FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18078, 1 May 1922, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. OPENING OF THE SEASON. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS. The Rugby football season was opened in Auckland on Saturday with tho playing of tho first round of the club championship matches. Tho weather was fine, the grounds in good order, and play of a fairly good standard for tho opening of tho season. Tho teams which turned out are individually and collectively stronger than those which took the field at tho commencement of last season, and when the players have acquired some knowledgo of each other's play, and tho teams have secured combination, the standard of Rugby will be well maintained. The matches on Saturday revealed all the old weaknesses, but tho matches were interesting.

Tho match between Grafton and College Rifles on tho Showground was bright and interesting, with flashes of brilliancy, but with few concerted movements, tho teams lacking combination. Tho game was exciting, and the excitement increased in intensity to tho finish, when the result of tho contest wni? i n the balance, and Grafton had secured a victory on tho call of time. The first spell was fairly evenly contested, with Gratfon being the more aggressive, but lacking the finishing touches which placed College Rifieis in tie lead at half-time. I n the opening stages of tho second spoil College Rifles was in tho ascendant, and maintained a lead which the team sustained to near the finish when Grafton scored the winning try and staved off a desperate attack by College Riflea when the whistle sounded for time.

Tho match between Grammar Old Boys and Ponsonby at Victoria Park was a fast, open game. The forwards wore evenly matched, but the Ponsonby backs were superior all-round to the Grammar rearguard, who had a tendency to crowd their wings on the touch line, and whose passing was faulty. In the closing stages Grammar brightened up, but could not penetrate the Ponsonby defence. The match between Marist Old Boys and University on Eden Park was not marked with any show of brilliancy, but was rather characterised by bard play, in which the' Marist Bros, forwards excelled, and in which their tackling was a feature. Tho University backs opened up the attack, but there was a weakness in combination and a lack of finish which militated against the success of their efforts. On tho run of the play there was little difference in the teams.

The match between Newton and Eden at Eden Park was rather below the standard of senior grade football, and play generally wus of a scrambling nature, with Newton showing the best of anything that was going. The Eden team w-as weak in combination, but may be expected to show better form later in tho season.

GRAFTON V. COLLEGE RIFLES.

I The match between Grafton and Collect ; [ Rifles was played at the showground, a fair I attendance of spectators witnessing a fast and exciting game keenly fought to thej finish. There was a total absence of wind, j Grafton kicked off, and a rally of return kicking by the rival backs found play in Grafton territory where, from a line-out, | the ball was passed to Moves, who dashed away and set College Rifles attacking on! the line. From the drop-out play was fast, 1 but neithor team was handling the ball with any degree of certainty. Pilling was proin-| incnt in carrying ' the play to Grafton terri-1 tory, where College Rifles again pressed the attack, but Grafton forced. After the drop-| out a good rush by the Grafton forwards I headed bv Moore took play to the College twenty-five, where from a free kick, Austin, the Grafton centre, kicked a goal. A good passing rush by the College backs took play I to Grafton twenty-five, where Findlay turned the attack to the touch-line at half-way. Further action changed the scene of play, and Grafton securing the ball, Hughes dashed away, leaching College twenty-five before he was tackled. At the chance over College set up a hot attack on the Grafton line, where Nicholas saved, and coming through with the ball at toe. took play up to the College fullback, Gillespie saving with r kick to touch. Buckland found touch at half-way. and the Grafton forwards coming away in close, formation, carried the ball to the College line, where Nixon pioked up and clashed over, scoring a try, which Austin failed to convert. Scrambling play followed until Muir placed College in an attacking position, which they failed to hold, and Grafton came bank with a hot attack on the line, where College forced in defence. Attack and counter-attack followed, and eventually the College backs got :iway, and from * pass by Hirst to Gnerson, the College centre scored at the corner. Piltag made a food effort from a difficult .angle. College Rifles set up a hot attack in the Grafton twenty-five. Grafton stavsd off the attack for a time. Findlay clearing with a good kick, but College came again. -Muaj breaking away, taking the ball to the Grafton line, from a scramble /Jrenze f-ro-red and Pilling converted v:tji a good kick Innvinsr Die scores at half-time i—volleffe'Rifles. 8: Graftor. 6. Onening the second Aidl Collets attacked and from ft lino out br-b? aw»y. Hirst carryflJS the ball clo-e to the Gra'ton line, where Grierson secured and scored a try which Pillir-ir failed to convert- A rood rum by th» College forwards threatened the- Grafton defence, but Findlay, who w.W"'.* pound wmc. saved with a good kick to the touch line. From the line out Grafton oroke away and a pass to Lamb saw that player cross this line, but the line-umpires flag was up and the ball was brought back. Gr-fton came atain and a good passing rush by the backs let. Lynch away, the speedy wins; orcsing the line but wag brough. back for an infringement. From * hue out in Collie twenty-five, Hirst secured and found the line in defence, but immediately a : ter Be« passed out to Moyes. who ra«d up the lino and set College on attack. The teams changed over, and last open play followed, both teams fighting hard for eupremacv Grafton was making desperate effort* •to score, and a eo*d passing rush by Thomas. Austin, and Lynch threatened danger before the Grafton wing was tackled Hot w«k on the College.line- fo'lowed and Ni'holas e-ored, but Austin failed with the ki'k Colle?e immediately attacked, Hirst pissing Co Grierson, who reverse paused to ?first who dashed over, but the ball was brought bark, the hne-iimpire/s flag being un Grafton returned the attack and W. Lamb breaking away rawed to Lynch, who da/hed over and scored a try. which Nixon fall*! to convert Grafton was now in the ascendant and play was fast and exciting. Findlav the Grafton fullback, with a long rang' kick, again placed h,s team on attack b"t Gri»rsop securing, broke away and Pilling carrrir-g on, the aWack was taken to Grl'ton territory where Gillespie attempted a *ot at goal in a final effort to secure virtorV. The ball fell «Wa and when the whistle .-ounded for time College was attackIn- on th* Grafton line but the defence was sound, and the game ended: G rafton }? College Rifles u Mr. "W- Meredith wa* referee.

UNIVERSITY V. MARIST BROTHERS. The match between University iind Marist Brothers was ployed .at Eden Eark. The game throughout was interesting, ■■.hough tho standard of play was not high. University kicked off. and the Marist forwards rushed play into 'Varsity territory, where thoy attempted to open out with the backs, but Brinsden cut fn and, breaking away.. PUfued over tho limi. Marist forcing. Marists then attacked, but Hopkins the 'Varsity half, relieved tho pressure by finding touch at half-way. Tho University backs wero then thrown into action, but the ball wont across the field, and with loose scrambling rushes, play was carried to tho Marist line, wher* 'Varsity made several ineffectual attempts, to score. Milliken missing almost a certain score by a knock on. On resumption tha 'Varsity backs broke away, but a. pass forward by Perry spoiled a chance, and tha change over was made without a score. Tho students made another attempt to. open out but the Marist forwards, playing it solid game, drove them back. 'Varsity was not to be denied, und Milliken passed, to Perry, who dashed over, scoring a try which Park failed to convert. Marists drove University back on defence, and weak tackling by the students threatened danger, until Perry with a fine sprint, swept down tho field., where Hopkins secured from a scrum, and passing out crisply to Park, tho Varsity five-eighths scored a try. wmch Brins-len converted. Marists returned to the attack, but a loose 'Varsity rush changed the scene of action, and at half-time University was attacking stroncly on tho. line, with tho sco'cs: University. 8; Man«t. 0. Marists opened the spell by attacking, and a good dash pierced the defence. V. Casey scoring a fay which Peters converted.

Fast open play followed, with rapid exchanges, but faulty fielding lost chances, and tho game centred at mid-field for a time. Marists then attacked with solid forward TOBheB, but infringements rolioved the pressure for 'Varsity, whose backs, thou.rh frequently thrown into action, were met by deadly tackling. A cross kick opened ud the game, and Courtney seized the opportunity to scoro a try, which Peters failed to convert, and tho scores were even. Marist forwards wero playing with groat dash, and their sweeping rushes tested the 'Varßity defence to tho final lino, where the attack was held until the end of the quarter. On changing over Marists set up an attack in the 'Varsity twenty-five, where Earlly secured the ball, and sworving through, scored a fine try, which was not converted. Marists wore now leading by 11 points to 8, and wore using their weight with advantage. 'Varsity made frequent attempts to swing their backs into action, but they wore met by sound tackling. Play centred for a timo until a penalty, taken by McDonald, landed the bull near tho posts, whore misfielding on tho part of 'Varsity let Anderson score a try, winch Peters converted. University flung two hot attacks on tho line, which Marists staved off, but tho students came again and Hopkins securing tho ball, passed to Keene. who dashed over and scored a try which Hopkins converted, and tho game ended: Marist Brothers IS University 13 Mr. Paul was referee. PONSONBY V. GRAMMAR OLD BOYS.

Tho match between I'onsonby and Grammar School Old .Boys at Victoria Park attracted a lame crowd, and reultcd in a win for the former team by 8 points to 0, afUsr a fast, interest.ug contost. Ponaonby kicked off, and passing rurbes by tho Grammar backs soon hud piaj in their opponents' territory. I'onsonby cleaved with a forward rush, which took tho tail to Grammar's lino, where Goodw-n scorod. Ponaonby backs started a fine passing bout from 'ooso play in midueld, MaUon, McManus, and Lucaa participating. Tho latter, after a clever fan, was well stopped by Poobles. .'onsonby kept up the attack, and another passing rush saw Righton send tho ball on to Pardington, who scored, McKay's, kick faded. Wricht started a series of passing nishes by tho Grammar bucks, but thoy wore stopped. When tS.j teams turned round Ponsonby attacked strongly, but eventually play returned to their own Quarter, where, Yorko, C. Badeley, and Goodwin wore associated in a passing rush, but tho latter was forced out. Ponsonby's second scoro camo just after ! half-time. Lucas secured tho ball in nudficld and passed to McManus, who sent it on to Matson. The latter, beating boveral players, scored between tho posts. 0. Badeley iniured his knee a few minutes later and retired. Carr replaced him. Grammar attacked, but tho defence, was sound. Lucas received an injury to his back, and had to rot' re, being replaced by Hobson. Play remained at Ponsonby's end of tho field for some time, during which Grammar had several unsuccepstul kicks at goal. A passing bout between Donovan. Pardington, a d McManus *ook play to Grammar's twenty-five. Ponsonby forwards broke through a ;:crum and took tho ball over the line, wher© Grammar forced. On changing Tound for the last quarter Grammar, continued to press, and onened up play in good stylo, but many dangerous passing rughee were broken by sound tackling. Then Ponsonby turned tho tables and tnnfc "lay to Grammar's twentyfive, where Wright cleared. Goodwin broke awav and put in a fine- run. but was tackled by McKay. McCullough received an injury soon after, and had to retire. Grammar returned to the attack, th* forw» T ds mak'ntr good onenines for the barks. Wnstht sent tho ball out t<i hie backs v<i=t on Ponsonby's line, but Williams jn«t failed to fret ov»r, and Ponsonby cleared. The match ended with play in Ponsonby'ii twenty-five and the scores:— Ponsonby .. .. •• ..8 Grammar , 0 Mr. Sutherland was referee. NEWTON V. EDEN. The match between Newton and Eden was played at Eden Park before a fair attendance. Tho match was not productive of a high standard of Rugby, both toams lacking combination, and Eden showing a want of experience. With the wind in their favour Eden kicked off, and fast following up by the forwards placed Newton on defenceNewton cleared, and with a counter-attack by a forward rush carried play to the Eden twenty-five, where Breed, of the Eden team, met with an injury to a knee, and was forced to leave the field. Ho was replaced by Gillespie, and after a bout of erratic passing Stanley, another Eden player, was carried off the field, suffering from a knock. Bishop replaced the injured player, and_ on resumption Newton carried the same into Eden territory, but owing to faulty combination failed to drive tho attack homo. Scrambling play followed, and shortly after changing ends another Eden pl*yer was temporarily put out of action. There was : little semblance of combination in the teams, ' and good chances of scoring wero lost. Eveni tually FaTlo kicked a goal from a penalty, giving Newton a lead of 3 points to 0. An- ' other score resulted a few minutes later. Halliday securing and scoring a try, which : Earle converted. The game now brightened I nn. and there was a slight improvement in the standard, but the contest never became really interesting, and wa a disappointing ! display below senior grade form. On tho ' rur. of the game Newton was the better side, j and won at the finish with the scores:— Newton .. • . • .' •. 8 Eden ,0 Mr. H. Cliffe was refer*c. SECOND GRADE. Grammar Old Boys 34 points defeated Suburbs, 5 pointe. For Grammar Marsden scored three tries, and Gould Harrison, and Batty scorod one each. Ifwerson ' converted four, and Partridge and Marsden each kicked a goal from the field. University. 15 pointe. . beat Parnoll. 0; Training College. 14 points, beat King's College Old Boys, 11 pointe; Ellerslic. 23 pomtß, beat St. John's, 3 points: Grammar, 34 ponts. beat Suburbs, 5 points: Ponsonby, 12 points, beat Maritst. 0; College Rifles. 10 points, beat Eden. 3 points; Thames Old Boys, 15 pointa. beat Swanson, 6 points THrRD GRADE. Training College beat Grey Lynn, 20 to 0. For Training College. Black (2), Priestley (2). Slaney and Cole scored tries. Schrafft converted one. Suburbs, 11 points, beat Y.M.CA. A, 3 points; Mount Albert 9 points, beat Grammar E 5 points: St. Davids 4<. points, beat Avondalo South. 0; Grafton, 32 points, beat Eden. 0; Grammar A. 9 pomts beat Marist. 3 points; Telegraph Meesengens. 14 points, beat University. 0. Ponsonby A, Technical Old Boys, and Ellerslie won their matches by default.

FOURTH GRADE. Ponsonby A. 53 points, beat Grammar. 0; Marist. 14 points, beat Grafton 7 points; Suburbs, 14 points, beat Technical Old Boys. 0; Ellerslie, 40 pointe beat Ponsonby B. 5 points; Papatoetoe, 11 points, beat Hobsonville, 0; Telegraph 6 points, v. Shore, 6 points, a drawn came

FEETH GRADE. Ellerslie, 10 points, beat Eder., 3 points; Tonsonby, 16 points, beat Grafton, 0.

MANUKAU RUGBY UNION. The annual meeting of the Manukau Rugby Union was held en Saturday evening, at Papakur*. 'the following officers were elected:—Pntron, Mr. W. F. Hyde; president. Mr. C C. Munro: secretary, Mr. T. Diikie- Two new clubs, Drury and Takanini, were admitted to the union. It was decided to commencs the season on May 6. MATCHES AT HAMILTON. The Hamilton Rugby Union opened the season on Saturday, with matches in the various grades. The weather was fine, anil there were largo attendance at the different games. The following are the results:— Seniors: Old Boy.?, 8, beat Frankton 6; Stars. 17, beat Mar tat Old Boys, 6; City, 47, beat Gordonton, 11, Juniors: Old Boys, 6, drew Frankton, 0; To Kowliai, 8, beat City, 3: Stars, 14, bent Gordonton, 6: Wesley d r ow Ktwarmi, no score; High School. -36, beat Whatawhata, 0.

DOMINION TOURS. BRITISH TEAM INVITED FOR 1924. The Rugby football season in New Zealand this year promises to be one of tho busiest experienced for many years, and for tho next two years prominent players "will bo interested in tho international tours; of 1921 and 1925. Tho New Zealand Rugby Union has decided i» invito a British team to tour New Zealand in 1924, and not to send any Now Zealand abroad until 1926 at the earliest. Meanwhile, the system of provincial tours will bo reverted to. In this connection Messrs Frost and Gray, tho Auckland delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union annual meeting, stated that tho immediate result of the adoption of the amended rule would be that the Auckland representative team would have to undertake an extended tour of tho North and South Islands this season, when thoy would meet some of the other toams on an equal footing m regards acquaintance with the new rule, and, would navo advantago in other games against teams that had not played tho new rule until this season- Tho following tentative programme has been arranged for the tour:— August 9. v. Waikato, at. Ho-'nilion; August 12. v. Taranaki. at New Plymouth; August 16, v. South Canterbury, at Timaru; Auijust 19, v. Otago, at Dunedin; August 23, v. Southland, at Invercargiil: August 26, v. Canterbury, at Christchurch; August 30. v, Wairarapa, at Mnaterton; September 2, v. Wellington, at Wellington; September 23, v. Northland, at Whaugarei; September 28, v. Bay of Plenty, at To Puke. .... The following matches against visiting teams are expected to be playod at Eden Park: July 15, v. Maori team, on its return ' from Australia; date to bo fixed, Nor.h Island v. South Island; August 19, v King Country; August 26, v. Bay of Plenty; September 2, v. Northland; September 16, v. Taranaki. Matches will also be arranged probably with the Thames end tho Goldfielda representative*.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

ATHLETICS DEFEAT PONSONBY. CITY, 48; FIEE BRIGADE, 10. NEWTON AND DEVONPORT DRAW. MARIST TOO STRONG FOR RICHMOND. Four senior grado games under League rules wore played on Saturday. Chief interest centred in tho matches at Carlaw Park, where a crowd of about 5000 witnessed the games. Athletics and Ponsonby met on No. 1 ground, tho former winning by 23 points to 5. City played Fire Brigade on No. 2 ground and won decisively by 48 points to 10. Newton and Devonport played a drawn game at North Shore, scoring 17 points each; and Marist Old Boys defeated Richmond at Richmond by 25 points to 11. ATHLETICS V. PONSONBY. A close and exciting contest was expected to bo witnessed between Athletics and Ponsonby, and in the early stages of tho game it appeared as though those anticipations would be borne out. Tho scoring ability, however, rested with tho Athletics, and though Ponsonby played hard to the finish they were easily outpointed. Ponsonby obtained tho iuitial advantage, the ball going out in Athletic's twenty-five. From the ensuing scrum Athletics secured possession, and started a passing bout, but Dufty missed a pass, and play centred. A rush by Athletics carried play to the Ponsonby twenty-five, where Yardley ineffectively potted at goal. Immediately afterwards Dulty had a fruitless shot as goal from a penalty. Play swung down tho field, and A. McGregor for Ponsonby. landed a nice penalty goal from nearly half-way. Looso play resulted in Athlotios sending the ball out near the Ponsonby coiner, and a rush sent it over the line, a fcrco resulting. Keeping up tho pressure, Atretics sent a long kick to tho Ponsonby twentyfive, and Grey, following up fast, scored a try. Yardley's shot at goal proved fruitless. The next incident of note was a. shot at go»l by A. McGregor, the ball striking the crossbar. Play continued to bo of a loose nature, very little conceited work being attempted by either side. A free kick to Athletics gave Yardley a shot at goal, a poster resulting. Shortly afterwards a cross kick by tho Pon&onby fullback sent tho ball to Littlewood, and the Athletics threequarter. outpacing tho opposition, scored near the corner. Duity failed to convert. After a period of scrambling play McNeill and Hing broke away with the ball between them. They reached the Athletics twenty-five, but Hanlon kicked hard over the line and spoilt a chance of scoring. A. McGregor roturned the drop out to the corner, and in a loose rush Meadows earned the ball over and scored. A. McGregor failed with tho kick at goal. A Bimilar movement followed the next drop out. Athletics forcing. An Athletics rush took play to Ponsonby's twenty-five, where, from a penalty. Grey bad a successful shot at goal, making the scores at halftime: Athletics, 8; Ponsonby, 5. Upon resuming, Ponsonby, with a series of short ru-.hes, reached Athlotios' twentyfive, but good work by Groy and Avery carried tho ball to the Ponsonby line. A mark by Nicholson gave Grey a shot at goal, which proved successful. From the drop out Ponronby rushed tho ball to the Ath etics' twenty-five, where Hanlon had a fruitless shot at goal. The game con<t;nued without special incident till A. McGregor and Mnrman broke away with the ball between them. McGregor punted over the fu"back. and raced for tho ball, and in a scramble on the Tne Athletic? were penalised. A. McGregor took the k'ck Out the ball hit tho goal post and rebounded into play. Athlet : cs worked the ball down field, and one of the few passing rushes of tae game saw Yardley cross the line under the goal posts. Grey converted. A good dash by Littlewood and Avery down the side- line threate>n«d danger to Pon-onby, but the ball went nto touch. Tho ball went out to Grey and ho potted a neaii goal. Ponsonby attempted to open up the game, but laulty handling by the backs let, their opponents in time and again. Eventually Yardley by a good run. reached the Ponsonby line, where he was held up. In a scramble Avery got posfwsion and dashed over to score. Tittlewood fai'ed with the k-ck at goal. Shortly afterwards a good passing run by the Athletics* backs saw Yard'ey scoro onother try. Grey failed to convert. JThe game finished shortly afterwards with tho scores:— Athlet : cs • 2f Ponsonby • • - • •« • • ° CITY V. FIRE BRIGADE. The match on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park between City and Fire Brigade resuited in a win tor tho City team by a large margin. The game, however, . was never devoid of interest, the Firo Brigade men fighting hard till the finish. The firct score went to F re Brigade. Warcmg landing a penalty goal, awarded for offside play on the part of Townsend. City gained ground after the drop-out through a good kick by W Davidson. An intercepted pass by «. Davidson in front of tho posti, and the City thrcequarter. with a neat dod<jy run, ran over to score City's first try. W. Davidson converted. After a break away by Herring for Fire Brigade. W. Davidson intercepted a pa*« and made an opening. Ho sent the ball on to B. Davidson who had a clear run to the Fire Brigade line. W. Davidson again converted. yood work by Mackie and Paki after the drop out. took play to the Fire Brigade line where Francis Hived over from a scrum and scored ■ -W. Davidson failed with the kick at. goal. City.s next score followed a fine passing rush m which Townsend figured prominently. Wilson crossing the lino near the corner. . A good attempt at goal by W Davidson just failed to add the goal, points. A flash of good play by Fire Brigade compelled City , to force, but the City men were.soon attacking again, W. Davidson scoring from a passing bout. Mackie failed with the kick. Just before half-time. Wooloy for Firo Brigade, got possession, and making a fine run, crossed the City line. Brady failed with tho kick at goal. The scores at the interval were: City. 21; Fire Brigade. 6. Almost immediately after resuming, Wetheroll broke through the Fire Brigade defence, the ball going out to Wilson, who scored. W. Davidson failed to convert. From the drop out Herring broke away for Fire Brigade and in a scramble near the City line O'Brien got possession and dived over the City line. Cargill converted. . A brilliant passing run by City to th* tire Brigade lino was spoilt by a.knock-on and the defenders cleared their line. Wetherall intercepted a pass, and the ball going to B Davidson, and on to Harley. the latter scored near the corner. The try was not converted. A succesnion of attack.-; by r ire Brigade saw Cargill and Herang just stopped on the City line. City returned to the attack, and Keenan. getting the ball from a scrum, dashed over and scored for City. Harley failed, to convert. Another scoro soon came to City, Wetherall snapping i up the ball and crossing behind the posts. Francis converted. Townsend scored for City immediately afterwards. Wetherall adding the goal points. A good passing bout between W. Davidson and Keenan saw tho latter score another try for City. W. Davidson failed to convert. Another try went to City soon afterwards, Wetherall making a good opening, kicking over the lino, and racing up to get first to tho ball. The same player added the goal points. During tho remaining few minutes of play, the ball being in raidfield. tho gamo concluded with the scores: Citj- ..... ■ *B Fire Brigade . .. , -. ..10 NEWTON V. DEVONPORT UNITED. A particularly close and exciting game was witnessed at North Shore between Newton and Devonport United. Tho Devonport players wero early on the attack, an opomng being made by Webb, but a faulty pass spoilt a good chance. Tho Newton fo-wards k'ept their opponents busy defending for a timo, but tho Devonport backs, headed, by Laing. broke away. Poison intercepted a Devonport pass, and sending tho ball on to Voysey, the latter scored. The shot at goal failed. The next scoro went to Devonport, Lainr forcing his way over the Newton line. Tho try was not converted, and the scores were oven. After a period .of exciting give-and-take play a fine passing bout by Dovonport resulted in Miller scoring a try, which Hand convertod. The next scoro went to Newton. Browr obtaining a try after intercepting a Devonport pass. No goal rosulted. The scoros at half-time B tood:— Devonport. 8; Newton, 6. Play was fast after the interval, and. a sweeping attack by Dovonport ended in Laing scoring a try, which Hand converted. Newton then set up a persistent attack. Brown eventually crossing the lino for bis second try. converted A fine passinn bout by tho Newton bocks immediately after the drop-out saw Sorensen score a try. lo which Poison added the goal points, and Newton led by 14 points, to \o. the position was reversed almost immediately by Hand placing a penalty, gonl for Dovonport. A try by Brockhss again placed Newton m the lead, and it .seemed as though the town players would win; Just before the whistle went to cease play, howovor. Hand kicked a goal from a ponnlty, and tho game ended 10 a draw. Newton • • • • • r - r •• ] 1 Dovonport .- •• •■ ». n RICHMOND V. MARIST OLD BOYS. The meeting between Richmond and Marist Old Boys at Richmond produced a most exciting struggle, particularly in the first Bpoll. The Richmond players opened up the game well, and throwing tho bail about in good style made the game fast and open The Marist Old Boys responded valiantly, and led by two points at .the interval. Tries were scored for Marist Old Boys by Stevens. Lawon, and Galliigher, Lawson adding the goal points to one of ihr-m. Little, for Richmond, scored thrco ■tries, the scores at half-time being :—Marist Old Boys. 11; Richmond,, e.

As the game progressed in the ?ec<.nd spell the greater weight and slightly superior combination uf tho M&riet Old Boys turned the tide of buttle in '.heir favour. Tries wero scored by Gallagher, Singe, and Cadman (2). and Stevenß landed a goal. 3ho only score bs Richmond in tho soeond spell was, a penalty goal by Butler, lho game ending with tho scores:— Marist Old Boys .. . . .25 Richmond « TAUMARUNUI COMPETITIONS. [BY XELKQEAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAUMARUNUI, Saturday. Tho League season opened hero to-day. Hauaroa defeated Taumarunui by 14 pointa to 3. Tries were scored for Hauaroa by P. Wallace. R. Lovatt, Hemopo, and R. Wallace. W. Wallace kicked a nenaltr coal. A try was .awarded against Hauaroa for obstruction. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. SENIOR COMPETITION. Club competitions under the auspices of the Auckland Football Association wero continued on Saturday afternoon. Unusually big scores were registered, in two of tho senior games, H.M.S. Philomel defeating Everton by 9 goals to 3, while North .Shore were victorious over Corinthians by 9 goals to 1. A wellcontested game between. Northcote and Brotherhood, resulted in a win for the latter team by 4 goals to 2, and Y.M.C.A. and Ponsonby drew. BROTHERHOOD V. NORTHCOTE. The Brotherhood and Northcote teams wero evenly matched, and in the opening atagoa both sets of forwards displayed clever combination- Tho Northcote forwards were a little quicker than t'coir opponents to take advantage of opportunities to scoro, and when half-time arrived were leading by 2 goals to 1. Bjarkins was responsible for both Northcote's goals, and McDonald scored for Brotherhood. On resuming Brotherhood attacked from the kick-off, and skilful work, in which all of the forwards participated, resulted in ono of tho opposing backs handling the ball, and McDonald equalising with tho penalty kick. After some exciting Blay Hall, by a perfect centre by McDonald, shot qnickly from close range, giving Crawford no chance to aavo. and putting Brotherhood in the load. Northcote presaed for a timo, but the Brotherhood forwards wero soon back in their opponents' twenfcyfivo Crawford stopped a hot shot from Farqubar, but failed to clear, and tho centreforward easily scored Brotherhoods fourth goal. Tho game ended shortly afterwards, with the score:— Brotherhood . . . < .. • 4 Northcote .3 Mi. F. M. Ritchie was referee. PONSONBY V. Y.M.C.A. The game between Ponsonby and Y.M.C.A. was a fast and clever contest. The first goal camo after 30 minutes' play. Conroy cleverly evading the opposing backs, and scoring for Porsonby. Shortly afterwards, a fine passing bout by the Y.M.C.A. forwards ended in a centre trom Williams, which enabled Paterson to equalise. In the opening stages of the second half Ponsonby had much the hotter of matters, and only excellent defence by Clanachan. Pitkin and Henderson saved goals against Y..M.CA. The Ponsonby attack appeared to lose its sting toward the close of the game, and Y.M.C.A. gamed the upper hand. Their shooting was poor, however, and the finsl whistle blew with the scores unaltered: — Tonsonby . . •i • • •* J Y.M.C.A. • 1 Mr. W. H. Gaeet was referee. H.M.S. PHILOMEL V. EVERTON. Playing two men short Everton were no match for the clever and well-trained 11 from the warship, and a one-sided game ended in victory for tho sailors by. 11 goals to 3 Goals wero scored for the winners by Hooper (8), Marsh, and Doree. while Humphreys was responsible for the whole of Everton's score. Mr. W. Ho Farlane was referee, NORTH SHORE V. CORINTHIANS. North Shore. 9 goals, beat Corinthians, 1 For North Shore the sco Tors wero C. Dacre (6), Pealing. Haycock, and Pentt. Regan scored for Corinthians. Mr. R. C. Robinson was referee. SECOND DIVISION. Devonport Presbyterian, 3 goals, beat Pon--2 Shore. 5. beat W.Y-M.I. 0. YM C A.. G. beat Technical College Old Boys 2. Goal* for tho winners were scored by Kemp (2). Millar (2), Levy (2). Brown and Millar scored for the losers, THIRD DIVISION. Metropolitan. -I goals, beat Northcote, 1. College United and North Shore drew. 1 all. FOURTH DIVISION. Y M.C.A.. 4 goals, beat Onehunga Methodists 0; North Shore, 2, beat Brotherhood, 0; Belmont, 1, bent Devonport Methodists, 0. FIFTH DIVISION. North Shore, 5 goals, beat W.Y.M.1.. 0; Metropolitan. 2, beat Devonport Methodists, 0; Belmont, 6, beat Mount Eden, 1; Northcote, 3, beat Devonport Presbyterian, 1. Y.M.C.A. BOYS' LEAGUE. Senior Grade.—Rivals, 3 goals, Swifts, 2; Spurs, 1. Celts. 0; Rangers and Rovers drew, 1 all. Junior Grade.—Celts, 3 goals, Spurs, 1; Rovers, 2, Rangers, 1; Rivals and Swifts drew, no score.