Tame Finish

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 775, 23 September 1929, Page 6

Tame Finish

PONSONBY RUGBY CHAMPIONS Varsity Outclassed BY defeating University by 16 points to 3 on Saturday Ponsonby annexed the senior championship for season 1929. From.the outset there was very little doubt but that Ponsonby would carry olf the honour, not that its play was greatly superior, but the side just carried too many guns aud, without giving a very spectacular display, forwards and backs showed better cohesion and mobility, and also turned tlieir opportunities to better account.

Tlio game did not provide a good exhibition and was certainly not up to the standard usually seen in the meeting of these two teams. Many of the players were obviously stale and those that were not were not in the best of condition Had the game been staged a few weeks earlier probably a really good game would have resulted. The Ponsonby forwards were the first on tho job. For a while they, looked liko business, but the Varsity pack was not long in catching up with them and from then on until the end of the game it was very even going. Ponsonby’s flair for doing the right thing at the right moment got them the first try. Lucas, finding McLeod, his wing threequarter, hemmed in on the line, turned to investigate the possibilities infield and found Edgars pounding up in support on the offchance, just as a good forward should. Edgars got the ball and went straight on arid Lucas himself capped the effort with a good kick. McLEOD SCORES WELL Then someone tripped Anderson when the tall Varsity forward was chasing the Ponsonby fullback just as he dropped the ball. Accidental or otherwise, it could not be overlooked, and Referee Peace signalled a free kick, which Bush used to place Varsity figures on the score board. At half-time the * score McWilliams took the next try, bursting his way through from a forward ruck. It was unconverted, as was the next when McLeod, getting the ball frorp Soloman, streaked across for a very fine try. It was also from an opening created by Soloman that L. Hook scored the final try, which Cammick converted. The back plaj 7- on either side could hardly be termed sparkling; it was typical of end of the season play, arid for that reason it is perhaps hardly fair for anybody to attempt to lay the blame for the numerous mistakes that were apparent. But in justice to the threequarter line of both sides it should be mentioned that opportunities were few and far between. Minns, in particular, was sadly handicapped in this respect, a number of very bad passes also going his way. McLeod, who has been playing good football this season, showed up with several good runs, his try in the second half with which he put tl\e game beyond doubt, and which, incidentally, sent most of the people home, being a particularly good effort. Cammick showed good initiative, particularly in cross-kicking to his wings when hemmed in. It was one of those kicks that paved the way for Ponsonby’s first try, and Jamieson played his usual reliable game. The most outstanding man of the side, however, was Soloman. who had a hand in practically everything that was going. He was really an extra back, and in addition he opened up a good deal from the hard rucking play that dominated the game. McWilliams, Righton and Bunting were the pick of the forward division. For Varsity Jenkin played a solid game behind the pack and he received good support from McKay and Stotter. Wild passing, however, was far too much in evidence, and too much running across the paddock did not give the wings. Minns and Goodwin, a chance to work. At fullback Bush gave a solid display, his tackling and kicking being of a high standard. Anderson was Varsity’s outstanding forward and others who caught the eye were J. Jenkin, Linton and Brooker. Mr. G. Peace was referee. STILL'SENIOR A GRAFTON TOO GOOD FOR MARATHON UNINTERESTING RUGBY

Winning a most uninteresting game by 14 points to 8, Grafton retained the right to play senior A next season, when Marathon went down in the “wooden spoon game.”

It was aimless Rugby and chiefly remarkable for the drastic mistakes made by both sides. There were only four really bright movements of the day and they were mainly engineered by such dependable men as Wales CMaruthon) and Paewai, who turned out for his old club in its hour of need.

There was no great territorial advantage to either side, and forwards did well to get such a large share of the leather as they did against a pack including players of the calibre of Wanoa and Finlayson. The energetic white pack was hooking consistently in the

; latter stages of the same, but the backs dropped passes to throw away chances when in good positions. So poor was the handling except on the part of two or three notable exceptions that the crowd cheered ironically when a ball was taken cleanly. A pack that made the pace before it tired in the second half V n “, backs that showed determination m detence when put to the test won the game for Grafton. Marathon had only the mistakes of over-anxious inside backs to blame for its failure to A ?ootbal,. the dlZ2y helshts of

Though he appeared in the picture ? ut s ?I do “; Paewai was a valuable ‘‘ l; n , to Grafton. He appeared to steady the other backs and he flashed into prominence with good work everv ’J”"’ a ? d tht : u - McKay played a sound game behind the scrum. His work was slow but otherwise reliable, and it was his discreet working of the blind that handed a good try to Liddie in the last quarter. Isicklin was fair, as was Moore, though neither played showed The "'losers were reliable, T a V' Junior player, was the better of the two. Liddie has weight and pace, but the ruck held a great fascination for him and he threw awav many chances by dashing into a group or forwards when there was a wav open down tile line. Particularly was this mistake unfortunate in view of Marathon's poor tackling. Scott, at fullback, did not kick well but was one ot the few men on the field to take a ball cleanly. Wanoa. Finlayson and

McConnell were the best ol' the pack until the last-named was carried oft’ with a broken tibia.

Baton was the best of the Marathon backs. His defence was solid, and he used a hefty boot to advantage. Sinclair and Stewart, on the wings, showed promise, but bungling by the insides robbed them of chances to show their mettle. Wales was the best of the five-eighths, but had to leave the field through a head injury. Gardiner and Cooper were perhaps the keenest of a willing pack Mr. M. Kronfeld refereed. MANUKAU REPS. WIN AUCKLAND JUNIORS DOWNED Tho last-minute try, by which Manukau bub-Union snatched victory rrom Auckland juniors, was typical of the fluctuating fortunes of the representative game at Papakura on Saturday. Patchy,’and inclined to ragginess at times; the play also had its spectacular side, but these flashes were principally produced by the city team However, Auckland threw away its chances by mistakes, and the failure of the backs to turn scoring chances to account. Judging ManuKau 111 the light of its consistent forwards, it fully deserved its win, which should give the game much impetus in the western district. Ten minutes after the kick-off Auckland was leading by three points, from a penalty goal by Loomb, but Manu-ka-11, quickly assumed the lead when Atchison dashed over as a. result of a straggling loose rush, Dtider converting the try. Again Auckland went to the iront when Gariick raced across tor an unconverted try, following a spectacular passing movement. Beiore half-time, however, Manukau had added eight points from a try by Stephens, and a penalty kick and a conversion by Duder. Combining better in the second spell, Auckland put on two unconverted tries by Blythe and McMicken, and until within five minutes of time was leading by one point A weak relieving kick just on time, however, bounced right into Atchison’s arms, and he just crossed at the corner, giving Manukau a twopoint margin at the final whistle. NO PENETRATIVE EFFORT A much heavier pack, Afanukau forwards . consistently bored through the opposing scrum, and breaking fast, barasseu. the city backs considerably in tho opening spell, upsetting their efforts to open up passing movements. Tho Auckland hookers were unable to securo the ball, . because it was never put properly into the scrum, generally shooting out the side it was put in Working under these disadvantages, lnglis, the Auckland half, however generally managed to send his rearguard away in passing movements, but in which no penetrative effort was evident. Tho centre-threequarter, Blythe, was the only back who' endeavoured to break through, and once or twice he made good openings Inspirited dashes. The failure ol the day, however, was the speedy winger, Gariick, who had at least tour easy chances of scoring, but who, comronted by an opponent, hesitated and was smothered. Ho entirely iackeu the determination to ' give it a go,’ despite his undoubted pace. Tapper was the better of the fiveeighths. He showed nice judgment in his Cutting-in, and made a good opening for one of the best tries of tho day. Against a heavier pack, the Auckland forwards did well, but naturally showed out better in the loose than the tight. McVeagli was always the leader of the city vanguard, breaking through the ruck and starting dribbling movements from the line-out in good style. He was well supported in these rushes by Cobb and Boswell, both of whom followed up consistently. DASHING FORWARDS Although their work was largely individual Manukau forveards displayed a degree of dash and persistency in following up every possible advantage that was nothing short of commendable. Unable to secure the ball from the scrums, they overcame ’this difficulty by concentrating on spoiling, Which was very effective in the first spell. Atchison, Kelsey and Alexander formed a very consistent trio in this work, and were equally hard toilers in the tight play. The game showed that Manukau has some very promising forwards who, by coaching and practice, could be transformed into a formidable combination. The backs likewise showed lack of combination, and were inclined to pass erratically, in their few opportunities of showing their paces. Both wing threequarters, Stephens and Duder, are fast scoring men, though their efforts showed they do not know the value of the reverse pass. Determined runners once in possession of the ball, they infused plenty of vigour into their running which took a power of stopping. Duder also proved himself a fine goal-kicker, by increasing Manukau’s score by seven points—two conversions and a ■ penalty, all from difficult angles. Tlie fullback, Wilson, gave a very sound exhibition, his linekicking being a very bright feature of his play. He, however, took many risks by “waiting for the bounce.” Mr. J. Cossey was referee. TARANAKI TOURISTS EASY WIN AT GISBORNE Press Association GISBORNE, Saturday. Very scrambling play was witnessed in the Poverty Bay-Taranaki Rugby match here today, the visitors winning by ID points to 6. Taranaki was superior in every department, particularly in the forwards, who secured the ball with the utmost regularity from the scrums. There was little back play of * consequence, faulty handling usually ending any movement. Poverty Bay gave the poorest exhibition of tackling seen for years and generally showed the effects of an absence from Rugby for the past few weeks, infusing no life into their play. Prominent for Taranaki among the backs were Owen, Watson. Crawford and Robinson, while the best forwards were Walters. Jke. McLean and Gorgen. The best Poverty Bay backs were Bramwell. Langlands and McKay, and the forwards. Thomas, McPhail and Higgs.

Playing: against a strong wind Taranaki established a lead of 9 points to -3 in the first half. Crawford, Walters and Robinson (forward) scoring un*

converted tries for the visitors, and Bennett for Poverty Bay. After the interval Crawford potted a fine goal, while Hunt and Hohoia scored tries for Taranaki and Caulton for Poverty Bay. INTER-ISLAND MATCH SOUTH ISLAND SIDE CHOSEN Press Association DUNEDIN. Saturday. Tho South island Rugby team has been chosen, as follows: Fullback.—Harris (Canterbury). Threequarters.—McDonald (Marlborough), McClymont (Otago), Olliver (Otago). Five-eighths. Lilburne (Canterbury), Strang (South Canterbury). Halfback.—Holden (Southland). Emergency Back.—lnnis (Canterbury). Front Row. —Cotterill (Canterbury). • urrows (Canterbury). Lock. —Sonntag (Otago). Side Row. —Hazlett (Southland). .;tewart (South Canterbury). Back Row. —Freiters (West Coast). Snow (Nelson). Wingforward.—Scrimshaw’ (Canteroury). Emergency Forward.—McCabe (Duller). Unavailable players are: Carlcton, Oliver (Canterbury). Geddes, Bird. Morris (Southland). R. G. McWilliams (Auckland) will not be .able to represent the North in the inter-island match at Wellington next Saturday, as he has found it impossible to make arrangements to get away. HAMILTON AGAIN PEACE CUP RETAINED From Our Otvn Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. The Hamilton Rugby representatives were successful in fending off the challenge of Piako by 8 points to 3 in a Peace Cup match at Rugby Park, Hamilton, on Saturday afternoon. The match produced some of the finest Rugby seen at Hamilton this season. The visiting forwards held their own in the first half, which ended with the score 5-3 in Hamilton’s favour. In the second half, the Hamilton forwards asserted their superiority and the defenders added another three points, to which Piako was unable to reply. For Piako N. Ifwerson, formerly of Auckland, scored a try, which liis’ brother, Karl Ifwerson, was unable ‘to convert.. For Hamilton Bayly scored in the first half and Halstead converted. Courtney scored an unconverted try in the second half. CANTERBURY’S EASY WIN SOUTH CANTERBURY DOWN Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Tho last Rugby match of the season, Canterbury v. South Canterbury, was played at Lancaster Park today. The ground was dry and hard and the game was fast. Canterbury, won easily by 37 points to 14. For Canterbury tries were scored by Hart, Scrimshaw’ (2), Manchester. Merritt, Mullan and Anderson. Lilburne converted five tries and kicked two penalty goals. For South Canterbury King, Trotter and Roper scored tries. Strang converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. FOOTBALL CASUALTIES * YOUTH BREAKS A LEG While playing for Ponsonby third grade against Newton at Point Chevalier, concussion of the brain was received by Mr. J. Davis, of Avondale. He was conveyed to the Auckland Hospital by the St. John Ambulance. His condition is reported to be factoryA broken right leg was received bj r Mr. N. J. McConnell, aged 21< who lives at the Y.M.CA., while playing senior Rugby at Eden Park. He was removed to the Auckland Hospital. His condition is considered satisfactory. HARDING SHIELD GAME From Our Own Correspondent WHANGAREI, Today. Before a record crowd at Whangarei on Saturday, the Whangarei representatives lifted the Harding Shield from Northern Wairoa. winning easily by 25 points to 3. In the first half play was fairly even, and at the interval Whangarei led by six points to three. Sherriff had scored an unconverted try for Whangarei, and Finlayson had landed a penalty goal. For Northern Wairoa. Watson hoisted three points from a penalty. In the second half. Northern Wairoa was completely demoralised, Whangarei adding 19 points in the most convincing manner. Wilson scored and also converted. W. Rika scored a converted try, as did Hemi and Beebre, “Bunny” Finlayson ran through from half-way and Wilson added the extra points. ELECTRIC-LIGHT MATCH The Rugby match played at Bland - ford Park last Tuesday evening between tlie Wholesale and Retail business houses was such an unqualified success, that tlie Ponsonby and Technical Old Boys Clubs have been induced to play a game under similar conditions tomorrow evening. Ponsonby won the Auckland Rugby Union’s senior championship on Saturday by defeating University. A week previously Technical had defeated University in the final for the Pollard Cun.