RUGBY SUCCESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25001, 18 September 1944, Page 3

RUGBY SUCCESS

THE GALLAHER SHIELD WIN FOR UNIVERSITY TEAM The Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition for 10-14 was brought to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon, the winning team bclnsc University. Interest in the competition was sustained right up to the final game, as, prior to Saturday's play, it was possible for cither University or Ponsonby to win outright, or for Manukau and Ponsonby to finish on level terms, thereby necessitating a play-off. When University eliminated Manukau in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park, the question of which team would gain the season's honours and the Gallaher Shield depended upon the result of the Ponsonby-Otahuhu game which followed. The defeat of Ponsonby left University a winner by a single championship point. It was the closest finish to a Gallaher Shield competition for years. There was a good attendance at Eden Park, whero the flags were flown at halfmast in memory of Mr P. Allen, a former treasurer of the Auckland Rugby Union who died last week. The weather was fine, apart from a light shower or two, but the teams defending (he Kingsland end had the advantage of a strong wind. Training College and Marist had a keen contest at the college, the former winning by a narrow margin. Grammar Old Boys proved too good for Navy in their game at North Shore. Technical Old Boys had a bye. Following were the results:— University, 14, Manukau, 7. Otahuhu, 20, Ponsonby, 5. Training College, 18, Marist, 18. Grammar, 25, Navy, 0. With the aid of a strong wind in the first spell, University scored II points against Manukau. Four minutes after the start of the second spell. Manukau'a score was opened with a penalty goal. Four minutes later a field goal brought Manukau's total to seven, and at that stage it was anyone's game. The successes encouraged Manukau and the exchanges became willing, one or two of the Manukau players becoming a little overexcited. After a period of stubborn defence, in which some great tackling was witnessed, University worked to the other, end. Here Paewai made a centre kick which he and another University player followed up. The attempt at stopping the attack failed and the ball came out to Paewai aarain. In a flash he was over tho line for a spectacular, try. This settled the issue, although the remaining 20 minutes were stubbornly contested, first one side and then the other being on attack. University deserved its success, as it played the better football. Its forwards stood up well to the strong Manukau pack. Seeley. Darlow, Waldegrave and Gudex being continually prominent. Paewai played another excellent game behind the scrum, and Wilkins combined with him splendidly. Wilkins _ looks likely to make a name for himself in big Rugby. Jones gave a very sound all-round exhibition at centre, He is to be congratulated upon leading his side to victory. It has given consistently good displays throughout the season. Seeley, Waldegrave and Paewai scored tries for University, Smeeton converting one and kicking a penalty goal. For Manukau, Borver kicked a penalty goal and potted a goal. The Otahuhu and Ponsonby teams were both below strength, Hedge and Christian being absent from the former side, while Ponsonby was without the services of Tetzlaff and Wiles. Otahuhu played like a winning team from the outset. A. try was scored two minutes after the kick-off, a penalty sroal was kicked at the end of five minutes, and at the end of seven minutes the suburban team was nine points up, another try having been registered. Eight minutes before the end of the speli a converted try >rave Otahuhu the very handy lend of 11-0 at half-time, i The hopes of Ponsonby's supporters were raised almost immediately play was resumed. McKay made a fine opening which resulted in the centre, Boggs, scoring, and the try was converted. From then on the play swung up and downfield, Ponsonby being unfortunate in that the wind had died down very considerably. The Ponsonby backs could make little headway against solid tackling. The team's chances were settled 13 minutes before time, when Otahuhu added to its score with a penalty goal. Then right on time a try further increased Olahuhu's lead. Otahuhu fielded a fine pack of forwards. Two of them. Richardson and Carlton, were of the best All Black physique, while Ward, a rangier type, stood well over six feet. They were too good for the Ponsonby pack. The veteran, Moyle, played a good all-round game behind the scrum. Conway was sound at first five-eighths, although a little too slow off the mark to give his speedier companion. Kelly, a flying start. Conway's well-judged short kick which resulted in Olahuhu's final try was reminiscent of the days of A. E. Cooke. Ponsonby greatly nnssed Tetzlaff. the substitute halfback being freely penalised for not putting the ball correctly into the scrums. Donaldson was well marked by the opposing backs and breakaways and could make no headway. McKay and Boggs both played good games, Boggs doing a great amount of work. Taylor and Bonrke were outstanding in the forwards. Tries for Otahuhu were scored by Conway, Ryan, E. Enwright and Cooper, Conway converting one and kicking two penalty goals. MATCHES IN COUNTRY Hamilton. —Results of matches played under the control of the Waikato Rugby Union on Saturday were as follows:—Railway, 12, Horotiu. 12; Kiwis, 8, Technical Old Boys, 6. Whangarei.—Tho Whangarei senior representatives defeated the Garrison team (Auckland) by 22 points to 6. E. Griffin (2), Bennett. Hendry and Martin scored tries for Whangarei. Hook and R. White each converting a try, and Hook nlsu kicking a penalty goal. Wright and Tobin scored for Garrison. Primary schools: Southern counties, 20, .Northern counties, 3. WELLINGTON BEATS MANAWATU (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sunday The return Rugby representative match at Athletic Park yesterday afternoon, between Wellington and Manawatu, was played under ideal conditions. In the game at Palmerston North on August 20, Wellington won by three points. Wellington ugain prevailed yesterday, this time by four [mints, 19—15. Although both teams had representatives engaged in the inter-island match at Christchurch, they provided an attractive display of football. It was only Jamieson's extra pace at centrothreeriuarter which turned the scales in Wellington's favour. This player scored three brilliant tries by that little bit of extra speed. The forwards were evenly matched, Wellington getting the ball from a majority of the scrums, and the Manawatu pack showing to advantage in the loose. Although. Wellington led Ul —15 a minute before time, Manawatu nearly carried the day with a rush which took (he ball right in front of Wellington's posts and only an awkward bounce prevented a score. Tries for Wellington were scored by Jamieson (3), Abbott and Tucker, two being converted by Vaughan. Scorers for Manawatu were Butt. Kay and Morgan. Wishnowsky, who played an outstanding game at centrethreequarler until injured shortly before the close of the game, converting all three tries. ROAD CYCLING RACES Auckland Centre's Event.—Senior and junior races were conducted by the centre on Saturday afternoon over a course of 22 miles from Te Papapa to Howick and back. The riders had to contend with a strong head wind on the return Journey. The results were:—Seniors: G W. Ashlon (Manukau), 2m 30s, 1 • L. C. Contes (Manukau). Om, 2; S. W. Sargent (Northern), sm, 3. Fastest time. A. W. Stonex (Manukau), 01m 455. Junior teams' race: Manukau (M, Tctlcy. R. W. Cleal, D. White. B. J. Howlett), 1; Lynndale left rn 2. Race" for Professionals, —The Metropolitan Club held a 40-mile race for the Mickey Hodgins Tronhy at Sylvia Park, the result being: W. White, 12m, 1; M. Gibson, 17m 30s 2; T Davey, 12m. 3. Fastest time, J Whitten. ih 24 m 355. HARRIERS' FIELD DAY Technical Old Boys' Club.—The Technical College Old Boys' Athletic Club held a field dav for harriers at the Orakei School on Saturday Rftcrnoofi. Results:- Junior sprint championship: M E. Stevenson. 1; K. Harris. 2- B. Halldav 3. Senior sprint championship; R. S. firown. 1; R. J. Lang. 2: C. Bogue, 3. 880 junior championship: N. Wilson. 1: M. E. Stevenson, 2; A. Wilson, 3. 880 senior championship: R. J. Lang, 1. D Porter, 2: C. Bogue, 3. Junior sprint handicap: B Haliday 1;: M. 'Ardern 2, G. Kett, 8. Senior sprint handicap: R, S. Brown. 1; R. J. Lang, 2; C. Bogue, 3. One mile handicap: R. J. Lang, liD. Wilson 2;A. Wilson and N. Wilson dead-heat, 3. Shot putt handicap: M. E. Stevenson, li K. Scott 2: R. S. Brown, 3, Junior walk: G. A. Edwards Is M. E. Stevenson, 2; A. Wilson, 3. Senior Walk r C. Dawson, 1. only one to finish. Officials' mufti race: Mr A. Moon, Is Mr A. B. Wilson, 2; Mr K. Scott, 3.