FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17764, 25 April 1921, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

OPENING OK THE SEASUN

f T , l ? e „ Anickla nd Rugby League opened the tootba.ll season in Auckland on Saturday afternoon ,n ehowery weather. The grounds, however, despite the rain, were in good order, and some most interesting play resulted. About p delators assembled at Victoria Park to see the match between City and Marist Brothers Old Boy*. and they were rewarded with a particularly good game. City eventually won by 22 points to 5. but it was not till half way through the second spell that Marist Brothers Old Boys were outclassed. The City team handled the ball a treat deal more accurately than their opponents, and developed much better combination. North Shore and Fire Brigade fil* y ? d on No - 2 erc-und at Victoria Park, t&e lormer winning by 3 points to 2. North bnoro showed to better advantage than Fire Brigade, and only tor offside plaj the former would have won by a much greater margin. Newton defeated Ponsonby by 13 Points to 3 at the Domain. The game resulted in a very close contest for the first hall, Newton only leading by 3 points to nil when the interval arrived. Newton, however, proved superior in the backs and had the better of the play in the second spell, scoring 10 points to their opponents' 3. Altogether the standard of play in all the matches was remarkably good for the opening day. CITY V. MARIST BROTHERS. Marist Brothers Old Boys kicked off, and after play in midfield. they attacked strongly, Harley saving. From a 6crum in City's 25 the ball went out to Peckham who removed danger with a useful kick. A little later Marist Brothers Old Boys were ■penalised, and W. Davidson kicked the hall over the line, a force resulting. Townsend then broke away and carried play to Marist Brothers Old Boys' territory. W. Davidson just failing to register a goal from a penalty kick. Laing started a passing rush from the kick out. the ball being eventually sent over the line and Ryder was just in time to force from B. and W. Davidson, who both followed up fast. City conto attack, and after a melee on the line Townsend forced hiß way over. W. Davidson converted. Eustace and McNamara then opened up a passing bout for Marist Brothers Old Boys, but B. Davidson intercepted, only to lose his foothold on the we.t turf, thus spoiling an excellent chance of scoring. Laing, Wetherall and W. Davidson then commenced another attack, which ended in the ball beirg kicked over the line by Laing, and he was just beaten for a try by Ryder forcing. Peckham set the City backs going again, the ball being carried up to Marist Brothers Old Boys' line, but from a scrum the latter returned play to midfield. City were certainly having much the better of the game at this stage, and Marist Brothers Old Boys were compelled to force just as the bell rang for the interval. City, 5; Marist Brothers Old Boys. 0. The Marist Brothers team showed to better advantage when the game was resumed and for some time looked as though they would more than hold their own. The ball was rushed into City's twenty-five and then returned to midfield, where Singe took a mark and Stormont had an unsuccessful kick at goal. Singe and Stormont then headed a rush into their opponents' territory and from a scrum the latter obtained possession and scored. He made a good attempt at goal, the ball striking an upright and rebounding into the field. City then pressed, and play settled near Marist Brothers Old Boys' line. From a. scrum City were penalised, and Stormont removed danger. Singe then headed a rush into City'B twenty-five, and from the loose play that ensued Stormont took a mark and kicked a goal, thus equalising the scores. City began to once more reassert themselves, and Paki started a passing rush, which ended in the ball going into touch-in-goal. City were soon back again, and from a penalty kick W. Davidson added another goal. Marist Brothers then attacked, but good marks by Peckham and Paki returned play to midfield. Singe failed to gather up the ball, and Hawkes broke through with it at toe, carrying it over the line for Laing to touch down. W. Davidson converted. City maintained the pressure, and from loose play in Marist Brothers Old Boys' twenty-five the ball was sent back to Laing. who kicked across to W. Davidson. The latter took it on the bounce, and after a fine run scored a splendid try, which be converted. City returned, and Hawkes added another try. which was converted by W. Davidson, and the game ended:

City 22 Marist Brothers 5 Mr. W. Murray was the referee. NEWTON V. PONSONBY. Ponsonby set the game in motion, and Newton attacked, but the Ponsonby forwards 1 returned play to midfield. Newton again pressed, but McClymont broke up the attack, and the game was taken to I Newton's quarter, a force resulting. !A. strong forward rush had Ponsonby 1 on the defensive and Cloke. picking up the j hall, crossed near the posts. Dufty failed jto add the extra points. The Ponsonby team then opened up a passing rush in which Walsh, McClymont, McGregor, and Norman participated, but faulty handling by the last-named Bpoiled a likely chance of scoring. McClymont and Delgrosso started another rush, but were stopped by Dufty. who returned the ball to midfield. A little later Ponsonby were awarded a free kick, but Hanlen's effort fell short. Ponsonby continued to press and good work by Walsh and Chatfield compelled Newton to i force. Newton then attacked and a dribj bling rush headed by Biggs had Ponsonby iin trouble. Somers eventually kicked the I ball over the line and McClymont saved by ' touohing down. When the whistle went for j half-time the scores were: Newton, 3; Ponsonby, 0. I Newton attacked strongly at the opening of the second spell. Biggs. Poison, Cloke and Dufty carrying the ball up to Ponsonby's line, where Norman saved. From play in midfield Bass broke away and passed to Delgrosso, who transferred to Norman. The latter carried the ball to Newton's twenty-five, where Edwards gained possession and got over. Hanlen failed with the kick. A little later Newton were awarded a free kick, but Dufty put the ball wide of the posts. Newton followed up fast and Poison added another try, which Dufty I converted. Just before time was called . Newdick obtained a try from a passing rush, Dufty adding the extra points, which made the final scores: Newton 13 Ponsonby •. . . . . . 3 NORTH SHORE v. FIRE BRIGADE. North Shore were on the defensive during the early portion of the game, but a long kick reversed matters. Boryer then made a good opening, from which Godick just missed scoring and Fire Brigade saved by forcing. North Shore continued to attack and Wynyard had a pot at goal which failed by & narrow margin. Boryer again set North Shore backs in motion and Price completed a fine passing bout by crossing the line. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. Price made another good effort just before half time, but was stopped on the line. North Shore. 3 : Fire Brigade., 0. On resuming Fire Brigade attacked, and Jaggs failed to hold the ball which gave Fixe Brigade an opportunity to score, but North Shore succeeded in forcing. Faulty handling by Fire Brigade allowed North Shore to reach the goal line, but good work by C. Woolley reversed the posiV'ons. North Shore were penalised and C. WooUey had j an unsuccessful shot at goal, the ball going ' underneath the bar. Woolley also missed i an easier shot a few minutes later. Play was un and down the field for some time, the greasy nature of the ball making pass- ] ing difficult. A good run by Boryer and i Price had Fire Brigade in trouble, but C. I Wooley broke away with the ball at toe and carried it to North Shore's line. Fire Brigade were forced back but within a counle of minutes of time were awarded a penalty, and C. Woolley kicked a goal. North Shore . . . • . . 3 Fire Brigade 2 THE RUGBY GAME. MATCHES AT TO AMES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT..] THAMES. Sunday. The football competitions were continued at Parawai yesterday before a good attendance. In the senior grade. School of Mines defeated Soldierß by 19 to 8. In the first iuniors. School of Mines defeated Physical Training by 25 to 8. and High School defeated College Old Boys by 14 to 11. In the second juniors. School of Mines defeated Physical Training by 11 to 3.