PLAYERS GET HARD KNOCKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 12

PLAYERS GET HARD KNOCKS.

MANY CASUALTIES IN AUCKLAND RUGBY. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, April 30. King Rugby remounted his throne at Eden Park for the 1928 season on Saturday afternoon. Three thousand of his subjejets hailed his return. The match between Ponsonby and Grammar was rather disappointing, last season’s champions running out easv winners by a margin of 15 points (18 to 3). On No. 2 ground, Grafton scored a surprise win (12-8) over the much boosted ’Varsity fifteen, while on No. 3 field Marists swamped College Rifles. 38 points to f>. and Training College defeated City, 11-6. Over at Devoriport Mariukau celebrated their promotion by a 16-12 victory over North Shore.

During the day there were many casualties. In the match between Ponsonby and Grammar Old Boys, no fewer than seven players had to leave the field. Of the Grammar Old Boys team Singleton broke a bone in his forearm, Monteith injured his knee and Wilson his ankle, while Badeley received a kick on the side of the head. On the Ponsonby side Matson broke his collarbone soon after the start of the game, Fraser sustained injuries to his eye and knee, and Knight tore the cartileges of his ribs.

Jacobs, full-back for City against Training College, and Blakev, full-back for University against Grafton, both had to leave the field with knee injuries.

At North Shore, Watene, Harris and Laird, of the Manukau team, were carried off, though the first-named was able to resume after having had his nose attended to. Johnson, of the North Shore team, was also carried off. There were a great number of stoppages in this game, which took over two and a quarter hours to complete, the .second spell being prolonged for half an hour.

The only senior Rugby match in which a player did not have to leave the field was that between Marist College Rifles.

Though warnings were issued, there was no suspicion of foul play at Eden Park, and the heavy casualty list may be attributed to the fact that the majority of the players were not fit.

League. Six senior Rugby League teams went into action for the opening of the League season at Carlaw Park, and provided many surprises for an attendance of 6000 spectators. The metaphorically unknown Ellerslie rose to superb heights, and were victors (15-8) in their contest with Ponsonby, a result that came as a genuine surprise, but one that was full of merit. Newton, the champions of last season, succumbed (10-18) to Richmond, the Roope Rooster winners. It was a bright, eventful game with a sparkle that made the spectators enthuse. Devonport overwhelmed City (24-6) as the result of a surprising recovery in the second half. A famous Rugbyplayer was confidently expected to materialise in the interests of City, but he did not appear. Soccer.

The third series of the senior competition in the Soccer code brought about the sensational win of Onehunga over the unbeaten Thistle in a stirring game on Blandford Park, watched by a record attendance for the season. The Manukau side, only in its second season in the senior grade, gave a convincing display, and fully deserved to win (3-1) over the talented Scotsmen, which was due to refreshing vigour in attack and cohesive plav. Y.M.C.A. (1-nil) were rather lucky in reaping the full points from Tramways in a game that was at times of a high order. Belmont put up a determined effort against Ponsonby, but failed again by the odd goal (3-2). North Shore rubbed it in to North cote to the tune of seven goals (7-1). The table as it now stands is in a very interesting position, with Y.M.C.A. and Onehunga at the top. Hockey. The official opening of hockey took place at Remuera, when the first

round of tjie championship matches was played. The senior grade attracted six teams in the A section, including the. newly formed North Shore eleven. The main ground was occupied by Somerville (last year’s champions) and University (last year’s runners-up), and in a spirited game the students went under by five goals to one against the better combination of their opponents. St Luke’s and Mount Eden, two old rivals, had a willing encounter, and left the field with honours even, two goals apiece. Areta met North Shore, and after a moderate display the players from the marine suburb signalised their entry into the grade with a defeat by two goals to nil. IN OTHER PLACES. Per Press Association. A UCKLAND, April 29. Ponsonby IS, beat Grammar Old Boys 3; Grafton 12, beat University G; Marist 2S, beat College Rifles 6; Manakau 16, beat North Shore 12; Training College 11, beat City 6. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 29. Star 11, Old Boys 7; Stratford 33, Eltham 0; Tukapa 3, Clifton 0; Inglewood 17, Oka to 0. WANGANUI. April 29. Pirates 5, County 3; Old Boys 27Rata.na. 0; Marist 24. Technical Old Boys 5. DUNEDIN, April 2S. Marists A 24. Taieri fi; Pirates 5, Varsity B 0; Alhambra 6, Southern 0; Kailtorai 19. Zingari 0; Union 7, Dunedm ' INVERCARGILL, April 29. Pirates 12, Invercargill 6; Star 18, Southern 5. WELLINGTON, April 29 Varsity 20, beat Berham pore 11; Poneke 14. beat Marist 3; Old Roys 14, beat Wellington 3; Oriental 26. beat Pctone 10; Athletic 15, beat Eastbourne MASTERTON, April 28 Old Boys 38, Red Star 11; Carterton 23, Gladstone 10; Greytown 12, United S. PALMERSTON NORTH, April 28. Kia Toa 11. Pending Old Rovs fi • Old Boys 18, Woodville 3; Pcilding Athletic 3. WARATAHS V. THE REST. (United Press Assn.—By Eleetric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, April 29. The Waratahs defeated the Rest of New South Wales by 28 points to 17. Australian Press Association.