FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15649, 1 July 1914, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

The Auckland Pugly I'nion'* .-oniov /.rado championship Wiis ontinued on Saturday in very fino weather but on soft gicuds. The principal match. that between City and University, attracted a very largo crowd to Eden Paik. where an interesting game was played. 'I ho foot hall was not of a high onier, bit there wett many exciting rallies, eo t!.-"«t while ".lie play did not sparklo as anticipated, it was interesting enough to keep the spc-taiors in suspense until no ride was (.tilled. For tha second Saturday in succession a pointless draw was played on No. 1 ground. When the City and Univcreity teams lined out they were equal in championship points, each having scored 9. Poagouby was two, Marist Brothers four, and Collego Rifle* five points behind tho leaders. A win to cither side meant a considerable pd/antage at this stago of tho competition, The result of tho game, however, ha 3 left the competition still in a most interesting state, and Ponsouby also has a possible chance The prospects of the City team for the championship arc the brightest, for they have only to play College Rifles and a very much weakened Marist Brothers team, while- University hat yet to play College Rifles and I'ons*nty. Tit© last-named team lias not only to meat the Collegians, h".t also has to play Marist Brothers and Collie Rifles. City •irtainly has the tw- easiest matches to play, but, of course, there are eventualities in football as in every other game. Saturday's results left the two leading teams still equal at the top of tie tree, -with Ponsonby and Marist Brothers three, and College Rifles six points behind. The City-University match was exacted to develop into tussles between tho City forwards and Collegian backs, but these anticipations were not realised, for tie "Varsity backs as a combination failed. Tfisir forwards, however, proved themselves equal, if not a trifle superior, to tho City pack in all things but experience. Tho City forwards, afraid of tho known attacking powers <■{ the 'Varsity b;>cks, went out determined to get the bill and keep it. They managed to do li.s for a part of the game, but often they were pushed off the bail. When it got. among the 'Varsity forwards there was always plenty of excitement, for tho students showed a surprising amount of dash. Although University did the greater part of the attacking their work was nullified by tho 6ure tackling of the City backs and by the excellent defence of MofEtt, City's fullback. The City backs were rearranged for Saturday's match, D. Stewart playing ■ring-threequarter, while Barclay played afc centre, and Lowe, who played fiveeightha for Parnell for four years, was given * chance in '-hat position. The City lacks played food, solid football throughout the came. They were afraid to take risks with the opposing rear division, but, in defence were very sound, and when necessary accounted man for man for the students City's backs gave a good display of tackling on severs! occasions. Moffitt, at fullback, was very sure, both in fielding, kicking, and rush -stepping. Stewart _ scented out of place on tho wing, but still he did good work there, und his fellow-wing. Burns,' made good ?ase of his pace. Barclay's defence was ■ Hound," and Lowe was responsible for mak ing some good openings. Campbell and v.'odfrey were too close to tho cashing ibluo forwards to. show out prominently, Hint in the circumatances the latter did g;ood work behind the pack, The City forwards did not attempt to show out on Saturday, they preferred to • play as. a puck, with the exception of .. Bruce, who may haie been detailed &a a soft of loosoend to jreak up the 'Varsity Attacks.' He was n rely in the thick of play, but did a great deal of. spoiling She best forwards in the team were ffirench, McNab, and Walters, .The-','Varsity backs' were distinctly disappointing, a 4. fact which was probably due to Lambert' being out of form. Many . promising runs wore started by .Ross, hut . inert was no dash or finish to them, for, . with, the exception of Lambert, who •dropped easy- passes on three successive occasions, none of the backs attempted to ,#un ground in passing runs.. EvenOeddea failed in this respect on Saturday. The irJlback, Campbell, gave a very poor exhibition in the first three spells, but flayed better during tho concluding 20 minutes. .He has tho very bad libit of '. ..raiting for tho ball to bounce. Wilson ;was the pick of tho threequarter line, and "what- little ho had to do was done well. ,' iForsdi.ck also p'laved his part well. Geddes ~- •was not up io Lis best form, but Ross V • rose to the occasion. He is an ideal build '.' for a Ecrumhali', aßds ; ai|ily revels in stopping forward rushes Ho got his side out of at least one very dangerous position. >. The palm for toward play must be awarded to Bilksy, who played a consistently hard game from start to finish, ;"', The only blemish on his day's work was Ms attempt to pick up the ball after dribbling it past the fullback. He had only kick it over the line, and with Wilson alongside him a try was certain. He, however, can find consolation in tho fact that tile same thing has been done on many occasions and by tho best forwards playing thu game. Bfikey was well supported by J. McKenzic, Sexton, and Grierson. . With all interest centred in the. meeting on No. 1 ground at Eden Park of the two leading teams, very little attention was devoted to the Marist Brothers v. College Rifles match on the adjoining 's?sa» Thoso, however, who Were fortuacta enough to view tlie latter game were luwarded with a bright and interesting contest, Both teams, were minus several College Rifleii were without the services of King,, who was on tho sick list, and Hill, who had hot sufficiently recovered from his injury in the Pon•sonby match. They were replaced by Whitnoy, a -junior player, and Yates respectively. Sheahan, who received a , •slight concussion in the game against "University, and McDonald were missing :from tho Marist Brothers' back division. - Cornaga, who had played wing-forward the previous Saturday, and Hing, a fourthgrade player', as wing tlireequarler. fill-'*! the vacancies. College Rifles were also unfortunate in Weston having to leave the field early in tho second half with a twisted knee. This player, until bis re- . tirement, had been playing a particularly sound game. Bis distinct superiority to the remaining members of his team was quickly noticeablo in tho closing stages, twhen tho dark blues' captain was not available. The effective combination among both the forwards and backs of the Marist Brothers' fifteen, coupled with tho brilliant play of McKenzic and J. O'Brien, were the prominent factors in fits defeat of College Rifles. Although the dark blues repeatedly removed play toy a series of loose rushes by M'cHugn, Sutherland, and Hansen to Marist Brothers' territory, the advantage thus gained was generally of little benefit, for the sound defence of the opposition * and lack of support rendered the movements almost useless. Tho want of combination and initiative among the dark blues' backs was clearly demonstrated on the retirement of Weston. Barker was conspicuous ' at times with a series of 'spirited, dash ss, but only on one occasion, - ,wh«n he was tacWed within an ?.co of the .'goal-line, did he prove dangerous. Whit- i . '"■ iwy; at half-back, gave a very pleasing display. His effective stopping of several .of the Marist Brothers' forward rushes ,-was much admired. He also made many •. to set both hi? backs and forairwards in motion in counter-rushes. Of .Me forwards, MoHugh was most promi- .-. ; jsa.% with Hansen and Sutherland as his ''.■■■■'. nearest attendants.

Ttare was nothing to cavil at in Ihe ,;:7&<ffh of any one member of tho Marist && yas awaro

that it was the last occasion on which the full strength of his team would be available, and it was thereforo necessary to avail thcmsolvcs of every opportunity in order to avoid tho acceptance of tho ' " wooden- spoon" at the end of the season. i Although not wishing to individualise, one can hardly omit rnent'on of the displays given by both McAcnzie a---! J. O'Brien, particularly tho _ former. Tho dover fivo-eTghth was prominent throughout the whole game with his quite unorthodox actions. Tho opening which culminated in the scoring of tho first try was the result cl a pretty movement by Me* Keiwie. who literally " walked through ' half the opposing team before transferring tho ball to 1). O'Brien, His combination with Jack O'Brien was at all times pleasing.' Tho latter assisted with his consistent brilliancy. A very creditable performance was that given at wingthreequarter by Hing, a small boy, who Lid already assisted in the fourth grade curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground. While showing signs of nervousness during tho opening stages, tho boy played a very sound and promising game towards the Latter end, und on no .occasion did ho get his side into difficulties. Downing's capabilities were again in evidence at,the head of the Marist Brothers* vanguard, but he was very materially assisted in all his work by each member of the pack. Harris was uufortunato to break his linger during the first scramble, but did not allow tho injury to affect bis play. Some comment was made at Eden Park on Saturday by spectators, who paid for admission to the stand enclosure and failed to get seats, at the comparative emptiness of tho small stand. It is but fair to mention that the Auckland Rugby Union has no control over the small stand, which is owned by the Auckland Cricket Association and is only available for us© by the officers and members of that body. While referring to this question it is just as well to point out that spectators are much heritor catered for at Eden Park, apart from the ,greater oaso of getting to and getting away from the ground, thin they were at either Alexandra Park or tho Show Ground. When it is impossible to get a scat in the stand ii vt quite easy to see the play on No. 1 ground from the many vantage points close to the playing area. The outsido public will find, "when the rising ground opposite the stand is terraced, that Eden Park will accommodate, and give a good sight line to, many thousands of spectators. The senior cricket pitch in tho middle of tho No, 1 ground at Eden Park developed into a quagmire after a short spell of rain. This condition is quite easy to understand, as after being soaked all tho summer that part of the ground is full of water when winter commences, and therefore becomes very soft as the wintei proceeds. A chance remark, made to a cricket enthusiast on Saturday, that cricket pitches wero not good to play football on, earned the retort that playing football on pitches was not likely to improve them.

THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR.

PLAYERS LEAVE AUCKLAND.

Notification was received yesterday by J. Barrett, of the Marist Brothers Old Boys' Club, that he had been chosen as a member of tie' New Zealand, representative team to tour Australia in place of M. Carroll, 'of South' Auckland, who is unable to make the trip. Barrett is cap-. tain of tho Marists' team, and his selection makes the fourth nember of that club to gain a place in this season's New Zealand team. Carroll, who by his withdrawal created tho vacancy, played for Marist Brothers Club lash season. Barrett represented Auckland, in 1911-12-13, and has previously gained New Zealand representative honours. Ho was entertained" last evening prior to his departure for Wellinijton try the Main Trunk traux A Bruce, L. H. Weston, A. Downing, and. J. MeKenzi© left for Wellington by Yesterday's mid-day Main Trunk train. The New Zealand team is being assembled in Wellington in readiness to play against the Wellington representative team to-<lay, ami is to leave for Sydney; on Friday. [BT IXLECSAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Tuesday

The selectors of tho New Zealand Rugby team for Australia have chosen E. Roberts, of Wellington, to take the place of Green as half-back. INTEREST IN SYDNEY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received June 30. 10.25 p.m.) Sidney, June .30. . The greatest interest is being taken in the forthcoming tour of the New Zealand football team. The suggestions include the sending of Cockroft as a reserve, following the precedent of 1893, whon Wynyard was sent.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. , As the result of the first grade matches on Saturday last, North Shore ,ind Ponsonby are still at the top of the list with 11 points each, 1 point ahead of City, while Newton, Grafton, and Otahuhu are next in that order. Everything joints to the competition being a close one, and it should prove extremely interesting in theclosing stages. Although the two leading teams again succeeded in wincing on Saturday, they had by no meansan easy task in doing so. fho teams at the bottom of the list, Otahuhu and Grafton, played up to their best form, and Ponsonby and North Shore had to exert themselves to win. _ Otahuhu is a team which is improving every Saturday, and evidently its poor performances in the opening matches were not proper, indications of ite true worth. It has drawn with Newton, and been beaten by very small margins by City and Ponsonby. The material is certainly there, and. nobody can expect a team to reach the top of the tree in its first senior season. With the experience it will have gained this season the team should be one to be reckoned with next year. Similar remarks apply to Grafton, though this team tat been very disappointing on the whole, It is ft team with great possibilities, &< its performances against the leading' thirteens show, but its play is inconsistent. However, the team has been an unfortunate one, so far as injuries are concerned, and has seldom taken the field with its full strength. With Ifwersen leading the backs, and Mitchell's fine example in the forwards, the membero should benefit greatly by their first season. City had no difficulty in defeating Newton on Saturday, bub the camo did not provide a very brilliant exhibition of football. Newton were without tho services of Clark, who wts standing _ down with an injured leg. His placo in the fiveeighth -line was taken by Biggs, and Rope played wing-throequartor. Murray filled tho vacancy in the forwards, and Allen, also an omergency, played in the centre of the tbrecquarter line. There were, occasions en which both teams executed clever movements, but the game was marred by far too much individual play. Newton lost good chances on many occasions through robin's fondness for the ball. Almost invariably he failed, to beat his man, and was tackled with the ball in his possession. If tho ball gets no further than the first fiveeighth, a team lias very little chance of demonstrating its scoring abilities. Tobin, apart from this great fault, has valuable qualities His fielding is good, and bis defence very sound, and it is to be hoped he will in future remember that there are 12 other men in the team. City were unfortunate in having their two 'five-eighths injured. Early in the "amo Rogere wrenched his ankle, and nad to be taken off. After having his 'injury attended to he returned to tho field, but the effect of tho wrench was noticeable for the rest of the game. Soon after Rogers bad returned Kenneally sustained a similar injury. After having it attended to he attempted to resume playing but bad to leave the field altogether. Tie vacant position in the five-eighth line was filled by Percy Williams, and tie tall forward acquitted himself remarkably well. City had the better of the game practically all through. They were fjrgerior

in tho forwards, and their backs played with tho more cohesion, though it would have been an improvement if Woolley had let the ball out a little more. He is a powerful player, and sometimes makes good openings, but spoils his efforts by paying too tittle attention to his wings. He was, however, tho best of tho City thr?equarters on Saturday. Mansill had an off day, and A. Asher, on the other wing, was watched very closely. As soon as he got the bail there wero,usually two of tlto opposing side upon him, and his progress was usually limited to about a yard. E. Ashci- play«d his usual good gamo behind the pack, and his goal kicking was again a very useful asset. The forwards all worked "well, though Denizo and tbo Aveiy Bros. w • often moreconspicuous than tho othtw. Perry, the Newton custodian, played an extremely good game. Ho fielded and tackled well, and time after time ho initiated attacking movements by powerful runs. Rope was a failure at wing-three-quarter, and BeaJ on the other wing was not a great succc.'is. Biggs, when he got the bid], was fair, and Farrant played a good game behind the pack. Tho forwards wero not very convincing. During the greater part of tho game they wero content with merely being on the field, and did not exert themselves unnecessarily. 'What they need is a dashing leader. ! Playing at Bevonpori Grafton put up a t very good fight against North Shore, and when tho game ended, thero woro only 5 points difference between tho two teams. North Shore wero the better team on the [day's play, but they lacked the necessary finish to "score, and" also did not wear tho black and whites down as it was expected they would do. Wynyard played a. firstclass game among the North Snore backs. | When ho takes the game seriously Wynyard is a good man, and this season ho seems to be at his best. Fox, Weston, and Stewart were also very prominent among tho rearguard. Tho forwards wero a very even lot. As usual Ifwersen was the mainstay of the Grafton team, and ho succeeded in scoring all the points for his side. He was not too well supported by his colleagues, otherwise tho result might havo been differont. Mitchell was the best of a hard-working lot of forwards.

At tho special meeting of the New Zealand Couricil held on Monday afternoon a letter which had been addressed by the secretary of the Mew South Wales League to the director o? athletics of the PanamaPacific International Exposition was read. In tho course of the letter, the New South Wales secretary, Mr. E. R. Larkin, invites tho director's consideration of a proposal that a series of matches under tho Northern Union code should be played between England, Australia, New Zealand, and possibly South Africa. Mr. Larkin points out that Leaguo football is the brightest, fastest, and post popular form of football in the world to-day, and remarks on tho enormous crowds which are now being attracted to the games being played by tho English team in Australia. "It is safe to say,' continues Mr. liarkin, "that no part of the United States has yet been favoured with exhibitions of tho highest class of Rugby. It is true that teams playing the old' code have visited the States, but their game, by comparison with ours, is as tie old stage-coach to the modern railway express. . . At proisent our ranks are r«pleto with players of tho dashing and daring type. You can be isertain that if they visit you they will provide more thrills for your spectators than anything else you are likely to put on." The matter is to be fully considered by tie Now Zealand Council at its next meeting. ENDEAN SHIELD COMPETITION. LOWER WAIKATO TEAM. AT TEUEGIUTH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Hpntxy. Tuesday. The following team will represent Lower Waikato in the match to bo played at Huntly on Saturday, against the Rotorua representatives for the Endean Shield :— Patea, F. LittJowood, B. Bookham, Oooke, C. Smith, It. Sprague, H. Peckham, W. Fuller, W. Rayner, A. Rayner, T. Haddon. R. Fuller, T. Wilson; emergencies, Lyall and Bailey.

THE ENGLISH TEAM

BAD LUCK IN GAME.

CRITICISMS OF CROWD. By Teleeraph—Press Association—Copyright.

Sydney, June ,30. Press opinion of yesterday's football agrees that England was unincky. Tho absence of Moorehouso' and an injury to Robinson smashed the forward combination. Had the tennis been the same as on Saturday, England would have won, Tho Daily Telegraph refers to the ungenerous spirit of the crowds in hooting certain English tactics and cheering tho same thing when done by the Australians, and tho callous countmg-out'of injured Englishmen. ' Dr. Thacker (manager of the Now Zealand League football team in Australia last year), replying to criticisms of the football crowds, said that he had never seen a better behaved, better clad, or fairer crowd. The evidences went to 6how that tho Sydney sporting community was tho. finest in the world.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The results of Saturday's matches did not affect the relative positions of the teams in the association's competition, but produced highn scoring in two gamefl. Thistle accounted for Corinthians by 4 goals to 1, and Brotherhood defeated Y.M.C.A. by II goals* to 0. Tho meeting of Carlton and Adult School at Richmond was expected to produco a close game, The expectations were realised, for no goals wero scored. It was a disappointing game, and. at no time did the football reach a high standard.- Each team put up a stubborn defence, and play was, therefore, confined to midfield for tho major portion of the game. Carlton have two reliable men in R. Bennett and Stillwell. On Saturday ' Stillwell played well, and used his head with good judgment, but his footwork wag not up to his usual high standard. , His long pot shots at goal went too high, and only once did he cause anxiety to McAneny, with a high drop shot, which landed on the cross bar. Thistle gained rather an easy win over Corinthian. It was generally expected that tho latter loam, who have run tho Scotchmen to a close finish, would make a closer game than they did. Thistle were very strong in tho front rank, and their halfbacks fed their forwards with accuracy. There was a great difference in the. back division of the two teams. Tho Tbistlo backs cleared and placed the ball well at tho forwards' toes, but the Corinthian backs wero off-colour, and could hardly keen their lines clear. In tho second spell play was more even, and the Corinthian forwards: showed to more advantage. Mason was always conspicuous for his initiative work.

V.M C.A. f:>und Broth'.'L'jod on th« of their form, and after a Lust, clean pmn suffered a heavy defeat. The Brotherhood team played brilliant football in every department, their front rank especially V vm K ft high-class display. Cocken, who got 4 goals, was always on the ball, but at the beginning was inclined to neglect J. Pearson, his outside man. He was used to playing on the right wing. Leo and Orrock were tho best of the backs, and they were masters of the Y.M.C.A. forwards all through. Y.M.C.A, lack two essential qualities in weight and experience, but after tho display Brotherhood gave they should bo a wiser team, if they aro inclined to Jearn. Tho Y.M.C.A. team must bo congratulated on the clean and stubborn fight they put up, for right to the final whistle they played with enthusiasm.

Everton in their match at North Shore, although the scores were fairly close, had an easy win. The Everton side were short of two regular players, but despite this deficiency the Shore team at no time looked like winniac. The Everton front rank combined well, and their shooting was well directed* and but for the good

display given by Bennett in goal no doubt tho score woula have been greater, The defensive work of the Shore backs was weak; their clearing was only moderate, and tho tackling very poor. At this period of tie season the various teams experience trouble with players, owing to slackness and various other reasons. Adult School are particularly unfortunate in having lost tho services .of their nippy right-wing, Meikle, and Gledhill, who left on Monday night for England. Rumour hag it that one of the senior clubs is losing its goalkeeper. It is hoped tho team will find a capable substitute. During tho interval of the BrotherhoodY.M.C.A. match on Saturday the Brotherhood team made a popular selection for vice-captain, in tho person of D. Corrin, who so successfully fills tho left-back position. McClough, who was playing goalkeeper this season for tho Y.M.U.A. first division, left on .Monday for England. Prior to his departure ho "was presented by Mr. Hanna, on behalf of tho team, with a case of pipes as a email mark of esteem.