RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20893, 8 June 1931, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

PONSONBY BEATS GRAMMAR

DEFEAT OF UNIVERSITY,

Tho sixth series of matches in the senior championship of tho Auckland Rugby Union was played on Saturday under good conditions. The principal attraction at Eden Park was the game between Grammar Old Boys and Ponsonby which in stages provided some thrilling football. Both teams lost good scoring chances, Ponsonby running out* winners by a margin of three points. Training College created a great surprise by lowering the colours of the hitherto unbeaten University fifteen at the Show Grounds. In the curtain-raiser College Rifles beat Grafton after a poor exhibition, while the two other senior games resulted in a draw. Keenly interested spectators at the chief match at Eden Park were the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, the Lady Bledisloe and Archbishop Averill, The results of Saturday's matches were as follows: — ) Ponsonby, 9; Grammar Old Boys, 6. Training College, 8; University, 3. College Rifles, 11; Grafton, 8. Marist, 3; Manukau, 3. Technical Old Boys, 6; City, 6. The following table shows the present positions of the senior teams: —

AN EVEN CONTEST.

PONSONBY TRIFLE LUCKY.

In a game in which there was little to choose between the teams Ponsonby was a trifle lucky to defeat Grammar Old Boys by three points. Fast play marked the opening stages, each side taking turns at attack, the advantage eventually lying with Grammar. The Grammar backs were seen in a couple of nice passing bouts and once Macindoo lost a ohancu on the Ponsonby line by failing to accept Corner's transfer. Grammar lost another great chance when a pass was delayed too long with A. Knii.'ht unopposed. Ponsonby gradually worked back and Jamieson went close with a drop at goal. Ponsonby still maintained t;he pressure, its forwards working better and from a penalty well out Newdick was unlucky. the ball hitting the crossbar end rebounding. A moment later tho same player was successful from a penalty in about the same position. Led by W. Batty, the Grammar forwards made a piercing rush. Corner sent his backs away and P Potter, who came round in support, was unlucky to lose possession in diving for a try. Ponsonby was caught rather nipping from a drop-out. Solomon's kick was charged by A. Knight, who kicked through, then picked up and hurled himself over between the posts with several defenders holding him. Corner missed the _ eisy kick. Grammar was holding the territorial advantage and from a penalty well out Land rum kicked a nice goal. The score at half-time was:—Grammar, 6; Ponsonby, 3. On the resumption each side made tlsty for the backs and some interesting exchanges followed. Once Ramsay showed speed in a Ponsonby attack, gaining a lot of ground, but his in-pass went astray. McFarland showed out at fullback for Grimmar for some splendid kicking. Both vanguards were engaged in some strenuous exchanges and Newdick brought the scoro level by kicking a fine penalty goal from a few yards inside halfway. Tho spectators became excited when Grammar made deeperrate efforts to scoto. A try should have resulted when the rearguard went away but Bell dropped his pass. In a flash Ramsay was off and although he was lowered Ponsonby players were supporting and RamBay joined in again to score at the corner. Newdick failed with the kick. The success livened Ponsonby which began to throw the ball about in great style and Grammar was kept on defence. Once Solomon made a good opening, only to see a knock-on and a try lost. Grammar came buck and the backs went away in splendid passing but Lendruni threw away a certain try by holding on with the threequarter unmarked. Tho game ended a minute ls.ter, the final score being:—Ponsonby. 9; Grammar, G. Mr. C. P. Paull was referee.

SECOND HALF VICTORY.

COLLEGE RIFLES' SUCCESS.

Although College Rifles was 8 points down #t half-time against Grafton the team ral lied well in the second half and won by a margin of three points. Play was uninteresting until the Grafton backs set off. Moore making a good opening from which iinnell eventually scored wide out. banner converted with a fine kick. College Rifles made a few spasmodic attacks but penalties and poor handling nullified the advantage. Grafton was awarded a penalty just inside the halfway mark and Farmer kicked a fine goal Grafton held the advantage until half-time when the score was: —Graf- / ton, 8; College Rifles, 0 On resuming a good run by CherMngton carried played well into the College Rifles' twenty-five. The defenders drove back by means of short forward rushes and from a mark TTn.liwell made a poor Attempt fit goal. A little later Pickering was unsuccessful with a penalty kick. After inaking repeated fruitless attacks College Hiflw was rewarded when Albrecht cnt though cleverly and sent a long pass to ■who dashed over wide out. Haliwell failed with the kick A few minutes before time College Rifles cam© away in a nice rush initiated by Stone, and Warren went over between the posts. A forward pass, however, spoiled the movement. Then from a penalty in a handy position Pickering kicked a goal. Just on time clever play by the College Rifles backs enabled Donald to score wide out. Pickering failed with the kick and the game ended:—College luiles. 11; Grafton. 8. Mr. M. Kronfold was referee. SURPRISE VICTORY. WIN FOR TRAINING COLLEGE.

Training College secured a surprise victory at the Show Grounds. University being decisively defeated by eight points to three. From the start Training College forced the pace and within the first minute Campbell, the halfback, terminated a fine forward rush by scoring at the corner. Although the angle was difficult Davies successful iri sdding the major points. Thus encouraged Training College continued to prens its opponents. A series of line-outs dangerously close to the University goal linn followed, Stacey. the University rover, ultimately relieving the situation by taking the ball almost half the length of the ground. From then on play was far more even and the spell ended with the score: —Training College, 5: University. 0. In an effort to equalise Universitv started a strong offensive movement and fine combination among the backs almost brought about the desired result. Gower. a Training College wing-threequarter. neatly intercepted and carried play to the other half. Kedgley then made nn attempt to scnr< nnd took the hall just, short of the University Eoal line. He was not supported, however. and a try was lost. A few minutes later Campbell, taking a. pass from MoKearney, crossed the line at th« crrner. Datfies failed with the kick, Shorlhr bofore the final whistle Butler made University's only score with a nenalty goal. The match ended:—Training College, 8; University, 3. Mr. J. Gasparich was referee.

CITY SECURES A DRAW

EVEN GAME WITH TECHNICAL. More or less even piny marked the same between City nnd Technical Old Boys, and the contest ended in a draw, each side icorinsr six pointa. City kicked of! anil took the initiative, but Technical drove bnck until Carter cleared. Harris made & fine run down the line but without result.. City was awarded a penalty near its opponents' twenty-five and Berridge kiclied a

goal. Shortly afterwords Crook crossed for ft try but the kick failed. The score ut half-time was:—City, G: Technical, 0. After the opening of the second half Technical kept play in City's territory. The City forwards transferred play in a sweeping rush down the field and a fine passing movement in front of tho Technical goal was checked. Technical was soon back and from a penalty near City's twenty-five D. Kenne kicked a fine goal. Within throe or four minutes Keano repented his performance with another nice kick. Play became more brisk and Common went over but was brought back for a breach. The game ended with the score:— City, G; Technical, G. Mr. G. Peaco was referee. ANOTHER DRAWN GAME. NO SCORE IN SECOND HALF. Ia the game between Marist and Manukftu at Onehunga the two teams proved very evenly matched. Marist kicked off and, following up well, held play in the opposing twenty-five for a period. In the early stages a penalty by Manukau gave Harris an opportunity and he kicked a fine goal from a difficult position. Play remained near the Marist line and from the loose the ball came out to the Manukau backs. C Stuart kicked pver tho opposing defence and R, Stuart, following up fast, secured and scored near tho corner flog. The kick failed. Manukau was penalised shortly after, but the kick went wide, while nn attempt by Tumi a little later was also unsuccessful. At half-time the score was:—Marist, 3; Manukau, 3. Early in the second spell Manukau attacked strongly, but could not get_ through. Conway, the Marist halfback, retired with a broken rib. His place was taken by Smith. Tlie Manukau backs mndo several attempts to get through, but the threequarters were generally forced out. In the last few minutes Marist attacked strongly, Ryan, Cornthwaite and Smith making good runs. The Mnnuknu forwards took play back and were attacking at the final whistle. The score was:—Marist, 3; Manukau, 3. Mr. F. E. Sutherland was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Senior Grade B.—Marathon. 11, Eden, 11; North Shore, 11, University, 0: Parnell, 23, Mount Roskill, 0. Second Grade.—Ponsonby, 12, Grammar Colts. G; North Shore, 14, Parnell, 0; Northcote Colts, IG, College Rifles, 13; Marist, 5, Marathon, 3; Panmure, 10, University A. 3; College Rifles, 22. Grammar A, 0; Tamaki. IG, City, 0; Technical Old Boys, 2S, University B. 0; Training Collego C. 9, Otahlihu C, 3; Papakura, 17, Mount Wellington, 3. Third Gruda Open.—Technical Old Boys, 9, Mount Roskill, 0; Panmure, 13. North Shore, 8: Eden, 3, Waitemata. 3; Penrose. 13. Suburbs, 8. Third Grade Intermediate.—Northcote. f>, Manukau A, 0; Grafton B. 11, Training College A, 3; Dilworth Old Boys B, 9, Grammar B, 3; North Shore, 3, Marist. 0; Eden, 15, Royal Naval Reserve, 3: Y.M.C.A.. 14. City, 3; Manukau, 29, Marathon, 0; College Rifles, 21, Training Collego B, 0; Grafton A, 9, Grammar A. 0. Fourth Grade. —Otahuhu. 3. Old Boy 9 A. 0; Manukau, 9. Marathon, 0; Technical Old Boys' Colt 3. 9. F.llerslie, fi; Ponsonby, 23, Penrose, 0; Newton, 3G, Tamaki, 0: Eden, 20, Grammar, 3; Suburbs, 23, Mnnurcwa, 5. Fifth Grade.—Otahuhu, 13. North Shore, 0: Northcote, 6, Suburbs, 3; Manukau won from Roskill by default. « Sixth Grade.—Eden, 15, Suburbs, 5; Marist, 3, Manukau, 0. Junior Boys.—lntermediate grade: Northcote, 5, Otahuhu. 0; Manukau, 3, Parnell, 3: Suburbs won from Ellerslie by default. Junior grade: Otahuhu. IS, Penrose, 0. Secondary Schools.—Senior grade: AuckInnd Grammar, 2G. Takapuna Grammar, 0. Fourth grade: Auckland Grammar, 11, Sacred Heart, 5.

Points. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. P :s. University aw (i 5 1 — 7G 31 10 Ponsonby .! .. (5 5 1 — 66 33 10 Grammar ,1 .. 13 4 2 _ G4 38 8 Marist . .■ v. (5 3 2 1 49 31 7 Teohnical . v. 6 2 2 2 45 53 6 College Rifles .. 15 3 3 — 45 G5 6 Grafton .. 6 2 4 — 33 52 4 Manukau . 6 1 3 2 2<i 44 4 Training College 6 2 4 — 49 72 4 City 13 — 5 1 28 67 1