FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Issue 12906, 29 June 1914, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. ' WINS FOR FRANKTON AND ST. MARY'S.

UNINTERESTING EXHIBITIONS. The second round of matches undei the auspices of the Hamilton Rugb? Union was commenced last Saturday and was favored with ideal weather con ditions. On No. 1 ground St. Mary'i defeated a somewhat disorganised Gor donton fifteen by 16 points to nib aftei a very ragged forward display. Th< greens had a strong contingent in tin field, and although they accounted foi the opposition by a respectable margin, their play in both departments was »y thing but convincing. The forwards were good individually? but showed nc inclination to combine? as long as they could get in a "solo" effort occasionally they were quite content." This applied particularly to the line-outs and loose work. Time and again a scrummer would get possession, and the rest, instead of packing round and assisting him to carry the leather through, they considered it was part of their business to bang off or play ''half-back" with Brown, so as to enable the member with ball at toe to have sole charge of the attack. The rearguard did not care to intrude in the game very much, although at times, like the front line, individual efforts were carried out with some success. It was in combined passing rushes where the chief weakness lay. Brown and Murphy would succeed in setting the backs in motion, but after this the handling was poor and transferring erratic, varied occasionally with a knock-on. Gordonton were unfortunate in not having all their members available, but this was no excuse for their unsystematic display. The pack, like their opponents, indulged in spasmodic efforts, and after an occasional rally would settle down- to that hackneyed forward scrambling so typical of Hamilton football. The rear division, with the exception of Morris, Haybittle, and perhaps Whvlie, were a very haphazard lot, being woefully weak on the attack. The best feature of their defence was determination, but this was marred by indifferent linekickhig. The City-Flank ton contest on No. 2 area proved a farce in the full sense of the word, the Junction romping home easy winners to the tunc of 28 points to nil. City, who were again short-handed, had a very "scratch"' team doing battle for them, and failed to cope with their doughty opponents in any department of the game. Thenwas also any amount of room for improvement in Frankton's display, and to hope for success against the stronger fifteens they will have to make themselves familiar with the word combination". The two junior matches were hotly contested, and resulted in Frankton defeating C'itv bv 6 points to 3, and St. Mary' s securing the verdict over Gordonton by 18 points to 6. " ST. MARY'S v. GORDONTON.

Gordonton were successful with the toss, and W. Devine kicked off for the greens, which was fumbled by the opposition's backs, and a force resulted. On resuming a series of lino-outs and lagged forward play followed, operations being confined to Gordonton territory. From a loose rush Brown set his backs in motion, but a knock-on occurred and a scrum jvas ordered. St. Mary's carried the formation and rushed the blues' line, Gordonton saving with a timely force. With the ball iplay again St. Mary's continued to hold the upper hand, and severely tested the enemy's defence; but Morris brought off a surprise, and with an individual effort cleared at the quarter Hag. Clarkin and Johnson were next prominent in a sortie, but Morris was again successful in relieving Cordon ton with a serviceable boost. At this stage the "country'' team rallied, and with Morris and Williaimuto the fore, placed the greens on the defence for the first time. Brown, however, removed aR, danger with a powerful punt. Murphy tollowed up well, and on getting possession transferred to Cranston, who kicked to the opposing full-back. Mayhit tie was equal to the occasion and brought off a splendid mark, and saved a certain try. St. Mary's continued to pri>s, and with heavy forward play forced their'opponents behind. With the leather in play again play was all in favor of the greens until the whistle sounded for the first change.

Second Quarter. The second quarter opened with a scrum in midfieJd, from which St. Mary's, through the agency of Murphy and Brown, brought manoeuvres to the blues' twenty-five. Here play remained until Harwood and Johnson with a loose rush sent the oval out at the centre. The St. Mary's pack by this time had settled down to business, and with "solo" efforts continually hammered away at the blues' line. They experienced stout opposition from Gordonton's rearguard, however, in the way of defence, Morris and Why lie getting in a power of work in this respect. The blues at this stage threatened a passing bout, but a counter-charge on the part of Murphy, Johnson and Mouat upset their calculations, and the Gordonton line was again in da.nger. Before being collared the last-mem tioned player centred, and after a scramble on the Kne Clark in touched down. The goal kick failed, St. Mary's 3,.Gordonton 0.

With this reverse Gordonton .infused more Kie into their plav, and kept the enemy-busy until half-time was called. - Second Spell. On resuming the same old stereotyped ruck game was indulged in, both, forward divisions being content, to get in a "boot" occasionally. From ther. loose Clarkin and Johnston headed a -dribbling rush, which resulted in the former notching his second try. Murphy, added the major points. St. Mary's 8, Gordonton 0. After the kick-out the green pack, led. b# Clarkin and Roach- swept the field, and" i saved with.' a. timely force. vH» seruiffmers* kicked hard and often on resuming,' sndplay»efcfcled dowfi in the opposition sone. Murphy eventually got pOsse&sioaand nassedout to Mouat, who registered an easy tiy. Johnston's

the assistance of\P<"ince dashed across. Roach Convertedwith a splehdidkick. . St. Mary's 16, Gordonton 0. With the boll in- motion again both team? careered abont the field, but owing to lack very littte advantage was gained by either side, the'final quarter , being called with play in a neutral position.

Final Quartets The last lap commenced with a green rush, Johnson being in the van, but the ball went'out and a good opportunity Was lost. From the ensuing line-out Morris secured, and encouraged the hopes of his supporters with a characteristic run, but on passing out a fumble resulted, and the ball went into touch. Prince (St; Mary's) was next prominent in making an opening, but he bung on too long, and instead of a certain score a serum was ordered, from ,which Gordonton cleared. At this stage the forwards took sole charge of affairs, and with a spasmodic rush occasionally kept the game moving. St. Mary's were having the best of the deal, but indifferent handling among the backs, in conjunction with knockons, nullified any likely scores. Williams (Gordonton) caused some mild excitement getting clean away, and after running half the length of the field, closely pursued by Murphy, touched down, but discovered that a breach of rules had occurred at the centre. A few minutes later time was sounded, St. Mary's leaving the field winners by 16 points to nil. Mr A. Price controlled the game. CITY v. FRANKTON.

City again took the field shorthanded, and consequently suffered a severe defeat at the" hands of a powerful Frankton combination by 28 points to nil. Needless to say, the winners outclassed their opponents in all departments, and after the above tally had been registered the game concluded with only three quarters contested. Frankton's score consisted of tries obtained by 11. Weymouth (2), J. Clarke (2), M. Carroll, and Cramp, while A. Smith converted three and ( arroll added the necessary points on two occasions. 'I he best-of the Junction backs were J. Clarke, Cramp, and Castles; while of the pack, Heenan, McKinnon, and C arroll were the pick.. I'or City, L. Smith and Neighbour in the rearguard and St. George and Wells in the forwards were the best of a forlorn lot. Mr ('. G. Speight was referee.

juxiors. FRANK TO X (0) v. CITY (3). 1 he first three quarters of this game were very evenly contested, but in the final twenty minutes the Junction showed superiority, and won by 6 points (a try scored by A. Thompson and a penalty goal kicked by FT. Hogg) to 3 (a try notched by A. Mar croft). Mr A. Xewdiek had of the game. ST. MARY'S (18) v. CORDOXTOX (6). 1 his match provided the best game of the day, and from whistle to bell was full of exciting incidents. Until the final lap play was of a very even nature, but in the lattoi stages St. Mary's had all the best of the deal, and piled on the points. 1' or the winners tries were obtained bv Clarkin (2),~B. Choate (3), and X. .Brown; while for Gordonton, Shaw and Welch were the scorers. Mr F. Killin refereed.

RANFURLY SHIELD. TAHANAKI (17) DEFEATS WANGAxur (3). The Hanfurly Shield match Taranaki v. Wanganui was played on Saturday, and resulted in a decisive win for the holders by 17 points to 3. The game was practically a battle between two fine sets of forwards. GOLDFIELDS' UNION. The Gqklfiekls' Union Shorebrokors' Cup matrfi resulted : "VVaihi 13, Pacroa 3. AUCKLAND RESULTS. PKB Pit ESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, Saturday. RUGBY. City 0, University 0. Marist Bros. 8, College Rifles 3. NORTHERN UNION. Ponsonby 13, Otahuhu 9. City 21, Newton 8. North Shore 12, Grafton 7. ASSOCIATION. Everton 3, North Shore 1. Thistle 4, Corinthian 1. Adult School 0, Carlton 0. Brotherhood 8, Y.M.C.A. 0.