RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19963, 4 June 1928, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. A SURPRISE FOR PONSONBY. DRAW WITH TRAINING COLLEGE. The sixth series of matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship was played on Saturday afternoon. The weather was fine and the grounds were in' splendid order. There was a good attendance o£ spectators at Eden Park. The surprise of the afternoon was effected by Training College, which drew "with Ponsonby, the championship leaders. Manukau defeated City in a hard-fought contest. Marist gave a good display m beating Grammar Old Boys, who were without the services of Badeley. Grafton scored a narrow win over College Rifles, while University had a comfortable victory over North Shore at Devon port. Following are the results of the matches: Ponsonby, b; Training College, 6. Manukau, 11; City, b. Marist, 12; Grammar Old Boys, 5. Grafton, 7; College Rifles, 5. University, 17; North Shore, 6. The following table shows the present positions of the teams: — Points Clip Team. W. L. D. For. As. Pts Ponsonby . . 5 1 119 51 11 ITniversity . . 4 1 1 P6 53 9 Marist . . . . 4 2 • 121 4'2 H City . . .. 3 3 Manukau . . 3 2 Grammar 0.8. 2 3 1 59 69 5 Grafton . . 2 3 1 60 86-5 Training Col. . . 1 3 1 35 66 3 North Shore .. 1 4 1 42 69 3 College Rifles .1 5 3S 102 2 TRAINING COL. V. PONSONBY. " Training College started the game in a manner reminiscent of the play of last year's side, which had the better ol' a drawn game with Ponsonby, and a keen encounter could be forseen. Early in the game the Training College backs broke awry, and. with a clear field, were called up for a forward pass. The college team held its own for the greater part of the spc-11. but iust at the close, L. Hook, who was playing scrum half, went round the blind side and scored Berridge failed witb the kick. After the change over Ponsonby was rnked by a series of attacks launched by the Training College backs. Time and again they swept up to Ponsonby's line, but luck was agninst them Finally, Ponsonby was penalised and Abbott equalised the scores with a. good goal. Training College continued to press, but just before half-time Jnmieson intercepted and ran to Butler before passing to R. Hook. However, the winger knocked on. The third spell saw Training College main tain its hold on the game. The forwards were playing keenly and the backs combin ing well. After the final change over Ber ridge placed Ponsonby on attack, but an curate kicking by Butler and Abbott changed the venue of play Then the Train ing College forwards took a hand -in the game, and, after a fine rush. Peacock scored The kick failed, but Training College led 6—3. The Ponsonby backs then swept into action, employing all their manifold ruses in efforts to nierce the defence For a time Training College withstood the attack, but finally, in a passing rush. Jsmieson drew the wing before passing to R Hook, who dived over at the corner. Berridge missed the kick, and a few minutes later the bell rang with the scores 6 all. Mr. J. Sweeney was referee MANUKAU V. CITY. "Wilkinson, a City back, injured his leg just after the start and had to retire The game opened in rather ragged style ana some speculating was 'indulged in by one or two of the players. Herd had a shot from a penalty near the twenty-five, but missed. However, a little later he was successful with a good kick. In a passing rnsh hroke throns'h and evaded the City fullback. B. Fletcher, however, showed a great turn of speed and overtook Falwasser when a try appeared imminent. Herd increased City's ecore with another penalty goal—a fine kick from well out. The City forwards were penalises near their line for a scrum breach and Rata kicked a goal. The scores at half-time were:— Ci f v, 6: Manukau, 3. Shortly after resuming Rata missed_ a penalty shot from a fairly easy position and then Herd had a fruitless shot Manukau endeavoured to open up the game but the passing of the backs was en-* 1 tic. and the City tackling was sound. The same brightened nn a lot. Manukau doinrr most of the attacking. Tfwerson furred down iust in time at the end of a Manukau rush From a line-out. near the corner the Manukau forwards ""-armed over and Sathprley scored a try. kicked a goal. Manukau maintained a strong ot + ark and TenebaD added another try. Sturrnev missed the shot at goal. The pme ended with tH» scores:—Manukau. 11: City, 6. Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee. GRAMMAR V. MARIST. The game between Grammar and Marist started off at a great pace, the Grammar backs attacking. A promising passing rush broke down and this let The Marist winger ran for about 30yds. in company with three or four backs, none of whom attempted to tackle him. and scored at the corner. Peters; kicked a fine goal. The Marist backs were playing fine football. Securing from a line-out, they raced downfield and Stuart made a fine opening for Johnson. The winger put m a good dash and then passed infield to Loft, who scored The kick failed and Marist led, B—o. It increased its lead to 12 points shortly afterwards when the Grammar forwards kicked through after screwing a scrum and Loft secured Hie ball and potted a goal. Weaknesses in the Grammar backs several chances go begging in the second spell when the pack, led by Batty, was plaving great football. The Grammar forwards continued to press after half-time and ' secured the ball from a scrum near halfway. Weir, evidently tired of seeing his openings spoiled by the inside backs. Bent out a long pass to Sltclton, who short punted cleverly. He followed up and secured the hnll to score a fine try. Hutchinson goaled. From then on the game was fairly even, hut the Grammar backs were lost without Badeley. T.iere was no further scOre and Marist left the field victorious by 12 nnint3 to 5. i>lr. C. Stretton was roferpe. GRAFTON V. COLLEGE RIFLES. The game opened evenly, play veering from one end of the field to the ilie Grafton torwards rushed the ball near their opponents' line, but a passing movement among the backs failed. I uri then picked up and drop-kicked a splendid goal -fom the field. Webber, the College wing, had it chance running down the line, but, failed to reach his objective. After the change, a long kick by Wilson put College Hities on the attack, but ragged passing among the backs let Grafton through. Hard play followed, College Rifles having 'he advantage. A breakaway by Finlayson put Grafton on the attack. A rapid interchange of passing saw Grafton almost over, hul r'vih saved with a timely speculator College Rifles pressed* but a fine run by Ivuru again gave Grafton the advantage. Play was in the Grafton half when half-time sounded, with the scores:—G raftori. 4: College Rifles, 0 /—ti On resuming play went to the College Rifles' line, but- a per filly against Grafton enabled Wilson to relieve with a long kick. Loose forward rushes became general on both sides. A penalty to College Rifles rave Wilson a chance, but Ins kick was wide. Grafton attacked. Compton making a good run and transferring to \Vnnoa. who made a determined dash, the College Rifles' defence being severely tested From s. kick by Ruru a bouncing ball beat the College Rifles' players and Farmer scored. Jn the last quarter both teams were" going strongly, the Gtafton backs combining in some effective passing movements W l.son had another shot at goal from a trood distance. the ball hitting the cross-bar and bouncing back. The College "dies ! > nc '- a looked dangerous at times, hut the Graflon defence was sound Finally. Pouter scored, the Cy being converted on the call of time. The game ended >-G raft on. /. College Rifles. S. Mr. C. F. Pauli was referee UNIVERSITY V. NORTH SHORE. The majority of University's points were ecored in the last twenty minutes of the came against North Shore, when the'light was fast failing. First blood was drawn by North Shore, Sinclair registering a fine try near the corner. The kick taiieu. .i penalty kick by Jenkin evened the score soon afterwards. Another unconverted try for North Shore was scoreo by Clarke, who grounded the ball from a scramble at the corner. At this stage play became fast, and the ball was thrown about freely by both teams. University attacked etrongly and Dickson scored, an unconverted try near the posts, making the • i : : score even again. A brilliant try was " t°^ ed by Minns for University from the half-way line. University's lead of three 8 Was then Quickly increased by Mai. * J lsßol } scoring and Stolter converting. A iuUtti num *, C ! S before the whistle. Jenkin in .tii" 0 }- r three points for University the gami witb a penalty kick, and b W. 6. Mr de | : ~ S^V TBity ' 17: . Nor tli' otubbinGß was referee. i V 1

LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Senior B.—Technical Qld Boys, 19, University, 0; Suburbs, Id, .Tramways, 5; Otahuhu, 2S, Newton, 3. Second Grade.--City Council. 9, City, 5; Ponsonby, 19, College Rifles, 0; Marist, 14, Grammar B, 8; Grafton. 0. Grammar Colts, 0; Grammar, 21, University Colts, 0. _ Third Grade.— College Rifles 8, Grafton, 3- Eden 71 Technical Old Boys, 0: bt. Heliers, 8, Otahuhu. 0; Penrose, 3. Kohimarama 13, 3; 8 Ponsonby, 9, Technical Old Boys. 0: North Shore. 12. Collese Rifles, 3. Mnmikau. 13, Suburbs, 11; Eden, 5. University. 4; Otahuhu. 11. Newton, 6: Papatoetoe. 10. Grafton. 8. Fourth Grade.—Kingsland. 17. Ellerslie. 5 Grammar, 12. Marathon. 0; Technical Old Boys. 9. North Shore, 0: Ponsonby. 21, Eden. 6: Suburbs. 6, P. and T.. 3: Manukau. 15. Parnell, 5. Fifth Grade.—City. 9. Manukau, 6; Eden. 12. Suburbs, 3. Sixth Grade.—Ponsonby, 5, Manukau. 0: Ellerslie. 12. Marathon. 0: Otahuhu. fi. Papatoetoe, 3 ~ Seventh Grade.—Manukau. -36 North Shore. 0; Eden. 17. Rechnbites. 0; Ellerslie, 3 Parnell. 0: Manukau B. 3. North Shore B. 3; Marist, 24. Kohimarama, 0. c Vrondnrv Srhools.—Senior G>-ndo* RacrM Heart. 16, Mount Albert, 0: Grammar. 9. <-:• o S»«nnd <~h-pde Grnirmnr. 13 Technical. 0. Third Grade- Grammar, 40 Technical. 0: Grammar A. 11. Sacred Heart. 8. Fourth Grade' Grammar A. 19. Sacred Heart. 6. Fifth Grade: Grammar. 13. Technical. 0; Sacred Heart. 40. Grammar A. 0 '