NORTHERN UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 128, 30 May 1916, Page 8

NORTHERN UNION.

NORTH SHORE AND CITY LEAD. The third games of the senior championship were fought out on Saturday under conditions that were just about as cheerful as an undertaker's window display. But they served to render a little more definite the outlines of the shadows forecast hy coming events. For the third time Ponsonby and Newton went down, and both these teems now have a considerable leeway to make up. North Shore Albion and City Kovere, who were previously level in the League table, divided the honours of the game at the Shore, and are therefore bracketed top with five championship points apiece. Grafton and Otabahu, wiho won respectively at the expense of Ponsonby and Newton, and have each lost one game, come next with four points, while their opponents of Saturday, also running in company, are still blinking disconsolately at the cipher. The prophets are now beginning to air their predictions with more or less recklessness, and there are many who are inclined to think that the ultimate, choice will be found betweea North Shore and Otahuhu. However, in these uncertain times pr/jpbeey at this stage can only be mere guesswork. Teams may be unexpectedly strengthened or may he almost entirely denuded by enlistments, and itntil Grafton and Otaihuihu have met City Rovers, and North Shore hare again tried conclusions with the southern team, it would be idle to bring , out the scales of appraisement.

THOSE WEEPING SKIES. Many afternoons like that of Saturday would soon play havoc with the quality of football, judging by its effect on the games under review. Victoria Park, with its fringe of dilapidated tin sheds and prosaic Harbour Board lease buildings, is no picture spot at the best of times, and when a boisterous north-easterly rips across ite shelterless expanse, to the accompaniment of a pelting rain, it becomes an uninviting enough place even for football playere and their equally enthusiastic followers. How many of the latter are paying the penalty of ■braving Saturday's elements in the shape of coughs, colds, and other varieties of mucous maladies this deponent knowebh not, but the fact that hundreds of people can be induced to chill their feet on the soddened turf, and be buffeted by wind and rain for a solid hour and a half, out of cheer enthusiasm for a favourite pastime, is evidence that Northern Union football will never languish for want of supporters. As was only to.be expected, 'with the passing game right out of the question, play resolved itself into that grim, steamy, slushy tussle when the muddied oaf is seen in all hie Kiplingite grimneee. Unattractive as the scrappy, lack and rush game of the wet afternoon is to the spectator, perhaps it docs no harm now and again, for it is a fine test of the endurance of the footballer, and a vigorous reminder that "half-handles," "coffin nails," and other forms of luxurious living are no part of the training regulations.

OTAHUHU'S GOOD SHOWING. Both Otahuhu and Jfewton were not up to full strength, but the suburbanites were probably suffering the greatest handicap from absences. In the early stages of the game there, were indications that a good, closely-fought game would be witnessed. By half-time Otabuhu had established a marked superiority in all divisions, which was emphasised as the game wore on, and they were good value for the final score of 15 points against 2. Under different weather conditions the N-ewton backs would doubtless have shaped better, and would have severely tested the defence of the Otahuhu Bide; but, even so, it is doubtful whether the reading of the table would have been affected. Newton's main defect was at full-back, and one cannot resist the conviction that Potier would render much better service in another position, if a man can be found to take his place. The Newton pack is not the best that Bennett has led for the Bangers, although it work; willingly enough. The work of the forwards would probably be lightened by the inclusion of one or two solid tacklers at the central back positions, - which would also allow the speedier men in the three-quarter line to conserve their energies for the work of attack.. Of the Otahuhu men Farrelly played an enterprising and resourceful game at fullback. Fischer also rendered excellentservice, -while the forwards, without exception, were a bustling and untiring lot.

DASH AND THE; WIND. Not a great deal- can be said of a game played under the. conditions that spoiled good play on Saturday, when Graittm met Ponsonby, and won to the tune of KHpointe to 6. The margin hy no means represented the difference in The two teams, ior both teams were.full of daeJi, but the wind and lain were ing handi|.«ffi« la the :fiiet:J»lf-fir^Mt'Japcltal

up six points, with.their opponents playing against the wind, but from the form displayed by Ponsonby in this half it eeemed pretty certain ' that when they changed round matters would be made even. Apparently Grafton were, not fully extended in the first half, for after the spell they increased their pace considerably, and while wisely playing for the most part on the defensive mustered up enough dash for an invasion against odds that raised the score another three points. It -was significant that ' Ponsonby's score was made up exclusively of goals, and though they besieged GTafton fairly consistently they could not break through. Towards the end of the game both teams were playing wildly, to an almost continuous accompaniment of the whietle. Walah, Jones, and Martin accounted for a lot of good work for Ponsonby, and as a whole the forward play was fast and well ordered. Grafton's game was full of daeh, Lipscombc, MoGinley, and Ifwerson being often and conspicuously in tihe van. CITY AND NORTH SHORE. Both City Rovers and North Shore are teams that can readily adapt themselves to the etern and punishing work created by the weather conditions on Saturday, and the game on the Devonport ground, while possessing all the defects of the hard, close forward contest, was well worth seeing. The greasy ball and wet ground destroyed all hopes of an open handling game, but Saturday's game gave scope for much of that rough and ready opportunism in footwork and scrummaging that imparts some degree of skill and method to the most scrambling exhibition. The match was productive of a wholesome, rugged type of football, and the staying powers and the tackling of both sides were severely tested. The game was played at a hard pace throughout, and the final score of three points apiece was a fitting termination to a battle royal. For the Rovers the brothers Asber rendered yeoman service, and Sutton again proved that he is a distinct acquisition to bis side. Macaneny who recently came over from the Soccer side, was again figuring in the North Shore full-back position, and his nicely-judged line-kicking and neat fielding in a wind calculated to baffle more experienced players, were a feature of the game. Nicholson, who Jast year played some excellent games at wing thrce-<jnarter, put in a lot of useful work, • while Walters and Paul led a hustling lot of forwards. THINGS TN GENERAL.

Football, free, gratis, and all for nothing, unlike the immortal brook, cannot go on for ever, especially in these times, when sporting organisations endeavour to ;do something for "the cause that lacks aesistance," as well as foot a pretty solid bill for ground fees. The attendance at Victoria Park on Saturday week, when the League is making a charge, should not be diminished by the fact that supporters will be called upon to fob out the nimble sixpence.

Goal-kicking is becoming an increasing]}' important factor in the winning of matches in Northern Union football. The three Saturdays of the present season have produced an astonishingly large proportion of goal points, nearly all of j which have come from place-kicks. The .art of place-kicking, at all events, is not a decadent one, and the possession of men like Ifwersen (who' at present' tope the Jist of scorers) is of almost incalculable value to a club. There is not much disposition nowadays to practise the "pot-shot," and in Northern Union football the flat-rate of two points for every kind of goal scarcely does justice to this feat of quick judgment and skilful execution. It might be worth the consideration of some patron of the League to offer a small trophy for the encouragement of the art of drop-kicking. Nowadays a football organisation "without its crest is as incomplete as a titled house without its ancient ajid authentic coat of aims. Whether it be a rose, a leek, or an ungainly kangaroo, the crest is something emblematic and distinctive. Auckland is not to be left behind. The management committee of the League, after a special midnight sitting with cooling vinegar towde haa evolved ah apposite crest, which in future shall vaunt the prowess of League footbaJl in this district on cap, Jersey, and stationery. Auckland—ponderous research has revealed—means Oakland, and by the sign of the oaklcaf and acorn, guarded by the ferocious kiwi, shall ye In future know üb.

What of Roopo.'s Rooster? The crow of the silver cock wae heard above the crash of football competition, and the din of war full twelve months ago. an.l yet the glint of his brilliant, plumage has not yet rewarded the patient vigil of tho3e who are waiting to give Mm a ihearty welcome. Mr. P. W. Roope, who fired the imagination of the League public by the offer of this novel and picturesque trophy, is not to blame /or the delay. Thanks to mails going down, the prolonged correspondence over specifications, and what not. and the difficulty of getting eatisfaction in tiheee disrupted timee, the rooster has been aggravatingly slow over preening his feathers for his triumphal entry into Auckland. -Mr. Uoope has scot for "Actaeon's" perusal a letter from the English makers eating humble pic for their -shortcomings (arising o,ut of war conditions), end promising the delivery of the trophy at an early i date. •

A familiar face will be seen in the North Shore team on Saturday, when C. P. Wells, commonly known as "Dooley" Wells, will turn out in the forward line. Several years ago Wells was one of the stalwarts of the Shore team, and when he subsequently went to reside in the Waikato district he obtained "rep" honours there. Despite family tics, Wells has enlisted, and will shortly 'be leavin" with a reinforcement of the Tunnelling Corps, and, for the sake of old acquaintance, the Shore Selection Committee has asked him to don his old-, jersey again before he leaves.