1939 is the year Suburbs RFC regained Senior A status for the first time since their brief exposure to Auckland’s best club sides back in 1923. But in actual fact, as they had in the previous year, Suburbs actually started in the 2nd division. The divisions were set as follows when matches for the season commenced on Sat 22nd April:
Senior 1st Division (8):
Grammar Old Boys
Grafton
Manukau
Marist Brothers Old Boys
North Shore
Ponsonby
Technical Old Boys
Training College
Senior 2nd Division (8):
College Rifles
Eden
Northcote
Otahuhu
Parnell
Suburbs
Takapuna
University
SENIOR RESULTS: Week 1 – Saturday 22nd April 1939
1st Division
Grafton 12 - 5 Technical
Marist 11 - 6 Grammar
Ponsonby 15 - 3 North Shore
Training College 11 - 6 Manukau
2nd Division
Takapuna 12 - 6 Eden
Otahuhu 5 - 0 College Rifles
Northcote 0 - 6 Parnell
Referee: Mr. K.D. Croft. SUBURBS 8 - 6 UNIVERSITY at 3pm at Eden Park No.2.
Week 2 – Saturday 29th April 1939
1st Division
Marist 3 - 0 Grafton
Ponsonby 6 - 5 Training College
Manukau 12 - 8 Technical
Grammar 17 - 3 North Shore
2nd Division
University 6 - 6 College Rifles
Otahuhu 26 - 0 Northcote
Takapuna 10 - 0 Parnell
Referee: Mr. J. Parris. SUBURBS 3 - 3 EDEN at 3pm at Avondale No.1.
Week 3 – Saturday 6th May 1939
1st Division
Grafton 34 - 6 Training College
Ponsonby 23 - 5 Technical
Grammar 14 - 6 Manukau
Marist 12 - 6 Shore
2nd Division
Otahuhu 21 - 3 Takapuna
Eden 5 - 3 University
College Rifles 18 - 6 Parnell
Referee: Mr. H.D. Craig. SUBURBS 37 - 11 NORTHCOTE at 3pm at Eden Park No.2.
Week 4 – Saturday 13th May 1939
1st Division
North Shore 9 - 3 Manukau
Ponsonby 11 - 8 Grafton
Marist 14 - 3 Technical
Grammar 16 - 9 Training College
2nd Division
University 24 - 9 Northcote
College Rifles 9 - 6 Eden
Otahuhu 28 - 11 Parnell
Referee: Mr. K.D. Croft. SUBURBS 6 - 3 TAKAPUNA at 3pm at Takapuna No.1.
Week 5 – Saturday 20th May 1939
1st Division
Grammar 13 - 3 Ponsonby
Marist 19 - 6 Manukau
Technical 12 - 5 Training College
Grafton 25 - 11 North Shore
P W L For Agnst Points
Marist 5 5 0 59 21 10
Grammar 5 4 1 66 32 8
Ponsonby 5 4 1 58 34 8
Grafton 5 3 2 79 36 6
Manukau 5 1 4 33 61 2
Training College 5 1 4 36 74 2
North Shore 5 1 4 32 72 2
Technical 5 1 4 33 66 2
2nd Division
Parnell 14 - 9 Eden
Takapuna 9 - 8 University
College Rifles 19 - 6 Northcote
Referee: Mr. W.R. Ellison. SUBURBS 3 - 13 OTAHUHU at 1.30pm at Eden Park No.1.
P W L D For Agnst Points
Otahuhu 5 5 0 0 93 17 10
College Rifles 5 3 1 1 52 29 7
Suburbs 5 3 1 1 57 36 7
Takapuna 5 3 2 0 37 41 6
Parnell 5 2 3 0 37 65 4
Eden 5 1 3 1 29 41 3
University 5 1 3 1 47 37 3
Northcote 5 0 5 0 26 112 0
At this stage there were 2 further Saturdays before promotion/relegation between divisions. The top 2 teams from the 2nd Division would get promoted to the 1st Division and College Rifles were placed ahead of Suburbs at this stage due to superior points for and against, but they were yet to play College Rifles.
Week 6 – Saturday 27th May 1939
1st Division
Marist 12 - 3 Ponsonby
Grammar 8 - 6 Technical
Grafton 17 - 9 Manukau
North Shore 11 - 11 Training College
P W L D For Agnst Points
Marist 6 6 0 0 71 24 12
Grammar 6 5 1 0 74 38 10
Grafton 6 4 2 0 96 45 8
Ponsonby 6 4 2 0 61 46 8
Training College 6 1 4 1 47 85 3
North Shore 6 1 4 1 43 83 3
Technical 6 1 5 0 39 74 2
Manukau 6 1 5 0 42 78 2
2nd Division
University 7 - 6 Otahuhu
Eden 24 - 0 Northcote
College Rifles 6 - 5 Takapuna
SUBURBS 28 - 6 PARNELL at 3pm at Avondale No.1.
Referee: Mr A.M. Matheson
P W L D For Agnst Points
Otahuhu 6 5 1 0 99 24 10
Suburbs 6 4 1 1 85 42 9
College Rifles 6 4 1 1 58 34 9
Takapuna 6 3 3 0 42 47 6
Eden 6 2 3 1 53 41 5
University 6 2 3 1 54 43 5
Parnell 6 2 4 0 43 93 4
Northcote 6 0 6 0 26 136 0
So with Suburb’s large win against Parnell, their points differential lifted them to second on the points table with one week to go to promotion/relegation. This only slightly eased the pressure from them, as they needed to draw with or beat College Rifles to proceed through to the first division the following Saturday.
Printed in the Auckland Star on Thursday 1st June:
‘…a slight alteration has been made to the points system. Instead of carrying their points into the second division, the relegated first division sides will start on equal basis with other second division sides. In short, all second division teams in the second round will start with no points. The promoted second division sides will carry their points into the new competition but, when the second round starts their points must not exceed those of the first division leaders.’
Week 7 – Saturday 3rd June 1939
1st Division
Grafton 23 - 12 Grammar
Ponsonby 17 - 4 Manukau
Marist 18 - 13 Training College
North Shore 11 - 6 Technical
P W L D For Agnst Points
Marist 7 7 0 0 89 37 14
Grafton 7 5 2 0 119 57 10
Grammar 7 5 2 0 86 51 10
Ponsonby 7 5 2 0 78 50 10
North Shore 7 2 4 1 54 89 5
Training College 7 1 5 1 60 103 3
Technical 7 1 6 0 45 85 2
Manukau 7 1 6 0 46 95 2
Manukau and Technical Old Boys relegated to the 2nd Division for the 2nd round.
2nd Division
Takapuna 19 - 8 Northcote
Otahuhu 18 - 6 Eden
University 17 - 6 Parnell
SUBURBS 14 - 3 COLLEGE RIFLES at 3pm at Eden Park No.2.
Referee: Mr. K.D. Croft
P W L D For Agnst Points
Otahuhu 7 6 1 0 117 30 12
Suburbs 7 5 1 1 99 45 11
College Rifles 7 4 2 1 61 48 9
Takapuna 7 4 3 0 61 55 8
Eden 7 2 4 1 59 59 5
University 7 3 3 1 71 49 7
Parnell 7 2 5 0 49 110 4
Northcote 7 0 7 0 34 155 0
Otahuhu and Suburbs are promoted to the 1st Division for the second round.
Auckland Star on Monday 5th June:
‘The promotion of the Suburbs side will be particularly welcomed by followers of Rugby who have recognized the club for some time as one of the keenest and hardest trained in Auckland. Otahuhu have already had a taste of first division standards’.
1939 – Seniors – 1st Division – 2nd Round
Week 8 – Saturday 10th June 1939
1st Division
Ponsonby 17 - 3 Grammar
Grafton 12 - 8 Marist
Training College 13 - 8 North Shore
SUBURBS 8 - 3 OTAHUHU
At 3pm at Sturges Park, Otahuhu. Referee: Mr. R.K. Hayhow.
(Thorn & T Clews tries, Thorn 1 con)
Match report, Auckland Star – Monday 12th June:
WIN FOR SUBURBS
The two promoted teams in the senior division, Suburbs and Otahuhu, had a willing tussle at Sturges Park. Suburbs winning by 8 points to 3. The ground was in fair condition with the exception of one or two pools, which quickly got stirred up into muddy patches. Drizzling rain fell for the greater part of the match putting accurate and attractive play out of the question. In the first spell Otahuhu, with the advantage of the wind, had much the better game. Hedges was playing brilliantly, opening up strong attacks in quick succession. Only sound defence kept the score down to 3 nil in favour of Otahuhu. The change over, however, found a remarkable alteration. The whole Suburbs team seemed to have found new life, particularly after they got a score, and from then on they never looked like losing. A useful factor was the improvement in the play of the fullback Underwood. For the winners Thorn and T Clews scored a try, one being converted by Thorn. The Otahuhu score was a try by Pearson.
Because Suburbs got to keep their points earned in the 2nd division, they now sat at second on the table, a single point behind leaders Marist who’d suffered their first loss of the season.
P W L D For Agnst Points
Marist 8 7 1 0 97 49 14
Suburbs 8 6 1 1 107 48 13
Otahuhu 8 6 2 0 120 38 12
Grafton 8 6 2 0 131 65 12
Ponsonby 8 6 2 0 95 53 12
Grammar 8 5 3 0 89 68 10
North Shore 8 2 5 1 62 102 5
Training College 8 2 5 1 73 111 5
Week 9 – Saturday 17th June 1939
1st Division
Marist 8 - 0 Ponsonby
Grafton 19 - 11 North Shore
Otahuhu 23 - 5 Training College
SUBURBS 15 - 13 GRAMMAR at 1.30pm at Eden Park No.1.
(Underwood & Le Long tries, Thorn (2) & Underwood penalties)
Referee: Mr. S.V. Nicol.
P W L D For Agnst Points
Marist 9 8 1 0 105 49 16
Suburbs 9 7 1 1 122 61 15
Otahuhu 9 7 2 0 143 43 14
Grafton 9 7 2 0 150 76 14
Ponsonby 9 6 3 0 95 61 12
Grammar 9 5 4 0 102 83 10
North Shore 9 2 6 1 73 121 5
Training College 9 2 6 1 78 134 5
FULL MATCH REPORT to come….
Week 10 – Saturday 24th June 1939
P W L D For Agnst Points
1st Division Marist 10 8 2 0 115 62 16
Otahuhu 13 - 10 Marist Suburbs 10 7 1 2 130 69 16
North Shore 16 - 9 Grafton Otahuhu 10 8 2 0 156 53 16
Grammar 18 - 3 Training College Grafton 10 7 3 0 159 92 14
Ponsonby 10 6 3 1 103 69 13
SUBURBS 8 - 8 PONSONBY Grammar 10 6 4 0 120 86 12
at 3.00pm at Eden Park No.1. North Shore 10 3 6 1 89 130 7
Referee: Mr. G. Peace. Training College 10 2 7 1 81 152 5
(Le Long try, Underwood con, Thorn pen) NB: Even though points differential may suggest different, above is how the teams were listed on the points table in the Star.
The main headlines read in the Auckland Star on Mon 26th June:
PROMOTED TEAMS JOIN LEADER
LADDER SHAKES
RUGBY SURPRISES
‘Sweet inter-passing between backs and forwards and a whirlwind burst by Suburbs in the final minutes made the main Eden Park game between Ponsonby and Suburbs a pageant of thrills.‘
SPECTACULAR EIGHT-ALL DRAW
Suburbs showed in the main game that their successful attack on Grammar Old Boys last week was definitely not a flash in the pan. From the start they swept away with the speedy inter-passing which characterized last week’s display, and Ponsonby were quick to realize that their way would not be easy. The game could scarcely be called a model of tactics, but it produced many patches of bright football and toward the end the crowd was constantly on its feet – sometimes in a frenzy of excitement.
Ponsonby led 5-3 at half-time, but the odds had been even. In the second spell the balance fell evenly from side to side. Ponsonby soon scored and for some time seemed clearly on top, but in the last quarter Suburbs’ forwards started breaking through the loose and the backs and forwards combined in some highly spectacular chain-passing which finally brought a brilliant try to R. Le Long. This brought the game to an 8-all draw.
Against heavy opposition, Suburbs’ forwards were forced to play loose, for Ponsonby had most of the success in the tight work. Again the pack played as a unit, with no player particularly outstanding. Outstanding feature of the Ponsonby forward work was the return to form of H. Bond, who played with a dash reminiscent of his best work last season. Carson, Evans, Johnson and Fraser were prominent in most rushes.
D. Brady was again the guiding star of Suburbs’ attack. His display was marked by clever anticipation, a keen eye for the gap and steady support of the rest of the line. Margison, the centre was a little uncertain, but sometimes swept through brilliantly; Green was an effective link between D. Brady and his half-back brother, C. Brady, who was again sound behind a pack which had difficulty in getting the ball. Underwood played another enterprising full-back game.
Except for Halliwell, who cleared from some tight corners at full-back, the Ponsonby backs did not distinguish themselves individually, and their passing was often rough. Grant, the wing, was the biggest thorn in Suburbs’ defence, and Coughlan, centre, was another who ran hard and straight. The Ponsonby backs, with Bond hooking consistently, had more chances to shine than the Suburbs line, but did not take advantage of their opportunities.
Ponsonby’s points came from tries by Evans and Grant, Halliwell converting one. Le Long scored for Suburbs, Underwood converted and Thorn kicked a penalty.
Saturday 1st July – Senior matches suspended due to representative matches
Week 11 – Saturday 8th July 1939
P W L D For Agnst Points
1st Division Marist 11 9 2 0 134 62 18
Marist 19 - 0 Grammar Suburbs 11 8 1 2 148 74 18
Ponsonby 16 - 16 North Shore Otahuhu 11 8 3 0 165 70 16
Grafton 17 - 9 Otahuhu Grafton 11 8 3 0 176 101 16
Ponsonby 11 6 3 2 119 85 14
SUBURBS 18 - 5 TRAINING COLL. Grammar 11 6 5 0 120 105 12
at 1.30pm at Eden Park No.1. North Shore 11 3 6 2 105 146 8
Referee: Mr. R.K. Hayhow. Training College 11 2 8 1 86 170 5
(D. Brady, Morgan, C. Brady,
D. Clews tries, Thorn 3 con)
The main headlines read in the Auckland Star on Mon 10th July:
PROMOTED TEAMS
BOTH PLACES HIGH
--------------------------------
GALLAHER SHIELD COMPETITION
Evidence of the high standard set in the second division of the senior rugby competition is given in the performance of the Suburbs and Otahuhu sides since their promotion to the first division at the end of the first round. Replacing the bottom first division sides, these two teams brought up their championship points in the second division, and as they led there they were naturally placed well up on the list in the first section.
Rugby followers expected that the promoted sides would need every one of the points won in the second division, but with only three games of the second round to be played the Suburbs and Otahuhu fifteens are placed first equal, and third respectively. Suburbs have performed particularly well, and by producing consistently bright football have won the approval of the Eden Park crowds.
So far Suburbs have been unbeaten in the second round, but they have yet to meet the strong Marist fifteen, with whom they share the lead. Despite the bright style of the Suburbs side, present form seems to indicate that the unbroken run of the second round victories which have fallen to the side may be broken when Marist are their opponents. Suburbs are essentially a reckless side, and so far few of their opponents have been clever enough to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities presented by their long, swinging style of passing.
The solid consistency of the Marist side, which takes few chances, may be the undoing of Suburbs. Suburbs have also to meet the strong Grafton side, which lies second equal with Otahuhu (actually third equal).
Otahuhu, though they have done well in the first division, do not appear as strong a fifteen as Suburbs. The changing fortunes of the competition, however, may yet put them up with their former division companions.
Saturday’s main game (Grammar v Marist) at Eden Park was not inspiring. The early game between Suburbs and Training College matched young, enterprising teams, the result was lively football, with both fifteens tossing the ball in bright movements. Suburbs worked into better position, however, and nonplussing the students by launching attacks from all angles until the final score read 18-5 in their favour.
MORE detailed report available in Herald, Page 14, 10 July 1939.
Week 12 – Saturday 15th July 1939
P W L D For Agnst Points
1st Division Marist 12 9 2 1 145 73 19
Ponsonby 12 - 11 Grafton Suburbs 12 8 1 3 159 85 19
Grammar 10 - 3 North Shore Otahuhu 12 9 3 0 176 78 18
Otahuhu 11 - 8 Training College Grafton 12 8 4 0 187 113 16
Ponsonby 12 7 3 2 131 96 16
SUBURBS 11 - 11 MARIST Grammar 12 7 5 0 130 108 14
at 3.00pm at Eden Park No.1. North Shore 12 3 7 2 108 156 8
Referee: Mr. G. Peace. Training College 12 2 9 1 94 181 5
(Le Long try, Thorn try, pen & con)
Printed in the Auckland Star – Monday 17 July:
HARE’S KICKING SAVES DAY
Rugby Championship Still Uncertain
Suburbs Bright Play
Though some may have come away from Eden Park on Saturday, after watching Marist creep up to an 11-all draw with Suburbs, with the impression that Suburbs were distinctly out of luck not to have gained a better result for the most enterprising display seen there this season, there is no doubt that Marist’s desperate rally in the final quarter deserved some reward. Even the most hardened Marist supporters would admit, however, that their side was fortunate in possessing such a full-back as W. Hare, whose kicking, which brought eight out of eleven points, saved Marist’s bacon.
Hare, indeed, was at times Marist’s only counter to the swinging attacks of the lively Suburbs fifteen, who carried play swiftly from end to end, answering attack with attack and often turning defence of their own goal line into sparkling passing movements which took play back to halfway. Hare has seldom been in better form. His kicking was outstanding and, given a tremendous amount of work because of the lively nature of the Suburbs attack, he scarcely made a mistake.
As they have done in all their games since promotion from the second division, Suburbs tossed the ball around with a delightful abandon. Not since George Nepia’s Maori All Blacks played Auckland in 1935 has Eden Park seen such a display of free and easy passing. When tackled Suburbs backs and forwards alike merely threw the ball in the general direction of a team mate, and there was always somebody to run underneath and continue the attack. That has been the secret of Suburbs’ success all the season – they rely on constant attack to keep them out of danger.
Star of the whole game was undoubtedly D. Brady, Suburbs’ five-eighths, who co-ordinated the Suburbs movements, backed up with remarkable consistency and never failed on defence. The rest of the Suburbs backline did not reach the high standard set by Brady, but it made few mistakes and at different times several members stood out brilliantly from the general run of play. Next to Brady, Underwood, the full-back, who concentrated on running his backs into position, was the best Suburbs man. Margison, centre, showed fine speed on attack and Le Long and Thorn, the wingers, ran with determination. Brady and Green were a most useful combination as half and first five-eighths. Brady throwing his passes with an accuracy that won the approval of the crowd – the biggest of the season.
Marist’s backline would have coped better with the Suburbs attack had Contayne, first five-eighths, been more unselfish. Though he was the outstanding Marist back he showed a regrettable tendency to kick on attack and attempt to clear on his own on defense. Consequently the line outside did not get a real chance to answer Suburbs unremitting attack. F Cogney more than matched C. Brady in the liveliness of his half-back exhibition and though he had the protection of a heavier pack did some stalwart work stopping rushes.
Among the forwards several Marist men were really outstanding. These were J. Barry, D Bailey, the captain, and J. Hogan, who scored Marist’s only try. Toward the end of the game the Marist pack rallied desperately and these three headed a series of rushes. The Suburbs forwards played as a solid pack and their steady combination made it difficult to select individuals. George and Shadbolt stood out occasionally in the loose.
The result left the Gallaher Shield competition still in a most interesting position. With 19 points apiece, Marist and Suburbs still lead, but Otahuhu, the second promoted fifteen, are only one point behind. Since only two games remain, next week’s matches may clear the issue, but it is quite possible that the second round will completed with the scores equal.
In these final games, Marist’s way appears easier. They will meet Training College and Shore, the bottom teams; Suburbs are matched with Shore and Grafton, and Grafton, though they stand fourth, are a difficult combination to beat.
Week 13 – Saturday 22nd July 1939
P W L D For Agnst Points
1st Division Marist 13 10 2 1 158 79 21
Otahuhu 19 - 16 Ponsonby Otahuhu 13 10 3 0 195 94 20
Grafton 26 - 15 Grammar Suburbs 13 8 2 3 162 96 19
Marist 13 - 6 Training College Grafton 13 9 4 0 213 128 18
Ponsonby 13 7 4 2 147 115 16
SUBURBS 3 - 11 NORTH SHORE Grammar 13 7 6 0 145 134 14
at 3.00pm at Eden Park No.1. North Shore 13 4 7 2 119 159 10
Referee: Mr. W.R. Ellison. Training College 13 2 10 1 100 194 5
(Thorn pen) One more day of games remaining in the Gallaher Shield.
Printed in the Auckland Star – Monday 24 July:
SHORE UPSET THE RUGBY LADDER
SUBURBS BEATEN Eight-Point Margin
Marist Lead Alone
Otahuhu in second place
So Suburbs, promoted in second division, who have defeated the strongest teams in the first division, have been beaten at last. And North Shore, who stand one from the bottom on the championship ladder, were the side who performed the feat. Suburbs drew one of the biggest crowds in years to Eden Park on Saturday, but they failed to produce their best tactics, which have been responsible for much of the bright football seen recently at headquarters, and went down fighting before the heavy rushes of the North Shore pack.
It was North Shore’s pack which won the day. From the start they made it evident that they intended to worry the Suburbs backline, they did the job so efficiently that Suburbs’ style was severely cramped, several of the smartest attackers were thrown off their stride and the Shore backs were able to swing through in some spectacular passing movements.
Suburbs’ downfall now puts Marist clearly in the lead with 21 points-one point ahead Otahuhu, the second promoted side, and two points in front of Suburbs. No games will be played in the Gallaher Shield competition next Saturday, when the representatives will be absent at Whangarei, and College Day will be held at Eden Park. The competition will be resumed on Saturday week, when the draw will be as follows: Suburbs v Grafton, Otahuhu v Grammar, Marist v Shore, Training College v Ponsonby.
Present form indicates that Marist should beat North Shore, but in view of their form on Saturday and bearing in mind Shore’s reputation for springing surprises on leading teams, Marist cannot consider the victory already “in the bag.” Despite the threat of Shore, however, Marist seems in an enviable position. Otahuhu, should Marist be defeated, has a chance of taking the championship.
SUBURBS LOSES GRIP
Unless both Marist and Otahuhu lose their games in the final series, it would appear that Suburbs have lost their grip on the championship. Since the promoted fifteen has been largely responsible for the large crowds at Eden Park over the last few weeks Rugby supporters generally will have a lot of sympathy for the side, which was often plagued by bad luck on Saturday. That, however, is not an excuse for defeat by Shore. Suburbs’ players several times had the misfortune to drop passes when in good scoring positions, and Shore were never slow to take advantage of their opponents’ mistakes.
The Shore team played above itself, taking a leaf from Ponsonby’s book by exploiting mistakes. Suburbs tried every trick they knew, but then attempts to swing open the game as they have done ever since they mounted to the first division were unsuccessful. The Shore forwards, playing great football, burst through continually and smothered their best efforts.
The outstanding Shore men were D. Whillans, who led the pack magnificently, J. Galloway, J. Goodacre and P. Sheehan. The whole Shore pack was at the top of its form, but these men stood out from the rucks and did great work in exploiting the loose methods of the opposing backs. The best backs were C. McKinley, the centre, whose judicious kicking, solid tackling and spirited direction of the attack were a tower of strength to Shore. On the wing, J. Tawhai had more work than usual and delighted the crowd with some straight, hard running. F. Paton several times made some clever tactical moves from full-back. C. Jessup showed a quick eye for the gap at five-eighths, and D. Arkle seldom failed in his scrum service.
The Clews brothers, A. Ladbrook and M. Nelson were the best of the Suburbs forwards, with Ladbrook winning the crowd’s approval by the most persistent following up seen at Eden Park this season. C. Brady was constantly over-whelmed by the rush of the Shore forwards but he plugged on steadily and toward the end of the game made several neat break-throughs.
His brother, D. Brady, was again the pivot of Suburbs’ attack and defence. Unfortunately he was one of the few Suburbs’ backs who made any attempt to tackle low. This reluctance to meet the Shore men with solid tackling was one of the main causes of the defeat. Suburbs also failed to close in after line-outs and Shore were able to break through and set the backs going. This weakness was especially evident in the second spell, when C. Brady had little protection from the Shore breakaways.
Printed in the New Zealand Herald – Monday 24 July:
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
‘DEFEAT OF SUBURBS TEAM’
The largest attendance to witness a club match at Eden Park for about four or five years was present at the Auckland Rugby Union’s headquarters on Saturday afternoon, when the senior championship for the Gallaher Shield was advanced a stage further. The attraction was the appearance of the promoted fifteen, Suburbs, which has delighted enthusiasts during the past few weeks with its bright, open methods of play.
The team on Saturday however, did not come up to expectations and was defeated by the sound North Shore side. With only one more series of matches to be played, Suburbs thus loses its position as leader with Marist, which, by reason of its win over Training College, retains top position on the ladder with 21 points. Otahuhu’s victory over last year’s champion team, Ponsonby, still gives the side a chance of success should Marist fail in the last series. Suburbs is now one point behind Otahuhu.
North Shore’s win over Suburbs was decisive, as the margin of points shows. Suburbs was not as brilliant as formerly, the defence and spoiling tactics of the North Shore players hampering the opposition to a great extent. North Shore also had the advantage of a larger share of the ball from the set scrums.
FULL MATCH REPORT to come….
‘BACKS WELL MARKED’
-
‘TACTICS PROVE SUCCESSFUL’
Printed in the Auckland Star – Monday 7 August:
MARIST RUGBY CHAMPION AFTER SIXTEEN YEARS
Six years of patient effort had their reward at Eden Park on Saturday when Marist Old Boys, by defeating North Shore 29-17, gained the two points necessary to make them senior Rugby champions for 1939 and holders of the Gallaher Shield until next season. Marist has not won the shield since 1933, in that year it was bracketed with Ponsonby and University, and held the trophy on for part of the season. It is 16 years since the club won the senior championship outright.
Saturday’s games marked the end of the club championship series, and saw Marist end one point ahead of the second team, Otahuhu, who were promoted from second division at the end of the first round and did surprisingly well in the top section. Grafton, who many Rugby followers picked as likely winners at the opening of the season were third, and the other promoted side, Suburbs, was fourth.
GRAFTON’S LAST-MINUTE WIN
By playing Suburbs at their own game of constant change in the plan of attack, Grafton won their curtain-raiser match at Eden Park by 16 points to 13. Until near the end Suburbs were ahead, but Grafton snatched victory in the last few minutes. Suburbs were 10 points ahead at half-time.
Grafton, without Blue, Pearson and McLean, their captain, played under handicap, but the fine hooking of C.S. Passmore gave them an advantage in the scrums, which Suburbs found difficult to counter. In addition, N. Pearman was in his best form as inside five-eighth. Moore, the half, also impressed as a really enterprising player. Underwood was, as usual, a sound full-back for Suburbs and the Brady brothers also went well. The Suburbs’ three-quarters troubled Grafton by their anticipation of play.
The best Grafton forwards were Hull, Gable and Anderson. Though the Suburbs’ pack was beaten in set scrums it played consistently without any individual showing up. Grafton’s points were scored mainly by Pearman, who kicked two penalties and two conversions. Dick and Schubert, the wingers, scored tries, Schubert’s coming as the result of a great burst near the end of the game, Thorn scored two tries for Suburbs and Green potted a goal.
Week 14 – Saturday 5th August 1939 FINAL STANDINGS – Gallaher Shield 1939
P W L D For Agnst Points
1st Division Marist 14 11 2 1 187 96 23
Marist 29 - 17 North Shore Otahuhu 14 11 3 0 211 103 22
Otahuhu 16 - 9 Grammar Grafton 14 10 4 0 229 141 20
Training College 13 - 3 Ponsonby Suburbs 14 8 3 3 175 112 19
Ponsonby 14 7 5 2 150 128 16
SUBURBS 13 - 16 GRAFTON Grammar 14 7 7 0 154 134 14
at 1.30pm at Eden Park No.1. North Shore 14 4 8 2 136 188 10
Referee: Mr. R.K. Hayhow. Training College 14 3 10 1 113 197 7
(Thorn 2 tries & pen, Green DG)
Suburbs Reaches the Top, and Gets a New Jersey
1939 and Senior "A" status. The cause for much rejoicing and celebration at the Club. A fine effort by a magnificent team. Three players who vividly remembered from this team are Charlie Brady, Denny Brady and Vim Underwood. This Senior "A" year was also the year the Club introduced the new and now familiar jersey design.
1939 also saw the A.R.U. Southland Shield - awarded to the club whose three best Junior Teams show the highest average of points at the end of section play - won by Suburbs, and the Club was again runners up for the A.R.U. Silver Football. Suburbs were well and truly making the scene in Auckland Rugby. Club stalwarts were making progress at the Club headquarters too, and concrete foundations and walls were added to the side of the training shed. Suburbs could now boast a training shed with separate dressing rooms, plus added luxury of two cold showers.
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