AUCKLAND.

NZ Truth, Issue 1018, 30 May 1925, Page 11

AUCKLAND.

, Saturday's senior games were characterised by the closeness of the results. Ponsonby'i scrambled home on Marist by 6—3, Graf ton triumphed over 'Varsity 9— 3. Grammar downed King's College 6—3, 'Suburbs ' defeated Newton 3^—o and King's Old Boys got the verdict over Mahukau 12 — 9. In each case' it can be said that the games were determined struggles and the spectators had thrills -enough for their money oven though they did not always see Rugby of , a high-class order. -The weather was miserable, and the show er at 3 o'clock made some of the grounds more than heavy. The surprising exception was Eden Park which on a day such as last Saturday ß would be expeqted to be a miniature lake. ;■,. Since the A.R.U. have taken control, however, this has been very widely and effectively tackled -and the games on Saturday were played m almost the be^t of ground, conditions. It is safe to say that Eden Park is. now! second to. none }as a winter, enclosure m the northern city. The weather was fine for the GraftoriWYarsity game but' the display given from a Rugby point of view was only moderate^ v Graftbn nevertheless is a very much improved team and ere long/they will be a force to be reckoned with. They played without Cooke, who was , rested after his , accident of the previous week bu£ the team dis.closed two youngsters of surprising ability. ' Shaw, at centre three-quarters, gave a great display. < He was a thirdgrade player two seasons ago and rested" from the game last season but m his first try last Saturday v m tpe senior grade he played an almost sensational, game. He , got two' of the nicest tines seen this year so far m circumstance's which belied his somewhat limited experience and would have done, credit to a much tolder . exponent. Stewart, another player who took part m the junior grade last season, was promoted for the first time at five-eighths and was amongst the .best players on the match. He has a, good, straight run with 1 a deceptive swerve but had just a. little inclination to hang too long 1 on to the ball. This may hayfe^been lack of ". experience or resource which can be easily remedied, but Stewart should be an invaluable adjunct to the Grafton side. ': He promises to be good material to work m with Cooke when the All, Black gets into action again. Johnson, m the. Grafton backs,' was also noticeable with several clever manoeuvres during the game and when" he received the ball he could be relied upon to dispose of it to the best advantage. There were occasions when he could have been played to more for his usefulness quite justified that. Finlay, at full-back, was solid m t clef ence and his phenomenal kickirtg gained for his side much-heeded relief on <niany occasions., KearyV m the pack,., was again prominent and ., played a, great' game though the same could; be said; of his ciubmates., Keary, However, was no doubt most m the picture, but he has lost his art of goal-kicking. Some practice is badly needed m this respect. : „ . \ 'Varsity's weakness was m the backs and there was not the combination that spectators like to see and J that has come from the same players on other occasions. It would be hard to select the players deserving of special mention- for all the backs had a day off. In \ the pack Keen and; Miller rendered valiant service and the fact of their, team's defeat ' cannot be laid to their door. : They wei'e always m the thick of the fray, and at times dribbled the ball to adYantage. 'Varsity, however, may come again yet. '/ " The score which took; the : Jverdict from Newton and gave it to Suburbs was, registered m- the closing minutes of the game from a .penalty, which was splendidly placed by Coris^dine. . The game for the most part was very rugged, but on the run of the play;. New-; ton were rather unlucky to concede the points.-..- '■..':'.■'•■■•■..-,■■■'.■>.■' : \ ; ■■-,- .-.'/:. - ;■■ ";:.- ',- : The King's— Mahukau clash was a real ding-dong go ar)d the handling by the Kings' backs was perhaps- what pulled the game out of the fire for them. Play was of a give-and-take nature and' ranged from goal to goal at times with surprising vigor and pace/ . Towards the end of the game, jthe Manukau. side did; all the pressing and rcanie, to within an. ace of scoring oh several rdccasipns only to be ' robbed ■of ."success! .;• V ■■ ;.' ' :-:.-:', ■ ■• ; .: ;.-v ■'. :' : '■:■■':■/' Ther-Ponsonby— Marist encounter was one of those games chockful of excitement 'from start to finish but

which on reflection it is hard to light on one particular incident worthy of special mention. In short it was a forward battle and the victory to Ponsonby was m the opinion of some just a. little more than they deserved or rather a little too bad on Marist who played a strong game throughout. Good Rugby was at' a discount and there were few flashes of combined play; The rain interfered a little with the handling of the leather but that was hardly an excuse for the absence of passing for even' attempts were seldom indulged m, the- pace "Hjas too fast and the attack and counter-attack too rugged. The match was won just as the bell rung, Ponsbnby getting a free for off-side just m front of the Marist goal and McManus made no mistake with the kick. ,