RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24615, 21 June 1943, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MANUKAU TEAM IN LEAD Tho sixth series of matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition was played on Saturday afternoon. The earlier games were played under favourable conditions, but rain fell later and made the grounds and ball greasy for the contests scheduled for 3 o'clock. There was a good attendance at Eden Park, where attention was divided between llio matches on the oval and on ho. 2 ground. The main attraction on the oval was the meeting of the Army and Navy fifteens Army won by 3 points to 0, a try being obtained a quarter of an hour after the comnieiicenient ol the second spell. Navy made great efforts to draw level in lite closing stages winch wero full of excitement. An accurate goal-lacker would have placed the issue bejowl doubt for the Navy, as several shots wero attempted at fairly easy range It was a strenuously game in which no quarter was given between two set* of hard-workitiK lonvards. J'lio Annv packwas good in the loose, the piii.vers supporting one another in splendid stjle. (•;real credit is due to Webb, I hi' Navy halfback, and I honipson and McKenna. toe five-eighths for heir rush-stopping. The real weakness of the ;\av.v side was the tendency of the forwards and some of the backs to try to lackle heir opponents round the neck. This actually led to the scoring of the Army team's try. ' Another fault in the Navy team's play was lack of support to the man following up On several occasions one player would bo up to smother the opposing fullback or other defenders, but ho was always on his own, whereas, with adequate support, a troublesome rush could have been started. With players like feellars and Bell-Booth in the threequarter line, the Navy team would have been well served had the ball reached them quickly with plenty of room in which to work. Following were the results:—Army, 3 (trv by Wickham). Navy, 0; Manukau, 14 (two tries by Dunn, one converted by Boner who also kicked a penalty goal), Marist.'.'i (tries by Rao and Bailey, one converted by Sorensen); Grafton-Ponsonby, 13 (tries by O'Learv and Brown, both converted bv Edwards who also kicked a penalty eroal). Garrison, 8 (try by Gregory, converted by Gibbons, who also kicked a penalty goal); Technical Old Boys, 9 (two tries by Sheehan and penalty goal bv Howe), ALT.P.. 5 (try by Mayes. converted by Pi ley).

Second Division.—Training College, 21 Grammar, 11; Suburbs, 3. Air Force No. 2 Eden, <>. Air Force No. 1, 0; Otahiihu 20, R.N.Z.A.F.. 0.

Secondary Schools.—Auckland Grammar, S, Kins's College, 0; Mount Albert Grammar, S. Sacred Heart College, o ; Takapuna Grammar, o, Technical College, ft.

THE LEAGUE CODE MANUKAU TEAM WINS la spito of a greasy ball, fast and open football was witnessed at. Carlaw Park on Saturday, when Manukau defeated Mount Albert in the main attraction oi the Auckland .Rugby League. There was a good attendance, among the patrons being tho Hon. \Y. 2sash. Minister of. Finance, who addressed tho crowd on tho Liberty Loan project. Thnre was keen interest in the meeting or the teams, as both Manukau and Mount Albert were equal, with City, for first place in the championship. Manukau was strengthened by the inclusion of J. Hemi, who made his first appearance this season. The defence of Mount Albert was good, although the backs could have been seen to better advantage, seeing they had most of the ball from scrums. Superior pace and better positional play, however, gave Manukau the advantage. In some of the movements no fewer than seven players handled, and the passing was excellent. Manukau led by 13 points to 2 at half-time. Midway through tho second half Mount Albert played its best football, and at one stage only six points separated the teams. The try by Bowen from a nice passing bout gained well-deserved applause. However, swift, unorthodox tactics gave Manukau two clever tries.

Results were:—Manukau, 26 (tries by M. Thompson. Taumata, Rogers, Shilton, Inglis and Murray, Hemi converting two and kicking a penalty goal, Butler also kicking a penalty goal). Mount Albert, 12 (tries by H. Zane and Bowen, Cranch converting both tries and kicking a penalty goal); Richmond, 20 (tries by McGregor 3, Tittleton, Neale and Lowther, McDonald converting four), North Shore. 5 (try by Pascoe and penalty goal by McArthur); Otahuhu, 17 (tries by Doran, Speedy, M. Johnson, Eile.v converting one and kicking three penalty goals), Ponsonby, 2 (penalty goal by Meredith); Marist, .'sl (tries by McLeod 3, McWilliams 2, Rangi 2. Silva and Simpson, Simons converting two), Newton. 5 (try by Butler and a penalty goal by Niwa).

ASSOCIATION GAMES The first of the three challenge Soccer games for the Dnimmond Cup between the Auckland and Navy representative teams was played at Blandford Park on Saturday afternoon, the former winning by S goals to 1. Rutherford, at back for Navy, excelled in clearing, and, with the wing halves working well, Hancock, Telford and Prohl had a good share of the ball, but overdid close passing when they had the Auckland backs out of position. M. Speed was outstanding in his clearances and breaking up of Navy attacks, and his placing was always to advantage. The Auckland middle line of Ward, Danby and Garrett initialled many sound movements which were carried on by the front line, where R. Welch, in the centre, distributed the play nicely. Fleet and Richards, in the inside positions, worked well with their wings, Roberts and Webber, and the Auckland attack was as formidable a one as has been seen for a long time. Following were the scores and scorers:— Auckland, 8 (Fleet 4. Richards 2, Webber, Welch). Navy, 1 (Prohl); Onehunga, 5 (Wallace .3, Lindsay 2), Merchant Navy Green, 2 (Hollis, Grant); Metro-College A, 2 (Brass. Hope-Ede), Eastern Suburbs, 1 (Neilsen). North Shore, 5 (Roman 2, Gilbert 2, Wong) Ponsonby, 3 (Dowler, Bury, Dyne); Air Force. 5 (Caisley 3, Peebles, Williams), Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys A, 4 (C. Ekman 3, T. Ekman); Comrades, 9, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys B, 2; Papakura Camp. 5, Training College. 4; Garrison, 6. MetroCollege B, 2. HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP The Auckland Hockey Association's seventh series of senior matches was played on Saturday afternoon at Papatoetoe. In spite of wet conditions, the main game between Somerville and Mount Eden provided the spectators with fast?and hard play, clever stickworlc being in evidence. The first spell produced some fine work, marked principally by the combination displayed by Somerville. Up to half-time two goals apieco had been scored and everything indicated an exciting second spell. In very quick time Mount Eden, playing one man short, went to pieces, and the Somerville forwards, ably supported by their halves, took complete control and added five goals. Following were the scores and scorers:— University f> (H. Cooper 5, W. Smiler), Grammar Old Boys, 2 f.T, Buchan, M. Larsen); Somerville, 7 (W. Spiccr 3, S. Morgan 2, E. Archibald, B. McLisky), Mount Eden, 2 (K. Nairn, S. Chester). WesleyUnited. S (0. Slaney 4, N. Allpress, T. Nugent, L. Hedges, S. Cowpcrthwaite), Papakura, 2 (J. darken. J. Kingslone); Owai Rovers). 6 (B. Pye 3, C. McGregor 2, A. Elill) Ist Comp. A.S.C., 1 (J. Baker); Training College, 5 (P. Norris 3, I. Wyatt, A. McGillivray), Air Forco No. 1, 0. Ladies' Association. —Senior grade: Mount Eden, 4, College Old Girls, 0; Training College, 2, Technical, 2; University, 0, Wesley, 0. Intermediate grado: Berlei, 4, Waacs, 2; Takapuna Grammar. G, Technical, 0; University, 3, Wesley, 3. Junior grade: Blue Rovers, 3, College, 0; Wesley, C, Technical, 3.

GOLF COMPETITIONS Auckland. —The following players Qualified for tho George Cup:—C. N. .Tacobsen, CHalsted, J. S. Colegrove, B. B. Armstrong, J. Worley, R. W. G. Anderson. W. L. Wiseman. J. P. Ewcn. • Titirangi.—Final of Ballin Cup: H. L. Robson beat K. Stewart at- tho 20th. Stableford competition: A. N. Young, 37; F. N. Ambler, G. A. Lawson, 31: H. M. Rogerson. J. Gilmour, 33. , Remuera.—Four-ball bogey aggregate: H. Everton and B. Seedling, 09; K. Woollams and K. Brownjohn, N. Hay and R. Ralph. 63. Maungakiekie.—Semi-final of Blcdisloo Cup: R. A. Brett, won by default from A. C. ' Steele; N. Laud heat G. M. Impey. 3 and 2. Laud won the concurrent medal with a card ° f Akaraiia.—First round of Coltman Cup:— ,7. Stewart beat L. W. Hill. 1 up; J. A. Redwood heat W. G. Crouch, 5 and A. W. Baker beat D. Mwlgway, 3 and 2; P. Smith beat C. Pearson, -1 and 2; J. S. Hedley beat K. Wales, 3 and 1; C. H. Herring boat M. Kiely, I up; W. M. Boyle beat F- C. Simpson, 2 up; F C. McShcrr.v beat R. McCaig, 0 and 7. The following qualified for the caplain's prize, a match plav competition.7. N. Bissett, C. Wiggins, P. T>owes, P. Ouinn. M. Walker, W. TT. Collelt, L. W. Makin, B. .Simpson. ,7. T>inlon, .7. Frankham, J. Redwood, C. Goldfinch, .7. Marshall, F. G. McSherry. W. G. Crouch, J. Wareing, H. Valentine. 17. Pose, J. Johnson, A. Srnellio, J. Reillv, A. Wyness, H. Avery, N. Robertson. B. Smith. A. Hoare. D. Coyle. W. Rogers. N. McMahon. F. Frankham, 7j. Powell, J. Wake. Tho trophy for the best net scoro was won bv ,7. N. Bissett, 01, 21-—7 O. Orakei.—Stableford competition: G. Satcbell 32; 7j. G. Hogan, 31; S. Chappell. L Carroll. 30. Manukau. —Mannrewa Cup competition: F Rowan, 72; F. Wardell. 74; R. C. Nixon 7o; A. Bridges. B. Morse. 70: C. R. Crisp. 77; G. McJnnes, 78. Otahuhu, —Second round of Ballin Cup:— Rtanawav beat Fnnnell, r> and 4: Grundy beat Williamson, 0 and 4; Clarke beat Haggie. -1 and 3; Castel boat Andrews, 2 and 1. Second round of Fccles. Cup:—Henderson beat Nicholas, at tho "10th; McKenzie beat Smales. and 3; Pearler beat Elder. 1 lip. Concurrent bo prey competition:—P. Anderson, 5 up; J Sl,ana way. 2 down; .T. L. Clarice. 3 down. North' Shore Ladies. —Stableford bogey for Mrs E McKechnie's trophy:—Mrs. K. Gordon, 2S; Miss L Blair 21: Miss R 7>ennard. 20