RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, 9 July 1928, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SECOND ROUND GAMES.

MORE POINTS TO PONSONBY,

UNIVERSITY STILL LEVEL.

Smashing forward battles, with occasional glimpses of clever handling of a greasy hall, marked the commencement of the Auckland Rugby Union's second round on Saturday afternoon. Rain fell almost without a break, and the games wore fought to a finish in semi-darkness. At Eden Pnrk a secondary schools game between Mount Albert Grammar School and Sacred Heart College, and the promise of three good senior matches, drew a large wet-day attendance, which found quite a lot in the play to keep up interest. In the big game, Grammar started off in good style against Ponsonby, scoring the first points, but could not maintain the pace, the blues eventually running out the winners by 16 points to 6. University scored a comfortable win against Manukau, 11—3, and a potted goal to an unconverted try gave Grafton the points against Marist. At the Show Grounds a mediocre game saw Training College and College Rifles finish up level, 3 all, while at Devon port City beat the home side by 11 points to 3. The following table shows the position of the teams to date:— Points. Ch. W. L. Tf. F. A. Pts. Ponsonby .... 8 t 1. ISO 91 17 University ... 8 1 1 liifl 64 17 Marist 5 4 1 I">7 72 11 Grafton 5 4 1 04 110 11 Citr 5 T. — 95 108 1° Mnnuknu 4 4 1 SO 03 0 Grammar 0.8. 4 5 1 09 120 9 North Shore .2 7 1 62 118 5 Training Col.. 15 3 50 106 5 College Rifles. 1 7 2 50 133 4

PONSONBY BEAT GRAMMAR.

Grammar Old Bo.vs started off auspiciously enough agnlnnt Ponsonby, their forwards playing up In great style, but they failed to maintain the pace, and the champions scored a comfortable victory by a margin of 10 points. Mite the other games, the match was played In almost continuous rain, and the forwards saw more of the ball than the backs. Grammar had all the better of the early play, the white pack, Htrengthpnod by the inclusion of L. Knight, , the ex-All Black, Who was making his first appearance for several seasons, keeping their opponents bottled up In their own twenty-five. Good work by Batty brought Grammar's first score. The hard working forward came through with the ball at toe, and got to Fraser before the latter could pick up and get his kick In, being on the ball for a score before the defence could rallv. Skelton made a poor attempt with the kick. Just before half-time Ponsonby got their backs In action, and, although the movement broke down at the wing, Cammlck dribbled over to score. Berrldge converted with a fine kick. Ponsonby fi. Grammar 3. Skelton Just missed putting Grammar again in the lead with a penalty kick, but Ponsonby gained the upper hand half-way through the quarter. Klghton and Fleet each scored a try before the change, the kick at goal in both cases being outside the uprights. Eight points ahead, Ponsonby stuck to their job well, and another try came when the forwards smashed through a topsy-turvy defence, Hpok touching down. Berrldge goaled. In the closing stages, played In semi-darkness, Weir secured from a scrum, and sent Wilson over for an unconverted try, the game ending:— Ponsonby Grammar Old Boys 8 Mr. F. Sutherland was referee. UNIVERSITY DOWH MANUKAU. Under most unpleasant conditions University met Manukau at Eden Park, and defeated the Portites after a strenuous gam« by 11 polnta to 3. The match opened with plenty of vim, and although University had the advantage of a semi-gale in the first twenty, they could not break through. It was towards the clow _ of the second spell, after even play on berth sides, that Miller shot through the rack with a fine dash, and made an opening for Linton to University signalised the commencement of the second half by a paralysing rush, and a good solo effort by Mathlas saw the blue rover pierce the opposition and score under the posts. N. Jen kin converted. University 8, Manukau 0. At this stage the blues had the better of the game, and only solid defence saved Manukau entered the final P* rl<^ «« determination, and a persistent attack was at length rewarded when Bata kicked a goal from a penalty. Watene crossed the line and grounded the ball but the try was disallowed Minns then settled the game for his side by scoring a try, and the game •nded :— University *1 Manukau Mr. G. Peace was referee.

CITY WIN AT SHORE

When the teams lined out at the Shore ground in driving rain it was seen that Karl Ifwersen bad turned After an attack by Shore, City forwards made a brilliant dash. and that followed the ball went throngh iseveral pairs of hands and Hudson scored. The fry was not converted. A few ®lnutes later Shore rushed downfleld, and Stokes kicked a penalty goal. The scoires wer even at the change over. The weatner S3! "c n ,7 & 8 After 1 resuming the conditions got very bad. Players found much difficulty in keeping their feet. The principal .}" the third quarter was the warning of « W forward for striking a North Shoire There was no score in the third quart r. After the change eii«l best of the game, and towards the eiii Kills after fine play down the line, iicorea near' the corner. The Shore -nade desperate efforts to make up t^^^; b b u p t . the game ended without further points w. ing added by either side. The final scorts were: City *1 North Shore Mr. P. Stubbing was referee. POINTS DIVIDED. c,k tlon of the merits of the reactive team* on the day. The teachers set up the Hrst attack, and the Rifles were lrlcky in prevent ing a score when Macky broke away wltn the ball at foot. Netther set of backs could handle the leather accurately. Col zrtJi sf er ™ ngaln had a nice o pportunlty to score, he kicked too hard, and the teachers down. Training College set up * forward attack, carrying play near the line, where 11111 obtained possession the over for the equaliser. kick. In view of the condltlons the teams played on without a epell. Both MteeM were adapting themselves to t^*, co °,)h th' and keeping the ball at and, with the parks Infusing plenty of dash Itlbelr play, the game fluctuated up and down the Held, favouring each side well In period of dull play then set in until well in the last session, whrn Butler beat two me and Kent on to Mcßac. whose return pMS w»s knocked on. There was no furtner score, and the game ended. College Rifles 5 Training College •••'. Mr. W. G. Thompeon ***

WON BY A POT,

Solid work b.r the forwards and a potted goal gave Grafton their win over Marist Old Boys, only seven points being scored in the game. Territorially, Marlsts had the better of the first quarter, bnt could not draw blood, either from tries or penalty kicks. In the second spell Grafton did better, and had Marlsts forced within the first few minutes. But it was Marlsts that got the only points of the quarter, Stuart intercepting smartly and racing past Langley to score an unconverted try.

The teams changed for the second half without a breather.

In a handy position Kuru essayed a pot, but he was no Osier. I'aewai followed with a penalty kick, equally ineffective, and a sudden change, with both sides frantically grabbing for an elusive ball, saw Grafton force. A succession of speculators, interspersed with strenuous tight play, kept things even but lively. Grafton got right to the posts, but Stuart was too quick for them, and kicked " dead." With the final change (Jrafton were hot in pursuit of points. The ball was sent out from the tight to Fergusson, who potted beautifully. Grafton 4, Marist 3. Socrer tactics availed Marist in clearing, but there was more luck than football in most of th<> efforts. Grafton took their turn on the offensive, and kept Cornthwaite busy. Thrice again they forced the Tykes with long kicks. Then Marist backs came to light with remarkably good handling under the conditions, but attempt after attempt was foiled by long punts. Finlayson and Wanoa combined to work to the line, where the struggle raged as time went with the score :— Grafton 4 Marist Old Boys 3 Mr. Pemberton refereed. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. MOUNT ALBERT'S GOOD WIN.

To the accompaniment of lusty schoolboy barracking, the Mount Albert Grammar School and Sacred Heart College fifteens provided the curtain raiser at Kden Park. An evenly contested game ended in a win for Mount Albert by six points to nil. Mount Albert kicked off into the wind and both teams set a* merry pace from the start. The early exchanges were even, Grammar, who had been beaten in their first game against the same team by sixteen points to nil, holding their rivals well. An attempt with a penalty by Fraser was some yards outside the uprights and Newdick also failed to raise the flags five minutes later.

A good line kick by Spence took Grammar to Sacred Heart's twenty-five line, but the defending forwards cleared to half-way. From a line out Keegan got his backs going but the attack broke down at McDonald. A dash by Hura and McDonald almost brought a score and immediately afterwards one of the Inside backs cut through nicely and went right to the line before losing possession, Grammar forcing. From the drop out the light blues came down field and Sacred Heart were lucky In getting out of trouble. For a time Mount Albert had the better of the game territorially and their efforts were rewarded when Spence started a movement which drew blood. Getting possession from a scrum he shot through the ruck and sent out a pass to McConachy. The winger found his way blocked by K. Smith, so passed infield to Brownlle and the latter had a clear run in, touching down near the posts. Newdick missed an easy kick. Mount Albert 3, Sacred Heart 0. Sacred Heart were the first to look dangerous in the second spell, their backs handling nicely. McDonald and Hura each made determined efforts to get through, but the defence held. Frnnlch eventually clearing in good style. The Grammar pack, headed by Fraser and Bainfather, then went half the length of the field with the ball at their feet. Finlayson and McConachy got Trigg bustled, but the latter just got the force down. The bell for the final change found Grammar repulsing a hot attack.

Bright work by the Grammar backs sorely tried the Sacred Heart defence, the light blues being almost continually on the attack. A penalty sent Grammar back, but Spence, who was playing the best game on the ground, let them in again and a score was assured if McConachy had not dropped his pass. College then went right upfield against the wind, but a penalty pulled tliein up. With only a minute or n<> to go. Sacred Heart were penalised and Newdick put over a good kick from near the side line. There was no further score, the game ending. Mount Albert Grammar 6 Sacred Heart 0 NEW PLYMOUTH BEAT TE AUTE.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Sunday. The New Plymouth Boys' High School defeated Te Aute College at McLean Park yesterday afternoon by 16 points to 11. The attendance numbered 2300. The game was well contested but patchy. In the opening stages the New Plymouth 'backs worked with precision. putting on 16 points in short time. The Te Aute tackling was faulty, and repeatedly let the opposition through. The score at half-time was 16 points to 3 in New Plymouth's favour. With the change over the game took on a different complexion. Using the wind, the Te Aute forwards and backs indulged in loose attacks, which demoralised the New Plymouth backs, who failed to keep the Invaders out. Te Aute put on eight points and were attacking hard when the bell rang. It was not a very inspiring exhibition of the code. The handling at times was very bad. For the winners, Watson (2), Fookes and Anderson scored tries, and the last-named converted two. For Te Aute Paenga and Gemmell scored. The latter kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. JUNIOR RESULTS. SENIOR B. Technical Old Boys 5. beat Newton 0. Marathon 11, beat Tramways 9. University 12, beat Suburbs 11. SECOND GRADE. Ponsonby 12, beat University 0. Parnell 6, beat College Rifles 0. G rammer A 3. beat City 0. University A 16, beat Grammar Colts 6. Grafton 9, beat Marists 0. THIRD GRADE. Eden 3, beat Takapuna 0. Otahuhu 6. beat Technical Old Boys 0. Kohimarama A 8. beat Waitemata 5. Penrose 13. heat Klngsland 8. Marathon 6. beat Kohimarama B 0. Shore 5, beat Manurewa 0. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Technical Old Boys 15, beat Unirersiey 6. Newton 16. beat Eden 0. Training College 6, beat Parnell 3. Manukau 20, beat College Rifles 15. FOURTH GRADE. Dilworth 14, beat Blue Star 0. Penrose 6. beat Marathon 5. Eden 11, beat Manurewa 0. Grafton 3. beat Post and Telegraph 0. Suburbs 16, beat Parnell 13. SIXTH GRADE. Otahuhu 5. beat Suburbs 0. Ponsonby 16. beat Kingwand 0. Manukau 13, beat Ellerslie 5. SEVENTH GRADE. Eden 3, beat Kohimarama A 0. Manukau 8, beat Ellerslie 5. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SENIORS. Grammar 13, beat St. Stephen'a 0. JUNIORS. Grammar 25, beat Technical 0. King's 12, beat St. Stephen's 6. THIRD GRADE. Takapuna 10, beat Sacred Heart 0. FOURTH GRADE. Grammar 14, beat Mount Albert 0. Grammar A 3, drew with Technical 3. PUKEKOHE REP. SIDE. PUKEKOHE, Sunday. The following Bngby team has been selected to represent the Pukekohe Union against the Waluku Union at Pukekohe on Saturday. In the (Sbuth Auckland Union's senior Competition : — Fall-back, Willis (Patumahoe H three-quarters, S. Crotty /Power Board), Mayes (Power Board), N. Brownlee (Ramblers): Woods /Ramblers), Pllkinarton (Patumahoe). half. Bishop (Power Board): rover, Perkins /White Star) ; front row, Fulton (Ramblers), Dazeley (White Star): lock, Harilch (White Star): supports. Massey (White star) R. Crottv (Power Board) : thlTd row H Mav (Ramblers), Harvard (Patumahoe). Emergencies: G. Brownlee (Ramblers), Sickling (White Star), Howe (Patumahoe), Cooke (Whit* Star), Frayer (Power Board).