RUGBY FOOTBALL OPENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18694, 28 April 1924, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL OPENS

GAMES MARRED BY RAIN. FORWARDS DOMINATE PLAY. SENIOR COMPETITIONS. v The Auckland Rugby football season was opened on Saturday afternoon in heavy ram which commenced just before the matches started and continued, with httle intermission, throughout the afternoon. There was a fairly large number of spectators at Eden Park where thre» matches were played, but owing to tho rain the great majority had to CDiiiine their afternoon to the game on No. 1 round. This was the Grammar Old Boys-Graf ton match and provided the best exhibition of the day. A feature was the fine goal kicking by K. Ifwerson. who kicked four goals for Grammar Old Boys. The result* we-c:— Grammar Old Boys. 16. v. Grafton. 5. Marist Old Boys. 0. v. College Rifles, 3. Ponsonby, 5, v. University, 0. North Shore. 6. v. King's Old Boys. 3. Newton. 9. v. Suburbs. 9. Grammar Old Boys' Victory. Fast, open and even play characterised the early stages of the Grammar Old BoyaGrafWn match. Grafton twice narrowly missed a score, and then Grammar broke through. B. Badeley intercepting a pass and. after a nice run, sending the ball out to Gould, who scored. K. Ifwersen con. verted. In the second auarter, which was commenced in * drenching shower, there was much scrambling play, the Grammar forwards showing to advantage in fast dribbling rujihes. Tho solid defensive work of Grafton vaa ©anal to the test, however, and it was not until after half-time that any further score was registered. K. Ifwersen was then the medium, landing two fine penalty goals from long range in. quick succession. Gratton attacked in great style in tho last Quarter and after a long series of faiirues. due to lost opportunities. Menties scored. B. Keaiy converted. Just before time. Williams, profiting by a mistake by Grafton backs, snapped up the ball and raced in. under the tests. K. Ifwersen converting. . *° ng ' Ponsonby's Two Goals. Consequent upon Iho heavy state of the ground forward play took precedence over open back play in the match between Ponaonby and University at Victoria Pork. No tries were scored and tho determining factor was the advantage in weight possessed by the. Ponsonby vanguard, which was crowned by Gregory's success in kicking two penalty goals. Close scrum work was the order from the commencement, attempts by the University backs, notably McLaren and Olsen, to open out tho game proving unavailing. Gregory then landed his firs* coal, and there was little. further incident beftn*.halfrtiin&. ' University, despito the handicap of the greasy ball, made some sparkling dashes and assumed command, but only temporarily. Eeegan got University out of a tight corner by leading a dribbling rush to half-way. and later. Miller had a:a exciting "race for a try. but Lucas got there first. Ponsonby*s second •core came shortly before tune, when alter a scramble on the University line, Gregory again go*led. Last Year's Champions Win. Marist Old Boys and College Rifles had a close, hard struggle oa No. 3 ground at Eden Pi rk. Tho game was strenuous but there w '.its few spectacular features, the bulk of the play being confined to the forwards as conditions prevented .concerted back play. An infringement by College Rifles in their own territory gave Peters a good chance for a goal and he made no mistake with the kick. Forward rusnes predominated, both teams being called on for polid defensive work, but the advantage wo* with the Marist pack. Peters again kicked a goal from an infringement by College Rifles. This was M&rist's last score. Colleee E'"fles swept down the field in a. combine' rush and from ft scramble on tho line Todd forced his war aero--. The kick failed. In the concluding stages th» Marist pack used their weight io advantage, but Ike- opposing back division did eolid work in repelling attacks. A strenuous game ended without alteration to the scores. King's Old Boys Beaten.

King's Old Boys team made- its first appearance in senior football, when it met North Shore at Devonport and was defeated by a. narrow margin. The conditions, were somewhat in favour of the home team, for the Eraa'n backs could not get going and the North Shore forwards, by repeated rushes, at last broke through the defence and Waush. forcing his way over this line, scored a. try which was no* converted. Kind's, however, forced the pace in the second quarter and only desperate efforts by the home team averted a score. Over-eagerness spoiled several chances for King's early in. the second half. Their backs handled the ball in good style and only deadly tackling kept them out. After North Shore cleared, an infringement in. the visiting team's twenty-five enabled M. Reed to land a goal for North Shore. Early in *he la«t onarter 6 ,he King's forwards attacked strongly, raid at last Gribble scored in the corner after 'besting two opponents. Hoard's kick failed. Plav was fast and exciting until the game ended without farther •score.

Forward Straggle Ends in Draw. In a forward straggle with Newton on No. 2 ground at Eden Park, Suburbs displayed better combination than their heavier opponents. Newton opened the scoring. News notching an unconverted try. _ Then the combined ' play of Suburbs told its tale and Lincoln, after breaking away from mid. f.eld. scored a fine try which was not converted. A littlfl- later C. Gray placed a £.~od goal. Aftcir bait-time, Lincoln scored ..gain, in the comer, and Suburbs maintained their lead of six points until the last ten minute*. Simmons then landed a splendid goal for Newton and profiting by Suburban mistakes on their ovn line Imoey clashed through and scored, the try making the teams level. THE SEVEN-A-SIDE GAMES. The " curtain raisers " between four ■even-srside schoolboy teams at Eden Park resulted:— First Round.—Bfe»lford Street beat Onehunj;a, 19 to 6; Richmond Road beat Te Pao:ipt. 24 to 5. Final.—Beresforcl Street beat Richmond Real. 3 to 3. MATCHES AT PUKEKOHE. The- Pukekohe Rugby Union's season opened on Saturday, in cold and showery weather. The following are the w«ults:— Seniors.White Star. 3. beat Paerat*. 0: Ramblers. 12. beat City. 0. Juniors.— High School. VI. beat Paerata. 0: White Star, 6, beat Ramblers. 0; Wesley College, 6, beat City, 3.

THAMES SEASON OPENED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.} THAMES. Saturday. The Rugby footba.ll season opened to-day, the results being an follow:— Senior: College Old Boys defeated City by 11 to 9; Ramblers defeated Hovers, by 25 to 5: Pirates defeated Kopa by 40 to 0. In the second grade. Physioal Training defeated College Old Boya by 17 to 0. In the third grade, Physical Training tied with Ramblers, 3-all. In thft_ fourth grade. Physical Training defeated High School by 20 to 17; and South Public- School defeated Convent School by I A. to 0. SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS. fIJY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON. Sunday. Heavy Tain spoiled the opening of the Rugby football season yesterday. Despite th'j unfavourable conditions, however, some I promising i,lay Was shown. _ Poneke fcnd j jierhamporc drew, 3-all. Athletic defeated OH Royß by 11 to 0. but Old Boys improved toward the end. Marists beat Wellington Dy,l3 to 0: Selwyn beat University by 8 to C: and Petono defeated Hutt by 9 to' 0. - Most of the lower grade football matches were postponed owing to the rain. {St TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORHESPONDE«T.| WANGANUI, Saturday. The Rugby Union football cup contents yere commenced to-day. when Kaierau d*dKiitana bv 18 points to 10. and rentes defeated Technical Old Boys by 14 Point* to 3. 1""* TELEGRAPH.— OWN" CORRESPONDENT. ] Tl tii ST(:HUIICH. Saturday. r r ( V lho re » uUa ot to-day'b .Old B«» ii,i m l l *^-- !.3 (r L> % Abion e '.V L « WOod , (s) '• ' V "- 6/denW (3) ■ r\ ? v , M "'v»!6 (24 beat North CtttiSi,, (32) beat *"**«"-***** ASSOCIATION.] The fir round c f^" !WN - Sunday, football fisturea wag „„ »son's Rugby in wintry weather. n»S«3ffi!!!*j »*>*««»f greater part oi th«. aftern^ 8 during Uft «m« food Play InV&ttE .«™ •« ,;,,; one cr two tn a t c h e V *„Jje»ther. i« ■7 y .The loMcjmt are rh e faults 11 .* c ?? i>ss ted grade match.*: -UniWHy A $.}\?- fir »* »T Uto s»>5 »> ,u 'e.«iitjr B halt ft** 4™B«>ri ii t« 14 : Kaikorai b 3at o uth.^ Bd,lQ ** ffilf l 6 Pirates ' beat TJnicm *&*»** MJ& to &&» beat Taeri Rov erß^y to \ 0 - mwmi