POLLARD CUP CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 13

POLLARD CUP CONTEST.

RESULTS OF FIFTH, SERIES. CLOSE SCORING THE RULE. The fifth series of matches in . the Pollard Cup Rugby competition was. played on Saturday afternoon.The weather was fine and' -the grounds were' In fairly good order." De'tailed results- ore: —Grammar,': 12, bent North Shore, 9; Manukau, 13, beat Grafton, 12; College Rifles, 18, beat University, 3. f • J . ■ " I NORTH SHORE'S GOOD FIGHT.' \ Probably' the most interesting matcl,i was that between GrantmaV and North Shore at DevonpOrt. The B'section champions put up a great fight against Grammar and lost only by 12 points to' 9 after being on equal terms at half-time and holding the lead fou' a time in the third quarter. Crisp handling and strong running took .Grammar near its objective at the start and Whelan eventually grounded the ball. Williams' kick misaed. Emulating -the rearguard. the Grammar forwards used their feet' to such effect that Eady was able to score a Eplendid try. Six points behind. North Shore rallied and its first • score wrts secured through, off-side play, by a Grammar forward. Stokes kicking the goal. Reid, Stevens and' Fairgray headed North Shore rushes which were nearly brought to *ii successful issue and had the opposition iseriously defending. , Again Grammat infringed and Stokes was able to make the. half-time scores six'points* all. Stokes received yet another chance in the third • quarter and kicked ' his.. third gonl. Wilson, who was repeatedly prominent, then dashed away to score and restore Grammar's position. Knight failed to kick the, goal. The battle for the deciding points was waged at a strenuous pace. Both teams lost good chances and;'it was not until well i into the quarter that 'Hook- spurted for '• fh ; e line. 'He transferred to Montieth and the Grammar back completed a spectacular movement. , Knight failed -to -convert, but Grammar had the lead. This was maintained in the last session although North-Shore tested the defence to the utmost and were often on-the verge of k scoring, MANUKAU. BEATS GRAFTON. Manukuu'a prospects of winning final honours were enhanced by its defeat of the A section fifteen. Grafton, after a close and interesting struggle. Undaunted by a try 'Bcored by Ruru and converted by Auatin. Manukau forced Grafton back and when within striking distance, set up a hot attack from which Fletcher scored. Hargreaves succeeded in equalising with a , sound kick. He repeated his performance in the second quarter when McClusky scored easily. The next points went to Grafton, Austin landing a. penalty goal, but Manukau's superiority in back play was soon, asserted again. First Houshani and then Taylor , made successful excursions and ■ Hargreaves converting one try, Manukau led by 18 points' to 8 at the interval. ;

The second half was notable for Grafton's revival. Its attack was executed with more vigour and certainty and the backs., arid forwards, showed better understanding than in session. Manukau waß taken by surprise by, the. change, and was .soon hard-pressed to keep the'.invaders out; There was no further score'until .the last quarter when, Grafton secured .belated compensation for its ,efforts. The backs broke away and Ajiatih completed the ' rush by scoring. He failed -to add tho goal-points. Grafton w.ns attacking when the game ended with Manukau-ahead'by 13 to 12."

COLLEGE RIFLES V. UNIVERSITY. Col?egf* Rifles started well against Univ'erWy iiind : scored . a rather -easy win. - The first spell prohiised a very even contest. College liifles .securing, the only points when Teiipe crossed with 'the assistance of Anderson. Both sides scored in the'second quarter, Gillespie kicking a penalty goal for the leaders and Miller instituting a sweepvrig , attack . frpmwhich ' Cashmoro . scored. The half-time . scores we're College . Rifles, 6:' University. 3. ' '. Once the second half had. commenced -College Rifles, ..displaying, more decisive team-work.--bore down, on the' "University* goal. Spenceley, Teap.e, Wilson,., Anderpon, and Kicketts ' participated in' one' particularly attractive piece of play'which resulted in Uicketts sqonns .a try. for. Gillespie to convert. Shortly afterwards Gillespie darted through an opening and- contributed three more points to College Rifles' - total. The kick failed. , __ Faced, with a deficit of 14 points to 3 University improved its play in the final ouarter, and more than'held its own. Twice College. Rifle* nad to save by forcing, but »'' CpU ' t * l '? , lts Persistence ZJ t* nT- ' T S^ ead ' Potted a for College Rifles on' time: The Universitr 3. Werc^Coll^e .- 18: NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB'S VISIT. NARROW,'VICTORY. OVER MARIST. ,J' a , t ' ah . alc i Rugby champions, defeated Manst by 10 points to' 8. after a ragged, pme at' Eden; Parki on Saturday. Without- doing an injustice, to tho "'visiting team, it- may said tliat Marist were unlucky to lose, for at times tho home team m e?V># se *, P.l.'iy/ahd- the" abandon with which the Marist. backa threw tho ball about ha_d the-visitors bewrlaefed. it-waa popularly expected", the New Plymouth team would have a fairly comfortable victory, but the sea trip, following tho strenuous championship final on Thursday haa evidently thrown the team combination out of gear. In the third quarter the visitors rallied and- added two tries m quick succession, gaining a slight lead which was retained until the end. Tukapi's tackling was at-times weak and flradanovich -and Stuart found m an y Baps in the defence. ; Had the Marist backs played leas "impetuously and passed with more care, .the-'result would have been reversed. As.it was. the ,Marist rearguard save all the colour to a rathor'drab display. Marist was without the services .of S. Hadley. Casoy._ W. Wright and Loft, who are on tour with the. Auckland representative team.

Neither set of-forwards clayed up to club form* the following-up being particularly weak. The ground, which has not fully recovered from the churning it was subjected to in the Auckland-North Auckland match a fortiaight 'ago. probably slowed i"i the game among'the forwards to a'consid-erable'-.extent,,-

Manst ' scored withm' the first five minutes. Johnson picked up the ball at midfield. cut in between two Tukapa: men, and finished a. good individual effort' by. scoring. Bradanovich failed with 1 the kick. Brodemk and Stuart were prominent in two movements which almost, led to scores. The Tukapa- backs Tesorted to kicking to fair,.too isreitt an extent, for the stiff breeze against wnich the visitors were nlaying robbed ..the.kicks, of direction 'and effectiveness. Stuart broke away with Bradanovich in support, and a'pretty bout of in-and-but passing ended > in, the latter- scoring an easy try. Bradanovieh conve'rted his try, and Marist -led by 8 points to-nil 'at the end of the first quarter.- "' . Assisted by the wind, the visitors laifnqhed' a vigorous attack in the second quarter. Prom play_ in Marist territory the ball came to Prior, the Tukana fullback. who potted s splendid left-foot goal. Half-tithe came with the scoresMaris*. 8: Tukapa.- .4. Tukapa rushed to the attack almost immediately after the interval. Following a scrummage on the twentyfive line. H. Qlitt»r<.,wrested the ball from 1 an opponent and made a detfermiiied "side-line run. scoring at t the corner. He failed to convert the 'try;. . A few minutes later theovisiting backs opened ' out. Hooker drew Corntbwaite and-passed to Newell, who had a clear run in.- thus placing the visitors in the lead. H. Oliver's'kick failed. Marist made strenuous efforts in the last quarter to regain the lead. . Once Bradanoviich broke away spectacularlv and. eluding the fullback, had a, cear Sold in front of Kim. 'but H. Oliver raced' across and downed him with a flying tackle. Had Bradanovich passed to one of his supports Marist mast have scored. Tukapa mastered- the situation r in the d.vjne stages of the game but the. defence ; held, ,nnd the final whistle blew with the scoresTukapa, 10: Marist. 8. PLAY AST TE AWAMUTU. [BY - TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] • • AWAMUTTJ, Saturday. No • championship' games ,w'ero played here to-day. .but {the. Cambridge and Waipa- fhird 'srrade representative's ' tried conclusions. Waipa' won bv 9 points (a penalty goal by Kivell "and tries by 'Bromwicb an-'i Horan) to fi points (a penalty goal by Morse and a try by Chubb),. The United '.Club team played St. George's (third grade). •of - Auckland, and >a keen game-in the'mud'arid rain ended in favour of United by 11 points (a penalty- goal by i Bryant, a try by G.. Balme. and- a try bv Shepherd • converted '<by 4 Head) - to 6 * (tries by Field and T. Lawson). VICTORY FOR WHANGAEEI.' [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI. Saturday. , In a Rugby football match to-day for the Junior Shield Whangarei (holders) defeated a Bay of Islands team "by 9 points to 8. It proved an uninteresting game, being played in continuous rain and on a muddy ground. SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOURNEY. [by telegraph.—press association.] '• ~ : .INVERCARGILL,- Sundw. : The secondary schools annual tournament opens here to-morri»w. The-first games'will be Timaru v. . Christchurch and, Otago> v. Southland.- The'finals will -be played on, Thursday. The' visiting* teams" arrived' here last-evening. - >

( AUCKLAND V. MANAWATU. i - ■ ' •• . ■ ■">:; •: i v THE MATC3 CANCELLED. *' Owing to a number of players being unable to secure an extension of leave, the Auckland representative team will not play the proposed match against Manawatu today. The touring team will arrive from Wellington this evening. • v PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOURNEY. SHIELD PRESENTED TO THAMES. The Northern Roller Mills' Shield, won by Thames Valley in the primary schools' country week tournament last week, was presented to the winners at Helen Park on Saturday afternoon. The ceremony was performed by Mr. M. J. Sheahan. a vicepresident of the Auckland Rugby Union, and the Mayor of Auckland. Mr. G. Baildon. extended his congratulations to the winners. } CONTESTS AT HAMILTON. . CITY SECURE SAGE CUP. . [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.'] HAMILTON. Sunday. • The deciding match for the Sage Cup between City and Old Boys was hotly contested at Rugby Park yesterday afternoon, and resulted in a win for City by 12 points to 0. Rain fell in the morning and windy weather and heavy showers prevailed during the game. Play was largely of a scrambling nature, but was characterised by some good handling on the part of City backs, while Old Boys' forwards .were handy at tb[e scrums. Many of the openings made for the Old Boys backs were not fully utilised. F. Buckingham opened the score for City and C-lemett subsequently scored again. Neither try was converted. Old Boys made several determined attacking - movements; which were foiled by sound defence: . ; In the second half, as the result of a mark, A. Buckingham kicked a fine goal for City from close" .to touch.- Later P. Buckingham scored . a. try,' wjiich resulted from an opening made by Clemett. The final scores were:—City. 12;" Old Boys, 0. A team representing the Auckland Auctioneers defeated Waikato Auctioneers by 10; points to 11'. Hamilton Junior representatives beat the Auckland Juniorvteam by 8 points-to 3 after a. good game. Totley opened the score with a try for the. home team. After the interval Smith scored for Hamilton and Clarkin converted. Play became'very fast and open in the last stages 'and Lamb scored-a try in .the corner for Auckland, which was not converted. ...... « • > * . SOUTH AUCKLAND * MATCHES. MANUKAU V. PUKEKOHE. [BY' TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PUKEKOHE. Saturday." In the South Auckland, Union's senior representative competition. . Pukekohe' and Manukau played a drawn came at Papakura to-day. the score being 3-all. The teams were evenly matched, and ■ the fifst half brought no score. In 1 the"' second half Crotty, wing-threequarter tor Pukekohe, secured .a try. Later, for Manukau. Alexander evened the sdore with a penalty' goal. . Wajuku. ,won . by default from Wnikare. In the junior comnetition.' Pukekohe beat Franklin, at Pukekohe. by*23 points to 11. « POLAND CUP 'CONTEST. PIAKO DEFEAT HAUP.AKI PLAINS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN 1 CORRESPONDENT. ] TE AROHA, Sunday. In" the Poland Cup match yesterday between Hauraki Plains and Piako, the latter team won by -17 ; points 'to 6. Tries'for the winners were scored by J. Samson (2). F, Goldsbury,' S. Goldsbury and McOnarters, while Stoupe , converted one try. For . the losers, Walters and McPherson scored. Piako have now a four-point lead'in the.cup competition. There is .only one more game to play. INTER-COLLEGIATE TOURNEY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHU.RCH. Sunday. An inter-collegiate Rugby, tournament opened yesterday. The results of matches were • as follow:—Wanganui, 21, .v. Nelson, 8; Wellington, 8, v. Christ's' College, 6. * ■ ' . . ■ : v ' "< ■ . r RESULTS IN -THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHTJRCii. Sunday." Rugby football matches yesterday resulted as follow:—First grade, trial game: A team, 3C; v. 'B team, 32;"seni6r*B: Canterbury defeated .Ellesmere. Juniors:' Wellington and Canterbury drew,' 3 all. DUNEDIN, Sunday. In the "Payne Shield match yesterday between; Otago: University and Old Boys, the prethier teams of Duriedin mid Christchurch respectively. University won by 14 points, to In a rnqtch at Balclutha Otago defeated South OtagO by 17 points to 5.. BLENHEIM. Saturday. In a "Rugby match to-day Marlborough defeated Wellington Colts by 12 points to 9. ; The ball ws-fe somewhat heavy and elusive but in the second spell were good. The Marlborough team lacked cohesion, although its deadly tackling upset Wellington's expectations. At half 'time the score was Marlborough. 5; Wellington. ! 3. The visitors will play Nelson on Wednesday, ' ' - NELSON, Sunday: : In a Busby match yesterday. Nelson "defeated o°Wen Bay by 30 points to. 6. The Nelson backs dominated the game. '• : 1 WESTPORT. Sunday. Under, adverse weather conditions yesterday Buller defeated Inangahua by 26 points to 0. A team will go to Nelson on Saturday in quest of the. Seddon Shield.