THE FOOTBALL SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12279, 25 May 1903, Page 3

THE FOOTBALL SEASON.

THIRD SERIES OF CUP MATCHES.

WINS FOR CITY, NEWTON, AND PONSONBY. .

The Auckland Rtigby Union Cup competitions were continued on Saturday afternoon, when favourable weather conditions and the prospect of a close struggle between the City and Grafton senior fifteens at Alexandra Park attracted a large attendance to the Epsom convincing ground, the number being estimated at between three and four thousand. Expectations, however, were not realised, as far as the play was concerned, particularly during the second spell, when City had all the best of the game, and ultimately ran out winners to the tune of 16 points to nil. On the No. 2 ground Newton beat Suburbs very easily, by 19 points to nil, and at Devonport, Ponsonby beat North Shore by 12 points to nil.

CITY V. GRAFTON. A RUDE SHOCK FOR GRAFTON SUPPORTERS. (City, 16; Grafton, 0.) Grafton won the toss and defended the eastern goal, taking advantage of the wind, and City set the ball in motion. A useful lino-kick, aided by the wind, put City immediately on the defensive, and after a little loose play about the red and blacks' 25 flag the leather found its way into the hands of the Grafton backs, McGregor winding up a passing rush with a rather hard kick that carried the ball across the opponents' goalline, enabling City to relieve by (orbing. When the ball came into play again Isicnoison headed a strong forward rush for City, taking the ball beyond the half-way, and although a nice line-kick temporarily turned the tide, the red and blacks again assumed the aggressive, and the pack swept the ball ,up tho field, Where Magee picked up, punted over the heads of several Grafton men, and following up fast prevented a return. They were now well into Grafton's quarters, and Young picking up as the leather came out from a scrum, he handed the ball along to Ashor, who transferred to George, from whose hands it passed in return to W. Tyler, but the latter was crowded into touch in goal. Had the City backs steered a straighter course for the line, or had Tyler feinted and cut in, their efforts might have been rewarded with a try. From the kick-off the City forwards started another dribbling rush, but McKcnzie saved by kicking into touch-in-goal, after which the ball travelled merrily up and down the field for some few minutes without much advantage to either side. Then a long kick by Huddlestone had City in difficulties, as Stevens (fullback) was grassed before he could get rid of the ball', and the Grafton forwards were pressing hotly a dozen yards from the opponents' goal-line. Out went the ball to the Grafton backs, but Bond, the last man to handle it, was grounded by George in tho nick of time, and a loose forward rush two or three minutes later relieved City from their perilous position. Reman obtained a smart mark.from a throw-in at the City 25 flag, and Huddlestono made a good but ineffectual shot at goal, 25 minutes having now gone without score to either side. A neat bit of play by Young just after they had resumed took the ball beyond the half-way, and the City forwards taking advantage of a faulty kick by McKenzie, they were inside Grafton's 25 flag before the rush was stopped. From a scrum they broke away again with the ball at their feet, and sweeping it across the goal-line G. Tyler dropped on it, registering the first try of tho day. Scott took the kick from a somewhat diffioult angle, and putting plenty of power into it, saw the leather strike the upright, and fall back over the cross bar, to the huge delight of the City supporter's: City, 5; Grafton, 0. They had now been playing rather upwards of half-an-hour, and though both sides fought hard for the balance of time no further score had been obtained when the bell sounded. _ Kiernan collided with a City forward five minutes before tho spell ended, and had to leave the field, his place being filled by King. Tho Grafton men hopped off in lively fashion when tho second half commenced, and playing on open game gave their backs a chance to fling the ball about a bit. Kelly, McGregor, and McKenzie got away with a dangerous passing rush, but George's deadly tackling terminated the attack, and tho efforts of the same trio were again frustrated a moment or two later by Asher, who brought Mclvenzie down a few yards from the corner flag. These two or three dashes delighted the Grafton supporters, but their hopes of seeing the tide turned was , not long lived, ' it was only a flash in the pan. The City forwards, rallying in fine style, took charge of the situation, and thence out remained masters of the situation, tho ball seldom being out of Grafton quarters. A Grafton back, in attempting to stem a strong forward rush on the part of tho red and blacks, kicked a rolling ball across towards Asher, who snapped it up and sped for the line, but was cleverely brought to earth by Dick McGregor. The forwards wore, however, quickly to the rescue, and holding the ground gained by their backs, they heeled out smartly, and were rewarded with another try. Young whipped the ball across to Magee, who sent it on to Asher, who had Georga and Tyler supporting him. George was the next one to get possession, and with a da-shy run lie beat Bond and grounded the ball about half-way between the corner flag and the goal post. Scott's shot at goal proved pointless : City, 8 ; Grafton, 0. Although only some thirteen minutes of tho spell had gone it was clear that Grafton's prospects of reversing the order of things were remote, as their forwards were disorganised, and the backs had to devote the greater part of their time to stemming the hard sweeping rushes of the red and black vanguard. Robinson stopped one of them with a nice mark at a critical stage, and his forwards following up fast, took the ball beyond half-way, but only to be forced back again with a series of loose rushes. When inside the opponents' 25 flag the City backs resumed their passing tactics, and after forcing Grafton—a rather hard kick by W. Tyler being responsible—and losing another chance or two by passing forward, another score went down to them, Asher this time being the one to get the try. Ho beat McKenzie in the race for the ball from a miss kick by one of the Grafton backs, and raced across the line. Scott made another nn=ucce«=fnl kick at goal: City, 11: Grafton, 0. With only three or four minutes to go City made the most of the time, as the ball was no sooner in ay than their backs were on the move again, and the leather passing through the hands of Young, Magee, George, and Asher, the latter registered his second try, getting well behind the goa) posts before grounding. Scott piloted the" ball over the crossbar, and the bell sounding almost immediately afterwards the match thus ended in favour of City by 16 points to nil. Mr. A. Campbell was referee and controlled the game in quite his best style.

NOTES.

The defeat of Grafton by 16 points to ml must have come as a surprise to even the most sanguine of City supporters, and the score can hardly be said to represent the difference between the two teams. At the same time the best team won, and on Saturday's form would win every day in the week; their forwards were altogether too good for the opposition, and the match afforded another illustration of tlio fact that however good ft hack team may he they cannot pull a. side through if their forwards are outplayed. . Further than this the match served to show that the Grafton hack division is not quite up to that high standard of excellence that followers of the game had been led to believe. There were weak spots both ill attack and dofence, more particularly the latter. Robinson is only moderate as a fullback, while Bond, though a promising young threequarter, is rathoi on the light side, and none too sound in defence against strong attack. Then again, the team was at a disadvantage in playing McTsenzie on the wing; ho is unquestionably better at centre-three-quarter, and on Saturday was not up to his best form. Of course, there in some difficulty in arranging the thrcequarter-line, as both MoKonzie and McGregor are really eentrethreequarters, though the latter has had such a varied experience that, the chances are ho would do better than his club mate on the wing, while the inclusion of King as fullback would strengthen the defence considerably. No doubt he would have been chosen for the post had he not boon somewhat indisposed when the team was picked. At the same time it is clear that, even though changes may be made in the direction of strengthening the back division, Grafton cannot hope to hold their own against a team like City unless a decided improvement i.? made in the forwards. They have some weighty men and sound, but they lack the vim and vigour of the City forwards and the combination that does so much for the red and blacks when they break away with the ball at their feet in those powerful and determined dribbling rushes;

R. McGregor -.va.s the nick of the Grafton threequarters, placing one of bis hard, solid games: no man in the team ins* more usefill allround work. Kelly, at five-eiffhtlw, also played a liarcl, strong cutting in cJovwly on one or two occasion?, but lias certainly given many hotter exhibitions. He seemed inclined to play too much "on his own," and did not always exercise good judgment in the timing of his passes, which also lacked accuracy, lviornan was right up to

his best form behind the pack, and his linekicking was perfect. He had the misfortune to collide with a City player a few minutes before the first spell closed, and had to stand out during the balance of the game. • King went on in his place, and played remarkably well, collaring being particularly deadly. As the Graftonites were on the defensive for the greater part of the second spell the loss of Kiernan did not materially affect the result, as his substitute did yeoman service in this department. Stevens, at fullback for City, was below himself in the early stages of tlio game, his fielding of the ball being faulty, while on one °. r two occasions he was too slow in getting nd of it,. Later on, however, he warmed up, and made amends for his earlier shortcomings. George (the ex-Taranaki player), the City centre, stood out as the best of the City threequarters, and with a few more games such as that of Saturday should be in the running for "rep." honours this season. His tackling is of the deadly order, and he has all the necessary qualifications that go to make a good attack player. He takes a ball well, passes straight and clean, is strong on his feet, and has a very fair turn of speed ; while last, but by no means least, he does what few centre-threequarters do—runs straight, not crowding his wing-threequarters on to the touch-line. Asher showed on on© occasion that he still finds difficulty in controlling a hasty temper, also a tendency on one or two occasions to hang to the ball too long. At the 1 same time his detractors must admit that he is always dangerous in attack, as two more tries went down to his credit, making seven in three matches. Magee, though suffering from an injured shoulder, played a sterling game at five-eighths, doing an immense amount of work in both departments, while Young, behind the pack, fed his backs in good style, and showed sound defence. On the whole, it may be said that the City backs played above expectations in attack, while the forwards worked well to a man, and lasted better than their opponents. PONSONBY Y. NORTH SHORE. WESTERN SUBURBS TEAM WIN A WELL-CONTESTED GAME. (Ponsonby, 12; North Shore, nil.) The Ponsonby-North Shore match, played at Devonport, was regarded as an open contest, and notwithstanding the fact that the town team ran up a score of 12 points to nil the game was evenly contested throughout. Both teams had to include substitutes in their ranks, and the absence of Gerrard from among the Shore backs weakened that team considerably. Mr. Gittos was referee, and interpreted the rules to the satisfaction of both sides.

North Shore kicked off, and the Ponsonby fullback failing to take the leather cleanly j the opposing forwards swarmed round, and were only prevented from crossing the line by a timely mark by Carlaw. An excellent kick down the touch-line sent the oval out at centre, and the play was confined to neutral territory for a considerable time. Scrums were frequent, and as neither side got the ball away cleanly play was cramped and uninteresting. Eventually the Shore forwards broke away with the ball, but Cowan picked up well and kicked high lip the field. Doran followed up smartly and "smothered Robb's return, and 1 play was transferred to the Shore territory. From a penalty kick Francis had an unsuccessful shot at goal, and Shore forced. Following the kick-off the blue-and-black vanguard rushed the leather into their opponents' territory, and a score seemed imminent, when a penalty kick to Shore relieved the pressure. A hard return by Cowan sent the ball over the line and Shore forced. Ponsonby began to make the play open, and a good passing run initiated by Doran saw Mathieson almost in at the corner. A judicious line kiok relieved tie pressure, but Ponsonby continued to handle the ball well, and Carlaw and Lendrum made quick dashes for the line in quick succession. However, 'he Shore defence was equal to the occasion, and a clever mark by Miller brought a respite. Ponsonby were shortly afterwards awarded a penalty kick, and Francis had another attempt at the uprights, a poster resulting. The Shore now livened up, and, playing more openly, transferred the scene of action to Ponsonby territory. From a forward rush Cowan failed to pick up cleanly, and the Shore forwards securing the ball raced for the line with the ball passing between them. Smith failed to take his pass and missed a certain score. _ Ponsonby forwards replied with a sweeping rush, and Gallaher, picking up smartly, transferred to Cowan, who beat his man and sent the leather on to Mathieson. Lendrum took the lather's pass and dashed over the line at the corner flag. Francis' attempt at goal proved fruitless: Ponsonby, 3; North Shore, nil. Gallaher marked the kick-off, and Francis took a long shot at goal, without result. Shore opened out and started playing to their backs, and soon put the blue and' blacks on the defensive. A passing run gained ground, and a free kick in Ponsonby's 25 made matters look promising, but Yeoland's attempt at goal went wide and Ponsonby forced. The rest of the spell consisted of loose forward scrambles, and the whistle sounded half-time with the scores: Ponsonby, 3; North Shore, nil. Francis started play in the second half, and the blue and blacks rushed the return into their opponents' 25. The advantage was only momentary, and the Shore team, making the game open and using the touchlino judiciously, assumed the offensive and threatoned Ponsonby's goal. A rush by the Shore vanguard looked dangerous, but Polson marked cleverly, and found the line with his kick at the 25 flag. Packed scrums and line work followed, until a free kick to Ponsonby transferred play to centre. Shore were penalised for offside play, and Francis had a long shot at goal. Stevenson, following up smartly, smothered Robb's return and sent the leather out near the corner. The Shore forwards broke away from the throwin, but a hard kick enabled Lendrum to mark, and Francis had another attempt at goal. Success attended the effort, and the score stood: Ponsonby, 7; North Shore, nil. Shortly after the kick-off the Shore backs initiated a passing run, but Currie failed to take a pass at the critical moment and Mathieson saved. A rush by the Shore vanguard and a passing run by the backs saw Smith nearly in. The battle waged near the blue and blacks' line until a rush by the forwards brought relief. A. good kick by Kobb returned the leather to * onsonby's 25, where play continued for a time. Lendrum relieved by a. good dodgy run, but failed to pass. The blue-and-blaclc forwards, however, took up the running, and from loose play Poison picked up and transferred to Mathieson, who beat his man and ran straight to the Shore fullback before passing to Carlaw, who ran in unopposed and scored behind the goal-posts. Francis added the necessary points, making the score: Ponsonby, 12; North Shore, nil. From this out the game was confined to the forwards, and the ball travelled up and down the field in a succession of rushes, neither side gaining any material advantage. The game concluded without further score : Ponsonby, 12 ; Ivorth Shore, nil. NOTES. The fullbacks had not much to do, and got through their work without any serious mistakes. Robb's handling of the ball was not so clean as usual. The play of the respective ihrcequarter lines was patchy. The Ponsonby men handled the ball better than their opponents, and Mathieson, at centre, showed' good judgment in running straight instead of crowding lii.s wings on to the touch-line. Carlaw kicked well and used the touch-line to gain ground. Lendrum tackled and ran well. The Shore threequarters defended stubbornly. but missed scoring on two occasions through failing to take passes. The opposing vanguards were fairly evenly matched, though Ponsonby had the advantage of weight on their side. Gallaher did good line work, and started some good passing runs. Dfiran, on the wing, as usual, played a good sound game. Whv does he mar his play by kicking too hard? The Shore pack held their end up creditably, but their work lacked finish, and hard kicking nullified several good rushes. They possess two good wings in Olipliant and Wells. NEWTON V. SUBURBS. (Newton, 19; Suburbs, nil.) This match, played on No. 2 ground, was decidedly uninteresting. It terminated in favour of Newton by 19 points to nil, only 20 minutes being played during the second spell. Newton elected to defend the southern goal, and had the best of the game for the first quarter of an hour. A rush was started by the Newton backs, and the ball travelled into Long's hands, who got over the line, Eaton adding the minor points: Newton, 5; Suburbs, nil. A free kick to Suburbs followed from open play, and Sutherland essayed a shot at. the posts, but without success. Give-and-take play followed for some time, but eventually, as the result oS a splendid piece of combination between the Newton backs, G. Howe grounded the oval in the corner of Suburbs' goal. Eaton made an ineffectual shot at the goal-polts: Newton, 8; Suburbs, nil. Newton then started a rush, and a score looked imminent, but the ball was thrown forward by Murray and the chance lost. A couple of minutes later Lewis scrambled over the line during play in front of the defensive goal. Eaton conVerted the try: Newton, 15; Suburbs, nil. An exciting bit of passing play between the Newton backs was next witnessed, but a score was saved by Stuckcy. Matters were then confined to well within Suburbs territory. Brash secured the ball and got over the line, but had hard luck in the ball rolling from his hands before touching down

The second spell opened with give-and-take play till Roberts got a run on. and carried the ball down the field, with the result that Suburbs were hemmed down in their own territory. From a throw-in Long secured the ball and scored. Eaton essayed a shot at the goal and failed: Newton, 19; Suburbs, nil. The game was shortly afterwards terminated, without further scoring. SECOND FIFTEENS. Suburbs v. Newton: Newton won by default. Grafton v. City: This match was drawn after a capital exposition of the game, there being no score. THIRD FIFTEENS. Grafton v. Parnell B: Parnell won by five points to nil. Suburbs v. Newton: Suburbs won by default. City v. Ponsonby B: City won by 18 points to nil. PUBLIC SCHOOLS' COMPETITIONS. "a" section. Wellesloy-street v. Beresford-street: Wel-lesley-street won by 6 points to nil. Onehunga v: Richmond Road: Onehtinga won by 12 points to nil. Parnell v. Grafton: Parnell won by 3 points to nil (protest entered). Newton East v. Napier-street: Napierstreet won by 3 points to nil. " b" section. Newmarket v. Bayfield: Newmarket won by 9 points to 5. Remuera v. Mount Roskill: Remuera won by 20 points to nil. HAMILTON UNION MATCHES. ['by TELEGRAPH. OWN" CO Kit KSI'OM)KNT. Hamilton, Saturday. Tli© Hamilton Rugby Union matches were continued to-day. In the senior division tho No. 1 team beat Suburbs by three points to nil (a try scored by J. Moore), and in the junior match City were beaten by the No. 1 team by six points to three. Foi No. 1 Hughes and Ciissen scored, and City's try was obtained by Innes. ROTORUA UNION MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRKSi'ONDENT.J UOTORUA, Saturday. The final scries of the first round of cup matches under the Rotorua Rugby Union were played to-day. Waikite and Ivahukura met for the first time, and a great game resulted in a draw (three points each), both scoring penalty goals. As neither team had been defeated considerable interest was taken in the game. Arawa were defeated by Whakarewarewa by 11 points to nil. THAMES UNION MATCHES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CO RESPONDENT. ] Thames, Saturday. A fair number of enthusiasts visited Parawai this afternoon to witness the continuation of the cup matches. In the senior contest Thames met Native Rose, and the latter proved their superiority by defeating their opponents by 24- points to nil. Soon after the game started Goosman initiated a passing run, which ended in Thompson scoring the first try for Native Rose, and Price succeeded in converting it. Towards the end of the spell Mullins got on a dribbling rush, and Dimlop took the ball over the line, scoring the second try. E. Price was again successful in his kick at goal. In the second spell Morgan, getting possession, made a smart run, and then passed to Thompson, who succeeded in evading the Thames backs, and scored behind the posts. Price took the kick, but was unsuccessful. Another passing run gave McCollum a chance, but he was brought down on the' line. Roto, however, carried the ball over, and scored for Natives. Price, taking the kick, landed another goal. A good dribbling rush by Autridgo, who was the most conspicuous of the Thames forwards, brought the ball to the Natives' 25, but it was soon back in the Thames team's territory, and Roto again succeeded in scoring. Taking the kick himself he failed to increase the score. Once mora Native Rose assumed the aggressive, and MoMahon crossed the line. Goosman took the kick but failed. No further score resulted: " Mr. F. Ladner had charge of the game. In the first junior division Turua met and defeated Native Rose 11. after a stubbornly and evenly contested game by three points to nil (a try secured by Stewart). This game attracted a great deal of interest. Mr. J. Cameron acted as referee.

The socond junior match did not take place. Native Rose 111. failing to put a team in the field. " Rovers 111. thus won by default.

PAEROA UNION MATCHES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] , Paeroa, Saturday. The Rugby Union competitions were continued this afternoon, when East and Suburbs met for the first time this season. Suburbs, 'owing to want of practice,'showed less combination than their opponents, and the game ended in a win for East by 24 points to nil. Trios for the winners were obtained By Mettam (2), Sherson (2), Collins, Bromwich, and Coote. Mr. W. Moore made an efficient referee.

The match at Karangahake, between the two local teams, West and Suburbs, was won by West by eight points to six.

SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS.

Wellington, Saturday. In the senior football to-day, (Petone (13) beat Wellington (3), Oriental (18) beat Athletics (3), Poneke (6) beat Melrose (nil). Ciiristchuhch, Saturday. In to-day's football matches Sydenham (3) beat Albion (nil), Christchurch (11) beat Old Roys (nil], Linwood (12) beat Canterbury College (3), Merivale (19) beat Lyttelton (7). Duxedin, Saturday. In the senior football competitions to-day Alhambra (9) beat Zingari (3), Kaikorai (15) beat Pirates (nil), Southern (13) beat Union (nil).

THE ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS. The Association championships were commenced on Saturday afternoon at the Domain, the games attracting a fair number of spectators. Y.M.C.A. put two teams into the field, their seniors meeting United and the juniors being pitted against Tabernacle. Grafton A met the new team, the Thistles. All the games were well contested.

UNITED V. Y.M.C.A. This match was played at the Domain, on No. 1 ground. The game, though fast, was uniniteresting, and resulted in an esay win for Y.M.C.A. When time was called, Y.M.C.A. had nine goals to their credit, while United had not managed to score. E. Sale, (who gave. a. splendid exhibition of footwork) scored five goals, A. Asbury two, J. Sale one, and May'all one. E. Sale and Asbury played the best forward games on the ground. Webster, at left half, proved a tower of strength to Y.M.C.A.; his tackling and. kicking were a treat to witness. . Fordham, at full, played well, and should turn out-a very safe man. United deserve credit for the way in which they stuck together, and considering that some of them were "new chums," they did very well. Sawbridge, in goal, played a good game, as did Lloyd at fullback.. Hcllaby and Le Sour were the best of the front rank, while Robinson put in a lot of work at centre half. Marriott (a new man) worked hard, but requires to practice so as to gain control of the ball, and also to keep in his right position GRAFTON A V. THISTLE. This match was played on No. 2 ground, and resulted in a win for Grafton A by one goal to nil. Grafton won the toss, and defended the southern end. The first spell was very toughly contested, and about twenty minutes from the start Graf tor-, scored by Meldrum heading a good shot from H. Goldio right through the goal. A little later Bradstock, who was playing a pretty game, put a beauty through, which was disallowed, owing to alleged offside play. Kennedy was shortly after this knocked out through a bad kick in the thigh, and had ,to retire. Halftime was called, with the score at Grafton, 1; Thistle, (J. The second spell was notable for the amount of questionable play indulged in by some of the Scotch team, one of whom was cautioned by the referee. Grafton had much the best of the game from now on, the ball only getting past half-way owing to the hard kicking of the Thistle backs. Thanks to Thistle's goalkeeper, who played a splendid game, no more goals were registered. McDougall was the only weak spot in the Grafton team. The rest of the team played a good game, and worked very hard for their win. Of the Scotchmen, all the forwards, the left wing-half, and tho goalkeeper wore the pick. Mr. Evans had charge of the whistle, and carried out his onerous duties with great credit. JUNIOR MATCHES. Pitt-street v. North Shore: This match was played at Devonport, iPitt-street winning by seven goals to nil. J. Tyler scored five goals and E. Winstone and G. Eyre one eieK Mr. A. Smith gave every satisfaction as referee. ° Tabernacle v. Y.M.C.A.: This match resulted in a win for Tabernacle by two goals to one, after a very _ fast and exciting game, Tabernacle only gaining the winning point five minutes before time. For the winners, Clark, Bullen, and Owen Blackey showed most prominently, while lor the losers Totman, Currie, bmmins and Mays were the pick of a very even team. Mr. Myberg gave every satisfaction as re feree.