RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21782, 23 April 1934, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PRACTICE MATCHES HELD

SEASON OPENS ON SATURDAY

Winter conditions prevailed on Saturday afternoon, but this did not deter full musters of the various Rugby club players from participating in practico mate-lies in preparation for the opening of the season on Saturday next. The rain had had the effect of softening the grounds and this change from dry autumn weather was greatly appreciated by the players. A few of the better known players were missing, but their places have been taken cither bv newcoiners from other centres or by from the clubs concerned.

The senior championship will commence next Saturday, when the following matches have been set down for decision: —College Hifles v. Ponsonby, Grafton v. Technical Old Boys, Marist v. University, Manukau v. Otahuhu. Grammar Old Boys have drawn a bye.

CONTESTS IN COUNTRY OPENING GAMES OF SEASON The 1934 Rugby season was opened in some of the country centres in the Auckland Province on Saturday afternoon, and the following accounts of matches were forwarded by correspondents of tho Herald:—

Hamilton.—The local Rugby season opened with two games, which resulted as follows:—Gordonton, 15, v. Old Boys, 6; Frankton, 15, v. Ngaruawahia, 3. Cambridge,—The Rugby season was opened in bleak weather. In the senior grade Leam' ington defeated Northern by 15 points 5 in the course of a scratchy game. For Leamington, Hooper, Hogan, McDonnell (2) and Shaw scored tries. E. Shaw scored for Northern and Bryant converted. For the opening of the season United and Hautapu staged a most interesting and well-contested match, United winning by 13 paints to 11. Although a much lighter team, United was definitely superior, both back- and forward. For the winners D. Wilson and Brett scored tries, Hewitt converting both and kicking a penalty goal. For Hautapu, Holmes and Wilson scored. Harbutt kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. Juniors: Leamington, 14, v. Northern. 0; Hautapu. 3. v. United, 0; Maungatautari, 3, v. Karapiro. 3. Third grade: Leamington, 9, v. United. 0.

Mangatawhiri.—Play in the Mangatawhiri Union's senior competition was commenced, and the junior games are expected to commence next Saturday. The games resulted:—Pokeno, 15, v. Valley, 9; Mangatangi, 15. v. Maramarua ,5.

Thames—The Rugby season opened at Rhodes Park in dull but fine weather. Tho grounds are in excellent order, although the surfaces are rather hard at present. Combined play was not much in evidence, but fine individual efforts were seen at times. Seniors: Huimai, 17. v. Physical Training, 0; United, 10, v. College Old Boys, 3. Juniors: College Old Boys. 12. v. High School, 6; Huimai, 14, v. Physical Training. 8.

Tauranga,—The Tauranga Rugby Union's competitions were opened in wet weather. In the senior grade Te Puna defeated Cadets Old Boys after a keen game by 9 points to 6. At halftime the teams were oven, but Te Puna had the belter of the second half. Matakana defeated Athletic by 17 points to 3. Rangataua. had a bye. Junior grade: Cadets Old Boys, 9, v. lAthletics, 0; Matakana, 22, v. Country, 0; Te Puna had a bye. Rotorua.—The opening of the football season took placo at Arawa Park, 10 clubs taking part. The weather was overcast, with light showers, the ground being heavy and the conditions somewhat unfavourable. Much interest was centred in the senior game between Old Boys and Kahukura and. after a very close contest. Old Boys beat their opponents by 3 points. Results in the senior grade were:—Old Boys, 11, v. Kahukura, 8: Waiariki, 20. v. Utuhina, 8. Juniors: Old Boys. 5. v. Kahukura. 0; High School, 14, v. Utuhina, 8; Waikite, 6, v. Okere. 3.

Morrinsvllle.—The senior and junior competitions were commenced at Morrinsville under unfavourable weather conditions. Seniors: Kereone, IG, v. Terriers. 3; Eastern Combined, 11, v. United. 6. Juniors: Old Boys, v. Terriers. 0; Eastern Combined. 11, v. United, 7; Kereone, 19, v. Tahuna, 6. Te Awamutu.—The Waipa Rugby Union's championship fixtures were commenced in dull weather. The chief attraction was the meeting of Rovers seniors with Waikeria, and the former had n, ehade the better of the contest to win hy 13 points to 0. To Awamutu seniors defeated Tokanui by 36 points to 0. In the junior grade Suburbs rind Te Mawhai played a drawn game, with three points each. Suburbs and Old Boys, in the third grade, also played a, draw, six points each, while High School beat Rovers in the same grade by 20 points to 0.

SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—First division: Wellington Collide Old Boys, 24, v. Athletic. 11: Hutt, 23, v. Marist. 3; Petone. 11, v. Wellington. 10; Poneke. 31, v. Eastbourne, 22. Second division: Johnsonville. 13. v. Berhnmpore. 3; St. Patrick's Old Boys. 15, v. Miramar. 0; University, 19. v. Onslow, 0; Oriental, 11. v. Melrose-Selwyn. 8.

Christchurch.—The Rugby football season opened in good weather and with the grounds in summer condition. Results: Sydenham. IS. v. Merivnle, IX; Albion. 17. v. Christchurch, 0: Old Boys, 22. v. Athletic, 6; University, 10. v. Linwood, 0. Dunedin.—The Rugby competition opened with two surprises, the defeat of University A. last year's winners, and Southern, runnerup in 1933. Results: Alhambra. 12, v. University A, 8; Pirates, 9, v. Southern, 3; Knikorai, 16, y. Zingari, 9; Taieri, 13, v. Union, 3; Dunedin, 21, v. University B, 19.

CHAIRMAN'S GREAT RECORD [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"]

WELLINGTON, Sunday

At a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association executive Mr. D. McKenzie. of Wellington, was re-elected chairman for the twentieth term, and Mr. G. Bradley was re-elected the association's representative on tho New Zealand appointment board.