Ponsonby Leading

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 697, 24 June 1929, Page 6

Ponsonby Leading

TENSE RUGBY AT EDEN PARK Y T arsity’s Unconverted Tries DID LUCAS PASS FORWARD BY three converted tries to three unconverted tries Ponsonby defeated University at Eden Park on Saturday and took the lead in the senior competition. This fairly well sums up the game, but not completely. At half-time Ponsonby led by two points. It was still anybody’s game, but performances up to then indicated, if anything, that Varsity would just about get home. Hard luck will probably be one of the biggest arguments used to explain» Varsity’s failure to do so, but, although conceding that one of Ponsonby’s converted tries was exceedingly doubtful, the fact remains that in the second half, and particularly in the last quarter, Varsity did not look like a winning side.

It was shortly after the interval that Goodwin scored the try that put Varsity in the lead by a point, 6 — Z>. And then came the try over which so much discussion arose in the stands. Varsity was pressing hotly on the Ponsonbv line when Lucas made a sensational interception. and within a few seconds had burst clear of the field. It should be mentioned here that the Varsity backs were playing 'very shallow, and it took only a few strides for the All Black threequarter to clear them, and be well on the way to the line. The big mud patch near the grandstand line pulled him up somewhat, and allowed Minns to overhaul him, and on approaching the far twenty-five Lucas was compelled to throw the ball out to Cammick, who in turn transferred to It. Hook, who had little difficulty in scoring. From the members’ stand at the other end of the ground, it was impossible to Judge whether it was a forward pass or not, and the referee, who had been left behind in the race, was probably very much in the same position, but judging from the attitude taken up by a large section of the public in the big stand, it would appear that there was considerable doubt about it. The try was converted, and it put Ponsonby four points in the lead, 10—6.

It was at this stage that McKay was compelled to retire with an injured ankle, and before he was replaced Ponsonby had scored again. Any ill-luck- attached to this, however, is counteracted by the bad management that did not provide, particularly in a game of this importance, for an emergency stripped and ready. When Mathescn finally took the field, Bush. was moved up to centre, and it was from a quick pass-out from this player that Minns scored the final try of the game. Dismissing entirely any elements of luck or ill-luck, the fact remains that neither the Varsity backs nor forwards played the same effective Rugby in the second half as they did in the first. In the second half, the scrum did not hook as well, and the inside backs did not feed the outside men as well as they might have done. VARSITY WINGS STARVED

Both the inside backs played well in the first half, particularly Stotter, who cut in judiciously. In the second half, however, he overdid it, and in hanging on was rather under-estimating the value of wings of the type of Minns and Goodwin. A very pronounced feature of the Play throughout the game was the fact that neither Minns nor Goodwin received the same opportunities as did McLeod or R. Hook. On very few occasions could they have been said to have been raced into their stride Had these wingers been well fed, the result might easily have been differnt Bush, at fullback, was inclined at times to be a bit spectacular, and on ono or two occasions he missed the ball. At the same time, he got through a great deal of very good work. When he has the time, he can deliver a kick with a lot of run to it. The sort that, placed in a gap, rolls nicelly across the touchline. On the day, however, he had nothing on Fraser, who plaved a fine game. Fraser, who was Ponsonbv’s regular custodian last year, has only had a. few games this year, and is now showing what he really can do. Taken all round, he is a very handy sort. McLeod wes another who showed up well. This player has a nice turn ol speed, and this season he appears to b© using it to better advantage Particularly in regard to giving his opponents the go-by. On Saturday lie made several very good runs, and the one that took him over the chalk-line well deserved the plaudits of a very enthusiastic crowd. Rex Hook also popped up throughout the course of the game with the usual brilliance he shows in club matches. While he continues to do so. rep. wings cannot afford to play too many indifferent games. KEENE BRILLIANT Cammick played his usual heady game at second five-eighth, and played up well to Lucas, who gave a clever exhibition. At times Lucas was particularly brilliant, his football being indelibly stamped with the All Black class. Despite the absence of McWilliams and Palmer, now crossing the Tasman to try conclusions with the Australians the Ponsonby pack worked well. High-.’ ton and Bunting were the leaders, with Edgars always a solid toiler. Gallagher, one of the promoted men, also showed up well. Solomon made his usual effective use of the roving commission. Behind the Varsity pack, Jcnkin appeared to be a little on the slow side. On several occasions the Ponsonby breakaways caught him in possession, either with liia back turned looking

i far his inside man. or else running with the ball. With his defensive work little fault could be found. As rover. Keene played a brilliant game, showing that as a spoiler and a looseplay specialist he has few equals in the competition. Anderson and Linton were the pick of the Varsity pack, which did not sustain its opening effort quite as well as was expected. Mr. E. C. Stretton was the referee. CITY VICTORIOUS HARD-FOUGHT AND EVEN BATTLE | In a hard-fought match at the Showj grounds on Saturday. Technical Old I Boys went under to the City team to the tune of 6—3. The game was wonderfully even from the outset, the teams being very well matched in speed, though City had weight on their side. Having the sun in their eyes during the first quarter was a big handicap to the greens, and that was chiefly responsible for the missing of easy penalty kicks. Even with this advantage, City was unable to score, and it was not until just before half-time that D. Keane got away with the ball to open Technical’s account. After the interval, the sun was clouded over, and Technical did not suffer the same inconvenience. The rearguard work of both teams was good as regards individual play, but the combination was poor. Play was willing on both sides, and referee Peace'' found it necesasry to warn several players. D. Keane was the only scorer for Technical, his contribution being an unconverted try. The same player had several shots at goal from penalties, but he seemed to be off form with his boot. Hahn and Kennerly did good work in the green forwards, while the City front line had a tireless worker in Fletcher. Papish was prominent in the lineouts, and Flay played a good all-round game. On the City side, the veteran Karl Ifwersen played his usual fine game, and showed good judgment when he ran Allen into position to score. The last-mentioned player played a good game of sorts, his one fault being an inclination to hold on to the ball too long. in the City backs, Berridge used the short punt too frequently to be of value ro his team. SPIRITLESS RUGBY TEACHERS OVERWHELM RIFLES Training College over-run College Lilies at the Domain in a game that was anything but hard fought. Lad tackling, faulty handling (except on one or two occasions by the Teachers’ backs) and general slackness characterised the play. The Rifles’ men did not seem to be able to make any progress against lho opposing side. Toward the end of the first half, the two packs engaged in a certain amount of horseplay, and Noakes had the misfortune to be sent from the ground. Abbott, who scored lt> of Training College s total, 32, was outstanding, lie appeared able to run through the opposition whenever he could summon sufficient energy and turn on his great burst of speed. Mcßae. Butler, Rue in tiie backs, and Hodge, Woodroffe, Stacey in the forwards, played good games for Teachers. Wilson was not so prominent as usual, and Gillespie was by no means hitting it off well at fullback. He is much better in his old position—livecighth. The new man, McGregor, displayed keenness and dash. Larsen, who has been fullback tor Rifles all this season, was not playing on Saturday. Steer, easily the best of the forwards, showed some fine spoiling play in the loose. Stewart and Nicoison were very solid. Souter, too, did almost everything that was required ot him. GRAMMAR TOO GOOD TYKES GO DOWN GAMELY A disorganised rearguard was mainly responsible for the downfall of Marist against Grammar. The losers’ pack made an excellent showing against the stalwart Grammar forwards, but in the backs there was no doubt of the • white’s superiority. The game was not particularly interesting, consisting largely of forward struggles in midfield,” and long exchanges of kicks between the backs. Dropped passes put a finish to many promising movements, and the brightest aspect of the gaino was clever short-passing by the Grammar forwards. Marist took the field with a backline reshuffled and working rather rustily. Wright was behind the scrum, and, though he was game in going down to determined rushes by the Grammar forwards, his passing from the scrum was weak. Of the fiveeighths, Cornthwaite, who had been moved up from fullback. was the' better, and, with a few more games in his now position, he should develop into a good inside man. The threequarter line was poor, although Stuart got through some sound defensive work. Coburn did not impress at fullback. and he made a gift of four points to Grammar on one occasion, when he punted into the arms of a Grammar i back, who was not slow to take ad van- { tage of an excellent chance at a field Of the Grammar backs the palm j must go to Corner. I-lis work behind \ the scrum was excellent, and he made

the best use of the shelter afforded him by a solid pack. Lewis was a bright five-eighth, and Bell played a heady game at centre. His handling and kicking were excellent, and his tackling is better than the average. Menzies was the better winger and made some determined sprints at times. Goodacre, one time Auckland representative, did well what little came his way as a last line of defence. Tykes forwards were ably led in the first half by Hadley who left the field at half-time with a badly split lip. Cotter and Marshall carried on the good work. The Grammar peck was consistently good, though the honours may be shared by W. Batty, L. Knight and Potter. The last-named played a grand game as rover, and Cathcart and Schnauer were consistently in the picture. The referee was Mr. H. Thomas. MANUKAU LUCKY GRAFTON’S KEEN GAME The luck was certainly with Manukau when a five-point victory was gained over Grafton. The West Coasters had practicaly no combination and impressed only as a team of individualists. In spite of the absence of two stalwarts in Wanoa and Finlayson, the Graf ion pack went splendidly and the magpies gave Manukau some anxious moments. Manukau was considerably weakened, first through the defection of Falwasser and secondly through the enforced retirement of Linden, the speedy and promising winger, who was unfortunate enough to break his kneecap. Honours were about even between the two packs, with Grafton shining particularly in the loose. In the backs, Manukau was undoubtedly superior, but the scoring machinery was functioning imperfectly and lack of cohesion spoiled many promising movements.

Kiddle, Hammond and Hargreaves were the leaders of the Grafton pack, the latter making some great solo runs with the ball at his toe. Mackay was solid but a little slow behind the scrum, and ITamiorali was the better of two nippy five-eighths. Ruru, at centre, was the life of the back division and his cleverness gave sparkle to the play, although a little more determination and perhaps a little less trickiness would have meant a greater accumulation of points. Evans played a fair game on one wing.

Satherly, Laird and Kahu were the best of an even and hard-working pack for the winners. Simmons was speedy behind the scrum, but his passes were too low* and Bryers, who played a grand game as first five-eighth, was at times quite unable to gather them in. E. Brimble, the other inside back, was inclined to go too much on his own, a fault that he shared with Turei at centre. The Maori centre was kicking well, however, and' extricated his side from some uncomfortable situations. The West Coasters were unfortunate in their wingers. Satherly did not impress and Ferguson, brought out of the pack after Linden was injured, was obviously unsuited for his new position, though he undoubtedly made the best of it. Dykes was a reliable fullback. Mr. W. J. Stratford carried the whistle. SENIOR B Marked by most enthusiastic barracking the Marathon-Parnell senior B match at Eden Park on Saturday provided one of the most vigorous contests witnessed in the grade this season. Maratlian had a substantial advantage in height and weight, particularly in the forwards, Parnell conceding them a stone all round, but the former team did not make use of its opportunities. Parnell forwards displayed splendid combination and hooked the ball with monotonous regularity, but the back division lost chances by crossfield running. On the other hand, the Marathon pack did not use its weight fully in the scrums and the backs were too intent on spoiling to pay attention to attacking movements. Savoury and Elliott were outstanding in the forwards, and the threequarter, Stewart, was responsible for some sparkling runs. Bines and Barry were most prominent in the Parnell pack. Mr. Shepherd was referee. , ! 1 j j