RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24881, 1 May 1944, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OPENING OF SEASON SERIES OF TRIALS PLAYED The 1944 Rugby season was opened in Auckland on Saturday afternoon, when a scries of trial matches was played in order to give the Union's grading committee an opportunity of judging the relative strength of the senior teams. Another series will be played next Saturday and the senior championship will be commenced the following week. The weather on Saturday was showery, the grounds heavy, and the ball slippery, Under such conditions there was quite a lot of bright play witnessed at Eden Park, where there was it fair attendance. The main attraction at Eden Park was the match between University and Navy. The former fifteen contained five Otago University and Otago representatives and the team proved too fast and clever for the opposition. Playing with the. wind and sun in the first spelt University scored five tries, one vonvet 1 ted, and a penalty goal, to lead at halftime by 'JO points to u. Some of the tries were spectacular, the ball being: passed accurately and handled cleanly. Navy did better ift, the second spell, but poor combination and misunderstanding among the backs lost, them a number of opportunities. University obtained another try early in the spell, and then Navy did its share of attacking. It was not until the closing stages, however, that the side obtained a irv as the result of a sustained forward rush. This put new life into the side and another try followed that thrilled the spectators. A passing rush developed in midfield and the ball was handled by more than half a dozen players before the line was crowed by "Barchard. It was the try of the match. University has a set of speedy backs who I should provide the crowds with thrills throughout the season. Paewai (half) and Ross Jones (centre), two former Otago representatives, frequently caught the eye. Iwo exAticklaiid representatives who have returned from overseas, B. Johnson (front row) and A. S. Cough lan (wing) appeared for Ponsonby, which defeated Garrison in the cur-tain-raiser. „ . , Results were:—University, (tries by Grace •_>. Jones. Wllkins. Paewai and Stevens, Smeeton converting one and kicking a penalty goal), Navy, tt (tries by K. Smith and Barchanl); Ponsonby, (> (try by McKay and penalty goal by Halliwell), Garrison, •'! (try by Nordgren); Training College, as dries by Deas 3, Mitchell 2, Hook and Kogers -J, four converted by Sutcliffe and penalty goal by Deas), Suburbs, :i (penalty goal by Harrison); Grammar Old Boys, It (tries by Bailey and Gilinour, the latter converting one and kicking a penalty goal), Technical Old Boys, 1 1 (.tries hy Brinsden and Bradford, Sharplin converting one and kicking: a penalty goal); Manukau, 5 (try by Dunn, converted by Bor.ver), Grafton, 0; Otahuhu, l>, Marist, <i; North Shore, Jl. A.S.C., 0; IV. pakara, <5, Eden, 3. Lower Grado Results.— Second A; Grafton, 11). Newton, 3. Third: Grammar Old Boys, 27. Northcote, 3; Eden. 21, University. 3. Third Intermediate: Suburbs, •'», Grammar Old Bovs, 0. Fourth: Marist. 15, Takapunn, 3. Fifth: Northcote, 20. North Shore. :i; Suburbs, c, Marist. 0. Bert Palmer Memor-ial:—-Senior boys- Northcote, 35, Newton. '); Orakei, 10, Parnell, 0. Intermediate boys: Northcote. 14. Grafton. (). Colts: Northcote. 0, Suburbs, 3; Orakei. 3, Parnell. 0. .Tumor hoys:—Senior srrarfe: Suburbs, 3. Pnnsonti.v, O. Junior (trade: Suburbs, 0, Ponsonby, o. Tnternie'tiate srrade: Suburbs, 14, Eden. 0. Colts: Northcote, U, Suburbs. 3. Hamilton.—Kiwis, tt. Fighters. R; Technical Old Bovs. 12, Army, 3; Bombers, 0, Railway, 0: Old Boys, 10, Horofiu, o. THE LEAGUE CODE SURPRISE BY NORTH SHORE The Auckland Rugby League's senior championship competition was commenced at Car law Park on Saturday afternoon when there was a fair attendance. The grounds were heavy after rain, but did not greatly affect the playing conditions. Otahuhu defeated Ponsonby in the main game. A surprise came from North Shore, which played good football to defeat Manukau, last year's champion side. Richmond fielded a strong team and its well-balanced rear division outclassed Point Chevalier in a high-scoring game. City and Mount Albert played a well-contested game, which was narrowly won by the former, while at Grey Lynn I.'ark Marist decisively defeafed Newton. Superior back play hy Otahuhu was a feature of its success against Ponsonby, which had a strong pack, but its backs lacked finish. Ponsonby played ils best football in ilie firs! spell and led by 0 points to 3. Otahuhu settled down to throw the ball about in the second spell, and the young team was often applauded for clever and constructive football. The five-eighths, Riley and Wellm, showed dash, and their speed from set scrum* paved the way for two fine tries. Keat, at centre, created a good impression, and he made several brilliant breaks through the defence. On the wing, Halsey ran with determination, but did not get many real scoring chances. Allen played a sound and constructive game at fullback. Among the Otahuhu forwards N. Johnson, Hughes and Sanderson stonrl out for good work-in the loose. Richmond nave easily the best display of the afternoon, and on this form it Will take a lot of beating. The rear division delighted the crowd with sidendid bundling anil good positional play. The crowded stand actually showed more interest in the hustling tactics on No. ground of North Shore, which always had the measure of Manukau. The winning team's backs gave a surprisingly good display The four leums lined up o'li the iiihiii ground, and the crowd stood in silence for one minute, when Mr. J. AV Watson, chair man of the Auckland Rugbv f,eu'*ue referred feelingly to the recent death of Mr G Grey Campbell, former president. Results were:—Otahuhu, •_'! (tries by Wellm. Sanderson, N. Johnson, Keat and Halsey. Riley converting Iwo and Allen one), Ponsonby, (i (tries by Hadley and Lohonet); Cltv. i> (try bv James and ihree penalty goals by Clarke). Mount Albert. "> (try by Moore and penalty goal by Crunch); Marist, 30 (tries bv Te Whiti ■_>, Simpson -2, Hughes and Simons, Rrockiiss converting three and MeWillinms two. the latter also kicking n penalty goal). Newioti. •"> 'fry bv Brady and Penalty goal by Shaw): North Shore, IS 'tries by Graham Hiscocks and McNeil, McArfhiir converting two ami Laing one) Manukau. 7 (try by Puller. Chase converting and kicking a nenalty goal): Rich l »ond !•"> 'tries by Low I her 3, p,ivies Hnrkness, Bowling. Seymour. Potter and Kenney. McDonald converting three hip! kicking a penalty goal. Magill and Seymour also converting tries). Point Chevalier, II (tries by Croad and MoiTett, Dormer converting one and kicking three penalty goals). ASSOCIATION GAMES The high standard of play seen on opening day was maintained in the Auckland Football Association's first division championship games at Blandford Park on Saturday afternoon, when Naval Depot and Metro-College were successful after keen and exciting games. A feature of the matches on outside grounds was the play of K. Fleet, of Comrades, who netted six of his team's nine goals against Air Force. Metro-College and Ponsonby opened the afternoon's play at Blandford Park. There was little to choose between the teams In the firsi spell, but in the second Metro-College showed out with better combination and it was only magnificent saving by J. Gavan in the Ponsonby goal that kepi Metro out. In th< main attraction Naval Depot had the fill, measure of Mount Albert Grammar Old Roys in the firsl spell and the superior knowledge of postiona! play by the Navy men enabled the side to be two goals up at (he interval Bell showed out in accurate clearing for Naval Depot, while the work of the middle line. Massey. Rutherford And Green, was, sound The shooting from all angles kept the Mount Albert defence busy, Following were the scores and scorers:— Xtival Depot. 2 (McGuire. Brown), Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, (); Metro-College, 1; (Hatiaui), Ponsonby. 0; Eastern Suburbs, (Welch, '->\ North Shore, 0: Comrades. !) (Fleet, »>. Walters. 2. Laird). Air Force. 1 'Wellington). Lower Grades.--Second: Onehunga A, '2. \ir Force. 1: Thistle, f, Onehunga B. 1. Fourth: Eastern Suburbs, A, 3. North Shore, 1: Thistle, 2. Comrades, I.

BOWLING TOURNEYS Auckland Club. Percentage fours final i Blm'k. Garrett, Till, -T- W. Barber. v. Brown. A.vdoti, Remington, \V. Robertson, 18. Closing day lourno.v: The winning Irani was Williamson, Arinstriidi AV hca 1 lo.v, 11. Rasper. Saturday all-da.v tourney filial: Samson. Piper, Clarke. I'. H. ffmve (Auckland), v, Graham, Scott f'uriiell. A. V Dander* (Fiisuinh 1(1. Epsom Club- Haisdieap smsrles final: II Mlpfii v I*' Lewtr. 21 Percentage four* final: S Contes II H. Wright, S. Harrison \. T. Sfohr Drawing rnmpetitinii i —Semi finals.- Alio n beat Baker: Scott beat Mi" Cowan l-'lnal: Allen liont Scott YACHT RACING Tamakl Yacht Club.—Keen racing was wit' nwst'il in the final of the Frostbite class, which was also the final race of the season For the club. The two leading bojils of the class. Koala and Triuklri, were (he naniei* panis and the former was successful by tin Following were the elapsed times: —Koala iscr), .Mm Ma, ij Taukifl tscr), <V,m S'i.i. 2 ROWING EVENTS West End Club.—Trial fours were rowed on Saturday afternoon for trophies presented bv Mr. J. H. Cooner, vice-president. Results were: First heat: fi. Bigelow, H. F. Gcorire. K. Broad foot, R. Taylor, T. Pen.no JcpX). I; C. Morlev, F. Harrison, A. M. Saba, D. Fraser, W. Pledges (cox), 2. Won by half a length, Second beat:»lt Beckham, IL. J. Me* Pherson, R. Hoskins, f). Fruser, W. Pledges (cox), ii P. Bingley, M. Jameson, D. Senior, M Campbell T. Pernio (cox). 2: R. Rockel. R. Tonkin, W. R. Ferguson, K. Taylor. C. Harris (cox), If. Won by hair ft length. Innal: Bigelow beat Beckham by tlirec-qunrters or a length. SCHOOL SPORTS EVENTS There was a large authoring of parents and past pupils at the Vanxhall School on Saturday afternoon to witness ah.lnterest ug programme of sports events Arranged by 1 tip U end master and staff. The catering arrangements were very efficiently handled by the ladies' committee. Results were:—Basketball: Present punils. 0, mothers, fathers. 3. past pupils, 2. T?Utfbv: Present. 13. past, 0. HAuSe Competitions: Tamnron, 1; ArnwA, 2; Ngapuhi. 3. Past pupils' relay: Nsrapnhi, l; Arawa. 2: Tamaroa, 3.