RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 7 August 1915, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE Auckland 1 Kugby Union championship advanced another stage last Saturday at Eden Park. The senior matches resulted: College Rifles, 9 v. City, 6; Marist Bros., 3, v. Ponsonby, 0. Parnell was unable to muster a team, and University won by default.

The weather conditions were ideal from a player's point of view, but the ground" was heavy. Considering the strong counter attractions and the cold weather the moderate attendance can be considered satisfactory.

The College Rifles-City match was billed! the item of attraction, but at one time it appeared as though the ■spectators were dfoomifedi to disappointment owing to the inability of City to place a team. Patience, however, brought its reward, for at 3.30 p.m. the Cityites took the field. The players looked a set of straggle ra an-d their subsequent play brought forth a surprise.

Among the missing Cityites were D Stewart, Moffit and Bruce, while College Rifles suffered the absence of King.

College Rifles set off in fine style, but it proved' a flash, for contrary to all expectations, City assumed control and had the dlark blues in trouble. The first quarter failed to produce a score. City were quickly underway im the second quarter and not many moments had passed before a try was registered. College Rifles, in a haphazard manner tried to force their way into City's territory, but the open work of the red and blacks transferred 1 the scene ot operations to their opponents' quar-. ters. Then opened a bright City movement to terminate with 0. Stewart receiving the ball and nurlinj>- himself across the line, scoring a fine try that increased his team s lead to six points. This advantage was maintained until the half time bell sounded.

The breather gave College a chance to consider fresh methods 1 to cope with their opponents. The second half had not been long in progress when Barker, from a penalty kick piloted' the ball in the desired direction. This'success wirueea. Lite into the dark blues and a strenuous attack resulted in; the burly forward, Jones, getting across and scoring Rifles' lrst try.

The fortunes were still going College Rifles' way when a smart attack eiSed in Bevin adding another try. Play opened more evenly for the last quarter and! although, College Rifles had the chance to add points with penalty kicke they failed. City played a further part in attack but could not drive home their efforts.

On the day the best team did not win The Rifles' work was most disappointing and better efforts were expected from the leaders for the championship

In the first half the forwards played altogether too close. City set out on a spoiling game and adopting loose methods of pl'ajr got hi among the opposition and' quickly smothered their work.

The best of the Rifles' backs was Barker and his field work left little to be desired. Although not meeting with success witlh his place kicking his efforts were good. Bevin replaced King at fiveeighths but was not a successful connecting link.

FowMs paid most attention to getting the ball away to his backs. Although doing this work cleanly he

wae a trifle slow. liv the last quarter he snapped a couple of marks very quickly and neatly that brought much desired relief.

The forwards got the ball more often in the scrums but did not let it woome out well.

In the line-out City had somewhat the best of matters.

Nesbitt, on the wing, got in a lot of good work and the best of a fairly even lot in the pack were McHugh and Sellars. The 'last named could

easily modify some o£ his methods and "his efforts would be more greatly appreciate!. Otherwise the game was played in fine spirit. The sportsmanlike action of College Rifles in allowing City another man when 0. Stewart got injured! is to be commended.

The threequarters, while not brilliant, were sound.

Barclay, five-eighths, was very prominent amd seized any opportunities that offered.

Lang, half-back, did some good work and! some bad. It's # hard to understand such a fatal mistake as thiat when he kicked , the ball that gave Jones such a soft chance to ecore.

Keary was an eleventh-hour player, and, considering the little play-

iiiy he has liad this season, did remarkably well. He, with Parker and Campbell, were always in the vaai, playing a hard buifc clean game.

0. Stewart was goirog in fine style until meeting with an injury to his knee. It is to be hoped the injured member will recover in time for the rep. matches.

There was nothing in the Pon-eonby-Manist Bros, game to offer interest. The players of the western suburbs kept the Tykes at bay

until the second spell. Keen, fast following on Casey's part was rewarded! with a, try in good position, but the major points were not added.

The secondary schools' match between King's 'College and Sacred Heart provided a win for the former by 14 to 8. The winners had the best of the issue, and showed a lot of fine aggrtjwsive "wioirk. The last try by Roee was a very fine effort.

Sacred Heart second team ran up 27 points to nil against Grammar School.

College Rifles now leadl for the championship with 15 points. Marist Bros, are two points behind, second. The issue is between these teams. According to tihe original draw they would meet in a fortnight's time.

discussion during the previous week, and, if anything, the Graftonites were favourites. The predictions of the prophets were 'borne out, and Graftora Athletic won the match with a score of 10 points to 5 and secured the championship honours of the season. Congratulations.

The champions' record of matches is as follows:—Played *-ten, won seven, lost two, drawn one. A total of 118 points ihave been scored, with 70 against.

The winners championship points number fifteen, while City hold second place with thirteen points. Ponsonby occupy third /place, while North Shore (last eeawm'e champions), after an erratic performance, figure fourth.