NEWTON V. PARNELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 143, 19 June 1899, Page 3

NEWTON V. PARNELL.

A LUCKY WIN FOR NEWTON,

(Newton, 7 points; Parnell, 3.)

The Newton v. Parnell match played on No. :: ground at Epsom proved a very exciting game, aud the firstnamed team only snatched a lucky victory some few minutes before call of time. Mr Peter Mackie made an efficient referee, and the duties of line umpires were filled by Messrs 131 air and liinton.

Newton played a strong- team, and although Parnell had included fn their number two juniors in Steel and Innis they had some good players in /their team, including that great player Fred Murray, Hedges, Gillett, Richards and Price. Newton won the toss and Murray, for Parnell, kicked down the hill, After the first quarter of an hour's play Price marked in Parnell's twenty-five. Murray took the shot at goal, but failed. Fast, forward rushes and long kicks by the Newton backs followed. From a mull, Richards, one of Parnell's threequarters, picked up and passed to i\lurray, but T. Roberts saved by putting the ball out of touch. C. Freeman got on a good run down the field, but Gillett downed him on the flag. Soon afterwards Eaton got on a dribble and put the ball to within a yard of the line, when Way cleverly picked up and scored. Eaton failed to increase the score. Newton, 3 points; Parnell, nil; and so the first spell ended.

In the second spell it was thought that Newton with the advantage of playing down hill would put up a good score against their opponents, but the opposite proved the case, for Parnell more than held their own. They did some splendid defensive work, and the collaring was good. When about half of the spell had been played Parnell were awarded a free kick for a breach of the rules, and Fred Murray landed a gaol, making the score of the two teams even. This put the Newton team on their best behaviour, and they rallied tip, their forwards doing splendid work. However, Parnell were not to be denied, the back division proving themselves sure. About ten minutes before call of time the ball was kicked across the field by Parnell when Roberts picked up at half way and landed a goal from that position of the field amidst excitement, making the score: Newton, 7 points; Parnell, 3 points. The ball just twirled in close to one of the posts. About three minutes be* fore call of time another score looked likely for Parm-11, who got a penalty kick, but Murray failed at gaol, the ball in its flight also being touched by one of the Newton team.

NOTES ON THE GAME. In the first spell the Newton team took matters a bit too easily, and they evidently did not think that Parnell would make such a big1 fight. The game was a fast one throughout. The Newton backs made mistakes in their passing, which cost them more than one score. The forwards in the two teams were evenly matched, but the Newton backs were much superior to those of Parnell. Heath, Newton's full-back, proved sure, and he saved his side on several occasions. Wilson did some good kicking. C. Freeman showed his pace on several occasions, and was unlucky not to score. Hobson at centre half, was conspicuous, and he frequently shono in getting the ball from the scrums. As usual, Eaton proved a tower of strength among the Newton forwards, and Way and Otway did good service. On the whole the serum was even. Newton carried most of them. In the early part of the game T .Roberts did not get many chances, but he covered himself with glory by saving his side from defeat in the last few minutes of the game. Otway, when off side, must be commended for retiring and allowing the ten yards instead of breaking the off side rule.

For Parnell Fred Murray, as centre forward, shone in the pack and open, and he was always on the ball. He played a brilliant and hard game all through. Among the backs Hedges, Gillett, and Richards were conspicuous. The defence and collaring of the Parnell team in the second spell were features of the game, and called forth loud approval from the onlookers.