FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 157, 3 July 1917, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. TARANAKI.- The match took place in 1599. .V REGRETTABLE INCIDENT. With E.IOII Park unplayable, the only match decided in the Rugby Cnion senior championship was that between University and Railway. This proved a hard, j even-fought game, and in the first spell I was a. fast, exciting exhibition, but unI fortunately the latter part was not I played in the same friendly spirit, and (the referee officiating deemed it necessary to order one of the Railway team off the field. The finishing stages were very exciting, the barrackers on the side line getting worked up to a high pitch, and a stoppage had to bo made to enable the crowd to be put back off the field. Shortly before time was called University attacked strongly, and In<rlis went for the line witli the ball, with Thomas handy. Inglis dived, and in the opinion of the referee grounded the ball, and was awarded a try. After Inglis had JF""V' contact the ball shot forward, and who was palpably off-side, secured it. and. touching down, the majority were of the opinion that he had been adjudged the scorer. This led to a hostile demonstration against the referee, which was led by a few irresponsibles, the bulk of those taking part being seemingly unaware of what they were booing for. From the stand it was impossible to I judge of the fairness or otherwise of the decision, but the referee, who possesses I considerable experience, had no doubt on the matter, and as he was in the best possible position to judge, his ruling can certainly he accepted as the correct one. It was an occurrence to be regretted, but in fairness to the Railway team it has to lie mentioned that the captain. D. Stewart, did his best to quieten the crowd and restore order. The matter will probably be discussed by the committee at their meeting on Wcdnosday evening. when it is to be hoped strong measures will be taken to prevent anything of the sort occurring again. The position of the teams after Saturday's play is: — Points. Cup. Pltl. AY. 1.. D. For.Agst. Pts. •University.. 4 :; 1 — ::i is ii Kail way 4 2 2 — .12 :«J 4 Crafton :: 1 1 1 23 20 ;! Oiammar 0.8. :; <i 2 1 :; 13 1 •University also played a match against Ponsonby. which they won by 2K points to nil. but this game does not count in the championship. A NARROW MARGIN. With Gasparieh. Boucher and Robinson absent from the University team, the Students' prospects against Railway on Saturday did not appear too bright when they took the field, but as matters turned out. they proved .equal to scraping home by the narrow margin of two points. In the first half the game was one to delight the heart of the true Rugbyite, for it was hard and fast from start to finish. The forwards on both sides set a solid pace. and though the backs were not handling in anything like a firs-class manner, their mistakes only served to let the front division get oil some fine forward -ushes. The first score came from a fine run by Inglis, a promoted junior, who showed a good burst of speed, and notched a try against the wind. With the points added by Goldwater. the students were five on. against the handicap of the strong breeze. (From this on till half time was called both sides were on the ace of scoring on several occasions, and the excitement was maintpined right up to the bell. The second half opened well, but gradually the game developed into a rough and tumble, obstruction being very marked. The third quarter was all in favour of Railway, and they put on six points and had a lead when the last quarter was entered on. The "Students attacked continually, but the defence remained solid, until Inglis scored the try which gave his side the victory, and caused so much disturbance. It was a very even game throughout, and but for the ordering oIT of one of their team. Railway might have won. Stewart handled them splendidly, and his shifting of the back positions to suit the conditions as they changed could be copied with advantage by other captains. Of the University backs. Peace, who came out as full back, made no. serious mistakes. in the three-quarter line. O'Connor, the principal scoring man of the team, was absolutely starved, playgoing to the opposite wing practically throughout. Inkster. in the centre, fielded well, but his passing left a lot to be desired. Inglis. a promoted junior, proved a decided acquisition, being fast and nippy, scoring both tries. Milliken got through a lot of defensive work in great style: Goldwater at half ably filled Boucher's place. In the forwards Walker, who went from three-quarters to the wing, was much more useful to his side in his new position. Thomas and Reid were the best of the pack, though the former was inclined to dodge the heavy stuff. Birnie, who played full-back for Railway, came out of a trying ordeal well. His kicking was his weak point. Sindlin, who was making his first appearance for the Macks.greatly strengthened the rearguard. Barclay hung on too long, which spoilt an otherwise good display, but Hmg got through a lot of hard work in first-class style. The pack were an even lot. Rasmussen and Courtenay being probably the pick. COLLEGE GAMES. The match between King's College and Grammar School B teams provided an interesting game, in which the King's College boys won on account of their superior combination in the forward division, supported by good work by the halves. The day and conditions made concerted back play difficult, and the winners went in for close passing and dribbling when tbey found the widepassing game . uncertain on account of the wind. A noticeable feature of the game was that in its early stages the Grammar School boys, though playing against win and sun, made the better showing in the loose forward work and the scrum, and that just before half-time 1 the King's College pack suddenly struck I a combination, and from that time out I controlled the scrums and beat their 1 opponents also in open play. The King's College team's win of 11 point.-, to nil angurs well for a spectacular game on Saturday next, when King's College and Grammar School A teams are drawn to try conclusions. The. game is to be played as a curtain-raiser to the match University v. Grammar School Old Boys, on the Show Ground, and with anything like good conditions spectators should get a feast of fast clean and exciting football,

NORTHERN -UNION. PONSONBY V. NEWTON. Purely a " back" game, the play in this match provided open play in which the Ponsonby vanguard showed out best through the opportunities arising from the mastering the blue, and back pack had of the oval in the scrum. Both sides tackled well, and the forwards of both teams were ever on the alert to break away with the ball. Opportunities in this direction came more often in the second spell, when the play was more confined. The only glaring fault in, the play was the " speculating " that went on at the outset of the second spell. On the play the best team (Ponsonby) won. They showed better combination than their opponents, and the back division were faster.