King’s Outplayed

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1041, 4 August 1930, Page 6

King’s Outplayed

GRAMMAR’S BIG-MARGIN WIN

Remarkably Fast Game

AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL beat King’s College by 29 points to six, in an extraordinarily fast game at Eden Park, inflicting one of the most overwhelming defeats in the history of the series. Grammar was superior in every branch of play. The forwards got the ball almost Throughout and the backs ran over the King’s rearguard. When the teams met earlier in the season the result was a draw—nil all. King’s at no stage looked the equal of Grammar on Saturday.

The match provided a mixed grill of individual brilliance with combined solidity on the part of Grammar, and a general lack of cohesion from King’s, brightened on several occasions by outstanding one- or two-man efforts. King’s showed up in the first rush of plav, bearing Grammar to the Blues’ twenty-five. The advantage was momentary, however, for Fraser. McBeath and Robinson led the Grammar forwards back in a movement that was almost capped by a score. Thereafter, though King’s was not altogether out of the picture territorially, Grammar’s superiority was marked. It became apparent that King’s, without the aid of a proverbial miracle of recovery, would fall heavily. That miracle, it is true, nearly occurred in the second half. King’s shook off what must, after its great display in the first game, have been merely end-of-season tiredness, or a modified form of acedia, to run up six points in fewer than six minutes. Grammar again took control. ioward the close King’s crumpled completely. . . So far as getting possession of the ball from the scrums was conc?erned. King’s failed badly, though the heeling of both sides lacked that “clean-as-a-whistle” touch. King’s did better in the line-outs. Its backs were for the most part colourless, but one fact emerged. T. H. C. Caughey Has outgrown 1 — u -'~i D vigby. After four years in the first fifteen, the last two of them as captain, he has gone as far as he can. On Saturday he showed re - markable penetration and ver s a t i I i t y. M a c i n d o e made a strong first link in a weak chain of backs. Working solidly throughout the first half and appearing in brilliant flashes in the second half. Richardson, the King’s rover, led the pack. His try was a beautiful piece of opportunism. He was well matched by the Grammar rover, Steer, who scored a good try. The hookers, Drake and Robinson, deserve i large measure of praise; and besides their ordinary work both showed up in the scoring. Drake notched Grammar’s first three tries and Robinson took most of the placekicks, with varying success, and also scored with a well-placed mark. SUPERIOR BACKS Grammar’s backs were. vastly superior all round. Four of them stood out particularly. If there was anything stodgy about the King’s backs, there was nothing of that in the play of Currey, Slyfield, McFarland and Newton, while the remainder showed up when opportunity offered. Slyfield was scintillating. He gave a remarkable exhibition of the five-eighth game. Currey has always been a dashing winger. On Saturday he lived up to his reputation. Playing consistently during the whole game, he crowned the neatest movement of the day with a score. Newton received the bail from a scrum in King’s territory and short-kicked to run up, take the ball again and cut in, before passing to Slyfield, to Ilammon (both of whom neatly beat their men) to Currey, who, unopposed, ran round behind. The honours in that try went to Newton, who, reliable as Macindoe was, showed himself to be the best halfback in secondary school Rugby here. McFarland, the Grammar captain, has a quality of “coolth” about his play that stamps him as a real fullback. Mr. Sutherland was the referee. PLUCKY TAKAPUNA MOUNT ALBERT CARRIES TOO MANY GUNS ai enough three points ahead at half time, Takapuna did not look likely winners against Mount Albert. The City team was too heavy for Takapuna and It was only a question of time before the difference was felt. In the first half particularly the Takapuna forwards worked with a will and the backs, though their handling was faulty, exploited the short punt to such an extent that Mount Albert was kept busily defending. The speed of the light Takapuna forwards, led by Kidd, Sidford and BlamLres, worried the Mount Albert backs badly, although the City pack more than held its own in the tight work. Among the Takapuna backs. Buckley saved his side from defeat by a far greater margin. He was the most deadly tackier on the field and lie covered up many of the mistakes of the fullback. Peek, whose handling was not at all reliable. Eade, on the wing, showed that he had pace and a handy swerve, but did not use them to any great extent. The Mount Albert pack was a solid combination which was rather run off its legs by the speedy Takapuna men until well on in the game. Storey’s kicking won the game for Mount Albert, a conversion and a field goal coming from his boot. Bathgate got the ball away briskly from the scrum and there was excellent understanding betwee n him and Storey when the field goal was potted. Briggs was the star of the threequarter lino. Blamires scored for Takapuna. Briggs scored for Mount Albert, Storey converting and also kicking a field goal. Mount Albert 9, Takapuna 3. VARSITY TOOK IT EASY TEACHERS LAST-MINUTE VICTORY SENSATIONAL TRIES Playing very lackadaisical football, Varsity thoroughly deserved its defeat at'the hands of Training College on Saturday. Leading in the second half by 6 to 3, Varsity appeared to have the game just in hand, but Training College was al- *

ways pressing and the unexpected, in the shape of three rather sensational tries in rapid succession, completely altered the complexion of the game.

Early in tlio game it was apparent that Varsity was playing very uninspired football. The forwards, although well led by Anderson, were only going well in patches. For the greater part of the game the Teachers were controlling both the scrums and the line-outs, without, however, doing a great deal with the ball when it came the way of the backs. Milliken scored early for Varsity and Johnson had equalised with a good forward try. When Butler kicked a fine goal from a penalty the score was 6 —3 in Varsity’s favour. Then came a very unexpected try when Bush, running to the twenty-five, shortpunted. The bounce beat Butler and Bush continued on to score wide out. A minute or two later Connolly streaked for the line and Butler just failed to push him out. College was three points up. Varsity now commenced to work, but the rot had set in. It was also Butler’s unlucky day. Connolly sprinted after a well-placed kick and Butler, reaching to force down, missed the ball, which Connolly promptly pounced upon. McFarland added the two extra points just as the final whistle sounded. Connolly and McFarland were the shining lights of the winner’s threequarter line, Connolly in particular showing up well with a number of fast dashes. Connolly possesses a nice turn of speed and is always a dangerous scoring man. Walker, who worked his backs well from the scrum, was also a useful member, while Bush at fullback was playing up to his best form. Dobbs and Guy, in addition to hooking cleanly, played solid games, and Hodge and Herbert were also keen workers in an honest pack. Although Rae worked hard to get the ball away to his backs the Varsity insides could do little with it. Both Jenkin and McKay Were having off days, and the result was a marked paucity of combined back movements. Milliken was the best of the threequarter line, running strongly and with determination, but few chances came his way. In the forwards Anderson gave a sound display, and he was well supported by Douglas and Edwards, with Jolly, at rover, playing an effective game. Poor play by the Varsity backs, however, resulted in the failure of most of the forward rushes. Mr. C. F. Pauli was referee. CITY DEFEATS MANUKAU GOOD GAME AT SHOWGROUNDS At the Showgrounds on Saturd. „ afternoon, City enhanced its repu tation as a “giant-killer’* combins tion by defeating Manukau by C points to 3. Both teams were im bued with the British team’s style of play and, in the first half, at any rate, threw the ball about in great style. Toward the end of the game, however, all players tired and play suffered in consequence. The game had not long peon in progress when, from a melee on the Manukau line, Berridge picked up and touched down. He failed to convert. The next score came soon after when McKay, with a good line-kick, put the ball out in the corner. Barnes caught tho opposition napping and walked across for an easy try. Berridge failed to convert. Manukau gained its first and only points in the second quarter when Jones took a mark from well out and put over a good penalty goal. There was no further score in the game, although the,. West Coasters made valiant efforts to equalise or draw ahead. The defence, however, was too strong. The City side worked hard and fully deserved its win. Berridge was an inspiring leader. He was trickiness itself and he also had a hand in every attack started by his side. Blakey was a sound custodian and did all required of him. Cook also did well, but his handling was not good. Stehr was a sound first five. Barnes was easily the best of the forwards, and his try was a fine effort. The remainder of the forwards worked well. On the Manukau side, Kahu played a magnificent game. He frequently broke away from the line-outs and his weight was invaluable in the tight. He was well supported by C. Satherley and Brimble. Pile, the rover, played an outstanding game. Among the backs, Jones played well and his goal was a good one. Bryers was tricky but overdid the cut-in a little too much. Stewart did some god work in his position of second five-eighth. Turei was not as reliable as usual and took things a little too easily. Captain J. G. C. Wales was referee. TECHNICAL TOO, STRONG GRAFTON PUTS UP GOOD SHOWING Grafton found it impossible to keep up the pace against Technical and a lead at half-time was not long maintained. The Technical pack, listless in the earlier stages of the game, put more sting into its work and the backs were given a little more ball. Grafton forwards started off with great dash and ran all over Technical in the loose, smothering the nippy Green backs and carrying all before them. A. Fin lay son was at the top of his form and he paved the way for a fine try which, converted, put Grafton two points ahead at half-time. Fraser, the Grafton rover, was a strong factor in attack and it was his fast following-up that resulted in Finlayson’s strong run being capped by a try. McMeekin was Technical’s best for- ' ward and if the rest of the pack had worked as conscientiously os he did for the whole of the game, Grafton would not have been in the picture. A. Keane and Nelson were not far behind him. A. rearrangement of the Technical backs was not particularly successful. Harris was inclined to try too much

solo work. Turbott, brought in to first five-eighths, did not connect too well with Ha slam, and Porteous, at centre, was in an unhappy position owing to the failure of his wingers. Johnson’s handling was deplorable and Couper had one of his off days. D. Keane was a safe fullback. Stevenson, the Grafton fullback, was the star man of the side. His tackling was deadly and he fielded and kicked with judgment. Scott played a bright game on the wing but there was little combination closer in. Technical 13, Grafton 5. GRAMMAR VICTORY OVER MARIST WAS COLOURLESS LOSER’S KICKING AMISS On its performance against Marist for fully threequarters of the game, Grammar certainly did not deserve to emerge vitorious. Not until the last quarter did Grammar loqlc dangerous. Weight in the forwards told its tale, and Grammar won, 11—3. Had Marist’s goal-kickers shown ordinary ability, four or five goals could have been gained. With at least three simple chances in the first spell, Marist could have led by nine points at the interval, which came instead with no score by either side. In the first spell Grammar played a particularly colourless game From the whistle, Marist’s forwards, set an example by “Swin” Hadley, fought the bulky Grammar men sturdily, and the opposing pack was forced to the realisation that it would have to fight for superiority in scrums and line-outs. In their slashing efforts to overcome Marist’s shock tactics, the Grammar forwards were over-ambitious, and were frequently penalised by the referee, Mr. G. J. Gasparich. If anything, Marist had had the better of tho play territorially at half-time. Marist maintained its sound work during the third quarter, and a try by Eville after incessant hammering on Grammar’s line placed Marist three points up, and seemingly in a winning position. GRAMMAR DETERMINED Then the attack collapsed abruptly. Grammar disputed every inch of the way, and unloosed a series of penetrative movements which meant defeat for Marist. K Potter, J. Wilson and Laurie Knight scored tries after terrific forward rushes, and Corner goaled one. It was unfortunate for Marist that it could not preserve its stout defence in the final quarter, when Grammar woke from its torpor and played superb Rugby. Behind the Grammar scrum Corner did a good deal of heavy work without being brilliant. Marist’s half. Conway, was as useful as the All Black. Conway should do we’l against the Taranaki forwards next Saturday Weir first five-eighths, was much the best of the Grammar backs. His runs were effective and his kicking valuable to the defence. His partner, Gardiner, spoilt useful work by his tendency to attempt too much on his own, yet the Grammar backs handled better than their opponents on the day, though bright back play was not a feature Smith played soundly among Marist’s inside backs. J. Wilson, wingthreequarter for the winners. and Evans, Marist’s winger, showed good bursts of speed with limited opportunities The fullbacks, Loombe (Marist) and Hutchinson (Grammar) played steady games. Hadley played a really magnificent game in the forwards. He is in fine form at present. Judd, Hennessey and Eville joined with liadlcy notably in Marist's plucky forward light, and McVeagli, rover, was always up with the play, though he was shaded somewhat by Grammar’s rover, P. Potter. Potter always tried to open up the play, and was responsible for several of Grammar’s best onslaughts. Big Laurie Knight played one of the best games on the field, more particularly in the second half, though he was suffering from a severe cut ah jvan eyebrow. Grevile A. Knight, R. Potter and R. Wilson all assisted in the tremendous worlc which sma ’lithe Marist defence. PONSONBY SCRAMBLED IN BY TWO POINTS ONLY COLLEGE RIFLES UNLUCKY In a game remarkable more for flashes of individual brilliance rather than combined effort, Pon* sonby defeated College Rifles by a bare margin of two points at Victoria Park on Saturday. The early stages of the game were marked by scrappy play, with a good deal of wild passing and kicking on both sides. Up till half-time Ponsonby had slightly the better of the play, and early in the game the forwards bullocked their way through a lineout to allow Hardy to go over unopposed. Cammick goaled. For the rest of the spell Rifles held its own, and Ponsonby had several narrow escapes. Kirk initiated a pretty movement that failed just on the Ponsonby line, and another dangerous situation was only saved by Fraser’s clearing Kick. When tho spell was called, Rifles had kept the score down to 5-—O. The second half opened with a strong Ponsonby attack, which culminated in Bunting scoring well out, to give tho Ponies an eight-point lead For a time play see-sawed from one end of the field to the other, and neither side had much of an advantage. At ono stage Fraser was seen to advantage when he made capital out of a College attack. He followed up a powerful clearing kick, and ran upfield and picked up almost on the College line. A brilliant tackle by Johnson saved Rifles. COLLEGE OPENS The really exciting part of the game came in the last quarter. Fraser picked up on his own line, and transferred to Soloman, who in turn sent out to McLeod. The latter made good ground/and only lost the ball when he passed in and a press of College forwards pounced on the leather. Rifles retaliated spiritedly, and the game went back inside the Ponsonby twenty - live, where an infringement gave Pickering a clianco with which he made no mistake, and the ball soared over the bar, to open the College account. This initial success heartened the Rifles men, and was the forerunner of a vigorous attack, which for a time had the Ponies rather rattled. Play milled round inside Ponsonby’s twentyfive, and after several lineouts Donald accepted a pass, from the loose, and went over wide out. College was unlucky to have the kick overruled by referee Kronfeldt, as there appeared to be some doubt about it. From the stand it appeared to be a poster that fell over the bar, and one umpire certainly hoisted his flag. With only ten minutes to go, play was getting most exciting, and College kept the Ponies on defensive play for quit© a spell. Ponies retaliated, and Rifles had one or two close calls until once more the bustling tactics of the pack were successful, and play went to the other end again, when Ponsonby had its luckiest escape of the day. From a scrum inside the twentyfive Kirk got the ball away neatly to Albrecht, who made a magnifi-

cent but unfortunately unsuccessful attempt at a field goal. Ponsonby carried play to Rifles’s territory again, and the game ended a little later. For College Rifles, Johnson, at fullback, and Denize and McGregor, on the wings, were noticeable. Kirk, behind the scrum, played a fine defensive game. In the forwards, Warren, Souter, and Donald were hard workers. On the Ponsonby side, it was hard to individualise. Hook, at first fiveeighth, did some fine work. Lucas played his usual fine game, arid McLeod, on the wing, was particularly prominent in the open work. He did some fine thrusting work, and showed a nice turn of speed. Soloman, as usual, was the hardest worker on the field, and used his speed to advantage. Bunting was useful in the lineouts. Fraser, at fullback, did some fine linekicking, and was reliable with his tackling, although ho still shows a tendency to play too far upheld when he is needed in the last line of defence. Cammick did some useful kick-