FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8887, 25 May 1892, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

The annual football fixture between teams representing the V\ holosale and Retail Chemists was to have come off yesterday at Potter's Paddock, but owing to the rough weather, and the unfavourable nature of the ground, only a few of the players turned up, the Wholesale men being especially few in number. Under these circumstances the match could not well be proceeded with, and those present contented themselves with indulging in a scratch match.

PONSONP.Y V. WANDERERS. Thames, Tuesday.—At I'arawai, to-day, the old local Wanderers Club and the old Ponsonby Club met in their usual annual football contest. The weather turned out excellent, although the ground was rather sloppy, owing to the recent rains, but those who attended, witnessed a very interesting *ame, and were amply rewarded for putting in an appearance. The names of the contestants were as follow : — Ponsonby (blue and black): Braund (captain), Stitchbury. Mast-field, Riley, Roberts, Binney, Hales, Dole, Brady, Hynn, Airey, Scott, Griffiths, Green, and Robertson. Wanderers (maroon): D. Stewart (captain), R. McGregor, Lang, Connolly, Watene, Paul, McWilliams, R. Stewart, Roto, Brown lee, Boyle, Quinn, Cullen, Mullens, anil Sullivan. Messrs. J. McGregor and Mercer acted as umpires for \\ anderers and Ponsonby respectively, and J. Hindman us referee. The game was played ,in two 45 minute spells. Ponsonby won the toss, and chose to kick from the western goal. Stewart kicked off for the Thames, but the ball was well returned by Conway. Give-and-take play then ensued for some time. Ponsonby at last pushed the Thames very hard hi the latter's 25, and for some time the Thames line was in great danger, but at last through the exertions of 1). Stewart and Lang the ball was taken into Ponsonby'a 25, where Paul, by fast following up, secured a try. Connolly took the kick, but no goal resulted. Shortly alter the kick-off Roto again crossed the line, and, after a maul with one of Ponsonby's backs, the Thames man secured the ball. Connolly •was again entrusted with the kick, but failed to score. Time was then called, with the Thames,4 points; Ponsonby, nil. Owing to a dispute regarding the Thames' last try, Hindman, who had acted as referee, resigned that position, and Jordan was substituted. Plynn kicked off for Ponsonby, the ball being well returned by Connelly. By a good kick and run on the part of Green, a try was secured by him for I'onsonby, but the attempt at goal by Flynn was a failure. Stewart kicked off, when the Ponsonby men were riinned in their own 25. By a good pass from McWilliams, Paul made an unsuccessful attempt at goal, but Ponsonby was forced. Cole kicked off, the ball being returned by Watene, and Roberts, mulling the ball, the Thames forwards took it to Ponsonby's 25, and Stewart, by a good run, again forced the latter. Give-and-take play on both sides ensued, when Paul secured the ball, and made a brilliant kick, the ball passing fairly ever the centre of the bar. Cole kicked off, and the Thames forwards, by a good rush, took the ball again to Ponsonby's 25, but Masefield relieved the pressure. Roberts then got hold of the oval, and by a clever run looked all over scoring, but he was well collared by R. McGregor, who, securing the ball, took it to Ponsonby's 25. The play from this time out was good on both sides; Ponsonby working hard to further score, but their efforts were frustrated by the excellent play of the Thames men. The game thus ended in a victory for the local team by 8 points to 2. For the Thames Lang and McWilliams at half, and Paull at threeijuarter, played a brilliant game, their dodgy runs completely paralysing the Ponsonby men, but among the forwards it was hard to tell who was the best man. For Ponsonby Braund, Masefield, Roberts, and Green were the pick of the backs, and amongst the forwards Cole, Airey, Griffiths, and Binney were the best. Ponsonby s passing was much admired. AKATAPU.

Football is causing great interest in this district this season, there being keen rivalry between the clubs. It is to be lamented, however, that the intense interest should have caused some to lose cheir heads, and give vent to all sorts of absurd talk. T. Elliott arrived in this district this week, and will be an acquisition to some club. Keegun. of PonHonby, who played for Kopuru against Helensville, is expected this way before Jong. Possibly others may also arrive later, for it is not so much the game that seems to be enjoyed as the winning of it. Mr. F. Matthews has offered a challenge cup for competition, and clubs are this season competing for this cut), and the banner presented lust season by Mrs. J. A. Walker. If the Aratupu club are the victors this year, the banner will become their property they intend to secure it. The Wairoa Union has decided to offer caps to the winners of the junior contests this season, and the Kopuru, Maropiu, and Aratapu clubs have each entered junior teams, Dargaville was not able to do so.— [Own Correspondent.]

[by telegraph.—-press association.l Greymouth, Tuesday. — The football match, Sydenham v. Grey was won by the latter by five points to four. ChkistCHCRCH, Tuesday.—ln the football match, Pirates Football Club (Diinedin) v. Christchurch Football Club, the game was won. after splendid open play all through, by the Dunedin men by 14 points (- goals and - tries 1 to 2 .points 1 try.