RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18761, 15 July 1924, Page 4

RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS. • NOTES AND COMMENTS. PONSONBY'S GOOD RECORD. The standard of play in the senior Rugby matches on Saturday, under almost ideal conditions, was not as high as might be expected in the late stages of the second round. Most of the games were fast and open and provided exciting incidents, bat there was too often a lack of finisli. There has been a combination of circumstances this season which has not tended to improve the standard of club football.

Ponsonby, as the result of their victory over Grafton, and the downfall of University and Grammii.r Old Boys, most win the first division competition, and only a very surprising reversal of form can deprive them of the championship honours. It is almost certain that they will gain the title, and their victory will be a very popular one. It is a number of years since Ponsonby hold the championship, though they have several times been very close to the head of the list. This seftson, though they must, be considered somewhat lucky, they have shown commendable determination and enthusia.sm, and have worked hard for their position. Without being a brilliant combination, the team has played solidly and consistently throughout the season. Grafton, who are at the other end of the list, have had a lean year, but they have put up good contests in the second round, though they have not yet been able to got a win. It is unfortunate that thov were not able to show their present form at the beginning of the season. They now have a good set of forwards.

The Leaders Extended. Ponsonby had to play hard right through their game on Saturday to keep Grafton from beating them, and it was not until the last 10 minutes that Ponsonby established a safe lead. The game was mostly a forward contest, and was hard and fast throughout. The Ponsonby forwards excelled in set scrum-work, but in the loose play Grafton forwards more than held their own, and were a great source of annoyance to the Ponsonby backs, whose handling was a long way below their best form. The Grafton backs showed up very poorly in attack, but defended welL ... For the winners Righton, McWilliams and McCarthy were the best of! the norwards Matson and A McManus were the most prominent of the backs. B Keary, Helander Wakerley among the forwards, and Findlay and Lamb in the back division, played well for Grafton.

Grammar's Third Defeat'. Marist Old Boys, despite a weakened team maintained their, improved form agaTnst Grammar Old Boys, and once they obtained the lead they JgamMwonstraVed that defence is one of their strong The Marist captain, Jprvran. was 5£S owing to the <feath of 253 to show mspness and finish. Without detracting from the merits of Marists' performance, xtffligM he said that Grammar had themselves to bLme foSieir defeat. The Grammar for wards got the ball for their backs, but though the latter repeatedly launched attacking movements they could not jet over Marists' line. Thin was only partly due to the good defence. , The Marist fullback. T. O'Brien, played a fine game. His tackling was sure and his kicking excellent. He saved his aide on many occasions. Loft and rwomey, at five-eighths, contributed largely to Marists' success. They took full advantage of loose play by the opposing backs, smothering many movements in dangerous positions and often setting their side bn attack. lioft was the more conspicuous and did much good woTk, including several smart interceptions. His display undoubtedly was a very material factor in his inclusion in the Auckland team.

Dash oi the Marist Forwards. The Marist forwards, though Casey, Culpan. and Pine were absent, showed plenty of determination and dash. The rover, Anderson, played his best game' this season. Peters was always in the van. , , - j.l There were sevenl changes in the Grammair team consequent on R. McLean retiring owing to injury. Stewart, who came on, went to centrc-threequarter, G. Goodacro going to fullback. L. McLean, who had! been in that position, took his brother's! place as rover. The Grammar forwards were well suited by the conditions, and were too clever lor their opponents. However, their work was marred by frequent infringements. Grammar's only try came from the forwards. The Grammar backs did not play up to their usual form. Their handling was often faulty. K. Ifwersen showed much of his usual generalship, but his handling was not always clean. Wright sent the ball away we'll to his backs. Lusk does not seem to be very well suited at fiveeighths, or to be as fast, as the other backs. He handled the ball well. Williams showed determination on the wing, but did not get many good opportunities. Lintott was always conspicuous among the forwards. He is a hard worker. L. McLean should do well in the Auckland team if his knee is sound. Other prominent forwards were Taylor, Knight and Batty. College Rifles' Victory.

University's prospects a few weeks ago were bright, but the team has not been able to maintain the form shown in the first ronnd or to keep mp with the improvement shown by other teams. Though the backs did not appear to advantage during most of the game against College Rifles on Saturday the trouble appeared to be due to a large extent to weakness in the forwards. This has been the chief fault in previous matches, and on Saturday University were met by a very fine pack. University were also mnlucky in that they were without McLaren and F. A. Ross. The handling by the backs was not good and they failed to get going until the latter, part of the game. College Rifles had the upper hand in the first half, and their forwards ' gave a good display throughout the game. The pack was greatly strengthened by N. McLean. He and Fogarty were ' generally prominent. The College Rifles rearguard also showed improved form. There were a number of smart handling bouts by" both sides, and the game was fas!) and strenuous. University almost i turned the tide in their favour in the closing stages of the game. PUKUWEKA SHIELD. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OTOROHANGA. Monday. Otorohanga (holders) met Huia (challengers) for the Pukuweka Shield at Otorohanga on ■ Saturday and suffered defeat by 3 points to 0, Tano kicking a goal. Otorohanga had an unbeaten record in the competition for the banner, commanding a 7-point lead. Otorohanga juniors defeated Huia juniors by 8 points to 0. Falconer and Hyde scored, Quin converting the first try. High School defeated Otawa by 17 points to 0. THAMES VALLEY TEAM. fB2 TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AKOHA. Monday. The following will be the Thames Valley representatives against Waikato in the Rugby match at Waihi on Saturday:— C. Dillamore (Waihi), Prico (Waihi), Soufchgate (Paeroa), S. Goldsbury (Piako), Williams (WaihD. Samson (Piako), Mooney (Waihi), F. Goldsbury (Piako), Johnson (Waihi), Mannix 'Waihi), H. Shaw (Paeroa), Ryan (Plains), McLeay (Waihi), Mclnnes (Piako), Benney (Paeroa). Emergencies: Adiam (Plains), McNeil (Paeroa), McDermotb (Waihi), Millington (Plains), Pattersosn (Paeroa), Fox (Plains). Referee: Mr. Anderson (Plains), '