RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

OPENING OF THE SEASON. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. NARROW VICTORIES SCORED. The 1931 Rugby season commenced on Saturday in ideal weather. There was a large attendance at Eden Park, where four of the matches were played. The standard of play was quite good for an opening day and interest in the game on the oval between Technical Old Boys nnd Training College was sustained right to the final whistle. Tho first-named team won by a singlo point. A similar result was recorded at. the Show Grounds, where Ponsonby was fully extended to defeat Grafton by 10 points to 9. University and Grammar Old Boys gained wins nt the expense of Marist and Manukau respectively, but tho margin between ColJege Pities and City, in favour of the former, was something of a surprise. Following tire the results of the matches: — Technical Old Boys, 13; Training College, 12. College Rifles, 13; City, 3. Grammar Old Boys, 12; Manukau, 3. University, 11; Marist, 0. Ponsonby, 10; Grafton, 9.

TWO POTTED GOALS. TECHNICAL'S SMALL MARGIN. Technical Old Boys and Training College Trere given prido of place for openinc day. nnd the closeness of the scoring kept the grandstand spectators nt Eden Park interested throughout. It was early evident that Technical had a lively pack of forwards, but mishandling by tho backs enabled their opponents to commence a rush The ball went out to Townsend who evaded a would-be tackier and crossed near tho corner. Da vies failed at goal. The Technical forwards were doing fine work in the loose and were unlucky in not scoring. A lob pass by Haslam enabled KedL']ey to intercept, but he was well stopped by Johnston. Harris threw awav likely chances for Technical by persisting in working the blind side of the scrum when near the line. Technical had its rewaid a few moments later when Saunders dropped a goal from the twenty-five in front of the posts. Technical increased its narrow lead almost when Turbott intercepted and passed to Thomas who wns collared but pulled across the line for n try. Boss failed at goal. lownsend evened the total with a potted goal, making the half-time score:—Technical, 7: Training College. 7. , Training College assumed the lead shortlv nfter the interval when Kedgley on the wing showed a good turn of speed. He evaded the opposing fullback and scored in ti handy position. Davies converted. B°£ s then kicked a fine penalty goal for Technical from near half-way. but Harris failed with a shot at coal from a mark at. closer range. Technical missed several chances through erratic passing. Offside play round b scrum by the Training College forwards gave Ross a chance right in front and he .made no mistake. placing his side in the ]«nd hy one point. Some lively work by the Training College forwards thrilled the crowd before the olnse. when the score Tead:—Technical Old Boys. 13: Training College. I'2. "Mr. C. F. Pnull was referee.

SUPERIOR BACKS.

WIN FOR COLLEGE "RIFLES. / With superior backs, College Rifles was (He to register n pood win over Citv. The early stages of the came were characterised by ragged, play and there seemed little to choose between the teams. At one stage, City almost got over, Whitehead battling through to be brought down inches short. Berridge kicked a penalty coal for City and an unconverted try was scored by College Rifles. The score at half-time ■was:—College Rifles. 3: City, 3. After the resumption the College backs ployed with greater combination and Albrecht, securing in a Rood position, beat I\err-Taylor to score in a handy position. His kick was successful. _ City then took up the attack and Berridge made a fine opening but held on too long. From a scrum in the City auarter, Kirk cot the ball away smartly and Dear cut straight through the defence and handed to Albrecht for another try. which was converted. The gnmo ended:— College Rifles, 13: City. 3. Mr. A. J. Malcolm was referee.

HARD-FOUGHT STRUGGLE.

GRAMMAR DEFEATS MANUKAU

Thp match between Grammar Old Bovs rnd Mahukau developed into a hard-fought forward struggle, in which stylo _ of plav Grammar excelled and out-lasted its opponents. In the first half, there was nothing between the teams but, once its line had been crossed. Grammar was a new team and ft decisive win was registered. Play opened quietly and it was some time before tho packs Rettled down.' Neither side looked much like scoring in tho first half and there were ttt'o or three unsuccessful shots at goal. Soon after tho resumption, the Grammar backs swung into action and Garlick crossed wide out. Lindrum's kick unsuccessful. The Manukau forwards battled their way through and the ball went out to Ttirei, who got over fit the corner. His kick /was only slightly wide. Garlick next scored a try after a great solo effort. lie kicked through and beat Lipseombe for the touch-down. The kick failed. Lendrum then dodged through in fine style and scored nn unconverted try. Corner worked the blincl side from a scrum and Garlick went over for his third try. The game ended: Grammar, 12: Manukau. 3. Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee. U SUCCESS OF UNIVERSITY. TOO STRONG FOR MARIST. /, In a game which failed to provide many cleverly-oxeeuted manoeuvres. University was able to defeat Marist by 11 points to 0. Marist oponed up strongly but Caughey got away and sent out to Milliken. who. however, incurred a penalty for a forward pass. Prom the scrum. Loombe started what seemed a promising movement for Mariat, but Carter got possession of the ball and University pressed Marist hard fi<*nin. / After a clever run down half the field, Walsh, the Marist rover, was brought down, but bungling by the University backs nearly let Conway across tho line. Boswell and McVeagh relieved the situation for University and from a scrum near the Marist line. Caughey took odvantase of an opening, passing to Couper, who scored in tho corner. Butler failed to convert. Leys made a clever dash, passing at the right, moment to Anderson, but a golden opportunity WHS lost when last-named s •pass found no one ready. The score lit half-time war.:—University. 3; Marist. 0. Soon after the opening of the second snell Caughey scored for nfler a dnsli that was too fast for the defence. Leys converted. Shortlv afterwards, Couper cot nvnr the line, hrenking clear from a melee. University held the upper hand until the last ten minutes of the game, Ma r, st sparkled un and made the pace willing. The pprne ended with the score:—Universitv.il: Marist, 0. Mr. A. E. Austin was refe.:ee.

PONSONBY'S ESCAPE.

GRAFTON LOSES BY MIS KICK

Tn spite of its preatly weakened team Ponsonby succeeded in defeating Grafton hv tho n'fi of one point at the Show Grounds on Saturday. A daneorous lush by Grafton's forwards was checked hv Ponfonhy'g fullback, Pope. TTayward. Ponponby. retired hurt, beinp replaced hv Hooker. Grafton continued to attack nr.J Eraser, the wins-forwnrd. crossed Ponponhy's line Paton's kick was unsuccessful. I'onsonby swept up the field, and. after a series of scrums r-.car-Grafton's line. .Tamieson dropped a iro.il. An infringement by Ponsonbv resulted in Pntou kickinu a poal fmm the twenty-five iine. The score nt half-time was:—Grafton, t'i: Ponsonbv. 4. The resumption of play saw ponsonbv display improved combination and dash, and for the creator part of tho final spell Graft/in was on the defensive. Ponsonby's halfback, dived over the Grafton line near the corner, the try beincr unconverted. Smart work by Cammick resulted /in Carter, Ponsonbv's ripht wins, flooring n- corner try. which was not converted. Graflon forced tho pace, and from ,i five yards' scrum Larson scored between the posts. Pnton. however, missed the easy kick. The frame endedPonsonbv. 10: Grafton. 9. Mr. G. Peace was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Senior Grade B.—Marathon, 25, Parnell. 0: Ofahuhu. 17, Eden, G; North Shore, 6, Mount Roßkill, 3. /