GOVERNOR-GENERAL WATCHES RUGBY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 12

GOVERNOR-GENERAL WATCHES RUGBY.

INTERESTING FOOTBALL SEEN IN AUCKLAND. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, May 21. Excepting the players the referee and the line umpire the busiest man at Eden Park was the one in charge of the score board in the big game in which Ponsonby never looked like going down to Grafton. He hoisted 48 points, 34 of which he put to the champions’ credit. Grafton came away in good style in the final session and those of the crowd of between five and six thousand who started for home at the end of the t l; rd quarter, missed the most lively luotball of the afternoon. In the curtain-raiser Grammar showed much improved form in running University to an eight-point draw. At the show ground City beat a weakened Marist fifteen 18-9, while College Rifles went over to Devonport and beat Shore by the margin of a dropped goal (10-6). Manukau played a friendly game with 11.H.5. Dunedin and won by six points, the jack tars failing to score. Quite content at watching a junior ‘match, one of the most interested spectators of Rugby at the Domain was his Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson. After watching part of a second grade match between Varsity A and Grammar Old Boys B from the bank, his Excellency strolled along in front of the stand and stood a while between the stand and the seats in front of it. Whether it is that his Excellency is not so easily recognised as might be supposed, or whether the other spectators were too interested in the game is not known, but the fact remains that he walked along the drive and passed out of the gate at the Newmarket end noticed by very few. LEAGUE. At Carl aw Park at the close of an epic struggle the lead in the League championship passed to Devonport (12) after a brilliant duel with Richmond (7). It was a game that was marked by a maze of speed, crisp passing and rhythmical attack, both teams rising to give the best exhibition of the season and provide a spectacle that on occasions held a big crowd of 9000 spectators entranced. The Ponsonby-Marist game was a splendid exposition of the code marked by clever forward play, team work ancl lively passing movements. Ponsonby won 18-14. Newton went to Ellersiie and triumphed 13-5. SOCCER. Senior Soccer provided several surprises. Y.M.C.A. sustained their first defeat of the season at the hands of Ponsonby. who decisively won by three goals (4-1). Shore and Thistle fought out a stirring first half, but in the second spell the Scots completely outplayed their opponents. Gilmour, of Shore, had to retire owing to a knee injury and the game was hardly interesting owing to its one-sided nature, victory going to Thistle by four goals (5-1). At Onehunga Northcote maintained their form and put up a plucky resistance dividing the honours 2 all, and gaining their first point for the .season. On Vctoria Park Tramways, with a greatly weakened team, were hard pressed by Belmont, who again suffered defeat by the odd goal (one-nil). HOCKEY. For the fourth round of the championship matches under the auspices of the Auckland Hockey Association the grounds played well despite the heavy rains during the week and some fast hockey was witnessed. Tie chief game was between Somerville and St Luke’s and in a match marked by many exciting incident St Luke’s inflicted the first defeat of the season on Somerville by 2 j3»als to 1. Mount Eden, in their meeting with Areta, gained the honours by 6 goals to 3, the biggest goal crop in the senior grade. U m varsity again appeared in the winning list with a victory of 4 goals to 2 over North Shore.