LACROSSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 148, 24 June 1901, Page 3

LACROSSE.

WINS FOR PONSONBY "A" AND

GKAFTON.

NOKTH SHORE AND GJ.IEY LYNN PI AY A DIiAWN GAItE.

Beautiful weather ;igain prevailed laat Saturday afternoon, when the fourth set of la crosao championship matches were played, in the presence of a. good number of spectators. The principal match was thai, between i'omtoriby "A" and Suburbs, both betort last Saturday afternoon having an unbeaten record. Contrary to anticipations the game was not very even and ended iv favour of the Conner team by a good margin. The play of the Suburbans was on the whole disappointing, for right through the season they have displayed better form. Superior combination told against them. The Grafton team, after a very hard struggle with Ponson'by "B," just managed to get home. The latter lasted better, but the members lacked experience, and had they possessed a good scoring home, probaibly the result would have been altered. The most even game of the afternoon and the season was that between North Shore and Grey Lynn, ending in a suit would have been different. The match was 'fast and interesting throughout. Grafton and Ponsonby "A" now load for th<> championship, with Suburbs close up. The lady friends of the Grafton Club provided afternoon tea.

Ponsonby "A ri (8 goals) v. Suburbs

(I goal)

Peacock and Soineriield, the respective centres, commenced play, and the former secured, and after v short sprint passed to Shortt, who ran go'alwurds smartly and .shot Ponsonby's first goal within a minute of the "face ' off." This incident livened the red mid blacks up, and they carried the rubber into opposite territory, Morrin waa looking dangerous until Mason checked and threw down the field to Anderson, and he feinting smartly shot a beautiful goal. "Facing- again," play was confined chiefly to midfield, and the play of the two opposing centres waa vigorous. Finally Peacock wriggled through several opponents and passed to Lundon, who essayed at goal without success. Anderson ran behind, and besting his opponent, gave McCoy a good pass which he succeeded in sending through the uprights. Thomson changed with Owen in goal, which made a difference. Playwas fairly even v ntil half-time was sounded. Upon resuming- operations, Ponnonby with the sun favouring them operated once more in the red and blacks territory. Latta got an opening on the wing-, and getting into shooting- distance, smartly secured the blue and blacks fourth goal. Brown cleared with a long throw, and Somertield, Kendall, and Morrin participated in a passing run, which waa quckly nipped in the bud by Nolan, who threw down the field. A rush headed by Lundon and Anderson resulted in McCoy capturing: number five goal. Foubister, Brown, and Thomson were defending all they knew, but failed to stop the opposing- vanguard, and Anderson and Lundon each secured goals. Herrold and Morrin were prominent for hard play, and worked the ball to Da-wBOn, who easily netted Suburbs first and only goal. Just on call of time McCoy increased Ponsonby's score to eijrht goals. Mr R. McVeigh was an impartial referee. NOTES. The paseng work of the Suburbs attack waa not as accurate as usuaL and the chances they got vrere not put to best advantages. The defenders, especially J. Thomson (goal), Brown, Foubister and Mair all played remarkably well, and were rather unfortunate in having such a large total put up against them. Peacock at centre played a superior game to via-a-via Somerfield, and fed his attack as well as usual. Somerfield was penalised several times for holding bis opponent. E Mason, Nolan, and Gallaher were very sure on the defence. Latta showed improvement. Anderson played unselfishly and grafted well.

Grafton "A" (5 gculs) *• Pon*mby "B"

(3 aroais)

Graiton had a couple of their crack men away, which handicapped them a little. The pLay of the Ponsonby "B team was again satisfactory, and an improvement on previous displays. Soon after the "face off," Graf ton's attack gvt well into opposite territory, and drawing- out the defence, quickly notched a goal through Atkinson's agency. "Facing again," Ponsonby got the best of it, aoid a couple of hot shots wore dealt, the ball going too hig-h. Ksllendar picked up and threw out of touch, from the "face " Luckie secured and made an opening for Hill, who shot second goal for the black and whites. The Ponsonby captain adopted better tactics, which were a temporary success. Harris badly beat Wtilker and passed to Braith<waite, who in turn passed on to McCoy, who shot a neat goal. Graham and Rees amartly spoilt a passing rush, and the latter threw up the field, and Harris securing and evading a couple of opponents cleverly, shot ther second goal for the blue and blacks. Matters were now interesting. Walker gave a long pass to Hay, who placed the third goal into the net. A little later half-time was called.

Directly after the "face" the Ponsonby backs were not in position, and Hill following up well met with no opposition, and scored GTafton's fowrth goal. For the next ten minutea play was of an even nature, then Grafton made things lively, and Walker shot a pretty goal. The blue and blacks then put lota of vim into their play, and from a loose scrimmage, Harris drove the third and last goal into the net. Until time nothing of note happened, and play was even. The game thus ended in favour of Grafton by 5 goals to 3.

Mr Ward gave satisfaction as referee.

NOTES

The result of the game came as a, surprise to many, who thought the Graftonites would register double figures at least. However, the opinion formed of the Ponsonby team when first they played together was not mistaken. They are rapidly becoming a first-class combination, and every member showed improvement. Of the defenders, Bourke, Bees, Graham, and Robinson were alwayß prominent. Harris at centre grafted like a trojan.

North Shore (1 goal) v. Grey Lyun (1 goal.) Richardson, and A. Walton "faced," the former picked up quickly, «uid gave his attack a chance. Wynyard's essay at goal was stopped by Cooper. .For a long while play was of a very oven nature, then Grey Lynn pradua!ly worked into opposite territory, and Saycre taking a good pass sent fhe rubber to 11. Walt an, who scored the first and only goal for Grey Lynn, Up to the spell nothing more eventful occurred. Upon resuming- the Shoremen made the pace hot, Wynyard and iii'enardsou were alwaj's conspicuous, tho former with a good shot secured Shore's firat and only goal. The game was fast and even until time was sounded, the game thus ending n a draw. NOTES. For Grey Lynn, Cooper in goal stopped several deaxlly shots, Madden Gumcoer, and Blakely defence, and Walton brothers, Moncur, and Sayers attack were perhaps the pick. Richardson (centre) for Shore never wasted a chance. Wynyard (home) was as tricky as ever, and had hard luck in not scoring more often. Miller, Kelly, Ward, Eagleton and Nairn could be singled out for goo/! play.