RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 46, 24 July 1915, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AFTER a fortnight's spell, the Auckland Rugby Union's championship matches were continued' last Saturday. The senior games were all played at Eden Park, and an interesting series finished: City, 13, v. Manist Bros., 0; Ponftonby., 9, v. Parnell 5; College Rifles, 31, v. University, 9. The results of the matches give College Rifles and City a substantial lead for the championship. The Rifles, lead City by one point, and a grea/t game can be expected when these teams meet in a fortnight's time. Ideal conditions prevailed last Saturday, and, irr view of Marist Bros.' splendid showing against College Rifles in their last engagement, a keen, hard game was anticipated in the meeting of the Tykee and City. The first spell was very even, and both teams narrowly missed scores. The Tykes were principally confining operations to their forwards, while City, although possessing a 'heavy and fast vanguard, also let the ball out to their backs. It was when about half-way through the first half of the second spe.ll that the fate of the Tykes was revealed. An attack by the City forwards finished!, by their backs, resulted in Martin getting across and scoring a good try. After ends were changed for the last time the Tykes •became a ©adly beaten team, and City ran on another ten points. Tykes played under protest, owing to City having included in their ranks two Trenthamites, French and McNa,b. D. Stewart and; G. Campbell each added a try for the winners, while Sainebury was saicoessiful in adding the major points twice. The Tykes had difficulty in getting a team together, and when they took the field J. Prickett and P. McKenzie were found to be missing. Of the winners' forwards, Bruce, McNab and French were most conspicuous, but the last named was too inolinedl to offside tactics. O. Stewart, on the wing, played with his usual diash. His fast following proved disconcerting to the Tykes. Of the backs, Moffit and D. Stewart were best. The former's fielding and line kicking were a special feature, and he had hard luck in the goal from a drop kick. Lang was fair, and under the conditions should have shown to better advantage. Barclay did not play up to form. Four of Marist Bros.' forwards, Casey, Barrett, White and Stott, claim special mention for their hard, willing play. One of the best backs on the "round was E. Earlly, half-back. Should Auckland meet Wellington he ought to catch the selector s eye. McDonald, who played his first fame of the season, was in his old at five-eighths, and put in useful' kicking and; stopping. B. Clark, three-quarter, was also very prominent. Although College Rifles had such a biip- win over University, the game was'bv no means lop-sided. J, he students put in a lot of aggressive work, but the combination of the Rifles won the day.

For the winners the tries were scored by Laxon (2), Nesbitt (2), Cox (2), Scantlebury (1) and McHugh (1), while the losers' points were all compiled by Holland; with two tries and a penalty goal. Parnell and Ponsomby engaged in a struggle, confined l chiefly to the forwards. The eastern, suburbs' team was collected at the last moment, and;, despite such a handicap, made a creditable showing. The Ponsonby score was contributed by Hanlon, with two tries and! a penalty ' Sjmt, • w'hii.k l Parnell'si quota came from a try by Freeman which Birnie converted. Ira all probability, Frank AVilson and Ross, members of the sixth reinforcements, now on holiday from Trentihani, will assist University next Saturday.

G. Murray, the ex-Ponsonby and Auckland representative player was in town last week on holiday leave from Trentliam. College Rifles second grade in their contest with. University piled up the big total of 40 points to nil. King's College and Grammar School met at the Show Grounds and followers of College football were treated to a very open, exciting game. Once again Grammar School gained the day, Irat by a much narrower margin than on the previous meeting. The winners' six points were matte up of two tries gained by Badeley and Nicholson, while King's three i>oints wore added through a penalty kick by Chapman.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL. The Northern Union championships were continued on Saturday, and followers of the game had! a really interesting programme of matches provided. It was an afternoon of surprises. In the first place, North Shore accounted for Grafton by 12 points to 8. At Victoria Park, fewpinned sufficient faith in Newton to defeat Porsonbv. The red a-nd whites upset all calculations, and further improved , their position with a win. of 19 points to-; 10. Another leading teann tbat had a close call was City, who, however, managedl to stave off Otahuhu's attacks and win by 10 points to 6. Grafton journeyed across the water and met the marine suburb's chosen team on the home reserve. It has

always been a marked feature of Shoreites in athletics, the splendid performances they put up on their own grounds. This match was in keeping with all traditions. Shore set the pace from the jump, and got to work in a manner most unexpected to Grafton. The blacks ihadi the best of the first spell, and led by 10 points to 2. Shore had! a taste of dlefence in the second half, and Grafton, with the assistance of a converted try, reduced the leaders' margin to one point. Play then became very exciting, for both teams endeavoured .in a strenuous manner to gain an increased lead. At last the chance came to Shore, when off-side play gave them a free kick. Paul was again entrusted with the responsibi-

lity, andl carried! out bis team's confidence by piloting the ball between the posts. Two Shore backs deserve special mientibn, MbAneny, tfull-hjack, and Stewart. The former is an old Association footballer, and should prove a decided acquisition. Stewart, as* five-eighths, gave a great display. " Forward, Paul and Wafters bore the brunt of the work. V Of the Graftom backs?, Ifwe-son and McGregor deserve mention, while of the vanguard Warner and Rogers shone best. City defeated Otahuhu on the Domain on Saturday by ten points to six after a hard but not very scientific game.

Tries were scored for City by Bright and Opai Asher, whilst E. Atsiher converted one and kicked , a / penalty goal. The try getters for Otahuhu were Spence and O'Donoghue. Otaihuhu's team was comprised of most of last year's juniors, including Wrightson and O'Donoghue, who have been transferred from Northcote, and taking everything into consideration they axe to be poaigraitu-lated on putting up such a good , display. Spence played a good! game, as also did M. Sta.nn.away, Simmonds and Gill for Otahuhu. These playere worried the City pack considerably and with a better knowledge of the finer points of the game will

be 'a thorn in the sidles of the leading"teams this season.

D. O'Connell at five-eighths played a good heady game. His tackilimg was sure but he would) help his team greatly if he threw the ball about a little more.

Murray, at full, was fairly safe, but seemed to be confused when stopping a forward rush. He will undoubtedly get over this fault with a litttle more experience (he ie only 17 years of age) and will then become a very useful maim.

O'Donohue, five-eighths, was nippy and has the qualification© of a handy scoring man. He seems a little weak on defence but like Murray will improve with age.

Fisher, three-quaii-ter, was the best man on his sidle. He is a strong runner with plenty of weight and good on defence. Otahubu. were unfortunate in losing ihim dowing the second spell owing to an accident 'causing him to leave the field.

v City's forwards again played a good game and are getting more combination. Bright, Rukutai and Tresize were the pick, Bright in partioula.r elbowing out the best forward' on the groundl.

E. Asher, half, played well. He is proving himself one of City's best defensive players. On numerous occasions he had to rectify his other backs' mistakes.

Geo. Aeher was the best back on the ground, his cutting in was tiptop and it eeems a pity that City cannot find a more suitable man than Brooks or Mincham to. play alongside of him as numerous chances were thrown away on Saturday owing to these players' mistakes.

V. Baa-chard, who was playing threequarter, was sound and City should keep this player on the wing. He has plenty of pace and 1 ' seems more at home in tlnis position. Boylan was sound at full-back and lias improved considerably. His ..following xip after kicking was a ftsson that City's backs couldi learn. In this department they were wretched.

Opa>i Aeher did not show up as brilliantly as usual, owing to ill- , health, but etill he missed very little during the day. His try was a good one as he beat three men., just lasting long enough to get over the line by a few inches.

The curtain-raiser to the CityOtaihuhu match was played' between City and North Shore fifths, City wi.nhi.ng by 38 points to mil by superior football. ■, Tries were scored by Davidson (5), Heatheral'T (2), Radfordl, Holden and Richardson, and goals by Davidson (1), HeatheraH (1), and Richardson (2).

This team has put up rather a unique record. They have scored' 191 points and have had none scored against them and. are. leading on the first round by four points. ~

Sunnyside fourths by defeating Mamikau have gained a lead' of one point. Their scoring record, as a good one, having gained! 137;. points with 15 against.