RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15283, 9 July 1923, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

GRAMMAR BEAT HIGH SCHOOL. FAST AND ATTRACTIVE PLAY. FRANK?©!*, CITY AND OLD BOYS SUCCEED. There was a large attendance of Rugby football patrons at Steele Part on Saturday afternoon when the chief attraction was the meeting ol Auckland Grammar and Hamilton High School fifteens. While overhead conditions were good the ground was holding in several places, and the ball greasy. The game, which resulted in a victory for Grammar by li points to 6, was fast and open, the borne forwards and visiting backs being the principal opposing factors in the play. It was only in the final quarter of the game that Grammar went ahead to victory. In the senior competition games Frankton, Old Boys, arid City secured ■victories. JRAMMAR (11) v. HIGH SCHOOL (6) The teams were: — High .School.—Jobns; M. Anderson McCormick, Tuck; Mdvor, Morris; Madill; Leask, Hall, Sutton, K ; Anderson (captain), Tombs, Hepburn, Brett and Head (rover). Orajnmar.—Matb.es.qn; Reed, Olsen, Hutchison; Williams, McLaren (captain); Hardley; Wills, Bailey, Colgan, Hempleman, Kelly, Winstone, McOul- . lough, and" Sutherland (rover). Playing to the north, High School ' attacked, and Grammar were relieved • from a hot situation by the opposition offending. From the subsequent . kick the Grammar backs initiated passing, but Oisen over-ran the ball. Hamilton were still the invaders, but Grammar opened up the game, though their passing was promptly seized on. Head tackled McLaren surely at the eastern halfway, and stayed a dangerous rush. Hamilton, headed by Morris, soon were pressing, and Matheso'n had to kick out promptly at his western twenty-five. Hartley • picked up, smartly from a scrum, ana, working the short side, fed out to Hutchison, but the wing threerquarter was blocked effectively. The home team were showing up in the close work and, witlrplay back at midfield ■ the forwards got down quickly on Grammar's .attempts to open up play. McLaren cut off a pass, and made progress, the touch eventually being worked. Hepburn and Tombs were prominent in a home advance, which terminated at the eastern halfrway, Hutchinson getting offside, buf Sutton's 1 attempt'at goal failed. High School continued to have the better of matters, but towards the close of "the quarter Grammar worked into their '•territory- At this stage McLaren was injured, but was able to resume. Head led'a' High School rush, and on two subsequent occasions was prominent with the play "about neutral' territory. Despite the fact that High School had the sun in their eyes they remained in possession of the attack; McLaren, after his injury, went to centre and Olsen took up the first five-eighth position. In the second quarter High School ■went to the attack, the forwards breaking down on the visiting backs and tackling with "decisive result. Olsen made a great dash along east, but Heid "knocked the pass-out forward at High Schools' twenty-five. Taking Matheson's kick at his twentyfive''TUpk ran strongly, eluded . two men, and sent out to Morris, who, in turn', fed K. Anderson, Sut the captain's in-pass to Molvor wis forward, when a rosy opportunity presen.td itself. Grammar qiiickS- transferred • the play to the'home team's territory, where McLaren gathered in, and seijt to Olsen, who dashed along the western touch, but sound tackling met the latter. Brett had to leave the field at this stage owing to injury, and Allen replaced him. Play continued in High School's territory, McCullough at one point heading a'' dashing bij, of play. A fine kick by K. Anderson from a penalty transferred play to Grammar's line where the first force down of the game occurred. Hardley broke through, and with a strong run, carried play to the western half-way mark. 'Williams, and then Hempleman improved the position, for Grammar, but a break through apd kick by K. Anderson placed the visitors on the defence once again. High School continued their Irritating drives into Grammar's backs, and smothered several efforts at ■ opening up play. Frqm a penalty at the western twentyfive Head had a shot, which was suc- ■ oessful. High School 3 Grammar ■'..'" 0 With play in motion Tuck tcred a strong eastern "dash, and sent" on to K. Anderson, who cut in beautifully, hut was finally grassed. Then from a line-out at the western touch Morris, the High School first fiveeighth, secured, and dashing through straight and fast was over the intervening twenty yards or thereabouts before the defenders could frustrate *um. Head's shot failed. Hamilton C , I, Grammar 0 Reid and Hutchison figured in a western touch dash for Grammar from winch they were awarded a penalty, - but McLaren's shot, failed, as did a subsequent effort by Hardley. Halftime was then sounded. The Second Half. -. For the second spell Grammar reorganised their team. McLaren came back first live-eighth, Olsen took second, Reid centre, and Wiljiams went to the wing. High School were quickly driven back to defence, McLaren setting his backs on the move, but Johns finally handled, and turned them off. High School then tool; charge, and opened up the game, first to the west and then to the east, McCorrnack and Morris showing up. There was one pretty movement, in which alt the home backs handled, but. Grammar worked them to the raslPrn twenty-five. Head's close dribbling was a feature as it had been on several occasions. Morris broke through on Grammar passing at Iho eastern half-way, and McCorrnack carried on the attack, Grammar being lucky 10 get out with a force. The School forwards were giving Grammar hacks a torrid lime defending, and on one occasion Tuck gathered from a ruck pass out west, and made a fine dash over the twenty-five, but solid tackling met him... Head, then Morris, broke through," the latler's .around kick troubling Matheson, but the ■ -visiting full back goi [he ball clear to the western twenty-five. With High School still the aggressors Madill made a swerving run, which was halted near Grammar's line. The latter then to ok a hand in affairs, play swinging along west, and then hurriedly to tiie east. At the twenty-five Reid gathered. , nd sent out to the supporting wing three-quarter, Hutchison ran on slrongly, and, finding a loophole in the defence, crossed a 1 the corner. His l;i>'« at goal failed. Grammar : ' High School 6

The home team's, measure of defence was not completed, but they eventually turned the tide. Working along the eastern touch they entered Grammar's territory, where McLaren stopped the advance creditably. On two subsequent occasions he came to the rescue of his team before the quarter ended. The final quarter was just started when Grammar scored. McLaren, Olsen, and Reid figured in a passing movement to the north-eastern corner, where the centre ran across for a good try. Hutchison goalcd. Grammar .... ° High School G The visitors kept up the pressure along the western touch, but the home forwards eventually obtained the upper hand, and worked play to the western half-way. Across on the opposite touch Olsen and Williams figured in a movement, which- went very close to achieving success, but the ball was knocked on at the critical moment. McLaren was playing an aggressive game for Grammar, but the home forwards were watching him closely. High School fought hard to stem the advances, but the visiting rearguard wore opening up the play whenever opportunity offered. Sutherland broke through on High School passing, but Anderson stopped him, and , McCorrnack relieved. Re-id then came through in a straight and strong dash, but sure tackling was presented. Grammar were rewarded shortly, From the scrum Hardley fed McLaren, who worked the short side, and bolting towards the north-west corner sent on to Hutchison, who topped a neat effort off. The scorer made a great attempt at goal, the ball hitting the upright. High School backs opened up playover the eastern "half, but McCorrnack lost the ball. Madill was handy, however, and gathered smartly, but the advance Was stayed. M. Anderson and Tuck were prominent, and then McCorrnack "dummied" very effectively al the western twenty-five, but the defenders blacked the progress, and the game ended shortly after with the scores :—— Grammar •■ ii High School 6 Mr A. S. Cliffe was referee. -■. ' ' ': \ OLD BOYS (24) V. SUBURBS (7). This match was played on No. 2 ground, but the attendance was only meagre. In fact, the most that witnessed the" game was a dozen. The ground was in very fair order, though there were a couple of greasy patches which the players were unable to dodge. Immediately after the ball was set in motion Suburbs rushed play to Old Boys' territory, where the ball went out. From the throw-in Suburbs took the leather over the line, and narrowly missed scoring. Old Boys gradually worked play well down the held, and from a throw-in Wylie got over, but the ball was tin-own. on. From the scrum Peach kicked well down the field, and Fordyce headed a rush w|iich Cleaver stopped. From a lineout Crawford whipped out to Peach, who potted a'neat goal. Suburbs 4, Old" Boys Or Shortly after Peach had a long shot, but the ball went just outside the posts. Old Boys, aided by Gray and Boardman, tokk the ball over the line, but it went dead. Play for several minutes was even, but Suburbs were attacking at the change over. Play had not been long in progress in this quarter when Fitzgerald sent to Boardman to Cooper, to Mit'clieli, Laidlaw grassing the latter. Gray got away, but Peach blocked him. A passing bout among the forwards saw Ingram score near the posts. Wylic converted. Old Boys were the aggressors at this stage, and Gray, -getting possession from the line out, scored behind the posts,. Wylie adding the extra points. Old Boys 10, Suburbs 4, Fordyce was in the lead of a rush, which was spoilt by offside play. However, from a line out Thompson got over, but the ball was thrown forward. The whistle then went for half-time.

On resumption play was even for a period, and then Old Boys pressed, Hooper getting his side out of trouble, and Henry took play to the end of the field . After uninteresting play Henry got possession, and-potted at goal, but missed, and a force resulted. " Suburbs caused Old Boys many anxious moments .in this quarter, and should have, scored on more than one occasion, but over-anxiousness spoilt them. Peach had a long shot at goal from a free kick, missing only ,by inches. Suburbs commenced a passing bout, which ended in Peach being pushed out inches from the-line. From here Gray.got" away, and, supported by Boardman, they carried play past midfield, where the ball went out. From the loose r hcre Wylie made an opening, and sent to Cooper, who scored near ■the corner. Wylie's kick failed. Old Boys 13 f Suburbs 4. In play Suburbs attacked strongly, but luck was against them scoring. Then Hooper marked, and had a shot, but it was resultless. Old Boys swept the leather over the line, and in the melee Collins touched down. The kick failed. Old Boys 16, Suburbs 4. Shortly after Fitzgerald got- away, and passed to Kemp. The last-named evaded a couple of men, and scored a nice try, Wylie converting. Old Boys 21, Suburbs 4. Suburbs were battling hard, and were pressing Old Boys, when the latter were penalised. Fordyce goaled. Suburbs 7, Old Boys 21. Just before the finish Old Boys' forwards, following up fast, blocked. Wilson's return, and Gray, snapping up, ran over near the comer. Wylie's kick fell under the bar, and tht bell rang for the finish, with the scores:— Old Boys ' 24 Suburbs 7 Mr Dun ford had charge of the game.

Frankton (12) v. Marist? (5). The first of the senior competition g-ames played on Saturday at Steele Park was that in which Frankton and Marisls were engaged. Marists were a short-handed side. After their good showing against City a short time hack it was expected that Marists might have been capable of defeating the suburban fifteen, but it. was not to be, and Frankton ran out winners byPi'points to "> points. The play was of an up and down nature, without any marked attainments in the way of brilliancy, but there was much that was interesting in the quality of the foolball. The first points came Fraukton's way when Hie ball was placed for Gibson, who made no mistake with the kick. After a term Bayly ran across and touched down, hut the goal effort was resultless. Marists' success came through the efforts of M. Wilson who scored and also added the major points. Frankton set up a series of determined onslaughts on the Marists line, and were eventually rewarded when Vercoe scored, but the goal effort did not improve affairs. In the closing quarter of Ihe game, Bayly came again into the picture and scored a line try for Frank In:-). As Matheson, the Marisls full hack was going In save above his eastern half-way Bayly rushed down on the leather. Hooting the ball away from Marists' last line of defence, Bayly secured possession, and dashed-

over the intervening space to score a [ good try. Again the goal kick failed, and lime was called shortly with the scores:Frankton .....»-... 12 Maris ts - r> Mr R. Humphreys was referee. City (14) v. United (11). City and United teams came, together at Whatawhata on Saturday afteroon, when the country team made a big bid for the honours, but City emerged victorious, though the opposition was going very strongly in the closing stages of play. In the opening stages of the play, with City on the attack, Charleston was penalised for obstruction , and Mac Johnstone kicked a goal. The ban travelled up and down field, but City wore found pressing again very shortly,, and from one of these adfan ces Doherty scored. Johnstone missed goal. United then had a turn In affairs, and gave the visitors a short period of defensive play, during which the attackers were awarded a penalty, from which Kempthorne made a good but unavailing effort to goal for United. In the second quarter of the game United set up several hot rushes during the first five minutes of play, till the game settled down in neutral territory. United were not'to be denied, however, and from a penalty Kempthorne landed a goal. From an infringement by United, Johnstone Wad a shot at goal but did not succeed in the effort, while Monaghetti was no more successful a short time later. Going, Marcroft and C. Clarkin were prominent in a City passing movement. Arns and S. Clarkin were doing some good work among the City vanguard. A good run, in which Arns, Going and Marcroft figured, terminated, with a try by the latter, which was converted by Buckingham. Just prior to half time Beaver put in*a strong run for City; from which C. Clarkin scored. Doherty missed the goal. After the interval the home team became aggressive, but they found the defence equal to the occasion. When City cleared the threatened clanger they invaded United's territory and forced the home team. Both sides had the opportunity to improve the scores from a penalty luck, but they did not realise on the chances. In the last quarter of the game City were forced back to their own line, when Hunt was, frequently noted for good clearing work for his team. McNamara registered a penetrating dash for United, from which Kempthorne scored and converted the try. The closing ten minutes qf play were very willing, United' striving hard to overhaul City's lead. They had an unavailing goal shot, and shortly afterwards Retter scored for them, but Kempthorne's shot failed, and the final scores were : City 14 United 11 THIRD GRADE. HAMILTON DEFEAT MATAMATA. The Hamilton third grade representatives journeyed to Matamala on Saturday, where they met the local third grade fifteen. After a close and exciting match Hamilton emerged victors by six points to three. The Hamilton scorers were Cooper and Tasker a try each. ■ Mr Mateer was referee.

WAIPA UNION. Te, Awamutu v. Rovers. Football in Te Awamutu on Saturday in the Waipa Rugby Union's senior championship was played under condirtions much more favourable than it has been before this season. Onlyone senior match was played—Te Awamutu 12 v. Rovers 3. The game was played at a fast pace all the time. The score hardly indicated the difference in the teams, but the lack of combination was- still as marked as ever. P. Quin, the Te Awamutu full-back, was again responsible for a try, though he did not score it himself. He took the ball near halfway, and made a strong run along the line, but though grassed himself a try was scored by Kite as the result of Quin's effort. If Rovers' tackling had been low it is doubtful if he would have got through. Tries for Te Awamutu were scored by Smith, Blair, Kite and Macky, Rovers' try being scored by Patterson, a junior. Ngahape v. Pirongia match was postponed on account of the death of Mr J. J. Brady, one" of the Ngahape team, in the recent railway accident. The teams lined up and stood in silence out of respect to their late comrade.

A AND B MATCH. On Saturday an A and B match was played on the Leamington ground for the purpose of making the final selection of the toam to play against Thames for the "Peace Cup" on 14th July. The teams wereas follows : (A). Fullback Collett; J A. Thompson, J). Robinson, L. Bourkc; five-eighths, W, Voyscy, I. Peake; A E, Cleaver; rover, J.' Voysey. Forwards: J. Bourke, J. Dagg, D. Bourkc, W. Bourke, C. Robertson, J. Wallis and Dan Bourke. (B). Fullback C. Thompson; 1 Kennedy, Vincent, Wepiehana; five-eighths Makgill and Butler; A Kelly; forwards Tanti, B. Hall, Morris, Brodison, Helling, T. Hill, A. White and Thorpe. The A team proved the winners by 11 to 3, but the game was disappointing, neither teams teeming to put their best into the game. Mr Vause acted as referee. The selector, Mr. Marx, decided to make no alteration in the team, but Ihe following emergencies were chosen. Backs. —Weipichana and Makgill. Forwards. —A. Whyle and B. Hall. Juniors. The match betwen the Cadet and City juniors resulted in a win for Cadets" by 8 to 6. Monovalc beat Hautapu by 3 to nil. 3rd. Grade. High School beat Cadets by 0 to Rugby League. A match between City and Matangi senior teams on Victoria Square resulted in a win for Matangi by 15 to nil. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. AUCKLAND, Saturday: Rugby. Grafton 11, v. Grammar 0.8. 8. College Hitles 11, v. University 8. Marist 0.8. S, v. Ponsonby 4. Newton 0, v. Eden 0. Suburbs 11, v. North Shore 5. League. Dcvonport 13, v. City 10. Marist IG, v. .Newton 4. Athletics 22, v. Hichmond o. Association. Northcote 1, v. Thistle 0. North Shore' 2, v. Ponsonby 0. Philomel 4, v. Brotherhood 1. Y.M-C.A. 2, v. Harbour Board 1. Hockey. Somcrville 1, v. St. Luke's 0. University 5, v. Areta 3-