FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 182, 31 July 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

BUGBY. With the representative team away at the Thames, and the junior team at' W__.nga.rci. it will be left to the Colleges to provide the principal football at Epsom on Saturday. 'The meeting of the Grammar School and King's College, however, can always be relied upon to attract a large attendance, and as the teams are to play on Saturday, a good name should be witnessed. Probably one of the third grade matches will be played as a curtain-raiser, in which case visitors to Alexandra Park will be well served. The return match between Auckland and Thames will lie piayed on the lat ter's ground on Saturday next. The Northern Company arc running a special excursion, the Wakatere leaving Auckland at 7 a.m. on Saturday, returning leaving Thames at 9.15 p.m. Mr. Gallaher is giving Weston, the College Rifles five-eighths, a trial against the Thames, and to that end has replaced J. O'Brien nt fullback with J. O'Leary. Weston taking the latter*? place. O'Brien, after bis displays in the Cup competitions, has been somewhat disappointing^in the matches played so far. and even his fielding of the ball, usually so strong a feature of his play. -.is been weak. A short spell might do him a lot of ge>od. If the matches between Thames and Auckland and South Auckland and Auckland are to be taken as a criterion, country football is at present at a very low ebb. for the standard of play in both these matches was a. long way below that of previous seasons. Saturday's exhibition was even worse than .he game against the Thames, and at no time during the eighty minutes did the South Auckland fifteen reach senior, let alone representative form, and even the 37 points did not represent the difference between the teams. Not that Auckland played magnificently by any means, for the wearers of the blue and white never appeared to really settle down, and their play throughout was a good bit below first-class form, for no one seemed to take things seriously. The forwards took all sorts of risks, while each and every one of the scoring back division seemed to think it was his _ounden duty to try and beat all the opposing backs single-handed before letting the ball go, and score after score was thrown away through this failing. The only department of the game in which the visitors made anything like a showing was in getting the ball in the scrum, and Muir and Tresize did not work nearly as well together as did Tresize ant Snllars the previous week. Of the actual play there is really nothing to be said, for it was simply a onehorse show, the visitors being outclassed from start to finish. The only point to be considered in the favour of the maroons was that they had never been together previously; in fart, a look into their dressing room just before the bell rang disclosed the old Grafton player. J. Maguire, trying to knock their scrum formation into something like decent shape. However, making every allowance, there really only appeared! to be three or four men. Clarkin, McGeehan, Heley, and possibly Fear, that would have a chance of getting into an Auckland senior fifteen. One hardly knows whether to criticise the Auckland team or not. Certainly no bouquet can be handed out, but it might not be out of place to suggest that even when opposed to weak teams, such as in the three matches played this season, the game cannot be taken seriously. It is easy to get into a loose way of playing, and with a heavy programme of big matches in front of them it would be better to play the game from start to finish, as if it were for the Ranfurly Shield. The llarist Bros, clubs' teams will not be playing on Saturday at Alexandra PaTk. Tlie fourth and fifth grade teams are applying to the A.R.U. for permission to journey to the Thames on Saturday. The fourth grade team will play the Thames junior representatives, and the fifth grade team will probably play the Thames High School. If permission is received from the A.RL., a special boat will leave on Friday night and return on Sunday evening. Those intending to make -the trip will meet at the club rooms, Pitt Street, this (Wednesday) evening.

The Waihi Rugby Union received a kilter from the Thames Rugby Union accepting Saturday the 10th August as the date for the return match to be played at Waihi. The schools' competition was ifixed at, four rounds. Two rounds have been completed. East has three wins, South one win, and Central one win. It was decided to add two rounds to the third grade competition.., making three matches still to play. Tie position of teams at present is Mataura five wins, Waitete two wins, > NORTHERN UNION. Condition and tenacity of attack were the elements chiefly wanting in the Hawke's Bay team on Saturday, when they tried conclusions with the. Auckland representatives at Victoria Park, in an attempt to gain possession of the Northern Union challenge cup. Prom the kick-oil' the game sparkled with incidents, "both raipid and exviting, as the blue and white jerseys of the home team and the red and -white of the visitors mingled in willing combat. The teams were fresh then, and when the visitors drew first blood with a penalty goal it looked as if Auckland would have to play all they knew to retain possession of the coveted cup. The visitors Were playing l>etter foothall up to this stage, the eagerness of the local men being responsible for several penalty kicks. This had" the effect of steadying up the side considerably, and they begai to do things in a more methodical way. Every chance the forwards had found them" passing out to the backs. In this department the home team was superior. Their first score came through the agency of Hardgrave (the full-back). with a penalty kick, and from this stage till the end of the first spell the blue and whites continued to pile on the points to the extent of 15. The visitors still froze at two. The rest appeared to benefit the red and whites, for with a determined rally they Dcored u try immediately afterwards. Two further tries came as a response from the Auckland men. after which the visitors brought off another try— last score of the day. Further points were added to the Auckland score by a try and a penalty goal. In one respect the Hawke's Bay men Showed to particular advantage were game to the death. Although hopelessly outpointed in the final stages, they went at it as hard as their inferior condition would allow, a fact that does

much to ease down their defeat. With such men as Duvall (first five-eighth), Kelly (second five-eighth), Fulford (fullback), p. Barclay 1, centre three-quarter), G. Barclay (forward), Bain (wing threequarter), Bain (centre three-quarter), -McCarthy (forward), and a few others, the game must be pretty live in Hawke's Bay. The material is 'there for future achievements, and burger things may doubtless be looked for. One of the surprises of the day was the good ■work of the visiting full-bad.. 1- ulford went into the team as an emergencyit was the only divergence from .lie picked teamand he wa,s safe all the •vhile. His intuition was a little faulty at times. Another feature of the red and whites' play was the judgment and kicking of Duvall. His goal from a penalty was .i treat, and although the bar was not found again, his forceful boot was always useful to the side. This player was the initiator oi several important movements, and he made a few thrilling bolts. & The captain (Kelly) was always a strong supporter, and he played a heady game. The two Barclays were all the while consistent, and at times conspicuous. On the Auckland side the forwards did good work a-i a pa«k. Dunning was apparently not up to his best form, but the rest did well in close work. Rul.utai, who achieved a reputation during the Australian tour, shone out most when the play opened up. His pace then stood him in good stead, and he negotiated the line more than once. Rulcutai is an improving forward, and his methods show much more restraint than at the commencement of the season. Webb stood out on this own as a fullback, and his cleverness was responsible for many a thrill. Blakey played a fair same as first five-eighth, but was not brilliant, while Garlaw, the other fiveeighth, was below his usual form. Towards the end of the game lie had to leave the field with an injured nose. In the three-quarter division, Keneally attended to everything that came his way. Healy's play Was not up to the usual standard. Weston was always reliable, and he struck one as being the most improved _.«_ in the team. His Australian experiences have evidently benefited him. Hardgrave played a good game at full-back. He was a trifle slow in getting going, but once under way was all there. His kicking was an asset to the side, and with a little more pace he would be one of the best. The curtain-raiser on Saturday at Victoria Park gave the pick of the juniors an interesting run. Mr. Jackson had chosen two fairly well mahc-hed teams, and thev played football of a creditable order. Some of the youngsters elisLinctly proved their claim to promotion next season, notably Stanaway and Fox. The following will represent the Lower Waikato District League in the match ijninst the Auckland representatives at Eden Park on Saturday: — Fullback: A. Raynor. Three-quarters: D. Vincent, L. Nield, H. Peckham, F. Littlewood. Five-eighths: E. Gleeson. Half: M. Vincent. Forwards: A. Melvinnon, H. Sampson, H. Henderson, J. Dunn, T. Hadden, F. Hall. Emergencies.—Forward: A. McKillip. Back: Bookham. The team will travel bo Auckland by the Rotorua express, leaving Ngaruawahia at 2 p-.ni. and Huntly about 2.30. ASSOCIATION. The Carlton-Brotherhood game on the Domain was played on a ground which, rightly, could hardly be termed a football pitch, but reminded one vividly of a Rotorua mud bath. That, anyway, is what a contributor with a grievance has got to say about it. He evidently doesn't know that Rotorua mud is warm. Personally, I didn't think it was so bad as all that. It was very muddy, of course, but what else has one any right to expect in winter? And, after all, no one expected such very brilliant work in the sticky mud as would most certainly have been shown on a dry field. These growls annoy me, Clarence. Listen to him nurse his grievance: — "Seeing that sports generally have to pay so dearly for their afternoon's recreation on any of .the city reserves, it is only right and natural for them to expect that the grounds should bo in something like fit state for playing, and it is high time that the City Council did something to remove tlie everlasting disgrace caused by the lack of proper drainage on Auckland's most popular domain." Well, well He does say things, doesn't he, Clarence? Owing to a junior match being played previously, the ground was worse than it would have been otherwise; and Brotherhood, winning the toss, defended the "boggiest" goal. Carlton started right from the kick-off, and bombarded Brotherhood's goal, but could not get a score through. During the first half honours were about even, both sides putting in the same amount of attacking. Changing, Carlton h.id the better end for snooting, and Smith and Knight put an some good centres, but .they went begging for the finishing touches. Carlton made what many thought was ■a silly move in putting R. L. Bennett "in the forwards, and Punch and Sutherland back to the halves, for from that point .the Brotherhood forwards took charge, and through the disorganised defence three goals were scored in quick succession. Carlton made repeated efforts to score, but, although 'they were attacking for about two-thirds of the game,- it was quite evident that that most essential —"finish"—was missing. Ohamptaloup, in goal for Carlton, made many fine saves, and kept up his consistent form. Goode was always to be relied on, and defended in good stvie. in company with G-ilmore, although the latter was not as safe as usual. Bob Bennett gave a good display at left half, and looked after the win" ram well; and 'L. Bennett got through a lot of good work, but has many = things to learn. Above other things, it would be well for him to re- j member that the team consists of ten I other players, and is run for their | benefit as "well. Carlton must debit him I with their loss, for, until he very fool- ! ishlv went up from the half-line to the j forwards, the attack was stemmed : ouite easily. Newcomb played steadily at right I half, but should" pay more attention to; t.he wing forward- Smith was easily the ' best of the forwards, and did a lot of attacking, but as usual he was not fed \ enough. Sutherland worked hard, and had bad luck in . not scoring. The others all put in a lot of work, but, as mentioned before, the finish was lacking. I

j Owing to some of the Carlton players i ' leaving the city, the team is relnctiantly compelled to keep oat of the Cup Com- . petition. The following games will be played next . Saturday: FIRST DIVISION. Corinthians v. Carlton, No. 1, Domain. ; SECOND DIVISION. , St. John's v. Brotherhood, No. 2, Domain; Mr. Toplass. North Shore v. Hotspur, North Shore; Mr. • Guest. : Ml Albert v. Everton, at Mt. Albert; . Mr. Martin. " ' Adult School v. W.T.M.1., at Edendale; ' Mr. Horsier. The A.F.A. have arranged the following < friendly matches, owing to the third and ■ fourth ell visions having finished their league ' fixtures:—Y.M.C.A. (third division) v. North ■ Shore, at North Shore, 2 to 3, Mr. Guest; 1 Taut-rand- (.third division) v. North Shore .1 (fourth division), at North Shore, 2 to 3, , Mr. Ashury; Mt. Albert (third division) v. Y.M.C.A. (fourth elivlßioii), at Mt. Albert, ' _ to 3, Sir. Nesbit; Everton (fourth divl- I sion) v. City (fourth division), at Domain, j No. _, 2 to 3, Mr. Klrkwood; Tabernacle . (fourth division) v. St. John's (fourth divl- ' siun). at Domain, No. 2, 2 to 3, Mr. Dawson. ( Clubs are notified that entries for the , cup ties must be in by Tuesday evening j next, at 7.30 p.m.