LACROSSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15364, 28 July 1913, Page 4

LACROSSE.

PONSONBY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP. DEFEATS SHORE BY ONE GOAL. After being runners-up for four successive years, the l'onsonby Club has attained the championship. The cup tie between i onsonby and North Shore was ployed oH on Saturday at Victoria Park, and as was anticipated, a willing, hard-lought game resulted. Probably owing to the keenness of the players the match was not a. good exhibition of lacrosse, tho hard checking usually breaking up the passing rushes in a convincing manner. The following are the details of the play:—From the opening face Crouch sent to Edwards, to Swales, whose shot was finely stopped by goalkeeper Belt. McCready sent to V»'oollams, to Knight, to Russell, who landed a nice goal. Again Shore came to the attack, VVoollams sending to Russell, whose shot went wide. W. Bovvring failed to clear and Knight, snapping up, had a shot which went to the wing. K. Bo wring returned to Edwards, who sent to Swales, to McCoakrie, to Edwards, who failed to beat tho goalkeeper. A. Bell returned to Woollams. to V. Bell, to Anderson, who landed Shore's second goal. Alter ends had been changed Ponsonby set up a strong attack, the bail going irom Crouch, to Swales, to Edwards, to McCoskne, to Swales, who notched the blues' first goal. Back came Shore to attack. Bell sent to Woollams, to Knight, but a shot from the last-named was stopped by Kelly, who finely intercepted and transferred to Edwards, to Swales, to Briusdcn, who transferred to Edwards, who made the scores even. From centre, Bell broke away, but Aldred smartly checked, and Swales took possession and passed to Edwards, whoso shot placed Ponsonby in the load. Again the blues assumed tho offensive. Aldred ran in from the wing and shot, but the ball went wide, and Fleming sent back to Woollams. The latter beat three men, and then transferred to Knight, who put in a hot shot, which was brilliantly stopped by W. Bowring. Kelly's throw transferred play to midfield as half-time was sounded: Ponsonby - § Shore 2 The resumption saw the blues swarming round the Shore citadel. Fleming, however, sent forward, and Woollams made a dash for goal After beating a couple of men he rushed the goal mouth, where tne bine defenco received him, and promptly sent tho ball to midfield. Give-and-take play followed until "change ends" was announced. In this, tho last quarter, play continued to be of the fast and vigorous order, the ball going rapidly from end to end of the field. Noaring tho close, Woollams scored a fine goal amidst much applause, making the score three all. With about five minutes to play, Crouch brought down and sent to Edwards, from whom a long pass went to Brinsden. The last-named beat the defenco, and won the match for Ponsonby: — Ponsonby 4 North Shore ... 3

GRAFTON V. MERCURY BAY,

The members of the Grafton. Club, in response to an invitation from Mercury Bay, visited Whitianga on Saturday to try conclusions with the local players. . The game, was evenly contested, and resulted in a win for the Grafton team by 6 goals to 2. From the face-oft Perkinson (.Mercury Bay) secured, and after the ball had passed through several hands Young notched a brilliant goal for Mercury Bay. The. game was very even for some time, until .A. - ' Brown intercepted and passed to P. Stewart, who in turn transferred to Philson, who evened the scores. From the face-off G. Stewart secured and passed to Roberts, who J : transferred to Philßon, to MacCltire, who j notched Grafton's second goal. ...The first quarter ended in favour of Grafton by •,'-SJ growls to 1. , ■„•' -•■•'■ - ' - : . '''• " Early in. the next quarter passing by Pal-' mer, Kobertson, and Philson ended in the latter finding the net with a good shot. After the ball had travelled tip and down the field several times, Oliver obtained pos- ! . session and passed to Philson, who, after • evading several players,) notched Grafton's ' fourth goal. Shortly after half-time was j Bounded, with the scores: Grafton 4, Mercury Bay 1. The third quarter was extremely willing, Ileath, Grafton's goalkeeper, , being called upon on several occasions to save his side. From a tusscl in front of Graf ton 'U goal, L. Stewart secured and got his attack in molion, the ball eventually being transferred to Philson, who agsiin found the net. Mercury Bay wero not long in retaliating, D. Bade notching a very clever goal for the all whiles. ■■•-". Mercury Bay commenced well in. the fourth quarter, and Grafton were hard pressed to keop them at bay. From a ground scramble* in front of Mercury Bay's- goal, MacClure snicked the ball in to the goal, making tho scores 6 to 1 in favour of Grafton. Mr. E. Kelly controlled the game in an efficient manner. A feature of the game was the fine exhibition given by the country team. Although they have only played for a short period, they displayed a pood knowledge of the game, and arc the making of a very good team. This form is the result of Dr. Eade's careful coaching. The visitors have reason to congratulate themselves upon their treatment by tho Mercury Bav people.' (During an interval of the game afternoon tea was supplied by Mrs. Eade. who was assisted by the other ladies present. In the, evening tho visitors were entertained to a banquet, at which many | toasts were honoured.