FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 19, 12 May 1909, Page 11

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. EAUTIFUL weather favoured the I'W opening of the Rugby season in sI \ Auckland on Saturday. The v J game does not seem so popular this year, and seldom has it been ushered in so quietly. Among the more important games the results were:— University defeated Newton by 10 points to nil; Ponsonby, last year’s champions, beat Grafton by 29 points to nil; and North Shore suffered defeat by City, the latter scoring 32 points to the Shoreites’ nil. In the second grade the results were: Ponsonby 15 v. North Shore nil; City 23 v. University nil; Parnell 23 v. Grafton 8; Marist Brothers 9 v. Newton nil. —" Whang arei. The Rugby season opened on Saturday at Kensington Park, with a match between Kiripaka and Middle Harbour. The latter team lacked combination, and were easily outclassed by Kiripaka, who won by 14 points to nil. Pacroa. The football competitions under the auspices of the Paeroa Rugby Union were continued on Saturday afternoon, when East ami Suburbs tried conclusions, the latter winning by 3 points (a penalty goal) to nil. E. Rkkit kicked the goal for Suburbs. Mr W. Moore gave every satisfaction as referee. Thames. The Thames football season opened on Saturday, when County and Suburbs met, the game resulting in a win for the, former by 8 points to 3, the winners having the best of the game throughout. In the Junior division, the game between County and Suburbs was also won by County by 3 points to nil. C oreman del. The first football match of the season, Coromandel v. Old Coromandel Boys, from Auckland, was played on Saturday afternoon in the Kathleen paddock, Coromandel, and after a very interesting and fast game, resulted in a victory for the local team by 23 points to 8. Waihi. City (3) beat Suburbs (nil). doughin ecored a try for the Winners. Kawkc's Bay. Rovers (8) beat Old Boys (3). Ahurlrt (24) beat Napier (0). Athletic (8) beat Pirates (0). Fakipaki (0) beat Kia Ora (nil). Maaawatu. Felldlng (18) beat Old Boys (3). Klatoa (7) beat Palmerston <3). W ellingt on. Athletic (5) beat Wellington (nil). Poneke (6) beat Petone (3). Victoria College toil) drew with Southern Cn IQ. Oriental (C) beat St. James (3). Melrose (21) beat Old Boys (8). Christehureh. Merlvale (15) beat Christchurch (3); Sydenham (6) beat Linwood <nii); Old Boys (13) beat Canterbury College (81; Albion • bye. Otago. Southern, 17, beat University, 8 Dunedin, 11, beat Taieri Rovers "3. Port Chalmers, 14, beat Union,’ 3. Alhambra, 19, beat Zingarl Richmond. 8. Pirates, 8, beat Kalkoral, 3. Eearned Something. • '' The Kangaroos (the professional Rugby team which recently toured England) defeated a New South Wales team by 34 points to 8 last week. The returned team were cleverer in all departments of play, showing that their visit to England had greatly improved them in the finer points Of the game.

NORTHERN UNION. Press Association cable from Sydney states that the recently returned touring team, '"rhe Kangaroos,’’ defeated the pick of New South Wales by 43 to 10. ASSOCIATION. Some interesting games were played on Saturday, when the Auckland championship matches under Association rules were continued. In the first division, Corinthians were victorious over the Caledonians by 3 goals to 1; W.Y.M.I. beat Ponsonby 2 to nil; and Y.M.C.A. (2 goals) were defeated by North Shore (3 goals). Among the second division, wins were recorded by Tabernacle and United, who defeated Carlton and Corinthians respectively. AUSTRALIAN GAME. The followers of the Australian game opened the season on Saturday in Auckland. Mount Roskill beat Eden by 61 points to 36 points, and the NewtonImperial match ended in favour of Newton by 57 points to 15.