FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9830, 27 May 1895, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

VICTORIES for NEWTON, PONSONBY, AND GRAFTON.

A REVERSE FOR PARNELL.

The championship matches at the three grades were continued at Potter's Paddock on Saturday, in the presence of upwards of 3000 spectators. The weather was fine, and the ground in very good condition. Good : order was maintained on the ground, though the "barracking"' was at times very warm, especially in the Parnell-Newton contest, which ended in the downfall of last year's champions. The majority of the onlookers were in sympathy with Newton, and throughout the game urged them on in every possible manner, each score beinggreeted with enthusiastic cheers. The defeat of Parnell did not come altogether as a surprise, as it was well known that the red and whites had a very strong team, and had been devoting considerable time to training. In all points of the game they completely outmatched their opponents. Parnell were slightly handicapped by the absence of Elliott and Kissling, but had these players been present the result would have been the same, for the Newtonites played with great determination, and both the forward and backward divisions played with better combination (than had previously been shown this season by any other senior club. The game ended in a decisive victory for Newton, by 13 points to nil, the score being made up ot three tries and one goal from the field. The latter, which was kicked by Webber, was a splendid shot, being a left-foot kick. The ball struck the post, and then fell over the bar. The Graftonites completely ran over Suburbs, scoring 30 points as against their opponents' nil. The Ponsonby-City contest was keenly contested, and resulted in a victory for Ponsonby by 8 points to 5. PARNEIX V. NEWTON. Chief interest centred round the above match, which was played on the ground in front of the stand. After the kick-off Parnell worked the leather to Newton's 25, but Roberts by a splendid piece of play relieved, and following up well the ball was carried, right on to the Parnell line, a force resulting. The play during the next few minutes was characterised by a deal of fumbling by the backs of both sides. Newton kept the ball well within Parnell's quarters till a piece of wild passing on the part of Newton gave Parnell the advantage. Some \ pretty passing between Ronayne, McGill, and Simpson nearly ended in a score, but the ball was thrown on. Newton was forced immediately after. Loose play followed the kick-out, but at length Newton by clever passing took the oval into Parnell territory. Here Roberts took a pass beautifully, and dodging cleverly past the whole of the maroon backs crossed the line between the posts and scored Newton's first try. Donald was entrusted with the kick but failed to convert. Newton, 3; Parnell, 0. Ater the kick-out Newton kept Parnell penned in their own 25, Roberts and Siddal on several occasions being dangerous : but at last a good kick by Simpson, aided by a piece of fumbling on the part of Mills, took play to centre. Parnell by good play sent the ball to within ten yards of the Newton line, where a free kick was awarded to Parnell. Murray took a shot at goal, and made a splendid, though unsuccessful, attempt. The play that followed was very interesting, Ronayne by splendid and vigorous play almost scoring for Parnell By sheer hard work Newton caused play to centre. Here scrums and line-outs were the order of the day. Very little passing was at this stage of the game indulged in, the backs on either side thinking that kicking into touch was the only thing necessary. At length the maroon forwards worked past centre, where a free kick was allowed to them. Murray essayed at goal without success. Almost immediately after the Newton vanguard got on a determined rush, and owing to the energies of Beck, Freeman, and Donald, carried the ball over the line, %he last-named scoring. Donald was again entrusted with the kick, but the ball went wide: Newton, 6 ; Parnell, 0. After the kick-out the Parnell backs were kept busy in repelling the onslaughts of the red aud white forwards, but at last some good play by Edmonds and McGill took the leather close to the Newton line, where it remained till half-time was called.

Donald opened the second spell for Newton, and McGill by a fine kick sent the oval out at the fifty flag. From the throw in the Parncll backs indulged in some fine passing, but the defence of the Newtonites was too good, and the maroons gained but little ground. Loose play at midfield followed, and finally Roberts secured possession ana made a strong dash for the corner flag. He succeeded in getting round all but Hedges, who brought him down in a perfect manner. As he fell Roberts let go the ball, and Warnock picking it up dashed over the line and scored the third try for Newton. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. Upon resuming the Parnell vanguard rallied, and rushed the oval into the red and white's territory, where several marks were secured. From one of these Murray made a grand shot at goal, the ball just falling under the bar. Fine play by Roberts and Freeman brought relief to Newton, and the maroons were again called upon to defend. The game was at this stage being stubbornly contested, and the excitement of the spectators was very great. The defeat of Parnell was very loudly proclaimed by the crowd. A fane piece of passing by Simpson, Whitley and Brodie carried the oval to the Newton 25. From the throw in some loose play followed, which ended in Newton being compelled to force. Donald set the bal' rolling, and the forwards following up fast swept all before them and threatened the maroon line. For some time Parneli were compelled to assume the defensive owing to the vigorous attacks of the opposing backs. A deal of offside play was noticeable, and appeals were frequent. Murray finally got away, and carried the ball to the Newton 25, but the two Freemans and Roberts more than equalised matters, and for several minutes play centred. From a line-out at midfield Roberts made a strong dash across the field, and transferred to Siddell, who was collared by McGill. The Parnell forwards got away with a telling rush, their progress not being stayed until they were within ten yards of the Newton line. In a miuute, however, the ball was back at midfield, and the Newtonite3 were more than holding their own. The game was now becoming fast and furious, the ball travelling up and down the field. Roberts and Siddell made several line runs, which gained considerable ground. Parnell being awarded a free kick, Murray essayed at goal, the angle being a difficult one. No goal resulted, and the ball falling short. Mills kicked out at the 25 flag. From the throw-in Newton forced. Donald set the ball in motion, and the forwards following up, Parnell were again placed on the defensive. The maroons gradually worked the oval to midfield, where several scrums took place. After some uninteresting plav near the Newton 25, a good rush of the Parnell forwards took the ball to the line, but the red-and-whites replied with a fine piece of play, which took the leather well into the Parnell 25. Newton continued their attacks, and again and again threatening their opponents' line. From a scrum in the 25, Webber secured possession and took a drop kick at goal with his left foot. The ball rose high, its progress being anxiously watched hy the spectators. As it struck the post a murmur of disappointment could be heard, but luck favoured Newton, for the oval glanced in the right direction and fell over the bar to the great delight of the onlookers, who greeted this score with loud applause. Upon resuming Kewtou again came back on their opponents' line, but when time was called they had registered no further score, the game ending in favour of Newton by 13 points to nil. GRAFTON V. SUBURBS. This match was played on the No. 2 ground, and attracted a fair amount of attention, though it proved very one-sided, Grafton winning easily by 30 points to nil. The Graftonites kicked off, and the forwards following up immediately placed Suburbs on j the defensive. From one of the first scrums I formed Dug Hay passed out cleverly to hit

brother, and the latter transferred to Clayton, who ran to within five yards of the line. He then passed to Surman, who scored. Broberg took the kick, and landed a splendid goal. Grafton, 5; Suburbs, 0. Upon resuming Grafton again invaded their opponents' territory, a fine piece of passing by the Hay Brothers and ; Surman nearly resulting in a score. The Suburbs' forward division rallied, and by a strong rush Major, Laurie, and Thompson carried the oval to midfield. Here Hay secured possession, and passed out neatly to Clayton, who made a short run. Several scrums in the blacks 25 took place, from one of which C. Hay obtained possession, and after making a strong dash he transferred to Clayton, who carried the oval to the Suburbs 25. He then passed to Surman, who made a brilliant run, carrying the ball into touch. From the throw in the Grafton forwards charged down on their opponents line, and from some loose play Stevenson got over and scored the second try for Grafton. Oliphant took the kick, but failed to convert. Grafton, 8; Suburbs nil. Upon resuming some fine pissing between the Grafton backs took place, ending in Surman again dashing across the line. Oliphant again failed to convert. Grafton, 11 ; Suburbs, nil. From the kick out the Grafton forwards got away with a fine rush and the ball being carried across the line Broberg fell on it and secured Grafton's fourth try. Broberg was entrusted with the kick at goal, but failed to convert. Grafton 14; Suburbs, nil. Upon resuming the Suburbs' vanguard rallied, and carried the oval to midfield. From the throw in Rishworth and Absolum put in some useful work, and carried the ball to the Grafton's 25, this being the first occasion that their line was endangered. From the scrum Dug Hay passed out to his brother, who made a strong dash through the opposing halves, but was collared by Rishworth. Mainly through the efforts of Major, Brennan, and Dunn the ball was taken to Grafton's 25, but the passing runs adopted by the black and whites did not suffer it to remain there long, and Grafton again invaded their opponents 25, and kept the ball there until half time was called. After the kick-off Grafton worked into Suburbs' territory, where some uninteresting play took place. At length Stephenson got away well and looked like scoring, but passed wildly instead. Shortly after some good passing on the part of Hay, Brady, and Gitto3. allowed the last-named to cross the line. Broberg took the kick but failed to convert. Grafton, 17; Suburbs, 0. Some loose play followed the kick-out, the Grafton backs breaking away time after time, but over-anxiousness , prevented them ,from adding to the score. Some good play by Laurie took ball to centre. From a scrum ' tho ball*was passed out to Clayton, aud he made a good run, crossing the Hue between the posts. He took the kick himself and sent the leather over the bar. Grafton, ?2; Suburbs, 0. The game was very one-sided after this, Grafton appearing to do as they liked when the ball was out of the scrum. A good rush shortly after carried the oval into Suburbs'quarters, and Oliphant breaking away crossed the line. Clayton attempted at goal without adding to the score. Grafton, 25; Suburbs, nil. Immediately after, some good passing again took the ball to the Suburbs' line, where Clayton fell on the ball, scoring another try. Oliphant took the kick, and landed an unmistakeable goal. Grafton 30 Suburbs 0 Time was called shortly after, the game ending as above. PONSONBY v. CITY. This match, which was played in the hollow, did not attract a great deal of attention. City, though playing up-hill, had the best of the opening spell. After about twenty minutes of play that was quite uninteresting, Ponsonby got a mark from which V Masefield kicked an unmistakable goal, Ponsonby 4. City 0. Some evenplav ensued. At length Heaps got away with a fine run, and gained a good deal of ground before he went into touch. Riley and others continued to keep City on the defensive, inaugurating a fine passing run, but Heaps fumbled the ball and lost what appeared to be a good opening for a try. City now rallied gamely, and P. Murray, receiving the ball from Carodus near the half-way flag, made a brilliant run. He got clean through his opponents, and scored a try amid considerable applause. Murray took the kick himself, and landed a firstclass goal. Ponsonby 4, City 5. Some good play now followed on both sides, the passing being much admired, but neither party could gain any decided advantage. The second spell was commenced with a series of scrums, the ball being kept well in the centre of the field. Braund did some good work for City at halfback, and a fine rush by the forwards swept the ball past Riley, the Ponsonby fullback. A score seemed certain, but R. Masefield picked up the ball and by a smart run and kick relieved his side from immediate danger. Lnngsford shortly afterwards got an opening for some useful forward play, but spoilt his chance by trying to pick up at a most inopportune moment. Cole made a good run for Ponsonby, and his comrades took part in some excellent passing. This was in large measure frustrated by the good collaring of Codes. However, Ponsonby continued to make headway coming into the City 25. R. Masefield nearly got across the line, but was brought to earth by SmithFrom a line out, Cole got the ball and ran in rather easily. V. Masefield took the kick, but failed to send the ball across the bar. Ponsonby 7, City 5. Here Langsford, Gillespie, and Heaps did good work for Ponsonby, but Binney, Hales, Murray, and others nullified their efforts, and play centred. Heaps at length intercepted a pass, and making a fine dash, got to within a few yards of the line before he was caught. Masefield also made a run, but he was brought down by Braund, and City swept back into their opponents' territory. Some open play followed, and when time was called Ponsonby had won by 7 points to 5. FIRST JUNIORS. In the first junior division Ponsonby met City and defeated them by 14 points to nil. Tries were scored for Ponsonby by Riley, Mitchell, and Griffiths, one of which was converted by Wilson. The Parnel'-Newton match ended in a victory for Newton by 11 to 3. For Newton Simpson, Ball, and Thompson secured tries. Parnell's score was obtained by Tapper. The Suburbs-Grafton match ended in a victory for the former by 16 to nil. SECOND JUNIORS. In the second junior division Suburbs defeated Ponsonby by 5 to 3. The Parnell v. Newton match resulted in a draw, each side scoring three points. PUKEKOHE V. BOMBAY. This match was played at Pukekohe on Saturday 25th, and resulted in a win for Pukekohe by fourteen points to nil, which were all scored in the first spell. For Pukekohe, tries were obtained by Olsen and Cransen, one being converted. SOUTHERN MATCHES. [BT TKLKOKAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.! - Chbistchorch, Sunday. The football match Kaikorai (Dunedin)and Linwood, was won by the former by a try to nil. The game was very even all through.