RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18742, 23 June 1924, Page 4

RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. SET-BACK TO PONSONBY. GRAMMAR AGAIN BEATEN. ' -;j The first ; round ■■■. of the '."■'. senior;' t Rugby . championship competition was completed on Saturday, sad the results of the matches ensure keen contests' in : the second round. University, defeated Grammar Old Boys by a- narrow . margin in an' interesting game. College Rifles drew with the leading team. Ponsonby, after •'-... a : strenuous struggle in the mud. ■' Ponsonby are now only , one point - ahead of ! University, with Grammar ;, Old . Boys . two P points t behind : the latter team, .eo the issue is '" very open. Conditions ; were ■ against bright, spectacular football, for. the grounds. generally were soft and heavy and the ball greasy. There •■•, was a large attendance at Eden Park, where, the principal matches '•, were played. The results of the senior games are:—. v ' '":-..■■■.::'■ ,:■"■• \ '■'.■■■-:■"::■■■ :■■;■; ■ :■-

University 8 beat Grammar Old Boy? 6. Ponsonby 0 drew with College Rifles O. Marist Old Boys 17 beat Grafton 11. King's Old Boya 14 beat Newton 0. North. Shore 20 beat Suburbs-3. . POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. This positions rof the teams in the first division of the senior ■ grade at the- end of the first round are as follow:—> \. : : ' Matches '- Chmp. . played. W. L. D. pts. Ponsonby ...5 ,4,, 1 9 University ' : ..'5 4 1 0 8 Grammar 0.8. . 5 3 -2 0 ' -6Marist 0.8. . ".' 5 2 3 0 4 College Rifles .5 13 1 3 Grafton ..5060 .;, 0 "■:•- UNIVERSITY WIN AGAIN. University's victory over Grammar Old Boys, on No. 1 ground at Eden Park, was due chiefly.to the fine work of their forwards on attack in the second spell and the fast, sure tackling of their backs all through. The ground was heavy generally, with wet. muddy patches. Grammar, as usual, opened up play to their backs from the onset, and, despite the adverse . conditions which militated .greatly against accurate work, brought off many' bright handling bouts. . Solid tackling and the heavy going . broke down the movements before they reached their objective.. The Grammar forwards held . their own m the first half, but in tho second the' University pack, playing with mors dash, dominated play, their hard dribbling rushes repeatedly having Grammar in difficulties. University kept play principally among the forwards. Their backs were weak on attack, .frequently nullifying the -advantages gained by their forwards. Their handling generally was- below that of their ' opponents. The Grammar backs were weaker' on defence only strenuous efforts by the forwards saVing the eituatfon >on several occasions. . , '

A few minutes after play commenced the University forwards turned defence into attack and took play to Grammar's twenty-five, where , McCullough kicked a, good penalty goal. Despite the adverseconditions the Grammar backs handled the ball in good style, and, ably assisted by their forwards, kept University on the defensive for most \oi the first quarter. On changing round, a loose forward rush by Grammar had University defending. A clearing kick was fielded by B. Badeley, who transferred to R. Ifwersen on the wing, and the latter scored an unconverted try in the corner. The University . forwards worked play -to Grammar's territory, but . their backs could not carry on. The ensuing play was marked by good dashes by plavers on : both sides, but half-time came without further score. University attacked on resumption, but tho Grammar backs got goiiv; and turned the tables. K. Ifwersen took a mark just inside University's ; twenty-five, and placed a goal. ■ ■■:■-.[• ;.. ; In the ! last quarter the University, forwards went almost to Grammar's line in a series of fine dribbling rushes. First Llll- - saved, and then Goodacre cleared with a great kick, but University came through again. Their backs took up the attack, and good work resulted in Park scoring, for Miller to convert. Grammar succeeded ,m stemming further : hot attacks and then severely tested University's ■ defence, but they could not get over, and the game ended without further , score. PONSONBY'S CLOSE CALL. ; .Ponsonby and College Rifles had a ¥ hard struggle on No. 3 ground, the condition of which, was such that high-class • football was out of the question, mud and water making the ball practically unmanageable, and - rendering anything - approaching open concerted play impossible. Hard forward work was naturally the general order, and though both sides made attempts to open up play, their- efforts met with little success. The Ponsonby backs brought off several creditable handling bouts, but, as, in '.* the case of similar tactics by ' the opposing Tearguard, the .movements invariably broke. down. Ponsonby were without the services of both- Lucas and Matson. .',- '•-.' College Rifles ' forwards, led by McLean nnd Fogarty, held their own against the Ponsonby pack, and on many occasions only strenuous efforts by the Ponsonby backs averted a score. But Ponsonby were also ■ several times on the verge of opening their scoring account, : and their backs generally showed' to more 'advantage than their opponents. 1 The result was a fair indication of the merits of the teams on tho day. ;; A WIN FOR MARISTS. .

Marist Old- Boys were 'hard <pressed- to defeat Grafton at Victoria Park. Considering the weather conditions, the ground -was in good order. • Grafton -were again handicapped by the. absence of A. E. Cooke. The opening play I was., uneventful, the handling of both sides being weak,- but in the second spell play improved considerably, . and.-. was productive of some good forward-work. Toward the end. of the first : Quarter Earlly ■ got possession at half-way, and after a good" run; passed' to Pine, who out in and scored between the posts for Peters to convert. On the change round Marists- werestill superior -in all ■ department*, and fine dribbling rushes by their forwards kept : Grafton continually on the defensive. Earliy was playing a splendid game, and as the result ■- of fast- following up he scored Marists' second try. The kick failed.:■' Immediately afterwards' P.' Johnson .' broke away and a- score for Grafton seemed imminent, but he spoiled . the effort by a poor pass. ■':.,;/ J Soon after ■ the A commencement of the second half Kirwan scored an, unconverted try.. Grafton's vanguard then rallied, and a mistake by Matthews gave Helander a chance, and - the latter opened Grafton's ; account. Lamb converted. The next score came when Lynch struggled over to 'increase Grafton's tally by an unconverted try. The best passing bout of the game, between Kirwan, Earlly and Peters, ; saw the latter touch down. Grafton was awarded a free-kick, and Hunter kicked a*-goal. Just before' time Kirwan, who was always prominent, scored his second try,' which was unconverted. The game ended . with Grafton attacking. . •:> ■;'yj-.; ' ' KING'S OLD BOYS v.- NEWTON. King's Old Boys and Newton; had a strenuous contest on No. 2 ground at Eden Park, and though conditions were not in favour of -the King's Old Boys backii, who have previously . given bright displays, ' the team proved too strong for Newton. The field was very heavy, and there was much scrambling play, owing to the ■ patches of mud. ■

.The .first half of the game was 1 evenly contested, ■ and though King'* Old «Boys handled the ball' better than Newton, the usual combination of their - back division was lacking." The Newton forwards showed to advantage. • The only score in the first half was the result of a smart passing bout by the King's Old Boys, when Swanson scored an unconverted try. -,' ■ \ ':'. - ' :-: The second, spell was marred by an unfortunate accident to Gribble, one of thft King's Old Boys team. He sustained a double fracture of the leg through colliding with another player: in a . dribbling bout. Play in the eecond half was confined generally to the forwards. King's-Old Boys attacked, and from an infringement Heard' landed a penalty goal. Newton were kept busily defending, . and though chair forwards made strenuous efforts .to-< turn tho tide in their favour, King's Old Boys broke through the i".'defence*. Heard. <go% over the line to score an . unconverted 'try. The final score came, from a good pa suing bout, which :Swanson cooped by toucliing down. y,-i Adams converted. t •

' , SUBURBS.. OVERWHELMED. : V North Shore overwhelmed Suburbs a*, the North Shore -ground. The visiting; team was not at full strength, and / the ;:j winners had the advantage from the early stages. m . . " North Shore scored twice, early. in the game. : A dribbling rush put -them in _a good position, and .a smart dash by. D. Reid and Miller ended in the latter scoring an unconverted :try.' . Jaggs, repeated the performance a few minutes later, following a combined rush. * Suburbs then took a hand in attack, , both ,oaolC3. and forwards working hard, but- the defence withstood the pressure. Vallance ,; and• Lin-, coln were- prominent, but the, work of the Suburbs rearguard lacked the ...necessary finish Before half-time Waugh added another' try for North Shore.- : . _ ;..-r, : In the second half Suburbs' efforts were rewarded by Vallance .scoring an- unconverted try after a Piistmned attack. Waugh then increased North Shore s lead by scoring after a . great run. . McDonald, -a S.uburbs player, was injured .and had to be carried off the field. Play was strenuous in the concluding-stages, during which North Shore dominated ; the game.- . M. Bpid kicked a goal from a mark, and just before the game ended Linton ; touched down, for Boswell to convert. _ ; . JUNIOR MATCHES.. * Junior Rugby; matches played on Saturday resulted '_li__'-.. SECOND GRADE. " Grafton, '11; beat'• College Rifles, 8.- -'•„..' ' Marist Brothers Old Boys, 18, beat College ?&Vold Boys, li, beat Swinson, n 3. '■ ' PonßonbV A,17? beat City Council,,o. r; ,,.

THIRD OPEN GRADE. ■' North Shore, 27, beat Grammar Old Boyß B. 0. United, : 20, beat Hobsonville, 0. Marathon A, 8, beat Howick., 0. . / Eden, 17, beat St. John's, 0. • \ Grammar A, 8, beat Gordon, 0. St. David's. 3, beat Marathon, B, 0. D.R.Y.M.1., 3, beat Henderson, 0. ~.■ College: Rifles, 11, beat Railways, 0. Grammar, 6, beat Kin island, 3. •University, 11, beat , Suburbs, 0.. --.-; North Shore, 27, beat Grammar B, 0. ; : THIRD r INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Suburbs, 23, beat Marathon, 0. ; FOURTH GRADE. Grafton. G, beat Grey Lynn,- 3. . ■ North Shore. 27, beat Newton B, 0.;,- ■ ..;.;.. Marist Brothers, 3, beat Newton . A, 0. Parnell, 11, beat P. and T., 0. . FIFTH GRADE. ' • Ponsonby beat Suburbs by default. • WIN FOR MANAWATU. , HOROWHENUA DEFEATED. fBY. TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] ■?r<: PALMERSTON NORTH. Sunday. : Manawatu defeated Horowhenua yesterday in the first representative match played at Foxton, by 19 points to 11' The visitors bad the better of the first spell, and scored a couple of tries, which were not converted. After the interval both sides made the pace very fast, and 24 points were added. Horowheiiua would have wound up the second spell with a point lead had Akuira not got the. verdict for a doubtful penalty kick. The respective- fullbacks, Cowie (Manawatu), and Meta Johnstone (Horowhenua), were the " star " backs of each division. Mullins, Earle and Seeker .'(Manawatu), PabMvi and Dath (Horowhenua), were also, .outstanding players. In the forwards, Leeder, Carroll and Gothard .(Manawatu), and Jacobs, McHerron and R. Broughton (Horowhenua), were conspicuous for •'! consistent work. ■'■ ; --..:.-. ! -'. -'.-'•',. -; The scorers were:—Manawatu: Carroll (2), Bailey, ,and Leader (tries), Akuira a penalty goal, Mnllins and Leeder goals from tries. Horowhenua: R. Broughton, McHerron and Moynihan (tries), Jacob a goal.

; THE BIRCH CUP. '■; RETAINED BY THAMES. , [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN- CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Sunday. The challenge match" for the Birch Cup was played on Saturday, in the High School grounds, between Piako (challengers) and Thames (holders), It resulted in a win for Thames after an even game, by 14 points to 6. For Thames, Isaacs, Elisor and Cosgrove scored, Cosgrove converting his try. _ P. McLaren and J. Benjamin scored for Piako. TAURANGA v. rangitaikl WIN FOR THE FORMER, iBV TKLIGBAPK.—OWN CORRESPONDENT-] TAURANGA, Sunday. An inter-union Rugby match wa3 played here this afternoon, between the representatives of Tauranga and Rangitaiki. The game was fast, but was mainly confined to the forwards, with occasional brilliant work by the backs. I. Tangitu opened the scoring in the first ; quarter, securing a try as the result of a smart piece of play. D. Boroll converted. Shortly before half-time O'Hagen crossed over and scored for Rangitaiki. The kick failed. Well through the third quarter Robertson scored a try for Rangitaiki. It was not converted. In the final quarter D. Borell marked and landed a fine goal from halfway, making tho scores: Tauranga, 8: Rangitaiki, G. ; Then Houahar.i raced over and scored, putting'Rangitaiki in the lead. A smart handling movement by several of the Tauranga. backs culminated in Haua scoring, and D. Borell added the additional points, the game/ending: Tauranga, 13 points; Rangitaiki, 9. Mr. Pies was referee. A curtain-raiser between tho Tauranga and Te Puke High Schools was won by To Puke by 8 points to (>. . .■■.,<%-''"'. .-'.'■: :■■?•

THE PEACE CUP. v CHALLENGE BY THAMES. [B7 TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDED I. J THAMES, Sunday. , The following is the team selected to play for Thames against Hamilton, at Hamilton, on Saturday; for the Peace Cup, Thames being tho challengers:— B. Harrison; threeouarters, A. Morrissey, G. Cosgrove, H. Bax; five-eighths, G. ■ Crawford, L. Hook; half, A. Isaacs; rover, . E. Kelly; forwards, W. Pollock, H. Ensor. M. Hayward (captain), M. Hogan, C. Barker, A. Lomas, and R. Smith. Emergencies: K. Lockett, A. Winder, J. Pratt, B. Buckhardt, G. Pollock and E. Clark. " ANGAREI COMPETITIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. — CORRESFONDEVf j

WHANGAREI, Sunday. Although Kamo had previously gained an unassailable premier position in the Whangarei Rr-gby Union's competitions, the team had a great struggle with Old Boys at Kensington Park in the •: showery weather on Saturday afternoon, and did not secure a lead in points until the last few minutes. •In the first spell Sowraan scored. The try was not converted, and Hardio evened the score later in the, game. .In the late stages Old Boys gained a ; lead of four points from a potted goal by ' Mackay. McLeod then gained a fine try for Kamo, and it was not until within 10 minutes of the end that D. M. McLeod scored in the corner after a fine effort, and himself converted with a splendid kick. Kamo'won by 11 points to 7. Mr. A. Cbissell was referee. ':j ! , Hikurangi conceded a win by default to Maungakaramea. • MATCHES AT CAMBRIDGE. ; fBT TELEGRAPH.—OWN . CORRESPONDENT.] CAMBRIDGE. Sunday. The Rugby football competitions at Cam-, bridge were continued on Saturday in showery weather. Playing at "Victoria Sauare, Leamington (3 tries), defeated City (0), after a straggling game. < The senior match between Hautapu and Horahora on the same ground ;. proved a sterling game, both' teams being very evenly matched. Horahora had the advantage in the first spell, but the final result - was in favour of Hautapu, who won by 6 points, to ■'. 3. Tries were obtained for ,tho winners by W. Bourke and J. Butler. jessop kicked a. penalty goal for Horahora. The standard of football has been-seriously handicapped- by the- fact that- only one fine Saturday -has, been experienced during the past 10 weeks. ;

AWAMUTU RESULTS. :•■ [BY telegraph.—own" CORRESPONDENT] : 'TE AWAMUTU.: Sunday. " . In, the senior grade football played at Te Awamutu on Saturday, Pirongia beat Ngahape by 9 points to 0, and Puahue beat Te Awamutu by 3 points to 0. At Puahue in the junior grade fixtures Methodist, drew with Ohaupo. both sides securing 3 points. Pokuru defeated Te Awamutu by 6 points to 0 at Pokuru. v MATCHES AT TE AROHA. : [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN . CORRESPONDENT.] TE AROHA. Sunday. At Te Aroha on Saturday afternoon in the second round of the Piako Rugby Union's cup fixtures, Te Aroha Terrier third grade defeated St. Mark's) by 5 points! to 0. - For the winners H. Holmes scored and R. Whitton converted, whilo T. Pilkington kicked-a penalty goal. Mr. T. Turner was referee. Terrier Juniors beat Waihou Juniors by 6 points to 0. J. Towers scored and E. Iremain kicked a penalty goal. Mr.- A. Whatford was referee. .

RESULTS AT WANGANUI. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN • CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANUI. Sunday. '..- High-grade Rugby was displayed on Saturday in the contest botween Itatana and Pirates,, the match being the best witnessed here this season. Ratana won by 13 points to 9. Kaierau had an easy win over Old Boys, and Waverley had no trouble in defeating Technical School Old Boys. IN OTHER CENTRES. I'B* TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] ,v ; WELLINGTON, Sunday. The following are the results of the Rugby football matches on Saturday: Pet one 11 Athletic, 6; Hutt, 13, Marist, 3:'' Varsity, 6, Oriental. 3: Poneke, 20, Selwyn, 3; Berhnmpore, 5, Old Boys. 3. : . CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. ' The following are the results of the matches on Saturday:—Old Boys 16, Merivale 0; Christchurch 26, Albion 3; Linwood 8. University 0. By their . victory over Merivale Old Boys are now leading in the competition with seven points, Christchurch and Merivale being equal for second place with six poiats. Lip wood is fourth with five points and University. fifth with four -points. ;-'.., -:.■':",:-. .-.-:/.:■,: -w ■■■~ ■•■■'-'■„.- -:.. .-'.-.;. .-„- j • . DUNEDIN, Sunday. The; following" are' the results of the;! \ Rugby; foottfa.ll ' matches : on v Saturdayi University B. 11, Pirates 9; University A. 18, Dunedin 11;. Zingari 6 ' Alhainbra 0; Kaikorai 61, Union 0; Southern • 14, Taieri 0. - . hi."- .;. ' ,-i,