SPORTING GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 144, 19 June 1923, Page 8

SPORTING GOSSIP.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. FOOTBALLER.—UnIess there are any stated conditious as to points the winner of the sweepstake Is the person who nominates the actual result —a draw. RUGBY FOOTBALL. The points in the senior championships competition now are:—■

The final matches of the first round of tho senior championship will be played nest Saturday, when interest will ventre in the games Marist Old Boys v. University ana Grafton v. College Ritles. On the form shown by Marists against Grammar on a muddy ground it Is unlikely that they will be beaten by the students should the conditions be at all similar, but the University team has a tradition of inconsistency, and prophecy with it is very apt to be confounded. In any circumstances, the game is bound to be one worth seeing. The opening match of the Maori football team in New South Wales 011 Saturday Indicates that New South Wales is going ".<• be hard put to it to keep the native players down In later games when the latter have gained some combination. It also indicate* that Mr. Parata will have something to say later about getting a uniformity in referees' rullugs. The probability Is that Sydney referees, like most of the Auckland referees, keep a very close eye on the wingforward, and keep him foot-fast at the back of his scrum till the ball Is out of the tcrum, on one side or the other. This Interpretation of the rules is not followed in the Southern provinces generally, where the wing-forward Is still given a fair amount of latitude. When the All Blacks were last in Sydney a point they encountered was the trlck of the opposition (having hooked the ball and drawn the New Zealand wineforward ahead to follow the course of the ball) to kick the ball back through the New Zealand scrum and at once claim a free kl<_ on the plea of the New Zealand winger being offside. In such circumstances the referee always allowed a free against New Zealand. Arrangements are being made by the Rugby Union to have a scoria path put down at Kden Park from the lower jrate at the Klngslnnd entrance to the grandstands for the use and benefit of spectators i.i wet weather. Should the spell of prolonged wet weather not break early this week, it is likely that the showgrounds will be requisitioned again for senior games, but hopes are centred on getting a couple of fine days towards the end of the week, ns Eden Park is a ground that recovers when there is a drying atmosphere. It is not lack of drainage which causes the sticky mud there, but the special soil of the topdressing used in cricket pitches because of Its quality of holding the moisture. GRAMMAR'S FIRST DEFEAT. The Marlst-Grammar match on Saturday, played in the mud, whs a much better game than that of the previous week betweeu Grammar and University, for the reason that there was more and better hack-pluj-mlngled with the dominant forward work, and there was less close ruck play generally. Without being brilliant, the Marists playeo a steady, solid game, and were on their toes all the time to take advantage of mistakes by the other side. While the blue forwards proved the better scrumniers. the white pack outplayed them in breakaway work, and in this respect gave their backr opportunities for winning the game. Twoomey was the outstanding back for the winners, -in that he wa's ever solid and reliable, and he showed line judgment In selecting the time and opportunity for varying his play by going ou his own to make openings, and, what is more important, whetf he hail made the opening he let the ball go at the right time and place. Cleal, Arnold, Meale, Taylor and Ocmmell were all prominent in the loose foorruslm which time and again worried the Marists. and for the first time this season the Marist forwards did not dominate the game. But several of the Grammar forwards should have been penalised for holding and obstructing at times when things were not going their way. The trick of holding to check an opponent when he ha» the ball at foot is one that should be promptly dealt with, for it is one of the most provocative irritants of all footuall tricks. R. Casey, -Maedonald and Anderson werenot so noticeable as usual for Marists, but McGlnley, Culpan and Peters were frequently in the limelight, and the manner In which Peters did his work in the front of the serum and then came to light in open piny made him the best forward on the field for the day. Marshall was a pronounced success at half-back, being reliable and nippy, ami varying bis play with judgment. All the Marist backs played well, hut Marshall and I Twoomey were undoubtedly the pick. The confidence which usually characterises the Grammar handling was not :■ feature of their game on Saturday, when the tackling was fast and hard. Mistakes In timing were frequent, and V. Badeley did not show bis usual Judgment in feeding bis wing supports. Williams, who did very well what little was given Mm to do. should have got - many more passes than were allowed to come his way. NORTH SHORE'S WIN. When Suburbs crossed the water to play their first game away from home on Saturday they did so anticipating that they would secure a win from North Shore, the latter team not having a very formidable name, in consequence of .1 series of defeats. Judged by the respective standards of the two teams, the game should not have yielded a victory to either combination: scoring ability was entirely absent, and had it not been for the cleverness of Murray Reid. Shore's wing-threequnrter. the home team would probably have drawn witli the muchImproved visitors, with only a pair of " Os" showing on the score card, field's work is deserving of commendation. His first dropkick was the work of a moment, it being difficult to see how he got the ball from the midst of a scramble near the posts. His second gift of 4 points was even more merctorlous, scooping up the leather from a ground kick, following a melee in the corner water-pool, and delivering himself of the ball just as the opposing forwards were on him. Later in the game he kicked .1 penalty in sure style, but, owing to his modesty in refusing another penalty In a position that was, if anything, more advantageous, n player of indifferent kicking ability was entrusted with the shot, and nothing resulted. When a team lias a star kicker they should use him. Points count more than any mistaken idea of unselfishness. The selector would not waste his time in giving Reid a look over. He is a versatile player who can justify his inclusion in a team in any position. Others in the field failed to stand out to advantage, and as an exposition of Rugby—even wet-day Rugby, with a sodden field and greasy oval—lt was disappointing. The element of roughness that was apparent in the closing stages was a regrettable feature. Suburbs cannot pass or co-ordinate in the back line, hut they play a good spoiling game. Shore would have beaten them with try-points had the ground been dry. as the visitors could never stop " Dufty" Fairgrny and his sneedv forwards, hut the latter .ire hopeless— though hard-working—on a wet field. NEWTON PERFORM WELL. On Saturday Newton surprised its n»<t enthusiastic supporters by tW form shown in the contest with Ponsonhv at the Domain in the mud. The team work w''H an immense stride upon that of the previous i week, and .Mnrwick showed out in the hacks as the makings of a good player in th first quarter Ponsonby were re'allv ont played by their opponents, but their better training and combination at length told and they ran out victors to the m» 5 21 points to 5. The total is not an indication of the real merits of the nlav foV the blue and blacks had to press "hard for every score. It was the racy co-operation of Ponsonby hacks with Lucas as the klni. pin that rather beat Newton, who, however obtained the ball from the majority of the scrums, but were not able to do much with it. It looked as though they did not expect to hook the leather, and therefore were not linked up in the backs for attack Practice will soon show that Newton backs are more worthy of their steel. Locke put In some good work at full, but was not always on the gui vive. Earle. at half. was always busy, and the park played well together. Gregory, at full, for Ponsc.nby. j was everywhere, and besides being safe on defence, participated in. as well as Initii ated, many rcsultful movements. Meuzies is a serviceable forward,, and Shirley was keen ' beside the scrum. * .~•-• - *' " 3

GRAFTON V. UNIVERSITY. The game between Grafton and University, particularly as It developed, was a strenuous and "keenly fought one. anil the issue was iv doubt until the final whistle. Grafton on the whole had slightly the better of the game, though their opponents gave a better exhibition of handling. The y conditions were such, however, th.it specur lators and hard dribbling were of most ser--0 vice for the greasy ball and treacherous footing, made handling very hazardous. Varsity were reinforced by several players who had returned from the Australian tour, hut they were without the services of their best forward, Keene. Hopkins bad to go off after the first half with an iniured shoulder, but his successor, Ross, was an s excellent substitute. There was not much between the forwards. O'Brien frequently breaking through and getting his side an advantage. Grafton's two tries were due - to the versatility of Buckland at hair. The first followed a punt by him from :he scrum to the goal-line, and the T>cond timr the line was crossed he got the ball from his scrum and slipped between the defending players. Gasparicu appeared at fullback, and will strengthen the team. LEAGUE FOOTBALL. * The following table shows the positions 11 of the teams in the senior competition:—

~ The team to represent Railways in their s match against Tramways, iv the Wednese day competition, will be:—Grant, Barnes, .„ Porter, Herbert. Lee, Polkinhorn, Pengelly. 3 Coughlin, Kilgour, Tubberty, Williams, _ Pooley, Grey, Seager. Emergencies, Mc- - Closky, Cairns, Sutton., I c MARIST V. CITY. City sustained their first defeat this sea- " son when they met Marists on Saturday, " and now both these teamsarc level in c I second position in the championship table, t I two points behind Athletics, who have not t had their colours lowered since the couie petition commenced. The ground was in c a very muddy state, but the conditions - appeared to suit the Marists' forwards far c better than any of the City players, and ~ It was largely due to their fast following 5 up and vigorous tackling that they won by r such a good margin. City had hard luck in „ not scoring for they frequently had Marists " penned up, but they were unable to bring their efforts to fruition. On a dry ground the game would have been a very "tine one. for the City backs handled the ball well I despite Its greasy nature. Sherlock played I a good defensive game as fullback for ? I Marists. while Foss and Gallaugher were 1 : the best of the three-quarter Hue. Laug J was always prominent, and put In a great <■ I amount of good work, while he was ably - I assisted by Stevens. Of the frowards, ' I Courtenay, Stormont, Tait and Bass were f the best. Wetherill played a good game s for City, though at times he did not handle } the ball too well. The Davidson brothers t were noticeable throughout, particularly ' Ben, who put in some great dashes. - Crowther was good at fullback, while Mltf chell, the half, never lost an opportunity of setting his backs in motion when the ball went his way. Hawkes. Townsend, and Reid were the most prominent of the forwards. PONSONBY V. DEVONPORT. 1 Quite a large crowd of League supporters .. were treated to a most interesting game at North Shore, in the match between Ponsonby and Devonport. which ended In J favour or the "Ponies" by 13 points to - f>. The ground was in a bad state owing . to the heavy rain during the week, and . soon after the commencement of the game \ the players were covered in mud. It was ; difficult to pick the blue and black jerseys of the Ponsonby men from the blackjackets of the Shore team: in fact, to- . wards the end one of the Devonport forI wards gave a pass to Walsh, thinking he ! was a Shore player. A feature of the match was the success of the new rule of , throwing the ball into the scrum from a distance of three paces. There were only ; two ecnirn penalties given in the whole game. One of these was against the hooker and the other against the half back. Both teams showed up well In good com- . bined play. Ponsonby were prompt in ■smothering up the opening movements of the Devonport attacks, while their defence was strong and Devonport found it difficult to penetrate the back line. Mormon was a _ safe and reliable fullback, for the winnin- . team, while Wilson. Cole, and Walsh worked we I in the combined play. Hanlon i was the shining light in the strong for- ; ward row Delgrosso as usual played a good hard game, and tackled well B Lalng. the captain of the Devonport side' w-as particularly prominent, and was T-ilii ; a tower of strength. Godick. who* "has played in the position of full back for the ; last two Saturdays, gave a good display and made some tine dashing rims from the back of the game. "Pip" Webb was always to be found when his services were wanted at Important junctures. Douelas Johnston and O'Brien were the pick 0" ,the forwards. *- It was unfortunate for Devonport losinc ' the services of one of their best forwards in Scott, wbo received an injury ear™ in th" NEWTON V. RICHMOND. . The. condition of the ground did not make for the best football between Newton and Richmond last Saturday. Where combina tion Vas possible Newton showed o be ter . advantage than their opponent" who matola? dilTnT'wort- f°°" „ «"«*-«& IVI , ', ' not work together so well Richmond were frequently placed on the defence, but were fairly prompt in smother mg a number of Newton's movements For the winners Poison got down to it in the mud with a right good will and was resi.on ' side for many openings. Warimr n1 ' Whittington. in the tbree-quarte? Hue "„ ' Gregory, the full-back, were useful men ' while among the forwards Stack? Somers' ' and clarke all played a good game. Hanlon! ' the Richmond full-back, had plenty to, 0 ! against. Newton s attacks and made few ' mistakes. Hyland. a s half-back, and Mr ' Millan and McDonald, in the forward row ' were prominent. ' < THE ASSOCIATION GAME. ! The following tables shows the posr- ' tions of the senior teams in the _uck- 1 land Football club chain- ' pionship at the moment.-— « -

I For the bottom team to outplay the j leading one is an experienc few "'wooden ■ spooners" have. Brotherhood thoroughly ' deserved their win over Shore. The score, 3 to 0, was a fair indication of the merits j of the two teams on the day's play. That J Shore was off it's game, and Brotherhood . well above usual. are two points to he admitted. The chief factor in Brother- \ hood's win was their adaptability to the ' wretched conditions. Both goal areas were ' seas of mud and the goal-keepers were [ not to he envied. Clarke, in goal' for Brotherhood, gave a ' brilliant display. A better display has ' rarey been seen here. His safe handling ■' and clearing of the greasy ball was very fine. He dealt with shots from all angle's t and distances, including a penalty kick, f nnd finished the game with a clean sheet, f if not a clean jersey. Lindsay, at back. 1 was very safe. The halves were a very ] even lot, nnd gave Shore forwards little t chance to get going. I In the forwards McGarry was the pick. < He 1s a great opportunist, and his two ( goals were well earned. Mellor. on the , left wing, played well. Ills centres were . very fine. Donaldson, on the right, hardly got coin-, j For Shore, Davidson played a great , game at right half. He plays hard right J up to the whistle. Champtaloup, in goal, was not to blame for the score, His play, ■ however, does not inspire confidence. ' himpson played well. Daere was good at 1 times Shore forwards were all at sea. ' SSiiZm" 1 ?, th % plck of a bad bunch. < h„; ?£ "J" 11 / Shore have S° 0(1 material. > SHr^J" 6 team work - A P a r of cood d»^V^ S n, OO cE was badl J r wanted on SaturniL* i fu Shore forwards. A re-arrange-ment in the second half, in which Craig ferenc? P ¥} the to "™«»i made little. dH? disar^nge'rt^^^S^JamS^^D'a o ; ll * l player "co.irte ■_*__>, ,„%'*.* f «•»« teams to partner A?liso„ dur?n- riUVli"! gamT wen%?ea r sed ,Z w,t_ r ?h' 1 ''- much that it P w a l ea ou n t eVected r , eaUlt ' inSO "

Foints P. W. I,. D. F. A. Marist Old Bovs 8 7 — 1 18!) .10 Grafton 8 6 1 1 313 4-"> Grammar O.B.. 8 5 12 152 :u University S 5 2 1 ill 32 Ponsonby 8 4 3 1 3(5 30 College Rides.. 8 4 4— G6 fll Newton 8 2 t» — 4« 140 North Shore .. 8 3 5 — 50 122 Suburbs S 1 7 — '.) 155 Eden S — 8 — '.» 173 Ch. l'ts. 1.) 13 12 .11 •J S 4 4 0

Athletics.... City Marlsts Devonport . Ponsonby Newton." Richmond..... Points Ch. P. / W. L. D. EorAg. Pts. 5 '5 — — 94 28 10 i) 4 1 — 104 36 8 5 4 1 — 73 4.3 8 !i 2 3 — 36 57 4 5 2 3 — 42 S4 4 0 1 5 — CO 85 2 D — 5 — 44 120 0

P. IV. L. D. Fo'r.Asst. r"ts' North Shore 8 fi 2 o 17 j-> 10 Ponsonby... S r, 2 1 "7 l" 11 Philomel.... 7 4 .", 11 _1 13 g Northeote... s 4 4 0 •>•> is x Harb. Board. S 4 4 0 l.i lb 1 8 Thistle 7 2 4 1 17 IB 5 Y.M.C.A 8 2 fi 0 12 22 4 Brotherhood. 8 2 G 0 11 a2 4