FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15664, 18 July 1914, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The senior grade competition of the Auckland Rugby Union will be completed to-day as far as the draw for the season goes, but, as in all probability the University and City teams will tie for championship honours, a further match is likely to bo played.

The match given pride of place at Eden Park to-day is that between the City and Marist Brothers Old Boys teams. A good contest is likely to result from the meeting of these teams, and as tho grounds are likely to be heavy as the result of recent rains, there may not be much between the teams at tho finish. In the first rouna City beat Marist Brothers by 3 points to 0, but since then Marist Brothers have lost several men, who are at present in Australia, showing the Australians how to play football. With the conditions against back play, Marist Brothers have a chance to hold their own with City forwards, but the superiority of tho latter team's backs, particularly in view of last Saturday's form, is likely to win the game. City must win to-day to gain another chance for championship honour; a draw would give the title to University.

The Ponsonby-College Rifles match, which will be played on No. 2 ground at Eden Park to-day, has no bearing on tho championship. When the teams last met Ponsonby won by 15 points to 5, and there seems no reason why the margin should be reduced in to-day's contest.

The Rugby Union is still experiencing troublo with its fourth grade players. On Wednesday evening it had a roport from a referee who dealt with a team as a whole for its conduct. The union found the proposition too big to deal with, so sent on the report to the Ponsonby Club, and asked for its assistance. The referee did not know the players individually, but reported that a majority of them had misconducted themselves. The Ponsonby Club should, in the interests of the game, give tho union all assistance in its power to place the blame on the right parties. The union must show the players of lower grades that it is determined to put a stop to the striking of opponents and the use of bad language.

With the exception of the fourth grade, there is an improvement in junior football this year. Greater interest is being shown in tho competitions, and the standard of play has improved. There are fewer defaults, and tho games are played to a finish. There is a reason, of course. When the union decided to play senior and junior matches on different grounds, it was paid by some that the effect would be disastrous to junior football, and that there would be no play when big senior matches were on. but such predictions have not proved to bo well founded. Tho reverse has been the case, and 'rom being part-players and -spectators, the boys are now wholly players, and this, of course, is what evory lover of the game wants. We want our boys to play their games to a finish; there are plenty left, most of whom consider themselves too old to play, to occupy the benches on the park Saturday after Saturday.

The annual match between the representatives of the Wellington and Auckland Tramway Football Clubs will probably bo played at Eden Park this year. The date fixed is Wednesday, August 19, and, providing the ground is in fair order, the union will permit tho match to be played. Tho members of the Auckland Rugby Referees' Association sent a deputation to wait on the union on Wednesday evening, and lay before Jihat body a number of requests. They were courteously received, and were granted practically all they asktd for. The utmost cordiality of feeling at present exists between the union and association.

They take their football seriously in Rangitikei. The bona fides of a local player who had previously lived in Auckland wero questioned, but lie stoutly protested against the allegation that he had forfeited his amateur status by playing Northern Union football in Auckland. Inquiries were made, and he was confronted with what appeared to bo incontestable evidence Ho denied this, and played in an important match under protest. In order to settle the matter definitely, an official of Rangitikei sub-union came to Auckland this week, and spent some time searching records, and in making inquiries from persons in authority. He returned home, and tho sequel is now awaited with interest. Tho match ended hi a draw.

New Zealand representative teams have been defeated on three occasions by Wellington. The first match was played in 1003, and that team, which afterwards won all its games in Australia, suffered defeat by Wellington to the tune of 14 points to 5. The " All Blacks," who made that famous tour of the British Isles and other places, set out on their trip with a three-point defeat by the local representatives, the only Bides, therefore, that triumphed over them being Wales and Wellington. There may have been some doubt as to whether Wales did secure a positive victory, but there is no question that a try was scored by Wellington against the team captained by Dave Gallagher. The most-talked-of thing in Wellington this week, writes a correspondent, is the strike of referees. The position in a nutshell is that the Referees' Association is satisfied that its members cannot get what is considered justice in the matter of appointments from the Appointment Board as at present constituted. And the Rugby Union having expressed itself as not being willing to ask its member of the board to retire—he appears to be the real cause of all the trouble—the referees have decided to put their Saturday afternoons to other purposes than blowing whistles in matches under the Rugby Union. The Referees' Association has counted heads, and is quite prepared _ to find six of their present members willing to assist the Rugby Union against the wishes of the majority of the association, but the others are all determined on the stand to be taken. We regret, says the London Daily Chronicle of May 22, to announce the death at sea, near Gibraltar, on board the

s.s. Costello, of Mr. Hannah Stuart, the famous writer on Rugby football. Mr. Stuart was on his way home from a sea voyage for the benefit of his health. Ho was buried at Gibraltar. How many internationals he witnessed altogether cannot be known, unless he has left a record of the number; but he attended, as a schoolboy, the first ever played between England and Scotland at Edinburgh, and, except during absences abroad, never missed one through any cause except illness. In his early days he won a considerable reputation as a play * in Scotland, and he was almost a life-long cricketer, on which game ho was a valued writer.

"ALL-BLACKS" IN AUSTRALIA.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. WEATHER UNPROMISING. By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright. (Received July 17, 9 p.m.) Sydney, July 17. The weather is showery and bitterly cold, and the outlook for to-morrow's New Zealand-Australia match is unpromising, The New Zealand team selected is as follows:-— Fullback: O'Brien. Threequarters: Lynch, R. Roberts, V. Taylor. Five-eighths: Ryan, Black. Half: E. Roberts. Wing-forward: Graham. Forwards: Francis, Cain, Irvine, Wilson, Downing, Bruce, McNeece. FIRST TEST MATCH TO-DAY. The New Zealand representative Rugby football beam will be called upon to play the first test match of the tour against Australia at Sydney to-day. In view of the convincing manner in which New South Wales was beaten last Saturday, followed by the easy win against Western Districts, local enthusiasts axe considering the match as good as won by the Dominion team. Many things may happen in a football match, but some consideration must bo shown to the actual form of teams, therefore thero is reason in the contention that Now Zealand has a good chance to win to-day's match. It was not until the fourth team—l9o3 visited Australia that a test match was played against a Commonwealth team. One game was played, and Now Zealand won that by 22 points to 3. The sixth team—l9o7—defeated Australia by 26 points to 6 and by 14 points to 5, and drew the third game— points all. The seventh team—l9lo— Australia by 6 points to 0 in the first match, lost the second by 11 noints to 0, and won the third by 28 points to 13. Two Australian teams have visited New Zealand, in 1905 and during last season.. One test was played by the first team at Dunedin, when New Zealand won by 14 points to 3, while last season three matches were played. Few Zealand won the first by 30 points to 5; tho second by 25 points to 13; and Australia won tho third by 16 points to 5. FUTURE MATCHES. Tho remaining matches of the tour are as follows:— July 22: Play Northern Districts at Armidale. Oulv 25 and 29: Play Queensland at Brisbane. August 1: Play Australia at Brisbane. August 5: Olympic fund match at Sydney. Auirnst 8: Play New South Wales at Sydney. August 15: Play Australia at Sydney. RESULTS OF TOUR. July 11: Beat New South Wales, 27 points to 6. Julv 15: Beat Western Districts, 59 points to 10. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Momingside.— player in question was not ordered off the field. He struck the refereo after the frame was over. He was not reported for kicking an opponent. ,

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

There should bo no lack of excitement and enthusiasm at Victoria Park to-day, when the game of the season, the final of the first-grade competition, vi!l be docided. Two teams more evenly matched than North Shore and Pon6onby it would DO hard to imagine, as was proved when they last met, victory then going to Ponsonby by two points, the only score of the match. Individually, the blue and blacks are perhaps cleverer than North Shore, but tho latter team is a very solid and hard-working combination, whose members work well together, and who, in the writer's opinion, should emerge from the fray a little to the good. However, all who go to the nark can expect to see a game of more than ordinary interest, and a first-class exhibition of League football may be looked forward to with certainty. A draw would moan another deciding game, as both teams have the same number of championship points, and as there is not another Saturday clear up till the end of tho season, it is certain that each side will exert itself to the utmost to secure a straight-out victory, and thus gain premiership honours for the 1914 season.

The championship final, although the event of the day, is not the only attraction provided at Victoria Park to-day. The curtain-raiser will take the form of a trial match between two strong and evenly-matched teams; tho resulting play should prove of assistanco to the selectors, and, in addition, a goal-kicking competition will be held between Auckland's best place-kickers and tho members of the English team who are at present in Auckland. The Remuera and City fourth-grade teams will also meet at 1.45 p.m. With such a programme of football, followers of the Northern Union game should show their appreciation by attending in large numbers, and endeavour to make the day a record one for club football as far as numbers are concerned. The playing area has been fenced off, and thus all who go to tho park will have equal opportunities of seeing every movement in the game. If rumour has it right, the goal-kicking c&mpetition this afternoon should servo to introduce to the patrons of first-grade matches a youthful phenomenon, not in the person of an Ashcr, a Hardgrave, a Paul, or a member of tho English team, but in the person of a fourth-grade player. This boy, Davidson, of City, is said to be a remarkable placo kicker and half-a-dozen goals in one afternoon has been no uncommon achievement for him this season. He kicks them from all angles and all ranges, and many old players and officials have described him as easily the best goal kicker in Auckland. However, providing tho importance of the gathering does not affect his nerves, the public will be able to judge for themselves this afternoon.

Next week the famous English team will take the field against Auckland, and a record crowd may be expected at the Domain. The team intends to take no chances with Auckland, so that the very best thirteen it can muster will probably be placed in the field. The English players are kept in the best of condition, and are allowed no liberties on the day of a match. Theri is one thing in which the Englishman differs from the New Zealander, and that is he rarelv kicks. Kicking is discountenanced in the Old Country, except when absolutely essential, and the player who kicks when outside his own twenty-five gets little sympathy. Naturally, when such is the custom, the Englishmen must be extremely dangerous when they obtain possession, and the Auckland team would do well to remember to kick as little as possible, otherwise the result will probably be disastrous.

The visitors are also past masters in tho art of feinting and side-stepping, and unless every Aucklander takes his man trouble will result. On one occasion during the match against Wellington last Saturday the ball came out to the half-

back and travelled on to the five-eighths and centre. The centre-threequarter, when about to be tackled, feinted to pass to his wing, and having then drawn the defence, ho turned round, ran the other way, and came up with the opposite wing, who when he got the ball had a clear run in.

Mr. A. Ferguson, an Auckland referee, has beon appointed to control the test match, which will bo played here on August 1. Mr. R. Benson will probably referee next week's match against Auckland.

Tho Now Zoaland team to meet tho Englishmen will be selected on Monday night at Palmerston North, by Messrs. W. T. Wynyaaxl (Auckland), Duncan McGregor (Canterbury), and W. J. Perrett (Taranaki). The selected men must do in Auckland by the following Monday mornir.g, and no pains will be spared to get them into condition by the following Saturday. Masseurs have been provided for, and the team will receive plenty of practice, including a match against an Auckland team on the Wednesday. Only thirteen men will be chosen, and if it is necessary to call upon reserve forces Auckland will have to provide them. The president of the New Zealand League, Mr. James Carlaw, and the chairman of the council of management, Mr. D. W. McLean, represented the New Zealand League at Wellington when the English team arrived. Reporting to the New Zealand Council on Thursday night they said that the team had been welcomed by the Mayor, and later had received a Parliamentary reception. They were introduced to the Prime Minister by Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P., and Mr. .Viassoy extended to them a hearty welcome to Maoriland. They were then uhown over Parliament buildings, and every item of interest was exhibited and explained. Included in the party wero the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. F. W. Lang, and Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P., who presided over the first meeting held in Auckland in connection with League football. Tho team was afterwards entertained at Bellamy's. Tho courtesy extended by the Ministers and members was much appreciated. " Wellington upheld the reputation of Wellington twenty times better than I anticipated," remarked Mr. James Carlaw at the meeting of the New Zealand Council on Thursday. The Wellingtonians, he continued, put up a great fight, and if anything their forwards were superior to those of tho Englishmen. The game was played in pouring rain, and the ground was ankle deep in mud, but still the sum of £258 was taken at the gates. Many followers of League football were surprised to see the name of S. B. i Houghton included in the English team against Wellington last week. "Sammy," who since leaving Auckland has been living in Napier, was brought into the team on account of so many injuries to the Englishmen, who, had he not been available, could have placed only 12 men in the field. Although he is a registered New Zealand player, Messrs. Carlaw'- 1 and McLean had to bow to the inevitable, and their action was fully approved by the council. "Sammy," by the way, is a son of Mr, J. Houghton, joint manager of the English team. Mr. J. Houghton, the English manager, when he met Messrs. Carlaw and McLean in Wellington, agreed that the matter of selecting referees during the visitors' tour should be left in the hands of the New Zealand Council. As the council previously decided, the various leagues will make their own selections. The matter of complimentary tickets was also satisfactorily decided. The Canterbury League is still wroth at not having been allotted a Saturday match against the Englishmen. Having refused to play on a Wednesday the Southern league now wants some of the English team to play at Christchurch on August 8, as it is very desirous that the visitors should be seen in action there. The Englishmen are due to play in Melbourne on August 15, and the Canterbury Leaguo points out that if any of the team do go to Christchurch they can catch a boat at the Bluff which will land them in Melbourne on August _ 14. If only 11 men could make tho trip Canterbury is still anxious to have them. The president of the New Zealand League and the Canterbury delegate will interview the English managers on the matter when Mr. Houghton arrives. An Australian writer says that he does not know what the actual strength of New Zealand is this year, but if the Blacks of the League are as good as they were in Sydney last season, they stand a very fair chance of beating tho Englishmen, though, of course, if they happen to be a bit slack, the tourists will pour through them. The best League forwards of New Zealand would have got over tho top of the Australians on form this season.

ENGLISH TEAM'S TOUR. PLAY HAWKE'S BAY TO-DAY. Tho English Northern Union football team now touring the Dominion will play the second match in the Dominion against Hawko's Bay to-day. Wagstaffe and Moorhonse, two members of the team who have been resting in Auckland, left by the Main Trunk train on Thursday for Napier, in order to take part in the match. THE TARANAKI TEAM. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]' Eltham, Friday. The Taranaki team to play the English touring team here next Thursday is as' follows:— Malone, Hooker, Nicholls, Fitzgerald, Tichbon. Kyle. Tocker, Martins', Irwin, Parker, King, Osborne, and Char-

THE DOMINION PROGRAMME. The remaining matches of the tour are as follows: — July 23, play Taranaki July 25, play Auckland. July 30. play Wanganui. August 1, play New Zealand at Auckland.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The meeting of the Thistle and Brotherhood teams to-day i s creating much interest in Association football circles 4.11 roads, as far as soccer enthusiasts aro concerned, will lead to the Domain, where a very close game is exported. Mr Guest is not to be envied in his charge to-day, as the game will demand keen referring. When the teams met earlier in the season, on the same ground, the result was a draw, a satisfactory ending to a fine and interesting game. The Thistle team has a commanding lead of three points over to-day's opponents, who are runneis-up. The Thistle team will be exactly the same eleven as that which beat Y.M.C.A. last Saturday. Brotherhood is making changes from last week's successful team, but the changes are for the better, and the Bide will start the game with every confidence. As far as goal average is "concerned, Thistle has a better record, having scored 35 with 8 against, whereas Brotherhood has 32 goals to its credit with 9 in the adverse column. Another good game should result from the return match between Adult School and Corinthians. In tne first match Corinthian was successful by four goals to nil, but since then the School has considerably improved. It is hoped McAneny, the clever goalkeeper, will be able to play to-day; three weeks ago he injured his hand and finds this a great handicap. The School team accomplished a good performance last Saturday, but will have to fully extend itself "to-day to gain the maximum number of points. The Corinthian team has not been up to form of late, but the decisive victory over Everton last Saturday should add confidence to th.' men in the whits jerseys. When North Shore and Y.M.C.A. meet a keen game is generally the result, and therefore to-day's match should prove no exception to the rule. The young men suffer from lack of combination in the front rank, but the team is improving, and on Shore's recent performances a close game should result. While it is

hoped the Y.M.C.A. will be able to n 1» the same eleven as last, week, Shore will bo making one alteration in the (»,! that lost to Adult School, renlX Taylor in the forward line. One figat the low position in the r.hampio n «h!n table occupied by North Shore. n men individually can play good football* the team is heavy and well balanced and yet it is getting a matter of weeks 'sine* it had a win. k tB

One of the surprises last week was Everton losing to Corinthian. The men in the bluo and black jerseys will have to considerably improve if they wish to de feat Carlton to-day. Although losing to Brotherhood last week, Carlton was not disgraced, and will go all out for a wit to-day. Everton, although .standing third in the table, is by no means in a strong position, and it is unfortunate that th, full team will not be in the field to-day Carlton is making changes from last week's team, and should the team play Walbran and L. Bennett at back th.B defence will be fairly secure. Carlton ig second from tho bottom in the championship table with only five points to its credit, but the team deservs a better position, and with a little luck will be higher on tho championship ladder.

TEAM FROM OVERSEAS.

POSSIBLE VISIT NEXT SEASON. [BT TELEGRArH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington - , Friday. The Canterbury Football Association the holders of tho Brown Shield, have arranged to play the next challenge match witf Wanganui, at Cliristclimch, on August 1. The secretary of the New Zeahnd Association has received a letter from the association's London representative stating there is a possibility of a:, Over! seas team, visting Australia and New Zealand, next season. ihis matter will be dealt with at the next meeting.