AUCKLAND.

NZ Truth, Issue 474, 18 July 1914, Page 11

AUCKLAND.

Football last week was played m real recognised football weather, and those who turned out to see the teams m action participated m a very unpleasant afternoon— L the wet ground underfoot, together with heavy showers at intervals, making one long for a hotwater bottle to put his feet on. - • 'VARSITY v. PONSONBY. The weather conditions naturally af- . fected the standard of football provided, but, still, those who braved the elements saw a very interesting match between University. and Porisbnby, at Eden Park. In the matter of points, 'Varsity had it all their own way, and clapped on no Mess than 14 points— nine m the first half and five m the second. On the other hand, Ponsonby failed to notch a single point. stay-at-home footballers would naturally; think that the match was onesided', but this was not. so by any means, and I think all those present will agree that the ponies, were very "stiff" \in not scoring several times. I do not wish it to be understood that Ponsonby might have .won— on the afternoon 'Varsity were the better team, but their superiority was not so marked as the 14 points to 0 m their favor would, suggest. ' It 'was a game m which luck played a great part, and the luck all went against Ponsonby. Try. as hard as they would they could do nothing right, and time after time when points looked certain to come their way, something would happen and the chance was lost. The victory gave 'Varsity a lead for ( the championship, but City shpuld have little difficulty m beating Marist Bros., and 'Varsity will have a' day's rest. Should City win they will be level with Tarsity, and the play-off between the pair should provide the game of the season. „.'... ■ . . CITY v. COLLEGE RIFLES. Last Saturday on No. 2 ground at the Park, City experienced little' difficulty m beating College Rifles, though the "sbootists" were the first to score. Their lead was very short lived. As soon as City settled down to work it was all up with, the Rifles, and they were kept very busy endeavoring to prevent points being totted up. against them. Though now a much-weakened team they showed a bold front, but could not stave off defeat, and when the game ended the, black .and reds 'had piled on 16 points, Rifles having registered just half that total. In all de-v parrments the winners showed to advantage and there was never really any doubt about the result. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. The matches set down for to-day are City, and Marist Bros, and Ponsonby and College Rifles. Should City score a win they will nave to play off. with University to decide to whom the honors for 1914 belong.