RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24276, 18 May 1942, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR COMPETITION OPENING MATCHES DECIDED The Auckland Rugby Union's senior competition for 1042 was commenced on Saturday afternoon, when matches were played in two divisions. Chief interest centred in the three first division games at Eden Park, the fourth being played at Devonport. The weather was fine and the grounds in good order after rain. There was a fair attendance at Eden Park. The main game on the oval was that between Air Force No. 2 and C.R.O. While the play was not brilliant, it was always interesting on account of the closeness of the scoring. Superior play by the C.R.O. forwards was chiefly responsible for the side leading by six points at half-time. With the advantage of the wind in the second spell Air Force gradually made up its leeway and finished with a point to sparo. It was anyone's game and had the C.R.O inside backs fed the wingers, Boggs and McLaren, more speedily the side may have been successful. A.S.C. proved too strong in the back division for Manukau. Maves, the halfback, Pearman and Rae, five-eighths, and Chatham, centre, displayed fine understanding and combination and they made some spectacular penetrating runs. With a useful, although inexperienced, set of forwards A.S.C. will take some beating. Pearman's goal-kicking accounted for 14 of the winning team's points. With the forwards assisting the backs well in passing rushes M.T.P. obtained a good win over Grafton-Ponsonby on No. 2 ground. The tatter's forwards played too much as individuals. Paton saved Grafton-Ponsonby several times by good defence at fullback. Garrison was too heavy and solid in the forwards for Technical Old Boys in a keenly-contested game at Devonport. Following were the results:—Air Force, 15 two tries by Norton, one converted by Hewitt, who also potted a goal and kicked a penalty goal), C.R.0., 14 (tries by Payne and Boggs, one converted by Feaver, who also kicked two penalty goals), A.S.C., 29 (tries by McLaren, 2, Moffitt, Chatham and Connell. four converted by Pearman, who also kifked two penalty goals), Manukau, 16 (tries by Hooker and Hetherington, both converted by Patterson, and penalty goals by Muir and Patterson); M.T.P., 16 (tries by Riley, Griffiths and Mitchell, one converted by Anderson, who also kicked a penalty goal), Grafton-Ponsonby, 6 (two penalty goals by Rowlands); Garrison, 8 (two tries by Gunning, one converted by Smith), Technical, 3 (penalty goal by McLean). Second Division. —Marist, 11, Ranfurly, 3; Takapuna, 14, Air Force No. 1, 5.

THE LEAGUE CODE THREE GAMES WON EASILY Conditions were ideal at Carlaw Park on Saturday when the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade championship was continued. All (he three matches were won by comfortable margins and the main game, between Richmond and Ponsonb.v, was a disappointing display. Richmond outclassed the opposition, which has lost several players now with the forces. In the curtain-raiser CityOtahuhu proved superior all round to Newton-Mount Albert. Manukau gave an excellent display of fast open play football to defeat Marist-North Shore. Superior play by the Richmond forwards and better finish to the back attacks proved too much for Ponsonbv. The latter was without Scott, its best back, and Briggs, its leading forward. The first half was well contested and ended in favour of Richmond, 9 points to 2. The second spell was disappointing and Ponsonby was beaten in all departments. McGregor made a good impression and was the best of the Richmond backs on attack. Davis played a splendid game among the forwards and was ably supported by Sale and Williams. The speed of the Manukau backs was too great a handicap for Marist. Many successful movements were started from the Manukau twenty-five. The Manukau forwards were superior in the loose. Among the backs Broughton. at five-eighths, played his best game for some time. Murray, five-eighths, was clever 011 attack and Lipscombe, on the wing, used his pace to good advantage. Major, behind the scrum, made several clever openings, while Chase was sound at .fullback and kicked some great goals. At fullback for Marist-North Shore Wiberg did his work well.

The City-Otahuhn backs were more constructive on attack than Newton and the City forwards were faster in the loose Good work for the winners was done by Hutchinson, whose elusive play paved the way for three tries. Both Donovan and Legge were prominent on attack, while McManus. at centre, ran strongly and was always dangerous. Mataira ably led the forwards and he was well supported by Kokahua and Findlater. McKay, five-eighths, and Silva wing, were prominent for Newton Following were the results:—Richmond, 27 (tries by Davies, 2, McGregor, Satheley and Sale, two converted by Webb, and two penalty goals each by Webb and Mincham), Ponsonby, 4 (two penalty goals by Morrell); Cit.vOtahuhu, 27 (tries by Finlayson, Legge, Halsey, Gordon and Taylor. Donovan converting three and kicking three penalty goals) Newton-Mount Albert, 7 .(try by Joseph and two penalty goals fcy Niwa); Manukau, 33 (tries by Thew, 2, Murray, 2, Thompson. Watene and Major, five converted by Chase, who also kicked a penalty goal), Marist-North Shore, 0 (try by Costello and penalty goal by Wiberg)

SOCCER GAME SERVICES CHALLENGE CUP The Auckland Football Association's championship matches were continued under windy conditions on Saturday, and provided keen contests. The Leo Munro Services Challenge Cup game at Blandford Park, between trie Camp team and Air Force, resulted in a fast and spectacular exhibition, in which Air Force was flattered by a three-goal margin. At St. Heliers Bay, Eastern Suburbs and Mount Albert Grammar Old Bciys A played good football, the home side winning by a three-goal margin. Metro-College defeated CR O. bv three goals, but more accurate shooting by C.R.O. forwards might easiKv have produced a draw. Nava Base and Fopsonby staged a good exhibition at Victoria Park in which Ponsonby was unfortunate to lose two players, and the game by two goals. Comrades and North Shore h a d comfortable wins against Army and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys B respectively A change in the direction of the wind about half-time proved an advantage to teams which had scored in the first spell Following were the scores and scorers: Services Cup: Air Force, 4 (Hopkinson 2, Patterson 2), Camp team, 1 'Leonard). Senior championship: Eastern Suburbs, o (Bell 2 Welch 2, Espie), Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys A, 2 (Woodhall, Firth); Naval Base, 3 (ißushbrook 2. Searle) Ponsonby i (Bury); Metro-College, 4 (Hope-Ede 2, Brass, Speed), C.R.0., 1 (Masters); Comrades, 10 (Fleet 3, Prohl 3, Fincham 3, Henshaw), Army, 2 {Warrington, Alder); North Shore, 11 (Richards 5, Nettleton 4, Pnce, Wynyard), Mount Albert Grammar Old 3oys B, 1 (by a defender). HARRIER RACING OPENING OF THE SEASON Fine, but windy weather, marked the official opening run of the Auckland Harrier suncommittee held on Saturday afternoon oyer a strenuous six miles course embracing the Ellerslie, Lake St. John and Panmure. districts. The event was held under the joint control of Messrs. T. M. Wilson and t. D. Sharp, chairman and secretary respectively of the Harrier sub-committee, and Mr. A. F. Stanley, secretary of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Association. The competitors numbered over 100, and were split into various packs, the leaders being:—Fast seniors, H. Burt (Technical); slow seniors, J. P. Dolan (Lynndale); fast colts, A. F. Stanley /Ellerslie); slow colts, J. Robinson (Technical). While the senior event was not recognised as a race, the pace was on all the way, with J. I. B. Neil (Presbyterian) and F. N. Orange (University), always at the head, and H. Burt (Technical), A. Hamlin (Lynndale), 0. Young (Lynndale). and Shacklcton (LDiversity), close up. In the slow pack, two Ellerslie men, D. Topp and I. Sweefman, forced a fast pace. Not far away was the veteran J. P. Dolan (Lynndale), with A. G. Hill (Ellerslie), a champion of several years. Of the junior runners, M. Haliiday (Technical) and K. Oates (Kllerslie) were outstanding among the faster pack, with N. Stan ton (Presbyterian) and J. McKenna (Ellerslie) also prominent. In the slow colts pack, R. Long (Technical) was always well up with K. Dolan (Lynndale), J. Robinson (Technical), and A. Topp (Ellerslie) never far away BASKETBALL GAMES Strong winds hampered goal-throwing In the second series of the Auckland Basketball Association's championship matches on Saturday. Following are the results: — Senior: Killarua Colts. 0. Greers. 7; Edendale, 0, University. 5; Surrey Hills, 11, A rah I, 4. Senior reserve: Belvedere, 12, Edendalc. 6: Westmerc. 10, Arahi, 1; IZM, 10, Taupaki. ft; Grammarians, 10, Grammar, 4. Senior B: Killarua, 7. Grammar. 3; Metro, 7. Huia. 4; Wcstme.ro. 0, Oratia. 3; Reddon, 17, Arahi, 2 Second A: Papatoetoe, 10, Beilei. 2; Middlemore, 11, IZM, 0: Technical won by default from Tnmaki; Flamingo, 12, Grammar. 7. Second B: Rdcndale. 12, Arahi, 2; Shamrock. 3, Belvedere, 1; Argosy. 17, National Brush. 1; Y.W Royals, 15. Technical. 2. BOWLING COMPETITIONS Onehunga Club.—Final of two-Saturday tournament: McMaster. O'Connell, Stephens, Davenport, 18, v. Booth, W. Chapman. Marsden. Grace, 14. Gatland Buttons: Herbert, Wilson, Bell, Nichalls (challengers), 20, v. Belts, F. George, Edwards, Collin, 12. Cock of the walk: Shand, Farosworth, Gray. E. V. Sutherland. 27, v. Ramsay, Turnbull, Bray, West (challengers), 19 Carlton Club.—Hadwln Pins: Clinkard, Molloy. H. G. Jenkin. S. Jenkin (Carlton), 22. v. T. K. George, G. Scott, F'. Wilson. E. T. Richmond (Epsom), challengers, 18. Carlton Ferns: E. Morris. J. K. Ross, E. Blair, D. Fraser, 22. v H Metzer. C. Whelan, W Blair. R. Wlshart (holders). 12. Remuera Club.—Finla.vson Badges: Tronsori, Bree. Jones, Donnell (challengers). 26, v. Cox. Foote, Flickson. Whitmore (holders). 17. Inter-club Contests.—Hallybnrton-Johnstone v ; Onehunga, Edwin Stars, at Onehunga: Neave, R. Boag. Breckon. F. Dyson (challengers). 27, v. Macklow. George. Robertson, Livingstone, 21. Onehunga t. Mangere. loggers' Badges, at Onehunga: Znill, L. Jones, Cross, Vella. 24, v. Hunt, Robertson, Lnndie, Batiks (challengers). 12.