HE FOOTBALL SEASON,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12908, 3 July 1905, Page 7

HE FOOTBALL SEASON,

K0: ZEALAND V. AUCKLAND.

iIjCKUNDERS BEATEN BY NINE POINTS TO THREE.

A WELL-CONTESTED GAME.

BRILLIANT PLAY BY THE AUCKLAND FORWARDS.

jf E ZEALAND BACKS TOO GOOD. (The match between the members of the jleff Zealand team, who play a series of matches in Australia before leaving for the tour through Great Britain, and the Auckland representatives was played at Alexandra Park, Epsom, on Saturday afternoon. Delightful weather, the anticipation 0 { an interesting exhibition of the Rugby igaine, and a desire to see how the members nf the colonial combination who are to reresell the colony on the playing fields of |ho Old Country would shape, served to attract an attendance of rather over 7000 spectators, all of whom got full value for their money. The game was unquestionably one of the best witnessed on the Epsom convincing ground for many a long day, a, glorious struggle for supremacy between, a brilliant set of forwards on the Auckland side and the fast attacking backs of the colonial combination, the latter ultimately winning the (lav lor New Zealand. Sharp at three o'clock! McKenzie (captain) led the Auckland team on to the ground, and the locals wro followed immediately by the New Zealaaders, who were captained by Hunter, and appeared to have an advantage in point of eight. After the customary exchange 0 crreetings, the teams took up their positions on the playing field, the "tourists," who had won the toss, electing to defend Hie western goal during the first; spell. . The Aucklanders, at the eastern end, were consequently, under a disadvantage in the openma half*of the game, inasmuch as that the sun , which was full in their eyes, made it difficult for them to field the ball with any decree of accuracy. Mr. W. Pitts was the referee, and performed bis duties in a most creditable manner, and Messrs. It. McGregor and G. Gillett were'the line umpires. The teams lined up as under: — .* NEW ZEALAND (Black). •■.-•• FULLBACK, s Wallace. THKEEQU.UtTKUS. . Thomson, Smith, McGregor. JIVE-EIGHTHS. Mynott, Hunter (captain). HALFBACK. ■''■/ , Roberts. FOBWAIIDS.

Oasw, Glasgow, Newton, Nicholson. Johnson, Glen, O'Sullivan, Seeling.

' AUCKLAND (Blue and White). FULLBACK. Nicholson. TDBEUqUAItTEttS. Murray, MoKenzie (captain), Twiname. PIVE-EIGiITHS. Gerrard. HALFBACK. , ; Kionian.

FORWARDS. I )ff. Tyler, Gallaher (wings), Mackrell, Herring, Cunningham, Trevarthen, Hayward, G. Tyler, Francis. THE PLAY.

Cunningham, for Auckland, set the ball falling, and from the return kick the New ■Zealand forwards got under the ball and car- " fed it to the blue and whites' 25 peg, but McGregor failing to field the ball cleanly » it came back, the leather dropped over the touchlino in. neutral ground. , The first packed scrum followed the throw-in, and the Auckland hookers succeeded in getting possession, but the home backs were smothered before they could get away, and no material advantage was gained. -. For several minutes piay was confined to the forwards and hung about centre: then Zealand Macs got going, and gave us the first taste oi their qualities as an attacking force. Roberts got the ball away smartly to Hunter, and the leather then passed through the hands of Mynott and' Smith to Thomson, who dashed vpfield at top speed, only,however, to fid an insurmountable burner in Twiname, who grassed the New Zealand threequairter m fine stylo. The black forwards made every use of the ground gained, and, sweeping tt« ball across the. local goal-line, looked decidedly dangerous, but MeKenzie came to jo rescue, kicking tho leather across the dewball line just in time to prevent a score being registered against the locals. When the hall came into play tho Auckland forwards took charge, and Francis and Tyler heading a couple of strong rushes, the leather W carried to within a few yards of the New Zealand line, where Kiernan passed out » Gerrard from a scrum, but tho. latter ■ transfer to Murray was wild and high, and what looked like a good chance of scoring was lost. Hard-kicking by the Auckland forwards enabled the New Zealanders to Clear their lines by forcing down, and from tlie kick-off thev took the ball to the half-way peg, where "the backs commenced flinging n about, but found the tackling solid, and made but 1 little headway. Picking up from we loose, Herring started a counter rush, Participated in by two or three of the Home forwards, including Maekrell. but on the ball being sent back to Murray he passed to iue wing (Twiname) too quickly, thus minimi* in B the force of the attack. The Auckland forwards, however. ■ swept the hall on to within 3yds or 4yds of the New Zealand lino, and for several minutes they kept the opposition very busy, and caused excitement, to run high among the onlookers as they fought gallantly, but unsuccessfully, to push tho advantage home. Cunningham opened we way, then Francis and G. Tyler in torn made dashes for the linn, only to be pushed back just as they were on the point of scoring, the defenders doing excellent ««-, Kiernan was the next to try for the line, gathering tho leather up from a serum, ana cutting in cleverly, but only to be grounded! a few' inches out. The Auckland forwards continued to have something the best of nor. scrumming that followed, and bee-lmg-ouv enabled Kiernan to got. tho leather away, but" McGregor nipped in and intercepted a pass intended for MoKom/io. and kicked out by the 25 flag. Back came the home forwards, only, however, to see McGregor clear the line for New Zealand by forcing. Almost immediately on resuming Kiernan pu the blacks on the defensive with a welljudged line-kick, and after the home lor- j wards had improved matters with a powerful rush across field. Twiname snapped tlie, hall up and darted for the corner peg. our, was thrown out of play right, on the Bag. The New Zealand scruimners took a ha" l - 1 m the deal a few minutes later, and, smothering a pass to Gerrard. they got. into the home team's ground. Cunningham kicked tlie ball across the held, and McGregor piOKM up initiated a passing rush from near half-way. Ho sent the ball along to Smith, who, after a short, dash down the side or 'ho touohline. passed in again. The leather struck MeKenzie, who was attempting to stem the attack, and bounced across to Hunter, who snapped it up, and set sail for tie 'Auckland goal-line. Healing the homo fullMr (Nicholson), ho ran acres.?, scoring near the corner flag, on the southern side of the field.' Wallace failed to convert. New Zealand ... •-• ■•• *j Auckland " From the kick-off the bliie-and-white forwards went away with a telling rush, but the New Zealand 'backs, headed by Roberts, Pushed them back with a passing rush, Wraith, the last to receive the ball, winding j $ with a kick towards centre that reached' i Nicholson. The home fullback marked., and | found the touohline about midfield with a j 'ee kick, and when the ball came in Mack- j r «l headed an Auckland forward rush that: Relied the visitors' 25 peg, where W picked up and indulged in j ? little passing. They got right up to the few Zealand line, where Gallaher failed to {"old the Dal! when a score looked certain. Wayward then made a dive for the coveted chalk mark, but could not reach it, and Roberts, obtaining a mark, kicked into touch !, «ar the 25 flag. Tho black forwards, headed by Glasgow, took the ball on to half-way, *"we Roberts set the backs going in » pass- }%' nisli. McGregor kicking when lie looked "ke being tackled. The forwards got on it smartly, but. Francis stemmed the attack by marking. He gained ground with the kick, j ac « the local pack screwing a scrum took the

SK toobe OH( l the half-way pee, HerrinC.allalor, and Mackrell leacliiig thT wat the baiiT'u d , Nlcholson faili "S to field OU3 SorW«\l Su PPorters had a few anxihowevlr , '? Lot ■ Pawmt. Murray, Sled tn r ° V l*? rtumbling block, and C ba» across the touchlike eorW w ? ,u Zealand Laeks looked who wore ninni™ ~ ,okla)ld forwards, moro Zt T B 7°T tl l eir °PPoncnts, once „,,, *"" iNew , Zealand on the defensive lit ST**?* we , U be y° nd 25 flag hey g£iM__-_£ iS,, «* Smith l not gathering in the the A, In ,/ as Sl?nt on to h ™ b y Mynott 3 the " gl ,' arC H m ? took advantage to he ha f1; fl"l rUsh n ed Jl hc leather l *ok as it came i,l ft ,- 0n Wollt again dSi y fov P ,t thou- opponent, hard at ; K fc Now Zealand , Auckland .. ™ '" "' I

SECOND SPELL. summ?whh field ° m the kWw« °n retors' ?\ SO.ng nuo touch at the visiwards earned it right on to tl corne <ul , carn9 « lk "gilt on to the corner flag, where they looked like gettin- 2?« [oit ?°' n ! SSS ap£sffrnqh P home backs followed with a passing rush, Gerrard sending the ball to McKenzie (who played in the centre- of the whoTm" durin * Hle sec °«d spell) who handed it along J? Twiname When S„l ll^T-name a Tent?„ again to MoKenzie, who made a dash and passed back again. The ball went rather low but the Auckland forward! led the breach and swept it across the New ZeS of'lh ln ii: ler ° T allao ° cam& to SrtSl fust as ft at l d S ! Ul>l ? ln S the leather up just as the locals closed in, he saved the nutation by foreing-a smart bit of work By no means discouraged by their failure -he home forwards renewed the attack, and then got th * ball away to their backs, but Aim lay and MoKenzie, who were associated in a passing rush, were crowded on to the touch-line. Roberta marked when the ball came m, and kicked out near the half-way from winch point Francis broke away with be ball and passed to McKenzie, who in turn passed to Murray, but there being no one on hand to lake it, from the last-named player when hemmed in, very little ground was gained. A penalty against Now Zealand betwson tho b.slf and 25 flags gave the homo players a shot at goal, and the visitors breaking away before the ball was on the ground the charge was disallowed. Francis made a creditable but unsuccessful attempt to pilot the leather over the crossbar, and New Zealand forced down. After a few minutes of even play about the halfway Francis and Cunningham , were prominent in an Auckland rush, tho ball being carried to the Now Zealand fullback, who was, however, ,as solid as a rock, and carried the ball into touch near his own goal-line. An exchange of kicks from a mark by RoborU saw MoKenzie centre niooly right in front of tho visitors' goal, but Hunter fielded cleanly, and further kicking carried play back to tho half-way peg. A useful kick by Murray again had Now Zealand on the defensive, and from a scrum following the throw-in W. Tyler and Hayward got away with the ball at toe, and Kiernan picking up out in for the New Zealand line, but was brought down about a yard out. A scrum followed, and the Auckland pack heeling out Kiernan shot tho ball out to Gerrard, but an almost certain try was lost to the homo team through the leather touching the referee. Tho Now Zealand forwards then broko away, and the backs chipping in the ball was shot across to Thomson, when the half-way flag was reached. On reaching Nicholson Thomson passed to Smith, who started off at top speed for the Auckland line. The fleetfooted Auoklander possessed too much paco for McKenzie and Twiname, who came across to intercept, and going on he scored in a good position for Now Zealand. Wallace was again unable to add the extra points, and with the spell half-way through the score stood): New Zealand ... ... >~ 6 Auckland — 0 By this time the Auckland forwards, who bad been running over the New Zealand pack and working like Trojans, began to slacken off a bit, the pace they had been setting telling its tale. Play centred from the kick-off, ■ and Gerrard intercepting a. pass by the New Zealand backs kicked to Wallace, who marked. Twiname fielded the New Zealand fullback's kick, and sent the ball into touch in goal. On resuming the locals look the ball again to midheld, where Roberts set tho black backs on the. move, Mynott, Smith and McGregor handling; the ball in turn, but little ground was gained, the rush being across the field owing to none of tho men cutting in. A few minutes later Mynott initiated another attacking rush, and Thomson, the last to receive the ball, centred. Nicholson (fullback for Auckland) failed to take it on the full, but ran back and gathering the ball up lacked out near his own 25. Nicholson and Seeling then led the way with a forward rush tor Now Zealand, getting dangerous y near the coveted chalk mark before the ball crossed the touch-line. The Auckland forwards rallied in good style, and with a couple Ot vigorous rushes cleared their. lines, and smothering an attempt a passing on ho part of the New Zealand backs, Gallaher kicked to Wallace, who found the touchhne in neutral ground. Tho black vanguardsmen, who were now quite holding their own, cam© back headed, by Glasgow a I Johnson, and Roberts getting possession set the backs to work. Hunter passed to Smith and the New Zealand centre after gaining several yards sent the lea her along to Thomson, who streaked down the touchL at his best pace Beating Nicholson he looked decidedly dangerous, & but McKenzie came across and dragged Lim 52 the corner m lust " * looked like reaping the reward a smart bit of play ad men ted. When the ball came m Roberts marled but, Wallace was having a day x\ZI failed to send it over the crossbar, t ok andtlinV The locals quickly Xv back to half-way from tin Vs£j'. only however, to be thrown on the defenive by a passing rush-among the New ZeaES backs started by Roberts. -Mynott, Smith and Thomson partnered ihe attack, but once Vain the last-named .player was brow n'o .ouch by MoKenzie when he looked like scoring. The members of the £ rearguard immediately repeated the 1 d si an Mvnott looked momentarily dan--1 J „ vi, but was nicely collared close to the C The New ffitai put the pressure on again, but offside play terminated the »M«4in» nlay by the forwards, and a few second "late? Thomson was taken off the field having out bis knee, apparently on an SS£ £» Satobbox that was found on the J£u«3 This happened ten or eleven miSnS from call of time, and thence on the NowZoalandor. played a man short. The Kk,%7tb. locals » tho defence .gun. O'Sullfvan picking up from a loose- rush, Passed to Hunter. wgJJ ]astniimed convert. g New Zealand Q Auckland ••■ " "' Tho ball was no sooner in play than Hunt., was away with it tucked under h.s arm but was Koran 1 b AuckS forwards pass to ftlynott ana « back to the chipping in, thev p9 wep lin€ . out W. Tyler halfway peg- i ro " °. d pun ing C3 Tthe SSgoi/hoad, followed over tie (g , |eatller agaiD he up , f£lSt -i i,? «nd beating Wallace, the New gathered it ■n, »nd who was the on , y man Zealand fulllwc.k.v> io { .^ barring his way. tadw, d d , fc , registering AuokUn « f u about two minutes rom H» tbp _ day's play-. ou f'£! with success. . After goal, but did no meoMTi wh t a neat bit of play J tb ' e ba)l waS away n.oaiy f«» *%s£? «d tho bell Sir"£>U * M 9 sounding for time, m» s a g N((w Zealand ... — •" _ 3 Auckland •■- NOTES ON PLAT AND PLAYERS. M.II* resolved itself into a The , e3 £! the IS forwards, *up■*tru«l« betww Jta :ioc« £i]d ported by a stood <^ ens .' T0 D f playing Hood scoring_ comb natior their »wn tairiy ""

beaten in other departments. In the first half the Auckland team had considerably .he best of matters. The forwards made the game willing from the start, and playIf" v ' th fine dash and combination kept the New Zealand team busy defending, lime after time- the hall was swept to within a few yards of the visitors' goal-line, and excellent chances for scoring were spoilt by over-eagerness in the forwards or faulty handling by the backs. Many good judges thought the local vanguard would tire and allow their opponents to run over them in the second spell, but though they slackened off a bit towards the end they were never outplayed, and the points recorded cannot bo said to give a true estimate of the merits of the game. The openings from which the New Zealand team scored two of their tries were somewhat lucky ones, and were taken full advantage of by men capable of making every use of their chances. While giving every credit to the victorious backs, it will, no doubt, be conceded that the honours were with the local vanguard. The greater part of the second spell was virtually a repetition of the first. In commenting upon the form displayed by the individual players, it must be borne in mind that so far as the colonial team was concerned the majority had not played together before, and, in the forwards especially, were unacquainted with each other's tactics. The back team was the same as that which represented the North Island against the South a week or two ago at Wellington, and the members were naturally expected to put up a good game, as they were credited with showing perfect combination in the North v. South match. Wallace, the New Zealand fullback, undoubtedly played the best back game on the field. His kicking was splendid, and he always found the line, while his handling and taking of the ball were a treat to witness. His only mistake was in tackling W. Tyler badly when the- Auckland winger scored Auckland's try. Wallace's exhibition can be classed as highly satisfactory, and it is finite evident he still retains the form which lie displayed on the Australian tour two seasons ago. The New Zealand three-quarter-line had not a groat amount of work to get through. Thomson's taking of the ball and line-kicking wore excellent, and he was always on hand to take a part when passing rushes were indulged in. G. W. Smith played his usual heady game, and was in most of the attacking work. His paco enabled him to score New Zealand's second try, and his all-round play was up to his best form. D. McGregor was not kept very busy, very little of the game going to his wing. He showed some, of his old versatility and dash in attack, though his taking of the ball was at times faulty. Hunter and Mynott played sterling games at five-eighths. Occasionally their play might have been varied with advantage, but iii defence they were as stubborn as possible, and both are adepts in taking a ball quickly and getting it away. In attack, however, they were inclined to crowd their threequarters. and rarely cut in to give their supports room. Still their work was smart and clean, and they had a pair of alert, wingers to elude. Roberts, the New Zealand half, lias evidently earned his place in the team by thoroughly smart, consistent play. His work is of the sound order, and while being particularly smart and clever all round, ho does not show a great amount of brilliance or versatility in individual attack. Ho played a good game, , passed quickly, kicked well and showed very sound defence. At the same time he left tho impression that a little more variety in attack would render him a much more dangerous player. His strength evidently lies in not making mistakes, but ho never uonplusses the opposition by doing the unexpected thing. • In forward play the honours must go to the local team. The visitors have evidently not settled down to a definite plan of scrummaging, and while there is much individual talent among them, .they still require a knowledge of each others' play to make them really first-class. Their frontrow men hooked fairly, and perhaps did as well as could be expected against a sound pair such as Tyler and Maekrell; but their all-round scrum work could have been improved upon. At times they wore penalised for breaches which should never have occurred among first-class players. Johnson took chances when offside, and Seeling occasionally erred in the same manner.

The Auckland team put up a very good performance, and favoured with a spice of luck should have just about won. It was the old story of a good forward team lac-k----ing the scoring element in tho backs, being beaten by fast and clover backs, who played with an organised .system of attack. The Auckland vanguard was not sufficiently superior to their opponents to . overrun them, and the better back team won the game. Nicholson, tho Auckland goal defender, made his first appearance as a "rep.," and naturally suffers by comparison with Wallace. Ho has played better games, though much of his faulty work on Saturday 'was perhaps due to nervousness. Of tho Auckland three-quarters there is not much to be said, except that they defended soundly. They got few chances in attack, and in any case seemed to lack tho necessary combination which, lends to success in that department. MeKenzie and Twiname did most work, and the latter made a very favourable impression for a first appearance as a representative. Gerrard, at five-eighths, played a serviceable game in defence, and got among the opposing backs in good style. Kiernan made some good openings at times, and showed flashes of his old cleverness, but the ball did not often come cleanly to-him from the scrum, the forwards being content to keep it in the back row and screw or break through with rushes. Tho Auckland pack must he given credit for playing a. sterling game, and each man evidently understood his In line work, open play and scrummaging they showed to advantage, though hard kicking on one or two occasions spoilt good opportrinities and gave openings to the opposing backs. Tyler and Maokrell were seen to advantage, and were always in the thick of it. Cunningham held the pack together splendidly, and also showed good line work, while his play in the open was full of dash. Francis played ono of his host games, and infused more dash into his play than usual. His exhibition was ono of the best on the ground. Herring did an immense amount of hard work, besides following up well. Gallaher and W. Tyler were always about, and the latter was responsible for a Cleveland dashing bit of play when he scored. THE NEW ZEALANDERS' AUSTRALIAN TOUR. The members of the New Zealand team, who on Saturday ■ evening dined with the local players as the guests of the Auckland Rugby Union, leave for Sydney this afternoon by the s.s. Victoria They will be, under the management of Mr. N. Galbraitn, lion treasurer of the New, Zealand union, and play their first match against the New South Wales representatives at Sydney next Saturday. On the following Wednesday they play a team representing the Metropolitan Union, and on Saturday, July 15, meet New South Wales in a return match. The New Zealanders then return to this colony, and after playing matches against the Otago, Canterbury, and Wellington teams, leave for England, sailing by tho Rimutaka for London from Wellington on July 30. ■ , CITY F.C. SOCIAL. The City District Football Club held a social on Saturday evening in their trainingshed as a send-off to Messrs. Smith, Nicholson ami Seeling, three of tho club's players, who' have been selected to represent New Zealand in Australia and England. The shed was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and among those present were the members of the New Zealand team about to visit Australia. The evening was filled in with songs, recitations, and various toasts, Opportunity was taken during the proceedings of presenting Messrs. Smith, Nicholson, and Seeling with handsome presents, eaoh of the recipients duly acknowledging the same in neat little speeches.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS' MATCHES. Grammar School v. King's College: This match was played on the No. 1 ground at Alexandra Park on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a draw, the teams scoring 3. points each. St. John's Collegiate School v. Prince Albert School: St. John's won by U points to i- ' SUNDAY-SCHOOLS' LUAGTJE MATCHES. ■ Alexandra v. Pitt and Edwin: This match was played on the Domain, Pitt and Edwin meeting" their first reverse this season. The <rame was a fast and exciting one throughout. Six times in the second spell the Alexandra players crossed the Edwin-street beam's line, and only once was a try awarded. For Edwin-street Thomson was the only back who made any showing at all, while in the forwards Stayte played a great game. The match ended in a win for Alexandra by 8 points to 5. United (Alexandra B.) v. St. David's; This game resulted in a win for United by 44 points to nil. Tries were obtained by Agnew (3), Rowo (2), McDevitt (1), Cynen (1), Stewart (4); Long converted two of them. Stewart kicked a penalty goal and Brown a goal from the field.

OTHER MATCHES. St. Matthew's v. St. Benedict's: These teams met oh Saturday, an interesting match resulting in a win for St. Matthew's team by 9 points ti nil. THAMES UNION MATCHES. [by telegraph.— correspondent.] Thames, Saturday. ■ The second match in the second round of the Rugby fixtures was played this afternoon between the Rover A and the Native Rose teams, and resulted in a win for the Rovers by' 13 points to 6. The game was a_ fairly even one throughout, the back division of the Native Rose quite holding their own in the open. Their efforts were, however, neutralised by the superior weight and dash of the Rover forwards, who played a fast and brilliant game from start to finish. The result of this match leaves the Rovers A team in tho lead with throe wins and a loss, Rovers B being second with two wins and a loss. In the junior division the Rovers played Native Rose, and a very fast and exciting game resulted in a draw, no score being registered on either side. WHANGAREI UNION MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WiiANGAHEi, Saturday. In the Whangarei Rugby Union match today Maungakaramea played Whakapara, the game resulting in a win for Maungakaramea •by 6 points to 5. MATCH AT COROMANDEL. [by telegraph.-— correspondent.] . Coromaxdel, , Saturday. A football match was played this afternoon in Bates' paddock between the Volunteers and the Kennedy Bay team. The game was well contested, and at' times very fast. Neither side had scored to within a minute or so of the end of the game, when Judda, a Maori, obtained a goal from a mark, Coromandel thus winning by 4 points to nil. WAIHI DEFEATS KARANGAHAKE. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Waihi, Saturday. The representative Rugby football match between . Waihi and Karangahake ■. was played at Waihi this afternoon, Waihi winning by 14 points to nil. Towdrell secured two tries, one of which was converted by Eraser. Tries were also secured by Leslie and Ryan. The game, on the whole,, was not an interesting one; tho superior combination of Waihi being very telling. Their play was of a scientific, nature, and the backs played a great game; in fact, tho tries were obtained as a result of nice passing runs. Karangahake, on the other band, though the possessor of a fair pack, had a very poor lot of backs. Mr. P. Flynu referced in a manner which gavo every-satis-faction. SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP ) MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Sunday. Saturday's senior football games resulted as follows:—Melrose (11 points) beat Victoria College (5), Oriental (33) beat Wellington (nil); Old Boys v Potone,' a draw, 6 points; Poncko v. Athletic, a draw, no score. Dunedin, Saturday. Tho senior football matches to-day provided two surprises. Alhambra' -defeated University by 15 points to 6; Southern beat .Kaikorai by 3 points to nil; and Zingari beat Dunedin by 5 points to 3. Pirates and Union played a drawn game (no score). University, Kaikorai, and Alhambra are now on even terms for the championship. Curistciiurcii, Saturday. In the senior football competition to-day Sydenham beat Linwood by 10 points to 4, and Albion beat Ohristchurch by 10 to nil. Old Boys unexpectedly beat Merivale by 9 points to 3, and achieved the most popular win of the season. THE ASSOCIATION GAME... . CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES CONTINUED. _>~ .. ; The Auckland Football Association championship matches wore continued on Saturday afternoon. There was a good attendance on the Domain to witness the firstgrade match, Corinthians v. Ponsonby, which resulted in a win for the Corinthians by two goals to one. At Devonport the North Shore seniors succeeded in defeating the Tabernacle team by three goals to nil. The results of the various matches are given below: — CORINTHIANS V. PONSONBY. (Corinthians 2 goals, Ponsonby 1 goal.) _ The toss favouring Corinthians,' they 'decided to play with the sun at their backs. -tor some time after the kick-off play remained near the half-way flag. Ponsonhv then gradually worked the ball towards the Corinthian goal, and had a shot, which went wide. Clark and Cowan dribbled the lea her back to their opponents' quarters, and it was sent out at the comer. From the kick-in Hilford relieved his side by sendmg out at half-way, and a little later Ponsonby had a shot, .but Andrews stopped nicely Ponsonby were not, however, to be denied, and, again attacking, carried the leather well down towards Corinthians' goal, where, for foul play on the part of .the defenders, Ponsonby were awarded a free kick. I he shot was unsuccessful, the ball striking the crossbar and going over. Clark and bale worked the leather well inside the Ponsonby ground, where play remained for a time. _ Dimery brought relief to Ponsonbv by dribbling down the line, the ball finally going out at the corner. Cowan, with a judicious kick, got his side out of danger, and play was transferred to neutral territory. Corinthians worked the leather close to their opponents' goal, and were looking dangerous, but Ritchie kicked out, thus giving his side relief. Corinthians followed with a nice piece of passing. Getting the leather near the half-way, Sale sent it on to Clark, and the latter, after beating his man, passed back to Sale, but the Ponsonbyites, swarming round him, spoilt the shot, the ball going wide. Corinthians wero now attacking vigorously, and Sale, accompanied by Audinwood, dribbled back into Ponsonby's quarters, but Ritchie, intercepting a pass, sent the leather out. The blue and blacks then worked the ball towards Corinthians' goal. where it remained for a time. Sale'got possession near the half-way, and sent out to Olliyer, who passed to Clark, and the latter, with a good shot, succeeded in drawing first blood for Corinthians: Corinthians 1 goal, Ponsonby nil. Shortly.after this. tho whistle sounded for half-time. Play of a give-and-take character marked the opening of the second spell; the ball frequently travelling from one end of the field to the other. Sale and Clark took it down near Ponsonby's goal, and looked like scoring, but offside play by Clark gave Ponsonby relief in the shape of a free kiok. Soon afterwards Corinthians worked the ball down the field, and Sale had a shot, but without success, the ball just goins* outside the posts. Ponsonby attacked, but Yates saved by sending out:. Cowan, with the ball at- toe, dribbled down the field and passed to Clark, but the latier's shot went wide. Ponsonby, headed by Hilford, then rushed tho leather well into their, opponents' ground, and kept the blue and whites busy defending their goal, until Harding, with a hard kick, transferred play to neutral territory. . Ollivcr centred, and Sale, getting the ball, passed to Clark, who made a good but unsuccessful shot, the ball going over the crossbar. Ponsonby attacked, and a good shot by the blue and blacks was well stopped bv* Andrews. Ponsonby again attacked, and Yates sent out at the corner. An exciting bit of play took place in front of Corinthians' goal, but the ball was kicked behind. Play was now very fast, and the blue and whites forcing the pace Cowan had a shot, which, however, wont wide. Ponsonby then took play in front of Corinthians' goal, and a good shot was _ stopped by Andrews, but Taberner, nipping in, succeeded in sending the leather between the posts: Corinthians 1 goal, Ponsonby 1 goal. With the scores even, play became very interesting. Webster transferred play to Corinthians' quarter, but Meldrum, with a good kick, sent the leather out near half-way. The spectators wero then treated to a. fine exhibition of dribbling on the part of Sale. Getting the ball near half-way, he dribbled right, through the opposition and scored a meritorious goal amidst great applause: Corinthians 2 goals. Ponsonby 1 goal. There was no addition to the score during the balance of the spell, as, although Ponsonby looked dangerous on one or two occasions, tho defence proved too solid. The match was an interesting one, and from a spectator's point of view perhaps the best and most evenly-con tested game played this season, some splendid passing being indulged in by both sides. The goal scored by Sale was the result of an exceptionally smart, piece of dribbling, and tho spectators were not slow to recognise the

fact and applauded loudly. Andrews, in goal for Corinthians, played a sound game, and at times stopped some very difficult shots. Sale played brilliantly, and of the others Yates, Harding, and Clark were most prominent. On the Ponsonby side Dimery played a solid game, and was ably supported by Hilford' and Ritchie, though the latter lias given better exhibitions than that of Saturday. NORTH SHORE V. TABERNACLE. (North Shore 3 goals, Tabernacle nil.) There was a fair attendance at Devonport on Saturday to witness the North Shore v. Tabernacle match, which proved to be a fairly interesting one, finally terminating in a; win for the Shoreitos by three goals to nil. SECOND GRADE, Corinthians v. North Shore A: This match was played at Devonport, and resulted in a win for the home team by 4 goals to 1. In the first spell the Shore team, with the sun behind them, succeeded in registering one goal. About half-way through the second spell Corinthians equalised matters, and it stood so until about 15 minutes before the call of time, when North Shore put through three goals in quick succession. This is the first defeat Corinthians have suffered for two years. Smith and Caughey's v. City: These teams played on the, Domain, and after a very fast and exciting game Smith and Caughey's team won by 2 goals to 1. City started off with a rush, and for some time forced their opponents to act on the defence, scoring a good goal in the first 15 minutes. Smith and Caughey's team played up better after this, but lost several good chances of scoring, ' and the first half ended in favour of City by one goal to nil. The second half opened with very even play, hut Nutter, receiving a good pass, took the ball well up field and scored with a splendid shot. Shortly after this Webber broke away with a nice .dribble, and then passed to Calvert, who scored the second goal for Smith and Caughey's. After this the game was very exciting, both sides trying hard to score, but without avail, Smith and Caughey's team thus winning by two goals to one. The defence of Smith and Caughey's team in the second half was splendid, but the shooting of the forwards was rather weak. THIRD GRADE, Grafton v. Sunnyside: Grafton bad the best of the match throughout, and won by ,ono goal to nil. Williams scored for the winners. Corinthians v. W. Y.M.1.: This game, played on the Domain, resulted in a win for Corinthians by 4 goals to nil. The scorers were Haresnape (?.), Budd, and Pollard (one each). Tabernacle v. Beresford: Tabernacle had all (lie best of this game, and ultimately won by 4 goals to nil. For Tabernacle, goals were scored by ,1. Webster (2), 11. Webster, and Gardiner (ono each).

THE AUSTRALIAN GAME.

AUCKLAND IMPERIAL V. VICTORIA.

Tho Auckland Imperial _ and Victoria teams met on Saturday at Kingsland in the presence of a fair number of spectators. R. Gary was in charge of the Victorias and H. Webb led the Imperials. The day was a perfect ono for football, and tho ground being in first-class order a fine, fast game was witnessed. The Imperials, who were more strongly represented than the Victorias, were in splendid form, and, establishing a long lead in tho first half, managed to keep the maroons at bay for the rest of tho game, running out winners by 36 points. The scores were: Imperial, 8 goals and 8 behinds; Victoria, 2 goals and 8 behind*. On tho Imperial sido the whole team played well, and it would be hard to individualise the players. Perhaps the most prominent among a first-rate lot were Birch, Webb, Spence, Lawson, Goodfellow, Wilson and McMillan. Glenister, in the forward line, was also at all times conspicuous. On tho side of the losers the best were A. !Buttle (who plaved a very hard game); R. Buttle, Gary, Welsh, Orpwood, and Alcorn. Mr. Monteith umpired the game to the satisfaction of each side. JUNIOR MATCH. Imperial v. Austral: On the No. 2 ground ■a most exciting game was played between the Imperial juniors and the Austral juniors. A. Bettis captained the Australs and 11. Forster the Imperials. Tho Australs wero without the services of their two ruck men, Cole and Jaoka, while the Imperials were minus Forder and Stopford. The Imperials, who are improving every gamo, played very fine football,- and led right up to the last minute, when the Australs kicked a goal and made the scores level: 40 points each. Ihe captains decided to play for another score, and amid great excitement the Australs obtained a goal and won. The scores were: Australs, 7 goals and 4 behinds; Imperials, 6 goals and 4 behinds. The best players on the side of the winners wero A. Bolt is, McKay (who olayed a fine forward game), P. Bettis, Monk, and Olsen, while on the side of the', Imperials H. Forstor, Slomaii, Tvil, Horspool, and Frator were the pick. Mr. B. Sandford umpired.

WAIHI V. WAIKINO. , The Australian Association football match between Waihi and Waikino was played on tho Australian Oval, Waihi, on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the Waihi team bv five goals and 15 behinds to two goals and five. behinds. The goals for Waihi were registered by Bennett (3) and McDonald (2), whilst for Waikino Richards kicked two goals.