FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18084, 8 May 1922, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUED

PLAY IN CLUB MATCHES,

PONSONBY BEATS GRAFTON'

The club championship matches under tho auspices of the Auckland Rugby Union were continued on Saturday, the weather conditions were favourable on opening, but, tho falling of a light misty rain later, made tho ball difficult to handle. Play was not of a high standard, even when the con ditions were good, the handling and the combination being seriously at fault, and with tho greasy ball later play was frequently scrappy and rugged, relieved on occasions by clever combined footwork, when it was not blind dribbling and hard kicking.

The principal attraction at Eden Park | was the match between Ponsonby and I Grafton, the former team securing a good j win by II pointa to 3. On the run of i the play Ponsonby w;ls distinctly the better side, the handling and passing of the backs being superior to that of their opponents, while the Ponsonby forwards excelled in combined rushes and fast folI lowing up. The match between Grammar Old Boys and University produced a fast ! and exciting game, with no special brilj liancy on attack. University secured a lead until near the finish, wuen Gram- | mar in the final stages kicked a penalty goal, and won a close game by 6 piints I to 5. The match between College Rifles and NewtOn was not remarkable for a I high standard of play, but was notable I for good defensive play by Newton, who j worn only beaten at the finish by 12 points j to 9, a goal, a penalty goal and a potted j goal to three tries. The match between | Marist Brothers and North Shore on tho i home ground resulted in a win for Marists by 11 points to 0. On the run of the plav Marists were the better team, but North Shoro showed promising form, and were unfortunate in failing to score. Details, of the matches follow. PONSONBY V. GRAFTON. The match between Ponsonby and Grafton was played on No. 1 ground at Eden Park, before a large attendance of spectators, who witnessed a fast, interesting game. Ponsonby kicked off, and immediately eet up an attack in Grafton territory, where Nicholas was prominent at the head of a tush of Grafton forwards, who immediately changed the scene of action. Faulty passing by Grafton backs and a good kick by Ponsonby found the half-way flag. Opening out Ponsonby secured the ball, and J. Thomas sending on to Wade, that player dashed over and scored a try, which Gregory failed to convert. On resumption Grafton secured, but wild passing lost a chance. Another hot charge was checked by Marshall, whose kick opened up the play. Grafton came back to tho attack, and Prentice had an easy shot at goal, but failed with the kick. The forwards of both teams were battling hard, and there was little difference in tho packs in the tight play, though Ponsonby were showing good footwork in the loose. From a. scrum at midfield Buckland set the I backs in motion, but the attack broke down, and Ponsonby came away with a fine rush. McManus passing to Thomas, who transfencd to Doherty. who dashed over to score a try, which McKoy converted with a good kick. With a lead of eight points Ponsonby resumed with great dash, and drove Grafton back on defence. From the loose after tho bicak-up of a line out, Nicholas headed a rush which temporarily cleared the Grafton line, but Ponsonby came again, and another fine rush was stopped at Grafton twenty-five where play was temporarily suspended owing to an injury to Williams. A free kick by Ponsonby was well taken by Austin who raced to the centre, and with a good kick found touch. Ponsonby returned to the attack, and amid great excitement narrowly missed a score at the change-over. On resumption Grafton attacked, but the passes went straight across the field, *ud Ponsonby drove them back. A good rush by Grafton, which threatened danger, was stopped by McManus, who found touch. . Ponsonby renewed the attack, and twice in succession, were within an ace of scoring. A cross kick by Ponsonby let Grafton away, but faub.y handling spoilt the attack, and ! Ponsonby replied with a fine rush, which tested Grafton to the last line, Grafton forcing in defence. On resumption Dovovan marked, but the kick at goal failed. A light shower fell at this stage, and the ball became slippery and difficult to handle. After the drop-out Buckland, who was playing a fine game, got the ball away to the Grafton backs, but again faulty handling spoilt the chance Ranid exchanges followed, and return kicks by the rival fullbacks saw play in Grafton twenty-five. Austin cleared, but by loose dribbling Ponsonby rushed the game back to the Grafton line where they were attacking when the whistle sounded for half-time, with the scores: Ponsonby, 8; Grafton. 0. • , ~ „ . . . Opening the second sped. Grafton lost a chance of scoring from a dribbling rush by kicking too hard, and Matson was prominent in a fast follow-up after the drop out. A free kick to Ponsonby taken by Thomas opened up the game, but a tedious period of scrambling play followed. A good linekick by Grafton lot the biack and whites away, but the Ponsonby forwards bustled the opposing pack and swept to Grafton twenty-five, where McKoy failed with a free kick The ball was greasy and difficult to handle, and olay was scrappy, relieved by fast foot rushes. From a scrum at midfield Buckland again attempted to set his ba'-ks going, but faulty handling broke down the attack. Matson cleared with a good kick, and a forward rush by Grafton was staved off bv McManus fielding and kicking to centre, where Buckland secured and sent to Austin, who found touch at halfway. At the end of a scrambling quarter the teams changed over, and a rahy of exchange kicks found play at centre, where tindlay secured and found touch at .Ponsonby twenty-five From the line-out Helander broke away, and in a scramble over the line O Brien scored a try. which Findlay just failed to convert. Grafton returned to the attack in massed formation, but Ponscnbv staved it off. and in a counter-attack with a fast dribbling rush Righton scored a try. which McKoy failed to convert. On resumption. Grafton attacked. Austin making a dash for the line, but slipped into touch before crossing. Ponsonby flung back the attack, and play centred, where from a scrum Thomas set trratton on the aggressive, but Matson cleared. Grafton came again, and when the whistle, sounded for time wore attacking on the Ponsonby line, the game ending:—Ponsonby . . . . ' • • • • 11 Grafton 3 Mr. Coltman was referee. GRAMMAR V. UNIVERSITY. The match between Grammar Old Boys and University was played on No. 2 ground at Eden Park. Both teams were well represented, and a close game resulted in a win for Grammar Old Boys by C points to 5 points. There was little combination between'the team's in tho opening stages of the game, and too hard kicking and faulty handling spoilt several chances. Grammar were on the attack in the first quarter, but a passing rush by University changed the scene cf action. Bnnsden and Milliken broke away in attack on the Grammar line, which the latter crossed, scoring a try, which Brinsden converted. The Grammar backs, whose fielding had been faulty, wore subjected to a change. Peebles was shifted to five-eighths and V. Badeley played at centre. Tho change made for a marked improvement, and was almost immediately successful. I rom a scrum Wright secured and set his backs in motion, the ball travelling across to Williams on the wing, who dashed over at the corner, scoring a try, which Badeley failed to convert. No further score was added, and the first spell ended: University. 5; Grammar, 3. On tho resumption oi play, University opened up with tho back division, but Bade, ley relieved with a kick, which turned the attack. Fast play followed, the hall travelling up and down tho field at rare pace. Grammar missed several good opportunities of scoring by faulty handling. Grammar returned to tho attack with a forward rush headed by Cleal. but University cut it off. and from a scrum the ball came out to Goodwin, whose pass infield was not accepted. Grammar came again, but faulty fielding broke,down the attack, and Park, with a good run, threatened the Grammar line. University was driven back, and Grammar was looking dangerous when Hodkins saved with a good defensive kick to touch. Grammar continued to press the attack but there was a lack of finish In the movement, and chances were thrown away. Eventually, from a. scramble on tho lme', University infringed, and Badeley, from thr penalty, kicked ti goal. This put Grammar in tho lead which they maintained to tho finish, the game ending:Grammar Old Boys 6 University 5 Mr, Sutherland was referee. COLLEGE RIFLES V. NEWTON. The match between Collcgo Rifles and Newton was played on No. 5 ground at Eden Park. The turf was a trifle treacherous owing to light rain which fell during the game, and the ball was difficult to hold. Play, however, was fast and interesting, and a good game resulted. Newton attacked from the opening, and were the first to score Dixon securing tho ball in College twenty-five, and after a good run, scoring a try, which was not converted. Fast play followed, and smart passing by College backs threatened danger, but Newton's defence was sound. College Rifles came atgiin. aaid alter repeated onslaughts on tho tine,

Griorson penetrated the defence and scored a try, which Pilling converted. On resumption in light misty rain. College Rifles pressed tho attach and Pilling kicked a goal from it penalty. Although tho standard was not Inch, play continued interesting until tho end of the first spell, with tho scores:— College Rifles 8 Newton . . . . . . . . . . 3 Newton opened tho second spell with a determined attack.! which rosulted after some hot work on tho College, line, in Stubbs securing and crossing, scoring a try, which Palliday failed to convert. Newton agwin flung an attack on the College line, hut were driven off. and forced to set lip a solid defence. With play near the Newton line, Pilling received a. knock, and the game was temporarily suspended. On resumption College Rifles pressed the attack, and after Newton had forced down and play reopened Pilling cot into range and potted a goal, giving College Rifles a load of 12 points to 6. Newton had. been showing good defence, but College Rifles renewed the attack. Newton threw- it oiT. and set up an attack on , the College line, which Karl crossed and scored a. try. Much depended oh the kick at goal, but the attempt failed, hnd the game ended :— College Rifles VI Newton . . . . . . .. 9 Air. J. Hall was referee. .MARIS! BROS. V. NORTH SHORE. North Shore kicked off. and an interchange of kicks saw play in the greens' twentyfive, where a good mark by Goldwater guv© momentary advantage, and a, few minutes later a free kick to North Shore transferred play to Marists' twenty-five, Thomas finding tho lino at half-way. The visitors' vanguard were now warming up, and quickly had Shore defending, a force-down resulting. j On resumption Earlly got his backs mov- | ing, but the slippery state of tho ball mili- ; fated against accurate handling, enabling i Arkle. to gain possession and race down the : tiold before being well tackled by the fullj back. Play was quickly carried bark to the I Marists' twenty-five, where a passing movcI ment of the. Mariat backs saw Scott pushed out at the corner. The first score came afteri wards, Peters picking up in front of the North Shore goal, dashing over, and scoring a try, which he converted. In the second I quarter North Shoro quickly had Marists' defending, but a good run by Scott transferee! play to North Shore's twenty-five, where tho forwards brought relief. Tho Marist Bros., in a characteristic loose rush, headed by Culpau and T. Casey, changed the venue to tho home team's territory, where O'Connor secured and sent out to Thomas, who spoilt a good opportunity by | hanging on too long. Tho whistle sounded for half-time with Marists hot on tho attack: Marists. 5; North Shore, 0. On resumption North Shoro attacked, Arkle coming through, but O'Connor, the Marist fullback, forced in time. The North Shore forwards, headed by McGinley and Young, were making desperate efforts to score, but the sound tackling of the opposition kept them out. Another rush by North Shore carried play over the Marists' line, where O'Connor relieved by forcing. The green forwards were soon back on their opponents' line, and Martin attempted a pot at goal, the ball being returned well down the field. Shore again attacked, O'Connor forcing in time to beat Carruth for tho ball. From play in mid-field Scott secured, and raced across to pass to Lynch, who kicked, and, following up. scored a try, which Peters failed to convert. The remainder of the quarter saw the Marists on the attack. The forvards were hooking well, but the backs were not handling the slippery ball with any degree of certainty. Just on tho end of the quarter Lynch'had to leave the field owing to an injury to his back. Marists continued' the attack on the change-over, and play settled for a time in North Shoro territory, where Earlly, securing from a scrum, passed out to Scott, who returned a forward pass. Shortly afterwards Earlly again secured and passed to Anderson, who dashed over at the corner, scoring a try, which was not converted, and the game ended: Marist Bros. . . . . . . - . 11 North Shoro . • • . • . .0 Mr. F. Paull was referee. SECOND GRADE. Grafton 33 points, defeated University. 0; Suburbs, 3 points, beat King's Old Boys, 0; Ellerslic, 8 points, beat University A, 3; Post and Telegraph. 18 points, beat Suburbs. 3: Grammar Old Boys. 34 points, defeated | Thames Old Boys. 0. For tho winners i points were scored by Freeman (3), H. Har risen, S. Harrison, Potter, Goodness, and | La Roche. Partridge converted five tries. Ellerslie defeated University A by 8 points to 3. For Ellerslie B. Foss obtained two | tries, and Robertson converted.ono; Sinclair scored University's tluee points: a very close and even game. Marist Brothers, 14 | points, defeated Parncll, 9. The rcfereo re- j ported that the gamo was rough. Several players were cautioned, and two were put off the field. THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby. 17 points, defeated St. John's. 0: Post and Telegraph, G points, drew with College Rifles, 6; Ponsonby. 11 points, beat Grammar Old Boys B, 8; Ellerslie. 24 points, beat Y.M.C.A, B. 0; St. David's. 13 pointß. beat Technical College Old Boys A. 3; Marists, 14 points, boat North Shore. 3. FOURTH GRADE. North Shore. 8 points, _ beat Marist Brothers, 5: Ponsonby, 38 points, beat Tech- I nical Old Boys, 0; Grammar Old Boys. 21 ! poiats. beat Technical, 0: Newton, 16 points, beat Grey Lynn. 3: Grafton. 37 points, beat University. 3; Mount Albert. 9 points, beat Suburbs, 5; Telegraph, 12 points (Menzies goal. Median two tries, Somers one try), beat GTammar Old . Boys. 3; Post and Telegraph, 9 points.' beat Grammar Old Boys, 3. FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby, 10 points, beat Eden. 0; Grafton, 3 points, drew with Suburbs. 3: St. David's, 13 points, beat Technical, 3; Telegraph, 18 points, beat Suburbs, 3. SIXTH GRADE. Post and Telegraph, 18 points, beat Suburbs, 3. SENIOR CADETS. 24th Company. 19 poiuts, beat 25th Company, 0; 23rd Company, 8 points, heat 37th Company, 0; 24th Company. 19 points, beat 25th Company. 0. For the winners Cordes scored five tries. Cordon and New converted one each. CHURCHES' UNION. St. James', fi points, beat Gordon, 3: St. David's. 22 points, beat Ponsonby Church of Christ. 3: Kingsland. 13 points, beat Dominion Road. 3, PRIMARY SCHOOLS. A Grade: Richmond Road, 13 points, beat Mount Eden, 3 points; Maungawhau. 9 points, beat Newton East, 7 points; Remuera, 52 points, beat Cornwall Park, 0. 0 Grado: Parnoll. 12 points, beat Grey Lynn, 5 points; Te Papapa, 20 points, beat Meadowbank, 0; Newton West, 4 point?,- beat Mount Roskill, 0. D Grade: Newmarket, 11 points, beat . Beresford Street, 3 points. Junior Grade: Ellerslie, 15 points, beat Grey Lynn, 3 points; Maungawhau, 15 points, beat Meadowbank. 0- Mount Eden, 6 points, beat Newton West, 0; Ponsonby, 6 points, boat Beresford Street. 3 points; Romuera, 9 points, beat Newton East, 0. OUTSIDE MATCH. St, Heliers defeated Orakci by 38 points to 8 points MANUKAU RUGBY UNION. The following are the results of matches played under the auspices of the Manukau Rugby Union on Saturday:— Seniors.—Papakura. 8 points, beat Manurewa. 5; Hunua, (1 points, beat Drury. 0. Juniors. —Papakura, 12 points, beat ManuI rewa, 9; Hunua, (j points, beat Drury, 5; Clovedon. 9 points, beat Takanini. 0. THAMES UNION MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH. — OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Saturday. The season's club Rugby matches wero continued to-day in favourable weather with tho following results: — Senior Grade: Pirates defeated Returned Soldiers by 12 points to 9. Tho veteran player. " Circus" Hay ward, donned tho jersey again for Soldiers, and scored for them. First juniors: Matar:ri defeated Physical Training, by 3 to 0: College Old Boys defeated Pirates by 28 to 3. Second juniors: High School defeated Physical Training by It to 18. This wa.i a well-contested game. Public School South defeated Central by 18 to 6. CAMBRIDGE MATCHES. [BT TELEGRAPH. -OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. Tho Rugby football season opened this afternoon, when two senior championship matches were played. Unfortunately rain fell about an hour during the afternoon, making the ball greasy. Leamington defeated Roto-o-rangi by 15 to 3, and Hautapu beat City by 20 to 0. Tho play wm of a. high standard for the commencement of tho eca- . son. TE PUKE UNION. [BY TELEGKAPH. — OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE PUKE, Saturday. Football has again commenced for tho season. To day United beat Rangiuru by 8 pointa to 0. 'Rovers defeated Railway by 18 to 8. TAUMARUNUI COMPETITIONS. I [BX TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAUMARUNUI. Saturday. The Rugby season opened here to-day in I wet weather. In the senior competition I'auI marunui 27, lioat Manunui 0. Tries were p scored by Freeman, Coupcr, Hieso, Campbell. i anl McDonald, and two goals woro kicked by i Ingram. Wyatt potted a goal. In the juniors Athletic 3, drew with i Aringamotu 3; Owhango 8, beat Manunui • 0; Taurnarpjiui 25. beat Raurlmu 0. In tho third grade Manunui 14, beat Tau- , marunui 0.