FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 140, 15 June 1891, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

GRAFTON V. GORDON.

The perfect day for an outing and tho anticipation of a good game of football between the Gratfcon and Gordon Clubs attracted a large number of spectators to Epaom °n Saturday lust. Neither club had their strongest fifteens hi tho field. The umpires wero Mr G. Carter (Gordon), Mr O. Wells (Grafton), while Mr T. O'Connor acred as referee. Gordon won fche toss and defended the western goal, the only advantage being in having the sun at their backs. Pennaliigan kicked off for Grafton, and from the return play centred till Sheriff missed taking a high kick, and G. Smart and '£.' Gordon wero quickly in charge of the leather, dribbling towards the Grafton line, bub Kissling came to the rescue and kicked into touch. Play hung in tho maroons' territory till the Gordon forwards, in a slow rush, worked the bull over fche line and D. Smart scored a try. Jervis failed to increase tho score. Gordon, !'• Grafton, nil. Pennaliigan kicked out, and the Grafton forwards, playing well together, carried the play to centre, when o."Creagh made a smart punt, which MacMinamin failed to catch, and the Grafton skipner, backed up by McKenzie and Goard, dribbled the ball to tho line, where bhe last named scored. Pennaliigan succeeded with his Wick at goal, and the scores were : Grafton, 5 ; Gordon, 1. Why be kicked oil and fche respective backs, indulged in some Ion" kicking to each other, play eventually settling ab the 50 Hag. ;Erom the scrum the Gordon forwards were making a fruitful-looking rush when one of them got offside and paid tho penalty, for Grafton were a word est a free kick. Whyte spoilt bho kick, and tho ball rebounding ofi him, he dribbled ifc over tho coveted line and scored tho second try. Otway took the nlaeo kick, and landed a pretty goal. Gordon, 4; Grafton, 3. Pennaliigan made a high kick off, and following up fast ho and McKenzio spoilt MacMinamin's return,and Hie maroons dribbled the leather over the line, but Gordon saved. Immediately alter the kick out Graf ton were awarded a free kick outside Gordon's 25, and Pennaliigan tried at goal, his effort being a fruitless but splendid one, the ball -going over the top of bhe po3t. Jervis kicked out, and for the first time play became fast in neutral territory, the forwards of both sides making some telling rushes. Jervis and Otway did useful work for Gordon, and Kissling and O. Cfeagh for fche maroons. Smith eventually gob away with one of his clever and pretty dribble's to insido Gordon's 25, bufc erratic passing by the Graftonites threw away a good show. J. Poland and D. Smart, by a fast rush bo bho cenbre, relieved their side. »md bho former made a long pass to Cooke, who again transferred it t« Jorvis and saw the play inside Grafton's 25. The maroons, however, with Pennaliigan and Speight in tha van, made a sweeping rush back to the blacks' territory, bub MacMinamin interrupted them in time, and Sheriff and Kissling had to play brilliantly to keep back the Gordon forwards, who had retaliated. Davidson, who had been passing out cleverly all through, now gave Elliotb a show, and the latter finished up a strong run by passing to Hales, who scored Grafton's second try, Ponnalligan, however, missed the goal, and tho scores were even—four all. Play wa3 resumed, and was of a give-and-take nature till Otway missed a long kick from Ronayne. Speight and Giudera dribbled to inside the Cordon territory, where play was interrupted through Goodall, who had been playing well ab throe-quarter, twisting his ankle and having to retire. A long packed scrum followed till the maroons drovo the ball over the line and Gordon saved. Half-time was shortly afterwards called. Whyte started the second spell going. Hales made a good return, and play centred. Jervis and Kissling were applauded for smart play, both doing some nice kicking and running. Goard headed a fast rush, and being supported by McKenzie and Wilson, almost scored, Jervis spoiling their little game none too soon. Following tho kick out, Jorvis made a bril - lianb run and passed to Cooke, who had a clear run in. Otway failed at goal. Gordon, 5 ; Grafton, 4. Pennaliigan kicked out, and Stone and McKenzie spoiled G. Smart's return and dribbled to insido Gordon's 25, where play became very exciting. Elliott, Smith and Creagh in turn made strenuous efforts to score, but were on each occasion repelled, Jervis and Poland being the obstruction. Tho black forwards cleared their lines with a nice rush, and Sheriff distinguished himself by stopping them, Kissling and Smith responded With a fast dribble to close to Gordon's line, and Davidson, Stone, and Speight, gave their backs some good shows by long passes which tha backs tailed to take, and Poland relieved Gordon by a feinting run to the cenbre. The maroons' forwards, however, with McKenzie, Smith, and Geard in front, carried tho play to Gordon's 25, where Davidson feinted and then passed cleverly to Elliobt, who made a strong dash, MacMinamin grassing him right on the line, but tho maroons carried tbe scrum, and Smith scored a try. Pennaliigan took the place kick at a very difficult angle, but nevertheless steered tho ball safely between the uprights, and the scores read : Grafton, 7 ; Gordon, 5. Whyte kicked off, and a mosfc ezcitir.g pioce of play followed. The maroons made a sweeping rush to right . under the Gordon's goal, but in their eagerness Poland broke through them, and being well supported by Whyte, the two carried the bail at their feet past all tho Grafton backs, and a great race ensued. Kissiing, however, came very fa3t and kicked out cf bound*, when the two Gordonites wero within several yards of tho maroons' line. From the throw in Ronayne and Hales carried the leather past tho centra, and fche former passed to Creagh, who potted. MacMinamin failed to tako the catch, and ib rebounded into the arms of Stone, who crossed tha line and scored quite ciose to the posts. Pennaliigan was kicking too well to miss the goal. Grafton, 10 ; Gordon, 5. Elliobb replied to the kick off' with a strong dash to close to Gordon's t>s, whence Poland came with a strong nm. He punted high and followed ~ l a -u P Si " )oim, K a return, and D. Smart dribbled it across the line and scored. Otway failed to converb the try. Grafton, 10 ; Cordon, 6. Gordon were- awarded a free luck ' after the kick oub, and ~y i r ait * tne maroons wero on the defensive. Smith. Stone, and McKenzie, however, broke away with a combineu dribble, and passed to Creagh, who kicked too hard and Gordon were forced. Play was resumed, but Creagh by another I long kick again compelled Gordon to save. Jervis kicked out and play centred, when the whistle blew time, the Grafton vvinnin" by J.O points to 6. Gordon meet Ponsonby , next Saturday, and if the latter win they i will also win the challenge cup for the i season, but if Gordon reverse the tables on them, then Ponsonby and Grafton will ba level and a deciding match will follow. Hamilton v, Patebahqi. — Our Waii kato correspondent telegraphs : The football match, Paterangi v. Hamilton, ■ was played on Saturday. Great interest ' Was taken in fche game, the Patorangi team being tho favouri'es, notwithstanding the absence cf Gage from the team. There was. a largo attendance of spectators, who applauded each team impartially. , From the start of the game to the finish the issue was never Sa doubt, Hamilton being superior in every point of the game. Three minutes from *he start Gillet gob a try, which Hammond failed to convert, although it was an easyangle. Sixteen minutes from st3rt Bert Hume gob a bry from a combined dribble by the forwards, Hammond again failed to

increase the score. Twsnty-seven minutes j from the start Bert Hume again ran in and gob a try. Peacock failed in the j kick 'ab goal. Thirty - nine miuutes '■ from fche start Bert Hume again got j over tho line and scoured hi.3 third uy. j Quick tool: tho kick at a difficulb angle and just missed fche goal. The first spell finished—Hamilton, 4 tries to nil. The full back:': never touched tho ball during this spell. In the second spell Patcrangi held their own for some ffifceen minutes, after which the Hamilton forwards asserted themselves, and fourteen minutes from the start Hume gob another try, from which Hammond kicked a goal. Hamilton, seven points. Four minutes after Jolly get a try through Hopkins' good play. Hammond missed an easy kick ab goal. Two minutes after this Gillet gob a try from Bayloy's good play, and lor bho fourth time Hammond failed to kick a goal from an easy position. This made Hamilton nine points to nil, made up of seven tries, from only one of which a goal waa kicked. Towards tho finish of tho gumo Maye-s ran in and got- a try nsar the corner Hag, which waa disputed by Patorangi, and most of their man loft the ground; but came back again ab tho request of their captain, Frank Bowden, no kick at goal being taken. For Patorangi Bowden played a splendid game, equalled only by Bert. Hums for Hamilton, who secured four tries. The Hamilton forwards were far too good for their opponents, and had tho beat of tho game all through. Bayloy, Quick and Peacock for Hamilton, and Ryburu, Cruickshank and Bowden for Patorangi, played iv splondid form. The return match at Faterangi will tako place in a fortnight. Native Ross v. Gordon ll.—Native Rose won tho toss and elected to play with tho sun at their backs. From tho kick Off come tight serum work took place in tho Natives' 25, bub tho backs by good passing managed bo geb the ball gradually down towards the Gordon line. The ball was passed to Blewden, and after a clashing run round ho crossed tho line and scored Nutivo Hose's Grab try. Carr took the kick, but no goal resulted. Loose play was indulged in in neutral ground for some time, bub gradually working towards Gordon's line, when Blewdon again got across for the Natives. Carr again took tho kick, but no goal resulted. Cordon now rushed the ball down towards the Native Rose lino, and after some loose play and passing among thebacks, Hawkins managed to get across. Airey took the kick and landed a goal. Gordon, 3; Native Rose, 2. From the kick off som scrum work took place in Gordon's 25, but a smart run by Belcher cleared tiaeir lino. The ball was thus carried by the Gordon forwards across the Natives' lino and was secured by Phipps fcr Gordon. Airey took the kick bub no goal resulted. Half time was shortly called. From the kick off Stofall missed his kick and soma sraarb forward play took place in Gordon's quarters, bub by their forwards' superior play the ball was worked do,vn tho iield. Here some good passing by the Native backs took place and much ground waa gained, when Blewden again managed to cross and secure another try. Carr took the kick, bat no goal resulted{Gordon4,Nativeßose3). The Gordon forwards now took the ball dow» tho field with some determination, but the Native line was cleared by a good kick by Langsford, who sent fche ball into neutral ground. This was followed up by the Native forwards, who carried ib aoroja the line. Carr scored. No goal resulted, and fche scores were even. For a time after the kick off play was kept in neutral ground, when a rush headed by Hammond, Phipps, and Dunno carried the ball into bho Natives' ground, be.b McKenzie brought ib back by a good run, being stopped by Bskher. Then tho Native Rose forwards carried the ball across and secured another bry, but no goal resulted. Natives, 5 ; Gordon, 4. Some loose play ensued in neutral ground, but the leather was worked towards Gordon's line and another try secured. Carr again took the kick, but without success. The Dall waa then carried towards Natives 25, whore some loose play ensued and a good rush, headed by Roes and Hammond, was neatly stopped by Hales, who sent fche ball back into touch at Gordon's 25 line. From tho throw in and a rush of the Natives a try was secured, from which Carr kicked a neat goal. (Native Rose 9, Gordon 4.1 Time waa then called, leaving a win for Native Rose by 5 points.' Victoria 11. v. ALBANY.—Tbe Albany won this match by 6 points to nil. La Roche secured a try which was converted by Sainfcy and Warnock kicked a goal from the field. By this victory tho Albany win the second junior cup for this season. Jervois v. Victoria. —Thin match ended in a draw, the scores being four points each. Gray and Brown scored for Jervois. Qraiton 11. did not appear against Ponsonby 11., University beat North Shore. RosEBERY Y. Hobson. — Tho former, alter a hard-fought game, yon by 1 point to nil. For the winners Casey scored a try in tbe last few minutes. Ponsonby 11. v. ___ERS_IE.— Thi3 resulted in r. win for Bllcrslie by 9 points to 1. McKoown (2), Wilson (2), Somerlield, S. Ferguson, and another secured bries, one of which was converted, Masefield scored the try for Ponsonby. Native Rose v. Rhd Rose,—The former won by four points to nil. Tries were obtained for bho winners by Doran, Akaab, O'Meara and McAuliffe. All the kicks ab gojil wero failures. Ellerslie 11. v. White Rose.—Ellerslie wen by 4 points to' 1. After tho second try White Rose refused to let Ellerslie kick for a goal, and went off the ground. Alvha v. Britannia, played at Surrey Dills, and resulted in a win for the former. The scores were : Alpha, 4 ; Britannia, 1. Clifton v. True Blue.-—Clifton won this match by default of the other side. Home Bay v. Clarence.—This match resulted in a win for Home Bay by 4 points to 1 point. Takapuna v. Orient.—Former won by 8 points to I. Clarke and McLeod played well for the winners, aud Kelly for tho losers. Terrace v. Newton.—The former won this match after a hard struggle by 6 points to nil. C. Dunn potted a goal from the field, and L. Bcndall scored a try, which A. Pacey converted. United v. True Blue.—This match resulted in a win for tho former by 7 points to nil. Clahence 1. v. A_banv ll.—This match was played ab the Domain and resulted in a win for tho Albany by 5 points to nil. I Clarence claim this match on the ground that one of the opposite side has beon barred from bhe Association. Fujkekohb v. Kohanga.—This match, played ab Pukekohe, ended in a draw, the scores being a try each. Wellington Football.—Two heats for tbe Senior Championship were played at Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon in fche presence of between 2,000 and 3,C00 spectators. Wellington Club easily defeated Petono by eleven points (two goals from tries, one goal from a penalty kick, and three tries) to nil. Athletics defeated Ponoke by two tries to nil. The championship is now almost a certainty for the Wellington Club. Dcnedin Football. —In tho football matches on Saturday Alhambra beat Union afbor a tighfa game, by ono poinb to nilPirates beat University by 8 to nil, and Taieri beat Dunedin. The Union and Alhambra clubs had a most stubborn game, in which there was a good deal of rough play. Tho Alhambra woo by a poinb to nil, Taieri scored four points to nil against Dunedin, and Kaikorai eight points to one j against Zingari-Richmond.