RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 232, 1 October 1928, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

UNIVERSITY'S GOOD WIN.

PONSONBY DOWN IN FINAL.

EXCITING SEASOX WIXD-UP.

University are cock-o'-the-Rugby-walk for the 1928 season. In a wildly exciting game at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon the students beat Po*sonby, champions for the past four years, by 14 points to B—four tries, one of which was converted, to a converted try and a penalty goal. It was a popular victory, and delighted Varsity students rushed on to the field at the final whistle and carried their heroes shoulder high to the pavilion. It was a fitting close to the 1928 season, the game being one of the most exciting seen at Eden Park this year. A beautiful spring afternoon and the promise of a sparkling game—the teams drew when they met eight or nine weeks ago—attracted a crowd of nearly 7000 strong, many of whom preferred the terraces to the stand. The Auckland students' win completed a triumph for New Zealand 'Varsity clubs for the season. In all three of the other main centres —Wellington, Christehurch, and Dunedin—the University side also annexed the honours. Four starts, four firsts —good going. N. Jenkin kicked off for "Varsity, the light blues playing into the sun, but having the advantage of a slight wind. Jenkin's kick was taken by MoCarthny, who gpve it to his backs, but the passing broke down after McManus and Berridge had handled and it was left to Cammick to find touch near half-way. A dash by the college backs brought play back to the champion's twenty-five, where -Goodwin was pulled into touch. From the line-out the 'Varsity rearguard got moving again, but Minns was unable to take Stotter's pass and the Ponies cleared. A dash by the Ponsonby van had the light blues penned to defence, until a penalty to 'Varsity took the game back to half-way. Here Hook delighted the Ponsonby barrackers with a dodgy run, going almost to the twenty-five before being pulled down. There was a delay for "pants" and then McManus went through in a solo lash almost to Bush, before shortpunting. Exciting play followed, the students being in difficulties; over eagerness in attempting to stem the tide saw them penalised. The position was handy, but Berridge missed the chance of putting his side in front. At once the Ponies thrust home an attack on the near Sank, only to be sent back to the half-way flag by Bush's boot. Jamieson was next in the picture, slipping past Minns and short punting, and the end of the quarter found the students still desperately defending.

Minns* Great Try. Mid-field play, with both sides striving to get their backs away, marked the opening of the second spell, and then Ponsonby worked to the blues' twentyfive. Righton picked up in the loose and tossed a long pass out to his backs; the ball came out to Jamieson, whose kick was a little too hard, Bush forcing. A penalty against the students saw Berridge short in his shot at goal and then McKay got 'Varsity out of danger with a good "liner." It wai now University's turn and away they went down-field, only to see Hindenach firmly dumped by a Ponsonby trio. Fast following up let Linton get Fraser bustled, but his team mates lost no time in getting behind him and driving the attackers back. But 'Varsity were all out to lift the championship and within a few minutes they hoisted the first points of the match. From the centre of the field the ball came out to Minns and the speedy winger was soon streaking like a hare for the line. Swerving in-field he flashed past Jamieson and left Berridge standing. Fraser had come over and was blocking the 'Varsity winger's way, but the latter changed his direction again in a flash and was away with a clear run in, capping a fine effort by running round and touching down behind the posts. Jenkin smiled at the kick and the students f were five points up. Half time came shortly afterwards. 'Varsity 5, Ponsonby 0. Ponsonby Draw Level. University opened the second half in bright style, and another strain was put on the Ponsonby defence, but it did not crack. The venue then changed with dramatic suddenness, and in a flash the blues, who a moment before had been attacking hard, were defending wildly. A ecrum was put down almost on the University line. Using their weight the Pony pack carried the ball over, and Charles got it into his hands and grounded it for a try. Berridge was inside the uprights, and the scores were level—wild cheering. Ponsonby 5, University 5. The equalising of the score! had come as a rude shock to the light blues, and Ponsonby were back again before the students had settled down. McManus dashed the ball out to Jamieson, who had changed places with Pope, and the winger went almost to the flag. Thence play came infield a bit, and desperate efforts to clear by the students cost them a penalty. Berridge was entrusted with the kick, and he proved a good pilot, the ball sailing clean between the uprights Ponsonby 8, University 5. Keeping Ponsonby bottled up, the students threw the ball about with a glad abandon, and the champions were in dire straits right to the end of the quarter, Goodwin on one occasion getting to within a yard of the line before Hook tumbled him over. University Go Great Gons. University went great guns at the j start of the final gallop, and there was wild cheering when Minns got past j Fraser, but he was toppled over before he could pick up his speed. Play went across to the other wing. Passing soon brpught it back, and when the ball got to Minns the winger used his pace to gallop over at the corner. Bush made a good but unsuccessful effort at goal. University 8, Ponsonby 8. With the .scores even j the students again took up the offensive, and after some fumbling in the far corner, McKay took a pass and nipped through for a try. The angle was too wide for Bush, but the blues led by a nose. University 11, Ponsonby 8. Ponsonby then rushed play to the students' plot, and off-side tactics by the blues gave them a chance to equalise, but Berridge missed an easy kick. When Minns again got his feet going he was thrown unceremoniously into touch by , High ton, who had come across very fast. With time almost up, the University

back?, from within the Ponies' twentyfive, again got merry, and McKay raced over for his second try. The kick failed, and University came off the field the champions for 1928. Scores:

University 14 Ponsonby 8 Mr. F. Sutherland was referee. OTHER GAMES. POLLARD CUP. College Rifles beat Shore by default. Technical Old Boys beat Manukau by default. Marist beat Marathon by default. SENIORS. Suburbs 15, beat Ngatea 9. THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby 20, beat Kohimarama B 6. FOURTH GRADE. Marist 11, beat Otahuhu 6. Marist thus won the A section of the championship. HOUSE MATCHES. Marriotts' 25, beat Hutchison 5. Roller Mills 18, beat Vacuum Oil 3. NGATEA v. SUBURBS. . Ngatea Club returned the visit made by Suburbs earlier in the season and on Saturday there was a large attendance at Avondale to watch the return match- Ngatea had considerably the better of the first half, scoring two tries, while Suburbs' only score was a penalty goal. In the second spell Suburbs livened up, and got & greater share of the game. Some promising runs were well stopped by the visitors, who made a counter-attack and added another try. In the final twenty minutes Suburbs took charge and put on four tries in quick time, winning the game by 15 points to 9. POLAND CUP FINAL. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHI, this day. The final match for the Poland Memorial Cup will be fought out between Waihi and Paeroa at Waihi on Saturday next. Vhe following players have been selected to represent Waihi: —Full-back, Johns; tbreequarters. McDermott, Garvey, Thornton; live-eighths, Dillimore. Saunders; half-back, Snodgrass; rover. Price; forwards, Craig, Radford, Peacock. Walters, Rolleston. Robinson, Hume. Reserves: Bcrrjmau ;nd Fankhurst.

GAMES IN PROVINCE

WHAXGAREI. The final of the senior knock-out competition was played under a broiling sun on Saturday. The game, abounding in incident, was won by Maungakaramea by 23 points to 17. In the first quarter Child kicked a penalty and scored a try, which Morresey converted for Manngakaramea. Then Winstanley streaked half the length of the field and scored for City. Wateman converted, and he kicked a penalty soon after. Manngakaramea asain drew ahead, when E. O'Carroli bustled through for a try, which Child converted, but Wateman lessened the gap with a free-kick. A splendid handling boat, in which half a dozen participated, saw Flood score. Then O'Shea put the issue out of doubt by scoring after a loose rush. Child converted both tries. Just on time Wateman gained a wellearned try and kicked the goal.. The winners showed more staying power in the heat. The semi-final of the third grade knockout resulted, Horahora 29, beat Northern Star 3. MORRINSVILLE. i The final match for the Peace Cup was played in perfect weather. Morrinsvllle (the holders) defeated Paeroa by 20 points tr> 9. The visitors were leading at half-time by 9 to 6. and the teams were level before the last quarter. Morrinsville then rattled on 12 points. The game was spectacular and open, with fine attacking movements by the Morrinsville backs. HAMILTON. An interesting game between the Grammar Old Boys (Auckland) and the Hamilton Club resulted in a draw of 9 points each. Wales. A. Knight and Batty scored tries for Grammar, and Tuck and Going for Hamilton, Going also kicking a penalty goal. Mr. T. Watkins was referee. The proceeds are to be devoted to the assistance of an old Hamilton footballer. Mr. "Tussy" Smith, who has been very ill fnr a prolonged period. TAUBANGA. The Tauranga Rugby Union's Gilbey Cup competition was concluded on Saturday, when Cadets Old Boys defeated Whakamarama by 31 points to 13. Cadets are also winenrs of the Jordan Cup. A cur-tain-raiser between Whakamrtrama and Tauranga School teams was won by Tauranga by 6 points to 0. TE AWAMUTU. The final game for the Clarke Cup. the winner of which also holds the title of Junior champion rep. team of the Waikato, was played on Saturday afternoon between ; Waipa and Matamata. The game resulted I in an easy win for Waipa, who won by 30 points to 0. As predicted early in the season, Waipa have a junior rep. team above the average, and superior combination among the back division has pulled them through with an unbeaten record. The first half of Saturday's match saw Waipa leading by 14 to 0, and in the second spell this was increased to 30 to 0. Tries were scored for the winners by Lee (3), Sinclair, Tierney, A. Jackson, W. Pollard and Murray. Sinclair converted two and Jackson one. THAMES. Perfect weather prevailed for the contest for the Birch Cup between Thames and Coromandel on Saturday at Rhodes Park. The recent heavy rain made the ground wet and sloppy, preventing fast play by both teams. The Coromandel team put np a good showing, and had hard luck in not scoring on several occasions, the final score. 27 to 5. being no indication of the relative strength of the teams. During the game Percy (Thames) had his shoulder put out and had to leave the field. For the challengers. Goudie. Cavanagh and Nixon, in the forwards, were most in the limelight, while among the backs Hovell, Darling, and Wilcox were prominent. For Thames, Smith. Lomas. Strange and G. Pollock (forwards) and Harrison and Cameron (backs) were the best. The visitors were entertained by the Thames Union before returning home. The Waihi juniors, who challenged for the Johnson Cup. were defeated by Thames by 14 to nil. The Paeroa juniors were successful against Thames by 14 to 6, and the Coromandel High School defeated Thames combined schools by 19 to niL

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

TAIHAPE. Taibape 22, beat Raapehu Junior Heps 6. For Taihape. W. Meihana, R. Dean, Hitchcock. H. Meihana, Sharp and Bickers scored tries, and two were converted by Johansoo. Smith and Sands scored tries for Rnapehu. Mr. W. Bnrton was referee. WAJfGANTJL The Wanganai Rugby season ended on Saturday with a charity cup match between Marists and Pirates. The former won by 6 points to 5. A team from Petone defeated a Pirates side by 11 points to 6 NAPIER. The Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield was won by Pirates, who defeated Hastings by 24 points to nil. Pirates hare had a great dab season, winning the senior championship, the knock-oat competition, and the seven a-side contest. Of two dozen points scored for Pirates to-day. Huxtable, Russell, Reed andj Mcßae, wlio are all taking op their residence in Petone next year, scored 21 among NAZOL is unequalled Tor relieving coughs, colds, catarrh, and sore tkroata. 80 doses 1/<U—(Ad.)