FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 164, 10 July 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

BUGBY. Pnnirratulations to the Marist Bros, on Congraiui in the Rugby Ln.on senior their success the „ first damP ;°„" when Newton won. that a fZ side City or Ponsonby has been If S. top o the'tree, City taring gained te honour four times and Ponsonby three The Marist Bros.' team got a emW reception when they filed off the 8B ?*I their supporters giving cheer ff heel, and E slurry shield de"'The last blow of any consequence in Action with the Auckland Rugby S senior championships of 1012 wu« S on Saturday last, when Marist Bro* we City the big?e=t beating they I,'?;' had since Ponsonby defeated them hStt second round of the ,01 chamSonsllip br 21 points to 5. The meeting „ < the tennis combined with the second- „.. «,hc"l match brtween Grammar Lhoo'l „d King's College, attracted a r f r'v large attendance to Alexandra Park, • fact the largest that has been at a ran final for years. Tie result of the nhv leaves Marist Brw. the champions L'pjl-' for, although they still have to meet College Rifle', the outcome cannot affect their position. j Marin Bros, deserved their vlc'-ory on Saturday, for they made a tine showing, and beat l/ifrv in every department of the | rame. In the forward division, where | It was thought the red and blacks would , have the advantage, the Bros, beat them badly, both in tin' heavy scrum work »nd"m the 5 ". and at times their wotk was very fine. There was a tendency, however! to take too many chances, and the number of free kicks given against them was something appalling. The backs ably assisted the men in front, and set a pace that their opponents were unable to cope with. The red and blacks were decidedly disappointing, and their form was too "bad to be true. They had their very best pack, but never once had a look in, and the only point in their .favour was that the ball appeared to come cleaner from the serum, when they got it, than it did from the opposing; Bcrum.' Barclay and Moffit were missing from the rearguard, but they had thenold skipper, R. Magee, in the former's place, while Speight, a promoted junior, was put on the threequarter wing, Fitzgerald taking Moffit's place at lull-back. With their forwards beaten, the backs did not pet their usual number or chances, but even with this handicap, they failed to take advantage of trie opportunities offering, and it was certainly the most lifeless display they have given this season, and the team was not ' recognisable as the fifteen which defeatet, the two blues in the first round by 11 points to 3. The game itself was fast and open, and although on one or two occasions a couple of players got close Ho the edge, it was much cleaner than some previous cup finals. One of the Brothers' forwards, however, would do (veil to remember that it is very bad form to retort to a barracker by the nose and thumb sign. On the run of the "play' Marist Brothers' score should have been larger, for several chances were missed. City, on the other hand, only looked really dangerous once, and then a score'was lost by faulty handling by the lacks. Of the individual players .T. O'Brien, at fall-back 'for the winners, gave a very file display, his fielding and kicking be"ing high class. In the three-quarter line B. O'Brien stood out by himself and played a brilliant game. He showed surprising pace tad dash,, and his try which opened the scoring was a clever bit of -work. 'His accident towards the close was an unfortunate ending to a sensational afternoon's play. 'His companions. Little and Cornaga did themselves justice, the latter showing a lot of speed. The three tries were secured by the three-quarter line. Vvalshe gave a fine display at inside five-eighths, and although now and again there was a tendency to try and do too much on his own, still he L- probably the best man in the position in Auckland to-day WH te was Hgeftl , and o]gen at half kept his backs going. o.™' on «« ™"' put in a tremend. amount of work, and showed great torn. A inclination, to offside play taken , l"" °1 u eVPral OBCMiOM ' bl -t----take,, till round, his Was a *°° perform^ SDlenHlii , wards as a pack combined *Jy. M d the whole 'seven were at m to of their form. back tSn? 7 Side S«ald, at full JM.d not make any serious mistakes, waLfl'• t **?<• usuall .V «> reliable, «ff c ain tnia season. fop,a 7 «■ gnen this season. **« £di^ ths ; R " Ma S ee ****<- Thomas **Vos*Tw{*i SOmpwl '**t by the fail-' *0 P. £ it' r d the same pp" and Relations fr ° nt d ' V,sion was "P *o i «tTtnTcce c , t t PWTnett ° a N °* 4^OUnd ' exciting o°f L?\ aU) ' thin tat « «>PPed thro,;™ teams were handi - teSST the S " 0t havin their usual junior.Winfr'T ° f B ° me ° f the *« half J, I. *" re uisit ioned. P!av " 'he' lt h0 « in starting, and **■<> spells „ ♦ , th T, pamf ' •'•**" P laTe< * in delay "Si °1 h " «** ''our each " The ***** ™ Pro P°nsonby experi- » fail tZ^ **?"- * "** Siting together PonsonbW Contra O" to expectations, Cr J P t ", the last few minutes of pS I 6 e '" ht and fi ™ *•> favour cji just in the ***<* ° time Wing SJ*r\ 7™ again ' and ' the tr ofaffair tted ' reVersed the P°°n dash mo- h . lb " tea showed much van^. P Q J ?'■"? larSe '* V confin «* to the Wlshowed'i n \, Ll the firi "Pell ht pLnnT ' t0 the better advantage, half, and h^T 6 l ° '* ht in *" second out. ° had the u PPer hand throught " onb i.r' l hough V Pack ' worked •■•*■". alH.*ill.° ViZi WOre minils -he services of -*» the „♦" Md -°' Briell **" ere Per* P" ,f -1 diriZ; TTf ° f the van"P to th u 3 f backs hardl - v played •- 1 * b« xMK?- form " O'Leary gave Play bo Ltl ° n ' a feature of his fullback a , CC i"" ate kicking. Gillard, B Sar w a o !r al6o^tfa6 ° mc **45 , hJ , or,k0 r,k WPrft s °raewhat ' e C a.ble to m f. CnCP of Har P Pr ' but * *•>« IJ W', than h ° ,d thßir own tt f "r* the Ca l >tain ' and feed 3,; Sf ' PS usual ' ***** ™" hardl v C p,ol P H erVlCe - The back r an^«s thSct?4 n d t 0UICSS aocotintod for •"-namon, fi • th °* had 50n >« new **■ in somo * number - Wolfgramm •"-Won"* Jtnainou. work, and was * UOUs on many occasions, hut in

I passing rushes and on the defence, Hardwicke played a good all-round game, and kicked well. A new player named Ngata also calls for mention. He was generally handy in his place as wing-threequarter when his services were required, and for a novice in the senior ranks made a meritorious showing. The contest between University and College Rifles on Saturday was throughout a fast, open game, and though play was at th-r s ragged it was always interesting. li. -act, till the 'bell went, it was a toss-up where -the win would eventually rest. In the very early stages of the game all the appearances favoured a win by University, but as play progressed and the Rifles got into stride the complexion of the game altered considerably. 'Varsity's first score came unexpectedly from the fullback, Marks, who was playing close up while his front men were rallying on the Rifles' line. An unexpected clearing kick came his way. giving him a clear ohance to pot a goal from straight in front, and with a very light freeze in his favour. A hesitation to follow up by the Rifles forwards gave him good time, and kicking with deliberation he landed the ball fair on the bar, the roll and impetus carrying it over. The sudden development I\v Fryer of an old leg strain had a strong bearing on the further play. This streaky player retired from centte to fullback, but he was obviously so incapacitated that quick fielding, or any motion entailing fast action on the part of the game leg was out of question. Consequently he more than once let his side down, and at least one of the scores by Rifles might have been prevented had he been well. Still it can hardly be said that Rifles had the better .of the luck, because two very simple goals were missed in the first spell by the usually reliable Ifwereon, which would have meant an increase of five points to the score. Taken by and large the game was anybody's throughout. For Rifles, the greater part of the 'burden in attack and defence was carried by Gordon and Ifwersou, though Hines got through a difficult afternoon's work creditably also. On the 'Varsity side, Macdonald, Stewart and Pearce were the pick of the backs, and these players frequently made openings which might have been better availed of had the passing generally been a little more accurate. In the forward division there was little to choose between the two packs, though 'Varsity had somewhat the better of the deal. It was in the loose work that the dark blues showed up the better, but on several occasions they lost advantage by hesitation, waiting to be put inside when they were really in a position to play on. Bamford, Bdlkey and Wills were frequently conspicuous ■ for the light blues, and Pountney, Jaco'bi and Bedford showed up on the other side, but generally the forwards of both sides played well. A feature of the game was the excellent spirit which characterised the play without in any depreciating from its strenuousness. NORTHERN UNION. The president of the New Zealand Rugby League (Mr. D. W. McLean) is about to commence a itour through the principal centres of the Dominion for the purpose of inspecting the strongholds of the Northern Union game. A mass of correspondence has been passing between various centres and the headquarters officials in Auckland, all of which goes to indicate that a busy time is in store lor the touring president. The latter's enthusiasm in the game is causing him to anticipate the trip with about as much pleasure as supporters throughout the country appear to be anticipating his coming. He should have some interesting things to say upon his return. If Eden had beaten Ponsonby on Saturday, as they very nearly did, the latter would have been equal with Newton in leading for premiership honours with only two losses each against them. As it was, they drew, and so Ponsonby have a nose advantage over the men of the red and white jerseys. The latter had a somewhat easy win over City. Ponsoaby would have had themselves to blame if Eden had triumphed, for they palpably held the younger team too cheaply. Webb and a few more of their regular men were away, but they could have got better substitutes from the juniors than some of those who stripped. Oil the other hand, Eden deserved all they could get because of their keenness. They were all out all the time, and trie distinction of drawing with the leading team well on in the season is worth while for any young team in competition. Eden made their ground by getting right in. tackling hard, and throwing the ball about whenever opportunity offered. There were few idle members in the team, and for a lengthy spell close up to time they had a lead of a few points. A penalty goal by Cole levelled the scores, and neither striving nor strategy could alter them. Fricker and Lambert worked hard among the Ponsonby forwards, and Roope shone out in the back division, but combination was wanting. Without doubt Eden are an improving team. The Newton backs won the match against City. The latter had some great battlers in Ptanaway. Harrison (until disabled), Dufty and Batten. They kept Newton thinking, but were never actually in a winning position. The forwards were a strong element in the game, but their backs did not seem to shine out at tbe right time. Newton did their best to keep the play open, and gave their backs every opportunity to do "things. The latter rose to the occasion time after time, and provided attractive exhibitions. The veteran Dufty played a brainy game as full back, and the old familiar cry of " Give it to Dufty" went up at times when City got a penalty or a mark. He was in good kicking form, but some of the shots were difficult. Batten, a new player to these parts, put in strenuous work among the City backs, and scored their only try. The Newton men played well as a team. Don Kenealy, writing from Brisbane to Mr. H. McElroy (the secretary of the Eden Ramblers' Club) speaks enthusiastically of the Northern Union game as played in the Commonwealth. He says: " We are doing hard training every mornin". and aTe getting in great form. The first N.S.W. match was a good one from . the spectators' point of view, but the second was a really hard tussle. The N.S.W. players make things very will- j hi"- when being beaten, especially Mess- ( who was nearly pulled to pieces every' time he Touched 'the ball. The ' Auckland people will be surprised to see the improvement in our team when we ' get back. In the game in Australia the ball is kicked very little, it being the object of the players to keep it going' from hand to hand. , It was a cat-' of "Let him that think- ' eth he standeth take heed lest he fail " j in the Manutau Rovers-North Shore AI-1

bions ma teh a t Devonport on Saturday. It was evident from the outset that the i Shore team anticipated little difficulty in defeating the visitors. Two players aia not trouble to go along "to the match, but the remainder were in no way perturbed, and went out to take tolas in scoring. The Manukan pack noon pat a different complexion on affaire. The forwards appeared more at home -on the muddy ground, and enjoyed iihe melees in the mud and water on the lower portion of the ground. The- game was never interesting, however, and any attempt of the backs to pass came to notning. The blue forwards kopt the pace very fast right to the end of the game, and their backs were successful in putting the finishing touches to their efforts. North Shore were unfortunate in having two of their players injured during the game. Caddonj, playing at wing three-quarter, strained his shoulder severely soon after commencing, and although he remained or. the field, he was working at s considerable disadvantage. On the other wing Pearson was incapacitated later in the game; In getting down to a rush lie received painful injuries to his fore-arm, and had to leave the ground. The North Shore Club has now four teams in the League competitions, the first juniors and the fourth grade combinations being in a very good positioninformation received by the club's officers from Australia is to the effect that Stan Weston, at present with the "All Blacks,"' is flaying well up to form. Mr. Mcßeynolde, the club's delegate to the New Zealand Council, is with .the representatives as manager. Though the season is only half-way through, the club hr.s been fortunate in having a la-rge number of its members picked for League fixtures. Messrs O-riffin, Jackson and Seagar played for Auckland against New Zealand, while Messrs Haddon, Clark and Waters donned the jersey to meet Thames. The Northern Union game at Devonport appears to be taking hold, the attendances at the games played there indicating that the league would be well advised to arrange as many matches possible on that side of the harbour. ASSOCIATION. Although the Corinthian-Carlton match was a poor exhibition of soccer, it was at least full, of excitement, the referee (Mr. Speed) being kept on the alert by the continual appeals from the one side and the vehement protests on the other. Altogether he had a most arduous time. No doubt this originated from what appeared a doubtful penalty against Harrison for hands. McCarthy effecting a clearance with a strong kick, Harrison ducked: to avoid the ball, being close in, and the shot (a lowone) struck him on his hands, which were covering his face for protection. Players should remember that the referee is there to determine the intentional from the accidental, and that the field of play is not the place to argue the technicalities of different rules. McCarthny, the Corinthian custodian, gave a good display, and almost saved the penalty. Harrison and German were again attractive in their defensive work; the former was perhaps rather too vigorous. Haresnape is an enhancement to the Corinthians, but has yet to produce his last year's form, although he played a sure, clean game. Barber was at sea at centre-forward_ but improved at inside right in the second half. , Daniels was easily the best of the Corinthian forwards, but was cruelly starved in the first spell; his goal was a pretty shot. P. C. Rose was inclined to hang rather long, hut his goal was a splendid effort, -esulting from a run from beyond the halfway line. Whittle was within an ace of scoring on several occasions, and certainly had hard lines, but he was well watched by Bennett. The Everton Club are holding their first annual smoke concert at the Tiffin on Saturday, July 27, and it behoves all Soccer players to roll up in full force. Mr H. S. Rose (chairman of the A.F.A.) will 'be in the chair, and a really excellent programme will be provided. Tickets can be obtained from members of the club.