RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

The football season was opened in Dunedin on Saturday, when every ground was fully occupied. The large number of players taking part in the practice games must be considered as highly favourable to the prospects of the game during the incoming season. The grade matches will be commenced next Saturday. PLAY IN OTHER CENTRES. (P&b United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. April 11. The Rugby season opened on Saturday, though the championship matches will not be commenced until a later date. Athletic and Berhampore drew, 6 points each; Wellington beat Marist, 8 points to 3 points; University 23 points beat Old Boys 8 points. Oriental had an easy win over Hutt, 28 points to nil. The old rivals, Petone and Poneke met in the Tom Cross benefit match before about 4000 spectators. Petone played a strong trfam, including the three Nicholls. Poneke led in the first spell 6-0, but in the second spell, assisted by a wind, Petone ran up a good score, a remarkably good exposition of football been given by Mark Nicholls. He kicked a goal from a mark, converted five tries scored by others, and scored two tries himself, converting one. He thus secured 15 points out of a total of 21 points. CHRISTCHURCH, April 10. The Rugby football season was opened in fine but warm weather. Several practice games were played, the senior matches resulting: Christchurch 20 points, Albion 2.0 points; . Old Boys, 0 points, University 5 points. ENGLISH COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, Press Association—Bv telegraph—Copyright LONDON, April 11. (Received April 11, at 5.5 p.m.) In the final of the Rugby county championship Yorkshire beat Hampshire by 15 points to 14. —Reuter. MAORI TEAM’S TOUR. (Press Association—Bv Telegraph— Copyright.) LONDON, April 9. The Rugby Union Committee discussed the forthcoming Maori team’s tour of France. It was stated that the union was not concerned with the tour in any way, and no representative matches would be played; but, subject to the union receiving proper assurances that the financial arrangements of the tour would be in -accord with the amateur laws of the game, it was announced that there , would be no objection to the English county and club sides playing against the Maoris. —Reuter.