RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19383, 19 July 1926, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

A VICTORY FOR THAMES. AUCKLAND B TEAM BEATEN. MARGIN OF NINE POINTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] THAMES, Saturday. ». In spite of threatening weather nearly 1500 people went to Parawai this afternoon to witness the matches between four Auckland fifteens against Thames teams. Chief interest centred in the Thames and Auckland B game, which resulted in a victory for Thames by 12 points to 3. With the wind behind them the Auckland backs opened promisingly with passing bouts from one of which Freeman ran past the Thames fullback and scored in a good position. The kick was disallowed. After Winder missed a fairly easy penalty kick the ball stayed in Auckland territory until Pratt, the local halfback Bet his backs going and Morran just got over. Austin did some good line kicking for Auckland and Bradnovich. nearly scored from a quick rush. Thames marked the second Quarter by one

of the most spectacular passing bouts seen on tho field. Morrissey got the ball sixty yards out and feent it to Hayward from whom the ball went to Locket, Harrison, and Donnelly, tho last-named scoring a great try in the corner. There was no goal. Thames, 6; Auckland, 3. Thames were now tackling determinedly and penned Auckland on their twenty-five for some time. Loft, Wright and Freeman saved Auckland several times. Just before half-time Freeman gained eighty yards for Auckland.

Inspired by the example of Morgan and Hayward and Benny, tho Thames forwards used their weight to advantage and had the better of the second spell, in the first quarter of which Morgan landed a neat penalty goal for Thames. With the Auckland defence sorely tried Hayward made a good opening for Pratt who cleverly fielded the greasy ball and scored near the side line. Heavy rain at half-time had converted the ground into a quagmire and back play was out of the question. Thames finally left the field victors by 12 points to 3. Of the Auckland backs, Freeman, Loft, and Wright were the best, while Peacock, Miller, Casey and Stitchbury were the best of the forwards. For Thames Hayward, Benny, Donnelly and Morgan, were the most conspicuous.

The Aucklanders seemed to be seriously handicapped by' the New Zealand rules, with which they were apparently unfamiliar. Other results were:—Thames B, 16. v. Newton, 10; Thames High School, 15 v. Seddon Memorial Technical College, 6; Thames Juniors, 12, v. St. Heliers, 3. UNIVERSITY TEAM TO TOUR. VISIT TO FIJI NEXT MONTH. The Auckland University College Rugby team to visit Fiji next month to play several matches has been selected as follows;—R. S. Harrop, C. Stone. C. T. Keegan, A. G. Sheen, R. T. Henderson, A. Dunn. J. H. Jenkin, L. E. Erooker. E. E. Bailey, J. A. Bark, Hislop, N. T. Pirritt, N. C. Jenkin. Carter, G. L. O'Halloran, F. R. Macken, A. Bremner, W. B. Stewart and J. 1. Dodd. The team will leave Auckland by the Tofua. about August 14. returning on September 6. Mr. A. Craig will be manager of the team.

A WIN FOR PUKEKOHE. HAMILTON TEAM DEFEATED. [BY TELEGRATH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT- 3 PUKEKOHE. Saturday. The Pukekohe Rugby representatives defeated the Hamilton team at Pu.kekohe this afternoon by 15 points to 3. A heavy shower of hail and raid just before the start the ball very greasy and confined play mainly to the forwards. Nevertheless the game proved fast and fairly the ball travelling up and down the field at a rate that maintained excitement. Early in the game ike Pukekohe forwards reached Hamilton's twenty-five, where Mcpherson made an opening and sent Parris away to score an unconverted try. Just before half-time Parris tackled a Hamilton back in Hamilton's twenty-five and Bishop gathered up the ball and forced his way over the line. This try also was not converted. . In the third quarter Hamilton pressed hard and Beveral times seemed likely to score, but Willis, fullback for Pukekohe, waa a tower of strength and played an exceptionally sure game. With not many minutes to go, Griffiths, Hamilton, dribbled through from neutral territory and scored a brilliant solo try, which waa not converted. Pukekohe outplayed the visitors in the concluding stages. Fraser kicked a penalty goal and Playdell and Parris both scored, making the final score:—Pukekohe, 15; Hamilton. 3. A play-o2 between High School and White Star for the Pukekohe Union's eecond grade championship was held as a curtain-raiser to the representative match. High School won by 5 points to 3. In the third grade, Wesley College and Ramblers drew, the score being three all. i FRANKLIN COMPETITIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TUAKAU, Saturday. The Fanklin Rugby Union's competition for the season virtually concluded this afternoon, Tuakau winning the senior competition and Onewhero tho junior contest. To-day's . games resulted :—Seniors: Tuakau, 9, drew with Te Kohanga, 9; Pokeno, 12, beat Pukekawa, 3. Second grade: Onewhero. G, beat Bombay, 3; Te Kohanga, 34. beat Tuakau, 0; Pokeno. 12. beat Pukekawa, 3. In the senior grade, Bombay has yet to meet Pukekawa, but this cannot affect Tuakau's position. WAIUKU V. PUKEKOHE B. * [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WAIUKU, Saturday. A match between the Waiuku representative team and a B team from the Pukekohe Union was played at Waiuku this afternoon. The home team won by 25 points to 3. N WAIKATO TEAMS MEET. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Sunday. The Rugby match between East Waikato and West Waikato was played under unpleasant weather conditions at Hamilton yesterday. Both teams lacked combination but good football was impossible in view of the muddy state of the ground. West Waikato won by 6 points to 3, GAMES AT CAMBRIDGE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. Owing to the inclement weather there was only a moderate attendance at Victoria Square this afternoon to witness the challenge match for the Boyce Cup between the Matamata and Cambridge juniors. The latter were the holders of the trophy. In spite of the muddy state of the ground an interesting game resulted in a merited win fcr Matamata by 8 points to 3. The schoolboys' match for. the Teddy Shield, between ■Te Awamutu and Cambridge. resulted in a win for the latter by 13 points to 0 PLXY UNDER DIFFICULTIES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAIHAPE. Saturday. Hautapu, runners-up in the senior Rugby competition, beat Pirates, winners of the competition, by 15 points to 0 to-day in the first round of a special competition for a trophy donated by three local enthusiasts. The ground was a veritable quagmire and the gama was not taken seriously by many players. Sheets of water covered tho field* Old Boys beat Huia by default. TAURANGA V. RANGITAIKI. [EY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.} TAURANGA, Saturday. A Rugby match was played here this afternoon between the Tauranga and Rangitaiki representatives. Rain fell during the game and made the ground slippery. The forwarrds on each side played well and the match was won by Tauranga by 6 points to 3. Early in the first quarter Hirnia scored for Rangitaiki and just before ball time Haui intercepted cleverly in mid-field and scored for Tauranga, making the scores, 3 each. There waa no further score until near the end of the match when G. lies secured the ball and passed to A. McGlaahan who scored. The kick failed. A curtain raiser between. Mount Mftunganui and Cadets Old Boys junior teams waa won by tha former by 8 points to 3.