FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7657, 7 June 1886, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

GRAFTON V. NEWTON. It was very doubtful on Saturday morning whether there would be any matches for the senior cup, but the weather taking up somawhat about noon left the afternoon cold, with a' strong wind from the westward. Between five and six hundred spectators mustered at Dilworth'a ground for the three matches under the Rugby Union. Grafton and Newton occupied the upper ground; but it must be mentioned, great carelessness was shown in flagging theground by enclosing an ugly patch of scoria which crops up in the turf. Ryan, who led Grafton (maroon), losing the toss to T. Mills, who captained Newton Jyellow and black), maroon defended the eastern goal, with tne wind blowing across the ground slightly in their favour. On opening the ball Grafton assumed the offensive at once, and it was Boon apparent that their forwards would give the colours all they could do to stop them from getting in. In a couple of minutes the ball was over, a force-down resulting, and on resuming, back the oval came, when some smart dribbling, with Gardiner, Veale, and Spencer in the van, took the ball from the 25 yard flag over the line with but little opposition by the Newton backs, and Gardiner secured the try. Ryan took the shot at the bar, but made a poor kick, the ball being heavy, and not the beat procurable. The colours were pretty well pressed almost the whole of t.he 45 minutes excepting the last minute or so of play, when their backs worked as they should do, and the ball went into touch near the maroons' 25. It was only momentarily, and the term closed with Grafton two points and a couple of force* to Newton's nil. F. Mills dribbled off the ball for the colours' and the light scrummaging game was the order of the day for some time, in which the maroons shone, and their forwards were continually running down the colours' backs ; but for the reliable work of Newton's whole-back the maroons would have been in on several occasions. W. Speight, who had been brought up from the second fifteen, played quarter during this jterm, and worked well, although a little nclined to hold the ball. He made a dodgy run from the centre, and then a pass to Lecky, enabled the representative forward to cross the line for the maroons. Ryan again essayed the place-kick, but made a poor attempt. Wells soon after also came to the front with a good rush, and carried the ball into touch in goal, where Mountford fell on it. Lecky got in again by a fine little dash, scoring the maroons' third try. The place-kick was another failure, but the colours seemed so fagged that they bad not a charge left in them when the oval was placed. Veale, who all through had been playing a good honest forward, came through with the ball, and had an uninterrupted run in making the try behind the posts. Lecky was entrusted with the try at goal, but the oval shot wide, and the score stood at eight points. Newton revived a little, and the last few minutes of play had a little excitement put into it by the colours' forwards getting through; but, as on previous occasions, they seemed to throw the chance away by not playing the game, and the maroons were on top of them. Passing was tried frequently,, but it was either so clumsily done, or the players were so little aware of its usefulness, that much valuable ground was lost. Ryan played back for Grafton, but be was not up to his usual form. Cooper, at three-quarter was in the thick of it always when rushes had to be stopped, Madigan made several good runs in the first half, fending well and getting over ground, but a little less gallery play would be an improvement. Veale, Wells, Lecky, and Gardiner kept wel lon the ball among the forwards, while Warbrick, who was playing quarter, was often to be seen amongst them. For Newton, Murray was a source of strength among the forwards, while Walker, E. Mills, and Sexton were well to the fore in following up. Behind the scrum A. Pritchard, the full-back, had a good deal to do, and seemed about the only one who understood his work, kicking and punting well, but a little more speed in his movements and surer tackling seemed necessary. C. White had a good many chances, but the maroons were too quick for him; while T. Mills, who played rather too close to the scrum as a three-quarter, picked up well, and made several passes, seemed to lack efficiency in kicking ; but it may be said that the dropping and punting throughout the game was rather a mediocre display. Owing to dilatoriness in starting tho match the game was not stopped till it was almost dark. The new umpiring regulations were again used, and seemed to work satisfactorily, and it would appear will, with practice, soon be found superior to the old iter - Messrs. G. A. Orchard and K. Whiteside were umpire*, while Mr. A. H. Cotter acted as referee.

GORDON V. ALBERT. This match, also played on Mr, Dilworth's estate, on the middle ground, resulted in favour of Gordon by a try to nil. J. J. Poland led Gordon (green), and Dixon captained Albert (red and black). The former, winning the toss, elected to hare the wind in their favour for the first spell. The play throughout was pretty fast, and the ball kept traversing almost the length of the ground by quick rushes, in which, however, there was rather too much falling on and handling the ball in the scrummages by the colours. The try was secured by Binney by fast following up, and he also made fine attempts for two others. Jordan played a good game, and made a fine shot at the coal from Binney's try which, howevsr, was spoilt by the wind. Reed was in good form, making a splendid ran near the end of the first spell, while Newman also made one or two good runs, and the Gordon captain was always there when wanted. Crowe, Burton, H. Poland, Meldrum, and Clayton were prominent among the forwards. For Albert, Dixon and Marshall, behind the scrummage, did about the best work, and Rowe, Stewart, and Millor, as forwards, shone in that department of the game, aiding in compelling the greens to act on the defensive several times. It must also be mentioned that there was a good deal of talking among the players — that should be left for the captains to do. Mr. W. E. Barton acted as referee with great satisfaction.

NORTH BHORK V. AUCKLAND. The representatives of the old club crossed over to Devonport on Saturday afternoon, and met the North Shore F.C. on the recreation ground, which was rather greasy after the bad weather of the previous days, and, after a well-contested game, resulted in a win for the home team by a goal (five points) to love. G. Carter led the visitors (blue and white), and J. W. Askew filled a similar position for North Shore (navy blue). In the first term play was pretty even, the blues if anything having the advantage. The sorummaging game was very prominent. The Auckland whole back missing a return, owing to the slippery state of the ground, enabled McKellar, who followed up well, to gain possession of the ball, and he was over the line. The place-kick was entrusted to Swinnerton, who just managed to score the coveted goal. On changing goal* the blues had rather the best of the game, but there was nothing very brilliant done on either Bide, For the winners W. Wynyard made several good rung, while for the Auckland, whoso baoka were undoubtedly weak, Jcnes and Webster did the best work, both playing well.

JUNIOR MATCHES. The match, Waiteraata v. Grafton Second, was played in Dil worth's paddock, Newmarket, on Saturday, Notwithstanding the fact that two senior matches were being played on the ground, a large number of spectators preferred witnessing this game. Play during the first term was very even, but towards the end of the second the Waitematas, by a series of good rushes, brought the ball in dangerous proximity to the Grafton Second's goal line. The ball being heeled out of a "scrum," it was passed to Stephenson, who, making a splendid run, got behind with it, anil, as he states, touched it down, but this was disputed by the Grafton umpire. It being referred to the referee, he was unable to give a decision owing to his not seeing it. Otway was entrusted with the place-kick, and converted the try into a goal. The spectators who were near, and best able to judge, are generally in favour of allowing the Waitematas the try. This dispute is to be brought before the Association at its next meeting. For the Waitemata, Smith, who played full-back in the first term, played a splendid game, while in the forward division. Grey was most prominent. It would be almost impossible to individualise any of the Grafton team, as they all played a hard game. It is a great pity that several members of both teams were unable to curb their temper, as such Actions cause bad feelings to arise,

Auckland Second Fifteen defeated Manukau F.C. on the racecourse, Onehunga, by a try (two points) scored by McDermott, to nil. The blue and whites had the advantage pretty well all through. The match was very keenly contested. The Nelson and Athletio match, which was to have been played on the Metropolitan ground, fell through, on account of the tartans not putting in an appearance, and Nelson claim the match. Victoria Second defeated Jervols on the Domain Hollow by two tries (four points), secured by T. Green and G. Smith. Native Rose won their match with Montrose in the Domain by eight points to nil. Two tries were obtained by A. Wilson and one each by Wilson and W. Williams. The match between Oxford and Montrose, played at Ellerslie, resulted in a draw, (neither side scoring) in favour of the latter. Victoria defeated Gordon Third on the Domain by two points to nil. The Vies, they allege, were not well treated by the referee, and the umpire for Gordon, who disallowed everything except a try scored by Downey. R. MeConnell it seems converted it into a goal, but it waß not allowed. The following clubs compose the recentlyformed Second Junior Association, under the title of the Waitemata Football Association : —Air a Second, Britannia Second, Excelsior Second, Jervois, Montrose Second, Native Rose, and Victoria. CAMBRIDGE V. HAMILTON. [BY telegraph.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Hamilton, Saturday. The football matoh between the Cambridge and Hamilton teams came off on Sydney Square this afternoon, and, after one of the best games over played on the ground, resulted in a win for Cambridge by four points to two.. The game was played in two spells of 40 minutes each. Towards the end of the first spell Partridge, for. Cambridge, who was backing up well, managed to get across the line, and secured the first try, from which no goal resulted. Daring the second spell Odium secured a try for Hamilton, which McKenzie failed to convert into a goal. Near the end of the game E. Pilling, by a olever run, secured the second try for Cambridge, but again no goal was kicked, and the game ended with the score as above. Messrs. F. Pilling and C. Beale acted as umpires, aDd Mr. T. G Sandea was referee, and gave every satisfaction.