OUTDOOR SPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 137, 10 June 1919, Page 7

OUTDOOR SPORTS.

(By ACTABON.) FOOTBALL. RUGBY. The first Hugby representative match of the season, that between the Maori pioneers and Auckland last Saturday, should convince discriminating spectators that the s;tandard of Rugby has suffered little during the -war. Play was fast, open, and full of incident, and till the last twenty minutes it was anybody's game. The fact that the Aucklanders played up to the best that the visitors could do, and then out-lasted a team which had defeated English and Welsh teams with some pretensions to international strength, indicates that there ia little wro-ig with the game locally.

The infrciiuency of sustained passing bouts during the game may have disappointed critics unacquainted with the Maori style of play. It has become an axiom with Rugby players that a, Maori back player insists on " doing his bit" in the way of beating a man or making a spectacular individual dash before handing the ball along, with the result that machine-like precision of running and passing is not a characteristic of the Maori game, save in college teams where the adolescent native is under linn pakeha discipline. Consequently a Maori passing bout is a series of individual acrobatic " stunts" which is only kept connected by the great natural ability of the players to gather in the ball from the most unpromising positions, but there is certainly no monotony about play. When the player cannot take tlie pass he displays a faculty for playing the ball on with his body, and the progression of a bout carried on in this fashion frequently combines a touch of humour with the element of excitement.

There was plenty of this style of back play, combined with fine kicking and brilliant footwork among the forwards by the visitors, while their fast following, bumping and smothering tactics severely tested the defensive powers of the Auckland backs in addition to breaking up their efforts at handling attacks for the greater part of the game. At the same time the Auckland team, though having rather the worse of the game in the forward division, were not by any means overwhelmed, and their crisper style of passing enabled them to get a lead of gix points early in the game? For a time thereafter the Maoris made the pace a fierce one, and half-way through the second spell the score was 11 points all. Rut the visitors had been run pretty well to a standstill by the better all-round combination of the Auckland team, and by keeping at the open game the local players added three more tries, one of which was converted. But they had to fight right out for every point, and it was only the fine defensive work of Trussing, Wilson and Xixon that enabled them to stall off some very fierce forward rushes by the Maoris towards the close of the game.

Taken all-in-all the scores rather flatter the Auckland play, for the team was not eleven points better than the visitors. In the forward division, honours rested with the Maoris, whoso live and loose play was very fine. With the weight in their favour they had the better of the scrum work, too. The Auckland forwards fully matched their opponents in speed, and though overshadowed 5n foot-work, they slightly more than made amends by thoir crisper handling of the ball, in conjunction with the backs, which eventually gave their eide the win. There wae not a member of the pack, from rover to front-ranker, that did not show up on occasion, so that it would be invklious to individualise. Among the baeke there was not a man who did not play well, but the two winps, Wilson and Xixon, and Prussing at full-back, stood out for fine defensive work at critical raomente, and for taking 'advantage of openings lo jump from defence to attack.

Hall, Gardner and Auhana led mos-t of the forward dashes by the visitors, with Jacobs sometimes roving in the lead of the pack, and at other times proving a tower of strength among the backs. Edwards played a capital fullback game, and ■Kingston wa3 well above the average ac half, while the others were individually good, though lacking in combination.

The Pioneers have worked out a new idea in the pack-work in the shape of a '"centipede ecrum." Instead of settling into position and hazarding their chance of getting the ball on the one convulsive heave they follow the heave up with two or three stops, the beetle-tike scrum sometimes moving , up a yard or two on its fourteen legs, all working in unison, so that even when the ball was lost at the first snap they at times got it back again. They were favoured on this occasion by having the advantage in weight. How the centipede, or caterpillar scrum wo\ild work against superior weight has yet to be demonstrated, though the conception of all the scrummers being trained to follow up the initial heave with a steady drive in unison for a couple of steps or so seems to have possibilities. In this case the "egg was laid" from the scrum, in most cases in front of the Maori half-back. NORTHERN UNION. A DISAPPOINTING DAY. Apart from the fact that the attendance on the Victoria Park on Saturday was all that could be desired by the League officials, in view of the powerful counter-attraction elsewhere, the afternoon's football must be regarded as disappointing. The failure of Grafton to raiee a team resulted in the abandonment of the meeting between this club and Newton, while the principal game in front of the grandstand, Poneonby United v. Maritime, was not productive

J of the keen and close struggle that was generally anticipated in League circles. Neither team had previously sustained defeat, and under these circumstances

the least that could be looked forward to was a virile and rigorous game. In point of fact, however, Maritime pretty well exhaueted their dash after the first quarter of an hour, insofar as their indications of standing a winning chance ■were concerned, and, Ponsonby having established a lead of seven points early on, Maritime never shaped in the direction of wiping out the deficit. To describe .the game as uninteresting in the first half is to apply the rod of criti-

ciem with a feather-stroke. It wae one of the poorest exhibitions of the Northern Union code seen on the Park for many a moon, and its 6aving grace was the improvement in the second half. There was no choice between, and little to commend, the work of the forwards of both sides in the first half, and what few opportunities the backs got during that period were not developed with any degree of skill. Of the two lota of backs, Poneonby were easily the better, and more deposed to make the pace.

MAEmMIE'S BETTER SHOWING. The half-time 6core of 12 points against nil fairly accurately indicated the measure of IJpnsonby'e superiority, and spectators reconciled themselves to prospects of a dreary renewal of the one-eided tussle in Maritime'e quarters. However, after a lot of preliminary sparring in the tfhape of a tedious interchange of long-kicking, Maritime woke up to the fact that their reputation was at stake, and Lang, Beecham, and Sutton, "working in co-operation, initiated a strong attack, which was ultimately pressed to fruition. This success had the effect of stimulating the team all round, and much better work was done in the ecrum and the loose by the forwards, while the backe went to -work with more method and ent'hueiaem. ■Maritime registered a second success ■before there was ar.y contra item added to the Ponsonby sheet, and the final score stood at 15 points against C in favour of Ponsonlyy. Notwithstanding the fact that their margin had been reduced, Ponsonby had been the better eide in the second half, and the final ecore might easily have been more heavily in their favour. The defence was very sound on both sidoe in the second half, and there was some solid tackling and <rood fielding on the part of the twp full-backs. Bavaird, who was sorely-tried throughout, played a pretty sound game for "Maritime, considering the heavy demands made upon hira, but Pelgrosso. the Poneonlby back, who was not called upon to the same extent, showed the greater resource. The Ponsonby backs handled well in the second half, and the work of Brien and McGregor, the wing three-quarters, was particularly good, while Neal made a commendable showing at halfback. Of their forwards, Pooley was outstanding. Tteecham and button were the pick of the Maritime back division, their sensationalist, Davidfion, being given very few opportunities to scintillate. Their forwards, while not being able to achieve a great deal in tho semm, had a gruelling task throughout the game, and amongst them Sheehan and A. Sutton were noticed for energy and enterprise. NEW ZKALAND AGAIN BEATEN. TWENTY POINTS TO NINE. HARD AND FORCEFUL GAME. SYDNEY, June 0. The League foothnll raatrh between New South Wales and New Zealand to-day was played In the presence of nearly 50,000 people. From the stiTrt the pme was hard and forceful, the visitors' weight frequently giving them the advantage in close work, Imt this was more than counter-balanced by the speed of the home players in the The only change in the home team was Johnston 'replaring Hollowuy. For the visitors, MeClymont played five-eighths, while 'Lang and Davidson replaced Wilson and Mitchell in the three-qunrter line.

A few minutes after the commencement a rush by New Zealand enabled McGregor to score a try. which was not converted. After a* deal of open play, Horder secured the ball and crossed the line after a great run, Oxford kicking a goal. A few minutes Inter Oxford kicked a penalty g,oal. Some hard, rough play followed, and Hurge scored a try. which was not converted, making the half-time scores: New South Wales 1° New Zealund 3 On resuming, the visitors brought the ball smartly down and 'Mitchell, who had taken the place of Lang, scored, liut the try wasnot converted. Another penalty goal was kicked by Horder and then Mitchill made a line run and croFsed the line, but the try was not converted. During some rough play following. McCarthy, the New South Wales back, was Injured and removed from the field. Ryan was the next to score, (Hocder converting, and a few minutes from time r.tirce secured a try. but the kick at goal failed, making the final scores: New Sonth Wales 20 New Zealand 9 -(A. and N.Z. Cable.) AS SOCIATION. Y.M.OA. v. PONSONBY. This match, which was played on the Domain on Saturday laet, was, from a spectutor'e point of view, the .beet seen this season. The football, which was ri"ht up to senior standard, was very fast and interesting. V.'-M.C.'A. right from the start were ever willing to take chances offered them, and very few missed "the attention of their able frontrankers. Edmund and Watbran are to be commended as 'being the most prominent. Ponsonby's play could not altogether be overlooked, but their nippy forwards lost good opportunities for the want of combination. Time after time good centres went begging, and Skipwith, who was in good fettle, had no difficulty in getting the ball clear. Sanders and Barton were the pick of Ponson,by\3 for•warde. The'former, who gave a good exhibition of dribbling, wae ahvays a source of trouble to the V.M.C.A. defence. Day is gave a good display between the sticks for Ponsonby, being well supported by Frieker and Wallwork. The latter, during the second spell, moved up to the forward line, and was responsible for three of the goals. Rugby rules seemed to play a great part with this player. On several occasions he -was pulled up for hands, and a penalty kick resulting from such was taken by Skipwith, who added one more to V.M.C.A. score. The frame, which was played in good spirit 'by both teams, ended four goals each.

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. SENIOR DIVISION. Brown Shield Challenge.—Trial match at Shore No. 2, at 3 p.m. Referee, Mr Hodgson. SECOND DIVISION. V.M.C.A. v. Brotherhood.—Domain No. 3, 3 p.m. Referee, Mr Heather. Presbyterian v. Queen's Park. —Shore No. 1, 3 p.m. Referee. Mr Parker. Tabernacle v. Ponsonby.—Domain No. 1, 3 p.m. Referee, Mr Jacobs. FOURTH DIVISION. Tabernacle v. Technical.—Domain No. 2, 3 p.m. Referee, Mr G. Campbell. Presbyterian v. W.Y.M.l.—Shore No. 2, 2 p.m. Referee, Mr Ritson. Takapuna.—A bye. FIFTH DIVISION. Takapmia v. Northcote. —Victoria Park, 2 p.m. Referee, Mr R. garrison. Technical v. Shore B.—Shore No. 1, '■* p.m. Referee, Mr B. Davis. W.Y.M.I. v. Presbyterian.—Victoria Park, 3 p.m. Referee, MrHorsley. Shore A.—A bye. SIXTH DIVISION. Northcote v. Belmont A.—Victoria Park, 1 p.m. Referee. Mr Horsley. Mount Eden v. St. Heller's.—Domain NO. 2, 1 p.m. Referee, Mr Clarke. Presbyterian V. Shore A.—bhore No. A, - p.m. Referee Mr Reason. n Belraont B v. Tabernacle B.—Snore >o. a, 1 p.m. Referee, Mr Dacre. Tabernacle A v. Shore B.—Shore No. 2, 1 p.m. Referee, Mr Wilson. MEETING OF BOtTIoB-COMMITTBM. committee was £ t st E(Jel f sjkh dlvl- | certification of weight to forma n«t nttend for weighing during this week, To beweaned by Mi Marsh, at Messrs IrVtos & Customs Street,

The following selectors were appointed for the season:—Fourth division, Mr A. Tnrley; fifth division, Mr J. Campbell; sixth division, Messrs R. Harrison, U. Grlbble, and H. Reason.

Saturday, 28th June (Brown Shield day), was set aside for the playing of two trial teams In the fourth division. Nominations were received as follows:—B. Murphy, E. Craig, W. McKenzle, J. Hipklns, L. Casbolt (Presbyterian), L. Sutcliffe, G. O'Leary, H. Livingstone, J. Potter, C. Rayner (Technical), J. Elllngham, G. Edmonds, C. Crocker, J. Colledge, F. Croeombe (Tabernacle), Barton, McCarthy, Pitts, Barlow de Jongh (Takapuna), 11. Lincoln. W. Peebles. B. Pearce, D. Purdle, N. Paton

Secretaries of clnbs are particularly requested to note that no transfers will be allowed from club to club or team to team for the rest of the season, according to