RUGBY FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 201, 23 August 1920, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP.

TRIUMPH FOR GRAFTON

WIN OVER. GRAMMAR.

VARSITY BEATEN AGAIN

PONSONBY IX THE LEAD

RIFLES OVERWHELM NEWTON.

Ihe Auckland Rugby mions club championships were continued on Saturday afternoon j„ i-oi»l football weather, the {.rounds being dry nnd the sunshine being tempered by a chill, light breeze. There was a fair attendance nt Eden l*ark where a curtain-raiser by King's and Sacred Heart Colleges was followed by a hard, exciting game between Grammar Old Boys and Grafton.

In the preliminary game King's College won by in points to il, and thus tic with Grammar School for the secoudarv schools' championship.

The Grummnr-Grnftnii game proved to he unexpectedly even and exciting. Play was not brilliant, but it was strenuous, and after the tirst ten minutes, when it became apparent that the unbeaten Grammar team was in danger of meeting its llrst reverse. the excitement grew. Grammar finished the first spell three points ahead, but In the second spell Grafton got two tries, one of which was converted, and finished tho game winners by 8 points to ;i.

On No. 2 ground the improving Ponsonby team lowered University's colours to the tune of 21 points to 3. The I'onsonby forwards rather more than hrld their" own. while their backs outshone the students' rearguard.

College Rifles -boat Newton by L'l points to 3.

These results put Ponsonby in the lead. but -Grammar Old Boys have played two matches less than l'ousonby. The points are: —

P. W. L. D. Pts. Ponsonby 9 (! .'! — 1J llnmnuar 7 5 1 1 11 Grafton o ft ;i i JI College .Rifles. .9441 !> Mnrist Bros. ... 7 4 11 * University .... 7 3 4 1 7 Newton 8 8 — — Git All MAR OLD BOYS V. GRAKTON. The result of thta game was a surprise, U-rafton, despite the alienee of three of (he original team through sickness. Retting a win by 8 points to R. Early lv tlie same 'Good scored a try for Grammar, and this team held that margin of advantage to the end of a hard, even spell. In fact, G*-ani-j mnr were In the leod till the las- twenty minutes, when an intercept of a pass enabled Simp?on to score a try that Nixo-i converted, and later a breakaway by Hughes enabled Nicholas to score a try. Generally speaking. Grammar had a little the better of the game, but the hard forward work of -Grafton Told its tale on the ■Grammar hacks, whose handling lost Its j magic under the hnrd, fast tackling, and ! even when their forwards broke aw.ay. as they at times did, the backs were unable to put the usual finishing touch on. Cleal, Arnold and Kulght were most outstanding of a pack that was rather more than matched by the Grafton forwards', admirably led by -Moore. Lamb anil Hansen. In the backs Badeley was always dangerous, but the combination of the Whites was absent, though no one let the side down. On the other hand, Frean, Gasparleh. and Hughes showed unexpectedly good combination at times for -Grafton, and if Simpson had handled better the openings made by Gasparleh might have led to a larger score. Nixon played an exceptionally safe fullback game. POXSOXIBY V. TTNTVERSITY. Both these teams had to draw on the junior ranks to put full teams in the field, no less than approximately six In each case turning out. Those who donned the bine and black, jersey gave a really good exhibition. The game was fast and open throughout, but there were moments when the play lacked interest through desultory play, neither side showing combination. This applied more In the iflrs-t quarter and just prior to the conclusion, hut taking the play throughout, it wa-s a fast exhibition, the ponies' backs developing some very line movements that gave them' the upper hand throughout. At the end of the tirst half they held the advantage to the tune of II points to .1. Again in the second half they showed superUirlty nnd added an additional 30 points to their opponents' nil. The coloured backs threw the ball about well. while the opposing vanguard lacked sting, invariably through Phillips or Lusk falling to get rid of it. The former was uncertain In his movements, while the latter had nn unfortunate knack of running back to try nnd beat nn opponent. To differentiate amongst the coloured back-: would he difficult, while their forwards also put in a den! of hard work in combined play. For Varsity, Shove, Thomas and Gasparleh stood out as the leaders of all tlie aggressive tactics, whilst the latter also put in a lot of defensive work that saved his team time and again. |

Second Grade.—Pousnnbv S. bent Grammar Old Roys 3: Grafton'2l. heat College Rifles 13; Suburbs 11. beat University 0 Third Grade.—College Rides 31, heat University 11 : Technical Collece Old Boys 11, beat Israeli 5; Suburbs 9, beat V.M.C A 6. Fourth Grade.—Ponsonby 14. beat Parneil S. Fifth Grade.—Ponsonby won from Telegraph Messengers by default. AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. The Auckland representative team, which is to leave about September 2 on a short , Southern tour, and to play Wellington for the -Itanfurly Shield, wan selected on Saturday. The chosen players are: — ■Full-back: J. O'Brien. Three-quarters: Kingston, V. Badelev, Wilson. Five-eighths: Grlerson, C. Badelev. •Half: Ross. .Rover: Singe. Forwards: Lomas. Taylor. M. Hnyward, Alexander, -Moore, Arnold, Hamilton. Reserves: Nicholson. Laxon, Greville. Campbell. Any of these players unable to make the trip are requested to at once notify tlie A.R.U. secretary, .box 1004. WAIPA V. 3LAIRIST BROTHERS. A football match between Alarist 'Brothers Old Bny« and the Walpa representatives was played on Saturday at Te I Awamutu. There was a good attendance. 'Thejrame was fast, and at times exciting.. The'lVaipa forwards had slightly the better lof their opponents, their tackling leaving nothing to he desired. The Auckland I backs, especially the full-back, put in solid i work. The final scores were: -Walpa, fi: lOlorist (Brothers, 0. Mr. B. Haynon was referee. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. Senior Grade.—King'-s Uolleze flfll beat SncreU Heart. College (31 In the final, the result leaving King's College and Gr.-im-liia-r.i School equal for the championship. Third Grade.—'Sacred Heart College (2.1) beat 'King's College (o>. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. B Grade.— Newtton Fast (fb beat .Mount Eden 6: Mt. Albert .(14) beat Bayfield <■>). Light- wei'ghsts.— Final: Vermont Street (38) bent Nelson Street (01. AUCKLAND V. WHANGARiE!. Tho following 'team has been selected to Inlay Whangarei on Saturday next, ut Whangarei:— | Full-hai%. Lattgley; ■rhree-qnarters. Grae?. i Darby. T'ssher: ttve-elgthths: .Lack. Fe-prall; half. * Coughian: rover. Gonrlay: forwards, ■Mitchell. Wilson CX. (East), Malcolm. •Kelly. Sc-agar. Lovegrove, Foran. Emergencies. Hi'tchln-son, Morrlss. AUCKLAND B V. W'EiSTiERiN SUBURBS. Tcoilowing is the B team to play Western Suburbs next 'Saturday Jn Auckland:— Full-back, Locfcie; three-qunrt-iM-s. Schofleld, Wdsenmn, Bradley: five-eighths, McCoy. Hargreaves: half, Opie: rover. McNamara; forwards, Brady, -Stubbs, Steele, OlNelll, D'Authreau, 'Maxwell. YLscovich. Emergencies, Wilson (S. East), Stewart (Epsom). • 'HOUSE MATCH. A match was played ou Saturday ou St. Stephen's School ground. Parneil. between teams representing Hutchinson j Bros, and Smith and Cnughey. The former j scored 13 and Smith and Canghey 3. Tries j were scored for the winners -by 11. B. Nlccoll nnd Moves, the latter converting, two. Miller scored for Smith and Caughey's. Bell's YlfK beat Geo. Court, Ltd. (111. MATCH AT MORRINSVILLE. A Morrlnsville B team played a Pinko representative team at Morrlnsville, and beat them by 14 iioints to !i.

THE PEACE CUP. HAMILTON RETAINS TROPHY. (By Telegraph — Own Correspondent). HAMILTON. Saturday. The challenge match between Paema and Hamilton for 1 he.Peace Cup. resulted in a win for Ha mill ion by 10 points to 3 after .'in interesting panic. -Mr. Kllllp was referee. Tin-: moascar cur. , A WIN FOR HAMILTON. (P.y Telegraph. — Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON-. Saturday. The first m.-itch in the Aucldand province for the Munscar <'up. a trophy presented for competition among the secoudarv schools of ilic Dominion, was played at • Hamilton 10-day. when t lio local' High School „„.t in.. Ical.-d the representatives lof the Whangarei High School by « points to S. The came attracted a large attendj ancc, and was fairly rusi. Although the I best team on tin- day won. the Wlinngnrel I hoys had a very rough trip down tlie Kast I Coast on Thursday evening, which had its I effect on the learn, which did not give the j showing expected. I MOR'IUNS'TILI.E V. CAMBRIDGE. [ (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CAMRRIDGK, Saturday. | A well-contested match was played at tho I Show (irmitiil to-day between the MorrinsI vllle and Cambridge representative teams i The ga nded: Morrtnsvllle. C. points'; : Cambridge, o. Mr. Chapman was referee. The "curtain raiser" was City .luulors v. Miitingataulari. the former scoring an easy win. Til AMES COM PETITIONS. By Telegraph—Pr-ess Association.) | THAMES, Saturday. There was a large attendance at Tarawai this afternoon to witness the duo | mat riles. In the Seniors City defeated Soldiers by 114 to O. tLnreh.v winning tlie championship. Hay ward brothers and l'nissing were the I best of :he winners, while l.r.mas and Alexander were complcmms for the losers. The I scorers were l'.rownlee. Harrison, M. Hayward and r.lacke, Trussing converting one I try.. I In the first junior competition School of Mines defcatel Ilikutala by 11 to 3, and In the second Juniors School of Mines defeated High School by 21 to O, winning tiie championship in their grade. SOUTH ISLAND COTXTRY TOCR. DEFEATED AT ROTORCA. (By Tclegrnph.—Special to "Star.") ROTOItVA. -Saturday. A heavy southerly wind prevailed for the match between Bay of Plenty and the South Island conn try touting team, which was played to-day before a large nttendcauce. South Island had the wind behind llieJii In the first half, the spell endingBay of Plenty 14. South Island 12. Both sides put on fnitiier points in the second half, the game ending- Itny of Plenty 22, Smith Island IS. Tries for the winners scored by lies, Iteke. 'Hnera. Horrell, and I'lni. a penalty goal and two converted tries making up the points. For the losers. Goodall (2>, King Cil. and Hall scored. Mr. R. Wheluu was referee. WELLINGTON V. TARAXAKI. WELLINGTON WINS AGAIN. WELLINGTON. Saturday. Wellington staved off another challenge for the Rnnfurly Shield to-day, defeating Taranakl try 1(1 to .1. In spite of the heavy j nature of the ground the game was a good exhibition of the Rugby code, some line forward work being witnessed. At tlie com. | mencement of play Tarnunki pressed, and | after about fifteen minutes Wilkinson I crossed the line. .Roberts converting wltlj a fine kick. Shortly after Tllyard scored a try for Wellington, nnd this was followed in quick succession by two tries by AJtken, ~E. Roberts converting one. This left the score:—Wellington 11. Taranakl ft. Even play and strong forward rushes characterised the play in the second spell, and it was not until the last few minutes that .Ryan scrambled across, Roberts converting, the game ending: Wellington 16, Taranakl 3. WELLINGTON A. HAWKE'S BAT. NAPIER. Saturday. The 'SVollinKton-Hawke's Bar Ttugbv match was won by Hawke's Bay by 17 points to .1. The weather was showery and the ground wet. XTA.NAWATU BEATS WAXGANUI. PALMERSTON NORTH. Saturday. The return football match to-day between Mannwntu and Wangnnui resulted: M.inawatu 12, Wanganui 8, after a good game. CANTERBURY DEFEATS WAIRARAPA. OHRISTCHVT.CH. Saturday. The Rugby representative match between Canterbury and Walrarapa resulted: Canterbury 0, Walrarapa ">.