafton on July 11, Marist has not been defeated and it rose to third position on the championship ladder. Marist also beat Ponsonby and last Saturday, was not troubled against Grammar. After occupying a prominent place in the competition, and actually leading at one stage early in the season, Grafton is in fifth position on the ladder. This team also was unfortunate to lose players on account .of injuries or illness. The brilliant winger, J. Dick, contracted measles just prior to his departure for Australia with the All Blacks and had to delay the trip until two weeks later. .His absence was felt by Grafton, which was beaten in games which the side at full strength would probably have won. In the second match against Marist a third of the usual selection was out, most of them being Auckland representatives. Hull, McLean and Anderson were affected. An All Black in 1923 and 1925, L. Righton coached the team. Coached by A. E. Cooke, the former All Black, Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington representative, North Shore has improved greatly on performances of the past few seasons. The team has some promising material and possesses an able captain in D. Whillans, a prominent Canterbury player last year. Massey, a sturdy forward, has showed outstanding promise and perhaps was a little unlucky not to gain Auckland representative honours.

Grammar did not play up to expectations. The pack possessed some of the best forwards in the competition, but the backs were frankly di appointing. King, at fullback, was a safe custodian. D. Wright, the 1925 All Black, is the coach. Promoted from the second division at the end of the first round, Training College did fairly well. The team is comprised of the youngest players at present in the first division and was responsible for some surprise defeats soon after it came up. Trained by the college's physical instructor, Mr. K. Reid, who was assisted by the principal, Mr. D. Rae, the side was; perhaps the fittest of any. It amply demonstrated that physical exercise was a necessity in training if success was expected. While its forwards were soun d, Manukau did not have backs up to the standard of other contenders in the championship. The players individually were of senior class, but combination was sadly lacking. The coach was Mr. R. Owens

[ MATCH AGAINST MAORIS I FIXTURES FOR SOUTHERN TOUR The New Zealand Maori team is at present on its way home from Suva after a tour of Fiji, and will arrive in Auckland on Friday. The players will meet the Auckland representative fifteen on Saturday at Eden Park. Mr. S. S. Dean, one of the managers of the Maori team, is confident that it will make a good showing, while supporters of the local side are as equally optimistic concerning the prospects of Auckland, which is unbeaten this season.

After the match on Saturday the Auckland tenm will go on a tour of the South embracing Manawatu, Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay, leaving Auckland on Monday. Should Hawke's Bay win the Hanfurly Shield from Otago in its match at Dunedin to-day, Auckland's game against that side will be for the trophy. The remaining matches of the Auckland team's programme are as follows: Saturday.—v. New Zealand Maori team, at Auckland. September 7. —v. Manawatu, at Palm-

erston North. September 10. —v. Wellington, at Well-

ington. September 14.—v. Wairarapa, in Wai-

rarapa. September 17. —v. Hawke's Bay, in Hawke's Bay.