LACROSSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13453, 1 June 1907, Page 8

LACROSSE.

•' TO-DAY'S MATCH. COMMENTS ON' THE TEAMS. The.first inter-city lacrosse match that lias been played in Auckland for a very long time will take place in the Domain tins afternoon between Auckland and Wellington. The Wellington team, , which arrives this morning-, :s credited with being a pretty strong combination, for their association has in its ranks some international players both of Canada and England. It is therefore safe to say that the standard of play in the Empire city should be a high one, and one that the Auckland team will find it a difficult matter to soar to. However, the local team is not to be despised, and may safely be relied upon to uphold the honour of their city. Though the local association have only had very short notice of the visit of the Southern players, the arrangements are very complete, thanks to the energetic secretary, Mr., Brassey, who has left nothing undone to ensure the comfort of tho public and a pleasant stay for the visitors. The Auckland Association will not make any charge for admission to to-day's interf provincial match, but anyone wishing to help the finances may do so by purchasing a ticket. » ' A short description of the Auckland players will be interesting: — Goal: Kitching is amongst the first flight of defenders in .Melbourne, from which place he hails. _ Point: W. Nolan has played in that position for the old Ponsonby Club. Cover Point: Ward is the hardest man to pass in the team; a good thrower. Third Man: W. Glummer, one of the speedy members of tho team, who likes - plenty of work. ■ Centre: H. McCoy is a good hooker in facing; feeds his attack: good goal shot. Third Home: W. H. Graham, cool, heady player; passes quickly and well; unselfish. Second Home: Strickland, one of Brisbane's best goal-throwers; a neat, dodgy runner.

First Home: W. Philson,-* a sure shot; difficult to stop when under way. Attack Wings: A. Walton and N. Wallaco can be relied upon to bring the ball along smartly to the homes. . Defence Wings: H. Walton and F. Brown, a pair of first-class checkers.

Emergencies: Horspool (2f, solid type of -defence men; Choyce uses his stick well, good shot; Keen, useful defence player. The uniform of tho Auckland players will bo. white jersey, with navy blue- sash,.and black pants. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN. CORRESPONDENT.] : Wellington, Friday. A team of lacrosse players from the Wellington club left by this morning's train to meet a team in Auckland to-morrow afternoon. The Wellington team consists of Bell, Blackman, Estcourt (English players), Montgomery- (Canadian), Jantke (South Australian), Cloustcn (Victoria), and Casey Horn, Levy, Stains, White ,and McGinley (New Zcalanders). The team, "which Estcourt will captain, is expected to give a good account of itself, as it includes some experienced players. Estcourt, Bell, Montgomery, Horn, and Jantke will be a formidable attacking force, all being fast and tricky players, and the others should form a good defence. Clouston will probably be in goal, as neither Levy nor Laing could make the trir>. . The Auckland club is older than Wellington's, and the Northern team may, therefore, have the better combination. • A return match will probably ho played in Wellington in August next.

Lovers of lacrosso will rejoico to know that all the arrangements connected with the tour of a Canadian amateur lacrosse team through Australia during the present winter have been concluded. The Canadians will arrive at Brisbane on July 16. It has long been the desire of Australian players to meet the Canadians. When an intimation was received from the Canadians that they would be prepared to send a team to the Commonwealth,'providing a guarantee of £1500 was forthcoming, Mr. L. L. Jones, secretary of tho South Australian Lacrosse Association, placed the matter before the Australian associations. The matter was taken up enthusiastically, and the necessary funds were' ' speedily subscribed by the South Australian, Victorian, Queensland, West. 'Australian Lacrosso Associations, tho South Australian Cricketing Association, and the Melbourne Cricket Club. Lacrosse is practically a dead game in New South Wales, and it is yet' in its infancy in Tasmania, consequently those States did not subscribe towards the guarantee, nor will any matches be plaved in either of those States. The Canadians will play 14- matches, in Australia, and four : of that number will take place in Adelaide. The first test match will be decided at Melbourne, but the Canadians will' then, come on- to Adelaide and engage Combined Australia on the Adelaide Oval on August 3.' On August 7 the South Australian team will engage the visitors, and on August 24the third test match will be played in Adelaide. On the following Wednesday, August 28, the Adelaide premier club will play the Canadians, who on the following day will embark for West Australia. They will conclude their tour in that State, and will then go on to England.' The tour will bo managed by Mr. John Cresswell. Is it too late to arrange a match in New Zealand? -