FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 116, 15 May 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

IBDGBY. With the conclusion of the second j Pa* of the first round or the Rugby Trn'on senior championships the positions | „_ the teams are a- follows:— | Points I

From the stand on the new ground I ~ Epsom a fine view can be obtained of the came without anyone have to stand OT but on Saturday a lot of annoyance vis caused by spectators jumping to their feet whenever an exciting bit o/ r „lay occurred. If spectators would ! Ifie'p their seats, everyone would be able to =cc the game without interruption. The settlement of the trouble between {he old Referees' Association, the new body and the Auckland Rugby Union seems as far off as ever, and though one would like to see an amicable arrangement arrived at, one must congratulate the new Association on the stand they hare taken in the matter. Personally, I think the Rugby Union were to blame in discussing the matter with the old I Association, for it was clearly their duty to refej; the dissentients of last year to cite tew body, and for them | to <"£ne to some agreement before appoaching tie A-R-U. No doubt everyone concerned was anxious to have the '■ breach healed, and acted for the best. ■ bat, nevertheless, I maintain _ that it raj slighting the new Association to | receive the deputation' without consulting them on the matter. When the trouble arose certain referees stuck to . the Union and formed the new body, with the result that no inconvenience was caused. The trouble came at a critical time, and had it not been for those who now control the. new Association the Union would have been in a bit of a hole, and a lot of trouble caused. However, the new body have taken a finn stand in the matter, and on present appearances it looks as if any of the old body wishing to play the whistle will have to come in under the new Association, and this they can easily do without any loss of dignity. The senior championships were advanced another stage on Saturday last, when wins were secured by Marist Bros. and City, while University and Parnell drew, the results giving Marist Bros, a clear lead for the championship. For the first time since it was acquired by the Union, the new ground adjoining 'Alexandra Park, and now known as the Show Ground, was in use, but the playing areas were hardly ready for senior matches, and it would probably have been as well had the committee deferred the opening till later in the season. The No. 1 ground was in fair older, although, it badly wanted a heavy rolling, but the other grounds were bad, and No. 2, on which Parnell and 'Varsity were to have met, was absolutely not fit to play on, and they had to shift to another ground. These happenings should be avoided, for once a place gets . ant of favour, ii is hard to reinstate it. : It is understood, however, that everything will be in order for next Saturdagc, and that there will be no cause for cmr-plaint. The situation of the So. 1 ground from a spectator's point of view could not be improved on, for I the playing area is close to the stands; and the players can easily be singled out. Although the ground was, if anything, on the heavy side, and players found some trouble in getting their feet, the Marist Bros.-Ponsonby match furnished one of the fastest exhibitions of Rugby . .seen in a Cup game for some time, and though some may cavil at the quality , of the play at times, still, as an exhibition, it was an eye-opener for so early , in the season, and not- once during the four spells did there seem any inclina- , tion by either side to keep the play close. Marist Bros, started off at a great rate, and for a while got all over Ponsonby, but gradually the blue and blacks found their feet, and then they gave as good as they received, and on the run of the play there was very ', little between the teams. The Bros. owe their victory principally to the dash of their backs, "who took advantage of . every opening that came their way, while they got great assistance from the • lorwards, who kept the game open and . gave the rearguard plenty of chances. ' Ponsonby, on the other hand, missed a number of opportunities and one or two of ! their rearguard seem hardly yet up to senior form. The least bit of dash once : or twice would have put on the finishing '. touches, but it was wanting, and consequently a chance lost. The forwards '■ played splendidly, and never once let up, : "aping their opponents hard at it all . the time. They beat the two blues '. tune after time for the ball, but the oat use was not made of ,the leather when it came out. The loss of Cunning- • ami was severely felt, for although '. vßrien, who took his place, is a good forward in the loose, he is not a Cunningham in scrum work. As mentioned «»ve, the pace was very fast, and . there were one or two hard knocks, but '■ nothing venomous, and though three Payers had to retire, their mishaps were ' Finely accidental. To rtand the pace ' wt, the teams must have been in good _*__*> and though towards the end of - If third quarter the Bros, appeared ; o be tiring they came again and were B°ag strong at the bell. ! Of the individual players. Curran and : ™c two O'Briens were at the top of , fc5L ™' but J ' °' Brien was at times . »nlty with his handling. In attack the . W were at times brilliant. Tapsall. Wtt . came on when Fischer was hurt , **/?■ 7~ c ? am <?> 's one of the concer- , r«L tension, in and out and he was - "sponsible for one or two fine bits of , OTW a v- 1 *" 1 " 4 b?in when he gave B. , wanes his second try. On the other , «««. there were one or two occasions i at Lk a^ d on g ]e y ™s , it? J**! *,* forWards » a [ - CVT fine display. Callaghan struck , «J as a forward likely to see a better . On the Ponsonby side the strength of i £ Went lay , in °' McGregor i Sion rt '. and the bulk of the ™ I i e n™' Wh ° T sonßd in ' hat lS; H rOSS was fair at full-back, i Sn- '• J ° nes and Walsh we ™ a bit I EL?! 0 * *?"■ Jones is stated to « Kav £. °i' PaCe tat he keeps to ° ' away from his centre, and, as a con- i JWJ, was never in his place to ac- I Afita?™ 5 When tte eirin was made. at* mare experience may do a lot for 1 feplav *n7 - at Avery aye a fiDe l into a « ? Yes ? nmise of developing i Sae^t daSS forward - One feature £ fit* w«^ of toe onsonby s< _____ was , KJ~L-. as hall, aad Sdlaxs g I * fflJt *«»^-WB___fl^BQlCT£Spl__l__^| i SI

1 Parnell and University were scheduled I to show their paces on the particular spot where the Clydesdales and teams of working horses had been judged on hair, weight, bone and substance at the Agricultural Show, but they jibbed. Football is not a dainty game, but there are certain limits of prudence that a footballer, even when covered by an accident insurance fund, is warranted in observing. And, apart from the inequalities of the ground, the halfhidden holes left by the stakes of the show ring provided justification for the objection of the players. This was at once admitted by Messrs. M. J. iSheahan and Sitchbury when they saw the area, and a fresh ground was provided. Still it was unfortunate that the Ground Committee had not considered the contingency earlier, because there is always at hand the class of barracker that magnifies such incidents. "A lot they care for the players, so long a 3 they get their whisky and cigars!" was the mildest-publishable remark of one young sideliner. whose stunted person had the athletic shoulders of a soda-water bottle, but lacked a screw top to keep the gas in. This type of youth, whose greatest ambition is whisky and cigars, and who devotes his attention to developing only those muscles that make objectionable sounds in preference to getting busy playing the game to the best of his ability, is quite a common occurrence on the Auckland sidelines. Wherefore the comment that incidents such as those of Saturday are prone to be magnified, and are therefore to be regretted. When the game started there was excitement in plenty, for both sides made it fast, and mistakes in handling were so frequent among the hacks that nobody could predict where the trouble would be next. It was immediately apparent that the Parnell pushers were going to dominate the scrums, and the first impression was that the highbrow* were in for a solid bearing. But as the game progressed, things began to mix. and both sides were lucky to make a draw. They should both "have lost on mistakes. The fear of Fryer was undoubtedly on Parnell's mind from the jump, and the "All Black" was handicapped by his reputation. When things went his way fifteen red jerseys pushed over their various top-speed levers to meet him with the glad embrace, while his friends stood round spectating instead of backing up. Fryer several times eluded some few of the fond intentions launched at him. but he could not dodge all the drops of the shower, and he consequently got wet occasionally, to Parnell's advantage. Time after time the Parnell pack broke the ranks of the opposing forwards, and though they were met by plucliy rush-stopping on the part of the blue backs, they several times got through to the line. The individual speed of the 'Varsity backs, however, saved the situation, and in several instances they got round in time to save by forcing. Wilson and Muir were always prominent in these rushes for the reds, and at times Glen, Harper and Hansen showed out. Possession in the scrums went mainly to Parnell, but they profited little by' it, as Bilkey was alert and frequently swooped on Dow before the half could i get the ball away. From this starting point it was that the 'Varsity forwards got in their best work in tho shape of loose rushes, in which Bamford and Bilkey showed up. Generally speaking, the best attacking work amongst the backs was shown by 'Varsity, but the standard of combination was not high at any time, both passing and taking being faulty. MacDonald, at half, did a tremendous amount of rush-stopping, and he several times got the ball away in good style. Gray's attack is always nippy, but" he was so erratic that his partners frequently lost toT__h with him, and at times his passes were so faulty as to endanger the side. It was consequently not altogether Pearce's fault that the three-quarter line did not get its fair share of what was sent out for them from .the scrum. Stewart also was puzzled by Gray's game, but, thouprh he did his" part in defence, he did not show any outstanding resource in getting to the critical point. Macky, in possession, was always dangerous to . the opposing side, but more than once he lost opportunities by juggling with the ball before gathering it. Parnell's weakness lies in the want of understanding among the backs. Though Dow was slow and frequently smothered, he sometimes got the bail away, only to see it stopped short in the five-eighth line, Hardwick and Forgie being rarely in touch. Though he has not yet fully grasped the possibilities of centre play in attack, Hogan made good use of his chances. Edwards' one opening resulted in a try. Wolfgramm, like Edwards, was kept on short rations in the scoring line, but his turn of speed served his side well in defence and following work, and in tackling he made his presence known to Fryer. Through-out the game the ball was placed som-r-thing like eight times for Hardwick. but though he sent it the distance nearly every time, and produced the elevation, he found the necessary direction in only one instance. The full backs presented a contrast. Miller showed the knack of getting just where he was wanted, and he made no error in taking or fielding, while he invariably found the line. McDevitt was several times caught too close up, and his taking was faulty, with the result that he more than once let the side down. One or two passing incidents of the game call for notice. For instance, one player who went down before a for- ] ward rush was seen lying on the broad of his back and kicking his feet up, to the menace of the attacking forwards. That is a most aggravating and childish form of obstruction, which offers a strong risk of one of the opposing side stubbing his toe hard against the lowermost portion of the offender. In another case a big player, who had been harried in the ruck by a smaller person, but one of the soapy sort, who won't be happy till he gets it, was occupied after the whistle went in making his friend happy. The Mosaic law is not expected to apply to football, and anyway, when a player desires to donate an eye to someone else who has presented him with an eye, he should not make it a public matter. The public is not always sympathetic. The ground on which the City-Coll'ece Rifles match was played was in a vertbad condition. Throughout the first half several nasty snags had to be pulled up and a large amount of broken glass removed. The uneven-ess of the surface greatly interfered with the success of the game from a. spectator's paint of tow.

As was the case on the previous tarday, when they were matched against Parnell, the College Rifles were again badly out-weighted, but. notwithstanding, Cty did not have a runaway game. What the Rifles require are some nuggety forwards. Their light-weights arc willing enough, but they simply cannot stem the hot opposition of the more experienced and heavier senior teams What saved them a good deal last Saturday was the indifferent manner in which City packed their scrums. L. Weston, one of the mainstays of the Rifles backs, was, owing to indisposition, unable to play, and Hines filled the gap a 6 five-eighths. Taken all round, he played a very creditable game, taking the ball cleanly and getting down the field quickly. Another member of the team who stood out prominently was Ifwcrson. He was a very present help in time of trouble throughout, and his kicking was good. Maguire was one of the best in the scrum, working hard right through the game. City forwards are a solid lot. Haryward stood out prominently, and made some good openings for tho backs. Bruce also put in some good work in this direction. Stewart was the most prominent of the ! City backs. He was strong on the defence, and he kicked well' into touch. Keating played a fairly good game, although he ; hardly did himself justice. He showed a j tendency to hang on to the ball too long, with the result that his side missed some good chances of scoring. Magee's kicking was a feature of the game. He generally managed to find the line, and converted all four of the tries scored by City. NEW ZEAIANiD UNION. (By Telegraph.— Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met to-night. An appeal for a contribution towards the fund for the purchase of pictures for the National Art Gallery was referred to the annual meeting. The Wellington Rugby Union wrote asking that as the amount of the loan of £4000 had been half paid off the committee consider the question of reducing the rate of interest from three per cent, to two and a-half per cent. The amount outstanding is £1950. The matter was referred to the incoming committee. The Poverty Bay Association wrote urging the re-instate-ment of players in that district, as a check to the growth of the Northern League game. It was well known, said the letter, that football in Hawke's Bay i last season -was a fiasco owing to the I strides made by the League game. It was reasonable to assume that a number of smaller unions had already been approached, with perhaps the prospect of an early representative match and a return game, to induce them. The letter was referred to the annual meeting. NORTHERN UNION. The game between Newton and Eden was in every way a typical opening of the season's exhibition. The players started off at high pressure, and made things very lively for about three parts of the spell. Then they faded away, and ly the time that the whistle sounded for time, the game had become little more than a scramble. The Eden representatives were the first to show signs of the want .of fitness. They had evidently done little or no training, find also laboured under the disadvantage of battling against a combination considerably heavier, than their own. One of the most noticeahle. features during the game was the cortiparatively poor kicking. With a few exceptions players appeared to be of the opinion that when they secured the ball all they were required to do was to kick as hard as possible in any direction that -might prove convenient. The backs were the worst offenders in this respe.t, with the result that the forwards were soon tired out through following up injudiciously placed kicks, but although the forwards were handicapped in this respect, there can be no doubt _t)_at it was in the packs of 'both sides that the weak spots lay. With a few Exceptions players. revealed little knowledge of handling the "ball in the loose, and lot of wild speculating was indulged in.../ r Francis was the odtsiaiiding . player for Newton, and indeed; was quite the most prominent man oh either side. He was at wing three-quarter, in the first spell, but noticing thai there was a. weak link in the line went, in to five, eights. The result wits that his backs worked with something like combination and ran up a big Score against their opponents. Blakey at, five-eighths made a good showing. He has a fair ttfrn of speed and swerves cleverly. Smith made good use of his opportunities, and beat his man consistently. in the forwards Bennett gave a fine exhibition. He keeps with the ball and proved dangerous in the loose. Of the Eden players McSweeney, who played at wing three-quarters, proved very fast. He found Francis a hard man to pass, however, and when collared in possession frequently had no one backing him. D. Kcnealy played a useful game, and was sound in defence. His goal kicking was a feature of the match. He had shots from all sorts of angles, and was responsible for six of the nine points scored. Bond was prominent amongst the forwards, evidently having done some training. North Shore made the pace a cracker from the outset with the City players. Their supporters were inclined to he pessimistic in regard to their lasting powers, and predicted that they would go to pieces in the second half. However the team showed that they were very fit, and even in the later stages, when City were attacking hotly, held their own fairly well. Still there is no doubt that had the game not ended when it had City would have made the scores more even. Weston at half for the winners played the best game on the field. He was here, there, and every where, and got his backs moving in great style. Haddon at wing three-quarter also made a fine showing. He runs strongly, and is safe in defence. Of the City players Asher was seen to advantage. He got his side out of many tight corners, and on occasions went up and got the ball away with the forwards. Hunt, who took the field again, plays with all his old dash. Denize was prominent amongst the forwards, and kept with the ball. ASSOCIATION. Captains of teams are notified that they must see that their teams are lined up and ready to kick off at three p.m. punctual. ■ Last Saturday the referees were to be noticed blowing their whistles, and no heed paid to tho matter. The executive have given instructions' to the referees to report teams not taking notice of their intentions to start. St. John's have been granted permission to play Henderson on June 3rd. Owing to unavoidable circumstances. the fifth and sixth grade matches wilt not commence till Saturday week. Mr. Blfncoe has been appointed secretary of the hoys' sab-committee, and teams in the fifth and sixth grades.

wishing SafoCTaC-Sop axe requested, to -write ft Mr. Blinroe at YMJCA. Buildings. , Mr. Cadwallader, who is now stationed at Tauranga, has been j'w_f n_mg_-ta_ in starting teams at Tauranga and Te Puke. The H-M-S. Encounter are desirous of arranging a game with a first division for Satulday next. Any team willing to play the "warsmen" can do bo by writing to Mr. Price, E.TJL, 3£M__ Encounter. The executive are stall using every effort to procure sufficient grounds for the season. They have spent a great deal of time hunting for grounds, and are worthy of a word of praise for their untiring energies in this direction. Next Saturday they intend looking at one or more grounds. Shcppard and Daniels showed excellent form for Corinthians last Saturday. The match between Hotspurs and Adult School at Edendale last Saturday was played throughout in a very friendly spirit, and resulted in a win for the former by three to nil. The fact that Crompton scored all the goals of the day marks this player out as the right man in the right place, while of the backs Wallworks display was truly a good one. Wallwork is an addition to the team, taking the place of F. Wigg, who has gone up to centre-half. Wigg's display at centre-half was not up to the standard shown by him at back, but should improve if given a chance. Of the Adult School players, Gassy (in goal) is deserving of particular notice, his play being almost faultless. Dance, at centre-forward, was not given much of a chance to show what he could do. The Adult School Club deserve every commendation for securing a ground such as they have. The Hotspurs players state that they have no wish to play on a better one. Lack of combination was the principal characteristic of the senior match that was played on the Victoria Park, "but this was not to be wondered at, as it was the first fixture of the season. Brotherhood were mating their debut in the upper division this year, and must be complimented > n their showing. City played a one hack -.ime, heing one man short. Either from over-anxionsness or some other cause the Brotherhood men lost several very simple chances right in the beginning of the game, and the score should have been more than three to two in favour of Brotherhood. THE FIXTURES FOR RATTTRDAY _vEXT FIEST DIVISION. City v. North Shore.—'At North Shore. Referee. Mr. Copelar_d. Everton v. Carlton. —At the Domain. Referee. Mr. Dnnsford. Corinthians v. ronsonbjr.—At Victoria Park. Referee, Mr. Dawson. SECOND DIVISION. St. John's v. -ilount Albert.~>At Mount Albert. Referee, Mr. Kirkwood. Everton v. W.Y.M.I.—At the Domain (2 to 3). Referee Mr. Dnnsford. Hotspurs v. Gordon.— North Shore. Referee, Mr. Woods. Brotherhood v. Adult Schools. At "Edendale. Referee, -Mr. Horsley. THIRD DIVISION. V.-M.C.A. v. North Shore. — At North Shore (2 to St. Referee, Mr. Copeland. Tabernacle v. Mount Albert. Mount Albert (2 to 3). Referee, Mr. Nesblt. FOURTH DIVISION. X.M.C.A. v. North Shore. — At North Shore (2 to 3). Referee, Mr. Woods. ..Everton .O-bernacle.— Victoria Pat* (2 .to 3). Beferee, Mr. Martin. City v. St. John's.—At 'Edendale (2 to J). Keteree, Mr. Other. .The .third and fourth division draw for the season la ur. follows: THIRD DIVISION. May V.M.C.A. v. North Shore. Tabernacle v. Mount Albert. May V.M.C.A. v. Mount Albert. North Shore v. Tabernacle. Jnne I.— V.M.C.A. v. Tabernacle. North Shore v. Mount Albert. FOURTH DIVISION. . May IS.- Y.MjC.A. v. North Shore. Everton v. Tabernacle. City v. St. John's. Ma? 25.— V.M.C.A. v. Everton. North Shore v. St. John's. City v. Tabernacle. June V.M.C.A. v. City. North Shore v. Everton. Tabernacle v. St. John's. Jnne S.Y-'M-C.A. v. Tabernacle. North Shore v. City. Everton v. St. John's. - June la. — -North Shore v. Tabernacle. Everton v. City. Y-M.C.A v. St. John's.

r. W. L. D. forag'stC.P. jurist Bros. 2 3 - - S3 » * Cry - L _ | - , ,, ., rarnell .... 2 J- - J 14 22 1 ponsonby - - - — ,* ' '»•__._ College Rifles - — - "*