ATHLETIC SPOUTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPOUTS.

FIXTURES. AUCKLAND RUGBY UNION MATCHES. I Ponsonby v.Newton \ \Ur 90 j North »hore v. Gordon ' t,,i_ 17 Ma * 2i} 1 Albert v Auckland (" July 17 \ United v. Grafton ' ) {North Shore v. Auckland) Albert v. Oortlftn ( T • 9 . Grafton v. f July Z * United v. Ponvinby / I Albert v. Crafton ) Gordon v. Nowton f T , ,■, Auckland v. I'onsonby f July 31 United v. North Shore ) /Grafton v. Gordon \ T ,,__ ie J Newton v. Auckland ( A, ltm »i7 June 19 J ,> ousonb y v ' orth Shore (- August 7 (.United v Albert ) JONIOKS Return matches iPomonby v. Nolson \ vt»- on J Wiiltomiita v. Cordon ! Tnlv 17 Ma y 29 ] Atklolici v. Auckland f Jnly 17 Manukau v. Oraffcon ) i Nelson v. Athletics \ Ponsohby v. Goi'drn ( t,, lt n> Qniftou v. iVaitem-U f July Z * Mxnuk.'iu v. Auckland ) /■l'onsoiiliy v. Grafton \ T ,„ ) YValtemata v. Athletics f T , w 01 Junol2 j Auckland V.Gordon \ July 31 Nolson v. MHEukau • / fNe!«on v. Wititemata ") ,„„ ,„ J Ponsouby v. Athletics . Anoint 7 June 19 ■> ( . r . lfton V. Auckland > Au B USt 7 (. Mom a an v. Gordon ) ■ August—Auckland v. New South Wales, AQUAT-CS. Beach v. Teenier for the chaintionship of the world. AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN MATOIIES-MAY. May ->7-oif rd University, at Oxford. May 31—North of KngUtid, at Manchester ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Gordon.— ; the ball is still in play, as the ball must bo behind the goal-lino before a try can be scored. __ FOOTBALL. With fine weather for the game and a good ground to play on, it was not to bo wondered at that there should be a large attendance for the match between the crack club of seasons and Gordon, a team that has worked itself into great prominence since it was founded. Comparing the play, on the whole, with that of the previous Saturday, it was not so good. From rather an unlucky start, the greens were penned in their 25 at the kick-oil", ami the battle raged fast and furious for the first quarter of an hour. Ponsonby kept continually sending the ball over the goal line, compelling Gordon to strain every nerve to withstand the attack of their active opponento, who, flushed with several force-downs, kept trying pot shots, which were, however, failures. As the term advanced Gordon improved, but the backs had to do all the work. The forwards are a fine lot, but, somehow, they lacked that combination which a team in good form should have, and gave the colours' dribblers every opportunity of getting through when there was an opening ; but they went no further, as the sure tackling and plucky play of the backs stopped many a rush. Twice the greens worked the scene of play past the middle flap, and momentarily held their ground. Several glaring pieces of "off-side ,, play among the Poneonby forwards stopped operations for a second or so, hut, backed up by the wind, the ball kept hovering on the greens' side of the flug. It struck many that a little more punting or dropping into touch instead of gallery play among the green*' backs would have been better. When sides changed the colours set off at once on the offensive, and had the ball well up the ground till the greens pulled themselves together, and had the advantage for some time. At this stage Ponsonby 'a reliable backs g-rved in good stead, stemming the full weight of the greens' charges, Gordon's three-quarter backs worked admirably throughout the latter half of the game. How the colours dribbled the ball over the line when Parker secured the try it seemed difficult to many to judge. On the resumption of play after the shot at goal the oval was transferred to that memorable spot where the throw-on took place. A splendid rush carried the ball within twenty yards of the line, and the leather coming out was passed to Reed, who took a flying shot at difficult angle, missed the mark, anl L. Melilrum followed up and secured the touch. Whether the whistle waa blown or not, the decision of the referee shonld be accepted, as a better or more reliable judge of the Rugby game than Mr. W. YY. Robinson could not he found. Certainly ordering the ball to bo hacked off when it was being brought out for the kick at goal must have been most irritating to the spectators ; but, if a rule is infringed, what team would record a win under such circumstances? However, it ie to be hoped that another ecene like that unacted on Saturday last will not mar auy future Union matches, and that the new rules for guidance of umpires and referees will be in force to-day. ]f the ground at Newmarket is to continue to be popular, it certainly behoves the Union to make some butter arrangement for keeping the touchline clear, and , thus allaying numerous complaints from those who do have some consideration for the players. A double line of flags or a roped enclosure has been suggested as a solution of the difficulty. In all of the Rugby Union matches to-day umpires will use sticks, and the referee a whistle, in accordance with the new rule adopted by the Hugby Union of England. Otago is already making preparations for their match with Sydney, and have secured the Carrisbrook ground, which selection does not give general satisfaction among Dunedin Rugbiane. Writing of the Rugby Union (says " Forward " in the Otago Times), reminds me that Mr. J. H. Chapman, the well known honorary secretary, is soriously ill with typhoid fever. Footballers throughout the colony ■will, I am sure, join with me in wishing him a speedy recovery. The High School boys and Dunedin F.C. played a draw recently, in which the school, who played a splendid forward team, had the best of. The seniors have only suffered defeat once during the ton or eleven, years they hare been in existence. The match between Auckland Second and Athletics will be played ou the Metropolitan Ground this afternoon. Referring to the Wellington team that visited Christcliurch, representing the Athletic F.C, the following should be of interest :—Thomson, King, McCausland, Brawn, McGowan, and Pearce have all represented Wellington in their intcrprovincial contests, and of the play of these individuals it ie almostneodlesa to remark that in Thomson they possess one of the fastest basks in the colony. King scored for his province in all its great local contests last season, and is at all times considered a very dangerous antagonist. Pearce is an excellent collarer, fast, and very dodgy runner, and undoubtedly good kick; while McGowan, Taiaroa, Brown, and Richardson are the pickof their forwards. East Christchurch Football Club have shown great improvement in their play since the Poneke match a month ago, and were all in splendid condition for a tough contest, Jack Taiaroa, Moorhouse, [Francis, and Kayaer particularly so. The following will be the Ponsonby team against New tou to-day at Newmarket :— Arneil, Whiteaidu (2), Brauud, Bailey, Bruce, Skeen, McConnell, George, Koefe, Besant, Wooller, Parker, Whitely, and Daniels. It may interest local footballers to know that the recently-formed Gordon Football Club, Sydney, which numbers about thirty ex-New Zealanders among its members, played their first match at Randwick on the loth of May, against the University, the crack club of last season, whom they defeated by four points to nil. Great excitement prevailed during the match, which was witnessed by a large number of spectators, among whom were many members of the leading Sydney clubs. The game waa well contested during the first term, University having a tdight advantage; but, in the second, Gordon played well together, and tries were obtained by Byers (who played against I New Zealand *t iSath 96) and Warren,

which McPherson and O'Donnell failed to convert into goals. Of the Gordon Fifteen the following seven hailed from Maoriland : —J. O'Donnell (late of Invercargill and the New Zealand team), captain, half-back ; Webb (brother to Webb, who visited New South Wales with the New Zealand team), Walters (who played for Thames some ton seasons ago), Warren (born at Wanganui), Rickey, and Braithw-ite, all forwards ; and F. Cueeseman (an old Auckland Grammar School boy), full back. At the conclusion of the match cheers were given for . both teams, and the winners were warmly congratulated on their victory. MISCELLANEOUS. A sculiing race in outriggers was rowed over the championship course, Parramatta river, between Backhouse and Wulf, on May 15, and resulted in favour of the latter, who won with ease in 2umin lO^sec. The Sydney Royal Yacht Squadron celebrated the close of the season by tendering a banquet to Commodore Fairfax at Ore inorne on Saturday, May 15, when the following yachts assembled at Farm Cove : — The Magic (James H. Fairfax, commodore), Waitangi (A. G. Milson, vice-commodore), Meteor (J. Gilchrist), Sirocco (E. W. Kuox), Peri (W. Laidley), Guinevere (S. Want), Assegai (F. G. Murnin), Sao (J. Milford), Ruby (A. A. Griffith), lone (P. 0. Williams), and Mabel (J. R. Love). Among the guests were His Kxcellency Lord Carrington, Lord Bertie, and Admiral Tryon. The Christchurch Press has been agitating the inauguration of junior interprovinoial matches for the encouragement of junior cricket. During the four tours of the Australian Eleven in England 148 matches were played, of which 82 were won, 44 drawn, and 22 lost. The opening of the present campaign has undoubtedly been marred by the heavy wicket and bad weather, to which the Australians are not accustomed under the sunny skies of the Southern hemisphere. Subscriptions are being raised in England for a memorial stone to the late Dr. H. L. Cortis, the celebrated cyclist, who died at Carcoar, New South Wales, last December. The Melbourne Caledonian sports, postponed in April on account of bad weather, were fixed to have come off on the Queen's Birthday. Intercolonial tennis matches between Victoria and New South Wales at Moore Park, Sydney, have been exciting a large amount of interest. Lord Carrington, Admiral Tryon, and officers of 11. M.5. Nelson were among the visitors. Nine matches were played, resulting in a love score for Victoria as regarded sets, New South Wales having won all nine. In regard to games the winners scored 22 games to Victoria's five, the grand result beim; that New South Wales had 46 g*me3 to 17. Tournaments ior ladies' and gentlemen's championships of New South Wales in doubles, pairs, challenge pairs, and singles were played on subsequent days. The programme of the Australian Eleven in England has been amended, and, in referring to the new arrangements, Bell's Life says: — "Several notable alterations and additions have already been made as regards the programme arranged for the visitors. On June 28 the Australians will meet a team selected by Lord March on the splendid ground at Piiory Park, Chichester, where Mr. J. S. Carrick made his memorable beet on record. The match with Surrey, fixed for August 9, has been brought forward to July 29, a date which was formerly occupied by the fixture at Leyton with Cambridge Past and Present, which will now be played on August 23. Three other new matches have been arranged towards the end of the tour. On August 19 the visitors meet the United Services at Portsmouth, while on Septamber 6 and 9 they have arraLged contests at Bradford and Brighton with the North of England and the South of England, or Sussex, respectively. Only three open dates are left, and one of these may be filled up with a match against Leicestershire. The Australians will have no reason to grumble at tho programme which Mr. Alcock has arranged for them." ARQOB. TBE PONSON'BY-GOROON MATCH. TO THE El ITOR. Sir, —The late dispute between the Gordon and Ponsonby dabs points out, 1 think, the great nocettity for improved legisKtion in fooibill. Many think that it wss a grsat pity that the mattoi was not thoroughly argued before tho association, yesterday. Whj the Auckland Ru.'by Union Association should make rules for themselves, instead of sticking to the good old established Rugby Union rules as played at home, no one can understand ; but, if they nius , nuke rules, let them make them so that they will obviate all poßsib 11 ty of complaint agiiiist unlairn. ss. It appear* (rom the report in your issue this morning, that there is nothing in the Auckland Itusby Union rules to prevent the referee and umpire* from cancelling a try or a, i oal hulf-au-hour »fter it has been scored. The English Hu«by Union rule on this point is clear, pUln, and.. I think, all will allow, righteous. It says: " you want to complain, do so at once, and don't Co away and try what excuse you can rank* to prevent your adversary scoring what he has justly made." Until such arue is made there will be endleis quarrelling, e-ipeci.lly after the very unwholesome exninple of Saturday. Another point that should be carefully considered is. whether it is a good thing for tho umpires to have whistles. In Kngland no umpire or referee may speak until appealec. to, and when appeAled to, if the umpire raises His stick he is supposed to allow the- appeal : the other umpire, if he wishes to object, raises hi , stick, and iho rofe eo then decides by whittling if ho desires the game stopped an<l the h-tll brought bn:k. If he doss not, alcw the appeal he simply ukri no notice and the jjanio proceeds, without the disadvantage of stopping a m*n in the middie of a com! run. As a stranger to Auckland and an old foothill player of a goo.l club at at home, I whs struck by the unfcirncsi of stopping a player by tho whistl", and thereby allowing his pursuers to get up with him before the word " all rinht" was given, thereby spoiling hie rhanc« of setti' g a try. With rrgtrd to the manor on Saturday, my owii opinion and that of some friends who w-ro with me, all footballers, and unprejudiced, w&« that Goring fairly score I the try,an<r that the Ponsonby ctpt&in did not show up well in referring ?o trivial a matter to the re'firee. The matter has now droppod, bat the affair Ins not tonrt-d to increase Ponsonby in the public favour. Witness the groans which ereete I tho ilec:sion on Saturday. — I am, &c, lAT Justitia.. Auckland, May 27, IsSO