RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24040, 11 August 1941, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

jENIOR championship 3RAMMAR BEATS TAKAPUNA ARMY TEAM NOW IN LEAD The fourth scries of matches in the second onnd of (he Auckland Rugby Union's senior hampionship was played on Saturday afterloon on heavy grounds. Tho weather was ine until shortly after three o'clock, when i heavy downpour made the surfaces greasy md the ball difficult to handle. The attendmce at Eden Park was not quite so large is on previous Saturday afternoons, when hero was every prospect of continued fine veather. Tho main game at Eden Park was that letween Grammar Old Boys and Takapuna tnd was won by the former after a closo and nteresting contest. Takapuna had shared tin ead with Army up to this match and its defeat eaves Army in tho lead. The latter proved ,o'i strong for a weakened Suburbs side on j*o. 2 ground. Otahuhu accounted for Maris! it Sturges Park, two penalty goals being the icciding factor. . Ponsonby's defeat by Training College in ho curtain-raiser at Eden Park and Manu<.au's win over University at Onehunga leaves Manukau in the lead in the second section )f tho championship. The final series ot natciies in the secondary schools' championship was played and Auckland Grammar ind Takapuna Grammar finished equal at tho head of the table. Following were tho results of the senior ;hampionship matches: —First section: Grammar, 14, Takapuna, 8; Army, 19, Suburbs, 3: Otahuhu, 'J, Marist, 3. Second section: Training College. 32, Ponsonby, 12; Mann* kau, 24, University, 14; Grafton, 15, lechnical, 0. Grammar v. Takapuna.—-Although Grainmar was without tho services of its captain met star forward, J. Gilinour, its pack was 100 he ivy for tho opposition and that was really the determining factor in Grammar s success. Grammar obtained possession of the ball from the majority of the set. scrums and in tho first quarter of an hour Kidd, the halfback. and Cato, first five-eighths, worked some clever scissors movements which troubled tho defence. Grammar had eight points on the board in tho first ten minutes. Heavy rain at the end of 15 minutes' play, however, put a different complexion on matters. Ihe Grammar halfback was quite unable to pass accurately with the wet ball and his erratic transfers enabled the fast-breaking Takapuna forwards to swoop down on the five-eighths and start dribbling rushes which invariably gained a lot of ground. Two tries by Takapuna. one converted, saw half-time arrive with the score at 8-ail and it was still anybody's game. In spite of the fact that the Takapuna backs were more dangerous in the second spell with Brinsden behind the pack Instead of at first five-eighths, the Grammar forwards dominated tho scrums, and this, combined with the fact that overeagerness led to two of tho Takapuna forwards getting offsido at critical stages, enabled Grammar to stave off attacks and to hold a territorial advantage. Grammar added a try and penalty goal, whereas Takapuna failed to score again. Good teamwork prevailed on both sides, there being no individual brilliance to speak of. Tho respective fullbacks handled tho ball and kicked well. Rogers, one of the Grammar forwards, injured his leg in tho second spell and was replaced by Lockington. Cato and Rogers (2) scored tries for Grammar, Wickham converting one and kicking a penalty goal. Smith and Gothard scored for Takapuna Sutherland converting one try. Mr. D. G. Kelly was referee. Army v. Suburbs.—With six third grade intermediate players in vacancies caused byrecent. mobilisations and absences. Suburbs failed to reproduce the form which has earned the team a reputation for bright, open and unorthodox tactics and was no match for the Army side. The exchanges were moro or less even during tho first spell, but Army held a definite territorial advantage after tho interval. There were times when movements by Suburbs backs looked dangerous, but indiscretions allowed Warner, the Army fullback, to gain possession and clear with powerful kicks into touch, while on other occasions Warner's solid tackling and defensive tactics prevented scores. D. Brady did not appear at home at centre for the Army, but showed glimpses of brilliance when he moved into second five-eighths in the second half. Two of the winner's tries were directly attributable to the work of Bilkcy, who paved the way by selling dummies on both occasions, first for Mclnnarney to score and then for him to carry on tho movement himself. H. F. McLean was untiring in his leadership of tho forwards, and ho received solid support from all of them, Harper, Massey and Jordan in particular. A few of Suburbs' regular players were prominent, Margison. second five-eighths, and Le Long, winger, being among the most reliable. Mclnnarney, Harper and Bilkey scored tries for the Army, two of which were converted by McLean, who also kicked two penalty goals. Le Long kicked a penalty goal for Suburbs. Mr. M. G. Parris was referee. Otahuhu v. Marist.—-There were few bright spells and little constructive footha!! in the game, which was marred by an over indulgence in kicking by the inside backs on both sides. Otahuhu held the upper hand foi most of the game. The forwards were a lively lot and broKe and followed through fast, but the only try came from a rebound. A sound display was given by Soren.son at fullback for Marist. Molloy, Rae and Cooney gave him solid cover, but their efforts to combine wero nullified by the opposing pack. Although the Marist pack elected to take scrums, ami won most of them, such tactics brought no reward. Kelly was steady at fullback foi Otahuhu, but was over inclined to wait foi the bounce of the ball. Moylc was too zealouin his solo efforts and used the line too much when on attack. Otahuhu's points came from a try by Grant and two penalty goals kicked by Kelly. Cooney scored Marist's try. Mr. K. K. Hayhow was referee. Second Section Results.—Training College, 32 (tries by Faire, Craig, McLean, Kingstone and Boggs, Kingstone converting two, pot' ting a goal and kicking two penalty goals and What nan kicking a penalty goal), sonby, 12 (try by Tetzlaff, converted bj Wiles, who also potted a goal and kicked n penalty goal); Manukau, 21 (tries by Hariey Angus, Patterson. Brilford and Bowyer, the last-named converting one, kicking a penalty goal and potting a goal). University, 1-1 (tries by Turbott, two, Enwright and Cawk well, the last-named converting one): Graf ton, 15 (tries by Sayers, two, anil McNeice one, converted by Don, and potted goal by Witheridge), Technical, (). Secondary Schools. —Particular interest was taken in Saturday's games as they were the final of the championship series. Win? by Auckland Grammar and Takapuna Gram mar and the defeat of Sacred Heart—these three teams were level hitherto—saw the twe first-mentioned emerge equal in points tc share the season's honours. Results were:— Takapuna Grammar, 12 (try by Roman, converted by •Suteliffe, who also kicked a penalty goal and potted a goal), Sacred Heart, 0; Auckland Grammar, 14 (tries b.v Rope, Simp son, Patterson and McDiarmid, one con verted by Bowden), Mount Albert Grammar »; Technical College, 17 (tries by Stephens Rowe and Wells, Rowe converting two am: potting a goal). King's College, 3 (try b> Darrow). LOWER GRADE CONTESTS Junior Grade. —-Technical Old Boys, IS Manukau, <J; University, 10, Suburbs, 0. Third Grade.—University, 1.5, Y.M.C.A. 8; North Shore, 10, Technical, 0; Grammar 11, Garrison, 3. Intermediate Grade.—Suburbs, 8, Newton 3; Eden, 23, Hobsonville, 0. Fourth Grade. —Eden, 3, Suburbs, 0; Graf ton. 13, Grammar, 0. Fifth Grade.—Marist Old Boys, <). Manu kau, 3; Eden, 14. Otahuhu. 0. Sixth Grade. —Newton, 23, Otahuhu, 9. Palmer Memorial Cup.—Senior: Marist 10, Northcote, 3. Intermediate: Otahuhu, (J Suburbs, 3; Marist, «, Ponsonby, (>. Junior Marat, 3, Ponsonby, 0. Colts: Marist, <5 Suburbs. 0. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES ALL BLACK ORDERED OFF Several representative Rugby matches were played in different parts of New Zealand ot Saturday. A sensation was created at West port, where R. King, former All Black cap tain, and leader of the West, Coast side, wai ordered off for questioning a decision of tin referee. Results were:— Hamilton.—The return match against Kins Country, played at Rugby Park on Satur day, resulted in a win for Waikato by ! points to G. Play was always interesting anc at times reached a high standard. Both team, fielded strong back lines, hut movements wen spoiled through lack of co-operation. The for wards were evenly matched, Waikato beiiu more prominent in dribbling rushes, Iliggin son was not in kicking form for Waikato but his tackling at fullback was sound Perkins brought the crowd to its toes in tin first spell with a couple of brilliant solo runs one of which resulted in a try. Phillips sav little of the hall at centre and was wet marked by Kjentrap. The forwards workee well as a pack, Warrender and Thomson beim prominent. Grossman and Cameron shone ii tho rearguard for the visiting team, thi former bcin# at times brilliant. He was tin brains of most of King Country's movements while his defence was flawless. Kjestrup wai prominent at centre, and on several occasion: beat Phillips. Grihben played a plucky gatm at halfback and made few mistakes. Mc Xichol and Coffin were outstanding in thi visiting park and were well supported by thi others. Waikato's points came from tries b* Perkins, Thomson and Everest. For Kuu Country, Kjestrup scored a try and Coffii kicked a penalty goal. ■ Dimeelin. —Canterbury broko Otago's long winning sequence at Rugby on Carisbrool when for the first time since their 2<i —1win in 1!>2(5 the Christchurch players de feated Otago at home. Canterbury's winninj margin of 11 —10 was well merited, althougl Otago's Into run nearly pulled the game ou of the fire. It was a contest not lacking ii incident, although marred by many mistakes more particularly by Otago. whose forward' did not settle down until the game was wel advanced. Herman. Cartwright and Laiian?.! scored tries for Canterbury, Cartwright con verting one, Kerr scored for Otago, Masoi kicked a penalty goal and Manion pottee a goal. Westport.—A sensational turn was givei to the return home-and-home match bctweer Buller and West Coast, when in the secone spell R. King, the All Black and enptair of the West Coast team, was ordered ofi thft ground for disputing the decision of the

referee when Butler scord its Jirst try. The came was won by Buller by 6 pomta (tries by Dalziell and Mosley) to 3 (penalty goal bv Monk). The game was played in a verj rigorous manner with the 4 ? w«tC<>a«t* slightly shading those of the West Coast New Plymouth.—Lasting out a hard game on a slippery ground, the r ]aranaki R u s J representatives scored a well-deserved win against Wanganui by 11 points 3. Mud and rain made good football lmpossible.bi a fast pace was maintained throughout, laranaki scored three tries, one converted, ana Wanganui a penalty goal. PLAY IN THE COUNTRY Whangarai.—Senior grade: In a pla.v-off for the senior championship, Hikurangi, champion side for many years, defeated Old Bo.vs by 8 points to 3. Junior grade: Old Boys, 18, High School, 11; Central,l9, Army, 0. Thud grade: High School, 3, Central, 0. P ourth grade: Hikurangi, 0, High School A, 3, Central, '2B, Iligh School B, 0. inth grade: High School B, <l, High School A, 0. Schoois: Whangarei intermediate, 11, \\hau yalley. O, Convent, V>, Whangarei, 4; Whangarei Bantams, 3, Horahora Bantams, 0. Matamata.— Owing to the fact that the Matamata Rugby Sub-union has o fidd four representative teams on Saturday next against Hamilton (Peace .Cup) und Waipa (Pinlay Cup) in the senior grade, against Morrinsville in the junior grade M he Bovce Cup, and against Waipa in the thirl grade for the Cucksey Cup, trial games with many changes were staged. Only two third grade competition games were played, and the results were:—Hinuera, 10, \<alton. u. High School, 22, Patetcrc, G. Hamilton. —Matches in the Clarke Cup competition resulted:—'ranpiri, 10,1 | 0- City, 5, Technical Old Bo>s, 3. Junior representative match: Hamilton, 9, Cambridge, _ i , . T „„ Rotorua.—Rotorua was defeated hi "' rnne a g—(i in a match for the Shalfoon Shield, which Rotorua has held for several years. SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS Welling'jon.—Marist, 1-1. Army, 8; Athletic. 12 Petone, 3; Wellington, 13, Johnsonville, o■University, 12, Hutt, C; College Old Boys, l.i Oriental 0; St. Patrick's College Old BoVs 19, Ponoke, 3; Eastbourne, 31. Air Force, 12. . Christohuroh.— Canterbury Rugby Union; University. 22, Linwood, 11; Army. 12. lechr,4/«ni n* Air Force, 14, New Brighton, O, Albion, i.l. Sunnyside. 3; Merivale 11, Southern • Athletic, 30, \\ igram, 0; Chrisichn'rch' 21, Godley Head, 8 Secondary schools': Christ's College, 12, at. Bede s College 11 • JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES The following players have been selected to train at the Grafton Club's shed at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, when the team to play at Hamilton on August 10 will be selected : ■ Coleman, Stacey Inder, \ookesL "iv'rsityl Shaw Soper, Stanich, Southwell, (jtmniing: (Training College), Cole, !?. Howe (. übnrbs), ' rondrun Dclgrosso (Technical), Kinney, Boniflrd (Grafton), Southernwood, W ilhams Ha I . fotahuhii), Lcndrum (Trinity College), O'Snllivan, Adams, Hand (Marist). Wallace (Gram mar). _____