Great Programme

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 79, 24 June 1927, Page 11

Great Programme

LEADERS MAY BE DETHRONED

To-Morrow’s Rugby at Eden Park

THERE are many possibilities in the great Rugby programme to be staged at Eden Park to-morrow. In the clashes between Ponsonby and College Rifies, and University and Grafton, the leaders will be assailed by teams of proven strength, and either of them may go down.

TX the first club match of the season Ponsonby trounced College Rifie.s unmercifully, blit the latter is an improved side, and it is doubtful if the sweeping victory will be repeated tomorrow. Rifles, unfortunately, has recently lost L. Johnson, and now it looks as

though they have lost W. Barclay, who is in Napier. Without him tomorrow, Rifles will be a weakened side, but their forwards have so improved that indications hint at a great struggle for the star encounter to-morrow.

VARSITY v. GRAFTON Even more open is the outcome of the Varsity-Grafton match. The students inflicted a 10-point defeat on Grafton in the first match of the season, and confidently believe that, unless the bad luck evident in the Grammar match still pursues them, they

can repeat the success to-morrow. Such is the strength of the Varsity side that Freeman, the living Winger is set down as a second string for

to-morrow, while McLeod has a trial. Similarly. Miller’s name was not mentioned in one team-list, but »p parently he was the unhappy victim of a misprint. Grafton *s strength is evenly distributed, with a lot expected of Paewai. the club's

latest recruit. Back and forward it Should be a great tussle, with man' good judges picking the students to "on other fields Grammar will meet Training College, who has had stiff luck lately, but is eager to up-end the opposition to-morrow, and Marists will meet North Shore on the latter’s homo ground, where a win for the seasiders would occasion little surprise. In the B section Marists and City will meet at the Show Grounds.