RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24935, 3 July 1944, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SECOND BOUND STARTS GOOD WIN FOR PONSONBY The second round of matches in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition was commenced on Saturday afternoon. The overhead conditions were mostly fine, but the grounds were heavy after rain during the week. There was a fair attendance at Eden Park. A great deal of interest was taken in the two games played on the oval, where Ponsonby made its first appearance for the season. The team fully justified its promotion to tho first division, as it scored a convincing win over Training College—a side which had fully extended tho leading teams in the first round. University outplayed Marist in the main game, the margin being 14 points to 3, after a lead of 8-nil at half-time. Grammar Old Boys heat Technical Old Boys by 5 noints to nil in a keenly-contested game on No. 3 ground, while Manukau's margin over Otahuhu at Sturges Park was only two points. University gave a good exhibition in defeating Marist, which again disappointed its supporters. The winning team's forwards played much more dashing football than the heavier Marist pack, whoso efforts wers rather spasmodic. The University backs also showed better understanding than their opponents, the combination between Paewai, Wilkins, Xettleton and Jones being very good. They were always trying to do something with the ball. On the other hand, the Marist combination was not happy. Rae and Neary were the five-eighths in tho first spell, with McCarthy at centre, but after the interval McCarthy came in to first five-eighths, while the other pair moved out to their usual positions of second five-eights and centre respectively. Rae, usually a source of danger on attack, was given no latitude by the opposing backs. Neary endeavoured to cut in too much and held on to tho ball too long. Sorenson was again below form at fullback. Paewai once more provided the crowd with thrills and his trickiness and speed off the mark fooled his opponents on several occasions. Nettleton scored a try,and made the opening for another scored by Jones. This was a most spectacular movement. Jones played a fine all-round gamo at centre. Following were the results: —Ponsonby, 27 (tries by McKay, 2, Coughlan, Bieleski and Tctzlaff, Donaldson converting three and kicking two penalty goals), Training College, o (three penalty goals by Sutcliffe;) University It (tries by Gudex, Nettleton and Jones. Smeeton converting one), Marist, 3 dry by McGrory); Grammar, 5 (try by Mansill, converted by Gilnioi.tr), Technical, o Manukau, 5 (try by Dreadon, converted by I .

Boryer), Otabuhu, 3 (penalty ffoal by Halllwell), Secondary Schools.—King's College, 17, Takapuna Grammar, 3: Mount Albert Grammar, It) Technical College, C; Auckland Grammar, 20, Sacred Heart College, 3. Hamilton.—The Hamilton Rugby Union a Stag competition was advanced a further stago on Saturday, when Technical Old Boys beat Railway by 19 points to 6. The majority of Teclinical'a points were secured from tries scored by C. Goosman. Old Boys beat Fightors by 10 points to 14, and Kiwis beat Horotin by 0 points to 3. In a series of mterschools matches. Southwell (Hamilton) maintained its unbroken record of successes against St. Peter's (Cambridge). Southwell seniors won by I_> points to 0, and tho juniors won by '£A points to 0. Rotorua.—A match for the Te Hurunui Apaniii Shield was played at Arawa Park on Saturday when Rotorua beat Rangitaiki bv 0 points to 8. The score at half-time was 3-aIl. Wellington.—A Press Association message states that the sole selector, Mr. A. McDonald, has chosen tho following team to represent Wellington against Canterbury in a Kugby match to bo played at Christchurch on Saturday next: —Fullback, Alexander; tlirecquarter's, Morrison, Kohrrts, E. Bligh; five-eighths. .Tamieson. Freeman; halfback, Ooldstone: forwards, Wales, ('aleinai. Elliott, Green, Stanawny, Ingpen. George. Emergencies: Back. Tucker; forward. Shannon. Roberts, who has been chosen as centre-threeqnarter, was injured in a club match n fortnight ago and it Is unlikely that he will be fit enough to travel. CHAMPION HOCKEY TEAM The final round of the Auckland Hockey Association's senior championship i Davis Cup) was played on Saturday afternoon at Papatootoe, where the grounds were very badly cut up. University showed all-round superiority over Somerville, winning by 3 goals to 1. This was Somerville's first defeat of the season. Actually the result, however, did not affect the championship, Somerville winning with 10 points, while University is runner-up with 11 points. University did most of the attacking in the scoreless first spell, but opportunities were lost through over-keenness and wild shooting. From a corner Thomas, centre forward, opened the scoring by fast following in and catching tho rebound. University's attacks came mostly from the right, and Thomas added two more spectacular goals. Determined efforts by Somerville in the concluding stages were rewarded with a goal. Following were tho scores and scorers:— University. 3 (B. Thomas 3), Somerville. 1 (S. Morgan); St. Luke's. 1 (N. Pearson). Owai Rovers, 1 (R. Baker); Grammar Old Ho.vs, I (K. La wry 2, G. Lawry, F. Priestly). Training College, 1 (I. W.vatt :i, .f, Whllbtirn); N'o. I Port Depot (Auckland), I if. Minn P. Filer. R. Morten), Wesley United. 1 (L. Hedges); Whonuapai. (i (.1. Stevenson 1,. Budd, R. Sluirt. I. Pnrdie). Mniinl Eden. ■J iO. Cooke. W. Chester).