LACROSSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13454, 3 June 1907, Page 8

LACROSSE.

AUCKLAND DEFEATS WELLINGTON " ■ SEVEN GOALS TO FIVE. ' • Th© first interprovincial contest in connection with local lacrosse was played on the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday. Considerable . interest had .been .manifested in the advent of a* Wellington laccpsse team, which came to Auckland to try conclusions with the local representatives. -The game, which was a keenly-fought one, ended in Wellington's downfall by the narrow margin of two goals. Air. G. II: Brass£y gave entire satisfaction as referee. \

Montgomery and ; McCoy (the local skipper) opened play with the "face off," the former securing. Then he sent to Estcourt (Wellington's captain), who dashed on towards goal. His pass was intercepted by Ward, who returned to centre, where Graham secured,, and, making a good opening, gave to Philson. The latter, elusively darting around his checker, drew;" blood" for Auckland. From centre Est- ; court ran through his immediate opponents, ; then gave to Hell, but Nolan . stopped an [ugly rush, and his long throw enabled Grajham to again secure. After making; an iopening, Graham sent to Philson, who 'quickly placed a second goal to Auckland's I credit. From the centre "face," Montgomery . gave \ to Estcourt, who again broke away. Running strongly, ho passed to 8011, who returned, and the. Wellington skipper, swerving through the defence, landed a brilliant goal.' A change of ends then took place.' From the opening "face"-McCoy broke away, then sent to Walton, who gave to Strickland. The latter's shot was stopped by Olouston (goal), who failed to clear, and Philson, rushing in, knocked the rubber into the net. From centre McCoy sent to Wallace. The pass in was intercepted, and a long throw by White placed Auckland on the defensive. " The Wellington vanguard were looking dangerous, until Brown hooked the ball away to the wing. H. Walton removed all danger by throwing to" Graham, who sent to Strickland, who. had a shot, and notched Auckland's fourth goal. From midfield' McCoy sent to Walton, who ran in, a smart check by Jantke, and gave Wellington possession. Horn came away, and dashed for goal, but Estcourt accepted a hard pass, and dodging through bagged Wellington's second . goal. The centre " face" Haw Auckland again menacing Wellington's goal. McCoy secured, and gave to Graham, from whom it went to Philson. The latter finished up a pretty piece of passing by (lending the ball into the net. At half-time-. Wellington had scored two goals, and Auckland five.

From the opening " face" McCoy dashed for attack, sending to Wallace, but Jantke intercepted, and returned to Es'tcourt, who made a brilliant run down the, field. He finished up by striking the goal post. Nolan returned to centre, : from where H. Walton carried play to attack. A. Walton accepted, and transferred to Strickland. ' The lastnamed beat his checker, and. again found the not: Auckland, 6; Wellington, 2. Wellington secured from the opening, and Bell dashed away. Ward checked, but the ball had left, and the. shot resulted in a goal to the credit of the left-winger. This brought Wellington's total up to three goals. At this stag© Wellington's chosen were playing with great determination and dash. Estcourt again swerved through the defence. Casey secured, and, running to the wing, passed in to Bell, who gave to Estcourt, and the Wellington captain placed another to his credit. From the centre " face" McCoy sent to Wallace, who passed Graham. McGinley stopped, and threw, to his attack. What looked like a dangerous rush was early stopped by Horspool, who returned to his homes. From a loose rush Philson secured, and, having beaten his checker, landed Auckland's sixth goal. Change ends then occurred. The pace with which Wellington opened play in this, the last quarter, was fast* indeed, and their efforts met with reward, for, from a scramble in front of Auckland's goal, McGinley snicked into the net. Again and again the black and golds tried for the victory, but the Auckland defence was too solid, and just on the call of time Auckland's score was further augmented by IPhilson throwing his. fifth goal. The game ended; Wellington, 5 , goals; Auckland, 7.. .

NOTES ON THE PLAY. ; The*game;was" a triumph of combination over individual ' skill. The Wellington Association found at the eleventh hour that the original team chosen was not able to make the trip, so they sent away a team that had not had a practice together. Consequently - they lacked \ combination. This iwas evidenced by the systematic manner in which Casey and Levy were not fed by the I men nearer centre. On the other hand, lthe Auckland centre men catered for their homes on every opportunity. Of the individual players, Estcourt's play was an object lesson. His manner, of feinting with his cross© is ; most disconcerting to his opponents. This player at one time represented England against Canada. Montgomery; a Canadian, is another brilliant attacking player, but, owing to his team being rearranged, was forced to play mainly on the defence. Bell was always dangerous and hard to stop. He takes well, and j is very fast. Jantko. Horn, and , Casey were a 'reliable trio. Philson was in very I good form, and ' to him 'is due in a great measure the credit of Auckland's win. Graham proved his claim to be recognised | as one of Auckland's best "homes." McCoy,- at centre, wasted no time in sending] the ball -away to his. front men, and Ward and Brown were always prominent on the defence. ;,., .':..■;'■': "