RUGBY CONTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18186, 4 September 1922, Page 9

RUGBY CONTESTS.

MATCHES ON SATURDAY.

N.Z. UNIVERSITY WINS.

WELLINGTON DEFEATS AUCKLAND

HAWKE'S BAY RETAINS SHIELD.

The Rugby representative matches played by the unions in various parts of New Zealand on Saturday were specially interesting and important contests, which attracted a deal of attention from Rugby supporters in the Dominion. For tho majority of tho matches the weather was fine with large attendances, the highest being recorded at Dunedin on tho occasion of the second test match between New Zealand University and Sydney University teams. Tho gathering at this match would have been greater but for tho fact that heavy rain set in during the morning, seriously affecting tho attendance in tho afternoon. The principal attractions, so far as public interest was concerned, were centred in the Now Zea-land-Sydney test match, the Moascar Cup competition between Auckland Grammar School and \\ anganui Technical College, and tho Raufurly Shield match between Hawko s Bay and Bay of Plenty. The return match between Auckland and North Auckland at Eden Park, and the match between Auckland touring team and Wellington at Athletic Park, Wellington, also attracted considerable attention. The New Zealand University team, by superior back play, defeated Sydney University by 21 points to 11 in the second test at Dunedin. Hawke's Bay retained tho Raufurly Shield after a desperate fight with Bay of Plenty, which team they defeated by the narrow margin of one point, the final scores being Hawke's Bay 17, Bay of Plenty 16. The Auckland touring team had to submit to defeat at Wellington by 19 points to 11. Grammar School won the North Island section of the Moascar Cup, defeating Wanganui College after a fine game by 14 points to 6 at Palmerston North. Grammar School will play Southland High School for tho final at. Christchurch on Wednesday. The following were the results: —

Auckland 17 defeated N. Auckland 13 Wellington 19 „ Auckland 11 Hawke's Bay 17 ~ Bay of Plenty 16 Ot.ago 14 ~ Southland 10 Canterbury 17 „ Taranaki 13 S. Canterbury 11 „ Wan Ran ui S Wrnpanui B. 17 „ Golden Bay 0 N.Z. University '21 „ Sydney Uni. 11 Gram. School 11 ~ Wanganui Col. 6

AUCKLAND'S DEFEAT,

IFWERSON'S FINE EFFORT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Saturday.

Wellington defeated Auckland by 19 to 11. A crowd of about 8000 witnessed the game. Play did not at any time reach a high standard, and the result was a fair indication of the strength of the teams. In the first half Wellington had the advantage of a fairly strong wind and started well, although play generally had littlo excitement in it.

After about 20 minutes the Auckland fullback allowed a centre kick to bounce in front of him. The Wellington forwards were on him before he could get possession of the ball and Moffitt passed to Gair, who scored. Nicholls failed to convert. Wellington, 3; Auckland, 0. A little later, however, the same player was successful with a penalty kick. Wellington, 6; Auckland, 0. Then Auckland attacked. Wright passed to Grant, the latter kicking and following through fast and he got up in time to catch the ball himself and, after a short run, scored a Rood try. Ifwerson converted, with a brilliant kick from the touchline. Wellington, 6; Auckland, 5. Soon after, Wellington. made a passing rush which ended iti a good try, which Nicholls converted. Wellington, 11; Auckland, 5. A kick by Ifwerson found the Wellington backs out of position, but Malfroy got hack quickly enough to kick out at the* twenty-five. After tho interval Earlly broke awav in fine style for Auckland, carrying the'ball a good distance down the field. P.lay livened 'up consideraßly, exchanges b'eing bright and interesting. Wright, Grant, and Ifwerson made a passing run, Hurst finding the line. The same trio got going again, but Ifwerson knocked on. Udy dashed up the centre of tho field and from a rally round the Auckland line Calcinai picked up the ball and dashed across. Nicholls converted. Wellington, 16'; Auckland, 5. Nothing particular happened for some time, although centre field play was interesting. Eventually Wright and Hurst exchanged a couple of passes about the half-way line. McWilliaras and Helander joined in, the latter scoring a fine try, after the best movement of the match. Ifwerson missed the kick. Wellington, 16; Auckland, 8. A passing rush by Wellington backs went astray through Ifwerson intercepting. The Aucklander went the full length of the field with the ball in his possession, finally beating the Wellington fullback and scoring a try. He missed the kick. Wellington, 16; Auckland, 11. Incidents in plenty happened after this, and finally a big fight occurred on the Auckland goal line. From the ruck Calcinai entered with the ball in his possession and scored the final try of the game, which Nicholls failed to convert. Wellington, 19; Auckland, 11. After the kick-off free kicks were awarded to both teams. Then Earlly sent out a long pass to Thomas, the latter being tackled before he got into his stride. Wright, Earlly, and Muir galloped well in company, but the final bell rang with the scores: Wellington . , . . . . 19 Auckland 11 THE MOASCAR CUP.

GRAMMAR WINS AGAIN.

[BY I'Er.F.nK'.VH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

PALMEESTON NORTH, Saturday.

Excellent conditions prevailed for the final of the North Island secondary schools' competition between Auckland Grammar School and Wanganui Technical School. There was a firm dry turf, with bul; a slight breeze blowing downfiold. Grammar were conceding weight and age, but their attacking movements were vastly superior, and won by 14 points to 6. The pace was fast throughout. For the first two quarters Wanganui did most of the attacking, but the fast, open movements bv Cashmore and company left their mark on the heavy pack of Wanganui, and although they fought to the end, the final quarter saw most of the play in their territory. Wanganui endeavoured to keep the struggle a forward one, their back movement? being spasmodic and mainly individual. Their most dangerous unit was Pine at centre. The Auckland pack played a fine game, while Cashmore behind the scrum was the hero of the match. Olsen and McLaren supported the line excellently. The series has provided a high standard of Rugby, and Auckland Grammar have proved worthy representatives to meet Southland in the final game. Grammar opened the play with wind and sun at their backs, and early took the aggressive, with Cashmore opening up plav from the scrum. Wanganui entered into their opponents' half, where a fa.st follow-up caught the Auckland fullback in difficulties. Grammar carried play back, and the back line came into operation, but the attack broke down, and the boll went into touch. Pine was instrumental in reversing the attack, but Olsen broke away in a "fine run down the line, being well within the danger zono when brought low with a fine tackle. The pace was remarkable; play swung hack to the Auckland territory, where from a line-out. Gilbert worked his way through. Pino failed to add the major points. Shortly after a similar movement saw Clark put Singleton in a scoring position, of which full advantage was taken. The kick failed, and the first quarter ended ' 3 all.

From the change over Grammar temporarily attacked, but were driven back, and a long shot at goal by Pine passed under tha bar. Wanganui were maintaining the offensive, and a loose attack on the line saw Ward break through- Pino failed with tho kick.

On resuming after half-time Grammar carried the attack, but a lucky break away relieved. Stewart put in a nice run, and then Cashmore wormed through. An opportune pass allowed McLaren fb run in. Again the kick missed. Continuing tho attack, an electrical movement saw Rush worth (Grammar) score. The kick just missed. Tlie fast play began to show on the Wanganui pack, and Auckland were gradually taking command.

In the final quarter Auckland held tlie npper hand, and made the result beyond doubt, when an open forward rush and a cross-kick allowed Singleton to run in. The major points wero added. A big effort by Wanganui saw a dangerous jittack set lip, and the bell found Auckland hard pressed. The final scores were: Grammar — 14 Wanganui ... ... — n 6 " \/ CANTERBURY REVIVES. DEFEAT OF TARANAKI. [BT TEI.KGR.Arn. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday.

After a number of poor displays this season, Canterbury played up to interprovincial form to-day and scored a wellmerited win against Taranaki. The day was ideal, there being no sun or wind. Tho attendance was between 6000 and 7000. Tho spectators were treated to the best and most exciting display of Rugby seen at Lancaster Park this season. In the first spell the local team started off well, but then seemed to lose their dash, and at half-time were seven points down. In the second half they found their feet and took complete control. They never let up for a minute, and appeared to be as fresh at the finish as they were when the game commenced. Tlie forwards were always on the ball, while the work of tho backs was brainy and concerted. Canterbury put on eleven points and kept their own line intact, with the result that the final bell found them four points in tho lead, winning by 17 to 13. » Tho junior representative match resulted: Wellington, 9; Canterbury, 5.

MEETING OF STALWARTS.

OTAGO V. SOUTHLAND.

[BY TELEGRAM. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL. Saturday.

Tlie Southland and Otago Rugby representatives met here to-day, Otago winning by 14 to 10. Neither province was previously defeated, a<nd a great game was expected. Anticipations were realised. Most of the play was made by Otago, whose forwards supplied the backs with plenty of opportunities. Only toward the end of the game did Southland secure the ball from the forwards, and two scores resulted, after tlio homo side was 14 points down. The Otago forwards dominated the gamo and gave a great display, while the Otapo backs threw the ball about in a spectacular manner.

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH. HAWKE'S BAY HOLDS TROPHY. [BV TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS, Saturday. Ideal weather prevailed for the Bay of Plenty challenge match against Hawke's Bay for tho Ranfurlv Shield, which was won by Hawke's Bay by 17 to 16. A fitful wind blew across tho field. The ! visitors kicked off against the sun. Play was keen from the start, and open and very interesting throughout, the scoring proceeding almost alternately to the end, but there was nothing sensational to record. The half-time score was, Hawke's Bay 11, Bay of Plenty 10, Hawke's Bay shooting ahead just before the bell. In the second half, play was very strenuous. Hawke's Bay was "exceedingly <. lucky 'in retaining tho shield. The tackling was determined on both sides, which accounted for many brilliant passes being smothered. Tho visitors' shots at goal in the first half were good, but faulty kicking in the second spell lost them the game.

SOUTH CANTERBURY'S WIN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WANGANUI, Saturday. South Canterbury defer.ied WangaJiui by 11 points to 8.

WANGANUI B TEAM. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NELSON. Saturday. Wanganui B defeated Golden Bay and Motueka by 17 points to 0.