FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 149, 27 June 1887, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

Senior Cup Matches.

Grafton v. first meeting this season between the above clubs took place at Epsom on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a very keen and determined contest. About 2,500 spectators were present. Arneil won the toss and kicked off for Ponsonby against the wind. It soon became manifest'that Grafton had somewhat the better team, but the presence of Whiteside in the ranks of Ponsonby tended to equalise the position of affairs. During the greater portion of the first spell, Grafton had the advantage over their opponents and forced them down. After this the play was brought into Ponsonby's quarters, and Stephens on getting the ball and making a well-judged pass to Whiteside, the latter started in firstclass style lor the Grafton goal-line. He was tackled by one of the backs, but shook himself clear, and with another back clinging to him he fell across the goal-line close by the corner flag and touched down. Otway took the kick at a rather sharp angle, but his attempt was very poor. Some loose play ensued, and then Twiname and Smith at the head of a strong rush brought the ball in dangerous proximity to Ponsonby's goaldine. Here it was kicked across the boundary with three Grafton forwards in close pursuit. Whiteside, however, anticipated them, and by forcing down just in the nick of time prevented a score. In the second spell the match was of a more even character. After some very active but indecisive play Muir headed a vigorous rush and the ball went over the goal-line, with J: Braund, Conway, and Muir close upon it. Braund was fortunate enough to force down. Immediately after this, J. Braund having the ball to kick in his 25, sent it straight across to the touch-line, and from the throw-in Veale andE. McKenzie successfully carried it past the goal-lineand touched down. Lecky took the kick at goal, but failed to score. Ponsonby now made a strong rally, and, but for wild and ill-judged passing, must inevitably have scored. Three times the ball was passed on to Whiteside, in Grafton territory, and each time the crack speeler was called back just when about to score. At last from a pass by A. Braund, which seemed quite fair, Whiteside got over the line and touched down. The referee, howaver, recalled the ball. The remainder of the match was uninteresting. For Grafton Twiname, Lecky, Muir, and Veale played a rattling game, while Whiteside certainly saved Ponsonby from being defeated. Banks distinguished himself by some capital runs, and A. Braund worked with his usual dash and pluck. Arneil and Wooller did some useful dribbling. The match of course ended in a draw, each side scoring a try (2 points). Grafton, however, has disputed Ponsonby's try. , North Shore v. Albert.—This match was played on the Devonport ground, and resulted in a victory for North Shore by one try. The ; visitors numbered only thirteen players, one of whom ~_3 a substitute, and were therefore handicapped in the contest. The match was,' nevertheless, hardily fought throughout. The score made by North Shore was gained by a fast bit of forward play. Patterson got the tiy, and Mays failed to convert it into a goal. Junior Clip Matches. Ponsonby 11. v. Grafton ll.—Ponsonby 11. defeated Grafton 11. by seven points to nil. For; the winnersj T. Whiteside and Bruce scored a try each, and McConnell converted one into a goal.. ■■~ i--jjnt;\ Other Matches. Orient v. Red Rose.—This match resulted in a victory for Orient by 8 points (two tries and a goal from the field) to nil. Jervoisll. v. Black Rose.—The former won by 2 points to nil, after a well-contested

game. '• - ■■ •- >*■■■■'• 'S.*> > ; ■' ; Native Kose v. ; Arawa.—This match resulted in a clraw after a most exciting game, neither side scoring, . Union beat Albany by nine points, the scores being obtained: Blewden, Coleman, and Sheldon, a try each ; a goal was kicked from one try. : r Grafton Road School v. Newton East School.—The former won by 8 points to 2. Tries were obtained by Holt (2), Macgregor (1), La Roche (1). : , Clarence ll.v. Richmond.—Clarence defeated the Richmorids by 4 points to 2. ' Nelson v. Britomart.—Nelson won by 2 points (1 try) to nil. University v. Waitemata.—University beat Waitemata by two points to nil. In the match University versus Waitemata 111., each side secured a disputed try. The umpires and referee gave great dissatisfaction. •■■