FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 217, 13 September 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOOTBALL.

With this afternoon's match between Ponsonby and Selwyn the football season will be about over. Aβ there is little likelihood of Ponsonby's losing the match, the senior football cup for this season will go to that Club; while the junior will also pretty certainly go to the second fifteen of the same Club. There can be no doubt that the Ponsonby men deserve every credifi for their victories. The Club has always been well managed, and has at its back some thorough enthusiasts who begrudge neither time nor trouble to keep the old Club in the front. A spirit of good J fellowship actuates the members, and the very name is sufficient to rally them round. With such a good spirit in the Olub.success is not to be wondered at. Other clubs should emulate the example. I still hope to see some sort of benefit match arranged as a conclusion to the season's play. There should be no trouble about it, and a fitting object could easily be found. I fancy that a costume match would be the best we could have. The Selwyn men were inclined to feel a bit sore at their match with Poneonby being fixed for to-day instead of next Saturday, when, according to the programme, it should have taken place. "The arrangement was not made, however, to suit Ponsonby, but in order that the Cup might be decided as soon as possible, and the season ended. I saw Golclwater, of the Athletics, about on crutches during the week. Everybody will be pleased to know that he is getting round again. Tim O'Connor was in town during the week, looking well and hearty. Country life seems to agree with him. Barlow Madigan has been in ill-luck again. He got a very nasty knock on Monday, in the bootmakers' match. "Punter" writes me from Sydney, on 20th August*:— "Some exciting games were played on Saturday last, not the leasb of them being that between the Sydney and Zealandia club?, when the latter were beaten by 12 to 4 points. Sydney put a splendid team in the field, for the result of this match would decide whether they would be in the final round. If bur boys had not scored the 4 points it would just have lot Sydney go in. The forward play was jusc about equal, but they had the fastest backs, as they repeatedly ran round ours. By this means Sydney obtained two tries in the first spell. They were both right on the corner flags, but they were lucky enough to place a goal off the first one, with the wind. At halftime the score was Sydney 8 to nil. Zealandia started play again with a determination to reduce that lead, but they were soon pressed right under their own goal j)Oßts, where the ball, was passed out of the scrum to one of the Sydney backs, who potted an easy goal. Soon after our boys obtained a free kick just nea» the half way flag on the boundary,, and George Lusk kept up his reputation by kicking an unmistakable goal. Zealandia had slightly the beet of the remainder of the game, but the collaring of the light blues was too good. MeCausland played a grand game at threequarter, and his short punts into touch were very handy. Galloway was everywhere, and shone out better than he has done before. Manlowe, Wiggins and 4 Happy ' Eyre also deserve mention. The Sydney lad Kohn Sing did not have many chances, for he was well watched. "Next Saturday the second round is to start. There are only four clubs in it. University meeb Arfoma, and Strathfield meet Parramatta. I think the final will be between Unis. and Straths., when the former should about win. The finish is a much closer one than we had last year, but I cannot see that it is fairly played out unless all tho clubs meet, , Take Zealandia Club's case, for instance. They have nob met the two weakest clubs in the contest, while other stronger clubs have played them, ecoring a great many points, which brine their records up a long way. I think every club sho.uld meeb." In reference to "Punter's" last remarks, ifc certainly does seem curious that the clubs should get in the final round on account of the number of points scored by them.

Bob Lusk was in form when playing for the Strathfield Club againsb Parramabba ab Sydney on Augusb 23rd. He scored bwo bries and kicked bhree goals oub of the 18 points scored by his side. The foobball raabch bebween Chrisb'B College and Wellington College was won by the former by 20 points to 1. In the College football tournament Wanganui defeated Wellington by one try. The Tua'kau Football Club have made a proposal to play Ponsonby 11. on tho 27th of the present month. No doubt the match will be arranged; and it should be a very good one, for the Tuakau team is about thj. best in the Lower Waikato.