RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19056, 29 June 1925, Page 12

RUGBY COMPETITIONS.

CONTESTS IN THE MUD. A DAY FOR THE FORWARDS. PONSONBY STILL UNBEATEN. The Rugby football competitions were continued on Saturday under most adverse conditions. The grounds generally wero very heavy and covered with patches of mud and water, whi.le rain fell during niosfc of the afternoon. It was a great clay for the forwards. Only one match in tho A section of the senior championship was played. This was the gamo between Ponsonby and Grafton at Eden Park, where there was an attendance of several hundred spectators. No. 1 ground, on which the j match took place, was no exception to tho general rule and the numerous pools of water repeatedly upset tho players' calculations. Grafton fielded a weakened team and Ponsonby had a comfortable win, their backs playing very creditably under the circumstances. The Grammar o.ld Boys-University match, which was ?et down for decision at -North Shore, was not played owing to the condition of tho ground. College Rifles defaulted to Marist Old Boys at Eden Park, as only ten of their players put in an appearance. In B section of the senior grade Suburbs had an easy win over Newton on No. 3 ground at Eden Park, whero the state of tho playing field made good football practically out of the question. Tho game between Auckland Grammar and Mount Albert Grammar played as a curtain-raiser to the PonsonbyGrafton match, was rather, dull in tho first half, but in the secono. both teams gave a very fair display of wot day football. _ The - Mount Albert toam won by 8 points to. 5. Dotal led results of tho senior club games are: — Ponsonby, 15, beat Grafton, 3. Suburbs, 16, beat Newton, 0. ■ King's Old Boys, 24, beat Manukan Rovers, 12. PONSONBY DEFEAT GRAFTON. Ponsonby gave a good all round display against Grafton who wero weakened by the absence of I'inlayson and Lynch in the forwards and Einlay 111 the backs. I lay was naturally confined mainly to tho forwards, but the Ponsonby # backs, handling tho ball well under most difficult conditions brought off quite a number of smart passing bouts. The five tries registered the winners wore notched by tho backs, koo® of the tries was converted. Although tho Grafton pack, handicapped by the absence of two of the best members, did not make tho stand anticipated, it was Ponsonby s superiority in the back division that gave them such a decided advantage; Shortly after the game bpened the Ponsonby forwards rushed play to Grafton's twenty-five and although A. E. Cooke saved momentarily Tonkin brought his side back with a dash down the side line. Then the Ponsonby backs got going in a handling bout, which ended in Foster scoring near the corner. A dash by Hughes put Grafton on tho attack, but a minute or two later Ponsonby had reversed the position and a mistake by tho Grafton fullback, White, let McGregor and Palmer through. However, an infringement gave Grafton relief. Ponsonby'a backs wero always dangerous, in spite of tho_ state of the ground and ball, while thoir forwards were working more solidly than the Grafton pack. Cooke was working hard and saved well on several occasions, but Ponsmiby wero not to be denied. Hook fielded a'clearing kick in Grafton's twenty-five and dashed over the line. Ponsonby were getting the ball regularly from the scrums and although Grafton were aggressive in tho early part of the second quarter Ponsonby wero on tho attack for most of the time. Play was strenuous. Halftime came with tho scores: Ponsonby .. G Grafton .. .. .. ..0 A hot Grafton attack, started by Cooke, resulted in Ponsonby forcing "twice but Grafton could not hold the advantage for long. Tho Ponsonby forwards worked down to Grafton's ond, where McGregor sent a lpng pass out to Lucas who beat the opposition and scored. The Grafton forwards swept to Ponsonby's twenty-five in a hard rush and when the defenders infringed A. E. Cooko landed a penalty goal. In the last quarter Ponsonby pressed again but Hughes broke through and started a movement which kept Ponsonby busily defending for some minutes. Just when a score for Grafton looked likely an infringement gave Ponsonby needed relief and they rushed through to Grafton's line. Grafton forced in time but Ponsonby maintained the pressure. From a scrum near the line, A. McManus worked the blind ■ side and sent Foster over. Another bard forward rush took play to Grafton s lino. There the Ponsonby backs opened out and Lucas notched another try, which raised Ponsonby'a score to 15, just beforo tho bell rang. KING'S OLD BOYS V. MANUKAU. The King's Old Boys-Manukau Rovers game was played at Onehunga on a sodden, muddy ground, but it was a high-scoring match. Although King's did not have a full team they had tho advantage almost from the start. After a bright handling bout had been countered by a rush by the Manukau forwards, the King's pack swept to tho homo teams line and Walker notched the first try, R. Sheen converting. The Manukau forwards then attacked pejsistenly and at last Mollett gob over the line. Tho kick failed. In the second quarter only solid tackling by Ring s prevented Manukau adding to their score, but the local players could not maintain the pressure when King's rallied, Manukau were defending when Teapo secured tho ball from a scrum and kicked over the line. Sheen followed up and touched down. The kick was successful. Beforo half time. Sheen added another ' try which his brother converted, making the scores in favour of King's., • bout by the King's backs early in the third ouarter resulted in Sheen scoring again. The try was not converted. Manukau then assumed the offensive and thoir forwards broke through the visiting teams defence. Blucher scoring a good try which was not converted. There was 110 further score in this quarter. On the teams changing round for the last time good work by .Geo and Stewart ended in the latter notching an unconverted try. Another attack by King's was driven back and Manukau launched an offonsive which was crowned with success, an unconverted try raising their total to 9. Shortly before the game ended hard work by the Manukau forwards again broke through the defence McClusky getting over tho line. JUNIOR MATCHES. SECOND GRADE. Swnnson, 6. beat City Council, 5. College Rifles B, 8, drew with North Shore B, 8. THIRD OPEN GRADE. Kobimarama. 8, beat University A 0 Ponsonby won from University 'B by default.. Grafton. 11. "beat St. George's, 0. Eden, 26, beat Howie, 0. Grammar Old Boys, 19, beat United B, 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Grey Lynn, 16, beat Manukau, 3. Marathon, 9, beat King's Old Boys, 0. Unite*- A. 6. beat College Rifles, 0. Parnell, 28. beat Gordon, 0. FOURTH GRADE. Manukau, 17, beat Grey Lynn, 0. Suburbs, 14, beat North Shore, 0. Ponsonby won from Parnell by default. WANGANUI RESULTS. [BV TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANUI, Saturday. Rugby restiltsOld Boys defeated Pirates by 8 to nil, and Kaierau defeated Technical College Old Boys by 14 to 5; and Marists defeated Ratana by 8 to 3. OPOTIKI iIATCH. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OPOtIKI, Saturday. In the senior Rugby competition Kutaere drew with Tchui. there being 110 score. DUNEDIN 'J AMES. [BY TELEGRAPH.——OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Sunday. Rugby results Pirates. 9, v. Alhambra, 6; University A. 22. v. Union. 3: Dunedin. 11. v. Taieri. 0: Southern. 11. v. Zingari. 3: Kaikorai, 12, v. University B. 0, CHRISTCHURCH CONTESTS. [BX TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. "Rugby results:—Christchurch. 22, v. Linwood. 0: Old Boys. 17, v. North Canterbury. 3: .Varsity. 3, v. Albion. 0.

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS' GAME. WIN FOR MOUNT ALBERT TEAM. The game "between Auckland Grammar and Mount Albert Grammar was played ill steady rain. Under the conditions, scrambling play was only to be expected. Die first half was not interesting, but theio were bright interludes in the second. Mount Albert did moat of the attacking in the tirst quarter, but their banks had no chances. In tho second quarter the Auckland boys had the better of the play, "he forwards, by better footwork, kept Mount Albert generally on tho defensive until near the end of the quarter, when a dribbling rush toolc Mount Albert to their opponent twenty-five. A dash by Jenkin was Flopped just short of the line and half-time came without a. soro having bvcn registered. i Fast, even forward p'uy iiMrKed the ear.y stages of the third quarter, each side attacking in turn, only to be sent back by pood defence. Good footwork by the Mount Albert forwards took them to Auckland s twenty-five .Jenkin gathered up the ball in the ruck and cleverly made an opening lor Gilmour, who scored an unconverted try near tho corner. , , Mount xVlbcrt returned to the attack, and with play in Auckland Grammar's twentyfive, Weir sent tho ball out to Itowell. Ihe latter iiassed back to Jenkin, who scored a nico try. This time Butler converted with a fine kick, raising Mount Albert 8 score to eight. ~ , ~ In the final quarter tho Auckland Grammar forwards, with W alkin and Keepa prominent, made desperato snorts to score Rnd attacked persistently. With. _play m Mount Albert's twenty-five, Watkin broke through with good footwork and had hard luck in not scoring--lie touched down just short of tho lino. M.milit Albert cleared, but their opponents wero soon back again. Meredith sent Minns away on the Wind side of a scrum, but the laitcr was lor.-td out. However, from ths linooat Keepa forced las way over. Watkin converted, making Uo scores; Mount Albert Grammar, 8; Auckland 1 Grammar, 5. . , Auckland Grammar continued to press and only strenuoufl defence kept Mount Albert line intact. Then the situation was completely changed by a great breakaway by Skelton, who dribbled through to tho other ond of the field, being beaten just, on tho line. Tho bell rang with the scores unchanged. , FINLAY CUP CONTEST. CAMBRIDGE BEATS MATAMATA. [by telegraph,—own correspondent.] CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. This afternoon Cambridge representatives successfully defended the h'inlay Cup against the Mataauita challengers by 3 points (a penalty goal kicked by \\. Bourke) to 0. The gamo was played at Victoria bquare under wretched weather conditions, heavy rain falling throughout. There was a g<sod attendance. With tho ground a quagmire, the game was mainly a struggle among the forwards, but notwithstanding the slippery stato of the ball and ground play was interesting throughout. Both vanguards strenuously fought for supremacy. In the first half when Cambridge scored the only points, tho gamo favoured tho local team, but in the closing stages the Matjimata pack attacked with ginger and had Cambridge on the defence. Both rearguards gave good sound displays of defensive work. HAMILTON GAMES. [B7 TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) HAMILTON. Saturday. Light rain fell in Hamilton throughout today and made tho grounds very greasy for football. Two senior Rugby games were played in the rain. Old Boys and • City drew, scoring six points each. For City, Buckingham and Mitchell. secured tries, while Mitchell kicked a penalty goal for Old Boys and Wade scored. Frankton defeated Unitod by 12 points to 0. WHANGAREI UNION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 • „ WHANGAREI, Saturday. The Whangarci Rugby Union competitions were continued in rainy weather with slushy grounds this afternoon. In the senior competitions Old Boys defeated Kamo by 10 points (a penalty goal awarded to_ Wilson for obstruction and converted by McKay, and a try by Dunn converted by MacKay), to 3 points (a peri&lty kicked by Patton). Hikurangi, tho leading team, mot a doughty opponent in tho Horahora combination, and succeeded in winning by 3 points (a penalty, goal by McDonald) to 0. In tho junior competitions High School beat Kamo 3 points to 0. Waiotira and Kiripaka drew in a pointless Third Grade I'arua Bay, 14. beat Kamo, 0. High School A, 9, beat Horahora, 0. Old Boys drew with High School, 3 all. Y.M.C.A. 22, beat Pioneer, 0. TAURANGA GAMES POSTPONED. [BY TELEGRAPH.---OWN COHKESPONDENT. ] TAURANGA, Saturday. Owing to heavy rain all football matches were postponed. TE PUKE MATCH. [BY IZLEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J . : TE PUKE, Saturday. .The only Rugby match played hero to-day was United v. Pongakawa. The former team won in pouring rain, by 6 points to 0. WELLINGTON RESULTS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION,] ' WELLINGTON, Sunday. Rugby results: Poneke, 10, v. Berhamporo, 3; Oriental. 12, v. Old Boys, 3; University. 14, v. Manst, 8; Hutl, 6, v. Wellington, G; Petone, IG, v. Selwyn, 7.