FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14124, 28 July 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES.

The Auckland Rugby Union's representative programme will commence on Saturday, the fixtures being as follows: —

July 31: Auckland B v. Maniapoto (at Auckland). August 7: Auckland v. Thames (at Thames); Auckland B v. Franklin (at Pultekone). August 14: Auckland v. Poverty Bay (at Auckland); Auckland B v. Lower Waikato (at Huntly); Auckland junior representatives v. Wiiangarei (at Whangarei).

August 21 Auckland v. Thames (at Auckland): Auckland junior representatives v. Waiuku (at Waiuku).

August 26: Auckland v. Marlborough, at Blenheim. August 28: Auckland v., Wellington (at Wellington); Auckland junior representatives v. Kaipara (at Auckland); Auckland B v. Northern Wairoa tat Auckland). August 31: Auckland v. Wanganui (at Wanganu-). September 2: , Auckland v. Taranaki (at Tarariaki): Auckland junior representatives v. Waiuku (at Auckland). September 11: Auckland B v. Whakatane (at Auckland); Auckland v. Taranaki, at Auckland. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The passing of the Marist Brothers' backs in the Marist Brothcrs-Ponsonby match on Saturday was high-class. From centre-half to fullback all took a hand at times, and seldom indeed wero there mistakes. On two or three occasions tho fullback, instead of kicking, ran up tho field, made an opening, and passed to his centre threequarter, ho to the wing man, one of which efforts ended in a score. Though tho backs did so well, too much credit cannot bo given to the forwards, who played with splendid dash and vim, their following up and scrum and line-out work being far superior to anything they had previously shown this season. Of the Ponsonby forwards Barrett, McKinnon, Iricker, and Grundy wero most prominent, the firstnamed being especially so in line-out and loose. McDonald (at half) played. well, and went down to the rushes in good style, while he also opened out tho gamo weL. Of the threequarters Wolfgram was the best. Doran (at fullback) played a fine game, his line-kicking and taking of the ball being very good. Of the Marist Brothers' forwards it is hard to individualise, as all shone out on different occasions for some piece of good work; but for allround play Gallagher deserves special mention. Nolan , (halfback) played a splendid game, opening up the gamo in great style, his passes being very clean; he also played a good defensive game. He should go near to getting his junior rep. cap. 15. O'Brien (insido five-eighths) astonished a, lot of spectators by his straight dashes and 64 swervy" runs. Ho was inclined to slip on Saturday, and that "swerve" has served him better than it did in tho last match. Perhaps ho wont too much on .lis " own for a time; but later in tho gamo he did not run so far, and gave his , other backs a chance. Ho is a very dangerous man when in his stride and the ground dry. L. Little (outside five-eighths) played an ideal game. Always safe, he on Saturday was brilliant at times, his ground fielding being very good. Of the three-quarters Delanev was the best of a good line. He has been a prolific try-getter this season, scoring in every match but two. _ In his position of centre threequarter ho is easily tho best in tho competition, and should have no difficulty in getting his rep. cap Blake's display was tho best ho has given this year. He takes a lot of stopping when he gets going. Lonergan also played well. J. O'Brien (fullback) was just as good as ever, despite a not, too-sound knee. His line-kicking was very good. . A very important decision on Rugby law has been forwarded by Mr. C. W. Oram, secretary of tho local Referees' Association. He writes:—"At the Canterbury Rugby Union's request tho New Zealand Rugby Union decided a point raised with reference to a player failing to scoro a try through not putting his hand on the ball, the ball having ty>en taken out under tho impression a trv had been scored, and a i goal kicked. The Appeal Board decided that it, was the duty of the refereo to inform both sides that no try had been scored as soon as ho recognised that, they were under the impression ono had been gained.

WEDNESDAY TRADESMEN'S UNION.

A resetting of the Management Committee of' the Wednesday Tradesmen's Rugby Union was held last evening, Mr. Stewart in the chair. It was decided to play the junior match, P.T.R. v. Butchers at Alexandra Park on No. 1 ground, it being the final for the junior championship. The secretary was instructed to write to the Auckland .Rugby Union, and ask for a match with their B team on some Wednesday in August. The fixtures and grounds for to-morrow are as follows: — SENIOR GRADE. Butchers. v. Grocers. No. 2 ground. P.T.R. v. Bakers. No. 3 ground. Drapers v. Waterside Workers. No. 4 ground. JUNIOR GRADE. Butchers v. P.T.R. No. 1 ground TEAMS FOR TO-DAY. SENIOR GRADE.

The following aro tho teams for to-day's matches:— ' Waterside (v. Drapers): Rutledge, Lucas, Donovan, Randall, Woods, Pain, Royle, Wright, Roach, Sadler (captain), Tito, Symonds, Soares, Brown, Waterhouse, Williams, ' Underwood, Melrose, Moycr. ...... _ „ P.T.R. (v. Bakers): Harrison, Graham, Warner, Lloyd, Pascoe, McMahon, Aitken, Foster, Gray, Williams, Tomlinson, Edwards, Hancock, French. Emergency, Climo. Grocers and Milkmen (v. Butchers): Hunt, Trcgaskis, Blake, Nicholson, Benton, Bentley, Hind,'Harrison, Cliffe, Sparks, Turner, Burton, Roscoe, Webber, Walter, Baker. VOLUNTEER UNION'S DRAW. Tho following is the draw for the Auckland Volunteer Rugby Union's competition which opens on August 7: —

August 7: Franklin M.R. v. No. 1 Na- . tives, Highland Rifles v. College Rifles B, Engineers v. No. 3 G.A.V., No. 2 G.A.V. v. College Rifles A. August 14: Franklin M.R. v. College Rifles B, Highland Rifles v. No. 3 G.A.V., Engineers v. College Rifles A, No. 2 G.A.V. v. No. 1 Natives. August 21: Franklin M.R. v. No. • 3 G.A.V., Highland Rifles v. College Rifles A, Engineers v. No. 1 Natives, No. 2 G.A.V. v. Collego Rifles B. August 28: Franklin M.R. .v. College Rifles A, Highland Rifles v. No. 1 Natives, Engineers v. College Rifles B, No. 2 G.A.V. v. No. 3 G.A.V. September 4: Franklin M.R. v. No. 2 G.A.V., Highland Rifles v. Engineers, No. 1 Natives v. College Rifles A, College Rifles B v. No. 3 G.A.V. September 11: .Franklin M.R. v. Engineers. Highland Rifles v. No. 2 G.A.V., No. 1 Natives v. No. 3 G.A.V., Collego Rifles B v. College Rifles A. September 18: Franklin M.R. v. Highland Rifles, Engineers v. No. 2 G.A.V., No. 1 Natives v. College Rifles B, No. 3 G.A.V. v. College Rifles A.

LOWER WAIKATO Y. CAMBRIDGE. Tho 'second - rep. fixture of the Lower Waikato Rugby Union will be played at Iluntly on Saturday, when the following team will meet tho Cambridge Union's reps..: — Fullback, Fuller; three-quarters, Vinson, Littlowood, Gleeson; five-eighths, Heald; halfback, Clout; wing forwards, McCaulcy, (inlander; forwards, McKillop, Drake, Samson, Hall, Dunn, Lockie, Henderson; emergencies, Pcckham, Hinton (backs), McTavish, Ryan, Russell (forwards). JUNIOR REP. TRIAL MATCH. Tho - following A and B junior teams have been selected to play a junior rep. trial match on Saturday:—

A Team: O'Brien (2), Delaney, Von Smith, Cross, Taylor, Nolan, Wright, Rassmussen, Bradley, Sheehan, Campbell, Jacobi, Hooper, .Magee.

B Team: Mincham, Blake, Weymouth, Hughes, Little, Murray, Rassmussen, Walker, Burns, Harris (2), Farrant, Mahoney, Haddrell, Walters. Emergenies, Lonergan, Kronfeldt, Pountney, Hayes, Saunders, Schofield.

COROMANDEL UNION.

[by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] I Coromandei,, Tuesday.

At a meeting of the Management Committee of the Coromandol Rugby Union last ovening (Mr.. T. B. Tanner presiding), it was decided that owing to youths and small boys making themselves objectionable at matches : they bo made 4to pay for admission in future. The Northern, district team having won the cup competition, the secretary was instructed to order the caps that go with tho cup to the winners. ■ NORTHERN UNION GAME. " BRIGHT PLAY AND SPARKLING SITUATIONS." The rapid development of matters in connection with the Northern Union game last week has caused some stir in football circles. There had been much talk as to what was likely to happen, but nothing in the haturo of an organised move had been attempted. The meeting in the Chamber of* Commerce, however, put matters in a concrcto form, and it was easy to see there was more in the movement than met the eye. The subsequent meetings at Jsorth Shore and in the city also pointed to the fact that there was a living organisation behind 'the movement. Speaking to a representative of the Herald yesterday, Mr. D. W. McLean, chairman of tho newly formed management committee of the Auckland Football League, said it was tho intention of the league to run their sport on sound lines. No payment would be made for playing, but tho men when away f ron home would bo recompensed for lost time*. They would provide players with uniforms free in order that a team might take the field in a regulation costume, not in varied coloured pants and stockings, as is often seen even in rep. Rugby matches. Their meetings would be open to the press and full information will be given to the publio of all moneys received and expended. The league's transactions would be done as far as possible by tender. It was their intention to prevent the present system of private promotion of tours, and they were already in communication with the Northern Union authorities in regard to the matter. Mr. McLean, who is also an old Rugby player and ex-member of the Management Committee of the A.R.U., spoke enthusiastically of the possibilities of tho new code, from which ho contended the rougher elements of Rugby had been removed, thus providing a game which was full of bright play find sparkling situations. The liability of getting hurt had been greatly reduced by the removal of scrums and line-out play. Several prominent players, questioned as to their reasons for leaving the Rugby game for the Northern Union game, said that they were tired of the unequalness of the contests under the present system. There was no sport in being: beaten by. 61 points to nil as the North Shore seniors were recently by tho Ponsonby * team, the buffeting the men got from the big forwards being felt ,for weeks after. They asserted that the management of the Auckland Union was not mindful enough of the clubs' or players' interests. A meeting of Newton residents interested in the Northern Union game will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Pitt-street, tomorrow evening., .

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

CORINTHIANS V. CARLTON.

In the Corinthians v. Carlton match on Saturday Carlton put up a good fight against tho champions, every player rising to the occasion. The forwards gave the Corinthian backs plenty of -exercise, and exhibited some good combination, and had hard luck in not increasing tho score. C. Burton and Horspool should make _ a point of centring sooner, and perhaps tho goals would come more frequently. H. Burton was the best of the halves, and got through a great deal of work. He was well backed up by the wingers. Haresnape gave a good exhibition of fullback, his kicking being of great service. French, in goal, was kept warm from start to finish," and again displayed his ability as a goal-keeper.

In the Y.M.C.A.-W.Y.M.T. match on Saturday F. Miller, the former team's captain, played in goal in tho first half, but was only once tested, when he cleared nicely. Playing back in the second half he gave a fine exhibition of soccer, tiime and again transferring play, to W.Y.M.I.'s quarters. Others who played well for Y.M.C.A. were Tattcn, Brown, Price, and Mhchie.