FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

The football championship competitions will be continued to-day at Alexandra Park (Epsom), North Shore, and Kingsland. At No. 1 ground, Alexandra Park, City will meet Parnell, and there is little doubt that the wearers of the .red and black will be returned the winners. On No. 2 ground a very even game should be witnessed between Grafton and Newton. Ponsonby will journey across the harbour and contest with North Shore. This ; match should result, in ,a win for the Ponsonby team, if. the North Shore players do not give a better display than they did last Saturday, . Unfortunately when they played Grafton North Shore were heavily ~ handicapped amongst the backs by the absence' of W.. Wynyard, who •was injured shortly after the commencement of the game. - The following teams have been selected for to-day: — , ' . ' .CITY. ' First Fifteen: Magee (2). Gladding, Smith, Little. Ladner, Tyler (2), Mcllhone,- Alackrell, Williams, Herring, MeGuire. Sterling, Plant. Second Fifteen: Cullen, Estall, Hedlund, Cross, Potter, Stewart, Sandall, Fraser, Moir, Anderson, Barrett. Spencer, Weaver. Magee, Fitzsimmons, McNeil, Donovan, Myles. Third Fifteen Moir, Barriball, Ea3down, O'Hare, Laing, Ellis,* O'Hare,- McLean, Mercer, Ferguson, Melntyre, Moss,: Barrett, O'Brien, Vickery. Campbell. Fourth Fifteen:' Harley. James. Kean, Ilawkes, Spragg, Lindsay, Spragg, McDevitt, C. Donovan, Harris, Moir, Batten, ..Taylor, Heaps, Gibbons, Beard. . . I'ARNELL. - First Fifteen: • Cleave, Smith, . Twiname, Mowbray, Stuckey,. y Fox, Armstrong, White. Mair, Kinder,. Mears,,Walsh, Glasgow, Bampl'ord. , Second Fifteen: Dixon. Hogan, Duval, Nicholson. Beach, Clark. Boyce, Luke, Holtham, Boreham, Hardwick, Page, Martin, George, Rhodes, Ilanna, Third Fifteen: Chitty, Speakhian. Basley, Ninke.v, Nutter, Toinlinson, Cameron, Milner, Cowley, Walker, De Lucca, Hamilton, White, Richards, Kendall. 1 Avery. Drew. Boskruge. Fourth Fifteen A": < Neave, Timms, Murray. Cameron. Thomas, Forgie. Hill. Handcock. O'Grady, Chitty. Neville, Stevens, Brown. Strong. Ere on, Lonergan, Ross. Fourth Fifteen "B": Kendall. Price, Campbell. Cartel-, \ Seccombe, O'Hara, Chatfield, Carter. Garrat. Campbell, Sharratt. Alderton, Warner. Hunter, Webster, Price, Griffin, Percy, Killip. • GRAFTON. '■ First Fifteen: Poanariga, Marshall. Blake, Bentley, Sutherland, Burroughs, Grierson, Clarke. Mcintosh,. Conquer, Cornes, McCormick, Eaton. Pcple, Bell; emergency, Beal. Second Fifteen (nlayed at Kingsland): Ra- i •meka, - Nolan (2), Dignan, Newton. Peterson, ! Adams, Yates, Heighway, Wilson, Rowan, Hunter -(2), Gibbs. 'Eastgate. Coleman, Gallagher. Tavlor, Barstow, Holbeche.• ' Third Fifteen:..-"Edwards,. - Dorrington, Strong, Williams, Stichbury. Cornes, Philnott. Quinlan, Dennes. Sansburv, Tabunga, .Tones, Askew, Major, Ricketts, Wilson, Hunter. . Fourth Fifteen: Warburton. Cooper, Ivelsail, Cornaga. • McFarquhar, Casey. Brewin, Fernandez, Wliyte. Robinson," Coldicutt, Gillman.'T.vnsky. Burns,. Hendry, Smith, Lawrence, Thompson. • . . NEWTON. - •' ' First. Fifteen:• Roberts. Rowe, Purdie, Wolfgram, Freeman, Gray, Farrant (2), Hooper (2), Trevarthen, "Winters. Callaslian, Sutherland, .Jackson. " Second Fifteen (at Kingsland): Clarke, Weston, Wiekstead. Carr,. Reid, Rasnni9?en, Linkorn, Cox. Ra-smussen, Gardner. Johnstone, Bridgefprd, Collins, Hay ward, Banton. Lang. Steele. . ' ' - Third Fifteen: Rowe (2). Crawford.: Hill, Hewitt, Cantell, Oakley, Davidson, • Taylor. Lupton. Knapman,' Golley, Claridge, Hobson, Garland, Hint on. ... Fourth Fifteen: Lewis, Stewart, Sindlen (2), Grieg (2), Keir. As-new, Grey, HaswelK'Hutch, Brown. :Copas. Farrant, Willetts, Haswell, Hill, Stevens. ..' , . . . . \ PONSONBY. ' / First - Fifteen: Blakey,. Dillimore, -Murray. Wilson, Flynn. Bater, Cox, Gillett, Dunning. Sellars. Nicholson,' Cunningham, Francis, McDonald Hall. • •: . . Second Fifteen • Blakey. Doran, Barclay. Cross. Bater, Harrison, Carlaw, Taylor, Not•tou. Walker, Mincham. Fricker, Grundy, Wilson. Richardson, Wallett, , Hicks, Harndcn, Wilkinson. ' • . . r • ' Third Fifteen: Harrison. Rawson, Robinson, ,Beresford, Walrond, . Sliultze. Matthews (21, 'Burns, Campbell (2), Lendrum. Prere, Hooker, ' Phillips.* 'Murphy. ■ l'itkethley.' ' McDonald; Cochrane,' Gilmoui', McLean,-.Kelly.' : ' ■ ; i " NORTH SHORE. J* ' First Fifteen: D. Miller, F. Woodward, W. Wynyard, /Miller, K. Wynyard, Jackson, F. Smith, Marshall,' Todd, Phillips, Griffin, Clarke, W. Willis, Mcßeynolds,'A. Mays. I • Second Fifteen .-' It." Graham, R. Spra.erue, W. | Coleman. Ballahtyue. II Wynyard, • F. Harrison, Jackson. F. Goudie, Baker, Jackson, Warbrick. E. McDonald, M. Goodall, Wood- i ward, Mcßeynolds.. ! Third Fifteen: F. Taylor, E. Eyre, B. Ensor,Seager, Rogers, B. Coleman. F. : Morrison, Lock ley,' Phillips. M. Grace, G. Buchanan. E. Bailey. J. Lowe, Vosper, Gates. West, Withy. ! • As this match is played .at Kingßliuul players are requested,.to catch the twenty minutes: to two beat- from' the Shore., ' HERE AND THERE. ' : The "match Ponsonby v. iParnell calls for little.in the way of comment.. The. Parnell forwards, while being at • a disadvantage in the. matter of weight, failed to play , with that vigour and resourcefulness .which might have been expected of them, ,and therefore' had to give way 1o their opponents, who kicked and col In red well, and also did some fast following no. The pick • of the" Ponsonby pack were ' Gillett and Nicholson, of "All Black", fame, and Francis', who, .for general all-round' play, left little to be. desired. ; Of.-the Parnell. pack, the best • was Kinder, who. shone, out conspicuously on a number of occasions. The Ponsonby backs were called upon for little "exertion. " The iParr.eli division, on the other, hand,. had plenty do, and with one or two exceptions acquitted .themselves . fairly creditably. Twiname, at" centre-thrcequarter, was undoubtedly the best of the -backs. • . .In defeating Newton ' by the substantial margin of 17 points to 3 the. City team did • not appear to' b& seriously extended, al'though at times they were actively employed in combating the aggressiveness .spasmodically displayed by the, losers, and placing a heavier and rnuro experienced set of forwards on the field, City had an advantage in either close or open play,- and got' the ball consistently from the scrums. The. back division, too, were a more formidable combination, and under necessity could, have, given, a better display than , was possible on ,the slippery ground last Saturday. Newton, however, must- not be underrated, although the team comprised several juniors, raised to senior ; rank for the first season, and with more combination and knowledge .of the finer points they-will make a good: showing in subsequent contests.- All the City backs played tip well under the. 'condi-• ' tions existing, but Smith/*'Laclner,' - : and 11. Magee. Were the most prominent. Amongst the ''.sturdy.-*forwards, .Seeling, was always 'handy , when, wanted, and he was supported by his comrades. Rowe .-and-. Wolfgram were the f most conspicuous players' in theNewton's back division, and of an even lot of forwards " Trevarthen probably showed 'the most dash., . ... i ;. . • ! Despite the rumours that have been circu- ' lated concerning the threatened retirement of certain* of the Otago' "All-Blacks," Mac-, donald, Booth, Casey, _ and Johnston are again playing. for their respective clubs. All .four .are in good form,, but Slacdonald, who 'was classed with Seeling as the best forward , in tho New Zealand team,' stands out clean-cut for excellent, work.: His tack-' ling is -particularly fine. : * The Grammar School Old Boys' Club will play a practise match against the University team at. Herbert's paddock (opposite Alexandra Park to-day. - Play commences at threo p.m. Cucksey, a- member of the Grafton team, will probably be unable to play in cup matches this , season, owing to having sustained an injury while practising. T. • Marshall, another Graftonite, has :. injured his shoulder, whilst H. Kiernan is 1 suffering from the effects of a kick on the body. Cunningham (the "All-Black") and Cox, a last 'year's Wednesday ; Union man, will play for Ponsonby to-day. J. Edwards, another Wednesday Union footballer, will be available for Grafton after to-day. W. Joyce received a kick in the groin at North Shore last Saturday, and will not be able to play to-day. , During the debacle at Carisbrook Ground (Dunedin), when the University Club were piling on the points against the Pirates, a well-known Australian cricketer stood in the members' pavilion taking a keen interest in the game. , It was nearing halftime, and University had put on 27 points. In his enthusiasm the cricketer exclaimed: " Well, this is a game "Yes," remarked a casual person in the bottom row, " and they're scoring more than some teams do at cricket." The laugh was general. ' According; to the ethics of Rugger, the referee, like the King, "can do no \vrong." Now and again we see the' exception which proves the rule, says a Christchurch writer, and ah; amusing' illustration was .given of this in the ! Sydenham-Linwood match. _ A scrummage was ordered, and,'-after being formed, tho : referee . proceeded •. to put tho ball - iii himself, evidently unknown to at least one side. No sooner was the ball in

than from at least two of the Sydenham scrummagers came the ; vigorous protest, "Unfairly in, sir!"' Play was not/stopped, and the whistle, for, the time being, was silent, but; the spectators were, naturally amused at the incident. < x, . . „ Latest advices from - Canada, Brit'sh Columbia; and West Coast of America are cheering. Rugby is being firmly and surely established, although, from the i correspondent's letter lately published in the Sydney dailies, fanevnrices are charged to view the game. It is mentioned that the first Rugbv game between Stanford and California Universities * attracted a ; crowd of 20,000 pcoDle. , . . It is estimated : that the > takings in the Wales v. Ireland international match at Cardiff were something between £1600 and £1800. ' • ■' The forwards of the second fifteen of the Sydney District Club are said to average 13 stone. ■ .' ■ ■ The Sydney team in their new, uniformsbreasted: and -shouldered « with; glistening •black linen—reminded oho of ; the AllBlacks," says a Sydney writer. ? ! ■;>.-.:" There is very keen disappointment that the New Zealand Union cannot agree to alter the dates so that all their big Queensland fixtures can be played on Saturdays, says the Queensland correspondent, to the Referee. As previously stated, tins decision means a loss of some hundreds of pounds to the Queensland Rugby Union, as the receipts from a Wednesday match will be absurdly' low for such an important fixture. Nigel" C. Barker, the Sydney University threeouarter-baek, intended playing regularly this winter, but in one of the trial games his knee" ■ was injured, and now he "i looks on. " .'.■.'>" ' •'.' . New Zealand can give very few points in actual tackling to New South Wales (says a Sydney writer), but they excel in putting the' man tackled out of .the game for. the : time being. When a New. Zealander tackles he brings his 'man to the grass, even if he has to go down himself in doing it. The New South' Wales method is quite mild in contrast. The man is tackled surely ■ enough, but a; wriggle, or a " bluff" pass is sufficient to have him liberated, and ho again takes a part in the game. . It is a remarkable thing how the modernday player is anxious to get into . the prob-able-best team (says a. Christchurch writer). A few years, back, when the Linwood team was carrying all before it, every player of repute was anxious to join the club; then came the Merivale Club, and later the Albion, and now we see players from other clubs flocking to the Christchurch Club. \ I have but to mention the following to show how strongly this featuure is becoming. In the Christchurch team; last 1 Saturday were no fewer than seven players who commenced with other clubs. Turtill, Bwrell and Reynolds (Albion), McCracken and Corbett'(Lin wood), Wood (Merivale) and Black (Sydenham), and now we hear that McGregor, who belonged to ; Linwood, is also to play for the red and black. In „ the present state of the Linwood Club the services of McGregor, Corbett, and McCracken would be invaluable,, but these players evidently prefer to be associated with what they regard as the strongest team. I think it is about time that ; the -Rugby Union took steps to prevent players migrating from weaker to stronger clubs. What about the district system? ' . The council of the New /South Wales Union has just decided a knotty point. . The Central Southern branch. asked for a ruling as to whether a professional coach could referee and also take part in 'the management of the branch. The union decided that the rule only applies to players,":- and that, therefore,, a professional • coach could both referee and take part in the management of the .branch. : s There have been many arguments as to whether: Mr. W. J. Howe could hold i a . paid '.office ; under the Metropolitan union and also referee. This decision settles the matter. -.'.''' The North' Shore-Graf ton- match, 1 ' played at North' Shore on' Saturday, was 'not very interesting to witness. The- ball ' was "slippery, but the Shore 3 backs handled it .well, and at "times' indulged in passing rushes.: Their forwards .worked hard. The Grafton forwards >, appeared to be on the slow' side, and did not- seem to put as* much vim into their play as the wearers of the green and white jerseys: E. McCormick was a notable except ion, and,,' in company with Eaton ' and Dean, ; did good, work. Of. the Grafton backs Blake 'perhaps, .the-.•best: ;'■ Poananga shaped well,, but Sutherland and Kiernan did not even give glimpses of their true form. ' -Bloke, a last year's junior, showed up prominently. ' THE AUSTRALIAN; GAME'. The last match of the preliminary round of the Australian game takes > place to-day ljetweeri Imperials and Australs, and .-"should;' given fine .Weather, prove" art ''.'. interesting game. The Imperialsvwill probably have their best eighteen in the, field, whilst the Austral team; is likely to be somewhat \ weak. .:: At the last, meeting of the Management Committee the delegates of' the respective teams obtained a large number, of permits. The Imperials headed the list with 12 new. members, .■• prominent amongst '■) whom are Collins" and"Bridges, two players from Melbourne.' ■ - . . • The match -last weak;between Eden and Austral resulted in a very close game, the former only winning by ? two points, notwithstanding that;: the Austral team, was very far from its full . strength., However/ it cannot be- said that -the-Edon/team had its strongest' 18 in the" field.': It would be well for ; players : to ;note that: it is absolutely necessary for: 'them to : turn up on the ground, no matter what, the weather is like, as the' Management Committee will not decide upon : postponing a • match unless the weather: is particularly bad. _ At the: request of a number of residents of the Thames the local league propose to play a 1 match gainst Waihi at the Thames within the next few' weeks. Such a match would prove, highly interesting to Thames residents, the Australian game not having previously been played <. there; - • Cheering "news -was; received : from .'Mr.; C. Blair, of Napier,: stating that teams had been formed to play the game at ; Napier, Hastings, Pakipaki, and Daniievirkc. It is probable that .a league will be-formed in Napier,to control the,game in the Hawke's Bay province, and affiliate with the New Zealand League. News has also been - received by the 'secretary of •the New Zealand League that teams have been formed : at ' Jiivercargill and Gore. It is evident that the game has come to stay in the colony. •' • '..-,' '*'.."-*•' THE ASSOCIATION GAME. ':-"'" The Auckland Football Association will inaugurate their season for 1907 this afternoon. Pour teams will compete in the firstgrade competition, 14 in the second-grade, and nine in" the third-grade. '■ A noticeable feature' this "year is . the , number of junior clubs making their debut in Association football. ; This must be very encouraging to "the members of the association," as it indicates that game, is growing in popularity. A' few"" weeks '.ago some difficulty was met with in .the endeavour to provide sufficient grounds on which' to play the matches. This difficulty was. mainly owing to t'heKihgsland Cricket Ground not being available this season. However, arrangements have been made,for the use of the old coursing ground at Point Chevalier, where it will be possible to play several matches simultaneously. .Aword of praise is due to Messrs. Takle and Heighway for the time devoted by them and the manner in which . they have solved & the. grounds problem.,; It has been. decided to play one first-grade match ' at Point Chevalier and the other at the. North Shore each .Saturday. At the first-named place this afternoon.Ponsonby will try conclusions with the Everton eleven, while at Devonport North Shore and Corinthians will be pitted against each other. Practice has been freely indulged in by all four- teams, and both matches are expected to provide close contests."": ■' ' ''' ,! ' " ' At a. meeting of the Management Committee on Tuesday evening a: good deal of discussion took place regarding the recommendation of the annual general meeting that the three leading second-grade teams of last year be promoted to the first-grade ranks. " After considerable argument, both for and against the proposal, it was decided to let matters stand as they were. ' - The Guild team, who make their initial appearance in the socker code of football this- afternoon, have been showing good form in their practice, and should give a good account of themselves before the season .closes. ;• .:*..':• Several of the City players have thrown in their lot with the Corinthian secondgrade; eleven; This team is considered in many ; quarters to have the competition at its mercy. - - ' •- As it will be impossible for me'to attend all the matches secretaries of the various clubs would greatly oblige by sending - in the results of their. matches before seven o'clock on Sunday evening each week. '~,..! .];■ The Taiberncle first-grade eleven 'have disbanded and their place has been filled by the Everton team. With the exception of the name and one or two players the team is practically composed of old Tabernacleites. - ' "V ,■ . /'" . J. Clark has retired from the active brb gade, but will act as coach to the Tabernacle third-grade team. Under his supervision the lads should give a good account of themselves. '; " . *• .' ~,'■• The North Shore- senior: eleven . have undergone several alterations, ■compared with the team that represented the marine-

suburb last year. Players who • nil! •be missed from 7 the ranks are Goudie and Harrison (both of whom hare thrown in their lot with the Rugbyites). ' Wright and Coates (who have retired), and Prime {who, owing to business arrangements, will be unable to play)'. However, the club ■■■have: several new members, amongst'whom may be mentioned Knight (centre-half) and Henderson (fullback), both late arrivals from Home, 'while' Bullock (fullback), a Taranaki representative. lias also to be included."; V' North Shore are very strongly represented this season, having no less than four teams competing, one each in the first and second grade, and two in the third-grade competitions. , The association seems to be experiencing considerable difficult? in providing grounds on ..which to play the third-grado matches. Several members are of opinion that /it would be too great an expense to the boys were they required to play at Point Chevalier. However, the matter will be discussed during the coming week, when a satisfactory solution will probably be arrived at. Secretaries of clubs wishing to publish the names of their teams must send them in to this office not later than seven o'clock 011 Thursday evenings. Teams not sent in till Friday will not be inserted on Saturday. Mr. C. Maya 11 has resigned the position of secretary to the Auckland Football Association, and the position has been filled by tho election of Mr. W. J. H. Reynolds. Club matches commence on Wednesday, when the Tutt- cup competition will bo inaugurated. - The Bakers' forwards showed up well in their practice • last week. They should prove a strong combination. The Tost, Telegraph, and Railway team is more evenly balanced this season than any other team, the backs, which last year proved so brilliant, being of equal strength to the vanguard. The Butchers rely, as in the past, on their forwards. Their pack has always been the most brilliant in the competition, and with the experience of tho past they should play up to their reputation. lAfter some difficulty the Drapers have mustered a fifteen. With Todd and Batkin in the rearguard, they have an excellent back team, and only need a fairly strong set of forwards to bo able to compete with confidence. . ■If erratic in their play, the Grocers and Milkmen can always be relied upon to play scientific football, and in this respect they should this season equal their past performances. ■ ■ Matches are timed to start punctually at three p.m. The Executive Committee are arranging to strictly enforce the rule bearing on punctual starting of all matches.