Grammar Knew How

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 703, 1 July 1929, Page 6

Grammar Knew How

SECOND VICTORY OVER PONSONBY

Big Forwards Well on the Job

HARD SLASHING RUGBY

IF Grammar Old Boys have a lioodoo over Ponsonby it is undoubtedly a very effective one. In the first round of the Rugrbv competition Ponsonby lost one game and it was to Grammar, the score on that occasion being 19 —8. On Saturday, the opening of the second round, the fleet-footed Ponies, championship leaders, again tasted defeat at the hands of this team to the tune of 14 to nil. Conditions were very much in Grammar’s favour and its forwards made the most of them. Tall and heavy, they crashed through tight and ruck, sweeping the opposition before them time and again. From the very start Grammar looked a winning side and it was only on one or two occasions that Ponsonby even looked like scoring.

A large attendance of the public was treated to a thrilling game. It was not classic Rugby, but the hard, slashing forward play, varied occasionally by desperate attempts by both sets of backs, was sufficiently spectacular to send the crowd home in decidedly good humour. From the kick-off Grammar set out to play Ponsonby at a game which the Ponsonby backs do not relish. The white forwards hooked cleanly and wheeled and broke from the scrum with deadly promptness. When Ponsonby got the ball it was rarely allowed to get far. The heavy going pulled up the inside backs and in a flash the Grammar breakaways and five-eighths were on them. The Grammar backs also played to their forwards continually, particularly Corner, the diminutive half, who showed excellent judgment. He exploited with advantage a trick of running round the scrums with the ball. Naturally he did not get far, but the Grammar forwards were always hot on his trail and the moment he was held up they would swarm around for the commencement of a dribbling rush.

This player will have to be seriously considered for representative honours. For speed in getting the leather out he has no equal, and he is as game as they make them. Lack of weight might be held out against him, but this is counteracted by his ability to stand up to heavy work. He was certainly in the thick of things cn Saturday and weathered the rough stuff with remarkable equanimity. The brothers Knight led the Grammar van and they led it extremely well. A. Knight, in particular, played a strong, forceful game. Both showed •that when in the right mood they can produce games out of the ordinary. Like others of the Grammar pack, however, they have to be in the mood. Walter Batty also showed improved form, his breaking away from the serum being very effective. Potter worked well as rover and, as a spoiler, was a constant thorn in the sides of the Ponsonby inside backs. Lewis and Olsen played determined games as first anil second five-eighths respectively. Lewis ran strongly, but *it times overdid the cut-in when within striking distance of the line. A damaged shoulder compelled him to retire in the first half, blit he pluckily returned to the field to fill the gap in tho five-eighth line until his substitute came on.

Bell, a tcentre, was a bright opportunist and a useful man on defence. Until ho had to retire at half time Mcmzies. wing threequarter. gave a good display, one. however, marked more by determination and doggedness than by finesse or speed. NOT THEIR DAY

Under the treatment to which they were subject the Ponsonby backs did not show up as favourably as usual. It was not their day. The threequarters did not receive many first-class opportunities, but both It. Hook and McLeod worked hard anil frequently Hashed into the picture with fast but ineffectual dashes. Lucas was sound on defence and occasionally unfolded one or two characteristic runs.

Bunting and Righton were the pick of the forwards who, as a pack, were outclassed from the commencement. Soloman was one of the most useful men in the side. In addition to his opening-up work he saved several very dangerous situations. Air. C. F. Pauli was the referee.

his backs generously and played havoc among the College insides. Linton was missing from the pack, but Anderson and Brooker seemed at home in the unpleasant conditions.

Butler was sound as the Teachers’ fullback. After half-time he changed places with Woodroffe, the rover, both men acquitting themselves well in their new positions. Keene was not quite so prominent after Butler had gone up. Abbott was missing from the threequarter line, but the wingers, Connolly and Tilly, though light, impressed favourably. The wet ground may have been partly responsible, but the centre, Lawrle, is not the scintillating player that he was at the beginning of the season. Keene rather upset Mackay and Mcßae, the fiveeighths, but Rae was sound at the base of the scrum- Of the forwards Stacey and Peacock were most noticeable. Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee.