RUGBY SEASON OPENS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19008, 4 May 1925, Page 12

RUGBY SEASON OPENS.

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS. PROMISING FORM SHOWN. PONSONBY DEFEAT GRAMMAR. The Auckland Rugby season was opened oil Saturday afternoon in dull weather, and the standard of play .generally was decidedly promising. For an opening day the matches were bright and interesting, and when the teams settle down many first-class contests should be provided. Several players who were, making their first appearance in local senior ranks made a very favourable impression. There was a good attendance lit Eden Park, where two senior games were played. Results are as follow: Ponsonby 19, bent Grammar Old Boys u. Murist Old Hoys I), boat Grafton 8. University 27, beat College Itiflea «. North Shore 17. beat King's College G, Suburbs 5, beat Manukau 3. Ponsonby, laul season's champions, started well by decisively defeating Grammar ON Boys, their victory being due mainly to the superiority of their backs, who gave ~ bright display. Lucas played a fine game, and at times was brilliant, back o! condition told on the Grammar team in the concluding stages, but the forwards worked hard throughout. Play was very even in the first quarter, being confined principally to the forwards. Ihe Grammar pack was the first to settlo clown, and gave Ponsonby sonic strenuous moments, but then the Ponsonby backs showed to advantage in bright dashes. On changing round the Ponsonby biickn Proved tioublesome, ami we.ro nearly over on a couple of occasions. Strenuous efforts by Grammar removed piny to midfield, but tlie l'onsoiiby forwards broke through again, and Goodacro just forced down in time, Ponsonby hud Grammar penned in their twenty-five, when an infringement gave Lucas a chance, and lie landed a penalty goal. A brilliant movement by the Ponsonby backs, with Lucas. Hook, Matson and Foster prominent, caused gieat excitement, and a try seemed assured, but Foster was tackled right on the line and Goodacro Cleared. The respite was only momentarily, for the Ponsonby backs got going sgam, and Hook touched down, Lucas foiling to convert. Half-time came with Ponsonby attacking, and the score: Ponsonby . . C> Grammar Old Boys 0 Grammar took a turn on attack when play was resumed, and thanks to the efforts of their forwards they had Ponsonby defending. However, when the ball went out to the Grammar bucks Lucas intercepted a pass and got past halfway. A little later G. Goodacre saved well hv snapping the ball up smartly from tho feet of the I onsonby forwards Grammar held their own in this quarter. Smart work by Lucas increased Ponsonby's load just after the final quarter opened. Intercepting a pans at halfway, he beat several opponents with a clever run and scored between the posts. Stewart converting. The Grammar forwards made strenuous efforts to get through, and caused 1 onr.onoy supporters considerable anxiety The Ponsonby bucks showed to advantage in a bright passing bout, which took piny to Grammar's line but the opposing forwards were soon back again. Af last the Grammar backs and forwards combined in a _successful movement A Sinrrletou cut in nicely and passed to Gould, who forced his way across the line. G. Goodacre converted. making the scores: Ponsonby . . . . .11 Grammar Old Boys . . ! f> Another &ltnck by the Grammar forwards took play to Ponsonby's quarter, but although the ball went over tho line, and several Grammar players tried to touch it down, Ponsonby forced. Then the Por> sonby forwards went away with the ball at their feet, and from (he ruck near tho corner MeManus scored an unconverted try. Just beforo time was called the I'onponhv backs swept down the field in a fast pns*sing rush, from which Tonkin scored and converted. MAR IST OLD BOYS V. GRAFTOX. Ma rial Old Boys and Grafton, who opened tha competition, were very evenly matched, and the issue was in doubt until the final bell rang. Marista made full use of their heavier pack in the early part of the game, and kept the play close. Grafton were attacking when off-side play gave Marists a chance, and they assumed the offensive. J heir backs got going and Loft and Miller were associated in a passing bout, which resulted in the latter touching down in the corner, thus scoring the first try of the season. Peters failed to convert. _ Grafton lost a couple of chances through infringements, but they kept up the pressure. A movement, by their backs broke down in Marists' twenty-five, through a pass being dropped, but a moment later B. Kcary got across the line. He converted with a good kick. Ma rip. Is had the advantage in the ensuing play, Grafton being kept on the defensive. Loft and O'Brien were nearly over, and after a good penalty kick by A. Cooke had given Grafton relief, solid footwork brought Marists back again. A passing bout, was stopped, but then Peters put Marists in the lead with n penalty goal, and the scores at half-time Wore:— Marist Old Boys (5 Grafton .. ..5

When play was resumed Hie Marist forwards again asserted themselves, and although A. Cooke and Stewart at last took play to Miwists' end of the field, Grafton were booh on the defensive ngain. Peters and Newman were almost over near the corner, and then Grafton infringed again, Peters landing a second penalty goal. Play brightened up as 1 ho hacks'on both sides opened up the game. A. Cooke was conspicuous in the Grafton rearguard, and frequently put his side on attack, but the movement broke down. The Grafton forwards wero more that) holding their own at this stage, and Mn rials wore kept inlay defending. Finally, good work by Johnstone, B. Keary, Lynch, and A. Cooke, saw the latter score hear the posts. Unfortunately for Grafton, Henry's kick was unsuccessful, and the game ended in a ono-point win for Marisls. UNIVERSITY* V. COLLEGE RIFLES. University scored a «good win over College Hides at Victoria Park, Play was blow amine 'ho tirsi Half, hut, University gave a, dvcidotiiy superior display attei the interval. Jjoo-so play marked the open mg stages. Todd received an injury to the snoulder and was replaced by Francis. University pressed during most of the first quarter. Miller made a good attempt with a difficult penalty, the ball dropping just under tho bur. Shortly alter the opening of tho second quarter it long kick by illylho found touch near University's line. Front a penalty Muir potted an easy goal. Play was taken into College Rittes' quarter, but I ho defenders clea red, and a good passing movement took College Rifles close to' University's line. However, it was spoiled b> Ilockin failing to taka the ball cleanly. College Rifles continued to press, but half-time came with tho scores unchanged. University opened the second spell briskly. From an opening by Carter. Keaiie scored in tho corner, and Miller ridded the goal points, giving University tho lead, S—II. Maintaining the pressure. University improved their position, when an opening by Mackon gave Stone a try. Miller converted. After continued pressure, a long run by Carter resulted in tho ball passing to Sin c'air and Hamilton, the latter crossing the line. Miller's kick failed. University, 13; College Rifles, 3. University's next score came from a- fine passing bout which started ill their own twcnty-fire. Macken, Hamilton and Cashmore were conspicuous in the movement, which was capped by Stone touching down. Hamilton converted, giving University the substantia! lead of 15 points. College Rifles then made a strong effort and Muir succeeded with a penalty, bringing College Rifles' score to six. After the change-over the ball travelled up and down field, neither side being seri ouslv threatened until a long run by Macken ended nwtr the College Rifles' line. From a scramble Stone got over the line. Hopkins failed with tho kick. From another passing movement Keegan scored an easy try. but Miller failed lo add the major points. Another passing movement resulted in Anderson scoring under the posts. Hamilton's kick hit tho cross-bar. and time was called with the score 27—0 in University's favour. NORTH SHORE V. KING'S OLD BOYS. Forward play predominated ill tho opening stages of trie game between North Shore and King's Old Boys at North Shore. The former failed to produce tho combination they had last year, and though they hole their own for the first, half of the contest, tho home team established a substantial lead in the second. King's v.'eve tho first to attack, but their defence Was sooil tested by tho North Shore forwards, and when tho visiting backs did get going, just, before the end of the first quarter, a good scoring chance was lost. However, a good passing movement beat the homo defence in tho next quarter, Maxwell notching an unconverted try. North Shore set out. to equalise the score, and hard work by their forwards was capped by Solomon getting over tho line. The kick failed, and half-time sounded with the scores oven, 3 all. After a quiet, interlude North Shore assumod tlio offensive, and although King's kept their line intact for a time, the home team was not to bo denied. I). Reid scored North Shore's second try, M. Reid convert-

mg. The leaders continued to dominate the game, and before the final quarter was commenced, Linton raised the score to 11 with another try. Tho King's backs then showed to advantage, and after several promising passing bouts had boon stopped. Maxwell scored his second try. However, in the closing stages, Waiigli and Campbell each scored a. try for North Shore, putting tho issue beyond doubt. SUBURBS V. MANUKAU ROVERS. Manukau ltovers, who were playing their first game in tho senior competition, made a solid stand against Suburbs at Onehunga. Conditions wore against the teams and consoquentlv there was a lot of ragged, scrambling play. Although Manukau lacked combination several individual players made ii very good impression. Good footwork by Valla nee and Soinerville paved the way for MoLeod' to ncore Suburbs' only try early in the game. Gray added the major points. A little later McC'usky broke away with the ball and, beating the opposition, scored a good try for Manukau. May failed 1« convert. Tho game ended without further score. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. Results of junior grade Rugby matches on Saturday are an follow : SECOND GRADE. v Murist Old Boys B, (i. beat Ponsonby, 3, Telegraph, 0, drew with. Marist Old Bo>u University A, 25, bent. King's Old .Boys, 0. College Rifles, fit), beat. Swan son, 3. City Council, li), beat Newton, 0. THIRD OPEN GRADE. St. Ileliers, 17, beat United B, 3. St. George's, 11, beat Ellcrslie, 3. Marathon, 14, beat St.. S epheil'e, 6. Loco., 11, beat Piipatoetoe, li. Ponno:iby, pi, beat United A, 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE GRADE. College Rifles, 20. beat Grammar Old Boys B, 0. . , Grammar Old Boys A, 11, beat King s Old Boys, I!. Grey Lynn, 9, beat Manukau, 0. Kingshmd 13, 11. boat Eden, 3. Suburbs, 38, bent Marathon, ti. Ponsonby, 8. beat United B, 0, Grafton, 0, beat North Shoie, .'S. Purnell, 8, beat United A, 0. FOURTH GRADE. Parnell, 8, beat Elleralie, 0. Ma nthon, -2, beat Kingshmd, 0. Ponsonby, 17, beat Manukau, 0. Telegraph, 11, beat Nor.h Shore, 0. FIFTH GRADE. Manukau, 11, beat Grafton, 10. Ponsonby, 38, beat Post and Telegraph, 0. SIXTH GRADE. Ellerslie, 2-1, bent Henderson, 0. Manukau, 23, boat Suburbs, 3. North Shoie won by default from CTrej Lynn.