RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18760, 14 July 1924, Page 10

RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

THE SENIOR OHAMPIONSHIP. • PONSONBY' ALMOST:;SAFE. FOUR' CLOSE CONTESTS* senior Rugby championship waspracmatches to be plfty<.a. Gramcreated some surprise by defeatag G u mar Old Boys in the principal attrairtion at Eden Park, thna avenging their-defo ir. the first'round. University, who were •level with Grammar in second suffered defeat, being beaten Rifiw. Ponsonby proved too atrong . Grafton. Kone of tho teams in the first division can now overtake Ponsonby, and tooush it i. PO«ibl» J r'SJ the second division gjggj' who are at tho bottom of the first division, -it is most improbable they will he a match for Ponsonby. There was a large attendance at Eden Park. Conditions were in favour of fast, open _ play, and interesting games wero witnessed. . Tho results of the senior matches, all of which were closely contested, were.— Marist Old Boys, 10, beat Grammar Old Boys, 6. _ ~ c Ponsonby, 14. bsat Grafton. 5. College Rifles, 8, beat University. 3. North Shore, 6. beat Suburbs. 3. Position of tho Teams.

The ppsitions of the senior teams in the first division are:— P. Wn. Lost. Dn. Pts. Ponsonby • • 3 I 2 i 10 University .. | \ \ g 10 Grammar 0.8, 5 ? i n 8 Marist 0.8. . . 3 4 4 0 g Collage Rifiea . 8 2 g Q 0 Grafton * • Grammar Old Boys Fail. The defeat of Grammar by Marists must been a great disappointment to the when the game commenced were very bngh , particularly as Marists were without the S OC9 t|e adv*nd B »T4 »Sy u g£ half. Marists were. beaten for the ■Kail in the majority of scrums, duii of! Grammar s .repeated attacKQ ana xesoonsible for - many spirited , h szt& wp eaS ferispness and finish. . , tk • for . Grammar opened, attractively, tneir ior wards being: superior to the Marist papK, And they were continually on the offenjgrt in the first quarter. However, the taexang was sound and Marists' O'Brien doing fino work. quarter there were many fpoc ; acular mci j pT1 <-u or r,Ky travelled backwards ana tor wards at ® /reat rate. Pollowlnz a bright attack by Grammar K. If 7 era t? iscore with a penalty goal. Mariats attach ed vigorously and a great; bout, i which five or six players handled tne Dan, resulted in Peters scoring behind the poSvS * o When Tl play 'after 'half-time the Grammar backs started a passing rush which was stopped, only in the corne r N fMcLean, Grammar's rover, snjured his ■feTt(.fl and had to ba carried off. Stewart came on as centre Marists second try came from an mterception by Xoft, who Bent the ball on for Anderaon to soor«. Peters converted. made great efforts and in fast backs and forwards kept .Mansts busily de 6 Another succession of attacks by-the in the last quarter proved fruitless. Then a hard dribbling rush by , G . ram^ a p.°i" ■wards, headed by Batty, ended in B. acre scoring. "K Ifwersens shot at goal Btiuoi tb© post and bounced back, mere "was no further score. v ; ;

College Rifies' Second Win. College Rifles gave a good display against University at "Vicronft Park, and, chiefly owing to the dash of their forwards, had a- decided advantage practically throughout the first half. In the later stages University showed to more advantage, their forwards holding their own. and the hacks showing improved combination. -ibeir (handling, however, was weak at times. ariay was fast and strenuous., with many spectacular incidents and bright passing boats. College Bifles made several ■dangerous onslaughts in the first Quarter and eventually Souter- scored for Muir v to convert. College Rifles- continued to be aggressive and at times were nearly over,- University rallied in tae second quarter and some fine passing was' witnessed. College Rifles •wore responsible • for a n ember of # brilliant rushes, and Fogarty registered their second tr *Early in the second half Hamilton kicked a fine goal for University -from <* ma,rls, Several fin® rushes place. l rerßitr nbowing mticb. better forcjj, vn&B 111 &e early part of the game. . There was no further score, thouch University had the better of the concluding stages and once or twice were unlucky in not adding to their total.' ...- Ponsonby's Superior Backs.

A good display of forward, play was provided by the Ponaonby-Graftoir contest at Eden Park. Both teams had fine packs ar.d they wer«i fairly evenly matchad. Tae game was fast and keenly contested throughout, .but the superiority. of Ponsonby's backs enabled them to wm by a comfortable margin, despite the fact that the spoiling tiictica of the Grafton forwards were often successful in smothering movements by the opposing backs, .Both seta of forwards were good in'the tight, work, but Ponsonby had tho advantage in tne ecrums. Thsir backs were too ctever for the opposing rearguard on attack and were very sound on defence. Ponsonby scored sarly in the game And held the lead throughout. though the margin was very small until toward tha end of the match. Shortly after play commenced the Ponionbv forwards rushed play to Grafton s twenty-five where a hard /tussle ensued. Tonkin secured the ball and transferred to Matcon. who sent it on for Pelham to score an unconverted try. Grafton severely tested Ponsohby's defence for a period, but Chen the Ponsonby forwards cleared and from a scrum Watson cleverly boat the opposition and Bcored .another unconverted try. Play was fast and even until halftime, though Ponsonby were nearly through on one or two occasions. . Grafton forwards asserted themselves on presuming and swept to attack. Aclander efieured and after he had made a fine dash the ball went out to B. Keary and then to Lynch. The latter got brer and B. Keary converted. Grafton held Ponsonby off until the last quarter. Then Tonkin. Righton and McManus were associated in & smart movement that ended in the latter scoring. The kick was successful. Another fine movement by the forwards brought Ponsonby'a final, try, McManus touching down. • The kick failed. North Shaw Win Again.

North Shore and Suburbs had a close, rtrenuous came and though- North Shore had the advantage in the early Biases the issue was in doubt right to the last. The ■winners dominated the first Quarter, keeping Suburbs continually on the defence. Alter a series of efforts had failed M. Reid opened North Shore's account with an unconverted try. North Shore backs threw the ball about well in the second quarter and a good movement resulted in Millar scoring. The kick failed. Suburbs became negressivts and had the upper tand until half-time, brisk 'handling bouts y the backs and hard work by the forwards freauenilv having North Shore in difficulties. In the second half North Shore pressed, but Suburbs kept their line intact. Just before t)ho quarter ended Suburbs' efforts were rewarded, Vallance fretting over the line to score an unconverted try. The last quarter was very eveTj. both sides making great efforts to improve their position, but the game ended with th« scores unchanged. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. Junior Rugby matches resulted:— SECOND GRADE. King's Old Boys. 10, beat Ponsonby, 6. University B, 8, beat Ponsonby B, 0. Maiist Brothers, 5, beat Training College, 3. Grafton, 14, best Suburbs. 3. University A, 17., beat City Council, 3. THIRD OPEN GRADE. Grammar A, 6, drew with Papatoetoe, 6 St. David's, 18, beat Hdnderaon, 14. Suburbs, 19, beat St. Jaihen.' O. Kohimarama, 16,, beat (xoracm, 5. North Shore, 25, beat (jioiloge Rifles, 3. •Marathon A, 26. beat Ponsonby,. 4. Onehunga, 24, beat Gordon, 6. Marathon won from Mount Albert by default. Ellerslie. 18, beat St. John s, 3. St. Stephen's, 14, beat Railway, 6. THIRD INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Suburbs, 19, beat St. James, 0, , United, 16, beat P&patoetoe, 3. • ,r

FOURTH GRADE, Newiois- 6, beat North Shore, 3. Ponsonby, 28, beat Telegraph, 8, - Pttrnell, 16, beat Marathon. 0. Grey Lynn, 8, beat Marists, 0, FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby, 11, beat Grafton, 8. _ Grey Lynn, 13, beat Kobimarama, 6. SECONDARY SCHOOLS' MATCHES. Second Grade.—Technical College, 15, beat Auckland Grammar B, 6. Third, Grade.—Auokland Grammar B, o, drew wit'h Technical College, S. HOUSE MATCH. Turnbull and Jones defeated Trevithicks by 23 points to 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS MATCHES. Following are the results of last week's matches in the primary school Rugby competition :— A Grade.—Beresford Street, 18, defeated Richmond Road, Oj £owhai A, C, defeated Newton East, 8; Kowhai B, 6, defeated Vcrmoat A, 0, B Grade.—Cornwall Park, 6, defeated Meadowbank, 0: Te Papapa, 6, defeated Newmarket. 0; Otahuhu, 8, defeated Elleralie, 8: Onehunga, 8, defeated Ep3om,. 0. C Grade.—Remuera, 19, defeated Newton West, 0: Newton Central, 6, defeated Normal, 0; Parnell, 6, defeated Ponsonby, 3; Grey Lynn, 5, defeated Point Chevalier, 0. D Grade.—Curran Street* 12, defeated Bayfield, 3. JUNIORS. . A Bection.~-Gr©y Lynn defoated Newton Central. B Section.—Kowhai, 5, defeated Edendale, 0. C Section.—Vermont A, defeated Ponsonby; Vermont B defeated Nelson Street. D Section. —Curran Street, 18, defeated Beresford Street, 0. E Section.—Meadowbank, 12, defeated Cornwall Park, 0; Ellerelio, 6, defeated Onehunga, 0. THAMES VALLEY UNION. fBY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AROHA, Saturday. The Thames Valley Rugby Union met at Paeroa this week, the president, Dr. W. R. Lawrence,, occupying the chair. _ The proposal of tho Waikato Union to play the match against the Valley on July 19 was agreed to, and it was decided that it be played at Waihi. Messrs. Wilkinson (Paeroa)» Berryman (Waihi), and Allen (Piako) will select the Thames VaAley team. A ietter from the North Auckland Union asking what guarantee Thames Valley would give for a game at some centre in the valley during this season's tour of the team was discussed, and the committee's offer of £15 for a Saturday match and £10 for a mid-week game (both- plus local expenses, was approved. It Was resolved to write to the Auckland Union inviting its representatives to play i game in the valley this season. The New Zealand Union forwarded a cheque for £15, to be used in the encouragement of school Rugby. , It was mentioned that the first round for the Prank Poland Memorial Cup had been completed, and the position or tho__ teams was aa follows: —Wauii, 4 points; Hauraki Plains, 4; Piako, 3; and Paeroa, 1. For tho Sharebrokers Cup, now held by Piako juniors, it was arranged to play a knock-out round this season. CAMBRIDGE Y. PUTARURU. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] " PUTARURU, Saturday. The Cambridge and ,Putaruru tive teams met here to-day. A fast scoring same resulted, finishing with the register at Cambridge, 88; Putaruru, .20 Cambridge had the advantage in weight, and also showed slightly more finish m combination than Putaruru, whose tackling was also weak in the first half, but. .improved in the second.

GAMES AT PIAKO. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] TE AROHA, Saturday. At- Tfl Aroha this aftesnoon Terriers third grade defeated St. Mark's by 6 to 0, R. Whitten kicking a penalty, goal and &. Munro scoring a try. Mr. T. Turner was referee. This game markß Terriers as the winners of. the Radd Cup. • . In the • junior: competition for the witk and Cheeseman Cup. Manawaru defeated Terriers by 11 points to 6. For the winners B Tretheway kitked a penalty goal and converted a try, while T. Tretheway scored, and ibey were awarded another try ioroDatruction on the part of Terriers- A- Watson scored for Terriers and K. Frater con verted. Mr. 0. Barker was referee. At Waihou, To Aroha. and Waihou Schools played a draw, which gives Waihou the lead for the Piako Rugby Union's school banner, last season held by Te Aroha, Messrs. F. W. Walters and A. Johnaon are donating a cup for competition among district schools which are not in the radius governed by the Piako Rugby Union. THAMES RESULTS. ["BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Saturday. The Rugby matches resulted as follows:~ Senior grade; City, 5, beat Ramblers. 3; College Old Boys won .by default from Kopu. Second grade: College Old Boys. 16. beat Ramblers. 0. Third grade: Physical Training, 15. beat City, b; High Bchool, 20, beat 'Ramblers, 0. Fourth . grade: Physical Training, 9, beat High School 6: South Public school, 15, beat Central, 6. KUSABS CUP CONTEST. fBY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA, Saturday. The replay of the Kusabs Cup matoh, between Tauranga and le Puke Rugby representatives took place at To Puke this afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. The game was fast and resolved itself -mainly into a trial of strength between the forwards, with occasional brilliant passing movements by the back divisions. At half-time Tauranga . lad by 8 points to 0. made tip of two tries, one of which was converted by D. Borell. ine first try was registered by Barton aa tßie result of smart work by several forwards, and the 'second 'by I. Tangitu was tho culmination of a spectaoular passing movement. Te Puke did not score till the final quarter when Heather crossed as a result of an'excellent solo effort. . The try waa not converted. Later .W. JTapaell kicked a penalty goal, bringing To Puke 8 total xo 6 points. No further score was registered and the game ended in Tauranga'a favour by Bto 6. L. Parrant, of Rotorua, was round of the Kusabs Cup contest will be played ok Saturday next. Opposing teams- are to be decided by the Bay of. Plenty Rueby Union. WHANGABEI BEATS BAY OF ISLANDS. * [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] KAIKOHE. Saturday. Whang'atei defeated the Bay of Islands, at Kaikoho to-day, by 22 to 6. Tho game was open and played linder good weather conditions. The Bay of Islands team did not combine well in the backs and the repeated rushes of the fast and heavy Whangarei forwards seemed to nonpluss the Bay team. For W'hangarei Sowman (2), Tote, Finlayaon ■ and Hamilton scored tries, and McLeod kicked, two penalty goals and converted two trios. For Bay of Islands Roberts scored a try and Edmohdfl kicked a penalty goal. Mr. A. Vollemaere was Teferee.

WHANGAREI JUNIORS. IBX TELEGHAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J WHANGAREI, Saturday. A match was played at Kensington Park this afternoon between Town amd Country Rugby juniors, as a preliminary to selection of the teams. Town won a hard game by 28 to 3, but the points did :not reflect what difference there was in tho teams. Town scored the first try after 26 irinutes' play, D. Wilson securing it. Just on half-time J, Beehre scored a Becond one, increasing the score to' 6 to 0. In the third quarter Biggins added a try, which Jones concerted and Ridings and Tilly a irv apiece. In the la3t quarter Hollows scored a try converted by Hollows, and P Jones and J. Beehre a try apiece. SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS. ["BY TELEGRAPH. —PTV2SS ASSOCIATION.] WANGANUI, Saturday. At K«aby to.dnv Pirates defeated Technical College Old Boys by 18 to 3, and Kaierau beat Ratana bv 16 pomts to 3. WELLINGTON. Saturday. The Rugby results are:-~Manst 5, v. Oriental 3; Poneke.. 6. v Old Boys 3, Pot one. 14, v. Varsity 5; Wellington 11, v. Selwyn 0; ißerhampore 11, v. Hutt 8. NELSON, Saturday. The Busk Union team defeated Nelson on a sodden) ground this afternoon by 9 l a 3 ■ " , CHRISTCHURCK.. Saturday. Rngbv results:—Merivale 18, v. Christchurch.6; Old Boys 31/ v. Vaesity 3; North Canterbury 9, v. Linwood 6. DUNEDIN, Saturday. Saturday's results in . Rugby are:—Univorflity A £7, v, Dunediti 15; Kaikorai 88, y. Southern 0; University B 18. t. Lmon G; Pirates 14, v. Zingari 10; Aihamora 14, v. l'aieri 3,

MOASCAR CUP MATCH. CHALLENGERS .DEFEATED. fBZ TELEGRAPH. —PKESS ASSOCIATION.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Satmday.' The first Moaocar Cup match of the season was played her© to-<iay, New Plymouth High Scaool, the holders, defeating: Wanganui Technical College by 9 points to 6, after a fast smd interesting game. The visiting forwards were superior in the loose, but the local - forwards secured the bull from the scrum, giving their backs, who were much faster and showed better combination, scoring; opportunities which only the solid defence of the visitors checked. In the first spell Brown kicked a penalty for College and Crawford scored for High School after a pascine rush. In the second spell Brown kicked another penalty for Wanganui. From a line-out Bellringer scored for High School, Crawford obtaining the winning try after a passing bout, TE AWAMUTU GAMES. fBX TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AWAMUTU, Saturday. Tha results of the .Rugby matohes played here to-day were:—Seniors: Pirongia. 6, beat Ngahape. 0• To Awamutu, 15, beat Puahue, 0. Junior .matches: Puahue, 12. beat Te Awamutu, 8; Ohaupo, 13. beat Pokuru, 6;- Pirongia forfeited to "Methodists. PIAKO BEAT MATAMATA. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MATAMATA, Saturday. Tho Piako and Matamata representatives met to-day, victory going to tho former by 11 points to 0. The game was fast throughout, but Piako had that precision in its backs which made for victory. The scrum work was in favour of Piako, but in the loose Matamata were superior. Tho tries were obtained by Goldsbury, Miller and Magill. Matamata wis weakened by the nbsenco of four rrien who had been selected to play for the Rest of Waikato against Hamilton. Curtain raiser results were:—Jumora.— Matamata 6. To Poi 0. Third Grade.—Matamata 0. High School 0.