Popular Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 77, 22 June 1927, Page 7

Popular Rugby

Start of Second Round Leading Lights on the Move AIEXT Saturday will begin the second round of the Auck--1" land Rugby Union’s senior competition. Local Rugby—which demonstrated its popularity last Saturday—is now a,t and interesting stage. Movements of many prominent players are heralded, and the influence is that some, at least, are anxious to catch the attention of the New Zealand selectors.

Two good games for Saturday—College Rifles v. Ponsonby; Grafton v. University. Rifles and Ponsonby met in the opening game of the first round, wherein Rifles suffered a severe lacing. University, the same day, handed Grafton their only first-round defeat. . Still strangers at Eden Park, Grafton have been seen on the main ground only once, in spite of their exalted position in the points table. • * * Crowd at the Park The size of the crowd at Eden Park last Saturday must have gratified Mr. H. Frost, the president of the Auckland Rugby Union —whose enthusiasm for the game is sc keen —and suggests that the gate receipts will register big figures when crack visiting teams are met later in the season. Eden Park No. 1 is in great playing condition this season, and the extended terracing allows a huge crowd to gather on the far bank. * * * Half-Time Restrictions It has now been made plain that the players in the main club matches at Eden Park are kept on the field, during the spell, in order to save time. The latest concession is that the referee may allow players to leave the ground on request, a provision which will probably result in the departure of a big squad from the field each time, and the reduction of the measure to the level of an absurdity. At this week's meeting of the referees' association it was revealed that the unpopular rule is to be applied to rep. games, as well as club matches. Butler Stands By So keen a judge of Rugby form as Mr. V. R. Meredith could hardly have been expected to overlook the improvement of Butler, and on Saturday the Varsity fullback was asked to be on hand at Eden Park, just in case of need. Competition for places among the Auckland backs is evidently going to be very keen. On Saturday’s display none could be dropped, but under stress—which Thames could not apply' —flaws in the armour might be exhibited. * * * Fletcher Trio A trio of Fletchers figured in the Manukau-Waitemata Senior B game on Saturday. One wore the sombre raiment of Manukau, and the other two, the well-konwn brothers, the Waltemata livery. Players of former greatness rarely inspire when, past their prime, they play in fixtures of lesser magnitude. To many it must have seemed an anticlimax that the ex-All Black, C. Fletcher. should have been playing B grade, while on the next field was playing the Auckland representative side, which he adorned so long. * * * Spirited Clash The Waitemata-Manukau encounter was a spirited clash, sometimes verging on actual conflict. To those who tried to watch both games it was a contrast to the rep. fixture, but not without its attractive phases. C. Fletcher, former All Black forward, was at second five-eighth, a position in which his only distinguished effort was a magnificent field goal. His brother, B. Fletcher, led the Waitemata pack with tireless zeal. * * * Eyes on Masterton On Saturday, July 9, Wairarapa will defend the Ranfurly Shield, and all eyes will be on Masterton for the occasion.

The Hawke’s Bay backs will probably be an improvement on the ragged lot who lined out on June 3. Lance Johnston, late of College Rifles, is reported to have been transferred to the Masterton branch of Wright, Stephenson and Co. He would be an acquisition for Wairarapa. Q. Donald, who is a prominent sheepbreeder, may not be available for Wairarapa on July 9, as he contemplates a trip to the Sydney Royal Show. * * * E!vy for Petone W. Elvy, All Black winger (“The Dancing Master”) has left Pahiatua, and is now living in Wellington, where he turned out for Petone (scoring a try) against Poneke last . J. Steel, another All Black winger, is aiso reported to be settling in Wellington. Recently he left the West Coast to live in Christchurch, where he turned out for Albion, but apparently his intentions are not yet settled. * * * Seven League Boots Keene, the Varsity rover, lopes about the field as though he were wearing seven league boots, and must cover a lot of ground in a match. On Saturday he was. one of the outstanding players on the ground, handling the ball well, in spite of his apparent clumsiness, and harassing the Thames backs to such an extent that he instituted a sort of reign of terror. S. Hadley, the Marist hooker, also played grandly on Saturday. Thirteen stone in weight, 22 years of age, and a footballer from the ground up, he has excellent prospects for the South African trip next year. * * * Pars About Players Kilby, ex-Southland half, is pleasing Wellington crowds. Lance Johnston has been associated with him for the last two weeks, and if he goes to Masterton, Kilby will lose a capable colleague. M. Nicholls is still starring for Petone. B. Grenside, hurt in the Hawke’s Bay - Wairarapa match, had a fortnight in hospital, but hopes to be fit for the shield engagement on July 9. Grenside’s Scoring Grenside, incidentally, is easily the highest scorer in Ranfurly Shield matches. His accumulation of 132 points—he passed the century in the match with Wellington last year—overshadows that of M. Nicholls, who is next with 73, and after that come more Hawke’s Bay men: J. Blake 66, G. Nepia 62, and then the Aucklander, Dufty (“Give-it-to-Dufty”) with 49. The provincial record is held by Hawke’s Bay, with 740 points, followed by Wellington with 472, Auckland (405) and Taranaki (96). Odds and Ends Master-at-Arms W. G. E. Luddington, the first lower-deck man to captain the Navy at Rugby, and captain, of the Devonport Services Rugby Club, shortly will leave England for thq South Africa Naval Station. Luddington played 13 times for England, an*l has also captained Devon County. * * * The answer “Yes” was given to tTie following ruling question set the New Zealand Rugby Union recently: “Can a referee, after awarding a try, folding that the touch judges’ flag is still up for a man in touch, reverse his decision of a try and order the thro*cv-in from touch?” Wanganui Collegiate School will meet King’s College, on the King's; College ground, on July 27, a Wednesday.