FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17770, 2 May 1921, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. OPENING OF SEASON. THE SENIOR COMPETITION. SOME INTERESTING MATCHES. senW Auck!a ; nd Ru - h y Union opened its w ea th 6r C °Tv, ' t,on ° n S *tn"J»T in splendid *jd*n l ark , and attrac , ed lho)lt 4000 gpec tors, which shows that interest in the game v\A A IVlne ' Thp standard of football proV aed w _f a Particularly good for the opening nay. and if it is maintained the. union should MT * a "lost successful season. Al] the games were fast and interesting throughout, and provided plenty of entertainmeut for the public. University and College Kifles D.et on jno. 1 ground, the former winning by 29 points to 16. College Rifles were the first to S K° r \ and looked as though they would mere than hold their own. but the University forwards eventually outplayed them, while their backs developed far better combination rnd handled the ball much more accurately trrammar School Old Boys defeated I'c.n--sonby on No. 2 ground by 14 points to 5 after a most interesting game. Ponsonby kept their opponents busy for the greater Part of the game, but they were outclassed by the Grammar School backs. The most exciting match wis that between Maris* JtJrothers and Grafton, -which was played on *°- o ground, the latter winning by 13 points to 12. Marist Brothers were Itading d?.^ m ? h ° ed - Grai t°n. however, gradually rewf.h • A ppouents ' iead > tinili y unish.ng with a potted goal, which put ihe.a a point defeat'T 1 ", A t Devonport North Shore defeated Mowton by 18 points to 5.

UNIVERSITY V. COLLEGE RIFLES. a^ ni 7- ersity kicked off - bu ' Heard. Pilling Wr,f^" erS ? n took play into University's territory, where Jt'Uiins had an unsuccessful 2,! s°f' trom a penalty. College iiines ?i, to attack ' anc: a iiltl e iater Pilune ?£«,tT t with a goal from a i\n Jl,i it Ihe University team then livened fiv; tit t'f play n «w College Bines' twentyan «n?„i Tf? penalised, and Ross had an unsuccessful lack at seal. Good work homaa - Mliliken a °d Lucas had lattLiS! /''""J a « am detendme. but the MifEl 8 fexwarda removed danger. College Eddow^ 6a i! Ook a hand at attacking, but tullWU* who , was Paying a fine game at Sf;,r d ° n . t J wo occasions. College ♦Wr.£ d l repeated attempts to add to CouLJ^^i^ 6 , change-over, but failed. Burning «ut 8 ' 3 Unlv frsity. 0. On resuming play waa t College £&£, tw !i nt /*te , where Maxw*l? got pos Thnm * Dd i «i bbled over the line for a try. attacW fal th d *f conv t rt - College Rifles then taW?A„ K e n forwa r ds - beaded by Seagar. taking the ba U „ University's twentyG4; r .„„ V*i J ta f te< i , a Pissing rush, but kicked oi^ lie i t0 , hold the ball - was E°, °^ er the line and Eddowes just Pining d T>: n Vt of , Grierson and i-ming. The University forwards immes2& Car »n ed f V l6 baH *° ° tber eDd "d '♦, vf C h ln * U u P 1D the loose., to MaLloy who scored Lucas failed with the k ck. A little later *g« (ColWe Rifles) started a passing rush which resulted in Robinsou bemg pushed into touch-in-goal. College Rifle! again pressed, a passing rush between Grierson and Pillmg resulting in th«- ball being kicked over the line, Lucas just forcing in time. The bell rang shortly afterward*, with the score: University, 6; College Rifles 3. College Rifles attacked strongly at the commencement of the second spell, Eddowes being forced to kick into touch a few feet from the line. From the line-out Bagnall got over near the corner, and Pilling converted the try with a splendid kick from the side line. Lane and Seagar then headed play into. University's twenty-five. but Eddowes picked lip and kicked well down the field. He and Lucas followed up, and HerßS was forced to kick out in hii own quarter. College Rifles were penalised, and jveegaa had an unsuccessful kick at goal, the ball falling short. Hirst, Heard and Grierson immediately shifted operations to Rr„nW4£ n<l, ? op Ja? s savm ? witb a mark. rT*W f * * > ead « 3 . a rush into College wfe ♦ vSj ty ' five ' t lt i 'K ball was Sclrid back to Eddowes who found the line in midSISLl A htUe ! - ater Ui m * a broka mwt and ThZZZ a n. pa ? S i? S witb Mackay and Ihomas, the latter scoring between the posts e g an r co i aver< t, d -i 1 Vf. ball was »««in taken ?,F«:t i, Co * Uege f KlfleS l ine ' and Mackay wis just beaten for a try. However, a few SSSSfn lat w' aft6r % rush «7 \r Hopkins. Lucas, Brooker and Mackay, the last-named scored between the posts K-eean converted. University 16; College Rifles. 8. College KiHes attacked at the commencement of the last quarter, and a penalty resulted in Pilling kicking a goal. Play was then rushed to the other end. and from a scrum in front of the posts, Molloy scored for University. Keegan added the extra points. Good work by Eddowes had College Rifles defending again, and a passing rush between Maxwell Park, and Ewen ended in the last-named scoring. Keegan's sh-v hit the crossbar, and rebounded into i> field. A little later Milhken, from pass by Keegan, added another try. uch Keegan converted. Just before til j Heard, Grierson, and Robinson carried i le ball to University's line, where after loose play. Lane scored, and Pilling converted, the game ending: University . . 29 College Rifles 1G Mr. Sutherland was referee. GRAMMAR V. PONSONBY. Grammar kicked off. and after play in midfield. V. Badeley punted well down ike field, where Stretton fumbled. Matters looked anything but promising for Ponsonby, but after loose play their forwards removed danger. The Ponsonby backs then opened up s, passing bout, which ended in Stretton being pushed into touch near the corner. C. Badeley broke away and after a good run passed to Goodwin, who scored. V. Badeley failed to convert. Ponsonby attacked strongly, but good kicking by the Grammar School backs sent them back, and before long they were penned up on their line. Lintott secured the ball from the loose and scored. V. Badeley failed with the kick: Grammar School, 6; Ponsonby. 0. On changing over the Grammar School team started two passing rushes, which looked most promising, but they were spoiled through knocking on. Ponsonby removed danger, and play waa of an even nature till the interval arrived: Grammar School, 6: Ponsonby, 0. In the second spell Ponsonby attacked, but good work by V. Badeley changed the scene of operations. Ponsonby, however, returned, and, though they made great efforts to score. they were unable to cross their opponents' limr. The concluding 20 minutes was mostly in favour of Grammar School. After Wright had carried the ball upfield If worsen gained possession and made a fine opening for Goodwin to score. Tfwersen converted. Ponsonby were soon on the defensive again, and from p penalty Ifwersen found the goal. Toward the conclusion of th>' game Ponsonbv were having the better of t e play, and in the last minute Pardington s< r ed a try. which Prentice converted, and t game ended ;

Grammar School 14 Ponsonby 5 Mr. Paul was referee. MARISTS V. GRAFTON. Mariets kicked off, and Grafton at once attacked, the former being compelled to iorce. Play was then taken to the other end and from the loose Cook snapped up the ball and ran between the roosts Peters converted: Marists. 5: Grafton o' On changing over Docberty intercepted a pass between the Grafton backs and made a. dash for the line, but was not supported After loose play in Grafton's twenty-five Thornes got the ball and added another try for Marists which was not converted Marista, S; Graflon, 0. , After the interval Grafton carried nlay into their apponents' twenty-fire" where tboy were awarded a penalty, but the kick went wide. Griffon' continued to press but, were even tually forced back. A poor kick by one of the Grafton men was taken by Thomas who -potted a goal: Mari=ts, V2; Grafton, o" On changing over for last quarter' it looked as though Msrists were assured of a v'ctory, but Grafton outplayed them. K'cho'.as scored two tries sho-tly after the commencement, neither of whi"h were converted Gasparich added another try and iust before time he potted a goal, making the final scores. Graf*«n is Marirte 1 J 2 Mr. Donovan was referee. NORTH SHORE V. NEWTON Shoitly after the kick-off Earl broke awav with the ball and carried it to North Shore's twenty-five where Kelly had a. penalty shot at goal, but failed to find the goal. Newton continued to attack, but eventually they were forced back. ! From a. scrum near Newton's twenty-fivo the ball went out to Fairgray. and he paeeed to Houghton. The latter made a dodgy run down the side line and scored. The kick failed: North Shore, 8; Newton, 0. On changing ends Newton got good opportunities but they were spoiled by faulty passing. Martin, the North Shore fullback, got his side out of a. dangerous position, and Stitchbury, who gained possession in midfield, kicked over Newton's line Somerville followed up fast and touched down. The kick failed. Shortly afterwards Goldw&ier' gathered up the ball in the loose nesf Newton's territory and passed to Houghton, who scored. '•,ie kick at goal missed. North Shore were having the better of the game at this stage. After loose play in midfield, McGinley broke away with the ball at toe, and Stitchbury. following up fast, touched down, making the half-time scores; North Shore, 12; N«wton, 0.

On resuming a period of even play followed- Then the North Shore backs got going. Fisher making a good opening for Goldwater to score. The try was not converted Boswell added another try shortly afterwards. Newton then attacked, and Earl, after a forward rush, scored a try which Kelly converted, the game ending: North Shore 18 Newton 5 Mr. Moore was referee. SECOND GRADE. The University second grade team visited Pukekohe on Saturday and defeated a Pukekohe team by nine, points to six THAMES COMPETITIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. — OWN" CORRKSrOKDE.VT.I THAMES. Sunday. The first round in the football competition was completed at Parawai on Saturday before a large attendance of spectators. Results were as follows: — Senior Grade—City defeated soldiers by 14 points to eight. First Juniors.—School of Mines, 33, v. High School, 6; College Old Boys, 6. v. Mataj-in. 0, Turua, 34, v. Physical Training. 0. Second Juniors.—School of Mines. 19, v. Physical Training. 0. In tho publio schools match Central School defeated South by 18 to 5. PAEROA MATCHES. [bt telegraph.—own correspondent.] PAEROA. Saturday. The opening matches in the Paeroa Rugby Union's competition resulted: — Seniors.--East v. West, a draw; no score. Juniors.—West, 3. v. Suburbs, 0, Netherton, 11, v. East, 0. Third Grade.—East, 3, v. West, 0. THE CAME IN TAURANGA. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] TAURANGA. Saturday At a meeting of football referees last night it was decided to form a referees association and affiliate with the Auckland Referees' Association. Mr. I. T. Fallwell was appointed secretary. The Jordan Cup competition, under the auspices of the Tauranga Rugby Union, was inaugurated to-day four teams competing. Tauranga defeated Matakana by 17 points to 3. Scores for the winners were registered by G. lies (2), A. lies, and H. Harnnett. while W. Percy converted a try and kicked a penalty goal. A penalty goal was kicked for Matakana. Rangataua defeated Mount Maunganui by 42 points to nil. Tho fifth senior team, Te Puna, drew a bvo. In the junior grade, for the Oliver Cup, Rangataua beat Matakana by 8 to nil. and Te Puna defeated Tauranga' by 14 to 3. The Cadets drew a bye.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES. CITY DEFEATS MARITIME. MAKIST OLD BOYS' EASY WIN. NEWTON TOO GOOD I'uß NORTH | SHORE. Three senior games under League rules were played a.t the Domain on Saturday. Excellent weather prevailed, and a crowd estimated at between 7000 and 8000 witnessed the games. City defeated Maritime on No. 1 ground by 33 points to 2. Newton prevailed again3fc North Shore by 16 points to 10. and Marist Old Boys scored a win against Fire Brigade by 43 points to 8. CITY V. MARITIME. Chief interest was centred in the struggle between Maritime, winners of last year's club championship, and City, runners-up | for last season's premiership. As a result of the good form shown by the City players on the previous Saturday the club supporters were confident of victory. The inclusion in the team of Tancred, tne redoubtable ex-Wellington forward, also was expected to considerably strengthen it. The Maritime team had drawn a bye on the previous week, and Saturday's game was the fir3t of the season for last season's champions. The anticipations of the City supporters were fully borne out by the result of the game. The players showed good combination and in the first spell registered 12 points as a result of persistent attacks. In the second spell the score was increased to 33 points, several tries being obtained by City towards the end of the game, when the Maritime men appeared to tire. Maritime's only score was a penalty goal obtained toward the end of the firs!- soell. Notwithstanding the disparity in the scores, the game was hotly contested until the second half of the concluding spell. Several times Maritime were on the verge of scoring, but were unable to put the finishing touches to their efforts.. The first incident of note after some preliminary forward work was a passing run by the City backs. Little ground was made, however, and Maritime responded by a good dash', Grey intercepting a City pass. He almost reached the City line before being tackled. A free kick to City gave relief. A passing bout by the City backs took play to their opponents' twenty-five. Yardley misfielded a kick and the City forwards swarmed to the attack. The Maritime forwards cleared their line, but a good kick by W. Davidson sent the ball over the Maritime line, a force resulting. The City forwards were getting moss or the ball in the scrums, and after several attempts Peckham broke away. He sent the ball to Wetherall. who Sis6ed to Laing, who transferred to B. avidson. The latter cut through cleverly and scored behind the posts. W. Davidson added the goal points: City 5, Maritime 0 After a period of give and take play. City rushed the leather to Maritime twenty-five but faued to pierce the defence. A movement by the Maritime backs changed the scene of action. Laing and McGregor raced down the field with the ball between them. They reached the fullback when McGregor punted and raced for the ball. W. Davidson nipped in well and saved the situation. A good rush by City gave relief. Then at halfway Laing for City got the ball and dodging through the opposing back? scoTed behind the posts. W. Davidson converted: City 10.^ Maritime 0. Following the kick-out. Maritime rushed play to city quarters, whero' a penalty gave Grev a chance, and he kicked a fine goalMaritime, 10; City. 2. A good kick by Maritime, well followed by the forwards, took play to the City twenty-five, where a hot attack was maintained for a time. A penalty against the invaders ga%-e relief to City and a succession of rushes took the ball to the Maritime twenty-five. City got the ball from the scrum, and B. Davidson essayed a run on the blind side. lie mado ground, but was stopped before he reached the line. Following a series of scrums, interspersed with long kicks, Peckham took a neat mark m Maritime twenty-five, and W. Davidson made no mistake with the kick: City 12Maritime. 2. Play centred for the remainder of the spell, which ended with City 12 points. Maritime 2. Upon resuming. Maritime rushed the ball to the City twenty-five, where the latter were penalised. Grey's kick at goal went wide, and Wetherall. assisted by B. Davidson, made a fine run down the line. Maritime started to fling the ball about, and looked dangerous, when W. Davidson intercepted a pass. He mado a good dash and passed to Laing. the latter being well tackled by Yardley. Tho Maritime forwards retrieved; then Laing broke away, and after a good dodgy run, transferred to Averv. The latter dashed for the line, and when stopped passed in-field, a City man took the ball and saved the situation City broke away from the scrum and B Davidson, following up well, got the ball, and Y«5 thrown out at the Maritime twenty-five. A sweeping forward rush removed the danger the Maritime players being held up in the City twenty-five. Fast play saw City return to the attack. The ball was Bent aUffife a chain to W. Davidson, who made a rßßk run and centred the leather. Laing, following up well, obtained possession and scored. \V. Davidson converted: City. 17: Maritime 2. Immediately afterwards Thomas broke away for City, and almost reached the Maritime line. From the ensuing scrum Peckham got the ball and dodged over the line Davidson's shot at goal went wide: City. 20: Maritime, 2. A strong Maritime attack! in which Laing and Avery were prominent paw the latter thrown out at the corner flag' A penalty kick relieved, and a good dash bits. Davidson gave further advantage to City rrom loose play Tancred picked up and passed the ball to a supporting back. The leather was sent along to Thomas, who forced his way over r.nd scored. Davidson failed with the kick: City. 23: Maritime. 2. City now began to show decided superiority, and in a succession of rushes compelled Maritime to force. Eventually Townsend finished a good rush by scoring behind the posts. W. Davidson converted, making the score City -2&: Maritime. 2. Immediately afterwards Thomas broke through from the ruck and scored. W. Davidson again adding the goal-points just as the bell rang. The game thus concluded with City 83 points. Maritime 2. MARIST V. FIRE BRIGADE. The game between Marist Old Boys and Fire Brigade was expected to result in favour of tho former team, but few anticipated that such a large score would be registered by the wearers of the green jerseys. The game was keenly contested throughout the opening spell, the first score going to Marist Old Boys as a rmuit of a passing bout opened up by Hing and Casey and finished by Eustace, who usea his pace to advantage. Stormont conver;ed the try. and almost immediately afterwards added another goal from a pena'ty. Marist Old Boys maintained the pressure, and by means of good combined work kept their opponents busy defending. Eventually Singe crossed tho line and scored. Stormont failed with the kick at goal. A further attack by Marist Old Boys was repelled, and Ivil, fcr Fire Brigndo. turned defence into attack by dashing through most of the opposing baeks. He transferred to Coates, who scored. Woolley added tho goal points. The remainder of the. spell was well contested. Fire Brigade showing to advantage on several occasions. No further score was added before halftime, tho scores then reading: Marist Old Boys, 10; Fire Brigade, 6. The second spell needs little, description. Marist Old Boys maintained an almost continv jus attack on their opponents' goal. The F'.e Brigade players were responsible for < ncasional flashes of combined attacking I.'ay. and succeeded in adding a try to their to'.al. Towards tha end of the gapto. bow-

ever. Marist Old Boys proved to be irresistible and added seven tries to their first spell score. Six of the tries were converted. %nd the game »nded with the scores: Marist Old Boys. 43 points; Fire Brigade, 8. NEWTON Y. NORTH SHORE. A keen contest was fought out on No. 3 ground between Newton and North Shore. The former showed the better combination from the start. Jumping into their stride from the outset the Newton players carried tho attack to their opponents' territory, and good work by the forwards resulted in Virtue scoring a try. Dufty failed to couvjart, but succeeded in adding the goal points to a try obtained a few minutes later by James. North Shore then livened up, and for the remainder of the spell the game was evenly contested. Several times the North Shore players had good chances to score, but failed through lack of combination. The spell ended with Newton 10 points. North Shore 0. Early in the second spell the Newton forwards made a strong attack, nnd Somers scored near the corner flag. Duftv failed with the kick at goal. The North Shore forwards retaliated with a sweeting rush that ended near the Newton line. The pressure was maintained, and Scott, forced his way over the line and scored. Johnson converted. North Shore continued to press, and Doran soon afterwards stored a try, which Johnson converted. Fast play continued for the remainder of th- spell, North Shore ma.kmg strenuous efforts to equalise the scores. Their attempts proved unavailing, and before the end of the spell Newton added another try to their total, m-.king the Su .- p . c ° res: Newton, 16 points; North THE ASSOCIATION GAME. SIXTH DIVISION. A sixth grade match. Huntlv v Y.M C A Boys' League, was played on Kattirdav afternoon on the Outer Domain, the latter winning by 2 goals to 0. Martin and Lovie scored for Y.M.C A. OUTSIDE MATCHES. beat H.MS. Philomel. 0, Y.M.C.A. Old Boys, 6. beat s.a. Whaka,taae. 0. NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. The report of tho New Zealand Football Association, which is to be presented at the annual meeting to be held at Wellington on Thursday, states that the game has made a steady advance during the season. Since the previous report was presented the Manawatu. Poverty Bay. Southland, and Wanganui Associations had been reformed, and the South Auckland Association was in course of formation. Progress had also been made in the Taranaki district. Five matches were p for the Brown Shield, which resulted in Wellington retaining the trophy. Several important alterations to the Brown Shield rules were to be submitted at the annual meeting, among them being a proposal to play matches on grounds other than those within the province of the holders. It was estimated that the cost of bringing a. New South Wales team to New Zealand would be approximately £1400. Each of the major associations was being asked to guarantee ±300 and smaller associations £75 toward the cost of tha tour. The cost was undoubtedly nign, but under existing conditions it could not be avoided. The necessary guarantees had to be made, otherwise the council would be unable to arrange the tour. The question of inviting an English team to visit New Zealand had been temporarily shelved owing to the high cost, of euch a tour. Further the special general meeting he'd in October declared in favour of completing arrangeteam * to " r by * NeW South Wa ' es