OUTDOOR SPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 168, 16 July 1918, Page 3

OUTDOOR SPORTS.

(By ACTAEON.)

FOOTBALL. RUGBY. The football on Saturday at Eden Park was generally of' an even and exciting character, the game Between University a nd College Rifles .being fast pnd open, with flashes of brilliancy among the backs, while the Mariste and ,'Grafton provided a hard game between 'two well-matched forward teams. The result of the former game places College Rifles on a level with University at the ■head of the championship list. The respective points arc: — P. W. L. D. For Agst. Pts. University .... 7 0 1 — 106 53 12 College Blfles 7 0 1 — 00 81" 12 Grammar 8 4 3 1 82 85 0 Ponsouby 7 3 :! 1 43 <►> 5 Grafton 8 2 6 — 50 118 * Miirist 8r05... 7 2 5 — 43 62 2 'VARSITY'S FIRST DEFEAT. University, hitherto the leadere in the competition, rarely looked like winning against College Rifles on Saturday. The Jatter, with their forward ranks strengthened by the inclusion of McLean, played a dashing game right from the jump, the pack being well supported by a team of backs who played wiftout hesitation. It was a totally different team from the one which had been lucky to avert defeat by Grafton the previous week. University played their usual open game, their forward work being good, 'but frequently rendered ineffective by the offside tendency, while their backs were individually jrood. It was the mutual confidenpe and conrbi nation among the College Rifles backs that gave them the advantage. -Munro and Nieper fed their outside men iwith judgment, while Laxon was in hie best form in making openings, with the result that the wind-up of the Rifles' passing bouts, with Pooley and Wilson on either wing running strong and well, were always exciting. The first try fell to Wilson., as the result of an in-pass from the blind eide of a line-out, which caught the opposition out of place. University evened up by means of a very nice piece of passing by Prussing, White, and Brinsdenf which ended in the last named scoring. Towards the close of the game the <?ollcge Riflee outplayed University, and kept up an almost continuous attack, further points being added from a penalty goal kick by 'McLean and a try by McManemin, after a passing bout initiated by Laxon. Individually, there -was little to complain of in the play of University's rearguard. Prnsaing was a tower of strength in defence, while White and Brineden at times got in some clever combination work, but the combination did not extend far enough. The forwards on both aides were well matched, McManemin, McLean, Keepa, and Heard fer the Rifles, and Gasparich. Thomas, Newdick, and Towers, for University, being the most prominent. University, however, suffered from being kept sharply up to the offside rule, and infringemente annulled much line forward work in the loose. GRAFTON AXD AIAKIST OLD BOYS. The match between Grafton and Marief Old Boys was played at Eden Park, and resulted in a win for the former team by six to three. The game was not an attractive ono, although both teams played bird through most of the match. The condition of ball and ground helped to stop anything like good pace, and there was a conspicuous lack of combination play. There -were few passing runs, and when the scores came they were the result of rough and tumble play near the line. Grafton did most of the attacking, although their opponents managed to hold the initiative at times, particularly at the beginning of the second half, when play became much faster and more attractive. The conditions were not favourable for individual play. A LUCKY WIN. Poueoiibr took the field two men short against Grammar Old Boys, and for some time was hard pressed until Delgrosso arrived. All things considered, the ground was in good order, though in places a trifle soft. The game was fast and neither team showed much combination, though the Old Boys, who played three substitutes, occasionally instigated nippy rearguard actions. Their win by 0 points to 8 was not an unlucky one— perhaps recompense for earlier ill-luck— and Ponsonby's even merit in the general play was deserving of better result. Another success by Kelly in his attempts at goal—one of which missed by inches and the lino umpire's wave of the (las was countermanded by the referee's nil" ing—or had Brown planted the ball down instead of allowing it to be filched from his grasp after he had crossed the line| on one occasion. Ponsfnby might have! left the field victors. Wynyard played well at full for Old Boys, and showed that he can tackle. Adams played a real good game, and the substitute centre three-quarter wae not found wanting. Marsden, Mcteod, and Ross were always busy, and Goodwin got few chances, but showed dash and pace Taylor was the pick of the forwards, who missed Boardman. Grammar's chief weakness lay in failure to quickly adapt themselves to defend a sudden attack. Kelly was in good form and saved his side time out of number. The Ponsonbv back division, without exception, played well. Of the pack Lock, Baildon, and Prentice were prominent. The last-men-tioned was always in the limelight, with Minogue (rover), whose individual display was easily his best this season. Prentice lias a nasty habit of tripping when at close quarters, and could lose this to his advantage. NORTHERN UNION. THE N'EWTOX-PONSOXBY GAME. In some respects the championship game, Newton v. Ponson'by, .played on the Domain on Saturday afternoon, was not what might have been expected. It often .became more like a series of mistakes than a hard match between the two leading teams. The first spell -went off fairly fast on a sward rather slow. Newton got a try almost immediately, and 'before the interval there had paesed a good deal of fast, open play, with the blues coming off ahead by two points. The next spell was pretty slow for perhaps half of it, but then it livened up. Newton were trying all the time to open up the game, and the Ponsonby tactics seemed to be directed towards keeping it close. Only one try was scored in this

half, and that by X.e'wton, after a very, determined attack. This gave them the lead by a single point. ■ ■"'■• ■■'■ Mansill, the Newton full, was weak — very weak. Neither his taking nor his kicking was good, and his tackling— what he had to do of it —did not show much promise. Thomas, at wing, made a good many mistakes taking passes, and by them lost several 'good scoring chances. The lies brothers played the most dashful games of the backs, but they both made mistakes, too. Stewart, I five-eighths, -was very good indeed by flashes, but not consistent. Keenan (half) was easily the most consistent ol the 'backs. He was there every time. It would be rash to make a pick from the ■pack. They were all in it for all they ■were worth, and made fine willing going, all of them. On the Ponsonby side, Minogue, the full-back, was positively brilliant. He showed himself to be a plucky young3ter, | with quick and certain action. Eae had l few chances. McGregor played hard. L. Cadman did a good deal of good work. Maddison, first five-eighths, iwas the kingpin of the backs, as -usual. Matthews,! his partner, made chances and spoiled I them by turns. Walsh took things very •well, and played a sound game. Of the forwards, easily the best were Southern- 1 wood, Hanlin, and A. Cadman. The first j and the last of these were always on the watch for breaking-away chances, and they found a good many of them. | Taken all in all, the game was disappointing. Without question it was the • Newton forwards that .-won the game, j Certainly it was not the backs. The Newton pack had the advantage over their opponents, but it is- very hard to believe that the two leading teams, supposedly well trained for this game, should give such a patchworky exhibition as this was. ■ The positions of the teams are:— Points. Cli. rid. W. L. For Agst. Its. Ponsonby .. 7 C 1, 94 ,71 12 ; Newton .... f. 5 1 05 24 10 : City 6 4 - 71 73 8 i Graf ton. 6 1 5 81 86 2 Maritime .. C 1 5 28 01 2 \ HOCKEY. *The third round of the senior championship competition was concluded last Saturday afternoon. With the exception of a shower at half-time the weather was fine, but the ground was in a very treacherous condition, and players found difficulty in maintaining - the perpendicular and controlling their strokes. Both games were stopped at the same time, on account of . minor accidents, but in each instance the player was able to return and take further part in the game. Mount' Eden and University are now at the head of the competition, with 11 points . apiece, while Arcta and Edendale are on the same mark with" 7. Goals Clip. P. W. 1.. D. . For. Agst. -Its. University 9" 5 3 1 24 21 11 Mt. Eden 0 a 3 V 20 19 11 Areta 9 3 5 1 19 • 19 7 Edendale. 9 3 5 1 10 20 7 Although Mount Eden had the satisfaction of completing the third round by inflicting a defeat on Areta to the extent of a solitary goal to nothing, they ■were exceedingly fortunate- In a very stubbornly contested game the bulif of the play was much in favour of Areta, notwithstanding that the forward work of Mount Eden was carried put on more scientific lines. However, the losers were more often on the attack, and epent considerable time and energy in Mount Eden's circle. So consistent and determined were the onslaughts that Mount Eden had numer--1 ous corners forced upon them. The Areta attack invariably reached the circle in a haphazard manner, consequently Mount Eden were able to rally round and -construct an obstinate defence. As the result, instead of good opportunities to shoot, only scrimmages ensued, in • which Mount Eden just managed to maintain their goal intact. From corners, Areta had many chances, but, operating mostly in one direction, they did not meet with any success, as Mount Eden paid special attention to j their efforts. Naturally, with Areta pressing continuously, the Mount Eden backs had a very anxious time, and had to account for some very critical situations. Goalie Chatfield rose to the occasion, and kept his goal intact despite the persistency of the Areta attacks. Hunt, at full-back, played a go/>d defensive game, but his hitting did not have enough power for the day. G. Hunt, at half, was the best of the Mount Eden backs, and in hitting and stopping performed well. The Mount Eden forwards accomplished some clever bits of work at times, but, owing to the limited catering did not receive many opportunities. The ! work leading up to the first goal was 1 cleverly conceived and well finished by , Alexander with one of his characteristic shots, who was the best forward on the ground. Jansen was dangerous at j times, and Paice outside the circle did I good work. Taking them on the whole the Areta backs were better, than the Mount ; Eden men. Sloman was a host in himself. Horspool proved sound in hitting and coming to the rescue with wriety strokes. Bishop grafted hard, and scorned untiring in "'his efforts. The other two halves were steady. Yorke was the most dangerous of the Areta van. He is inclined to be selfish. leaver played a capital game, but had a tendency to fall at critical moments. Westwood was handy when wanted. What chance Edendale possessed of recovering their position in the competition was made more difficult by the absence of their left-wing. In consequence they were compelled to take the field one short. Science was limited [ owing to conditions, yet fhe game was fast and closely contested. The students made the pace early in the game, and, as the result of patches of I good work, the best of the first half; nevertheless they were not able to score until just on time. Edendale improved in the second half, but the students had a fair share of the game until towards the end, when Edendale made a big effort to reduce the margin. The two most prominent forwards for the winners were Carr and Wadding, ham. The former did well to open up the game to such an extent on the uncertain going. Waddingham was very dangerous on the left of the line, and caused the Edendale backs a lot of trouble. . Ahlers -was an energetic halfback, and performed well. Garrard played steadily. At full-back, Wood got through a lot of work in good style, and proved a stumbling block to Grayson and the rest. Fawcett showed very sound defence between the uprights. With one forward short, the Edendale van had a very busy time, and all •worked well to make up the deficiency. Phillips was the best of the halves, his Btickwork being good. Lineen accomplished good work at full-back, while Kick'etts was steady.