many exciting moments

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 672, 25 May 1929, Page 12

many exciting moments

Varsity Just Heads Manukau TEACHERS AND MARIST DRAW

GRAMMAR BY THREE POINTS

KEENLY contested games, each containing many exciting moments, were seen at Eden Park this afternoon. Spectacular and exciting Rugby in the characteristic Manukau fashion was seen on No. 1, where an improved Varsity side just held the West Coasters off to win by 9 to 6. the play in the last quarter keeping the large crowd eontinually on their feet. On No. 2 Marist effected a surprise by fighting out a drawn game with the unbeaten Training College side. The game was keenly contested, the last moments being fought out amidst hectic excitement. Another drawn game also resulted on No. 3, where City and College Rifles scored six points apiece. At the Domain. Grammar Old Boys defeated Technical Old Boys by 16 to 13 and at the Showground, Ponsonby defeated Grafton by 32 to 13. Manukau v Varsity

Bush. Anderson. Jenkin arid Robinson became associated in a good passing bout when the Varsity custodian fielded and elected to try a gallop. Play went to the Manukau line before Robinson was forced out. Then a hurtling dash by Minns, who took the corner flag with him as he was pushed out. Manukau was attacking hotly when Brimble dashed through. Satherley carried on and went within inches, but Bush cleared with a hefty boot from an ensuing scrum. A great dash by Linden again put the West Coasters on attack. Out the leather flashed to Satherley (wing-threequarter), who crossed, but the try was not allowed. A slashing Manukau rush, headed by French and McGuire, took play to the line but Varsity forced. Then into the picture, ball in one hand, flashed Falwasser. He threaded his way through with a great run to the twenty-five, where his supports were pushed out. The crowd was on its feet with excitement when Manukau followed up the advantage and Varsity was compelled to force. The last few minutes of the game were fought out amid great excitement, but without any further alteration to the score. Varsity 9 Manukau 6 . Mr. C. F. Pauli was the referee. Training College v. Marist Training College met Marist on Eden Park No. 2. The teams were: Marist. Cornthwaite, Johnson, Stewart, Walsh, Mallett, Smith, Wright, Marshall, Henry, Davies, Molloy, Locke, Cotter, Hadley Carroll. Training College.—Woodroffe, Abbott, Lowrie, Mcßae, Mackay, Weir, Rae, Stacey, Bellshaw, Dobbs, Blow, Webb, Peacock, Hodge, Herbert. Marist started off at a great pace, and penned College in its own twentyfive for the greater part of the quarter. The Marist pack bustled the opposition sorely, and only sound defensive play by Woodroffe, who was playing fullback in the absence of Butler, and Lowrie kept Tykes out. Johnson put some sparkle into the game with lively sprints down the line, and twice beat Mcßae to be hauled down within a few yards of the line. Shortly after change-over, Johnson had another gallop, and again beat Mcßae to score a fine try wide out. Stuart missed a difficult one: Marist 3, Training College 0. College livened considerably and the forwards gained more of the ball from the scrums. Several promising movements broke down at Mackay, who was dropping passes rather too' frequently. College kept up the pressure, and Cornthwaite was prominent for brilliant defensive work. Marists opened the second half with a spectacular movement. Smith dodged his way through the College pack and after nearly going over on his own handed in to Stuart, who crossed with a fine burst of speed. The same player missed the kick. Marists 6, Training College 0. Abbott opened the teachers’ account with a fine penalty shortly afterwards. Marists 6. Training College 3. College continued to attack but dropped passes made every effort useless. The scores were equalised when Abbott kicked another penalty. Training Colege 6, Marist 6. The game was willing, both sides putting in every ounce and enthusiasm was at fever-heat.

There was a large attendance at Eden Park when the teams lined out for the big game. Several changes had been effected in the Manukau rear division by the club’s coach, Mr. W. Meredith. Falwasser playing second five-eighth, instead of wing, being the most notable. The teams lined out in the following order:— Manukau. —Dykes, Linden, Brimble, Sdtherley, Falwasser, Bryes, Simmonds, Taylor, Housham, Brimble, Kahu. McGuire, Laird, Satherley, French. Varsity.—Bush, Goodwin. Minns, McKay, Carter, Jenkin, Linton, Rrooker, -Clarke, Jenkin, Colgan, Anderson, Robinson, Edwards. The West Coast forwards gave promise of being well on the job, storming through the ruck early in the piece and tearing downtield through the Varsity inside backs. Varsity Quickly returned, however, and from a penalty well out Bush kicked a fine goal. Varsity 3, 'Manukau 0. Again the Varsity packmen pressed dangerously until Bryes intercepted and cleared cleverly. Falwasser shone brilliantly with a clever run and, as a result, Manukau were again on the attack. An attempt at a pgt by Bryes sailed dangerously close and helped to maintain the enthusiasm of a large Manukau following. A brilliant burst through by McKay saw Manukau defending hotly, first Falwasser, Brimble and Bryes handling, finally for Taylor to line out and save. Then followed a brilliant burst of play. A high kick from Falwasser bounced infield, and Laird following up fast pounced on the ball and passed to McGuire, who, in turn, transferred to French. Then Brimble came into the movement to cap it with a fine try. Dykes failed with the kick. Varsity 3, Manukau 3. At this stage Kahu, the massiye Manukau back, received head injuries that necessitated his retirement. He was replaced by Fepper. Through the medium of Bush, another three points were registered in favour of Varsity, the fullback kicking a fine penalty from wide out near the twenty-five. Varsity 6, Manukau 3. With a great rush the Manukau van broke through the rucks, back after back went down in valiant efforts to stop a devastating attack that surged almost on to the Varsity line. Here Varsity infringed and three points looked certain, but Satherley missed the easiest of kicks. Then the Varsity forwards made amends with a series of rushes that took play deep downfield. For a while play surged on the Manukau line. Then a scrum and Quick as a flash Jenkin whipped the leather out to the Varsity threequarters. Goodwin, standing wide out aud almost unmarked, secured and was over in a flash. Bush narrowly failed with the kick as half-time sounded with the scores: Varsity 9 Manukau 3 Fast bursts of forward play varied with occasional dashes by the Varsity backs characterised the opening of the second half. Falwasser, who was playing an energetic game at fiveeighth, narrowly missed with a field drop. Manukau pressed again and from a welter of close, hard play on the line Brimble (centre threenuarter) got across. The. same player missed with the kick. • Varsity 9. Manukau 6. Play was fast and furious and excitement at times intense. Again Minns got possession and streaked.for the line. Once again Linden, who was tackling soundly, laid him low on the turf.

Marists attacked fiercely, but with no result, and there was no further score. The game ended: Training College 6 Marists 6

Ponsonby v Grafton Ponsonby overwhelmed Grafton at the Showgrounds this afternoon, although the side was without R. Hook, whose ribs are still troubling him. Grafton did not have Wanoa, who is suffering from influenza. The teams were: Grafton.—Stevenson, Ruru. Moore, Liddle, Denize, Hameora, McKay, Hargreaves, Keary, Cooke, Finlayson, Crompton, Kaa, Tucker, Hammond. Ponsonby.—P. Symes, L. Hook, F. W. Lucas, G. McLeod. C. Cammick, A. Jamieson, S. McManus, F. Solomon Appleton, P’leet, Bunting, Edgars, McWilliams, B. Palmer, L. High ton. With the sun in its eyes Ponsonby kicked off and immediately launched a series of back attacks until at last the ball went from Lucas to Cammick to Solomon in. to Lucas to Righton who scored in a nice position. Cammick missed the kick. Ponsonby 3, Grafton 0.

Grafton went into things vimfully fore and aft, but cohesion was lacking in the rearguard. After a hot Grafton rally reaching to the blue line Moore marked a-high kick toward the centre of the field and equalised the score with a goal. Ponsonby 3, Grafton 3. Then came a great try. The ball went along the blue chain to Lucas who made about thirty yards to sliortpunt to the centre, where he dashed in to take the ball from the magpie forwards’ toes. He centred and Righton took the ball, which travelled out for McLeod on the opposite wing to score in the corner. The kick failed. Ponsonby 6, Grafton 3. Liddle made ground for Grafton in a determined run and Ponsonby was saved only by a penalty, with the magpie forwards swarming in front of the posts. With the sun behind it in the second quarter Ponsonby returned to the attack and L. Hook went over in the corner from a short blind-side rush. Canimick missed. Ponsonby 9, Grafton 3. Next, Lucas got the ball and sent to the forwards, following up for Solomon to pass to. Cammick who scored in the corner. The kick missed. Pen- | sonby .3 2. Grafton 3. Ponsonby was swingring the ball

round in great style and L. Hook was stopped from scoring with a nice tackle by Stevenson. The next try came when the ball travelled from a line out to Hook on the right wing, in to Lucas who jinked through to leave Stevenson standing and to score- under the posts. McWilliams converted. Then McManus sent in the blind side from a scrum to Solomon to Jamieson to Hook—a try in the corner unconverted. Half-time scores were:

Ponsonby 17 Grafton • • 3 The second half opened rather sensationally, Liddle getting the ball at about half-way and running through the Ponsonby side to score under the posts. Kaa converted. Ponsonby 17, Grafton S. Ponsonby, however, reasserted its supremacy and threw the ball about cheerfully. Within a few minutes tries were scored by McLeod and Hook, bringing the score to Ponsonby 23, Grafton 8. Lucas went off with an injured ankle, Fraser going on to the right wing and Hook moving to centre. Liddle made a fine run for Grafton and a scramble for the ball behind the Ponsonby line ended in a scrum from which McKay dived over on the open side, Kaa converting. Ponsonby 23, Grafton 13. Grafton forwards troubled Ponsonby for a while, but from a scrum in the Grafton twenty-five the ball was sent out to Hook, who dummied and cut in to score in a handy position. Cammick missed the kick. Ponsonby 26, Grafton 13. McManus sent to Hook, to Jamieson, to McLeod, who scored in the corner, the kick failing. Ponsonby 29, Grafton 13. Then Solomon scored from a rush? that began at "the Ponsonby 25. Cammick missed again. The final score was: Ponsonby 32 Grafton 13 The referee was Mr. C. Webb. City v College Rifles On a greasy ground City and College Rifles met at Eden Park. The game was fully 20 minutes late in starting due to a junior match being slow in finishing. The teams were: City.— Herewini, Ifwerson, Wheaton, Ferguson, Berridge, Allen, Lockie, Kerr, Taylor, Clarkin, Flay, Farnale, Sorrenson, Kennedy, Fletcher and Crisp. College Rifles. —Larsen, L. Williams, N. Williams, Webber, Wilson, Gillespie, Kirk, Donald, McDonald, Soutar, Dodd, Nicholson, Noakes, Stewart and Fogarty. Weak fielding bv Herewini, who was twice tackled in ’ possession, enabled College Rifles to sweep to City’s line where only solid packing by the Red forwards kept the line intact. City was in trouble a few minutes later when Noakes, Stewart and Fogarty led a strong loose rush to the line, Allen effectively saving by running across behind his goal mouth.

Twenty minutes elapsed before City invaded the Blues’ territory, Lockie and Clarkin making a spirited breakaway, rushing play to the corner. The City forwards’* chance from the lineout, however, was lost when Gillespie marked neatly. A marked improvement in City’s backs at the opening of the second quarter, Lockie opening up two nice movements on the blind, but fumbling robbed twice within an ace of scoring. Fielding a penalty in mid-field, Berridge paved the way for a spectacular try. Threading his way through College’s forwards, transferring to Clarkin, who whipped the leather to Allen, who flashed in brilliantly through an opening in the Blue defence, eluded the fullback neatly and touched down near the posts. Berridge failed to convert. City 3, College Rifles 0. Stung by this reverse, Rifles’ forwards with Stewart and Noakes in the van swept to City’s line, but were repulsed by the Reds’ determined packing. The Blues, however, pressed hotly, and racing from a scrum, Wilson made a bold lone bid bowling over several tacklers before he was downed on the line. Then Webber made a spirited dash for the corner, but the tackling was too solid. The score at half-time was unchanged. City 3 College Rifles 0 City forwards livened up on resumptions, and assailed Rifles defence time and again with smashing loose rushes in which Clarkin, Sorenson and Fletcher .were prominent for their consistent following-up. For five minutes they pinned the blues on the line. Gaining possession from a corner lineout, Fletcher smartly whipped round on the blind and dived over for a neat try. Berridge’s kick again went wide: City 6, Cqllege Rifles 0. Taking advantage of weak fielding and rushstopping of the City backs, Rifles forwards, led by Noakes and Stewart, pressed- hotly on City’s line. Time and again Kirk set the Blue back machine in motion, but opposed to a stubborn defence, the movements collapsed within feet of City’s goal. Bad luck dogged Rifles for fully ten minutes, during which it held City penned in its own twenty-five, but fortune changed in the last minute of the quarter, when Gillespie landed a fine penalty goal: City 6, College Rifles 3. Infusing new vigour into its work, College Rifles forwards swept to City’s line, stopped only by a five-yard scrum. Wilson raced round the blind, but was dropped, but Stewart following him gathered in the leather, diving over to equalise the scores. The failed: City 6, College Rifles 6. Referee: Mr J. Shepherd

Technical Old Boys v. Grammar Technical Old Boys met Grammar Old Boys on Domain No. 6. The teams were: Technical Old Boys.—Anslev, K. Couper, Morgan, R. Couper, D. Keane Porteous, Harris, Coll, Corlett, Rosevear, Lambert, Nelson, Hahn, Malcolm. Grammar Old Boys.—Gardner, Wilson, Skelton, Singleton, Olson, Lewis, Corner, P. Potter, R. Potter, L. Knight, Schnauer, Cathcart, W. Batty, E. Batty, Jordan. Grammar kicked off and Harris, the Technical half, made a great run. A free kick for Technical followed, but D. Keane failed to put the ball over. Play was fast, with Technical attacking. Grammar took the ball downfield, and Technical forced. R. Couper then scored a fine try. Morgan’s kick missed. Technical 3, Grammar 0. Grammar attacked hard and from a free kick outside the twenty-five Skelton gave his side three points. The Grammar backs started a passing rush that just failed to reach Singleton and a score. The Greens pressed and were awarded a free kick in front of the posts. D. Keane missed badly. Harris nipped round the scrum once, but his effort came to nothing, and Morgan missed a difficult free kick. Grammar now attacked with Lewis conspicuous. K. Couper made a great dash and ran round behind. C. Keane converted. Technical 8, Grammar 3. SECOND HALF From the resumption Grammar attacked. and Wilson was unlucky not to score. Morgan and Ron Couper broke away, | and Morgan ran 60 yards before being | brought down on the Grammar line, j Technical was making the pace hot. j Morgan dashed round the posts from | the twenty-five line. C. Keane convert- j ing. Technical 13. Grammar 3. Play was in mid-field for a time, and]

then Grammar attacked. Corner scoring far out. Skelton converted. Technical 13, Grammar S. Grammar was now having the better of the play. The teams changed over for the last quarter. The Whites returned to it and were awarded a free kick in a difficult position. . Skelton missed. Grammar continued to attack, but a free kick relieved for Technical. A few minutes later Skelton scored in the corner. He converted his own try, thus making the scores equal. It was a great piece of work. Both teams "were now trying hard, and play was very fast. A line-out on the Technical line and the Grammar backs opened up a movement nearly fatal for the Greens. A free kick in front of the Technical posts enabled Skelton once more to put the ball over for Grammar. Technical returned to it and Grammar forced. Still another free kick followed for Grammar, and the White back took the ball right down to the Technical line. Play shot back to Grammar territory. L. Knight made a great run with the ball at his feet, and "Tiny” Harris had just received a nasty blow’ on the ankle when the game ended.' Final score: Grammar Old Boys 16 Technical 13 Mr. M. Kronfeld was referee.