FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 149, 24 June 1919, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

I RTJGBT. Six games have now been played by the eight teams competing in the Rugby football championship, and the table of points shows that University is in the lead with five wins and a loss: Ponsonby just ahead of College Rifles with four wins, one los.. and one draw: Grafton being next with four wins and two losses. The table is as follows: —

TOUCH-AND-GO FOR UNIVERSITY. Ur.iversitv got the game of their life from Pousonby on Saturday. Taking the run of the play throughout from end to end Ponsonby had rather the better of it, and their scoring chances were probably greater than University's, but they lacked the precision in handling which makes all the difference between succese and failure at critical moments. University time and again turned defence to attack by their" better handling of the ball, but their advantage in this respect was never sufficient to enable them to score from it. As a matter of fact, both their scores came from opponents' mistake*, which turned to profit by the individual dashing play of Rose and Thomas. Ponsonby's scores came each time after persistent epells of attack, one from a penalty goal, and one (a try) scored from the ruck. Though University won by virtue of a converted try. honours were easy so far a? the piay was concerned. Thouih the University forwards were beaten in footwork they were by no means outclassed, and Thomas. Towers, and ElifTe frequently led retaliatory sallies that worried Ponsonby quite as much as did the rushes of Minogue, Stewart. James. Doughty and Co. The University backs were much steadier in their werk than the Ponsonby rearguard, but they were prevented from developing scoring movements by the excellent manner in which the Ponsonby forwards eupported their backs. Birnie did a great day's work as full-back, but Brinsden to the star defender for his side, in addition to initiating a great deal ot the attaokin? work. Ross was always in the thick of it. and was well supported by Milliken and Lewis. While the Ponsonby backs have improved out of sight since the beginning of the season, and made a good showing aeainst the seasoned University combination, they are likely to be better still in future games, as Poison. Fry. and. Kishton cet into closer touch. With | Matthews at centre, and D. Stewart and McNamara on the wings, they have now a strong three-quarter line that should be dangerous when things go well for them. GRAFTON":; WIN AGAINST MARISTS. The conte3t "jetween Grafton and Marist Old Boys, played on No. 1 ground at Eden Park' on Saturday, was an interesting one. despite the condition of the turf. Grafton, a much improved fifteen, won on the merits, their scrum work and back play being superior. Marists. whose ranks were somewhat strensthened by the inclusion of several players whn have been without the Rugby sphere, had all the better of the loose play, but the Grafton backs were generally able to retrieve by concerted measures. Kingston was safe at full for the winners. Nixon played at his. best, and was well supported by Hughes, Wakerley. Burn*, and Irving. Dixon also was prominent. The forwards played '.veil together without exception. Mallov gave a fine exhibition at full for whose five-eighth 3 line, being frequently harassed, were continually looking to the rear mac to save. Pilling. F.eehan. Ghent, Hinp:. and Martin were always keen. Courtney showed a good deal of dash amongst the forwards, who co-operated sufficiently as to be responsible for keeping the score of the winners down. NEWTON'S PLUCKY FIGHT. With a series of defeats against them ■which at times have assumed from the ecores the nature of a cricket game (rather than football. Newton turned out acain with spirit undaunted to meet College Rifles, one of the leading teams of the competition, on Saturday last. As was only to be expected, they went under, this time to the tune of 40 points, but struggled on gamely against the uneven till the'last "bell. The red and whites deserve a word of kudos for the manner in which they disputed the honours during the first quarter and a part of the second. The attack was all theirs in tiie early stages, and it wa< only on account of weak fielding on the part of the backs that the fast following . Rifles were enabled to ?eore. About half-way throutrh the second spell, howpver, the Blipsrior weight and combination of their opponents told its tale, anil the College fifteen monopolised the attacking movements thence onwards. Both teams turned out with scratch personnel, and this fact, combined with the saturated nature of the ground and a high cross-wind, made acenrat? play practically out of the question. Mort'of the Rifles' score resulted from individual rather than combined ?fforts. In one respect the College will have to show a decided improvement to maintain their place in the competition, and that is tlwMr hooking. Up against a lot on Saturday, they invarinhlv lost the ball in the scrum. Whether this was the result of inferior honking or the fact that the oval was kicked through is a matter for consideration by the Rifles, and a repetition in future matches will see the backs practically starved. GRAMMAR SCHOOL OLD BOYS V PARNELL. This contest was miito a one-Mded affair, the whites being altogether too strong for their opponents. In only one department of the game did Parnell show to advantage, and that was in tlie footwork of their forwards. There, despite the absence of Berrick. one of the best of the pack, they held the upper hand, and time after time worked play into tfr?ir opponents' territory, only to have their efforts nullified by the speed and resourcefulness of the Old Boys' backs, and the failure of their own rearguard. Simpeon and Casley were the only ones to ■tand out here, and their main efforts «~ere solo ones. On the general run of the game the reds would have done better had they playe dthe ball instead of the man. Too frequently their tactics were far from clean, and as a result there were several

exhibitions that were far trom displays of Rugby football. * Old" Boys' forwards played with plenty of dash and pace, but were weak with the leather at toe. The backs had ample scope for versatility, and made the most of it. Badeley in particular shone out his corkscrew runs enabling him repeatedly to heat tackle after tackle Both sides were sadly in want of goalkickers. Of the eleven tries scored durinseventy five minutes of play not one was converted. WORTHEKN UNION. *■ Despite whatwwea c in the minds of a few cynical ones when the Representative team that has already met with one or two Wo/terlooe over in Australia went away, the Xorthcrn Union game here has lost nothing of its attraction for the players who have been left behind here in Auckland are proving even- Saturday afternoon that " if they may not always be quite as good as the ones that have gone for a while at : least there is very little to choose' between tome of them. The last three or four weeks -have given spectators of Northern Union some games that are brilliant, and nearly always the big match of the day has been fast and close. Fairly good expeditions of the came .ire tlie rule too; and yet it will not do :o praise the players too highly, especially in the light of what is happening to tlie reps. over in New South Wales. In the champuionship senior comnetitions here the teams hold the following places:—

Shore is here credited with playing seven games. The extra one was against Otahuhu before that team withdrew from the competition. MARITIME MAKING GOOD. By their victory over North Shore on Saturday, Maritime have strengthened their position in the championship table and are now easily leading the competition. The large crowd of enthusiasts which turned out on the Devonport ground in spite of the threatening weather had the recompense of witnessing a game which possessed the outstanding virtue of action, whatever may have been its defects. From the inaugural blast on the whistle to the "Hip Rays" there was scarcely a moment when the game could be said to have flagged, and the only period when its interest failed to grip the spectators, was as at odd moments in the last ten minutes, when the oncoming darkness made the play more of a blind man's buff than a serious game of football. Which, of course, paints a moral to the Devonport club officials to get their game going up to the advertised moment. Lt may fairly be said that although the score of 15 points against 12 may not be very conclusive, Maritime held a distinct advantage in the balance of play, and an impartial critic would award them the honours of the game without hesitation. On the other hand, however, the game was by no means one-sided, and from first to last North Shore had a sporting chance, as was demonstrated by the fact that twice during the game they managed to equalise. In many respects the game had what the diggers call -'rough but homely" attributes, but it was sufficiently fast, willing, and open to commend it even to the fastidious followers of the spectacular code. Maritime were manifestly superior in their back division, and Davidson's work in particular stands out in cameo, but they I had a pretty hard nut to crack in the North Shore* forwards, whose energy and resource won all-round admiration. The passing of both sides was moderately good, the footwork excellent, and the place kicking execrable, even after allowing for the gusty conditions prevailing. NEWTON V. FONSONBY. Strenuous open pKay characterised tlit Newton-Pon'sonby game, played befnr< fome "i.OOO spectators at the Domain. The "round was heavy, rain having soaker well in prior to the kick-off. As play progressed, travelling fast up and dowt the field, the sodden area was made raori difficult of play, and the ball heavy te handle. This "was more noticeable in re spect to the kicking, the handling ot ihi oval by the backs of both sides beinj very creditable. Play was very even dur ing" the first half, the on!v points scored I two to Newton, being the result of i I drop-kick from right in front by New I dick. The enthusiasm of the crowd wa. kept at a high pitch throughout th( game. Although Newtonites kept the; adversaries within their own territor. during practically the whole of tin •=ecnnd half, the latter portion of wh-el was played in a fadinrr light, and in creased their tally to 10 points, to a trj scored by their opponents. Pon~onu keDt up the fight until the last, despit the increasing superiority of Newton Of the winner's backs. A. Mansell, E Thomas, and Kiernan shewed dash am a desire for work, while among the for wards. Bass, Newdick. Castles, and Tvi were in good form, following the bal j closely. Amongst Ponsonby's backs F ' I Deln-rosso. Rae. and Neal, until he wa taken off injured, put their best effort ' ! forward. Pooley led the forwards, wlv were less prominent than the opposin, team's pack. ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND REPS. V. REST OF AUCKLAND. ■ This match, which was played on th< ; Domain last (Saturday, attracted I ' I "ood crowd of Soccerites. Although tli. I same was not piayed under ideal wea ' jther conditions both eifles gave a gooi account of themselves, and owing t< • one or tuo alterations both team seemed to be well-balanced. In the firs ■ half of the game each sid'; was severel; • tested, both in the attack and defensive 1 and all due credit inwt be given for th ■ good defence of the Re*t of Auckland Haker and Samson, who were a towe of strength to their side, must be highl; commended on their play. The Hep? front-rankers, who mi«*crl several gooi t openings, were not altogether to blarat > for the slippery condition of the groum » cau-ed much "discomfiture. Mortimei • the Auckland goalie, could not be ovei • looked; time after time he proved ! J hard man to beat, and undoubtedly wa f the shining light of his side. I Although the Rep. team gained th - lead in the first half, which just abou ■ represented the game, Auckland wer . very unfortunate in not scoring. O 1 ] numerous occasions the good and* usefii - ! passine by their front rankers enable. ,'them °to "penetrate the strong defenc l , that confronted them. In the latte part of the game everything seemed t > be in favour of the rep. team. Thei • ■ combination had improved immense!} , and. if conditions had been in thei i favour, the score would no doubt hay 1 been much bigger.

D.IV.S. the reps.' goalie, who was not called upon like his vis-a-vis, did hw work in good fashion. The save from the penalty kick taken by Stewart was a good one. Clark, who* netted Auckland's goal, gave theb the deserving point, which put them on even terms. In regard to the representative team, if I am permitted to voice my opinion as an old player and follower of the r-port, who does not agreed entirely with the personnel, I may say that in the team Auckland ought to give a good account Of itself when faced by the Canterbury eleven. ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES. BROWN SHIELD CONTEST. Tlie jlanagement Committee of the Auckland Football Association met last evening, Mr. E. Riteon presiding. Final arrangements were made in connection with the visit of the local team to Christelmrch to contest the Brown Shield. The team is to leave to-night, j and at Wellington to-morrow a match has been arranged for them with a team from the mine-sweeper.-'. The secretary was instructed to telegraph to the NewZealand Football Council relative to the appointment of a referee for the Shield match. Mr. K. Richardson was appointed I manager, and he, with Messrs. WalI worth and Cooke, will make the final selection. The amount of £110 was handed to the manager to finance the team on the trip to Christchiirch, and a vote of thanks was passed to the Auckland Rugby League for its as-istance in raising the amount of about £00 as an Association benefit the NewtonPonsonby League match on Saturday last. Owing to the lack of players the Rrotherhood Club has withdrawn its second division from the competition. The club was asked to reconsider ite notification to this effect.

Points Ch. P. W. L. D. For Ap. Pt. fnivprsirv ... 6 5 1 — 143 4S 10 Colleze Rifles 6 4 1 1 117 50 0 Graf ton 6 4 2 — 7S « & Grammar 6 3 1 2 WO 4r. 3 ronsonby 6 2 3 1 r.7 60 5 iParnt'U C 'Z 4 — r>8 10$ 4 Marlsts <} 2 4 — 63 tV". 4 New-ton 6 — 6 — 16 3v> —

Point* Thn rirt. VT. L. For. Ajrst. iPts! Maritime 6 .1 1 j>7 fio 10 Ponsonby .... .1 4 1 TO SS S \}-y 6 4* 2 Tβ 4T> S ><?,Tro n 6 4* 2 SO 46 8 'fel" 1 '"!' T 3 4 Tβ .Tβ 6 Graftou R l 5 31; TT 2 diarist O.B. ..5 — .-. !) ht — •One jrnnae won by default.