FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16944, 2 September 1918, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

BALL COMPETITION CONTINUED,

UNIVERSITY BEATS GRAFTON.

Matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's "Ball" competition were played on Saturday at Eden Park and on the Show Ground, Ensom. 11l tho senior grade University heat Grafton, College Rifles beat Ponsonhy, and Marist Old Boys drew with Grammar Old Boys.

UNIVERSITY V. GRAFTON. Univorsity (blue) had tho first advantage until Nixon and Krouleld got tho ball away, and the Gralton pack carried play 10 the blue one. Lusk mis-kicked, however, ana University cleared, with the aid of a pena.iy kick and good fielding by Birnie. Granon attacked at this stage, and after a fine rush, a forward scored a try. A nun failed to convert. University, 0; Gralton, 3. Gralton still attacked, and alter some desultory piay Birnie scored another try tor Gralton. itie kick failed University, 0; Gralton, 6. University attacked from the drop-out, and the forwards crossed the line, Suns scoring. Lewis converted. University, 0; Gralton, ti. Still the bine forwards attacked, and after a good exhibition Miller secured tho ball in 1110 pen and scored another try for University. Lewis kicked a fino goal. University, 10; Grafton, C. The first half ended without further score. Grafton assumed the initiative alter half-time, and good piny by Kronteld Clark, and Nixon hoped them forward. A forward rush enabled Hammond to score. Nixon failed to convort. University, 10; Grafton, 9. University rallied at this stat'O, and after several promising oassing bouts Miller scored, Lewis failing to convert. University, 18; Grafton. 9. University made strenuous play tho rule, and after a good run from the twenty-five line Gasparuh scored a try, which Lewis converted, University, 18; Grafton, 9. The blues maintained the advantage, and Molloy receiving the ball at centre, scored a pretty try, Brinsden converting. University, 2.1; Grafton, 9. Grafton now took charge, and from a penalty kick in blue toritory Bray nccied. University, '23; Grafton. 12 The Grafton backs improved, and enabled Kronfeld to secure and score a fino try at the corner. Bray failed to convert. University, 23; Grafton, 15. In tho last stages of the game University attacked, and Thomas scored. Brinsden converting. Tho final scores wore: — University 28 Grafton 15 Mr. W. J. Meredith was referee. GRAMMAR OLD BOYS V. MARIST OLD BOYS. Grammar secured the advantage after a scrum near nudtield, and attacked in force. However, piay remained about nudfio.d, an exchange of pena.iy kicks Hilling 10 give either team ground. Soon after U'Shoa made a good opening, but the Grammar pack was too ouick, and reversed matters. However, Marists attacked again, and this timo received a mark, from which Martin scored. Mariat Old Boys, 3 Grammar Old Boys, 0. Grammar attacked, out half-time came without further score. On the opening ol the second spoil Grammar attacked, and alter a few minutes' play Eilery took a kick at goal, but missed. Marsden then secured the ball and passed to May, who scored near lie corner Marsden failed to convert. Marist Old Bovs, 3; Grammar Old Boys 3. .Although play was willing until the end of the game, no other score resulted, tho game ending.—

Marist Old Boys .. .. 8 Grammar Old Boys .. . . 8

COLLEGE RIFLES V. PONSONBY. Early in the game Ponsonby pressed, and after a spell of midfield play the hall reached lieily from tho ruck, and taking a kick ho neatly potted a goal. I'onsonby, 4; College Rifles, 0. Continuing the pressure the Ponsonby pack rushed play into tne Rifles' twenty-five, but McLean reversed matters. and alter a lino run up tho held sent tho ball to Binney, who scored. Laion converted. Ponsonby, 4: College Rifles 5 '1 he ensuing few minutes' play gave Ponsonby tho advantage, and after a good rush ,iuy received a penalty, from which Keely kicked a goal. Ponsonby, 7; College Rifles, 5. .u this stage College Rifles' forwards were working well, and after a fino assault Heard owned up play, and as the result of a goixt rush scored near the posts. Laion converted. Poneonby, 7; Collcgo Rifles, IU. Collcgo Rifles maintained the attack, and Phillips scored a fine try, which Laxon converted. Pon6onby, 7; College Rifles, 15. I'onsonby gained ground in tho next five minutes, and after a good run Aitken scored near tho corner, converting his own try. Ponsonby, 12; College Rifles, 15. Just before time Laxon scored another try for Kiflos, but failed to convert, tho final scores being:

College Rifles 18 Ponsonby .. .. ~ 12 Mr, Kelly was referee.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES.

AUCKLAND, 8; GOLDFIELDS, 0.

The junior match, Auckland v. Goldtields, was played on Eden Fark. Auckland attacked first, and after a lew minutes' fa.st piny Goldfields forced. Then Hughes secured the ball and scored a try for Auckland, which Smith converted. Toward the end of the second half Jacobson Bcored another try for Auckland, winch was not converted. Tno final scores wero: — Auckland .. 8 Goldfields 0

PRIMARY SCHOOLS' MATCHES. A Grade— Napior Street, 10 points, defeated Bayfield, 0' Parnoll, 2-1, defeated Maungawhau, 11; Vermont A, 36, detested Mount Eden, 6; Romuera 16, defeated Richmond Road, 0.

B Grade.—Mount Albert, 6 points, defeated Nelson Street., 0; Normal, 5. defeated Ponsonby, 0; Epsom, 12, defeated Onehunga, O; To Papapa, 32, defeated Point Chovalier, 0. C Grade.—Takapuna, 8 points, defeated Mount Roßkill, 6; Newton East, 13, defeated Eilerslie, 12. Newton East.thus wins the championship in the grade.

CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON.

THE VISITORS DEFEATED. [by telegraph.— association.]

WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Canterbury-Wellington match, played at Athletic Park yeßteiday afternoon, attracted a large attendance. Tho game was fairly closely contested, but Wellington showed an all-round superiority, which told in the end.

Early in the game Wellington made mistakes and gave Canterbury opportunities which they made some use of. When in Wellington's twenty-five Canterbury laur.'hod a passing attack, from which Mullins scored a fine try. No goal resulted. Within a tew minutes Canterbury wore over again, Cowan scoring. McLcod converted. The Wellington backs gavo some good exhibitions ot passing, but the work lacked the finish trom which scores are obtained, and not until near the close of the spell did they open their account. Wellington's first try was obtained by Scott (forward), who followed up a good centring kick and scored. No goal resulted. Wellington's only other score in this halt was a potted goal by Nicholls, Irom a long way out. a beautiful kick. The spell ended: Canterbury 8 Wellington 7 Early in the second spell Wellington resorted to passing movements, and this torm of attack they kept going almost to tho end. Canterbury were penalised in front of their own posts, and Nicholls kicked a goal. Wellington immediately resumed tho attack, and Morris wound up a passing rush hy outpacing tho opposition and scoring near the posts. Nicholls kicked a goal. Canterbury rallied at times. but Wellington held them safe, and from a smart passing rush Thomas scored. No goal was added- The game ended : —

Wellington 18 C'ahterbury 8 AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. THE AMENDED RULES.

PERMISSION REFUSED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Wellington Rugby Union applied to the New Zealand Union for permission to play Auckland on Saturday next under the modified rules, which were used in the match at Auckland between tho provinces, and which formod the subjoct of discussion at the last meeting of the New Zealand Union. The latter has replied that it has no option but to adhere strictly to the -onetitution, and cannot agree to the request. It was pointed out that one of the suggested modifications was expressly rejected by tho delegates to the New Zealand Union last year.

Following an exchange of communications between tho secretary of the Auckland Hugby Union, Mr. P. McElwain. and the secretary of the Wellington Union, it was decided that the Auckland Union desired to play the match under the amended rules.

AUCKLAND TEAM SELECTED. The following team has been chosen to represent Auckland against Wellington at Wellington on Saturday next. Fullback: Pressing. Tliarters: Wilson, Laxon, Lewis. Five-eighths: Grierson, Goldwater. Rover: Gasparich. Halfback: Lusk. Forwards: Molloy, Stanley, L. McLean, Marshall, Thomas, Lock, and N. McLeanReserves: Nixon, Longville. Players unable to make the trip should notify the selector, Mr. G. Nicholson.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL TEAM.

TE AUTE DEFEATED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

NAPIER, Sunday,

The match Auckland Grammar School v. To Auto was played at McLean Park yesterday in fine weather and under perfect conditions- The game was witnessed uy about 2000 spectators, and was a fine, spectacular, and fast game throughout, characterised hy sparkling open play by the Auckland boys, whose perfect uni'-y of action quite outclassed their opponents. Their passing t rushes were very effective. The game was played under the now Auckland system 1 Grammar School won by '26 to 3. Tries were j scored by Badely (2), Griorson, Taylor, i'or- | ter, Kronfeld, nnd Hardy (one of which was j converted by McCullotigh, who also kickud ; a penalty goal). To Auto scored from a ' penalty kick. Tho visitors are to play Napier High School Old Boys on Monday.

HIGH SCHOOLS' TOURNAMENT. RESULTS OF FIRST ROUND. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] INVERCARGILL, Sunday. The first round of the High Schools' foot ball tournament was played yesterday tinder very unfavourable conditions. The ball was wn« wei and greasy, and this prevented much back play, the game being contested maimy by the forwards. Southland High School beat Otago High School by G points Itwo tries) to 5 'a converted try) The Ot&go backs showed flashes 01 c;«ver combined play, but the Southland forwards dominated tho game. Timnru beat Chria'.church High School by G points lan unconverted try and a ptnaity goal) to 3 points (an unconverted try), ilie play was very even. OTAGO .BEATS SOUTHLAND. ELEVEN POINTS TO THREE. [BY IEI.KGRArH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Sunday. The inter-provincial match Otago v. Southland was played yesterday before an attendance of abou: 3000. The South.and forwards at one® attacked, the blue forwards being slow to get going. After a quarter of an hour's play the blue forwards carried play to Southland's twenty-five, and a pretty piece of passing between Matheson, Jeffs, and O'Connor saw tho last-named scoring tor Otago near the corner. No goal resulted. Ncaring the end of tho first spell O'Connor again scored, Campbell kicking a beautitul goal. Tho spell ended; —

Otago fi Southland 0 For the first half-hour in the second spell the Southland forwards attacked strongly, but attempts at passing by their backs repeatedly broke down. Shand secured a mark in ft favourable position, and Grievo placed a good goal for Southland. Play now became minor uninteresting, the Southland backs piny ins for tho line. Towards the end 01 the game Otago vcre awarded a penalty kick, and Campbell kicked another fine goal. The game ended: —

Otaso 11 Southland 3 This was the first time Southland had played in Dunedin since 1913. UNDER LEAGUE RULES. THE ROOPE ROOSTER CONTEST. CITY DEFEATS MARITIME. The final game of the Auckland Rugby Lecguo's Roopo Rooster contest was played on the Domain on Saturday, betwoen City and Maritime, the former team winning by fi points to 3, after a fine display of Northern Un.on football. As a curtain-raiser, a fifth grade match, City v. Otrhuhu, resulted in a win for City by 8 points to 6. CITY Y. MARITIME. Maritime attempted to attack from tho kick-off, and Davidson tried to kick a goal from a free kick, but failed. After a scrum in City twenty-five, Stallworthy, of Maritime, j got the ball, and tried to score, but Paki j forced. Soon after this, Roberts, of Maritime. was hurt and retired. Then, after i another Maritime attack, Wetherill, of City, was injured, and he too left the field. From ft scrum five yards from the City goal, Paki got tho ball, and making a fane run the length of the field, sent the ball to Mitchell, who passed to Paki. tho latter scoring the first try for City. The kick failed: City,' 3; Maritime, 0. From a penalty near the City posts, Stallworthy took a shot at goal, but failed to score. At this stage. Roberts, who had received first aid, returned to thi game. After some give-and-take movements, Davidson, of Maritime, secured the ball, and after a sensational run scored a try, beating all opposition. Stallworthy failed with the kick: City, 3; Maritime, 8. Wetherili, at this stage, returned to tho field, and, receiving tho ball, made a smart ran, and scored ■a try for City: City 6.; Maritime, 3. Both teams several times tried hard to score, and the game ended with City on the attack, and tho final scores: —

City 6 Maritime 3 Mr. Wynyard was the referee. JUNIOR MATCHES. Fourth Grade. — Richmond Hovers, 15 points. defeated Newton, 14. Fifth Grade.—Ponsonby, 10 points, defeated North Shore, 2. Sixth Grade.—City Rovers, 23, defeated Post and Telegraph, 2; Richmond, 7 points, drew with Parnell, 7. SELECTOR'S MATCH. Two teams, composed of senior League players, will meet on Saturday next at Victoria Park, in' a selector's match, and the representative team to play Canterbury on September 14 will be selected after the game. The personnel of the teams is: — A Team.—Fullback, Minogue (Ponsonby); threequarten, McGregor (Grafton), Ifwersen (Grafton), lies (Newton), Davidson (Mar;tiine); halfbacks, Walsh (Ponsonby), McClymont ll'onsonby); forwards, Rukutai (City). Bailey (Grafton), Clarke (Ponsonby), Eatidon (City), Francis (City), Herring (Grafton). „ „ , . . B Fullback, G. Paki (City); three, quarters, McGregor (Ponsonby), Cadman (Ponsonby), Stewart (City), Thomas Newton); halfbacks, Kcenivn (Nowton), Maddison (Ponsonby); forwards, Pullen (Grafton), Avery (Maritime), Williams (Newton), Cross (Maritime), Simpson (Grafton), Sheehan (Maritime). „ Reserves.—Hanlon (Ponsonby), Stallworthy (Maritime), Clarke (City), Keenan (Newton). \ ■

PONSONBY BEATS SYDENHAM. ELEVEN POINTS TO NIL. [bt TELEGRAPH.—OWN correspondent:.] CHKISTCHUKCH. Sunday. The League match, Ponsonby v. Sydenham. was piayed yesterday. Tho woather was period, ana mere was a large attendance. Sydenham carried the game into Ponsonby's iwemy-uvo, but good work by Maddison, McUymont, and Rao relieved. Smythe (Sydenham) intercepted a pass and kicked high, but was obstructed. A tree kick was awarded, but the kicK at goal failed. Play then moved into Sydenham's twenty-live. Kac, picking up trom tho loose and putting in a good run, scored tor Ponsonby. -Tho kick at goaJ tailed. Sydenham pressed, but i'onsonby returned to the attack. A freo kick relieved, and a good run by French carried play into l'onsonby's quarters. Ponsonby pressed, but a forward pass by Maddison spoilt a certain try. A passing rush among the Sydenham backs carried Hie ball into Ponsonby's quarters again. At half-time the scoro was;— Ponsonby 3 Sydenham 0 When play recommenced Ponsonby attacked, but Maddison was smothered in front of goal. A tcrum on Sydenham's goallino let the Ponsonby halt back. Walsh, over. The kick failed. Sydenham attacked, and Marshall was pushed out just on the line. Ponsonby returned to the attack and kept play in Sydenham's territory. Ponsonby were awarded a free kick, but Maddisin's kick at goal failed. A good passing rush by tho Sydenham backs carried play to haltway. The Ponsonby backs then tried a passing rush, and McGregor was just collared on the line. Ponsonby were awarded a free kic«t, and Maddison kicked a goal. Immediately afterwards Matthews put in a good run and scored. After some give-and-take play Ponsonby carried play right over Sydenham's line, but the ball went out. Tho final scores were:— Ponsonby 11 Sydenham 0 THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NORTH SHORE WINS THE FINAL. The final round of matches under the Auckland Footba'l Association was played on Saturday. North Shoro drew with Brotherhood, but were awarded the championship on points. Brotherhood early scored two goals, but North Shore did not score until the second half, giving a fine exhibition. For the winners Allison and Smith scored, and for Brotherhood Williams and Webster. Wild Rose v. Preabvlerian—Presbyterian won after a fine game by 2 goals to 0. ihe first scorn was gained by Presbyterian just before half-time and the second almost on time. The scorers were Miller and Fairgray. Y M.C.A. v. Ponsonby.—Y.M.C A. won hy 4 goals to 1 after an exciting contest. Play in the first half was interesting, Y.M.C.A. scoring 3 goals to Ponsonby s i. The second half was less interesting, Ponsonby failing to Bcore again, while Y.M.C.A. scored a fine goal just before time. For Y.M C.A , Kent «'2), Smallwood, and Cross scored, and for Ponsonby McDowell scored the only goal. Second Division.—Y.M C.A., 4 foals, defeated Northcote, 0; Presbyterian, 9 goals, defeated Technical, 1Fifth Division —Y.M.CA., 2 goals, defeated Wild Rose, 0; Technical A, 4 goals, | defeated Technical B, 1.