SATURDAY’S FIELD SPORTS—THE GAMES REVIEWED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 975, 19 May 1930, Page 6

SATURDAY’S FIELD SPORTS—THE GAMES REVIEWED

Manukau Goes Down

GRAMMAR’S STRONG FINISH

Forwards Combine Well

WITH eight points on the wrong side of the ledger ■when lie last quarter of a hard game commenced, Grammar Old Roys demonstrated on Saturday that they can finish with the best of them. Before the final whistle sounded they had put on 17 points—two converted tries, one unconverted, and a potted goal. Two determined packs battled out a hard and exciting game. There was no let-up from whistle to whistle, and a crowd of large proportions left the ground fully satisfied with the fare provided.

TV hen the teams changed over for ] the last time there were many who J thought that the West Coast team had the game in the bag. Eight points to nil is a good lead, but the Grammar team, both fore and aft, set to work with a will. The pace, always a cracker, hardened perceptibly, and the big Grammar forwards were pushing hand and scrumming well. Walter Batty, who was playing one 1 of his best games, was the first to j score for Grammar, diving across for 1 a good try from hard forward play. A ; few minutes later, when Grammar was 1 being pressed almost on the line. Oreville started a solo dribbling rush. The rest of the Grammar pack joined in and before it ended an excellent piece of forward play had been capped with a try. Corner converted with a tine kick. Corner got the next, which the diminutive half also converted, and before the game had ended tbe übiquitous Weir had dropped a fine goal. DASH AND DEVIL Undoubtedly Grammar was the better side, but nevertheless 17 to 8 was by no means a true indication of the trend of the game. Until Grammar scored the two tries which made the scores level pegging, it looked as though Manukau would scrape home by a narrow margin. The W'est Coast forwards were playing with great dash, and if they could have supported it with a bit more understanding a 1 few more points might have been added. But Grammar had the wind for the last quarter, and when the white forwards made their final run, weight and good combination told the tale. Weir’s potted goal, although a fine effort, can of course be disregarded in assessing the game. Rather, the difference was between Manukau’s two tries, and Grammar’s three. Although mostly confined to the forwards, the game provided a good ex- | hibition of the code. It was hard and i keen, and interest was never allowed

to lag. The back play, although patchy, was quite spectacular and further interest was added by good longdistance line-kicking on either side. SOLID TACKLING On neither side were the backs allowed much opportunity to open up in the first half. The tackling was solid and fast-breaking forwards kept both sets of inside backs busy. In this class of work the Manukau forwards were very adept. On occasions there was a suspicion, judging from the speed in which the West Coast packmen broke up, that they were content to let Grammar hook. Corner was in receipt of a good deal of attention from rover Pile and the Manukau breakaways, but he came through with his usual smooth deliveries from the scrum. Weir, at first five-eighths, played a solid and very useful game. There is nothing patchy about Weir and he takes what comes as a matter of course. Most of the backs found the tackling too solid to permit of much individual work. Garlick on the wing made several good runs, but could never manage to get clear of a speedy opposition. In defence of both wings, however, it should be made clear that neither was given much opportunity. Both were always well hemmed in by the time the ball reached them. Matheson, at full-back, was not so safe as usual, and on the day was not as good as Turei, who filled the same role for Manukau. Laurie Knight was the outstanding figure among the Grammar forwards, playing a very sound, hard game in the tight as well as being prominent in most of the White rushes. He was undoubtedly the inspiration of the Grammar pack. Walter Batty also gave a very fine exhibition, his work in the loose being particularly good. K. Potter frequently caught the eye. He is a good type of forward, and honest. A. Knight locked the scrum well and was putting the weight in when it was I needed, and I*. Potter was a handy The two outstanding Manukau backs w ere W. Jones and W. Turei. Jones,who is in ex-King Country player, is a handy tvp© of five-eighth. He has solid physique, is fast and a straight runner.

Ilis try early in the second half was the best that has been seen here this season.

He was in his own twenty-five when he cut in to leave two op three Grammar backs standing. He was into his stride in a flash and a fast gallop was well finished off when he srwerved in to pass Matheson on his way to score. At present he has a bad habit of passing down to his supports with his hands raised on high, which gives his supports too difficult a task, and his handling also could be improved upon. Hut he is promising material and these faults should not take long to rectify. Turei played one of his bets games. At full-back he was very safe, and his powerful kicking did much tr. keep the Grammar men out in the first half. The threequarter line got few opportunities, although Thomas showed a nice turn of speed and Stuart caught the eye frequently with solid tackling. Bryers got the ball away promptly from behind the scrum and was always a useful member. Another very conspicuous figure was Pile, Manukau’s very able rover.. This player had a hand in everything that was going, and was a constant thorn in the side of the Grammar backs. In the vanguard, McGuire and Satherley were always prominent, with the burly Kahu also a willing worker. McGuire is a grafter from whistle to whistle, and is always on the ball. Mr. A. E. Austin was the referee. PONSONBY VICTORIOUS MARIST GOES UNDER TO EX-CHAMPIONS In a scrappy game at the Show- v grounds on Saturday the Ponsonby team carried too many guns for Marist Old Boys, defeating the latter by 19-5. The game was chiefly remarkable for lack of really good combination, for although the pla,y was fast there were only occasional flashes of individual brilliance to relieve a dull afternoon. From the kick-off. Ponsonby took charge of the game, continually forcing play into the Marist half. Despite Ponsonby’s forcing methods, however, the Tykes’ defence stood up to the attack for most of the first half and it was only just a few minutes before half-time when the first score of the game came the Ponies’ way, when Solomon took the ball from a scrimmage near the line and dived through the pack to land just over the line. The try was not converted. MARIST TAKES THE LEAD After the spell, tho Tykes began to attack and taking play down field, gave the Ponies a busy five minutes on defence, which culminated in Smith diving through Fraser’s legs to ground right under the posts. Loomb, with the wind behind him, put over a beautiful kick, giving Marist a 5-3 lead However, this triumph was doomed to be short-lived, for the reverse put the Ponies on their mettle and the men from the western suburb began an attacking movement which ended over tho enemy’s line. Lucas showed a brilliant piece of work in getting the ball out to Hook who, after taking a no less brilliant one-handed . pass, went over to score a try. It was not converted. After regaining the lead, it seemed as if nothing would stop the blue and blacks. They attacked again and again, and to some effect, too, for after one unlucky failure, Solomon made sure of a score with an uninterrupted run to tho line. This time Jamieson was successful with the kick and gave Ponies a lead of six points. Cammick added another three points with a penalty and from the kick-off, Jamieson got away with the leather to score and convert his own try. For the losers, the hookers, the Hadley brothei-s, were outstanding, particularly Swin, who was always reliable. The halfback, Conway, was always handy behind the scrum and the rover, Smith, played a very good game, although the fact that he was opposed to the brilliant Solomon did much to minimise his efforts. Of t li e forwards, Clarke was perhaps the best. on the Ponsonby side Solomon stood out head and shoulders above the rest, his play throughout the game being little short of phenomenal. McManus, behind the scrum, knew his work and was always quick to get the ball out. Fraser, at fullback, was always reliable in his tackling and very little got past him. He has one fault, however, being inclined to run f up field too much when he is needed more as a last defence. Hook was unfortunate not to score earlier in the game than he did. He got clear away with the ball and a try seemed certain for there was no Marist man near him. However, he ran out too wide and crossed the dead ball line before grounding the ball, and the referee, Mr. W. J. Thompson. consequently disallowed the try. Lucas played his usual good game. COLLEGE RIFLES NEARLY SURPRISES STUDENTS VARSITY CLOSE-RUN By great spoiling play, College Rifles was nearly able to spring a surprise victory on Varsity at Eden Park. Up to. the last five minutes Rifles held a two-point lead, and then crumpled, Varsity adding a goal and a converted try in record time. When, soon after the start, Varsity swept down to the Rifles line, and Clarke scored, no one was surprised. A comfortable victory was expected for the light blues. But Rifles rallied,

THREE LEADERS

GRAMMAR, PONSONBY AND TECHNICAL The following table shows the position of the teams to date: Points. Ch.

taking the lead early in the second spell, when McGregor made the best of a great chance from Pickering, and Johnson converted. There was no further score till just before the end. Making an effective offensive. Varsity kept Rifles in their own territory for the final quarter. In the last stages of the game Milliken -went for the corner, getting there together with half a dozen of the opposing team. A minute later Butler dived for the line, but he too was unsuccessful. Right in front of the posts, a Rifles forward knocked on to Milliken, who marked, and made a “bird” of the kick. Varsity returned immediately, and Bracewell scored, Milliken converting. The Varsity pack heeled the ball fairly consistently, and the backs made the best of their chances. Stacey, the rover, was prominent, while Douglas, besides his hooking, shone in the loose. Butler was, as usual, a model fullback. Varsity is another club strong in wingers. Milliken and Stokes are both clever at their game, while Milliken puts in some overtime with a useful foot. Pickering and McGregor were towers of strength for Rifles, and, aided by a fast-breaking pack, succeeded in spoiling much of the Varsity hookers’ good work. Pickering was more than a foil for Bracewejl, the solid Varsity centre. Johnson is a very cool customer, and he has a knack of taking marks at the right time that more than once saved his team. Mr. W. Lomas was referee.

TECHNICAL TRIUMPHANT

TRAINING COLLEGE BEATEN On a ground which was rather heavy after the recent rain. Technical Old Boys preserved their unbeaten record and defeated Training College by 11 points to 0. Although the game was not outstanding for its brilliance it was hard fought and College kept going all the time in an effort to win. That it did not Was due to the great defensive work of Technical. Training College kicked oft' with the wind, bind to end play followed until right on half-time. Commons scored in the corner for Technical. Harris did not convert. The score at halftime was Technical Old Boys 3 Training College 0. There was no score in the third quarter, when Technical was playing against the wind. Howevei 1 , in the last quarter. Technical was definitely superior. Tho greens were awarded a free kick in front of the goal and Hogg had no difficulty in converting. Couper clinched the game for Technical when Harris broke away and dashed down the line to pass to Couper, who ran round behind the posts for C. Keane to convert. Training College was attacking in" a vain effort to pull the game out of the fire when the whistle blew, leaving the scores: Technical Old Boys 11, Training College 0. The outstanding backs on the Technical side were Harris, the captain, wV,rt -n.ro c halfback, and R. Couper, the speedy wing - three - quarter. Harris was now and again inclined to go on his own too much, but, nevertheless, he fed his backs well and it was the result of his work that Couper scored the final try- Couper showed a fine burst of speed and displayed initiative in using the almost obsolete, but very useful, centre which nearly ended in Technical scoring. He outdistanced the opposition to score behind the posts for the lasr try Among the forwards the Keane brothers played well. The whole pack worked hard and it was difficult to sort out any particular player. On the College side, Bush, the captain, played well. His kicking was good and he showed sound judgment. He also tackled well. Training College has a good threequarter line in Tilly, Connolly and McFarland. Connolly was perhaps the best of the three, but all played well. Among a pack of hard-working forJohnson played well and was always wards, Hodge and Johnson shone out. on the ball. Technical were definitely superior m the last quarter. It then had the aduse of it. Training College was unvantage of the wind and made good lucky not to score, but on the run of the play it did not deserve to win. Mr. F. E. Sutherland refereed. •

CITY BEATS GRAFTON IN POOR EXHIBITION

A FORWARD GAME In a hard-slogging forward game, with occasional flashes of individual good play among the backs, City gained an eight-points victory over Grafton. The two packs were fairly evenly matched, but City had just that superiority behind the scrum that meant more advantage being taken of opportunities. It was, in the main, a tame exhibition, the two packs milling about in between the twenty-fives. Rarely did either side look like scoring. If the game was uninspiring, however, it was not the fault of the forwards, who gave their backs a fair supply of the ball and plugged away solidly from whistle to whistle. Sorenson and Barnes were the best of the City pack and Keary and Hammond were prominent in the Grafton scrum. Holt was the best player on the ground. He fed his backs well and put in some bright solo work. One of | his runs was directly responsible for the try scored by Hanna. Berridge was the best of the backs. He was let down by his first five-eighth, Ruru, and the improvement was not great when Crook came into that position. McKay played a solid game at half, but some of his passes from the scrum were sadly lacking in direction. KerrTaylor was the best of an unimpressive three-quarter line. Both fullbacks played good games and missed very little. Moore and Lockie were the best of the Grafton backs. With Hargreaves, they put in some good work, but there was little combination and the wingers were given few opportunities. Both teams would be the better for strict coaching.

p. W. L. D. F. A. I Pts. Grammar O.B. 4 4 — — 71 21 8 Ponsonby .. 4 4 — — 96 23 8 Technical O.B, 4 4 — — 74 17 8 Manukau .. 4 3 1 — 50 30 6 University . . 4 3 1 — 56 33 6 Marist .4 1 3 — 27 59 2 City . . . : . . 4 1 3 — 19 43 2 Train. College 4 — 4 — 19 46 Grafton . . . . 4 — 4 — 19 107 College Rfles. 4 — 4 — 25 77 —