RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25273, 6 August 1945, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

lIADD FORWARD GAME GRAFTON DEFEATS MARI ST Aflor a hard, fast, match. Grafton defeated Marist in tho principal Rugby attraction at Eden Park on Saturday by 12 points to' 6. This was the score at tho interval, neither side being able to reenter any points in the second spell. By defeating Otahuhu in the cur-tain-raiser, Ponsonby maintained its lead for the Gallaher Shield. In the other matches, Manukau proved too good for Navy, while University look the honours from Grammar Old Boys. Conditions for play were good, the ground being fast. A fair easterly breeze did not materially affect the kicking ability of the players. Results were:— Grafton, 12; Marist, 6. Ponsonby, 17; Otahuhu, 8. Manukau, 16; Navy, 9. University, 8; Grammar Old Boys, 3. The match between Grafton and Marist was fought at a very fast pace in tho first spell especially. Both sets of forwards got into the fray with dash and vigour, and there were many exchanges reminiscent of Rugby a fewyears back. No quarter was given by either side. The pace of the gamo among the forwards was surprising and pleasing to watch. The Grafton forwards packed more solidly than the Marist vanguard. Grafton obtained the ball from a few mure scrums than the opposition, but Marist had plenty of chances in this respect. However, the Marist hacks, faced by a determined and solid defence, could make little headway in possession. The losers' rearguard could not link up nearly so effectively as has been the case in recent matches. The lineouts were keenly contested, with lioth (;ides frequently starting attacking moves ; from them. The Grafton rearguard displayed 1 much improved form, but it. too. generally found the defence sound. Grafton Takes Lead

Grafton opened the scoring in the first minute of the game when Edwards kicked a good penalty goal. Marist equal iced with a try from a centre kick by Uae, Forder failing to force the hall. J. Hogan also missed in his attempt to score, but Carroll dashed up and touched down. Grafton's first try was of a sensational nature. Dick gathered near his twenty-five and raced on. Realising his opportunity, he clapped on the pace and Edwards, who had anticipated the move, dashed up to take the transfer and go over by tho posts. The scorer converted, Pearco lost a golden chance when he failed to take a pass with a clear field, following a break-through by Clapp. Then when a Marist attack broke down Mnir potted a neat goal. Misfielding by Schubert led to Marist's second try. which was also scored by Carroll Both teams strove desperately in the second spell, but the fast pace had nad its effect

'An oujatauding game for Grafton was played by Mnir at centre. His defence was excellent. inn strong tackling being a special feature. Paton also played well at fullback, his kicking and defensive work being good all round. Dick was quick to seize chances at. second five-eighths. while Fearon showed promise at half by good passiiy? and tho manner in which he changed his tactics. Anions: the Grafton forwards, Edwards, Pearce. Bansard, Dwan and Banhani stood out, but the whole pack played well. Fullback Missed

Marist missed the .servicw of Sorenson at fullback. French, a forward, filled the position in the first spell and J. Hogan, also a forward, took the role in the second half. H. Fox, on the wins:, was always a source of danger and made some good runs, but he was generally well watched. M. McHugh, Stanaway and Carroll were always prominent in the forward line. Too many of the Marist forwards wore inclined for the open play, and Langford was an offender in this respect. Some of the referee's decisions were hard to follow. Hp was strict at times on offside play and lenient at others. He also penalised both teams when a player in possession passed forward to a support. Once Edwards was penalised for coining through the scrum with the ball at his feet. On another occasion Schubert was offside when he tackled an opponent after being well ahead of a player on his own side who had kicked the ball. Fox, the Marist wing, attempted fo gather the hall and touched it, A Marist player in front of Fox gathered possession, and Fox came into the movement which eventually ended in a try. Ponsonhy had little difficulty <n accounting for Otahuhu. The winners were superior all round The Otahuhu backs had a feast of the ball, but could make little progress owing to rr, "'her times poor passing. the scorers were:—Grafton, 12 (try by Edwards, who also converted and kicked a penalty goal, and field goal by Muir), Marist, (I (two tries by Carroll); Ponsonhy, 17 (tries by Kingston, 2. Menzies and McKay, Kingston converting one and kicking a penalty goal), Otahuhu, 8 (tries by Woodlands and Hedge, the latter converting one); Manukau. Hi (tries by Smith. 2, Hewitt, and MrCanghey, the last-named converting two), Navy, 9 (tries by Saunders and Johnson and penalty goal by Bardie); University, S (two tries by Stevens, one converted by Laurence), Grammar Old Hoys. 'A (penalty goal b.v Gilmour). OTHER COMPETITIONS Senior Second Division. —Parnell. 26. Aotea Colts, 3; Takapuna, 13, Suburbs. 0: Papakura Army, if). North Shore. 3. Lower Grade Results.—Second grade: Manukau, 20, University, 5; Suburbs. 15. Navy Colts, 5: Ponsonb.v 18. Training College. G. Third grade: Grammar, 33. University, 0; Otahuhu, 20. Aotea, 0. Intermediates: Training Collese, 3, Swanson, 0; Manukau, 30, Eden. 3; Marist, 15. Newton. 0. Fourth grade: Grammar, 14. Otahuhu. 3: Mount Roskill. 0. Takapuna, 0: Manukau, 11, North Shore. S; Northcote, 32. Technical Old Boys. 0; Suburbs, 25. Ponsonhy. 0. Fifth grade: Orakei, 22, Technical Old Boys, 3; Eden. 14, North Shore. 0; Norlhcote, 17, Manukau. 3; Suburbs. 21, Olahuhu, 0. Sixth grade: Northcote. 0, Manukau, 0; North Shore, (5, Eden, t); Suburbs, 27. Orakei, 3; Parnell, 33, Takapuna. 3. Secondary Schools.—A feature of matches in the Auckland secondary schools' championship on Saturday afternoon was the success of King's College over Sacred Heart College at Middlemore. The score was It*—6 and this was the first defeat, suffered by Sacred Heart this season. The King's team was the better combination on the day, more particularly in regard to bark play. King's led by 8 points to 3 at half-time and settled (he issue in the second spell with two field goals. For King's College Gilmour scored a try, which he converted, and also kicked a penalty goal, while C'aughey and Hay each potted a goal. Gardiner and Hing kicked penalty goals for Sacred Heart. Auckland Grammar, 12. drew with Takapuna Grammar. 12 in a match at North Shore

PLAYERS FOR TRAINING Senior B Fifteen.—The following senior players have been selected to train at the Ponsonby gymnasium tomorrow night at 7.30 with a view to inclusion in the Auckland representative B team to play Bay of Plenty at Whakatane next Saturday:—Backs: Shiiton (Manukau), Otter (Training College) McCarthy (Marist), McLaren (Grammar). Wickham (Grammar), Wyn.vard (North Shore). Mnir (Grafton), Paewai (AoteaJ, Dick (Grafton). Forwards: Dwan (Grafton), Castles (Otahuhu), Mcßae (Ponsonby), McEvoy (Grammar), Banhatn (Grafton), Richardson (Otahuhu). A. Rogers (Grammar), Hogan (Marist). Lipscombe (Manukau), Marks (Manukau). Service and University players were not available. Third Intermediate.—The following players have been selected to attend training at the Grafton football shed tonight at 7.30: Agnew, Deed, Sheehan, Kiely, Morron (Marist), Clayton, McGregor, Hammond (Newton), Banacivicb, F. Taylor, Ross. Peters (Suburbs), Allely., G. Faire, Wallace, McKerizie, Dnvies, Cooney (University), Peters, Macnay (Technical), Suhritzky (Eden), Clements, Mclllvary, Johnston, Treston, Groves, Fulton, Rossiter (Manukau), Robinson (Grammar), Clarke, Burgess (Takapuna). Sixth, Grade. —The following players have been selected to attend (raining at the Parnell shed, Birdwood Crescent, at 7 p.m. this evening:—Dragovich. Harper, Gallaughan (Marist), Logan, Campbell, Taylor, McAnalty (Northrote), Elliot, Bentley, Ross (Suburbs), MeLachlan, Nelson, Read, Butler, Gordon (Ponsonby), Butt, Dawson (Orakei), Fielden, CodI in, Bovaird (Parnell), Christini, Wolfinden, Lowo (Manukau), Sovey (Grafton). MATCHES IN THE COUNTRY Hamilton. —Hamilton was fortunate in defeating Waipa by 13 points to 0 In its second match in defence of the Peace Cup at Rugby Park on Saturday. Territorially the visitors held the advantage and it was only the superior speed and combination of the Hamilton backs that gave the local team victory. The local forwards were disappointing, but C" hell and Wright played steady football Pearson, McGregor and McMillan were, the best of Hamilton's backs, although Taylor and Watty shone on occasions. For Waipa, Hull, Haycock and Mauriooho were prominent in the backs, and Box, Jowsey, Forkert and Johnston (forwards) gave good performances. Tries for Hamilton were scored by McMillan, Booth and McGregor, who also converted Iwo of them. For Waipa, McGrnther scored a try and Teddy and Haycock each kicked a penalty goal. Clarke Cup matches: Old Boys, S, Kiwis, (i; Frankton, 3. Technical Old Boys, 0: Fighters, ,j, City, 3. Juniors: Technical Colts, 13, Marist, G; High School, 2."., Horotiu, 3. Matamata. —Pride of place at Bedford Park was given on Saturday to the High Schools of Matamata and Rotorua and a larrcr attendance than usual saw the home forwards win the game. I t—!), in the second spell after being behind —O. For Matamata. [ Wilson, Arnold and Shanahan scored tries. [ Nola converted one and- Barron kicked a' penalty goal. For Rotorua, Jackson, Panaka and Kingi scored tries. Second fifteens: Matamata, 14, Rotorua, (i. Intermediates: Mata- , mata, M, Rotorua, 0. Seniors (Concrete Cup): I'atctere, 38, Hinuera. 3; Matamata, I!), Wnharoa, 10. Juniors: Hinuera, 10. Mata- ■ mala. 0. Rotorua.—Kahukura, 23, Old Boys, 3; Whaka defaulted to Ngongolaha. North Auckland Union,—North Auckland Pakeha representatives, 17 dries by Lornie 2, Cunningham and Codling, one converted by Cunningham, and penalty goal by F,. Griffin) beat North Auckland Maoris, 15 (tries by Pherrington 3, all converted by R. White,). . Cherrington, wing Ihreequarter, played an out- 1 standing game, showing exceptional speed, 1 Lornio is in his first season in senior foot- ' ball, and he also played well ori the wing, 1

It was a particularly good contest, the back play being the best produced by a North Auckland side, for some years. School representatives: Southern Zone, 0. Northern Zone. 3 A.TC. match: Whangarei. 12, Dargaville, 0.

Rodney Sub-union. —Tamar*tn. 11. Mainkana, 3; Port Albert, 0, WrlMord, 3. Sub-union. —Seniors: Manukau. (1, WliaiiKnpc, 3. Juniors: Representative team, 25. light senior learn. 5. Bay of Islands Sub-union.—Senior Challenge Cup: Mnerewa fholders). 11. Matarana. 8 Juniors: Representative team, 11. The Rest, 11.