Spectacular Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 727, 29 July 1929, Page 6

Spectacular Rugby

SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT EDEN PARK Grammar Too Fast for King’s AUCKLAND charities will benefit, considerably as a result of the large attendance at Eden Park on Saturday. A big programme of senior and secondary school football was provided and, despite the heavy going, bright and spectacular Rugby was provided. The meeting of King's College and Auckland Grammar School on No. 1 was a bright and breezy affair. Spurred on by enthusiastic supporters, both sides cracked on the pace from the outset, a fast open game resulting in a welldeserved victory for Grammar by 6 to 0.

In tho first few minutes it was apparent that Grammar, on this occasion, held tbe whip hand. The Blue forwards were hooking more efficiently and, behind the pack, a quick and very enterprising half was whipping the leather out to a set of backs that held an apparent advantage in speed and mobility.

But only for tho solid tackling of the | King’s backs tho score at half-time would have been more than three to nil. Time and again the Grammar wings, Currey and Mammon, set sail for the line, and time and again they were laid low by the Maroon wings and centre. Caughey, at centre, was playing a very solid game, his tackling being an object lesson to many senior and representative men. As the last line of defence, Jackson was also proving a solid obstruction. His was by no means a light task. In the first half of the game Grammar was attacking consistently and it was only a stern defence that kept the faster backs from crossing. DOMINATED THE SCRUMS The Grammar forwards, in addition to dominating the scrums, were doing good work in the loose, and it was from one of their surging rushes that Sanft gathered up the ball and forced his way across. The second half was a repetition of tho first, excepting that the King’s backs were showing improved form, particularly in the final quarter. Grammar only held a three-point margin and at the commencement of the last quarter it v as anybody’s game. With rush after rush the King’s men stormed th€' Grammar line, but the Grammar tackling was also sound, indeed it had to be a good run to penetrate far in any direction. EXCITING FINISH It was in the last few hectic minutes that Grammar set the seal on its victory when Currey scored a slashing try on the corner. It was Collins, the first live-eighth, who paved the way with a fast break through and a neat, little dummy that enabled him to beat another man and manoeuvre his wing into position. Currey made no mistake when he got the leather, flinging himself across almost on the very touch line. On the winning side, Newton, at halfback, Collins, first live-eighth/ and the two wings. Currey and Hammon, were outstanding. Newton and Collins. in particular, both played clever football. Like the King's custodian. McFarland played a sound game at fullback, this department of the game on both sides being of a high standard. The hookers, Trewheela and McBeath, performed very consistent!v, giving their backs considerably more than their fair share cf the ball. Robinson and Sanft were prominent forwards and Mulgan made effective use of the roving commission. Caughey was the most outstanding of the King’s rear division. Canning and Hargrave were also prominent, particularly toward the end, although inclined at times to hang on. If the form shown by the rear division in the concluding stages had been produced a little earlier the result of the game might have been different. Mayston, Stokes and Gillett were conspicuous among a very even set of forwards, who also showed better form in the final quarter. Mr. K. Sutherland was the referee. HARD STRUGGLE MANUKAU DOWNS TRAINING COLLEGE GOOD GAME AT ONEHUNGA ! The game between Manukau and Training College at the Onehunsa ground on Saturday afternoon was by no mean, a brilliant display, but it was exciting and hard-fought all the way through. The large number of spectators went away satisfied with the game, and that the best team had won Manukau downing the Teachers by 17 points to 12. In tho last two or three games this year Manukau has not displayed the form which made it so prominent a tram last season, but on Saturday i distinct indication tiiat it was only a temporary relapse was given. On the other hand. Training College played good football, but was unluckv in that nearly every movement was nipped before it reached full flower. Manukau did a great deal of attacking. but found that the College defence was good. Training College’s attacks were mostly the results of spectacular solo efforts originating in defence. It must be said that on the day Manukau was a shade ahead of College

in tactics and initiative. Toward lhe end of the last spell College made tremendous efforts to even the score, and several good movements sent tho left wing speeding a way, only to be tackled by one or other of the Manukau men. Then Manukau would clear and Training

College would have another shot. If i ’allege had played in the first three spells as in the last, Manukau might have gone down. It is hard to differentiate between the two packs of forwards, and similarly it is difficult to select the best of the pack in either team. College “has a gem in Peacock, a nil. rangy fellow, who appears too trail for solid Rugby, but who gives the lie to appearances by his performance*. In more than half of the line-outs it was Peacock who secured for College, and in addition he worked as hard as anyone else on the field, whether it was in the ruck or in the open. Where the ball, there was Peacock. In the Manukau pack there were three or four exceptionally hard workers with McGuire, as the outstanding light, always in the thick of it. Falwaaser. after a spell during which he has been under a cloud, was • •nee more at centre threequarters for the local team, and although he only showed up at odd times, he lent much moral support to the team. Dryers, the stock Manukau half, was a great little worker. He -whipped the ball out to his backs time and time again.

and several times flashed into the picture with solo efforts. Turei was very safe at fullback, and played a fine all-round game. His goal from the half-way line was a beautiful shot, and when the Hags were raised lie received a well-deservd ovation. Linden in the backs was also a tower of strength. Training College’s rearguard combined well, but solo movements were few and far between. Butler, at fullback, was not as good as Turei, either in defence or kicking. The points were made up as follow: Manukau, 17: tries by Kahn, Taylor. Albon and McGuire; penalty goal by Turei. who also converted one try. Training College. 12; tries by Stacey and Peacock; penalty goals by Mcßae and Butler. Referee: Mr. J. R. Gasparich.

VARSITY BACKS GAVE LESSON TO GRAMMAR FORWARDS FOUGHT WELL Because Grammar Old Boys’ backs could not master heavy conditions on Eden Park No. 3 as well as the University set, the students managed to win by nine points to three. It was not a remarkable game; not unexpected, considering the poor state of the ground. There was, however, an exceptionally fine battle between the packs. Here, the weighty Grammar men proved their worth. With better positional play by the backs, Grammar could, indeed, have taken advantage of a considerable number of bright chances. But the Varsity backs were not sluggards in clearing. The main feature about the game was that it was really to decide Varsity’s position in the senior championship. By retaining its position with Ponsonby at the head of the points list at present, Varsity accounted for a team which has distinguished itself twice this season by bettering the Ponies. Varsity had to deal with that big problem—the Grammar forwards. When the Knightfcßatty concern came sweeping in a towering mass through an abundance of slush, there was hard work to do in taking the ball from thudding Grammar toes. But it was done, and Varsity deserved to win. ANDERSON STURDY One of the honest players for the winners was Anderson. In forwards missing the leadership of injured Keene, he played a fine game, and linked excellently with the rover, Linton, in scoring the cleverest try of the game. Linton-was in form. He whipped into the Grammar fiveeighths disconcertingly. Colgan and Brooker were steady forwards. A. Knight, W. Batty, Cathcart and E. Batty were solid bustlers in the redoubtable Grammar pack, but there was little to choose on the day. A Knight’s tall form was valuable in lines-out. Potter was a handy rover Starring in the superior Varsity backs was the half, Jenkin. He defended well, and twice prevented, by individual effort, scores by Grammar. McKay stood out as a five-eighth and honours in the threequarter line went to Minns, who continues to show improved defending qualities. Bush could have been a better fullback, in spite of his apparent soundness in the first half. Repeated Grammar assaults worried him in the second spell and the losers’ only try came when he miskicked. The young Grammar half, Corner, did well, although he was not Jcnkin’s equal. Gardiner, five-eighth, proved that ho was the quickest of tho inside backs in seizing chances. Wilson, winger, and the . fullback, Goodacre, were useful. So Varsity held its top position on its worth. Grammar has energy, but it is not always maintained —and that was shown in the Varsity game. Try-getters for Varsity were Goodwin and Anderson, and Bush kicked a penalty. Gardiner was Grammar’s scorer. Referee: Mr. F. E. Sutherland.

GRAMMAR TOO FAST TAKAPUNA BEATEN Swining the ball round in spectacular passing movements, and harrying the opposing backs unmercifully, Grammar B easily defeated Takapuna by 15 points to eight in tho secondary schools’ match at Eden Park on Saturday. Grammar’s speedy threequarter line, in which Hill (centre) and Ling were prominent for their dashing breakaways, was too smart for the slow-moving Takapuna backs, who were bustled out of possession of the ball when they secured from a scrum. The city students’ rearguard swung quickly into action. Hill proving invaluable in creating scoring openings. Takapuna forwards, however, were slightly superior to the Grammar pack in the loose, and figured in many strong rushes, of which, however, the backs failed to take advantage. Potter and Mortimer were the best of the Shore pack, and Steere and Judson were prominent for Grammar B.

MT. ALBERT BUSTLED SAGGED HEART SETS . MERRY PACE Controlling the game for the first three spells and missing few opportunities, Sacred Heart College fully deserved its six points’ win against Mount Albert Grammar School. It was not until the last spell that the Mount Albert boys really took a turn at sustained attack, and then they met a solid defence which broke down all attacks, the Grammarians making points only through tricky play by Vivian. The ground was heavy and sticky, a factor that handicapped the weighty Mount Albert pack all through the game. There was little to choose between the two packs, though College had perhaps the best of the ox-

changes in the loose. College backs were quick to seize a chance and received a bigger share of leather than their opponents, who lost much ground by not running straight. College was fortunate in the splendid line-kicking and general defence of Elliot at full-b>-%k. A rattling threequarter line in la ura, Tor la and McCarthy was a great attacking machine. Hura, the Maori skipper of the side, particularly impressed. He is speedy and lias, the weight that makes him "hard to stop. In addition he tackles low and hard, and knows how to handle a ball. Scholium was the best of the insides and his work behind the scrum was crisp and neat. Vivian was the best of the Mount Albert backs, and his try was a clever piece of work. He slung the ball out from the scrum with plenty of snap, but was not well supported until tlie other backs found their feet well on in the game. Spence was sound as second live-eighth and Fletcher made few mistakes at fullback, though he was rather overshadowed by Elliot. Tbe game was fast and open and all that a secondary school match is confidently expected to be. Tackling, particularly, was deadly on both sides. Mr. C. F. Pauli was referee. EASY FOR PONSONBY CITY WELL TROUNCED The match was in one sense disappointing. For a quarter of an hour City looked like making a reasonable go of it, but was unable to sustain its first, almost fine, effort. The onus of providing suitable entertainment for the crowd fell on willing Ponsonby shoulders. The first try resulted from a down-the-field-and-across movement, with Jameson making a great run to the City twenty-five where he was tackled. The ball was kicked crossway and McLeod gathered in neatly and got over in the corner. Later, before half-time, Fleet scored and Hook converted. Thereafter Ponsonby had a merry time with many crisp movements that bore fruit. Ponsonby’s winger, McLeod, played great football for three-parts of the game and then was conspicuous no more. Hook defended well and put in several excellent runs. On one of the few occasions in the second half when City looked like scoring its efforts came to naught because Lucas

■ with a flash of his ■ old brilliance suddenly took the ball to outpace the opposition and run 75yds for a try. Jameson c o mpleted a great quartet of backs while McManus almost made it a quintet. In the forwards Appleton, Uighton and Fleet were doing most of the work.

Bishop scored a try and converted it. City has some good forwards led for the most part by Flay, Fletcher and Farnol. Sorrenson, too, was useful. Bad tackling was the weak point in the rearguard. Though fairly handv in attack Kerr Taylor, Allen, Wheaton and the others would crumple before a determined onslaught from the Ponsonby line. Berridge was the bright spot, showing by tackling and dash that he is a force to be reckoned with. He started any good rushes bn Citv’s Part. Scoring Summary.—Ponsonby, 32 points (tries from Canimick, McLeod, Fleet, Solomon. Lucas, Jameson, Bishop, Hook: conversions by Hook (2), Bishop. Rigliton). City, no points.

LAST-MINUTE SCORE TECHNICAL 0.8. WIN FAST-MOVING BACKS Not long before no-side, College Rifles had a lead of two points on Technical Old Boys in a fast game on Eden Park, but the greens came with a rush and pulled the game out of the fire with a converted try. It was a close shave for Technical, and had the Rifles’ defence held for those last few minutes, no one could reasonably have grudged a win for them. There was very little between the teams, and forward play, which was, of necessity, the order of the day, was especially even. In concerted play, Technical’s backs impressed as better handlers on the occasions that they got away in full cry. From the opening whistle, the fastmoving Technical inside backs worried the Rifles. First Morgan got clean away and nearly scored; then Turbott flicked through for a try; and, before the spell was out, Harris got a try. The Rifles were six points down at half-time, and their supporters were by no means hopeful that the dashing Technical backs would be stalled off for the remainder of the game. But next spell. Rifles gained a converted try and a try, and held the advantage until those fateful last minutes. In a way. the losers were unlucky. WILLING FORWARDS Forward play was essentially willing. Noakes, Stehr, Souter and Nicholson got through a lot of hard work for the losers’ pack, and four who caught the eye in Technical’s van were Coll. Roseveare, Corlett and Hahn. The Technical rover. C. Keane, was quick off the mark.

Both halfbacks, Harris, of Technical, and Kirk, of Rifles, played sturdy games. The other Technical insides, Turbott and Haslarn, five-eighths, and Morgan, centre, were eager and reliable, but the wing-threequarters could have been better served in the second spell. Wilson played a rattling good game in the five-eighths for Rifles. He scored two tries. Another promising man, N. McGregor, the centre, did well. At fullback ID. Keane. Technical, and Gillespie, Rifles, showed up creditably. Mr. J. Corner was the referee. MARIST BACKS SURPRISE GRAFTON LACKS TRAINING The brightest expositiop of combined back play Diarist has given this season was the deciding factor in Tykes’ 22 points to three vrin over Grafton at Eden Park. All round. Diarist were an improved

team in combination. Both forwards and backs infused more vigour and dash into their movements, and combined advantageously to open up the game as much as possible. When the rearguard swung into its stride, the movements were extremely bright, crisp passing, good handling, and solid finishing running, particularly by Johnson, being prominent. Conversion of Tykes’ backs into a dangerous attacking force was undoubtedly inspired by Stoupe, who had forsaken his threequarter position for second five-eighth. Always dashing, his initiative and judgment found plenty of scope, creating scoring openings which the threequarters, Stuart and Johnson, generally turned to account. More than once Stoupe flashed through the opposing backs with a neatly-timed cut in. but was inclined to nullify the value of his work by cross-running. His handling and kicking, both on attack and defence, were of a high standard. Heavy scrumming, in which neither side gained much advantage, was the feature of the first spell, which was dull but lor the flashes of back play from Marist. The Tykes’ rearguard warmed to its work in the second term, however, and threw the leather round in excellent style, passing rushes adding another 11 points to the total. Marshall and Lockie were the most consistent of the Marist forwards, the latter showing excellent form in the loose. Grafton fielded a better team than for weeks, hut tbe principal cause of its failure seemed to lie in lack of

training to weld the team together, besides conditioning the men. The forwards battled desperately to hold the fast-breaking Marist pack, and although they succeeded fairly well in the tight, they failed in the loose. Finlayson was in great form, both in the line-

out and breaking through tbe ruck, ball at toe, but almost invariably he was unsupported. Hammond was conspicuous for his hard grafting in the tight, but the majority of the others were passengers. At the base of the scrum, McKay boro the brunt of the defence in his usual solid style. The Grafton backs were given few chances to attack, even so, it was the same story with the forwards, only in this ease Liddle expended his energy and initiative in breaking through occasionally to find no one in support.

PEACE CUP CHALLENGE MORRINSVILLE RETAINS TROPHY (From Our Oion Correspondent) THAMES, Saturday. A crowd of over 3,000 spectators witnessed a great game here yesterday for the Peace Cup. Morrinsville. the holder, retained the trophy, but only by virtue of making a draw of it against Thames. The socre was 10 all, and it was a close and exciting game all the way. Curiously enough, all of Thames’s points were scored in goals. Wells potted a beautiful goal in the first spell, and G. Winder kicked two penalties. For Morrinsville, Anderson scored two tries and potted a goal.