THE FOOTBALL SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12267, 11 May 1903, Page 3

THE FOOTBALL SEASON.

OPENED ON SATURDAY.

JARGE ATTENDANCE AND DELIGHT-

FUL WEATHER.

THE CITY-NEWTON MATCH DRAWN.

WINS FOF NORTH SHORE AND

PONSONBY.

The football season in Auckland was opened on Saturday afternoon, when a start was made with the Rugby Union district scheme cup matches. Delightful weather conditions— sunshine and a cool breeze combined with an adequate electric car service, and tho anticipation of an interesting match between the City and Newton first fifteens, served to attract a large attendance to Alexandra Park, the spectators totalling about three thousand, and including quit© a number of ladies. In most respects the arrangements made by the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union for the convenience of patrons were satisfactory, the only drawback being the want of sufficient ticket boxes at the main entrance. There, when anything in the shape of a rush took place, the officials in charge found some- difficulty in coping with the demand, and as the old system of supplying through tickets on the trams has now been done away with, the number of ticket-sellers and pigeon holes should bo increased if patrons are to obtain tickets with any degree of comfort.

The playing grounds were in capital order, and, as expected, the attention of the bulk of those present was centred in the meeting between Newton and City, on the No. 1 field, right in front of the grandstand. The memburs of both teams were in very fair condition for the opening of the season, and although not particularly scientific, the game was nevertheless sternly contested throughout. After about thirty-five minutes' play City succeeded in drawing first blood (a try), and this was the only score registered till well on towards the close of the match, when Newton obtained a like number of points (also a try), and the game ended with honours easy. Qn the No. 2 ground North Shoro won easily from 'Suburbs by 18 points to nil, and on No. 3 ground Ponson'by had no difficulty in getting the upper hand of Parnell. the scores at the close of the match being: Ponsonby 23, Parnell nil. Appended are the results in all three grades : —

CITY V. NEWTON.

RED AND WHITES GET EVEN IN THE CLOSING STAGES. (City, 3; Newton, 3.) The opposing teams lined out about fifteen minutes past three o'clock, Newton, who had won the toss, defending the western goal, leaving City to play against the sun. City set the ball rolling, and getting into Newton's quarters gave their backs a couple of chances to prove their attacking powers, but the defence was too solid, and an infringement of the rules gave the red and whites a free kink. Eaton was entrusted with the shot at goal from about half-way, but failecL The forwards following up fast placed City on the defensive, and the ball j going out to the red-and-white backs they took a hand in attack, but Brash, failing to take a pass, City made good use of the slip, and carried the game into Newton's ground, j where offside play by a member of the lat- ' ter team gave a free kick to last year's oup ' winners, and W. Tyler essayed at goal with-1 out result, Newton forcing. Play was willing, bard, and determined, and confined mainly to the forwards, with varying success for some ten or fifteen minutes. Then the Newton forwards broke away, and after rushing the oval to the City 25 flag they handed it out to their backs, but Heath hung to it rather too long at a critical stage, and Stevens was on him before he could get rid of the leather. Long dashed in and dribbled for the line, but, kicking too hard, City relieved by forcing. Give-and-take play followed about midfield, till the City vanguard got away from a lineout with the ball at their feet, and sticking well together they bowled over several opponents, and were within a dozen yards of the Newton line before the attack was stemmed. From a scrum, under the posts, Young whipped the ball out, and Asher, who was the third man in possession, dashed at top speed for the corner, eluded the opposition cleverly, and crossed the line, half-way between the corner flag and the southern upright, drawing first blood for City. W. Tyler was again tried, but failed to acid to the score: City, 3; Newton, 0. There were still about twelve minutes to go, and, encouraged by their success, City were quickly on the aggressive. They carried the ball across their opponents' line, but Newton forced, and from the kick-off play centred for a few minutes. A useful lino-kick saw the ball travel to Newton's 25, where the defenders were penalised, and City attempted to add to their score by a shot at goal. Young took the kick from a fairly good position, but only succeeded in displacing some of the turf, the ball just hopping across to the feet of the Newton forwards, who had been waiting to charge. A penalty now went in favour of the reel and whites, and a useful kick took the leather into City's territory, where the Newton forwards improved matters with two or three short loose rushes. Their backs began flinging the ball about, and looked like scoring, but "Roberts unfortunately knocked, on before transferring to Pillenger, and the latter, who crossed the line, was called back by the referee's whistle. Almost immediately after the scrum that followed the bell sounded half-time on a spell in which there had been little or nothing between the opposing sides.

A few minutes after the resumption of the game the Newton forwards got on a strong dribbling rush, and the City backs found themselves hard pressed to keep their line clear. Excitement ran high when the ball found its way into the hands of the red-and-whito backs, but the good work of the vanguard was undone by a faulty pass by one of the members of the rear division, and a good chance of scoring had gone, as City made every use of the mistake. Young and Gladding wen responsible for bringing relief, and the latter, following up the advantage gained, headed a rush that reached Newton's 25 flag. Newton's position was made more critical by Lewis throwing the ball blindly out as a scrum broke up, and the City men were after it like a flash, carrying it over the line, but once again a Newton man got there in time to force. From this on, for about fifteen minutes, the opposing sides fought on with varying success, but the goal lines were not seriously threatened. Then the ball was rushed across from the southern to the northern side of the field, in the vicinty of the midway flag, where it got into Roberts' hands, and lie kicked for the touch-line. It hardly got there, but Pillenger war, after it like a shot, and, spoiling the return, gained considerable ground for his side. The Newton forwards made good use of this, and attacking sharply swept the ball down to within a dozen yards of the City line, where Heath picked up from loose play. Beating a couple of men he sent the leather along to Long, who eluded his opponents, and getting across showed " heady" work by making his way towards the goal posts before grounding the ball. His intention was, however, anticipated, and he was not allowed to go far before falling on it. Eaton was tried from a position that gave fair prospects of success, but though the kick was by no means a bad one, it was not productive of further figures, and the scores stood. Newton, 3; City, 3.

With honours easy, both sides were urged on to further efforts by their respective supporters, and spectators were treated to a lively " go" during the last ten minutes that remained. Newton got the upper hand just after the kick-off, and Pillenger imported some excitement into the game by picking up at City's 25 flag, dashing down towards the opposing line, a matter of 10yds or so, and then punting over the heads of the City men, who waited with open arms to receivo the " nuggcty" little Newton three-quarter-back. His tactics nonplussed the opposition fqr a moment, and he was within an ace of regaining possession, but Young, taking in the situation, got there just in time to prevent the red-and-white threequarter winding up a smart bit of work witb a score.

Loose, scrambling- play followed till W. Tyler relieved pressure by kicking to the line near half-way. From the throw-in the Jfewton forwards got possession, and Brash, who was close in their wake, kicked a rolling ball into touch a few yards from the City line, but stubborn defence cheeked the attack, and the City forwards taking a hand in the deal rushed the ball to the Newton 25, where the latter's fullback, reached it, and kicked into touch. Only tlhree or four minutes now remained, and City pressed hotly for a score, but without avail. The bell sounded foi the close of the game, but before the ball was declared dead Newton had worked their way back beyond the halfway, and -a long kick by one of the side caused City to force, the match thus ending ip a draw.

NOTES. Tho game was just such a one as might have been expected on the opening day of the season, a hard, stem struggle between two evenly-matched forward divisions, the work among the backs being confined mainly to defence, in which department both sides were sound. What little attack there was was generally nullified by laulty handling and wild passing, this being perhaps more noticeable among the members of the Newton rear division than on the City side. Generally speaking, the backs put a good deal of force into their kicking, but oftentimes gave their forwards a lot of unnecessary "galloping," owing to the failure to find the touch-line, though time will no doubt bring about improvement in direction. Both fullbacks —Rowe, for Newton, and Stevens, for City—were kept busy, and acquitted themselves creditably for a first day, Stevens, perhaps, creating the most favourable impression, though Rowe often got his side out of difficulties at a critical stage, and was quick to get rid of the ball. The threequarter-backs on both sides left little room for complaint on the score of defence, but there was an absence of anything in the shape of brilliance, cither collectively or individually, in attack, and although better results may be expected when they have played together a week or two, and get some combination, neither side looks like having anything startling in the way of attacking backs.

Aslior scored City's only try, and shaped fairly well at five-eighths, though the red and blacks would no doubt be better served with him in the threequarter-line, provided they can fill the five-eighths' position to their satisfaction. Why not play Magee in his old place? Young, behind the City pack, got the ball smartly away when it came out on his side, particularly in the early part of the first spell, and was pound as ever in defence, stopping rushes very nicely. The City forwards dropped into their places more quickly than the members of the opposing pack, and kept together better when they got away with the ball. Their hceling-out was also rather cleaner, .but they were not as smart in breaking away when they lost possession of the ball as the Newton forwards. In other respects, there was little to choose between the red-and-black and red-and-white vanguards. The best forward on the ground was undoubtedly P. Long, who was always at the head of the dribbling rushes started by Newton, and worked like a Trojan in the pack. On the other hand, the man most troubled with " that tired feeling" was Lewis, of the same team, who, good forward though he has proved himself when in form, would evidently have been better served with a little more training. Pillenger, in the Newton threcquarter-lino, was dashy and clearly in better "fig" than last season, but few chances went his way. He looks, from what little we saw, like reproducing the form that won him his "rep." cap a couple of seasons back. Roberts, when called upon to defend, did not shirk his work, and kicked really well, while G. Rowe shaped nicely behind the scrum. Brash tackled with great determination, but was tho weak spot in the Newton attack, owing to his apparent inability to hold the ball. A little practice may strengthen him in this respect, and he would then be a useful member of the team. Too much cannot, of course, be expected on a first day. In conclusion, the Newton team are to be complimented on their neat and natty uniform, and a word of praise must be given to Mr. A. Campbell, who refereed, for his interpretation of the laws. Other teams might, with advantage, take a leaf from Newton's book in the matter of uniforms.

NORTH SHORE Y. SUBURBS.

SUBURBS BADLY DEFEATED.

(North Shore, 18; Suburbs, 0.) On No. 2 ground North Shore mot Suburbs, against whom, after a rather onesided game, they scored a victory by 18 points to nil. Mr. Katterns bad charge of the game, his decisions giving every satisfaction. The teams lined out as follows: —

North Shore: Fullback, Porter; threequarters, Smith (left wing), Gerrard (centre), and Harp (right wing); five-eighths, ,Wynyard; halfback, Mays; , wing-forwards, Oliphant and Wells $ forwards, McCluskey, Barlow, Yeoland, Warbrick, Woodward, Willis, and Sullivan.

Suburbs: Fullback, Sutherland: threequarters, Kerr-Taylor (left wing), Gray (centre), Williamson (right wing): fiveeighth, Stuckey; halfback, W. Murray; wing-forwards, Mcintosh and McLean; forwards, Foubister, Plugge, Glasgow, Jones, Andrews, Douglas, and McDonald. North Shore, losing the toss, kicked _ off from the grandstand end. Play for a time was in neutral territory, a passing run by Shore's back division being checked by Stuckey, who early displayed good form. Suburbs assumed the offensive and. _ gradually worked the oval down to their opponents' 25, the situation being saved by the Shore vanguard, who broke away and footed the ball back to the Suburbs line. After a spell of give-and-take play Stuckey secured the leather and carried it down to Shore's 25, where he was run out. From the ensuing line-out the Suburbs vanguard pressed matters, and Shore had to force. Maintaining the attack, Suburbs kept their opponents penned within their own territory for a while. Then from a scrum in the corner Shore's forwards secured the ball and transferred play to Suburbs' 25. Hero Gerrard had a likely-looking chance of passing to Harp, who had a clear run in, but the centre threequarter held on too long and was smothered. Suburbs, rallying, again had their opponents on the defensive, the latter playing well together and making Suburbs' efforts futile. From a line-out the Suburbs vanguard got posession, and Murray streaked over the line, but was collared before he could touch down. Presently the Shore defence told, and play reverted to neutral territory. Again Suburbs rallied, Stuckey and his back division getting in a passing run, which ended in the forwards taking a hand Williamson being within an ace of scoring. As it was, he was thrown out at the corner flag. Redoubling their efforts, Shore pressed hard, and McCluskey, securing the ball, dashed away, passing to Willis, who scored. Yeoland failed to convert: North Shore, 3; Suburbs, nil. Play remained in Suburbs' territory, where Murray did some good defensive work. Shore lost one or two chances by wild' passing, but an improvement set in, and the ball, coming out of a scrum to the back division, Gerrard secured aud passed to Harp, who did a pretty gallop over the line, scoring right behind the goal-posts. Yeoland had no difficulty in adding the major points; North Shore, 8; Suburbs, nil. Shortly after resuming Harp again streaked for the line, but his career was cut short near Suburbs' 25.flag, and the game was in neutral territory for a while. Then Mays passed out to his backs, and Smith made a good run, nearly getting over. His check was soon atoned for, as Gerrard secured possession near Suburbs' 25, and, beating two men, transferred to Smith, who this time, by a clever dodgy run, dashed in, flung himself across the line, and scored at the corner. Yeoland landed a beauty from a difficult angle: North Shore, 13; Suburbs, nil. Half-time sounded shortly after. Early in the second spell Suburbs showed signs of tiring, Stuckey and Sutherland, however, proving strong in the defence which Shore forced them to sustain. Harp nearly scored, but failed to take a high pass from Gerrard. Another attempt by Shore's back division was checked, and then McCluskey made an opening, and Gerrard, again securing, transferred to Smith, who took the pass neatly and got over in a good position. Yeoland again converted: North Shore, 18; Suburbs, nil. From this out the game was fairly uninteresting, Suburbs rallying in fits and starts and Shore playing more loosely. Both sides warmed up a little, however, towards the end of the spell and the advantage wavered, neither team being able 'to score. ! Williamson played well for Suburbs, and was I at one time in possession of the oval well inside the Shore 25, where be was thrown out. Every now and then the Suburbs rearguard A'ould endeavour to get a run on, but the sound defensive game of their opponents was too good for them. Shore repeatedly got to close quarters, but their attack had weakened, and Sutherland proved a stubborn defender for Suburbs. There was a long stretch of play in neutral territory, and the score was unaltered when the whistle went. NOTES. The first spell of the game was by far the more interesting, but right through North Shore showed superiority. Their combination was better and their passing and sorum work outclassed that of their opponents. Suburbs were severely handicapped from the fact that their team' contained but three old bands—Sutherland, Plugge, and Stuckey —the balance being either juniors or new men. This goes a long way to account for their lack of combination. With the advance of the season they should, however, do well, as, despite the absence of men like McPike, they have some good material. Absolum was greatly missed on Saturday. For Suburbs Sutherland and Stuckey did most of the work, the former's game at fullback being sound and judicious and his kicking of great service. Stuckey (five-eighths) seemed to bo everywhere at onoo and always where he was wanted. He repeatedly made openings for his backs. Had his supporters been more of his mettle the- result must have been different. ~ ~ Kerr-Taylor and Williamson on the threequarter wings, shaped fairly well. The latter a Pukekobe recruit) displayed better form and some specdiness in the second spoil. Gray, at centre threequarter, played a creditable game, but was never very prominent.

Of the forwards, Plugge showed best form, doing most of the work on the line. Douglas (another new man) shafted fairly well in the pack, as did Mcintosh and McLean on the wings. Taken collectively, the forwards were too weighty for the Suburbs lot. They would have clone better, however, by not waiting around so long for chances. Whilst they lost no time on the lino, in the scrum work they should observe the rule? a little more strictly. For North Shore, Porter (the • fullback), though not pressed too hard, shaped well. In the tlireequarter division Smith and Harp were a speedy duo, and their tries were cleverly got. " Gerrard was grafting particularly well all the time, he and Harp doing much of the work in the first spell. The combination of the Ihreequarters was really good, leaving little to choose between tliem. They played into each other's hands cleverly and for th© most part passed at the right time.

Wynyard (at five-eighths) and Mays (at halfback) grafted well, and should do well behind the pack as they gain condition. Oliphant was often prominent on the wing amongst the forward division, and Wells, on the other wing, played a serviceable game. In the pack MeClurskey put in frequent bits of dashing- play, the veteran always being 1 on the ball and in the ruck when the game was hot, Willis also grafted willingly, his try being nicely scored. In scrum work the pack shaped promisingly. Teoland's kicking was decidedly good, and in him the team have a goal-getter of no mean quality. He added the major points three times out of four.

North Shore had donned their new uniforms for the first time. The colours are green and white, the jerseys having alternate wide bars of these colours, and looking attractive, besides making the men easily distinguishable.

PONSONBY Y. PARNELL. A RUNAWAY WIN" FOR PONSONBY. (Ponsonby, 23; Parnell, 0.) The Ponsonby-Paraell match was played on No. 3 ground, and did not arouse much 'interest, the game being regarded as a foregone conclusion in favour of the wearers of the* blue and black. Such indeed proved to be the case, Ponsonby piling up a score of 23 points to their opponents' nil. Mr. dittos was referee, and handled the whistle in an efficient manner. Ponsonby won the toss, and defended the northern goal. After the kick-off play centred for a time. The game was mostly confined to the forwards, and the first twenty minutes of the spell were uninteresting. The blue and blacks then started passing, and from a scrum near Parnell's 25 the ball' was heeled out, and Poison passed to Saxon, who made ground, and sent the leather on to Cowan. The latter carried it to the opposing fullback and passed to Carlaw, who ran in unopposed and touched down behind the posts. Francis' effort at goal proved fruitless: Ponsonby, 3 Parnell., 0. The maroons livened up after the kick-off, and with a succession of loose rushes carried play to Ponsonby's 25, where Francis marked smartly and returned the ball out at centre. Forward play followed, the colours having the best of it. The advantage thus obtained was nullified by off-side play on several occasions, and Parnell gained ground by penalty kicks. Ponsonby again started handling the ball, and a passing run by MeCormick and Doran saw the latter almost in at the corner flag. From loose play immediately afterwards Gallaher picked up and dashed for the line, but grounded the ball on the line, and a force was given to Parnell. For the re.'it of the spell Ponsonby made use of their backs, and the maroons were kept busy defending their lines from a series of passing runs, in which Poison, Cowan, and Carlaw wero conspicuous. From a free-kick at centre Gallagher followed up well, and securing the ball', initiated a passing run, which resulted in Carlaw again scoring. Francis had another shot at goal, but failed to increase the score: Pousonby, 6; Parnell, 0. Time was called shortly afterwards without alteration in the score.

Upon resinning Ponsonby pennod the maroons in their 25. From loose play the ball came out to Lendrum, who ran right round the opposing backs and scored Po»sonby's third try. Mathieson converted an easy shot: Ponsonby, 11; Pamell, 0. The rest of the spell calls for little comment, the blue and blades having all the best of it. The score was further increased by tries gained by GaHaher, Cowan, and Doran, none of which were converted, and the game ended: Ponsonby, 23; Parnell, 0. NOTES. Mathieson, at fullback for the winners, did all that was asked of him satisfactorily,, and generally found the line with his kicks. His initial attempt for the season stamps him as a reliable man for the position. The opposing fullback had plenty to do, and came out of the ordeal fairly well. He took the ball well, and his kicks were well judged, but the Ponsonby attacking brigade were too strong in numbers to be stopj>ed by one man. Of the Ponsonby throequartera, C&rlaw must be given the palm, though Lendrum, on the other wing, put in excellent work in the second spell. Carlaw took the ball well, and kicked and ran with judgment. He lias a good turn of speed, and should show to advantage in. future matches. Lendrum showed some of his old form in the second spell, and played a sound game. Cowan, at centre-threequarter, failed to take the ball well, but otherwise played a, fair game. Saxon at five-eighths, and Poison at half, both did their work well. The. Parnell backs were outclassed and under the disadvantage of having to include substitutes in their ranks. Twiname got off some good work, and defended well. Of the opposing vanguards Pousonby were undoubtedly the best, and when they exerted themselves had all the best of things. They are a fast, weighty lot, and should render a good account of themselves this season. Gallaher and Francis in the pack and Doran. on the wing showed to most advantage. Francis' place-kicking was considerably below his last season's form. SECOND FIFTEENS. These games were fairly one-sided, is the scores indicate. City proved much superior to their opponents, and were strong in combination in the pack. McKnight played a sound game for Newton, and Freeman did good service behind the pack. The scoring was done chiefly during the first half, but a better game was played during the second spell. Both teams were weighty, but Newton were tiring towards the close of the game, and their opponents' condition told against them. North Shore had an easy victory over Suburbs, who had difficulty in placing a. team in the field, and the result of the game was as i anticipated. Ponsonby had no difficulty in defeating Parnell, who lacked combination and tackled too high. The Ponsonby team were weightier and played better football. Appended are the scores: — City 11. v. Newton II.: City secured three tries, winning by nine points to nil. North Shore 11. v. Suburbs II.: Shore won by 12 points to nil. Miller, Doyle, and Wynyard scored. Ponsonby 11. v. Parnell II.: Ponsonby secured five tries and won by 15 points to ; nil. THIRD FIFTEENS. Suburbs HI. v. North Shore A: Suburbs won by eight points to nil. Bethel, Bronnan, and Fisher scored. Newton 111. v. Parnell B: Parnell' won by nine points to nil, and showed better combination. Tries were secured by Forgie, Smith, and Stone. Grafton 111. v. Ponsonby B: Grafton won by seven points to nil, scoring a try and a goal from a mark. Parnell Av. City B: This match was ' drawn, there being no score. Ponsonby A v. North Shore (played at Northcote): Ponsonby got a goal from a, mark, and this being the only score thus won by four points to nil. *» ■ COUNTRY FOOTBALL. THAMES RUGBY UNION. Thames, Sunday. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Thames Rugby Union was hold last evening to receive entrios for the ensuing season's championships. For the senior championship there were three entries, viz., Thames, Rovers, and Native Rose; for the first juniors the entries were Native Rose and Rovers, and for the second juniors True Blue, Native Rose, and Rovers. The drawing for the first round followed, and resulted as follows:—Thames I. play Rovers 1., Native Rose 11. play Rovers 11., and True Blue play Native Rose 111. The season opens on Saturday next. Waihi, Karangahake. and Pacroa Unions have decided to affiliate with the Thames, which stop should enable a strong goldfields representative team being selected thic season, SEASON OPENED AT PAEROA. Paeroa, Saturday. The opening of the football season took place to-day, whon the East, and West teams tried conclusions. Beautiful weather prevailed, and as a result there vere a fair number of spectators present. The game was very willing, though East had the best of it, and won by six points to nil. Tries were secured bv Mettam and Hill. Mi. W. Moore performed the duties of referee satisfactorily.

CUP MATCHES AT ROTORUA. Rotoxipa. Saturday

The third series of sup matches under the auspices of the Rotorua Rugby Union were played to-day. City defeated Whakarewarewa by 13 point? to five, and Kahukura beat Arawa by 14 to nil.

RUGBY IN THE SOUTH. [lit TELEGRAPH.I'KESS ASSOCIATION.] . ;$ Wellington, Saturday. In to-day's senior football' matches Poneke > beat Old Boys by 15 points to five, Melrose heat Oriental by nine- to four, and Petono beat Athletic by 13 to nil. (Jhkistciwrcti, Saturday. In th» cup football matches to-day Linwood (15) b©at Old Boys (nil), Sydenham drew with Christchurch (a poal from a try each), Albion (9) boat Meriv&lo (6), and Lyttolton drew with Canterbury College (ho score). Dcxkdin, Saturday. In the senior foot-bail matches this afternoon Alhainbra (30) boat Union (4), and Southern (5) beat Zinged (nil). The Kaikorni v. Dunedin and Pirates v University matches were both drawn (no scores).

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

GRAFTON V. Y.M.C.A.

A very fast game was played on Saturday afternoon between the Y.M.O.A. and Grafton teams, the latter managing to score the only goal during the match. Shortly after the kick-off the Y.M.C.A. forwards had very hard luck in not scoring several difficult shots, being stepped by Dugmore, the Grafton goalkeeper, who defended the position splendidly. At half-time neither side had scored. Shortly after the commencement of the second spell l'oreshaw scored for Grafton. Y.M.C.A. made several very determined efforts to score, but the. sound defence of Dugmore nullified their attempts, and the game ended in favou. of Grafton by one goal to nil. For til© winners Foreshaw was th© nick of th© forward?, and was well supported by Holland and Kennedy. Of the backs Lees, at centre-half, put in a. lot of useful work, as also did Wright at full. Dugmore, in goaf, saved the situation time after time. Foi Y.M.C.A. Lon Clark, E. Sale, and T. Asbury did tho lion's share m the forward division. Of the hacks Webster, at half, and Cowan at full, were the pick. Mr. T. Southall gave every satisfao tion as referee.