SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 150, 25 June 1894, Page 3

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

The varioua championship contests under the auspices of tli.'Auckland Rugby Union were continued on Saturday last. Despite the showery weather which prevailed, fully 1 000 operators visited Epsom, where two senior conteeta, as well aa severa junior matchea were played. Newton defeated Ponsonby by 14 points to nil, and Graiton gained the verdict over City by 10 points (two goals from tries) to 9 points (three tries). Parnell visited Nortn Shore and F.cuied another victory. Tho first round of the senior fix! urea was completed oa Saturday, witn the following results :—Parnell, 5 wine, 1 draw ; Newton, . wins, 1 loss, 1 draw ; Grafton, 4 wins, 2 iossea ; Ponsonby, 3 wins, 3 losses ; City, 2 wins, 4 lossea ; North Shore, 1 win, 5 losses; guburbs, 1 win, 5 losses. On Saturday most interest was centred .n tho match between NEWTON AND PONSONBY. It was generally expected that Newton would gain the victory, bub Ponsonby, who were without the services of Masefleld, Cruickshank and Riley, made a plucky fight, and had hard luck in not .coring on more than one occasion. Ponaonby had the advantage of the westerly wind in the first spell. After play had settled down from tho usual kick-off and return, the Nowton forwards invaded their opponents' 25, but a long punt by Gillespie returned the ball to near Newton's quarters. From the throw-in Donald mado a long dribble to midtield, where Stitchbury .topped his progress, and hia return compelled Newton to save. The Newton Vanguard, who were much heavier than .heir opponents, had the better of the ensuing play, and gradually worked the ball to Ponsonby'a territory, where one pf the latter'a forwards gob hi.-? team penaliaed for lifting his foot Lb-efore the ball waa in the scrum. Webber was entrusted with a shob ab goal, but jailed, and Scobb made a long return to midLield. The Nowton furwards, with Heffar■_an in the van, again attacked with a fast ;uah, but the blue and black vanguard replied in kind, aud A. Freeman muliine the .lie ball, a Fcore looked imminent, when tioberba came to Newton's rescue, ar.d .kicked into touch in goal. Although the Newton forwurdß were shoving their opponents in tlte scrums, tho Ponsonbyitea generally managed to heel the ball out, nnd Braund waa giving his backs aome fine .pportunitios.'ind from ono of these Ramsay .ndFlynn made aclever passing run to Newton's quarters, the red and whites being com•jelled to aave through Scotb making a fine .hough futile drop at goal. The Newton Lforwarda gradually drove bheir oppononta .rack, bub clever play by Ramsay brought ..lief to Ponsonby. Mills, however, got .iway, and with the assistance of Hobson _nd Walker tho ball was again taken to Ponsonby'a line, buo a quick kick from Stitchbury got bis side out of a tight corner. From soma loose play in neutral territory, liobarta gob an opening, and dodging the apposing three quarters.looked liko scoring, when Stitchbury graased him within a few I ;arda of the line. From the following icrum, however, Airey secured the ball and ■an in, registering the first score. Roberta failed to convert. Newton, 3; Ponaonby nil. !.'or aome littlo time tho ball hovered about .'onsonby's 25 line, till a pot ac goal by ] Siddle compelled thorn to save. From the !_.ick oub, HefFernan, who played a sterling tame throughout, mado a clever dribble to Ponsonby'a 25, bub a free kick to the latter brought relief. Both to.iuis indulged in joaae vory good passing runs, and play was „fa _rive and tako nature. The passing ot ..he Ponsoiibyi.es waa superior to their opponents, and nt this juncture they wero ;loudly applauded for an excellenb passing msh initiated by (.icto^. The ball waa iransferred betwoon several players, and \b was only tho quick tackling of tho Newton forwards which prevented a score .eing registered. Donald and Mills, .n bohuli of x Newton, replied with •_ dribbii.ig rn.h to pasb tha 50 lag, but quick passing between Bmurid, Ramsay and Gil'e-ipie again carried tho ball back to Newton's 25. From .throw-in, Airey'broke away and a passing run between Mills, Hobson, and War_o"k allowed the last named to gob well into Puiisonby's 25 beforo he was .hrown into touch by F'yi.ti. Osmond lod a return Vush for Ponsonby, nnd tho hitter's backs following up the success, again invaded Newton's territory, and tho red and whites were forced. Half-time waa sounded immediately afterwards.

SI. Flynn .tutted the ball rolling again, itid after somo loose play in neutral territory, Hobson found an opening and nmdo a long run to Ponsonby'a 25, where [.iimsay intercepted his pass, nnd with . hL'h kick returned the ball to midfiold. The Nowton vanguard, with Mills and Donald in tho fore, made a fast charge to _h« blue and blacks' quarters, but Gillespie obstructed their progress. From tho enjuing scrum, however, the ball was passed 'o VVari.cicU, who ma.Jo a str_iii__ endeavour io pot a g>-l, and was nearly successful. On play resuming, tho Ponponby backa by a passing run carried the ball to past the 50 fla_j. Newton replied with a forward Htack, Hofle'rnan, as usual, leading, but Flynn proved a barrier, a:*d tho Ponsonby three quarter's return again saw the ball in midrieid. Again the Newton vanguard repeated their performance, and again were they repulsed, but .he Ponsonby forwarda ■being o;'Hi!e, and approaching within five yards of Roborts.who was about to take the mil, fi freo kick waa awarded to Newton. Roberts took a drop kick from a difficult, Migle, and landed a fine goal. Newton, 6 ; Ponsonby, nil. M. Flynn made a lons, kick off, and play between the opposing forwarda became tasi, the ball travelling repeatedly between the two 25's. Quick healing out by the Ponaonby vanguard, enabled Braund to got away neatly, and a passing run between Ramsay and Scott resulted in New,ot) being closely pressed. Hetternan and Hobson broke throu.-h tho following scrum .net dribbled tho ball to midtield. ' Gittos, however, by a clover piece of dribbling returned the ball to Nowton's 26. The red and whites were penned for some time, lillC. Freeman, intercepting a pass, kicked the ball into touch at midfleid. The Ponsonby backs replied with a passing run, 'out Gillespie spoilt the attack by selfish play, and Siddlo, securing tho hall, had a .lear run to Ponsonby'a full-back, when he passed to Roberts, whoso speed enabled him to score an ea.y try. Robsrta took the kick at goal, and was successful. Newton 11, Ponsonby nil. From the kick oil', the Newton backa attacked with a passing run. And a, score looked certain, whon C. Freeman threw the ball forward. From » loose scrum, howover, Her'ernau secured fche ball and fell across the line. Roberts assayed at goal, withoub success. Newton S4, Ponsonby nil.

On play roautning, fasb following up by Langsford and Gittos spoilt A. Freeman From returning, and Newton's goal was andangered. Ponsonby fought burd to icore, and eventually worked the ball _cro_s the line, but lose it. Even play ifollowcd tho kick out, till Warnock made a slashing run, and gavo Siddte an opportunity to score, but the latter fumbled tbe pas.:. Airey broke away from a scrum and dribbled to well inside Ponsonby's 25, when 'lie kicked hard, and a race ensued for tho Iball, resulting in Mills touching ib firsb, bub the referee decided in favour of Ponaonby. Milla replied to the kick-oub with a 'tricky run and Ponßonby's quarters were .nvaded. The bluo and black vanguard howover worked the ball back, and Ramsay ;___d_ a fast dribble to noar Newton's 25, where the ball went into touch and timo waa called, Newton winntne. by 14 points to nil. Mr A. J. Parker officiated as Referee for the firsb time in a senior coptesb,

and was mosb aucceasful, being always quick and decisive with the whistle. On one occasion Mr Parker received anything bub an eucouraging ovation from the spectators. The Ponaonby full-back, Stitchbury, had claimed a mark, and to those who had nob attentively watched the flight of the ball before Stitchbury had caught it, the claim appeared quito fair. The Newton forwarda aa well aa many others, including the referee, however, had noticed that the ball had touched one of the Ponaonby players juat as it was kicked, and for not awarding Stitchbury a mark the referee was hooted from all parts of the enclosure. Referees are at all times greatly abuaed for their supposed errorß, and when a referee officiates sharply and strictly aa Mr Parker did on Saturday", ho is received with jeorß. It is seldom that we refer to the adverse comments made by apectatorß ignorant of tho rules of the game, bub their wailings were so loud on Saturday on bho refereeing in thia contest bhat v* de<"-_ the foregoing explanation is due .. Parker. We watched the game cloa_.. , and consider thab Mr Parker ia a moat efficienb and impartial controller of the game. GRAFTON V. CITY. A good amount of interest was taken in this match which was playad on No, 2 ground. Soon after the commencement of hostilities tho Graftonitea had worked their way into City's territory, where they made strong endeavoura to score, but withoub avail. The City, forwards eventually relieved their lines by carrying a scrum to their advantage, and wibh a faab dribbling rush, sho ball was taken to Grafton's 25. After a few loo.c scrums Sbone, Cole, McDonald and Hallamore broke through wibh bhe ball, and Taylor (Grafton's full-back), in trying to bring relief, kicked the bail againsb the opposing forwarda, and the ball re-bounded across the line, where Stone secured it and registered the first score for City. He took tbe kick at goal, bub ib proved unsuccessful. City, 3; Grafton, nil. Grafton had the better of bho ensuing play, and some fast forward rushes were accomplished. Jones made a fine effort to score for Graiton, bub was well tackled by Hales. Tho Ciby forwards once more relieved their lines, bub tho ball was returned by a passing run bebween Evers, Hay and Jonea. From a throw in the Graftonitea started a loose rush, and tho ball was taken to the line, where WcGill by a smart dash scored for Grafton. Broberg waa successful with the kick. Grafton, 5; City 3. Play was agaiu of an even nature, the City forwarda gradually working thoir oppononta back to their own 25, where, however, Young intercepted a paas, and had a clear run to City's full-back, whon he passed to McGill, whoso score speed enabled him to an easy try. Broberg waa aguiu succesaful with the kick. Grafton, 10; City, 3. From tbo kick-off the Ciby forwards again worked the ball to their opponent'a territory, and Stone, Cole, and Hallamore, mado a determined attack, but Taylor staved them off. Good passing by the Grafton backa gave McGill another opening, but he slipped and fell. Tbe City forwarda returned to the attack, aad Cotles made a judicious kick to within a few yarda of Grafton's line. From the throw-in Hallamore secured the ball and scored City's second try. No goal waa kicked, and half-time was called with the score Grafton, 10; City, 6 In the second spell the game was of an even charactor, but a few minutes before call of time, wben ib appeared that there would be no I further score than thab recorded in tbo first apell, the City forwarda made a mosb determined charge, and tho Grafton backa had all their work cub out to avoid a score. City were fairly on their mettle, and eventually worked the ball across the line, where Thomas scored the third tiy. Great intereab waa taken in Stone'a third attempt at goal. A narrow victory to cither team waa dependent on Stone'a kick. He waa unsuccessful, however, and Grafton won with a poinb in their favour. The game was a most interesting ono, and Mr J. G. Lecky gavo every satisfaction as a referee. PARNELL V. NORTH SHORE. On Saturday afternoon the Parnell fira b fifteen meb the North Shore playera at Mackay'& Paddock, Lake Takapuna, and played an interesting match iv the presence of a good number of spectators. North Shore were again unfortunate, Parnell defeating tho Devonport men by 20 points to 3,

During the firsb spell Parnell had the advantage of wind and sun, and until halftime waa caiied ths play centred almost entirely in North Shore's territory. Parnell did all the scoring in the first spell, aud some smart scoring was done by Ronayne, Elliott, Anderson and Moore. Ronayne scored two triea, Elliott two, and Anderson and Mooro one each. Kissling converted one of the triea into a goal, and several unsuccoaaful pota at goal were also made by Parnell. North Shore had a little more luck in tho second spell, Breen landing a goal from a penalty kick. Mr A. G. Pilkington acted as referee. When time was called, the game sbood : Parnell, £0 ; North Shore, 3.

SECOND FIFTEENS.

Paknell v. North Shore.—This match was played ab Takapuna on Saturday afternoon, Parnell winning by six points (two triea) to nil. R. Brodie and W. Brodie each scored a try for Parnell. Ponsonby v. Newton.—Ponsonby won by Vi to nil. V. Masetield got a try and two penalty kicks. Katterns also secured a try. lN'ewton were forced almost during the whole of the firsb spell, and the game was very one-sided. Owing to rain falling Masetield misßed a third penalty kick, the ball failing under the bar. City v. Grafton. —The latter won by default. THIRD FIFTEENS. Parnell v. Grafton B.—Parnell won by default.

Grafton A v. Ponsonby.—The former | won by 6 points to 3. j City v. Newton. —Nowton won by 22 points to nil.