RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Issue LI, 24 May 1920, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

] INTER-COIXEGIATE GAME.

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY'S WIN,

GRAM-MAR JUST 'GETS lIIOIME,

rONSOXBT BEATS COLLEGE "RIFLES.

GRAFTON'S FIRST WIN

The combined attraction of the Grammar Old ißoys-Marlst Old ilioys gamp and the match between Auckland Vnlversity and Victoria 'College, Wellington, drew a large crowd to Eden Park on Saturday. Showers in the niornlug had made the grounds slippery, a ud conditions were set more for forward than for back play. Very considerable Interest was taken In the 'Marlst

'Brothers-Grammar game, for the reason that both teams had performed unexpectedly well In the two previous weeks, and nmong the spectators were included Bishop I'leary. of Auckland, nuil :Hishop Brodie. of Christchurch. The game provided plenty of excitement. Tor three parts of the play the Marlst forwards dominated the game,

and tbe score was l'J-8 in favour of the Tykes, when the Grammar forwards woke up, and, with assistance from their backs, changed the tally sensationally to _4-u-. A strong finish by Marlst Brothers resulted in tile game ending -4.-13, in favour or Grammar.

The inter-collegiate match was disappointing, for <fhe reason that neither side seemed to be "at its best. The Wellington forwards throughout showed good lootwork, and their 'backs were individually nippy, but played too inuoh to the sideline. The Auckland team, while frequently outplayed among the forwards in the matter of footwork, wns generally much more effective in handling, though the liacks were not up to their usual standard of accuracy. Iv the lirst spell Aueklaud put on 11 points to O, hut in the second spell, when rain fell, the visitors put on three forward tries in succession, making the score .11-9. The game was finished In halfdark, ihehig rather nil exciting chase than a game of science, and the Auckland team added two tries in the last ten minutes. Auckland won by 19 points lo 0. At Victoria -Park the College -Rifles experienced their second defeat against a very strong forward team put lv hy 'Ponsonby, and the result indicates that th« old club is going to be a decided factor In the championship this year. Grafton got their first win at the expense of New toil, the score being 24-9.

UNIVERSITY V. VICTORIA COLLEGE

The Auckland students were lirst to get Into their stride, aud though playing against the wind they had the visitors ou the defence by lively forward piny till 1.. Smith got away with n dribbling rush to 'Varsity s twenty-five. Auckland came back in forVartl play, in which Lucas showed up, aud only fumbling by Holland saved a score nguiust the visitors. Hanson aud L. Smith, by pretty foot work, carried the ball right through to near Auckland's line, where Wellington opened up some passing bouts without effect. The packs were. evenly matched, aud were monopolising the piny, w-hk-h was open and fast, and mostly ut midway till the change-over came. When they changed round Auckland took a turn on attack, chiefly because of the advantage of tbe wind. L'se of the side line iiy Philips started Auckland on the attack, and the first score fame when Inder .got away from a throw-out near the visitors line, and went through the opposition to score. Gasparleh failed to goal. Auckland University 3, Victoria College 0. Another score came very" quickly as the result of a pnsslng rush opened up among the • Auckland forwnrds, ending In Lucas dribbling on, and his colleagues carrying the ball over the line, where Philips got the touch-down. Gasparleh goaled. Auckland University 8, Victoria College 0. The visitors gave a momentary flash of forward work, and then put In some really fine passing work, Comrie bavins the opposition beaten when he put in a careless pass mat was m-ter-ceptud, aud the kick down the line went to touch lv Victoria College's twenty-five. Here Inder made an exact repetition of Ms former score, getting clean away from a long line throw, aud scoring n try. which Briusdeu ,dld', not improve. Auckland i vnh versify 11. Victoria College 0. ' » X] I '< J When the game resumed the Aucklanders gave early promise of : addlng to their score, till L. Smith cut off a pass and dribbled on to the centre. The visitors tried passing, but met with sure tackling, and a dash by Mllllken. Gasparleh, and Thomas put t'hv.Wellington line In danger till Aiken relieved. Tlie Wellington .forwards now showed nice footwork, which resulted in D. Scott getting the bill at the line, but being held up. Auckland were clearing when Comrie put in a dash along 'be sideline, and passed in for the ball to ue dribbled on by his forwnrds over the line, where Day scored. Auckland University 11, Victoria College 3. The visiting forwards showed to advantage in their footwork, aud twice they got to the line aud failed to get through when using their backs. In a rally on the line Day got his second try. Nicoi failed with the kick. Auckland University 11. Victoria College 0. The last quarter was played in semi-dnrkness; aud it was impossible to distinguish the individual .players. Wellington set up a forward attack that had the Aucklanders forced. There came n bluster of heavy ralu, nnd in the gloom the 'greasy ball wns played by hand nnd foot from the Auckland line to the Wellington line and -back again, nnd once more down and back, when Hanson scored a try that was not converted. Auckland University 11, Victoria College 9. in the last ten minutes Auckland added two tries, Jby Thomas and Molloy, one of which Bnusden converted and the game ended—

Auckland University ... Victoria College Mr. Meredith was referee.

COLLEGE 'RIFLES V. PONSONBY. College lUefls met Ponsonby on No. 1 ground, Victoria Park, and tbe western Slavers, assisted by the wind were early on the attack 'Barker, intercepting, turned the scale in College's favour, but Ross made'a couuter-run. after which he k.cked. compelling Mines to force. Colle-go asserted themselves, but Ross retaliated with a mint that took play to Mines. Hereabouts Ponsonhy got a penalty, and Thompson turned the opportunity to account. Ibom-P----«on kicked another goal frpui a mark by Hobson "ronsonby kept up the pressure and indifferent handling by College assisted them. Murray took tbe advantage tot another penalty..and a low shot cleared the bar. College handling was feeble, and after several mistakes 'Mines kicked into "he arms of Aitkin, who was collared In the ait of picking up a few yards from he llne.° A scrum resulted and scored, but Murray missed the shot Col lege at last asserted themselves and C. ■Tetolier did so.no good work and kicked and Mc'lnnes was first in the race for the ball touching down, but 'Pilling missed the Sat goal. College now warmed up. and Mclnnef opened out to Btktr. and after the movement was arrested 'Pilling took a penalty and gained three more points for the ItiOes. '.Ponsonby continued to attacc. ami 'from a line-out their forwards forced "he r way over, and IWbsoii touched down. irollp~o got a temporary respite when Lason go? them Into a =ood position, and •in interchange of kicking followed, 'Fletcher later taking a penalty, which aarn.wly mlssed. College attacked again hut when opportonity came their way theykicked instead of handling. I'onsonliy after ll.is pell busy, a dash Vl/b7IIW effor later and in a rush after bis punt Ponsonbv forced. After a scrummage 1 the twenty-five College were awarded a tiennltv which went wide. 1 The whistle sounded soon after, with the score —

•Ponsonby J 2 College Rilles « Mr. Marshall was referee.

NEWTON V. GRAFTON. Newton, losing the toss, kicked off nsalnst the sun. with a strong cross-wind. itfe Wort" maintained the upper hand, and SeS t_T-eS WMlne. again and Lamb, after a scramble touched down the kick falling Grafton a, New on o Tlesoite The greasy ball aud ground play conK fast and open, and the.game.went ,up and down the ground, with having the better of the e-changes A flue niece of nasslng. In which «U of the reariS__rtP«ffic™p»te-. ended in Nlsontog*iren- Aown The kick again failed, t.ralton 0 T Right fr|n the «ck out more wild passing followed, and Mickey got across, Nixon converting. Grafton 11, started well in the j lecond half and from a penalty near f alf - , ! a donald potted a splendid goal. Grafton "• Vewton 3. Their forward* continued to on the *all, and Grafton had a spell of defence, which their backs attempted to reUeve by a passing rush The breakdown of this enabled Wilson to break through and touch down. Ttoe try was un«.n%erted. Grafton 11, * *£ boots of the Macks brought the leatfcerto the centre again, and here a eerie- of passing rashes kept their opponents' line in d_!uje_, For a ttme they cleared tt, nut

the hlacks kept possession of the ball, and I from a neat pass Nixon ran over, Moore kicking a .good goal. Grafton started again with a toright piece of passing, 'but Wells cut In and went right down to the twentyfive. Well supported a score would ihave resulted from his rush, but the blacks were able to clear, and again keep the leather among their backs. Ncaper got well away, but his pass forward near the l'lue spoiled a score. (iubb made amends for this a momeut later, nnd Moore udded tbe major points. Grafton's attack continued. An easy penal-tv failed, but a moment later Lamb followed up a kick by 'Menzles and scored An easy shot failed. Grafton 24. Newton (I. Another attack came immediately only Wilson's timely kick saving. The reds were not to be denied, however, and a loose forward rush saw them take the ball right over Grafton's line, where Kelly touched down. The kick failed, and the bell rang with the final score:— ftrafton 24 Newton J Mr Ensor controlled the game, which, thousth far from an exhibition of first-class football, was surprisingly bright, clean,'and opeu.

GRAMMAR 0.8. V. MARIST OB

This game opened sensationally, for less than a miuute from the kick-off, Earlly led the Tyke forwards away in a dribbling rush that "ended In Hale scoring a try. which Singe failed to convert. Tbe position was reversed just as sensationally, for after the Marlst backs had fumbled in trying to stop a Grammar foot-rush, the whites opened up a great passing bout that resulted in \. Badeley scoring a try which he failed to convert Grammar, assisted by tbe wind, set up a heavy attack by kicking high and following up. and the policy paid, for a high klc',; by Good, when O'Brien failed to get touch with a saving kick, went over the line i>nel Good beat Malloy in the race for it and scored. V. Badeley goalcd. Ttw lykcs were making it a forward game and a last onf at that, and they had Grammar back at their line for nearly ten minutes. Dribbling and close-passing, the Tyke pack kept Grumniar defending hard, and it was not until the Marlsts tried to us 3 their bucks that Grammai got relief. When the teams changed round, the Tykes us?d llielr forwards to get down to the Grammar twenty-live, and here Earlly. getting the ball from the ruck, made a nice opening and sent on to Doherty. who ran straight and fast to score at the corner. Singer klelc went aside. Grammar 8, Marlst Brothers 0 The Tykes kept at it. and a dasbv run by Dyer put the ball to touch near (lie Grammar line. Here, from the throw-In, the Marist's forwards in a bunch -carried the ball over the line. Hale getting a try I which was not converted. The Tykes were tow having very much the best of It, and set up a continuous attnek. In which Karlly and the forwards dominated the play. Twice Grammar forced, and then Martin marked n kick-out. giving Singe a long kick with iue wind, which he placed between the uprights. Marlst Brothers 1-, Grammar S. When Grammar had the wind on resuming, they realised that their chance lay in piling up reserve points in the third quarter. Ti.-»y tried to open up the game, but wore met by stern tnckling. and It was not till V." Badeley got a free in a good position that they looked like scoring. It was a hard-luck shot, for the ball struck the bar and rebounded into play. The ball went to the corner, and Grammar forwards pressed hotly. Greville got through with the ball, and was held upon the line, but he dropped it for McCullough to score. The kick failed. Grammar kept at it, their forwards now showing to better advantage, and nice work was put in by Greville, and Grammar were looking like getting through, when a nicely-placed clearing kick by O'Brien, and following-up work by his pack, shifted operations to half-way. A fine dribbling rush by Casey and Somervell took play to the Grammar line, but infringements spoilt a scoring chance, and Grammar cleared from the free. A mark by Knight, and V.

Badeley put his side again in front, just as the changeover. by landing a goal. Grammar 14, Marlst Brothers 12. On the change-over Grammar were first to the attack, nnd when the Tykes cleared the

whites came back at it. But they could not maintain the pace against the wind, and the Tykes were again at the centre

when Taylor broke away from the ruck witli the ball at foot, dribbled through to O'Brien, when a bounce gave him the ball and he passed to McCullough, who scored after once falling short in his dive. V. I Badeley goaled. Grammar 10, Marlst Brothers 12. The Tykes were on, attache when a breakaway sent,tbem back. But they were soon again playing Grammar just outside the, white's twentytive, where the game waged fast and exciting. The Tykes were battling oh Grnm--1 mar's line when a random kick found | O'Brien unready. He got the ball, but returned weakly, enabling Nicholson to pick lup and run nearly the length of the ground

inopposed to score a try, which badeley

converted. Grammar 24, Marlst Brothers 12. Again the Tykes came back in a for-

ward rush, and they got a free kick just under the goal, which Earlly turned to account, anri the game ended: Grammar 24, Marlst Brothers 15. Mr. A. Wetherilt was referee. THIRD GRADE. St. Stephen's -3, beat High School Old Boy* 0. College ißifles 9, beat University 3. College .KlUes 0, beat University 3. Ponsombj- 27, beat Technical Old Roys 5. St. Stephen's tt, 'bent Thames Old Boys 0. V.M.C.A. 0, beat Suburbs 0.

FOURTH GRADE. Grafton 38, beat Fonsoroby O. Sacred Heart 43, 'beat Technical 0. Marist Brothera 51. beat Grammar 0. Ellerslie ti, beat Parnell 3. FIFTH GRADE. Grafton 8, beat Ponsonby 6. Marist Brothers W, beat Tost and Telegraph 0. OUTSIDE MATCH. The V M C.A. team of Grammar School ilnvers lourneved to Hamilton on Thursday nnd" played the High School team, and after a fast and Interesting game the Hamilton team won hy C points to b (try by Coltman and converted by 'Badeley). The team were •hospitably entertained 'by the Hamilton residents" during their 'brief stay. AUCKLAND REP. TEAM. The following team haß been selected to play the King Country at Taumnrunul ou June a-—'Full-back, .T. O'Brien; tbree-<mar-tcrs. V. Wilson, V. Badeley, A. Nicholson; live-eighths. C. (Badeley and W. Laxon; half 'Earlly; rover, l.ucas; forwards, Taylor, ' 'Peters, 'C. Fletcher, Blueher, J. Thomas, A. Singe. Arnold. Emergencies: J. Gasparleh and 'Fisher. The team will' meet for training at the Piinsonby shed on Tuesday week, Any player unable to make the trip kindly notify the secretary of the A.R.U.

TAURANGA. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TAURANGA, this day. The Jordan (.'up Rugby competition was continued on Saturday afternoon. Matakana defeated Klrlkirl by li points to G. Tewhara. I'almer, and Howard scored for the winners, and Howard converted one try and • kicked a penalty goal. For the losers Tv Moirl and M. Ririnui each scored, neither try heing converted. Te luna defeated Matapihl by 35 points to 0. Owing to the roiish weather tlie Motiti Island team, whiVh was to play Tauranga, was unable to 'attend, in the junior grade, Tauranga beat Te luna by li to 0. For the winners, Albeit Sorensou scored, and A. Griffiths kicked a penalty goal. THAMES COMPETITIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. The senior match City v. Hlkutala, played at Parawal. resulted in a win for City by IS points to 3. Tries were scored for City by R Smith (2), H. Hayward and Wiggins, three lielng converted hy Dufty. Walsh scored for Hikutaia. In the first Junior competition Matarinl defeated City by O to 7 and High School defeated Hikutaia at Hikutaia l>v « to 3. School of Mines second juniors defeated High School seconds by IU to a.

HAMILTON COMPETITIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

HAMLL.TON, Sunday. The following are the results of Rugby matches at Hamilton on Saturday:—

Senlors.-Old Boys 16, v. St. Mary's 14; Frankton 12. v. City 10. Janlore-Te Kowhl 8, v. Old Boys 3: City 8, r. St. Mary's 0; High School 42, v. Frankto Third Grade.—High School 6, v. Buakura 3; Old Boys 13, v. Frankton 5. Fourth Grade.—Frankton 88. v. High •School 0- City 13, v. T.M.C.A. 0. A match played on Thursday afternoon between High School and Auckland V.M.C.A. waa iron bj the former by 6 points to B. . V.

CAMBRIDGE COMPETITION. j In the second round of the Cambridge Rugby competition, Maungatautarl defeated Roto-b-rangl by 9 points to 6. IXTERPROrVINOIAL MATCH. MARLBOROUOH V. NELSON. (By Telegraph—i Press Association.) BLENHEIM, Saturday. . The intcrprovlnclal match, Marlborough v. Nelson, was won 'by the former .by dT to 3. A quiet game was marred toy high wind. Marlborough _eld the advantage practically all through, scoring live tries, but only one was converted. WAIRARAPA. (Special to "Star.") MASTEUTON, Saturday. The "Wnlrarapa 'Rugiby Union's ebampionshlp fixtures were continued this afternoon. The grounds were heavy, nnd rain fell at Intervals. In tho senior championship play, the Masterton seniors defeated Gladstone by 7 to 0. Carterton seniors defeated Tentherston seniors at Carter by 14 to 0. Carterton is leading for the championship With three wins. In the junior championship Dalefleld 14, beat Gladstone ■J.