RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 184, 4 August 1913, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. 3PXXS FOR PONSONBY. JIAKIST BROS. AND COLLEGE RIFLES. PONSONBY AND THE "TYKES 7 ' LEVEL. ELAY IN THE KALN". ,a_\ UPROAH. The tiniil.-i of the Auckland Rugby Union championship wrrp played at Alexandra Park this r'lernoou. in mast disagreeable weather, a strong south--.vi.-sterly wind blowing, accompanied by heavy squalls, the grounds belcg very heavy and the ball zrc-zsj. There was an attendance of about iV.kso. amongst lhe nuinhei- heinjr Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Witty, M.r.. wao were acctapanied by Mr. I', .f. Nerhcny ami Mr. A. L". I Hover, M.P. When Tbe boll rang to wninicßce play, the Ponsonby. University. City, and ilarisi Brothers' trams, headed I} a piper, assembled in front of the committees' stand, aud yirre three cheers for Kir Joseph. Ward. On No. 1 ground, I'onsonby and CnaverpUj- had a determined struggle, both sides -Sstiting hard from boll to bell, no score being registered till about eight nUn-ntes before rime, when O'Leary kicked a goal from ji mark by 2t£cUregor. The game was in■.l4restinfi. bat unevcntfnl. the students bethe mare handicapped by the weather conditions fcnsm their opponents. Od So. Z Gromxi Marist met City. The game vkis anything b-ut what it have been, and at time feeling ra"n . very high, "the end Bniahed in mi uproar, i and. unfor-tanately, a free-ngiit between a <"">Ty player and a Marist Bros, supporter eventuated. Till within a few minutes of time there -was no score, but jnst before the whistle blew, a try -was awarded Marist Bros. This led to some higdi words, and | llic i-rowd rushed the ground, preventing | Tic Ul'k at goat. Tie score wan obtained j liy Dejnuehy. -who ■was on tie side-line injured, when the ball came his way, and rushing on the field he took the leather a lot of comment, and a disgraceful fcODf was only averted by the prompt j action of some of tbe officials- of the Union and the City Club. in the contest for ilie wooden spoon. Collrz? Kiflcs beat Parneil by 9 points to 6, Tile result of the afternoon's play leaves Pnrsnr.hy and Marist Bros, level far the aTn3 The Union will uo-w have In deride -whether to bracket them or order a play-off. The posit'.ons of the teams are: —

-I'OXSOXBY V. UNIVERSITY. University aud Ponsonby had pride of position on No. 1 ground. 'Varsity winning TJiL , toss aud playing with the stroug sou'ivost wind and ruin behind them, the playing area being in a heavy condition. Cuumiigbaiu started operations, MacKy getting it vi;t at tue centre. 'Varsity were nrst to i:i - ; gi'ing, but Clark stopped iv good style. "Ik- students came again, but Lambert fail- «•■! io take a pass from Gray, and a chauce wn» lost. Another passing run saw Lam-b'-ri Hans on too long, and I'onsonuy reinnvcd the danger, Lambert giving a free- j ki<-k against his side through hanging ou I too lon's- ?vo advantage was gained from llii> Kirk, and for a time play was even and ' uneventful. Off-side play by Griersou gave rocsonby a rUance in a handy position, but , f'l.earv tailed to send the heavy ball over, aurt Wilsou stint back to the centre. The. Mups set up an attack, and Lambert had a -■•liOi. from a penalty for obstruction, but the kick went wide and Ponsonby forced. Vean-p sent the return back to the blue and blacks" twenty-fivp. but the West Enders broke away, and Baler and Murray headed a rush which had play on the students' line. A free to Ponsonby for off-side play was rnshed down by Wylie, who headed a rush to the centre. I'onsonby bad somewhat the best of the heavy work. Macky The*- went to centre. The blue and blanks maiuteined tie tipper band, bnt eventnally J'earce sent them back with a long kick, sod Lambert had another shot, which went wide, and Ponsonhy forced. The greasy, Jicavy bail was very difficult to handle, a 'Varsity run threatening Ponsonby when the bell rang to change ends. Turning over. Lambert dropped back to full-back, Pearce going up to five-eighths 311*1 Darby to centre three-quarter. I'lu.y wa--< ragged for some time till Ponsonby broke away, i)arby saving clwerly and, kicking bigo. jnst failed u> get the line, Stewart returning to the half. The students tame through, anil a score seemed imminent, bm McGregor kicked across and, the bail poiug behind, a force resulted. 'Varsity ttill attacked, aixi Hall, setting off-side, Lambert had another shot, the ball falling short, and Murray returned. The students r-ouunned to have a bit the best of it. but Dance saved Dioelj- sj:d screw-kicked to the centre. I'cnsonby had a turn at attack, a high boost by giving relief. Poneouby 'jaoimered away, but a bard kick gave 'Varsity a chance to force. A heavy fiuall now swept tie ground. A high kick by Macky put the blues on the attack. They cauao away with a passing ruu, but Pcarces transfer to Gray whs forward, and I'onsonby removed the danger, taking the leather to baif-way. A free to Ponsonby, and O'Leaxy had a kick from near the cenlre, the ball failing short. Darby coming cut with a tricky run and then kicking, but liiilert to get the line, and Ponsonby again attacked. They kept the students penned "ju the Jine, a score being thrown away by -Murray missing the pass, and the blues "o't ronef. A halt was now called owing rue'dfe"! 1 tP Mnrray ' vrbo had t0 retire for I'onsouby kept the upper hand aud. bre;-k----m<: through, took play past l>jrbv and Maoky. and McGregor dived for the line, tniversiry r.o» ? rallied, and Wylie headed a rush which had Punsonby defending OE-side play let the blup and blacks out of danger, and anotiier speij took place ai. the haif, where they were hard at it when the bell rang for half-time without any score. SECOND SPELL. Wh°n they catne out for the second spell I Farg'Mit.ina replaced Murray, going fail-back,' li'Lcary c-ntre. and Dane five-eighth, 'Varsity s bnck formation being as in the first spell. The students were first to get "Olng, nr;d Serpentina missing, the blues were on *."dp anart. A mark by Ijaunbert, and he i.id a shot at goal from an easy position, out the attempt was a poor one, and Podforced. The students were back from the kick-oft, and Macky, kickin-f high Darby got in. and side-stepped cleverly, a E'-ore being narrowly averted. The bines tvs-e pnttfng a lot of dash Into their work, BiiiJ Miu-kj" sot througfl with a dribbling nils, SnrgenCina saving with a speculator. Tee wiiiu had died dowm a lot, an<l was of very little assistance, a Ponsonby attack 6CCL3S Ste-BTirt well stopped by Gray. A lot of loose play ended in Ponsonbys favour, and Snrgentina, Mefcing hart, followed up fast, and spoilt the fetani, kicking over the line, bat Mucky gat back In time to force. PonsoßbT -conttitrned to attack, «m 3

Sellars -went for the line, but Ross went down with him, and a ecrum five yards oat was ordered. Ponsonby grafted hard for a score, but Bater hung on too long, and the free gave the blues reiiet, a mark by .Lambert being of further assistance. Poneonby came back, and Sellars making a fine opening. Clark was nearly over, but was beaten tack, and the blues cleared. Darby with a nice dash, taking play to the half.' 'Varsity now made mc pace very fast, and the forwards taking charge. Macky joined in, and took the ball over, but Sargentina kicked to the dead-ball line, the bell ringing soon after for the final quarter. Turning over for the list quarter. 'Varsity attacked, Sargentina saving with a speculator, a mark by Stewart further aesisting the blue and blacks. A lot of loose kicking, O'Leary to Macky. to Stewart, to Wilson, and play was at the students' quarter, a mark by Ma-cKy stopping the westerners' march; a hard kick by O'Leary shortly after giving Macky time to force. I'ousonby came back, looking for a score, Gray averting the danger, and sending the leather to the centre. The students Broke crlear, and Darby kicked high, Sargentina returning to the centre, J'onsonbv kept f goiiig. and a conple of marks kept them I on the attack, O'Leary having a shot from J the last, the bail going wide, and 'Varsity forced. A free from the kick-off gave I O'Leary another chance, but it again massed and the blues forced. Ponsouby wore keepIng the blues hard at it, and O'Leary potted at goal, the leather falling short. Gray's I They maintained their advantage, and Mc- ! Gregor marking in front of the goal, O'Leary sent the ball over amidst applause. Ponsonby 3 University . „ U The students, with a score agajnst them, t rushed down the kick-off, bnt liilkey was I o£f-sjdc, and Ponsonby got relief, taking a i turn at attack, and mc "students were hard pressed. The Popsonby forwards were j dominating - the position, and. MeCJregor kick- j iug through, I'earce was blocked on the line, the students getting a lucky save. The westerners kept going, a«d were within an •when the bell rang to cease play they were , attacking, vanning a haru-fougiit game by ■ 0 points. ; Mr A. Murdoch was referee. CITY V. MARIST BROS. This same was played on No. 2 Ground. The game was evenly contested among the forwards, till Fuke led a very fine rusjj over the line, where iiheehan forced. The Marisis" went away with great dash Irom the .drop-out, and a beautiful line-kick by tSheehau gait tou-ch at the corner. AXaHsts swarmed over the line, but M.offitl saved uhe situation with a mark, and s°t lie Hue outside the twenty-live yard mark. City got to the centre by bustling piay, and there the forwards on both sides infused a lot of sting into their play, which brought a grunt α-eal of mixed play, a speculator by Sheehan enahled him to fodow and prevent Moffitt from returning. A random savingkick was fielded by iiclJonald, who crosskicked, and, Lhe bounce beating Mofiitt. I'oraija got it and in-passed to Downing, wJk> was stopped at tbe. Hue. A free enabled Csty to dear. A Alari-i passing rush saw Sheehan put to a Keod dash at the end i of the movement, but ne chrew deliberately I out -when tackied. and dry cleared from Uie free-kick. The City forwards too!; a hand, and had bustled the ball over the Maristslane forcing them just as the quarter-time Good play by J. O'Brien enabled him to stop a dribbling rush with, -which City opened the attack, and the game went back to the centre. With one of their fast, open rushes the City forwards again went.to the attack the position being saved by a speculator by Little. Downjug secured the ball from the throw-out, and -with, a hefty kick landed it to touch, at the City quarter. ■Moffitt and Stewart -were prominent in savin" work till Cornaga kicked hard and followed fast, -bustling Molfirt to kick out at his owji line. From the throw-in the scramble ended in a scrum on the line, Jn ■which City infringed, f'allaghan took the kick and had tie hard luci to land a "poster," City forcing. Tie Tykes came bsu-k to the attack per medium o£ a passing bout, in -which J- O'Brien kicked and got to Moffitt before he could gather the ba L It ifaigee. howerer, got there m rime to set the baj; a way to touch near his line. Twice in succession Uarists opened oni m a passing bout, and once a fine chance yas lost by the pass to Siiee-oan being too *feh. S&UM kepi HP tue. attack, and b. O Knen tickin? -and foUowmg,_ P rev^ led Jtn {he and Moffitt from getnng away with the [inland IT^sT^Z abl2d°Ciiy to get past half-way, just a= i^t^ot^e 6 - first real advantage from a foot hish led by Fake and Campbell, whicli ended at the Marists' line in a free against the red£ With the kick the Marists 1 cleared, and adopting bunching tactics tue ! blue forwards themselves went to the attack, eventually forcing City. A loose rush by the City forwards ended at the Marists' quarter, T>ut good play hy the O'Brien brothers and SheehaJi enabled the blues to trtn back to baif-way. Again the City forvranls came back in loose order, and 1 O'Brien saved by kicking behind. From 'the «crum the Marists broEe away and were cleaxin" when K. Magee fielded and kicked over the line, enabling Little to force. City j were again on tbe attack when the quarter I ended. The last quarter started from a scrum at half-way, the kick being pitched ont. l-'rom the scrum S. Magne broke away and dribbled throuzn. Little kicked across, but did noi get touch, and Hogan gathered the ball on the run and dashed for the line, but was ; outpaced and grassed by Cornaga near the i Tykes' line. Following a speculator. Cornapa bustled MofEtt to kick short, and the Tykes came away with a great dribbling rush to the line, where a chance to score was lost, the playens trying to pick up instead of close-dribbling over. The llaxists got a free here, bur Callaghan's kick went wide, and Fake and Campbell cleared by hard kicking- Tbe Tykes came back in a strong forward rnsh u> the line, but Moffitt was safe and sect them back to the twenty-five. Tt looked like the last chance gone when Coruaga missed his pass in a good scoring position from a passing bout, bat the Tykes came back in a dribbling rush to the Hue. A random kick came ont to L-ittle, and he dropped at goal, but missed, and City forced. Downing returned the drop-out to tonch near the twenty-five, and i a breakaway by Ci'Ly was sent back by a I long line kick by Little. A centring kick by Comaga sent tne- Tykes mraj crowding on the City line, and amid great excitement City were awarded a free kick. Stewart sent it out of bounds fifteen yards from the line. A long throw-ont saw the Tykes dribHe over, but penalised. From the Rcrnm City broke away, but Little kicked back, and Moffitt in saving kicked straight across field near his line. Dennehy. who had gone off j the field hurt, was coming on again with a ' cigarette in his mouth when the ball came I his way, and he picked it up a couple nf feet from the sideline and a yard off the I goal line and went over unopposed to score. I iir G. Kat.terns at once Kave it a try, and amidst the protesting roar of the crowd caned time wlfhoot the kick at goal beic-' taken. The result thus was: Marist Bros. ... „ - city —.";:;:;;;;.■ o PAENELL V. COLLEGE RIFLES. With the advantage of the wind in the opening quarter, Parnell pnt up an nDerpectedly good showing, and: early pnt their opponents severely on the defence This position they maintained, relieved -Kith an occasional breat-away by CoHege Rifles, during one of Tvliicii, from, a loose rush the' ■ball sailed -past t3ie fttll-back, and. Lasoo racing up, got over with the ball. The try was not converted, Ftfr the remainder of the ijnarter Pamell were attacking wirfl vigour bat little combination, and more than one try was thrown away. Subsequently from some loose and wild passing oa College Klfles' line, th« fcall fefl over, and Mtrir (tnred on It TJ» tick -was** faitare.. limnodistety the tali -was ee± in motion a f orwazd rash cttaeS play fcaefc to College, Hides' tet'Jilucy, and Hancock getf&g: possession, raced, along fine fine end scored la. the corns. The ininar points -wtxe not a<id«u, &e--<jnßXtex-eDfiingstt.-.T?»3rene.lea<rmg-

iiy 6 points to 3. Ftor the be&mce of thesecond quarter play -was confined principally to neutral territory, Pamell asetiDuiog to hold their own- There ■was same very serviceable footwork, and imwh devotion to the side-Kne, but otherwise no distinguishing feature in the game. Tuwanls the end of Che spea Weston landed a Sue gnal froir. a penalty, and ■brought tbe score even, 6 poin-ts aside. There was very little incident in the first quarter of the second spell. The heavy going had an appreciable effect, and "play subsided considerably. College Bifles had slightly the best of things, but operations sce-sa.wed from either side. In the final quarter an "atmosphere" was deveioned in an otherwise friendly encounter. Parnell attacked hotly, and sustained the effort for quite a period. Matters were eased off for College Rifles, and play was carried to centre, where Weston got his backs going, and King put in a fine run. He got to within a few feet of the line, when grassed. A little later a hish kick by Weston was closely followed up and Nesbit bustled his way o-ver in the corner. V.'eston failed with the kick. College Kifles 9 Farncll - 6 The game ended without further score. Mr. Orams refereed. SECOND GRADE. North Shore 6. beat Marist Bros. 3. Grafton S. beat Newton 3. THIRD GKADE. Grafton won from 'Varsity by default. City S, beat Eemnera 0. West End Bowing Club 0, beat College Eifles 3. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. ! KINGS COLLEGE V. GRAMMAR SCHOOL. King's and Grammar met on No. 1 ground us a curtain-raiser to the 'Varsity and l'onsonby gjine. King's won the toss and played with the wiuii behind them. Graintuar were first to atuick, but their handling of the greasy bail was faulty, and the reds beat thetU back. For some time play hung at the centre, till .McArtaur mulled aud King's swarmed for the line. Grammar eventually forcing. Kings continued to have the test of it, and McKenzle kicking to the centre. Clifford, came across fast and beating the blae backs scored. McKenzie's kick failed. King's 3. Grammar nil. The score against them livened Grammar up, and King's were kept busy defending, being compelled to force twice in quick succession. From now till call of time play was fairly rang for haif-tiau:. Wltli the wind behind them in the second spell. Grammar tried hard to even, uip matters, but King's defence was good, and it was a long time before l!ie blues were «-ithin the danger zouc. A shot by Barker just grazed the post. King's forcing. Grammar kept up the attack, and Nesbit s ot over, but it had to come back for a knock forward, and King's cleared. The reds now- took a hand, and a score seemed imminent. McArthur saving with a nice mark. Grammar came again, and a sweeping forward rush took the ball over. King's getting relief in a force. Grunma-r kept up the pressure, but the King's tackling was splendid, and they were anable to get over. King's eventually forcing. King's now rallied, and Afltinsou came through with a great rush and taking the ball over beat the Grammar backs for possession and scored a fine try. McKenzle goaled. King's S. Grammar nil. Grammar made one last effort and McGregor succeeded in getting over. The kick failed and the bell rang. King's S, Grammar 3. SECOND GRADE. King's A 11, beat Technical College 0. . TniKD GRADE. Grammar School B 3. beat Technical College 0. King's College 11, beat Grammar ycbool A 0. PUBLIC SCHOOLS' MATCHES. Cvlng to the inclement weather ail public schools' fixtures have been postponed until Saturday, August 23. MA3TUK.AU RUGBY UNION. The following players have been selected to represent t'io above nnion against Hamilton UnJon at Hamilton on Wednesday Au--usl (ith:— Full-back, J. Alexander; three-quarters J. Mali, G. Wilson, A. Corathwaite; fiveeighths, D. Thomas. G. Dow; half-back, R_ Munro: forwards, Jas. Walker (Win»i ' W Hirst. J. Walkor. A. Mnir. V. Wilson r' Moody. Jas. Mark Sain. T. O'Neil: emergencies, IL Alexander, T. Kudd, J. Cossey A Madill. Uf THE I"BOVIlfCE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES DEFEAT GOLDFT.ELDS. The first match this season between Goldfletds and Thames attracted a iargc attendance on Saturday on the local recreation reserve, a special train being run from Thames, numbers joining in from iPaeroa, Karangahake, and other places en route The first half was played in drizzling rain" but the condnding half was fair. Thames eventually wod by 13 points to 0. For the winner?, Nururch and Smith scored tries each of which Winder converted: Winder also kicked a goal from a mark. Klynn and Shaw scored for the losers, Young kickina penalty goal. ' " The game was very fast considering the state nt the ground, and was very even throughout, their being very little between the teams except in the matter of goalkicking. The Waihi Defence Cadets defeated Paeroa by 17 points to nil. and the Thames Schools defeated Waihi Schools -by 21 to nil. HAMILTON. Hamilton, 14. beat Matamata, nil >SoS Ut ns. 3UDlOre ' 17 - beat Mak^ta POVERTY BAY V. HAWSE'S BAY. The match Poverty Bay v. Hawke's Bay resulted in a win for Poverty Bay by 12 to ii Ha , w . ke ' s Ba r had the best of the first spell, although. Poverty Bay scored two trjes obtained by Miller. Play was more even in the second spell. Poverty Bay added cii more points, Carruthers scoring a try and Tait converting a penalty. F. Holder converted a penalty for Hawke's Bay. TO PLAY AUCKLAND. POVERTY BAY TEAM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GrISBORNE, Sunday. The Poverty Bay representative team to meet Anckland on Saturday next for the I Ranfnrly Shield is as follows: Miller, Kyland. Carruthers, W. Rokingi, Kaipara Talt, C. Pollock. Dngg-an. Murphy. McQnarrie. Noble, Moana, Fronrm, Nicolas, and Toeker. Emergencies: Stn-bhs (back), •Prickett, Sexton, and' MeG-ill (forwards). SOUTHERN MATCHES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Petone 0. beat Athletic 0; Victoria College 29. beat Poneie 16: Wellington 9, beat St. James' 5; Melrose 13. beat Oriental 0. WAtRARAPA. In the senior grade Carterton, 6, beat ■j-nited, 3: Carterton has won the championship for the .season, this beinjr the fourth consecutive year in which they Itav* acconnted for the premiership During the season Carterton were defeated twice by Red Star, and once by Gladstone, and played a drawn game -with Red Star. DDNEDIN. Zingari 20, beat Union 3; Alhambra 5 beat KaSkoral 3; -Duoediu 6, beat Southern 3. NEW SOUTH WALES DEFEATS QUEENSLAND. , (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyrightjr SIDNEY, August 3. Sew South Wales defeated QneensrsmlrTt: ""Rushy- -football hy points-to & v

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