FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17188, 16 June 1919, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

MATCHES FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP

COLLEGE. BEATS PONSONBY.

The Auckland Rugby Union's championship competitions wore advanced a further stage on Saturday. The weather was (air and th© grounds were good. College Rifles boat Ponaonby.. after a good contest, by 17 points to 0; University beat Marist Old Boys by 18 points to 10; Grafton beat Parnell by 8 points to 0; and Grammar Old Boys had a walk-over against Newton—4l points to 0. Grammar School beat Sacred Heart by 14 points to 3. after a brisk contest. Details of the games are: —

COLLEGE RIFLES V. PONSONBY

' College attacked from the kick-off, and gained their oppenents' twenty-five. They wero there awarded a free kick, from which Laxon placed a goal College Rifles 3, Ponsonby 0. Play centred and rested with the forwards, until a tree kirk enabled Righton to transter operations to the College twentyfive. Ponsonby worked hard, and good work by Minogue resulted in his reaching the line, where he sent out to Doughty, who scored. The kick failed. College Rifles 3, Ponsonby 3. Ponsonby still attacked, until Kelly fumbled the ball, with the result that Laxon. outpacing his pursuers, scored behind the posts. The try was converted- Collego Rifles 8, Ponsonby 3. College played up, and a dash by Wilson took the leather to tho Ponsonby line, where a nippy mark by Poison saved a critical situation. The College backs were working well, but the Ponsonby forwards were not to be denied, and finally compelled Rifles to force. After eorae play in tho centre, Laxon obtained the ball and sent out to Qriorson, who secured a neat try. It was not converted College Rifles 11, Ponsonby 3. Laxon cleared after the drop-out. and later made an opening, sending the ball to Wilson. The latter outpaced all opposition, and scored. Minogue failed to convert. College Rifles 14, Ponsonby 3. Ponsonby's forwards put in some good work, and McGregor forced the blues. Again the forwards attacked and, McGregor setting clear, sent on to Matthews, who scored. Half-time came with the scores: — College Rifles 14 Ponsonby 8 After tho drop-out, Ponsonby was forced. Then they attacked until Laxon cut off and relioved, but later rushed the ball to tho College twenty-five. Sutherland cleared, and Griorson opened up ft good passing bout, in which several players took part scoring a try. The kick failed. Collegr Rifles 17, Ponsonby 6. In the last spell, Ponsonby rallied, and after a good dribbling rush, they wero awarded a free kick, from which Steward kicked a goal. College Rifles 17, Ponronby 3. After ft spell of mid-field play. College attacked. Tho Ponsonby backs relieved the position, but the Rifles returned, and Wilson took an unsuccessful pot at goal. The game ended: —

College Riflea 17 Ponsonby 9 Mr. Devore was referee. MARIST 0.8. V. UNIVERSITY. The learns were: — University.Birnio. Elliffe, Brinsden, Sims, Robinson Millikon. Ross, Molloy, Miller, Souter, Shove. Towers, Wells, Thomas, Hall. Marist Old Boys.—Bannister, Graham, Molloy, Beehan, Pilling, Dyer. Heighten, Stanley, Coglan. L. Casey, Hcinpthorue, T. Casey. Smith, O'Shea. Marists attacked first, but did not gain headway, Pilling taking an ineffectual shot'! from a mark. Through Milliken University \ sot the ball to the Marist twenty-five,, but , the Marists came back after a free kick. , Then University again attacked, and after a loose rush, ElliSo scorod at, the corner. Tho | kiok failed. University 3, Marist Old Boys 0. Marists tried hard for a score, and their I forwards wera kept busy, but Elliffo relieved , the tension. Maristß returned, and a passing ; bout on the bock line ended in Beehan b»ing i collared. Then .Milliken broke loose for Uni- j versity, and sent to Brinsden. in-field, tho I latter scoring. The kick failed. University j 6, Marist Old Boys 0. Pilling forced Univer- ! sity soon after the drop-out, and then Thomas \ got away beating the tackling— Ho failed to convert tho try. University 9, Marist Old Boys 0. Brinsden, who was working well, from the twenty-five lino, potted a neat field goal. Just after, Bannister performed the same feat for Marists. University 13. Marist Old Boys 4- The University forwards wcr* working well, and Ross almost got across, the ball going to Robinson, who scored. Briusden converted. University 18, I Marist Old Boys 4. Fast play followed, and j Marists. being'awarded a free kick, gave it to Pilling, who kicked a neat goal, Half- . time came with the scores:— University 18 Marist Old Boys 7 On resuming, Marist Old Boys were placed in several tight corner? by the blue forwards, who crosiied the line; but the referee's decision was " no score," and then Pilling, taking anothor free kick, succeeded. Urn- j versity 18, Marist Old Boys 10. Marists j were spurred on by this success, and made tho game fairly strenuous. Thomas broke away from a line-out, but lie was collared from'behind. The game endod:— University 18 Mariat Old Boyn 10 Mr. F. Hancock was referee, GRAFTON V. PARNELL. The teams were:— Grafton—Burns, Randall, Hogan, Nixon, Irving, Wakerly, Wright. Mmniea. Dick, Hansch. Marshall, Danrell, Kronfeld, Stanley, Gubb. Parnoll.— Thomas, Smith, Gunning, Sheehan, Jcrrot, Berrick, ■ Casley, Rowe, Gedye, Cleave, Hall, Simms, Avery, Rasmussen. ... , , . Grafton attacked first, and after about 20 minutes of give-and-take play, Monties beat the Parnell fullback, and scored a good try near the corner. In the second half, give-and-take play was still the rule. Just before time Grafton scored another try, which was converted, the game ending:

Grafton 8 Parnell ' 0 Mr. Alf. Wetherilt wag the referee, GRAMMAR OLD BOYS V. NEWTON. Gnvmmar were first to the attack, and Boardman scored, McCulloch converting. Soon after Molloy acor»i a try, which waa not converted. Grander 8, Newton 0. Still Grammar attacked, and Taylor scored, to be followed by Molloy with another try. Grammar 14. Newton 0. Newton tried to score in - the next few minutes, but Grammar broke through again, and Molloy scored. McLeod converted. Molloy scored again later. The next to score was Boardman. At half-time the score was: Grammar ' 25 Newton .• . • . ' .-. 0 McCullough opened the second half by scoring. Taylor was next across, and Ross converted. McCulloch then scored, szi Goodwin converted with a good kick. Goodwin scored immediately afterwards. Tho game ended: Grammar 41 Newton . • .. . .. 0 Mr- Paul was the referee. SECOND GRADE. . . Papatoetoe 8 point*, Grafton 6. University 3, Maris*. Old Boys 3. Ponsonby, 23, beat-College-Rifles, 3. THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby, 16 points,, beat St. Stephen's Maori Boys. 5. Grammar Old Boys, 61, beat University, 0. Parnell, 3. beat Ellcrslio, 0. Marist Old Boys, 9, beat College Rifles, 0. FOURTH GRADE. Marist Old Boys 3 points, Grafton 3. FIFTH GRADE. Marist' Old Boys, 22 - points, beat Ponsonby, 3. , i GRAMMAR.OLD BOYS V. ALBANY. The Grammar. Old Boys second grade team visited Albany on, Saturday and played a match against the. local team. After a strenuous and exciting game, Albany won bv. 13 points to 8, the laet try, which was converted, being obtained just before time. Mr. J. Crichton was referee. SECONDARY SCHOOLS MATCHES. SENIORS. Grammar, 14 points, beat Sacred Heart, 3. King's, 18 points, beat Grammar B, 6, SECOND GRADE. Grammar A, 11 point], beat Sacrsd Heart, 3. King's. 24 point*,'beat Grammar C, 0. Grammar B, 12 points, beat Technical School. 11. THIRD GRADE. King's, 6 points, beat Grammar B, 0, FOURTH GRADE. Technical. 17 point*, beat King'*, 0. Sacred Heart, 0, v. Grammar A, 0, PRIMARY SCHOOLS MATCHES. A GRADE. Epsom. 15 points, beat Rerouera, 0. Newmarket. 11 ' points, beat Richmond Road. 3. Beresford Str et. 22 points, beat Point Chevalier, 3. Ponsonby, s its, bt.'jt Maung»*hau, .3. Vermont A, intß, -jest Mou'.' Eden, 3 Mount Alb* ;)oints,, teat Takfcp;..m, 0, S GRADt. 3ai:.!iM 2; points, 'beat normal, v- ' Newiov. »tVit wot s 1 ? default i'rom Parti*",

Napier Street, 17 points, beat Surrey Hills, 9. , Onehunga, 8 point*, beat Te Papapa, 6. C GRADE. Ellerslie. 28 points, beat Ponsonby B, 0. Vermont B. 25 points, beat Bayfield, 0. Mount Roskill, 11 points, beat Avondale, 0. Newton East, 10 points, beat Grey Lynn, 3. , MAORI PIONEERS' WIN. HAWKES BAY DEFEATED, 25 TO 6. [BT TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS, Saturday. The Maori Pioneer Battalion football team played a, return match against Hawko's Bay this afternoon before a large attendance, including Sir Andrew and Lady Russell. The, game resulted in an easy win for the Maoris by 25 points to (i. Their score .was made up of tries by Rogers, Wilkinson, Barclay (J), Gardiner, Apanui. and Carroll, two of which were converted bv Jacobs. For Hawke's Bay, Findlay kicked two goals from free kirks. The game was fast and willing throughout, but the hcarv physique and passing tactics of the visitors proved too much for the local men. MATCHES AT HAMILTON. [by telegraph—own correspondent.] HAMILTON, Saturda.y The Hamilton Rugby Union's competitions were continued to-day in the presence of a large number of spectators, Following are the results: Seniors.—Frankton, 13, v. St. Mary's, 6. Juniors.—City, 20, v. Fnnktnn, 5 Third Grade.-Frankton, 13. v. High School, 3. Schools—Hamilton East, 9, v. Convent, nil; Hamilton West, 14, v. Frankton, 0. GOLDFIELDS MATCHES. [by telegraph— CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Sunday. Two senior Rugby football matches wero played at Pa-rawai yesterday under good weather conditions. A considerable improvement in the standard of play was noticeable. The High School Old Boys' team defeated City by 6 points to 3. and Hikiitaia defeated Hauraki Plains by 6 points to 3, both games being well contested. In the junior competition, Hauraki Plains defeated High School by. 12 points to 6, and Hikutaia had a somjwhat easy win from City by 12 points to nil. .In the school match, South School had quite a runaway victory over High School, winning by 24 to nil.

THE GAME AT CAMBRIDGE A fine game was played to-day between the Leamington and City teams, the latter winning by 6 points to 3. City obtained a try and kicked a goal from a penalty. Leamington scored a penalty goal, Mr. S. Lewis was referee.

DEATH OF EX REPRESENTATIVE. An ex-R,.i:by football representative, Mr. J. T. McCoiinell, died in the Auckland Hospital on Saturday after a short illness, nt the ago of 4P. Mr. McCobbol! was also a prominent boxer, and represented New Zealand in the Australian: heavy-weight championships, 13 years ago. He leaves a widow and time children.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

PONSONBY DEFEATS CITY.

WINS FOR MARITIME AND SHORE.

Three senior matches under League rules were played on Saturday. Ponsonby met City on Victoria Park No. 1. ground, whilo Maritime and Marist Old Boys played on No. 2 ground- North Shoro played Grafton at iV Domain.

Tr..' Dtitest between the old rivals, C'ty and I'f.iißonby, attracted a very large crowd, the alter, 'an being estimated at 7000. A fast and exctkg game waa witnessed, the scores being equal when time expired. As the bell could not be rung until the ball went out of p'ay, the game was continued and ron3onby scored a trv from which a goal was kicked, thus snaU-hing a somewhat sensational victory by 18 points to 13. Maritime h-ad little difficulty in defeating Marist Old Boys by ".4 points to 0, while Noith Shore scored * victory over Grafton by 7 points to 0.

PONSONBY V. CITY'. The game between Ponsonby and City was remarkably even tiom start to finish though at times the t'onsonby forwards showed a decided superiority over their opjwtientu in scrummaging tactics. Altogether there was a great deal more forward play in the form of scrummaging and dribbling nish?s than is usually seen in League contests- At times, promising passing bouts were Blurted but laulty handling or passing put au end to tho chance of scoring. Most of the tries scored came from individual play or from loose scrambles near tho goal line, in which a player would snap a chance and dush over. From the kick out Ponsonby attacked and alter a few minutes' ploy Chattic'd, getting the ball from a scramble near the City line, dashed over and scored. McGregor converted with ft fino kick. A great deal cf close play followed, tho ball remaining in the centre of the field. The City players broke away to their opponents' territory, but Delgrosso fi'lded well and initiated a passing run. tho ball going to Chattleld and on to Cadman. who was tackled well at tho Cjty twenty-five, Ponsonby kept up the pressure antoseveral tiroes looked like scoring, but City maintained a stubborn defence and eventually Thomas, with a good dash, followed by a high punt, brought play to the centre. Loose play followed and Paki snapped up the ball and broke through the opposing backs- He swerved p*6t the full back and stored under the posts. Francis converted, making the scores, Ponsonby 5, City 5. The next score came {rom loose play near the Ponsonby line, Mitchell getting the leather in a scremhlo and dashing across near the corner. Franciu failed with th kick at goal. The advantage to City was brief, as phorlly sifter the kick-off Ashor failed to take the 'ball cleanly and Cadman got possession and raced over the line unnoosed. Norgrove kicked a goal, making the scores. Ponsonby 10. Citv 8. Ponsonby kent up the attack but Wed to add to the points before half-time. The spell ended: — Ponsonby 10 City 8 Upon . resuming, play was of the hard order, tho ball travelling in and down tho field at' a great rat©. Eventually a City forward rush, in which Haddon was conspicuous, took the leather to tho Ponsonby line n»ar the corner, where obstruction _ on tho pajrt of a Ponsonby player resulted in a try being awarded to City, Francis converted with a fine kick, making the scores: City. 1.3: Ponsonby, 10. Fast and exciting play followed, some of tho players on both aides adopting "hustling" tactics, and putting more vim than was necessary into their tackling. Neal. the Poneonby halfback, was prominent in several attacking movements, and eventually from a good opening made tv fine run, and scored near the corner. Norgrove failed in the attempt at goal, and the scores stood: City. 13: Ponsonby. 13. Play settled on the Ponsonby side of half-way, and from a penalty Francis took a shot at goal just as time was up. The ball continued in play, and Edwards, getting an opportunity jear the centre, broke away and, beating bis opponents for pace, scored a try for Ponsonby near the corner. Norgrove converted, making tho final scores:— Ponsonby .. 18 City .. .. .. 13 . Mr. Eddowes was referee. MARITIME V. MARIST OLD BOYS. The game' between Maritime ' and ' Mariat Old Boys merits little description,. Maritime held tho upper hand from the kick-off. and in the' first half scored 11 points to their opponents' nil. In tho second spell Maritime increased their total to 31 points, and Marist Old Boys failed to score. Tries were obtained for the winners by Davidson (1), Lunn and .Sutton two each. Goals were kicked by Davidson. Sutton, Hogg, Lunn and Bovaird, Mr. J. Ball was referee. NORTH SHORE V. GRAFTON. Owing to the inclusion of a cumber of their players in the Now Zealand touring team, and the removal of others, tho Grafton Club found it impossible to place a senior team in tho Gold on Saturday, but in order to obviate the necessity of the, club drop, ping out of the competition the team was reinforced by players from the Newton Club, and took the field against North Shore at the Domain. The game was of tho free and easy order, and was evidently regarded by the players more as a practice match than a serious contest. It was eventually won by North Shore by 7 points to nil. The points, two penalty goals and a try, were all scored by McAnemy. Mr. Dompsey was referee. SECOND GRADE. Otahuhu 12 points beat North Show 3. Tries- for Otahuhu: Leenan 1. Ross 1. V. Martin 2. Longfellow scored for Shore Snwiyside 8 points linos i>7 Chat'in and Douglas and goal by Lepine). beat Maritime ■ THIRD GRADE. i 0,^ U L h " 13 points, beat Ponsonbv 0. Tries for Otabunu: Stevens 1. Clark 1. Rhodes 1. Murphy kicked two coals. FOURTH GRADE. Otahuhu 3 points, beat Newton 0, G. Brown scored for Otahuhu. City won by 18 points to nil. Tries, by Bauren (21. and Cole (2). (Lauras, and Richardson. R..Cliffe 3.. J R. Herd 2. Sharpe 1, Clayton and Dodds 3. and goals by Cliffe and ay ton I. beat Sunnyside 6 (Jagir two tries). .Kiehmond Rovers .IS points 1 beat Northcote 2, FIFTH MM 'Richmond A 10 poid* !»«- ''ctary A 0. City 5 points (Dsv.dsoa » try, converted), ;r«w with Minuk?u 5.