HARD LUCK FOR SUBURBS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 168, 29 July 1901, Page 3

HARD LUCK FOR SUBURBS.

A DRAW WJTH NEWTON

Newton and Suburbs met for the B econd time this season on No. 1 ground, portions of which at the close of the game closely resembled a pot of porridge. Mr. Pelham had charge of the game. Suburbs won the toss, and elected to defend the western goal, Newton having the rain at thenbacks. From the kick-off play went to Newton's 25, but the red and •whites soon had the oval up the field into their opponents' quarters. After a few minutes' play there the blacks, headed by I. Sutherland, swept the ball down the field, and from a scramble near the line McPike nearly got over. Robinson eventually relieved, but a free kick awarded to Suburbs again pressed Newton. The red and blacks, however, transferred playto half-way, where Robinson, securing near the touch line, dashed up the line, and having passed the full-back, a score looked likely. Absolum, however, cut across and threw the Newton back into touch a few yards from the goal line. Off-side play by Suburbs gave Newton a free kick, but A. Wilson failed to score. Newton continued to press the blacks, and more off-side play by the latter resulted in W.'lson making another unsuccessful attempt at goal. A. Gray relieved by sending the hall out at half-way, but the Newtonitea were not to be denied, and play was confined to Suburbs' quarters for some time. Eventually Sutherland relieved with a fine kick, and Austin had a shot at goal from a mark without success. Suburbs tried a passing run, but indifferent passing spoilt a. fine opening. Soon after time was called.

SECOND SPELL

The red and whites opened the second spell with an attack, but the blacks retaliated, and made > several onslaughts on the Newton line. A fine bit of passing between I. Sutherland and Absolum was unfortunately spoilt by a knock-on. A little later off-side play by Newton gave Suburbs a free- kick in a good position, and Absolum made a fine though unsuccessful attempt at goal. A little later Absolum secured the ball between the half and quarter-way flags, in the middle of the field, and, making an opening, transferred to McPike, who made at top speed for the goal line. A score looked certain, when the speedy three-quarter came down two yards from the line, enabling the Newton defence to come up. McPike managed to slide across the line, but the referee gave it no try, and ordered a scrum. Suburbs were now shaking Newton up, and swept the ball across the line twice. The first time Absolum raced for it, but lost his feet just as he was going to fall on it. The second time the ball was buried under a heap of players, and a scrum was ordered live yards out. A few minutes later McPike got possession from a scrum near the line, but, instead of sending the ball on to Absolum, who was in a splendid position for scoring, he foolishly attempted to "pot," and the wet ball scarcely rose from the ground. From this on there was no play of an exciting character, and when the bell Avent the teams left the field without having scored.

NOTES'.

The state of the ground, which was even worse than on the previous Saturday, made scientific football impossible, and, as in the game of the previous week, play was chiefly confined to the forwards, with an occasional glimpse of back play. It was, indeed, a matter for wonder that players kept their feet so well. Suburbs must be said to have had very hard luck in not winning. To draw with Newton was, of course, meritorious in itself, but to play a draw when with ordinary luck they should have won, must have been irritating. Taking the game all through the play was fairly even, but Suburbs showed the best football, and made the nearest approach to a score. Newton as in the Grafton match, made little or no use of their backs, sn spite of the fact that their forwards had the upper hand in tne jcrums. Eobinson, at wing threequarter, played a taking game, kicKinp judiciously and running well. A clever run by this player would have resulted in a score had it not been for Absolum's speed in cutting across the field. The brothers Eowe and Woods were also in fair form. The attack of the backs was, however, very mild. The forwards beat the blacks in trie scrum, but very rarely heeled out, preferring, no doubt, to carry the ball with them. In the first spell they also beat the blacks in the open, but tee latter held their own in the second half. Lewis, who has once again donned the red and white jersey, proved a decided acquisition, and was constantly prominent. He is a heavily-built forward, and with tram-

ing should merit the attention of the selector.

Suburbs put on to the field the best back team, that they have played this season. Great interest centred in the reappearance of McPike, who has so far not played this season. The sturdy three-quarter, aa might be expected, did not play up to form, but ho occasionally showed glimpses of his old skill. His line-kicking was often excellent, and his pace, while he lasted, showed no sigi\s of falling off. The run he made in the second spell was a fine bit of work, and no player ever had harder luck in not scoringl. He got to within two yards of the line, with a clear run in, when, he slipped and came down. A few minutes later, however, he spoilt an excellent chance of scoring by trying to "pot" when a pass to Abaolum would probably have resulted in a score. On the whole, it may be said thafc he will have to improve a great deal ii; he wishes to go South with our representatives. Ho was, of course, palpably out of condition, and could not muster a gallop at tho finish.

Sutherland, at full-back, got through more work than uuy player on the ground, and got through it well. Tho rushes of the Newton forwards kept him busy right through the game, and the way in which he handled and kicked the wet ball was admirable. It must be said, however, that he seemed to have too much to do, and that the three-quarters did not support him as they should have done. It was noticeable, too, that the three-quar-ters rarely ran back to their fullback's assistance, when the latter was in difficulties.

Absolum played a very fair game, his best bit of work being the splendid opening he made for McPike, when the latter nearly scored. M. Gray, behind the serum, did not, "shine" so much as usual. Ilia brother, A. Gray, played a very promising game as wing three-quarter, and should be of great use to the blacks. The forwards livened up a bib in the second spell, but they were inferior in most departments to their opponents. As in previous games, they showed themselves willing enough, but they lacked combination and dash. When they learn to pack properly and hook the ball from the scrum the team will be a dangerous one, for there is plenty of pace among the backs. Until then, however, the team cannot expect to do much against strong opponents.