RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 187, 8 August 1921, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

RET , . TRIAL MATCH. AN INTERESTING GAME. ENDS IX A DRAW. The unusual interest taken in the selection of the Auckland representative fifteen this year was demonstrate"-! by an attendance of over 3000 spectators at Eden Park on Saturday, under raw, damp, and comfortless conditions to watch the trial match on heavy, muddy ground. Under the conditions the game was a surprisingly good one, but, considering that the chief aim of the selection was a team to meet the Springboks, it was rather a pity the selectors did not insist on the rules that will be uoed in the African game, instead of permitting the use of the new touch-line rti??. The game was watched by Messrs. G. Nicholson (Auckland), SB? Weston (North Auckland, and X. H. Lusk (South Auckland), who collaborated in the selection of the fifteen to meet South Africa. The chief characteristic of the game was the fashion in which the Probables, both back and forward, outplayed the Possibles in the early stages, and the rallying of the Possibles in the final stages of the game, to retrieve a deficit of 16 points, and finally make the game a draw. 19 points all. In the first half-hour of play tries were scored by McLean, Perry, and Grierson, and McCullough. who was in exceptional goal-kicking form, converted two of the tries from a distance, in addition to adding a penalty goal. Towards the end of the first spell McGinley and Lucas scored tries that V. Badeley converted, and «t half-time the score was 16—10 in favour of the Probable 3. Ai try by Lamb early in the second epell put the Probablea/iip to 1!) points, hut thereafter the Possibles showed much improved combination, and a penalty goal by Badeley was followed by tries by Maxwell and Williams that evened up the scores to 19 all just on call of time. Generally speaking the Probables gave the more convincing display, their forwards being consistently aggressive, with Nicholas, McLean, McHugh. and Milliken prominent, while Earl gave a much better display at half-back than did his vis-a-vis. Pitman. Muir, Lamb, and Lucas also showed nice combination that was lacking on the other eide, where Maxwell had to carry more than hie share of work owing to Tate not coming up to expectations. In the late stages of the game, Maxwell. Badeley. Hughes, and Williams did good attacking work. Both Pilling and Findlav played well at fullback, but the latter's fine kicking and fielding was discounted by a lack of judgment in the matter uf playing for safety when bustled. AUCKLAND V. THAMES. land v. Thames, wlit l>e played 'at Thames. On nccomit of the Grammar Old Boys and College Rifles teams being engaged in the seml-flnal of the club championship at Eden Park on that date, thp players from these team, which had bpen rearranged by Mr. G. Nicholson as follows:— Knll-l.nrk: Findlay (Graftont. Tliree-nuartprs: Perry (T'nlverslty). Lucas (I'onsQnby). Hushes (Grafton). Fire-eighths: Maxwell (University) Lamb (Grafton). Half-back: Pitman (Ponsonby). Forwards: Wing, Nicolas (Orafton); front row. Casey (Marist Brothers Old FSoys), liolloy (I nivonsltv) i second row Mi-Williams (Ponsonhy). McHngb (Marist Brothers Old Boys). MeGlnlcy (.North Shore): back row. Mllllken (University) Ilelander (Grafton). Reserves. — Racks: Malloy (Marist Brothers Old Coys). Thompson (Graftonl Earl (Newton): forwards, Righton (Pnnsonby), Culpan (Marist Brothers' Old Boys), Ilnle (Marist Brothers' Old Boys). The Thames team Is:—Full-back, Harrison: three-quarters. G. Buchan, Crawford, Burrett: flvp-ei_bths. Pressing. Tatp; half. Griffin: rover. Alexander; forwards, I-omas, Abraham, M. Haynard, Stewart, Fletcher, H. 'Hayward. R. Smith. The Thames junior team to play an Auckland junior team on the same day' is:— Ryan, Hook, Cos-grove, Malonpy, McMillan. McLran. Williams (rover). Kelly. Lockptt. Fox, Hill, Rhodes, Lloyd, Blaokwell, Smith. PRIMARY SCHOOLS GALA. POSTPONED TO NEXT WEEK. On acconnt of the muddy state of thp CTonnds the primary schools' gala nml seven a-side tourney, to have ibeen held at lEden Park on Saturday, was postponed. Tlie gala will he held next Saturday on the Domain, w-hen an effort will .be made to get all the events through in the morning. SECOND GRADE. GRAMMAR V. PONSONBY. There were several hundred "spectators at Epsom Show Ground to witness the go 'between Grammar anri Ponsonby to decide the winners of the first junior competition. ■Play was fast and interesting. Tbp ganio ended in a draw. Cole and Campbell accounting for a penalty each for Pousonby. whilst Cornagn and Somervllle registered a try each for Grammar, fhe game ending o—6. This will necessitate a' play-off. THIRD GRADE. 'Grafton S. v Ellerslie S. Ponsonfcy 5, heat St. David's 0. Technical College Old Boys 12, beat College Rifles 0. Thame* 'High School Old Boys 5, beat Xewton 3. FOURTH GItADK. EHerslie won from Ponsonby by default. FIFTH ORAID-. iPonsonliy played a drav.n game against Pnrnell. 3 all. Jensen kicked a penalty goal for Ponsonhy. Miimi-au o. heat Marist Brothers 2. ! CHURCHES' ASSOCIATION. i Gordon and St. .Tames" drew. !) all. Grange Road and Kin-gsland drew, 8 all. SECONDARY SCDTOOI.S. In adapting their style of play to suit the muddy state of the field Sacred Heart College well defeated Grammar School B team in the senior grade of the secondary schools' comDCtitlon. Bncbs and forwards dribbled A-ifrh fine iudgmpnt. and employed the grubber kick frequently in gaining the touch line. For Sacred Heart College tries were registered by Reid, White. Griffin. O'Connor, and Kalaughpr. while Lanigan ->nvertrd two. Grammar School scored i try which they converted. The referceing of Mr. Thompson pleased both teams. MARIST OLD BOYS V. WAIIII. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHI. Saturday. A match was played this afternoon between a Waihi representative team and the Auckland Marist Brothers Old Boys fifteen, resulting In _ win for the visitors by 17 points to 12. ' X junior team of Mnrist P>rothcrs' Old Boys beat the Waihi juniors by 29 points to "3. KIXG COUNTRY MATCHES. XE—EXEHE WINS BANNER COMPETITION. TE Kt'ITI, Saturday. The final of the Banner Competition between Nehenehe and Pioplo was played here to-day. As a result of the heavy rains the game was purely a scramble, players at times being enveloped In a shower of spray. Te Mata kicked a penalty goal for Pioplo, and T. Anderson for Nebenehe kicked a penalty goal and scored a try. the game ending 6 to 3 In Nebenehe's favour.