Tech’s Colours Lowered

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 999, 16 June 1930, Page 6

Tech’s Colours Lowered

ATTACKED HUT COULD NOT SCORE

Grammar Pack Too Good

BY defeating Technical College Old Boys at Eden Park on Saturday, a not unexpected result, Grammar Old Boys effected a change in the competition leadership. As a result of this match Ponsonby, with 15 points, takes the lead with Technical Old Boys (14) and Grammar Old Boys (13) next. Although Grammar succeeded in winning by 16 points to 0, this score was not a very reliable indication of the trend of the game. As far as territorial advantage was concerned Technical was nearly able to hold its own, but against a heavier and better packing set of forwards was unable to drive advantages home.

In the first half, Lewis and Lindrum scored tries for Grammar, the first of which, was converted, and shortly after the resumption of play, A. Knight scored well after a determined run. This was converted by Savory, who kicked a very fine goal from well out on the twenty-five yard line. Grammar’s last try came per medium of Wilson, who streaked across on the corner after a great effort.

Although the passing of the Grammar backs was very inaccurate in the first half, an improvement was registered after the interval, when the White back machine began to function more smoothly. Toward the end of the gam:the Grammar backs were beginning to move much more easily, which wouLI suggest that with a little more attention paid to combination it would not be necessary for Grammar Old Boys to regard their side, as being purely a forward one. CORNER GOES WELL Corner played his usual good game, getting the ball smartly away from the scrum and also getting through a good deal of very useful defensive work. Weir was the other strong man of the outfit and he was well supported by Lewis, his second-five-eighth, who at times showed a nice turn of speed. Lindrum, who played at centre, gave an improved display at times showing fair promise, and the two Wings, Wilson and Savory, made the most of what came their way. The two Knights toiled well in the forward division, A. Knight turning on a particularly good performance. His try was the result of a very determined effort. Greville, Skelton and R. Potter also went well, but W. Batty, possibly in view of Wednesday’s match, appeared to be taking things easier than usual.

Although in the earlier part of the game the Technical backs were throwing the ball about with greater abandon, they did not appear to be able to turn their rushes to account. At times the threequarter line was racing about in free and easy style, but territorial advantage was all that was gained. Harris (half), Hogg (five-eighth) and Maslam (centre) were the outstanding backs. Harris sent the leather away promptly on all occasions, and he was also called upon to stop a lot of Grammar rushes. Cooper went fairly well on the wing, but was not as good as he has been this season, while Common, on the opposite wing, played an improved game. At fullback. D. Keane was always safe and played his usual sound game. Among a very even lot of forwards, Edgar, A. Keane and Nelson frequently showed up, while C. Keane, at rover, was m the picture. RIFLES BEATS CITY AFTER WILLING GAME FAST PLAY AT EDEN PARK College Rifles beat a weakened City team at Eden Park by 11 points to four. « It was a hard-fought game; in fact, almost too willing, and the referee Had little control ever the play. College Rifles attacked at the start and Revell made a run for Hunt to score. City came back, Lifiden going out in the corner after a good dash—the first of many. Carter then sprang a surprise by putting over a dropkick. As Rifles’ try had not been converted, City took the lead. Albrecht looked like doing something and Johnson missed with a penalty in a handy position. McGregor nipped through in great style and sent to Dodd. Dodd gained some ground. before passing rather wildly back to Albrecht, who knocked on. Shortly afterward Johnson succeeded with a free kick.

Linden put in another run, but was forced out. SteCr marked from behind half way and tried to put over a “droppie.” It was a mighty fine kick, but veered to one side. A Rifles’ passing moyement failed when Denize knocked on, but the blue line got going again. The ball went to Warren, who sped toward the corner with Donold outside him. Two opposing backs both expected Warren to pass to Donald, so all he had to do to score a neat try was to cut in postward. The try was converted. There was no further score in the game.

At the start of the second half Rifles pressed, but Barnes, that useful City forward, set off and passed to McKay. Tho leather travelled up and down field. City heeled, but Warren seized an opening and City had to force. Nicholson was prominent in a Rifles’ attack which came to nothing when Linden got away well. Rifles forced. Holt attempted a pot and the ball went from Crook to Barnes, who crosskicked to Sorenson. Denize nipped through and nearly had a runaway. City exerted a great deal of pressure as the game neared its close. Barnes broke away and alrhost reached the line. Carter narrowly missed with a free kick. The City forwards started a destructive-looking rush, but Kirk went down to it. A penalty from far out saw Warren miss narrowly. PONSONBY’S ONE-POINT MARGIN OVER VARSITY SECOND SPELL EFFORT Flashes of exhilarating back play that frequently brought the crowd to its feet marked the fast, open contest between Varsity and Ponsonby at Eden Park on Saturday. Ponies were decidedly lucky in preserving their unbeaten record by a one-point margin, the scores standing 12-11 at “no-side." Territorially the much-improved students’ team had the better of the game, and played consistently better football, though one must hand it to Ponsonby for its determined dash in the second spell that snatched the game out of the fire. A disappointing feature was the handling of both back divisions, tor apart from .badly-directed, passing there were more chances lost through fumbling and mishandling than in any game this season. It was difficult to understand how the Varsity frontrankers beat such experienced hook-

ers as Palmer and Heyward, for the ball from the majority of set scrums in the first spell. Possession of the ball, however, gave the clever little students’ half, Rae, plenty of opportunities to set his backs in action, with the result that the Varsity backs hurled in rush after rush on a stubborn Ponsonby defence. The reason for the failure of these movements was principally the shallow-positional play of the whole back line, the fiveeighths having no time to get into their stride or to manoeuvre. The second “five,” McKay, was the bright spot of the attack. He showed nice judgment in drawing the opposition with dangerous thrusting runs, and his blind side “dummying” run, which made the opening for Varsity’s only try, was a brilliant piece of w r ork. The speed merchant, Minns, was watched with the utmost care, but he was unlucky all day. Two or three times he electrified the crowd with startling bursts of speed, but he just could not reach top gear before an opponent jammed the brake on! Butler gave a sound display at fullback, handling and kicking well, besides landing two fine penalty goals, and converting a try. The Varsity forwards, in which J. Jenkin and Stacey were prominent, pressed home every advantage in the first spell, following up well and smothering the Ponsonby forwards, but they could not cope with the tight tactics of the opposing pack in the second term.

Ponsonby backs could not do anything right in the first half, and on the few occasions that McManus had the ball heeled to him, he sent out bad passes Apart from this the handling of the other backs was little better. L. Hook was right at the top of his iorm. and several times delighted the spectators with sparkling dashes. r He

shone out prominently in the second spell when he swung into the position of an extra five-eighths, when play was on the touch-line, and twice made openings, with thrusting runs, from one of which McLeod scored. It was not until Varsity was five points ahead that Ponsonby clapped on the pace, and came back—with almost sensational speed. It was here that Lucas showed some of his old-time brilliance, with a flashing, penetrating run, making the opening from which Meikle scored an unconverted try. The Ponsonby skipper later kicked the match-win-ning goal from in front of the i>osts. Practically throughout the second spell, Ponsonby hookers sent the ball out cleanly from the set scrums and in the line-out and rucking play kept the ball well under control in driving loose rushes. McWilliams, who registered Ponsonby’s first try, was in splendid form in the line-out and loose work and was well supported by Solomon. Mr. G. Peace was referee.

MANUKAU’S VICTORY

GRAFTON BACKS OUTCLASSED Grafton’s backs were completely outclassed by Manukau, in a game at the Showgrounds, on Saturday, which the West Coasters won 17-8. In the first half the Onehunga men had play all their own way and had rattled up eight points by the time the spell was called.

Early in the second half, Jones dropped a brilliant goal from midfield and put Manukau 12 points up. From this stage the Manukau combination weakened considerably and Grafton’s first score came when Lockie opened up and enabled Halls to cross. Moore goaled. The score was followed immediately by another for which Fraser, the rover, was chiefly responsible. He started an attack from half-way and enabled McCarthy to go over. The try was not converted.

With the score now 12-8. excitement reigned high and Manukau was considerably frightened. The West Coasters attacked strongly and took play inside the magpie twenty-five for E. Brimble to score. Turei added the extra points a few minutes before time and the game ended with a nine point win for Manukau. On the Grafton side, the hardest worker on the field was Fraser, the rover. He could have scored several times with support, but in nearly everv case it was lacking. Sheddan, at halfback was reliable and got the ball out of the scrum more often than not. but a weak threequarter line minimised his efforts.

For the victors, Turei, as usual, played a brilliant game. Jones, in the five-eighths line, played a good individual game, but his passing was weak. Bryers, behind the scrum was handy, when he got the ball which was seldom. In the forwards, Kahn used his weight to advantage. Mr. L. Guiney refereed. Scoring register: —Manukau 17 points. Jones, dropped goal and try Turei. two conversions and penalty. FI. Brimble, try. Grafton, eight points. Halls and McCarthy, tries. conversion. WIN FOR MARIST TEACHERS OFF COLOUR Another item was added to the Training College record or inconsistencies on Saturday, when the team, giving its worst display so far this season, went down to Mar Ist by six pomts. Except

for the last quarter, when the score was B—6,8 —6, and both sides were cracking on the pace, the game was ragged and uninteresting. College seemed to be worn down by the much heavier Marist side, and this was especially noticeable during the first half, when the game was kept fairly tight. Marist was getting the ball from the scrums and line-outs, but poor handling by the inside backs spoiled many good chances. The Marist forwards worked well and gave Walker, the College halfback, a really bad time. From almost every line-out they burst through, the College pack not doing much to prevent them. College had a share of the scrums but, there, too, poor handling was a bad fault. The outstanding back on the field was Cornthwaite, at centre. Given more opportunities in attack, he would have been a dangerous man. His handling and kicking were excellent, and he never missed his man. Evans and Walsh were two solid wingers, who did not see much of the ball, but were hard to stop when they did get it. Loombe was a safe fullback. He was kicking well and put over a beauty from a penalty at halfway. The inside backs were weak. Loft suffered from a tendency to get out of position. and Wright’s passes from the scrum were slow. . Judd, Locke and the Hadley brothers were the best of the forwards.

Bush was not the same fullback as against Rifles on the previous Saturday. His handling was sure, but he tried to do too much on his own, and was frequently caught in possession. His kicking also was not as good as usual. McFarland and Connolly were the best of the backs, the former, particularly. making some good runs on his wing. Walker went down gamely to the big Marist forwards. Morrison and Dobbs were the best of the forwards. There was little to complain of in the refereeing of Captain J. G. C. Wales. INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCH NELSON BEATS MARLBOROUGH Press Association BLENHEIM, Saturday. Before a good crowd in beautiful weather Nelson defeated Marlborough by 11 points to 8 in the first representative match of the season. The handling and backing-up of the Nelson backs were superior and it was this advantage which gave the visitors victory. Nelson fiielded a heavier pack, but the forwards were short of form, only playing up when hard put to it. The Marlborough forwards wero notable for their consistent tight packing, which kept th-s* ball away from the Nelson rearguard Marlborough achieved distinction by winning most of the scrums and incurring more numerous penalties The first spell was fairly open apO fast, with some spectacular passages Slater opened Marlborough’s account in thrilling fashion, running nearly the length of the field for an unconverted try. Less than a minute later Max finished off the passing movement, scoring an unconverted try for Nelson J. Cameron then scored in a melee in front of the posts, McLaughlin con verting and putting Marlborough five up** Before the spell ended Nelson equalised, Wells touching down after Newman beat the defence hollow. New* man converted. Play degenerated in the second speU to a forward scramble, Nelson securing tho conqueror with an unconverted try by Street. Eric Snow was particularly prominent for Nelson in the line-outs. SENIOR B GRADE OTAHUHU UPSETS EDEN By defeating Eden on Saturday, the Otahuhu senior B grade fifteen maintained its place of second in the competition. The match was played at Sturgess Park, Otahuhu, before a good attendance of spectators. Playing against the wind, the home j team dominated play and kept Eden busy on the defensive until the closing stages of the first quarter, when ♦he visitors took up the attack, but without result. 4 .Favoured with the wind in the second spell. Otahuhu continued to press and its forwards and backs both set some promising movements going, but without success until Inglis fielded a high kick and swerved his way through, to register the first try of the match, well out. The kick at goal failed. Eden thdn took a hand in the offensive and kept the home rearguard busy until half time. After half time Otahuhu set off with great dash and hammered at the visitors’ line, good back mevements predominating. Eden soon retaliated and sent the ball out to the backs at every opportunity, but the solid defence put up by Otahuhu stopped them from scoring. The visitors were unlucky at this stage through the ball being knocked on when they were in a certain scoring position. Gaining possession from a scrum, Latta (Otahuhu) sent the ball out on the blind side of th§ scrum to Clarke, who side-stepped his way through five of the opposing team to s6ore a good try. The kick failed. The opening of the final quarter saw both teams going big guns. From one of the nicest movements of the day Clarke gained possession and registered well out for Otahuhu. White added the extra points with a good kick. The visiting halfback, who had been playing a great game, had to retire with a broken nose. Otahuhu continued to have the better of the game until off-side play gave Eden the opportunity to register its only points in the match. The game ended: Otahuhu 31, Eden 3. Mr. J. Sutherland was referee. SECONDARY SCHOOLS

GRAMMAR’S BIG WIN Playing great Rugby. Auckland Grammar piled up the big score of 45 to nil against Sacred Heart on Saturday. The Grammar backs were in great form, and most of the tries were the result of sparkling movements. Tries were scored by Hill (2), Newton. Drake, Currie, Slyfield. Farrelly, Mcßeath, Jessop. and Hammon. Slyfield converted three tries. Robinson two, and Newton one. NINE POINTS ALL With three minutes to play. Mount Albert was throe points ahead of King's, but Caughey scored a great try. Coles missed a difficult kick, and the game ended nine all. Mount Albert's forwards played a bustling game, and dominated much of the play. Both sets of backs were working well, and the game was full of interest. For Grammar, Storey and Reid scored tries, and Fletcher kicked a penalty. Stokes and Caughey scored for King’s, and Coles kicked a penalty. ACHES! PAINS! STRAINS! SPRAINS! ELI.LMAXS K:\IBKOCATIOX used by athletes in trainxos or “after the