RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20301, 8 July 1929, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

|THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

PONSONBY TEAM EXTENDED,

SOME INTERESTING MATCHES

Tlio second series of matches in tlie. eocond round of the Auckland Rugby TJnioo's senior competition was played on Saturday, ' fomo close and interesting eames resulting. In the principnl lixturo Grammar Old Boys defeated Training Col-]e-c after an even contest. Training Col]epe held the advantage until the last ten minutes a'i f) was rather unlnck.v to lose. Technical Old Bovs made a surprisingly rood showing against Ponsonl-y and was leading at half-time. Tho better team vork of the Ponsonby side turned the laliles in its favour, but it was fully extended to win. On the No. 2 ground at Eden Park "Varist scored its third victory of tho reason against Manukau in a game that, was chiefly confined to the forwards. City scored ibe best win of the series by easily Recounting for Grafton, while College RiHes showed improved form against Univttniity, which won by nine points in a hard "game. Thero was a large rttendijtice at Eden Park and tho grounds were in splendid order. Following are the, results of senior jiiatches played ou Saturday:— Grammar Old Boys, 12; Training ColJcge, 8. Ponsonby, IS; Technical Old Boys, 6. Marist, '8; Manukau, 0. City, 23; Grafton, 3. University, 9; College Rifles, 0. The following table shows the present positions of the senior teams:—

GRAMMAR. FATHER LUCKY. Gmnmir Old Boys failed to eettlo down fgainst Training College until the final f'ages and was a little lucky to win. Grammar held the advantage at the start until Abbott drove it back with a fine kick. A i.usirc rush by the Training College backs looked dangerous until Connolly failed to take his transfer. The game lacked sparkle s;nd there was little combined play by either side. Abbott had nil opportunity from a penalty, but his kick went wide. Immediately the Training College hacks came ar.vay and Connolly cut through to score by the posts. Abbott easily converted. Just on the spell Abbott had a chance to score. t>;it failed to take his pass. The spell ended with tho score:—Training College. 5: Gramme r Old Boys. 0. Grammar pressed hard nt the opening of tho second quarter and once Corner was n'most through. Abbott gained a lot of ground with a great kick and then C'onoily cut through nicely. Tilly being tackled .rist in tiniD by Menzies. Training College ciimp again and Abbott dashed over on the Mind side. He failed to convert. Grammar's turn came when the forwards eom•nenced a passing rush, which resulted in K. Batty going over. Gardiner failed with the kick. Half lime sounded shortly aftervards, with the scores:—Training College. t ! : Grammar Old Boys, 3. On resuming Grammar rushed play to it« opponents' twenty-live, v.-her* somo forward 1 tussles ensued. Training College drove back v heu Connolly intercepted in a passing rush, 8. try being lo=t through a knock-on. 'i no Gramma- pack carried play to the other end. where Corner missed aj goal from a penalty in an en3v portion. Up-and-down play followed until the end of tho •matter, but thero was no alteration to tho icores. Immediately cn changing round Corner s.nd A. Knight were responsible for placi"S Grammar on attack. From a scrum luo ball went out to Gardiner, who potted n neat goal from under the post 3. Grammar set up a great rally and after several forwards had attempted to get over. Gardiner obtained possession nud cut through cleverly to score behind the post 3. Corner msily converted. With the Grammar torwards playing better the team was con'inurily attacking, but thero vss no further scoring, th» game ending:—Grammar Old Boys, 12; Training College. H. Mr. M. Kronfeld was referee. TECHNICAL'S GOOD SHOWING. Technical Old Boys fullv extended sonby and it was no*, until afl»r hiat.imo that the latter Rained tbo lead. Playing vith the wind Technical attacked strongiy siv.tl Hogg failed at goal from a penalty, 'technical was first, to score, Haslam notchinz a fine try, which Keane failed to convert. Technical had the better of tho remainder of tho quarter, (ho score bein™: — Technical Old Boy 3, 3; Ponsonby. 0. Maintaining the attack the Technical forwards bustled the defence, but Lucas saved vol! or) t'.vo or three occasions. Ponsonby • rrried play back to tho other end, where Jamieson failed at goal from a penalty. After iv period of fast play the Ponsonby rearguard at last, combined well. Hook nade a splendid opening and in-passed to Jamieron, who ran round unopposed. Hook converted, making the scores at halftiine:— Technical Old Boys. 6: Ponsonby. 5. On resuming an exchange of kicks favoured Ponsonby. Then C. Keano started a great, rush from ha 1 fray, which carried flay right to the Ponsonby line, where a I ry almost reunited. Maintaining the presnro Technical had Ponsonby on tho defence end only lack of finish robbed it of eome t-re-.t scoring opportunities. Ponsonby was I'fing its ba< I;b to' advantage and gradually t'roro Technical back to its own line. Hero from a five yards scrum the Ponsonby baeKs f?t off and McLeod touched down at the corner. Jamie-son failed with the kick. Just on tho quarter another fine movement, by the Ponsonby backs saw Cmnniiek take a ?''rersc pass froru Lucas and scoro between ti"> posts. Hook converted. I'onsonby's advantr.go of weight ill the forwards was beginning to fell its talc. "Ihe rest t-y was a simple one. 7>uca.s kicked through and followed on to tackle IJ. Keane in po'scssion. The latter lost the ball on the line and Solomon touched down, llook <onverted with a good kick. There was no t 'rther scoring, the game ending:—L'on•onby, 19; Technical Old Boys, 0. Mr. G. Peace v.'is referee. MA I! IST BEATS MANUKAU. Ma rist. and Manukau met on No. 2 ground, Ihc htfer kicking r>ff nnd ud ottack. Play n-art Miosily confined t«» flic forwards ij) ilio early aiugw. Uio Maii-t attemptod piia?inn I'isbos, but could liftlc headway asainsi t.ho pound tackling of i!a opponents. Stuart hid i n "ns'iccessful penalty chot for Mavist. The Mariukau forv-'-irds, leaded by Housbam, got, near the Marisl. lin r- . but faulty pauni ig tv th" backs spoiled the opportunity. Ihe •'*"r:st forwards replied with a good rush, but a foolish bard kick enabled Manukau to dov.'u. There was no ecore at hjlttirn-:. Marist did most of the attacking in the ■third quarter, the backs making t;ood uso ; *>f the wind by judicious kicking. Hadley almost, c-cr betwoen tbo posts at the end of a passing rush, but the tackling was found. Stoupe made a good run down the T'gbt wing and then passed infield to Stuart, *"ho crossed near the corner. He converted Ins try with a very Cue kick. Mannkau n:ado strenuous efforts in *bc* final quarter, having Marist penned in its twenty-five for e*,nio lime. A good line-kick by f'obum brought r"'!ef, and then the Marist forwards tf'''cpt downfield. Stuart took a mark •itist outside the twenty-five and kicked a goal. Shortly before time Brimble, a Manu.Kai] fonvard, was ordered off field for disputing the referee's ciecision. The gamo Gilded with tbo ecorcs:—Marist, S; Manuiiu, 0. Mr. L. Guiney was referee. CUV SCORES FREELY. Openimr briskly tb.c game between City *nd Grafton nt F.dt'ti I'ark Nc. 3 ground v.as fairly even for the first, five or ten Minutes. Bright piny by Littlewood. Allen and Beiridre soon turned the scale in City's f'•vijur, onrl if piled up poin'3 etendily. Allen ebowrd up early v.bcu he saved well in a(i raft on attack. Shortly afterwards Bprridge gained possession and passed to Wheatou, who enabled Littlewood to score near the corner. 13crridgo failed to convert. , The scene of notion changed soon to City's twenty-fivo. Evaus made a tricky run to score just as ho was collared. Paewai pissed tlie kick. Littlewood the oaM shortly afterwards and made for Grafton's twenty-five. Ho passed out to Allen. Zpo followed his own kick to touch down. The try was not converted. The scores at, •ne end of the quarter were:—City, 6; Grnf*<'D, 3.

Oa changing over Soreusou scored for City and Berridge converted. Borridse. Allen and Wight man wero associated in a passing bout, which ended in tho last named scoring. Littlewood missed an easy kick. Grafton was later awarded a penalty, but tho kick failed. At half-time (liu scares were:—City, Hi Grafton. 3. Almost immediately after resuming liittiewood made an opcuing, which Alien tinned to advantage. Bcrridgo converted. A further promising rush by City liipscd when Wheatou was collared m the Grafton twenty-five. Tho quarter ended with tlio scores City, 10; Grafton, 3. Graftou attempted to force the play, but was not very successful. Lockic secured from ft scrum and potted a good goal, from a tussle at halfway Wbe a ton. Bertidge and Littlewood combined iu a successful attack on the Graftou line. Littlewood scoring. Berridge converted with an excellent kick from a hard angle. Time was called n few minute 1 ' Inter, the final scores being:—City. 23: Grafton, 3. Mr. I). V. Moore was referee. A FORWARD STRUGGLE. University struggled b-.rd to beat College Ritles by 9 points to 0 in u keen forward game. With both vanguards playing well play settled at halfway. Donald stemmed a likely University rush, but play moved to College Hi ties' territory. Gillesuie was caught in possession and tho ball dashed out to Goodwin, who was smothered on the line. From the resulting scrum Steere marked and cleared. Kirk sent Wilson and Donald away, a penalty relieving. Hush missed the kick and tho spell ended with no score. College Rifles attacked, but the passing was f.low and Keane snVed. University came away on the blind side. Gillespie holding it mi with a gcod line kick. University worked back and from a penalty Bush kicked a goal. Penalties were holding up the College Rifles pack. C'olgnu and Brooker initiated a bout of parsing, which swept the length of the field. College Rifles came back and McGregor broke through. Exciting piny in mirlfield marked the end of the spoil. The score was:—University. 3; College Rifles. 0. On resuming McGregor intercepted and dashed through, but Bush was safe. Wilson missed with a penalty and Spotter sent Goodv/in away in a sprint down field. McGregor agniu broke away and kicked past Bush, but Goodwin was altogether too speedy and saved. Another penalty £;uv Bush again successful from an easy position. University w-s trying to make tlio game open, when the end! ended with tho scores-University. (>; College Rifles, 0. College Rifles rushed play to the line, but the University forwards saved. Jerkin sent out to Goodwin, but McGregor tackled him brilliantly. Heeling smartly University chanced the attack anil Minns received to swerve through some forwards and raco over at the corner. Bush missed the kick. The game ended with the scores:—Univcrsitv. 9: College Rifles. 0 Mr. G. Hancock was the referee. RESULTS IX LOWER GRADES. Following arc the results of lower grade Rugby matches played ou Saturday:— Senior Grade B.—Suburbs, 8, Paine!!. S: North Shore. 5. University B. o: Tramways, JO. Kiligsland. 8. Second Grade.—Public Works, 22, Hauraki United. 0: City. 11, Takapuna, 3: Maris*,. 12, Technical 0!d Boys. 3: College Rifles. 10, University A, 5: Marathon, 12, Papakura. 9. Third Grado Open.—North Shore. 31. Y.M.C.A.. 0: Pnnniure. 8. College Rifles. 5; Public Works. 13. University, I 1.; Nev.'tMi, 22. Marathon. 0: Kiligsland. 3, Ponsonby Third Grado Intermediate. Parnell, (i. Public Works. 5; Suburbs. 3f>. Takapuna. 0: Kiii'jsland, 11, Grammar. 3; Ponr-nr.by. 30 Y.M.C.A.. 0: Ccllece Rifles, 2). Grammar A. 11: Marist. '2O. Manurewa. .">; North Shore. 9, Eden, ti: Kiligsland. 10. GramGrade.—Dilworth Old Boys. 13, Suburbs, 3; Marathon, 17. Panmure. 0: Mari:>t. 15. Kingsland, 0: Eden, 16. Ponsonby. 3; Technical Old Boys, 3?, Y.M.C.A.. 6: Eden. 10. Ponsonby. 3: Grammar. 47. North Shore. 3. Fifth Grade. -Ponsonby. !/. Eden. •>: Manukau, Grafton, 0: Otsoubu, 9, Suburbs, f). . _ ~ Sixth Circle.—Ponsonlv 3. Pernell, 0. Seventh Grade.—North Shore, 11. Otahuhu. ti; Eden. 3. Northcote. 3. Secondarv Schools.—Senior grade: Mount Albert Grammar A. 20. King's College. :i; \aeVland Grammar. 11. Sacred Heart. 3: Auckland Grammar B. 12. Takapuna Grammar, '.l; Taknpuria Grammar, 9, Kins a College, 0. Second crude: Mount Albert. Gramma'-' 0 Kincr's College. 0: Auckland Grammar' A.' 16. Sacred Heart 6. . Third grade: Sacred Tlcart. 10, Mount Albert ® - ,, Auckland Grammar, 30. Mount Albert Grain in jr. 0: Auckland Grammar A. 32. Mount Albert Grammar A. 6. hourtu grade: Mount Albert Grammar A. 2.*>. Auckland Grammar C. "• Mount Albert' <>rantmar B 13. Auckland Grammar D. 0; Sacred Heart,'.'. King's College, 0. Fifth grade: Mount Albert Grammar A. 12. Auckland Crammer D. 0: Mount Albert Grammar B. 11. Auckland Grammar C, 3: Sacred Heart A. 33. Auckland Grammar B. 0: Technical College, 8, Sacred Heart, G; Technical A, 0, Saered Heart B. 3. Prim art 1 Schools.—Mancere, 3. Mount A.bert. 0: Newmarket. 23. Devonport, o: Onehunga, 3. Ellerehc. 0.

P!S. Ch. P. V>\ L. D. For Ac. I'M J'cmsonhy 11 0 0 — 2tti IPS IS University 10 8 •2 — 115 71 li'. ("Irsmrnar O.D. 11 7 ;i 1 h a 03 15 Trninin? Col. . 11 6 i 1 1K3 105 13 Manukau 11 5 r> 1 no 117 II City 11 5 5 1 00 90 11 Technical O.B. 1! I 7 — m m s in U f> 1 ii 01 7 f ol!rere I.ifles . 11 *2 8 1 78 \12 5 Grafton 11 0 9 89 136 1