RUGBY FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 115, 18 May 1925, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS. PONSONBY WIN AGAIN. GRAMMAR BEAT MARISTS. GRAFTOX'S FIRST SUCCESS. The chili matches of the A.R.U. were continued on Saturday afternoon in dryweather, ami on grounds which had been softened by the mid-week rains. At Ed?n Park anticipations of two good game- worn amply fulfilled. Grammar Old Boys showed vastly improved form, and lheir game with ,Marist Old Boys was bright and lively, the latter losing many chances through the inexperience nnd fumbling of the backs. Grammar won by IS points to o. I'onsonby and University provided an excellent display of first-class football. From end to end the play was of the liveliest and most exciting description. Though Fonsonby started with a sensational score in the first minute, and finished tip winners by 21 points to 8, they had many moments of anxiety, and it was only the failure of the 'Varsity backs to grasp scoring chances they had made by good play, which enabled Fonsonby to finish up comfortable winners. Grafton had their first win by defeating College Rifles —11. A close game at Avondalc resulted in North beating , the home team by 8 to ;), and at Onehunga the home team beat Newton by K5 to 6. PONSONBY V. UNIVERSITY. starting kick "the hall went clean to touch. and whs brought hack for a scrum flt t tap I 'on snub v licplocJ cl n nn, and MeManus worked the short side for Kymn to make c nice dash down the side-line and send on to Hook, who scored. Tonkin's kirk failed. I'onsonhy :!, fniversity 0. Hooking the ball regularly. Ponsonhy forwards Rave thPlr backs several flutters, and then the light blues went for a srorp. Millar broke away from the ruck, and made n fino run to the mouth of l'onsonhy's goal, the ball going loose as he. was tackled, for Keane to snap it and score. Millar put his fide ahead by converting. Fast and lively football ended in Hook making a nice dash, and his supports carrying on a dribbling dash for Matson to score and Tonkin convert.

Opening the second twenty. University pot away, and Pelham was strongly tackled on his line by Nicholls, who was hurt in the tackle, and bad to go cff. Ponsonby were having the better of things when Carter intercepted, and cot away, but Macken missed his pass. Immediately after the light blue hacks cot awny. and Olsen out in to beat Lucas, and, on reaching the full-back, Blaikl'e failed with the kick, and the scores were equal. Working the blind side. Cashmore let Macken away again to ronsonby's line, hut a out-off and dash by Lucas tilted the balance hard in his side's favour. Fast exchanges ended in Olsen breaking away, and sending to Macken, who was downed at the Ponspnby line. The dark blues cleared, and McCarthy kicked and followed up to set play outside the University line, where a rebound put the ball into . McYVilliams , hands, and he scored between the posts. Tonkin goaied. University started the- second spell dashingly, konne bpins prominent in forward play, but Ponsonby weathered it and turned the tables a little later. A battle royal in University's quarter ended in the light blues clearing, but (hey failed to take several opportunities to turn the defence into an effective attack, and the Ponsonby forwards kept.things in their favour- till the end o£ a pointless twenty minutes' spell. Immediately they turned Ponsonby made a strong rally and were ou the. point of Ecoring. when Sinclair cut off. and Olsen and Miller joined in a. bout that had a try at their mercy when the Rightnn led Ponsonby hack, but they were stopped at the line. A forward throw-out by Ponsonby let the defenders clear from the free. Play was now going at a desperate pare, but the Ponsonhy forward rushes wore the light blues down and kept them on the defence. A short, sharp bout by Olsen. Tarter and Macken lifted the siege. YVith the game at midfield, MoManus snapped the hall away to Hook, and Lucas and Tonkin handled before it was returned to Hook, who scored between the posts. Tonkin converted, and Ponsonbv were trn points up. Play was kppf at midßeld for a time, but at the close of a run by Lucas, put Fnnsonhy again on the attack, and .1 short bout ended in Syme scoring a try which was not converted. The game thus ended

University Mr. Paul was referee

COLLEGE RIFLES V. GRAFTON.

Opening against the sun. Grafton cams npfleld -and set the backs going but Muir broko (he rush and the dark blues pressed hotly. Much had fielding lost the advantage, ami Cooke whipping out the bnil, it came along the lino to Johnson who - scored. Keary Ronllnp. Grafton' 8, College Kifles 0. Within a minute C.raftou were over again. secured from a strum right under the posts but tbo blue pack took the bail away nt toe. and from a loose rush, with smart passing between Fogarty and Francis, the inttpr scored near touch. Muir s kick failed. Grafton S. College Rifles 3. Blytbe. with smart, kick and. follow work put Grafton again on their line, but their forwards cleared well. only, to be sent back again by a Rood eprint by Johnston. Kirk whipped the ball away from the ecnira and Hocken SCOtSd. Batcbelor goaling. Grafton 8, College Rifles S. Give and take play followed till the colours hustled Blytho under the posts, and Hushes scored, Keary converted ns bnif time sounded. Grafton, on resuming, were not Jong in increasing their lead. Findlayson scorinc near the posts and Keary again increasing the total. Grafton 18, College Rifles 8. From a mldfield scrum Cooke got the ball well away and Mcnzies simply fooled the defence to score another try for Keary to convert. Grafton 23, College Rifles S. Fine dash by the colours" forwards penned College azain on their line, but Fogart.v and Gallagher cleared, and a punt by Muir sent the game to Grafton's line. Twice the Grafton pack lifted the siege, and then they forced a weak pot by Blythe. Findlay staved another onslaught by a long touch kick and then came Grafton s turn. They went upfield wit ha solid forward rush but n penaJty saved the blues. With the final charge the block and whites broke right through College defence. Menzies dribbled cleverly through the backs, and Hughes, following fast, scored an unconverted try. Grafton 26, College Rißes 8. Offside play next gave Bachelor a shot, which fell "short. His side, however, kept up an attack. Grafton had a minute of hot defeDce and then Muir kicked wide from on MR.v shot in front of the posts. Grafton forced twice in quick succession, nnil the blue park, now securing from the scrum dominated the final stages of the came Findlav saved brilliantly on two occasions, but at last Harbutt got over. ISntchelur missing at goal. (Jrafton 2 ft College Rifles 11 Mr. Rule refereed. GRAMMAR 0.8. V. MARIST 0.8.

There wos nothing decisive about thp first quarter In which both teams had chances Grammar going close to a score on a couple of occasions, while Goodacres good defensive work stemmed several Marist attacks. Grammar forwards rushed the came into their opponents twenty-five on turning round, but a poor pass to E Singleton spoilt an opportunity. O'Brien made a good save on the other side of the ground, but Grammar were not to be denied. They hooked from a scrum and the ball went across to Conway, who fumbled but dribbled on to secure possession and score near the posts. Goodacre converted. Grammar 3, Marist 0. Grammar forwards were playing well, and before half-time two more tries were put on A Knight got the first from a dribbling rush and Wright engineered the second for McLean, after the park had taken the came to a scoring position. Goodncre <-mivprted each timp. and Grammar led at halftime by IS points to nil. Loft scored early on resuming, and refers converted. The remainder of the game was evenly disputed, and no further score was recorded, leaving Grammar victors by IS to 5.; -

SUBURBS V.' NORTH SHORE. wind behind them. From a penalty. Solomon found the line well down. The home Jorwards secured from the line-out, and I went to the attack, but. an infringement pulled them up. Taking the ball at toe. the Shore forwards pressed, but Grey cleared in good style. A period of even play followed. Securing from a line-out, thp .Shore forwards set. up an attack that ended with a try by Somerville. M. Keid took the kick, which was successful. the teanis made the pace willing. Vallance. was responsible for a strong run, but was downed by M. Reid. After play had hung in neutral territory for a spell, Shore infringed, anil Vallance just tailed with the kick. Suburbs were awarded another free soon after. and this time Gray made no mistake. Neeley got possession from a throw-in, and set the home backs in action, hut the movement ended when Lincoln threw out. A nice piece of work by Wangh had the homo team defending, but half-time came with the scorns uualtered.

Kesuming after the spell. Shore penetrated Suburbs' defence, biu Vallance again Biived. At this .stage l>. Held retired, and was replaced by D'Autlireau. The ploy was proving very hard, and Shore was being forced hack when Stokes save,(l witli a timely mark. The same player soon after had an unsuccessful their way Into their opponents" twentytive. where they were awarded a penalty, but firay failed with the kick. Solomon showed prominently in a Shore onslaught, and. after some loose play. Stokes picked up and sent on to Waugb. The lastnamed player was within a few yards of the line when pulled down by Gray. Elliott put in a nice run for Shore, hut was forced out. A series of kicks marked the opening of the last quarter, which was fought out at a fast pace. Shore notched their second try as a result of a combined rush ending in a try by D'Authrcau. Reid's kick tailed. By this time a gentle rain had set; in. while the light was failing fast. Botn teams made strenuous efforts to score, but the final whistle blew with the scores unchanged: Non h Shore S Suburbs :: NEWTON V. MANTIKAU ROVERS. These teams met on the Onehunga ground and a first-class game resulted. Quite a large rrowd witnessed the match anil the general liveliness of the play. coupled with brilliant work by the local backs, produced a good deal of enthusiasm. Manukau got off the forwards rushed the ball to the other end and twice in quick succession Newton was forced. rvlanukau backs started passing, and Austin made a fine run but held on too long. Newton were penalised for "lifting" in the scrum and King missed an easy shot at goal. Then Price got possession nnd made a fine opening tor Hooker and Ness. A certain score was in sight, but Ness, crowded to the line, failed to take the pass. Early in the second spell Samways had to retire, his place being taken by Simmonds. and for some time play was very even. Price broke through, but the Manukau full made style. Taylor made an opening And Albon scored a clever try. King converted, and next a brilliant piece of passing amongst the Rovers' backs in which Taylor, Dawns, Austin, Albon and MeClusky took part, resulted in the first mentioned scores. King converted. Bungling by Rovers' backs gave Newton a chance and Price landed a nice kick from a penalty obtained at an awkward angle. Kven play, then clear of the field' but was outpaced. McGee, who had taken Mannlx's place, however, gained possession and passing to McLnchlan. that player transferred to Price, who scored behind the posts. Pollard missed an easy chance to convert. Norman Blucher had to retire, his place being taken by Waketield. Later the referee had occasion to caution Robinson and AlboD for rough play. Though play continued fairly even, the local backs proved too fast for their opponents, and Austin and MeClusky each crossed the line, neither of these fries being converted: The final Manukau Kovers 16 Newton 6

Jlr. W. J. Meredith was referee. SECOND GRADE. Collpjp Riflps 2S. bpat King's OM Boys. Marist A 20, beat Swanson o. Telegraph 12, beat Grammar (Mt. Albert) 11. Ponsonhy 31, beat Suburbs o. Training College 5, beat Grammar Old Boys 0. College Riftps 28, beat King's Old Boys 0. Mt. Albert Grammar School 11, beat ■North Pborn B 10. .Marist 21. heat College Rifles 3. THIRD GRADE. Koliimn mmn 11, t Ora mm/i r S. Trios were scored by Petrie, McKelvle, and Koefoed for the winners, Waterhouse kicking a goal. THIRD GRADE OPEN. Grammar (Mount Albert) 2S, beat College Rifles 3. United 0. drew with Marist 0. I'onsonby 34, heat University B 0. riobsonvillc Ifi, beat Henderson 3. Eden 20 heat University 6. For (he winners McGregor. O'Brien (2). Cunningham ami Strong scored, and Faulkner kicked two goals.

Loco 6, bent Grafton 0. THIRD GRADF, INTER-MEDIATE. North Shore 14. beat United B n. Trieß for North Shore were scored by Wilson 2, McTLail 1, McKay 1, Shea converting one. Manukau Rovers 5, beat Grey Lynn 3. Kden 12. beat King's Old Boys 10. (ilen Eden ti, beat Kingsland 3. . Grammar A 3, beat Suburbs 0. l'onsonbv f>. beat Kinpslaml 0. College Rifles won by default from Ellerslie. I'arncll 31, beat Grammar B 0. FOURTH GRADE. Ponsonhy 2j. beat Ellerslie 0. Grafton 10. beat Tost and Telegraph 0. North Shore- f>, boat Kingsland f>. I'arnell Iβ, beat Orr-y I.ynn 3. Grafton S. beat Green Lane H. For the winners Telley and Rnsden scored tries, one of which was converted by Shepherd. Manukau Rovers won by default from

Suburbs 22. heat Marathon 5. FIFTH GRADE. Manukau Rovers 52, beat Farncll 0. SIXTH GRADE. Manukau 2S, beat North Shore 0. ■ " COUNTRY MATCHES. DARGAVILLE. I Seniors.—Pargaville 6. heat Tangowahlne 6: Southern 14, beat United 0. Juniors.-Southern 3. drew with PukeIlllia 8: Tatar.irlki 4«. beat. Tansowahine 0: Arntapn 32. beat Ruawai 0; United 6, beat Mnlopul 3. Third Grade.--Te Kopuru 5, beat Darcarllle. 0; Aratapu 12, beat Ruawai :!. Schools.--Pargnville 14, brat Te Kopuru 3; Aratapu 11. beat Convent 6; Hoanga o, drew with Tangowahlne 3. KAITAKA. Seniors. —Waimauku and Parnkni drew 0 all. For Waimauku Merrlck (.otted a goal in the lirst three minutes. Parakal bad the best of the game throughout. Worthinpton, rikama and Mowbray each converted. In the last ihree minutes Wightman scored for Waimauku and CliiirJpv Fletcher converted, t lio ending D all. Mr. C. Thomas refereed to everybody's satisfaction. Junior results.—Parakai 14. beat Kauliap.ikapa 6; Helensville 14, Debt Waimauku 8. MORRIXSVILLE. The Rugby competitions were continued in showery weather, and on slippery ground. Terriers 20, beat United 3. MATAMATA. The competitions resulted :— Pnterere 15, v. Waharoa 0.

Juniors.—Walton f>. v. Old Boys 3 : Ma'amata i.-, v. vvnirern 3; Patrrere 3, v. Hlnueo '■'<■ Thirds.— Maramata 0. drew with High School 0; Walton'll, beat Waharoa 3.

PUTARURU. 8; Selwyn 10. beat Arapuni 0; To Whctu 6, beat Waotu 4. Juniors.—L'nlted 6, beat Tokoroa J5. WHANGAEEI. The first games of the season for clubs under the jurisdiction of the Whangarei Rugby Union for various cup competitions were played on Saturday. On most of the playing areas the ground was somewhat heavy. Two senior fixtures were set down for decision at Maungakaramca. The newly formed Hora Hora senior club, which has

been made up of old Mniingakaramea! senior players and the pick of llora Hora j juniors ot last season, met High School | Old Boys, and the game ended in an 11- i point draw. At Kensington Park, Hikurangi 31, beat Kiinio 3. year's championship winners gave a disappointing display, and will re-, quire to Improve greatly to maintain supremacy in the senior competitions. For Hikurangi tries were notched by Arncill (2), J. Hamilton (2), Berghau. Cunningham and McDonald, four of which were converted by McDonald, arid one by Hamilton. In the junior matches at Kensington Park, Pioneers 9 (two penalty goals, one try), beat High School Old Boys 6. Kamo juniors t), bpat Kiripuka 6. High School 25. beat llukcrenui nil. On the High School grounds, Maungakarameii juniors 14, beat Hora Hora juniors 11. At Portland, Portland (i, beat y.M.C.A. v. HUOBY. HAMILTON". The Rugby club competitions were continued at "Hamilton in tine we.itiier, with a crowd of about 1600 present. The public were rewarded by witnessing two good senior games. The first was between Old Boys and United, the former winning by -•» to 7. The I'niie.l forwards played well, hut their hacks did not throw the ball about enough.

Kemp, for Old Boys, played a nippy game. The second inauh was between Frankton and City, and proved the best so far this season. Frnnkton, with a light set of backs, won by 13 to 11. Castles turned on:, for the flrst time this season for Frankton and they benefited by bis generalship. Snodgrass. the half, was very tine, and during the afternoon took some tirllliant marks. Williams, one of the threequartcrs. won the game with a very tine goal from the field, while the fullback. Matbeson, played a very good game. For City, A. Buckingham was. as usual, prominent, but was well watched by his opposition. ( . Christie, among the front rankprs. played hard, but City missed Mat Johnson, their skipper, who was on the side-line owing to an Injury. Mr. C. Rabone ahly con trolled the game. ROTORUA. Two games were played at Arawa Park on Saturday In showery weather. Kahukura v. Waikite.—This game was evenly contested throughout with Kahukura rather the emartpr team. Kesult : Kahukura 3. Waikite 0. In the City versus Rotoitl JC.atch, with the City leading by 11 to 0 the referee, Mr Dineen, bad occasion to order a mem ber of the Kotoiti team off the field, upon which the whole team left the ground and tlic gam© was aba.ndonpd. PAEROA. Seniors. —East 6, beat West 5. For the winners, a try was scored by Nealie and Mc.Ke.nna kicked a penalty g).il. The loser's score was a try scored hy Garrlck converted hy Dean. Netherton and Suburbs drew three all. Moloney scored lor Netherton and Kearney for Suburbs. Juniors.—L. West 4. beat Nethcfljon 0. Swan drop-kicked a goal. Third Grade.—East forfeited their match. Primary Schools.—Netherton 31 points,

beat Suburbs 0. THAMES. Senior rpsults:—Physical Training 6. beat Ramblers 0; College Old Boys 25, beat City 0. Second C.rade. —Ramblers 6, beat Physical Training 3. Third Grade.—High School A 25, beat Physical Training 6. Fourth Grade.—City 30, beat High Schoool B S. WATPA. Although it was fine during Ihe afternoon, the grounds were in a slippery state owing to rain in thP morning. Parawera and Obaupo Seniors provided a very keen contest, and although ParawPra eventually won by 5 points to 3, Ohaupo played the better game. To Awamutii Spniors easily defeated To Kawa. at Te Kawa. hy 22 points to 5. At. Pukeatua, Rovprs Seniors were defeated b.v Pukentua by 8 points to B. Methodist Juniors met with an unexpected defeat at the hands of Rovers, wbo won

by 6 points to O. t After a very raggpd- display. Pirongla and Puahup Thirds plavod a drawn gamp— 0 points earh. High School journey to Ohaupo, nnd were defeated hy the. Ohaupo Thirds by fi points to B. Morris and Bluer scored for Ohaupo, while Battsou scored and converted for Hich School. Owing to Pirongia Seniorß having a bye they met the Otrirohanga team, who also had a bye in the Maniapoto competition. The game was characterised by hard forward play, and the teams wpre vpr.v evenly matched, Pirongia winning by 6 points to 5. SOUTHERN MATCHES. NEW PLYMOUTH. Tukapa 13, beat Pa tea 0. Kaponga 14,' beat Stratford 3. Star 8. beat Eltbam 5. Two matches in South Tanur ':! were postponed on account Hawcra i. i rAI,MERSTON NORTH. Kla Toa fi, b»at. Old Boys 3. . Feilding 35, brat Woodville 9. MASTERTOX. ThP senior matebps were played in rain and on a heavy ground. Results: Featherston 12, beat Mksterton fi ; Carterton S, beat Greytown 3; Gladstone 53. beat Martlnborough 0. WELLINGTON". Marlst 10. beat Berhampore 7.

Athletic IT, beat Old Boys rt. Pptone 24. beat Hutt 10. ' 'Varsity 45. heat Kelwyn 3. Oriental 13, beat Wellington 5. CHRISTCHTJRCH. Merivale 2R, heat Albion 13. I.inwnod Iβ. beat University S. Christchurch 26, beat North Canterbury 3. DTJNBDIX. 'Varsity a' 14. beat Kaikorai O. Taleri 29, beat Union 3. Alhaiubra 10, beat 'Varsity B G. Southern 13, boat Dunedin 3.