RUGBY HONOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 230, 27 September 1940, Page 10

RUGBY HONOURS.

MARIST V. TAKAPUNA.

MATCH EXPECTED TO DECIDE THE CHAMPIONSHIP. For the first time in the history of Auckland Rugby football Takapuna has a chance to win the senior championship tomorrow when it meets Marist Old Boys at Eden Park. As a matter of fact, this is the first time that Takapuna has contested the championship. The club was fonmed only six yearis ago and progressed with such strength that it was at the top of the senior B division \t the end of the 1938 season. This year it won all its matches in the first round of the B division and, with University, was promoted. The rules provide that on promotion the teams carry forward their points, but not more than the leading team of the other division. Thus it was that Takapuna started off on even terms with the leaders in the championship proper. For several weeks it shared this position with Marist and Suburbs, tout the latter has now dropped back two points, though, curiously enough, it soundly beat Takapuna 15 points to nil in Takapuna's first gamie in the second round. Since then Takapuna has won ite other four games, beating Ponsonby, Otahuhu, University and Technical.

It is contended, and on sound ground, too, that the way has been made easier for Takapuna by the promotion system itself, the fact that a full second round cannot be played, and in it beating Ponsonby when the latter was depleted by contributions to the representative side. Tafcapuna's play has not been outstanding In its recent victories. To-morrow it will bump against Marist, champions of last season, at almost full strength. Marist have lost recently two forwards, R. Bellgrave, who went to England to join the Navy, and J. Hojan. who was transferred to Te Awamutu, and one back, ft. Bell Booth, who is in camp at North Head. These men have been replaced from the junior rants. In the Takapuna ranks arc two former All Blacks. W. Hadley and M. Corner, hooker and half respectively, and their play will te followed with interest. Another plaver in whom interest will centre is Ewert, the ex-Rotmua fiveeighth, who has been doing spectacular things in his half-dozen games for the club while stationed in the N.C.O. camp at Narrow Neck. Stevens, the full-back, had a big scoring tally as a goal-kicker for Northcote last yea'. The other backs are all products of the club, Butier (centre), in particular, being regarded as a coming player. The star forward is McNeil, who rejoined the Navy a fortnight ago. but is available ior tomorrow's final. Another fine forward is Anderson, and a valuable recruit is R. Colbeck, who played for King's College before joining Takapuna this winter. The teams are:— Takapuna.—W. Stevens: M. Parker. L. J. Butler H. Rogan; R. Rogan. D. J. Ewert: M. M. N Corner: S. Blok; J. Wilson. R. Colbeck. W. Bern. F. McNeil; P. Brady. W. E. Hadley (captain). W Anderson. Reserves: Backs. H. Kelly, J. Gibbonsforwards, D. Wake, T. Barclay, D. Gibbons, J. Mason. Marist Old Boys.—B. W. Hare: F. Bell-Booth. J. Molloy. R. Hardy: R. Neary. L. Curtayne- F. Cooney; P. Patterson; D. Mills, J. Barry, P George, D. Sullivan: M. Bond. J. Langford A. Mofntt (captain). Reserves: Backs, L. Rae, R. Sorenson, D. Barchard; forwards, J. McCabe T. Hogan, P. Reldy.

North Shore.—Backs: Lalng, Wynyard, Graham, Lydford, Stanich. Slyfleld. Wright. Sweetman! Forwards: Shand, Martin, Loadsman, Holt Massey. P. Sheehan. Edwards. Speight. Naughton Goodacre, Scott. (Meet bus terminal for Otahuhu 2 p.m.).