OUR FOOTBALLERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 157, 6 July 1896, Page 3

OUR FOOTBALLERS.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

WINS FOR GRAFTON, CITY, AND

NEWTON,

PONSONBY WINS THE TWO

JUNIOR CUPS.

TnE championship matches,were continued on Saturday, but owing to the unpleasant weathor comparatively little interest was taken in them by those who usually take an interest! in football matters. The principal match at Epsom, between Grafton and Ponsonby, resulted in a good,, oven, and fairly interesting game being witnessed, though ab call of time the scores stood—Gratton eight points, Ponsonby four. On No. 3 ground an unexpectedly interesting game took place between City and Suburbs. The latter stood their ground so well, fchab up to about ten minutes before call, of time no score had been registered against them. From this stage, however, City warmed up to their work and succeeded in getting four tries in quick succession, the game thus resulting in their favour by twelve points to nil. Ab North Shore Newton defeated the local team by 20 points to nil.

PONSONBY V. GRAFTON.

This match was played before the stand ah Cotter's Paddock on Saturday. ; Mr Kattern* officiated as referee. The game was not a very interesting one from a spectator's, point of view, arid'1 a large number of those who commenced by watching it afterwards wenb across to witness the contest between City and Suburbs on No. 3 ground. Play was principally confined to loose rushes possessing no particular interest. Ponsonby wero playing several third juniors, and in the pack were considerably outmatched by their opponents. Among the backs neither side handled the ball with any amount of confidence. On the Ponsonby side Brathwaite, Gallagher, and Langsford among Uio forwards, Monro (a third junior) ab fiveeights, Braund at half, and R. Masefield and P. Flynn ab three-quarters were the best of their side, while of the Grnftonitos all the backs played well up to form, nod of the forwards Brady (2), Lusk, Cuckeoy and Andrews appeared to advantage.

FIRST SPELL.

Some few minutes after the Btarb of play the oval was worked into Ponsonby'a 25. A passing run started hero by I). Hay, who transferred to Fielder, should have resulted in a score, bub the latter failed to pass in time to D. Hay, and the opportunity whs missed. Ponsonby soon pub the wearera of the bluo and white jerseys on the defensive and had the besb of the play till a free kick relieved Grafbon. A run between Fielder, Curlton Hay and Moncur again looked like resulting in a score for Grafton, bub the latter in passing threw. on, and a straggling rush relieved Ponsonby. Grafton shortly afterwards were awnrdod a ireß kick, bub from a rather difficult angle. Kallender failed to make the three points. Moncur was awarded a mark close on the Grafton line, and, kicking well up the field, tbo ball was secured by Flynn, who made a fine left-foot pot, the ball juat missing going over, and Grafton forced. A fine dribble just after the ball was put in play between C'uckaey and Lusk resulted in the ball going out noar the Ponsonby line, j Loose play removed tho scene of action bo centre* where D. Hay secured, and, passing to Clayton, the latter got close on the line, but Braund saved, and the firub spell closed without either aide registering a ecore.

SECOND SPELL,

At the beginning of tho second spell, Ponsonby were put on tho defensive, and a passing ru»h across Ponsonby'a between Fielder, Hay, Clayton and Moncur resulted in the latter getting across. Clayton failed to convert. L'onaonby were ebill kepb on the defensive, and after a quarter of an hour ot .uninteresting play Luck picked up in front of the blue and blacks' goal and passed to D. Hay, who Bcored between tha poatn. Clayton's attempt at goal'was this time successful, making Grafton 8, Ponebnby 0. Ponsonby put renewed vigour into their play, and for tho greater part of the rest of the epell had the beat of the game. Their repeated allorts to ecore resulted in Monro potting a neat goal, and the game concluded. Grafton ... 8 Ponsonby 4 CITY V. SUBURBS. Thia match, which was played on No. 3 ground, excited but very little interest, being looked upon as an easy thing tor City. Tho ground waa pretty sofb and tha play consequently uninteresting. In tho first enell City, hud much the besb of the, game,'keeping their opponents protty well penned to their own 25, bub their efforts to effect a score proved unsuccessful. In the second Bpell, Suburbs Bbill continued to play an excellent defensive game, and ten minutes before time was called, bho outlook for City was by no meana suggosfcive of a victory subsequently, however, after a fine passing ran in which all tho backs took part, Thomas scored a fcry for City and placed tho issue beyond a doubt. In the last few minutas of the game, Surman and Oliphant secured a try each as the result of passing runs, and Breen got one after a dribbling rush. In each case the shob at goal proved unsuccessful. City, therefore, won by 12 points to nil. Mr Drum acted as referee and gave the fullest satisfaction to both sides.

NEWTON V. NORTH SHORE.

Newton journeyed to the marine suburb on, Saturday afternoon and met the local team. The ground was in a sloppy condition, and as the game progressed, ib was difficult to see the visage of many of the players. The Newton forwards were naturally in their element in Bueh ground, the light North Shore team proving a poor match for their opponents. The game ended in Newton winning by 20 points to nil. Tries were secured by Freeman and Clarke in the firsb spell, Murray's attempt at coal being unsuccessful. In the second spell Clarke gob over the line, but Hazeman failed to increase the score. McKonzie gob a mark, and Freeman ran in.. Siddle tried a ehob at goal, "bub failed. Murray soon afterwards secured a brjf, and ran in unmolested. Wilson failed in his attempt at goal. Hobson also gob a try, which Murray converted.

FIRST JUNIORS.

Ponsonby 11. v. Cray ll.—The first Ponsonby juniors, who have had an unbeaten record during the season, met the first City juniors on No. 2 ground at Potter's Paddock on Saturday. The game, which was fast from the beginning, was confined principally to loose rushes, play frequently fluctuating from one end of the field to the other. The sides were Tery evenly matched, and few openings were given by either team. The match ended in farour of Ponsonby by 3 points (a try scored by Hill) to nil. The victory of Ponsouby docides the holders of the first junior cup this season, and the eeoond juniors of this suburb having already vusn their cup, both the junior cups will be held this year by Ponsonby.

SECOND JUNIORS. Paenell v. Geafton.—The former won by default.

OTHER MATCHES,

Grammar School v. King's College.— In the secondary schools matches, the Grammar School played King's College at Potter's Paddock on Saturday. The former had the best of the game throughout), eventually defeating their opponents by 14 points to nil. Arawa v. Carlton.—Carl ton won this match by default. Hoeson v. Violets.—Hobson won by 3 points (a try) to nil.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

North Shore v. United.—This match created a good deal of interest, as both Clubs wore leading for the shield. As the ground was so web and slippery a good exposition of the game was impossible. Burgess won the toss, and chose the BOuthern end, Heather starting operations for United. • Ab the beginning of the game the United men pressed the North Shore backs very hard, and the latter bad to concedo two corners. From the first Campbell cleared, bub the second one, which was splendidly placed in front ot bhe goal by Rice, Heather kicked through, the ball being boo high for Roberts bo stop. This seemed to rouse the North Shore men, and they carried the game into United's quarters without ab ficsb any Bnccess, although Dacre. Chamberlain and Burgees all made attempts at scoring. Ab length Chamberlain gob an opening and scored. United 1, North Shore 1. The Shore forwards were now playing much better together, and gave the United backs plenty to do. Several times Heather, Rice and Shaw took the ball up the field, bub Cave and Campbell sent it back again before they became dangerous. Jusb before the first spell ended,' V. Charaberlin, who had been playing' splendidly* twisted his leg, and was of no more use to the North Shore team. The firsb spell ended withoub further scoring. Soon after starting again, Goring, another Shore man, slipped and put his elbow out, and the Shore ha,d to play nine men for the resb of the game, bub they rose to the occasion, and, all playing up well, the half-back* especially, kept the United men on tho defensive for bho resb of tho time, and had bard lines in notscoring once or twice ; bub the game ended in a draw, neither side scoring again. Bellamy and Humq showed up best for United, and Williams, Dacre and Chamberlin for North Shore. Roberts in goal stopped some very difficulb ehota.

North Shore II v. Grammar School.— This game ended in a victory for the North Shore beam, who are now leading for the Cup. The Grammar School boys showed a good knowledge of the game, and will, vvibh practice, make a very good team. Bakewell, Redman and Conley were the best of the victors.