FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16229, 15 May 1916, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

THE LEAGUE GAME, OPENING OF <; SEASON,, ~

Tna Auckland Rugby Football League's season was opened on Saturday in fire but dull woather and on turf which the recent rains had made more springy than is Usual 'at the commencement of the season. Three senior matches were played, and in these Grafton defeated Newton by 33 points to 7. City defeated Ponsonby by 12 points to 5, and North Shore defeated Otahuhu by 13 points to 9. It was not to be expected that the football would be equal to that seen in the opening games in previous seasons. The teams have suffered by players enlisting, and the gaps in the ranks were filled by veterans or juniors. In all the games the play was decidedly bulow even the first of the season form and far from attractive or exciting for spectators. SENIOR GRADE. CITY DEFEATS PONSONBY. The City and Ponsonby teams were allotted No. 1 ground, Victoria Park, for their opening match of the season. Almost immediately after the kick-off Ponsonby was penalised for off-side play and E. Asher opened City's score with a goal. The remainder of the spell was evenly contested, but just before the whistle sounded for half-time W. Davidson scored for City, and E. Asher converting, the score at change ends was: City 7, Ponsonby 0. Ponsonby started promisingly in the second spell. Manning 'scorod a try, which McClymont converted. Ponsonby endeavoured to improve oil this effort, but City's defence was sound . and eventually Ponsonby was driven back and Wilson touched down. E. Asher converted,' and as there was no further score the game ended:— City I .12 Ponsonby 5 Mr. S. Weston was referee.

GRAFTON'S EASY WIN.

The Grafton and Newton teams met at No. 2 ground, 'Victoria Park. Grafton had the advantage of. the wind at the outset, but during the first spell Newton mode matters lively for their opponents. Bennett opened Newton's score with a try which Potier failed to convert. Shortly afterwards Ifwerson landed a gddl after an excellent kick from near the side line. This score was added to by a try";,- scored by Tait and converted by Ifwerson.* Newton rallied, and Bennett from a penalty dropped a goal, but this addition was more than neutralised by an unconverted try scored by McGregor. Just on half-time Ifwerson kicked a penalty goal and the scores at change of, ends was: Grafton, 12; Newton, 7. > Grafton monopolised the scoring in the second spell.' Tries were scored by Ifwerson (2), Marks, McGregor and Devine. Goals wore kicked [by Ifwerson. McGregor and Collins and tho game ended:— Grafton!:: .. ' .... ..S3 Newton gr . ;>.,,; ;. .. .. 7 Mr. A. Ferguson, was referee.

NORTH SHORE V. OTAHUHU. The North Shore team visited Otahuhu on Saturday rand defeated the local thirteen by 13 points':to 9. North Shore was first to gain points from a try scored by Paul. Otahuhu replied with a try by Eustace, jA penalty goal,was kicked for North Shore by Paul, but :\ almost immediately afterwards Sharpe scored a try and Otahuhu was in the lead. Before half-time was called-.Lowe scored ft try' for North Shore, which". Paul converted and the position at change of ends was:—North?Shore. 10; Otahuhu," 6. r In the' second spell, Coagrove'-scored for North Bhore, and Eustace for; Otahuhu. and the game ended:— ; '-'■■" ■*« North Shore* 1 .. 2V V '.•«"'■-''.«»'. 13' Otahuhu ''•%'.. ..'.'.>£ .£ 9 THE ftTFGBY ' game. NEW.. ZEALAND UNION. THE ; ANNUAL , REPORT." • The twenty-fourth annual report, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union on May, 18, at Wellington.' states that,* in presenting the report -of ' the twenty-fourth year's working of the union, the committee, as the controlling body of Rugby football in the Dominion, takes .pride fern directing attention to and appreciating' the noble response made, not only by. Rugby slayers, but also by, the members of & all kindred sports bodies and athletes generally throughout the Dominion,, to the call for active service'in the interests of the British Empire. The '* call, and the need, for service is such that no self-respect-ing man of s military age, unless he be hindered by grave family responsibilities, can fail to respond cheerfully and willingly. The committee is confident that affiliated unions will' throughout the coming year make it their aim f and object to keep the game going for the purpose of keeping fit those who have not yet been able to have their services availed of by the Empire, and that every union -and every club in the Dominion will use every', possible means to see that the thousands of-1 Rugby players who have already gone -on active service do not suffer from the lack; of reinforcements. In the past year all the-union's matches' were cancelled. There is therefore little of moment to review. Only business of a formal nature was con- ; ducted, and' six meetings of the committee were held. r>._, A perusal of the balance-sheet and working account .will show that the past year has resulted in an accretion of £88 8s 3d to the union's funds. This has been brought about by the most rigid economy on the part of the committee and by avoiding every unnecessary litem of expenditure. The committee regrets to say the item of £362 3s lid. debit balance due by the New South Wales and .Queensland .Rugby Unions, again appears on the balance-sheet. This amount represents the balance due to the New Zealand Union for advances made to the Australian unions io enable.the Australian representative rteam to vicit New Zealand in 1913. The committee regrets that up to the present '.the applications made to the Australian unions for payment of this amount have; not had the desired result. The committee desires to impress upon affiliated unions the necessity of prudent economic finance. All unions must suffer an inevitable'/ diminution of income, and at the same time there will be a considerable call upon their funds for the purpose of fostering and- encouraging the manly game of Rugby amongst the younger generation.

HAMILTON UNION. Iby TVt&&&kPß;—omi COBRB3EONDENT.] > H&mviON, Sunday. The annual meeting of the Hamilton Rugby Union decided to play two grades during the coming season, the age" limits being fixed at 20 for seniors and 17 for juniors. The report referred -to the large number of players who had enlisted, for which cause tho competitions last year had to be discontinued. The accounts showed a credit balance of £7 12s. The election of officers resulted:—Patron. Mr. Thos. Clarkid; president. Mr., J. Varney; vice-presidents. Messrs. G. Hamilton. C. Cowley, F. Clarkin, V. West, N. Russell; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Robertson: delegate to South Auckland Union. Mr. Clay. , It decided to approach the Domain Board to.provide grounds at Seddon and Steele Parka