OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 750, 13 May 1893, Page 8

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Vigilant-]

I was somewhat amuaed and not a little surprised at the tone of the letter (presumably from an unbiassed individual, styling himself ' Footballer ') that appeared in these ooluinns last week. I cannot but feel that such a writer as this, jb not only wasting his own time and talents, but is committing an unpardonable act, in holding aloof from the editorship of some liberal journal wherein hiß able writings could be aired in full. Such a free and straightforward criticism of one's endeavours to carry out to the best of one's ability those duties placed in one's charge is seldom if ever known. It seems by the tone of the letter I have inexcusably failed to please a certain section of our football enthusiasts, and no doubt should feel thoroughly ashamed of myself. But what are these grave charges (so ably and without party feeling referred too) •whereby I have managed to ruffle poor Polly's feathers? Have lin my writings at any time, so far forgotten myself as to tread on my persecutor's pet corn ? Have I, by hinting at certain unsportsmanlike actions of certain individuals, had the audacity to offend our learned friend ? Or it may be that I have unpardonably forgotten to publish the writer's name in capital letters, together with a full report of his excellent play, which as a matter of course did not eventuate ? Perhaps it is that the usual glass of beer or penny cigar, has not been sufficient to allure me into a clique of would-be reporters, who would like to run the papers for themselves, and themselves only. It may be that by a word dropped in season I have prevented some little swindle that seemed almost ripe for plucking, or is it that my persecutor has apartments to let for footballers who will be soft and unprincipled enough to give way to the flowery blandishments of persons who cannot boast of a, name or perchance are ashamed of the one they possess ? Whichever of these queries are correct, it seems to me that as correspondent I have grossly insulted His Royal Highness (Mr — puzzle), and no doubt his liberal patronage of this weekly paper, which, it may be, he has forgotten to pay for, will be withdrawn. For my part, I hope such will not be the ease, for it is such as he, you know, that keeps a concern like this afloat, but to show that I feel no animosity towards him 1 would just like to tender a little friendly advice. I would suggest that he should by some means or other (he will no doubt find a way) negotiate with some printer's broker, for the purchase of a few types, engage a nice, snug little office, in some aristocratic suburb, say Ponsonby, and become editor, compositor, printer, and to launch out further, newsboy, of a nice little football pamphlet wherein he could set forth in glowing terms all the doings of his pet club, smooth over, and, if necessary, applaud any actions that an ordinary person may condemn, and by his liberal and unbiassed writings and self-denying tactics set up such an example that correspondents in general, and myself in particular, will have occasion to blush for the tooutterly unpleasant items (to some) which at times we are compelled to publish and that seem to annoy, and no doubt pinch, the consciences of such unnamely individuals as my very unbiassed friend.

Parnell, as was generally expected, had a very easy, thing on with the Shoritea last week.

C. Marshall (North Shore) played his usual hard game, while he lasted, against Parnell on Saturday.

Harvey (North Shore) was doing a -useful amount of work last Saturday, hut unfortunately had to retire before the finish, having injured his head.

The Murray brothers made a splendid duo in the Newton vanguard laßt week. George gives promise of equalling Fred ere very long, and his place kicking was very creditable. Fred, as usual, was in the front of nearly every rush, and seemed as if able to last all day.

Harry Cooke (Ponsonby) did very well with hia place kicks last week, but otherwise was not conspicuous.

Spraggon, Newton's full-back, lat c of the Shore, tackled splendidly last week, but otherwise was hardly class enough for senior football. ,

Albie Braund was the mainstay of Ponsonby 's back division last week. He generalled them splendidly. His old time punting 1 was found very usefal in the wet.

Chamberlain, made one despfirate attempt to cross the line for the Shore last week, but Eonayne was too fast, and nipped his effort before it was accomplished.

Harry -Donald played very hard for Newton last Saturday. He was in the middle of all the rushes and ably assisted the scrums. A lot of good work was spoilt by his over-anxiety.

Of the Ponsonby vanguard Vie. Langsford was about the most conspicuous. His quick following and foot work were very good ; and he seemed always about where the leather was.

M- Flynn (Ponsonby) did a great amount of work in the pack laßt week, and seemed ever on the alert in the open rushes. More than once he broke away and headed some very teMing charges.

Green (Ponsonby) worked very hard last week, but had rather a liking for the boundary ; which had the effect of making the game slower than necessary. He was well in the forward rushes.

Murphy, wing three-quarter for Newton, punted very neatly against Ponsonby, but as a runner, his performance was very medium. In tackling such men as Masefield he should go lower.

Ramsay (Ponsonby) was at times brilliant last Saturday, but upset all his good play by. persistent off-side tactics. He should also pass quicker, and a little kick now and again would be found useful.

The Hobson boys, last year's badge winners, have opened this season well by putting up 20 to nil against Eoseberry this week. When this team. and Native Eose meet, I expect to see a very exciting match. .

Major (Newton), one of the threequarters, was rather slow for a team of Ponsonby's calibre, and made the absurd mistake of running right into the forwards every time. His collaring was his best point.

Ike Mills (Newton) by his game last week, was not the Ike of old. Perhaps with fine weather he will get back to his old form, but hia play,' though at times brilLant, lacked the dash that used to be a feature of it.

Masefield (Ponsonby) made several dashing runs last week, bowling over several of his opponents time after time. Once I saw him turn his back on a dangerous rush, which looked rather shaky for an experienced player.

Pennalligan (Grafton) had a newsituation as full back last week, and came out of his trial very well. With his good kicking powers and collaring ability, I fancy Grafton could not do better than keep him there. A good full is also wanted for the reps.

Charley Stitchbury (Ponsonby) was safe all round last Saturday, but no doubt owing to the greasy ball he was hardly at home facing the rushes. Once I noticed a fancy kick of his that had Newton been on the alert, they should certainly have scored from.

Warnock (Ponsonby), one of those over whom the rampus occurred, did not at all justify his inclusion in the team. Of course the weather is a very feasible excuse for his d> splay, and perhaps with a little more confidence we will hear better things of him.

Parsons playing centre threequarter for Newton against Ponsonby, Bhowed very good defensive powers, and staved off several strong rushes. He was perhaps a little amiss in kicking, being only able to use one foot. Practice with both and you will be of a great deal more, assistance.

It seems a great pity that something definite is not done regarding referees for our various matches. Last week it was simply sickening to keep spectators and players waiting for so long before the match started. This matter, it seems to me,*is going to affect the Union's revenue if not seen to at once, as more than one of the onlookers talk of withdrawing their patronage if th« commencement is to be so delayed. Why not appoint referees early in the week, and if not able to secure them otherwise, arrange for a small remuneration for their services ? Not that I consider the gentleman eligible would do any better if paid, but such a course would change what is at present a thankless position into one holding out a little compensation for the abuse at times incurred. I certainly hope that the Union will see to this matter before next week, and let the visitors get home in time for tea, and not threequarters of an hour late, as was the case last Saturday.

Andrews (Suburbs), on the wing did a lot of work against Grafton last week.

Peace, Herrold and MbKenzie, were notable absentees from the Suburbs' ranks last week.

Elliott (Parnell), was doing a fair share of the good work against the Shore, running and passing very well.

Among the Juniors some good matches were witnessed last week. The Native Rose-Surrey match was a hotlycontested one, the former coming' out on top.

With such a weak team against them, Grafton should certainly have succeeded in beating the Suburbs last week, but aftfir a very in and ont game neither side was able to score, and the unsatisfactory draw was the result.

Niccoll (North Shore), was of invaluable assistance for his team against tLe Parnell boys last week, his tackling being sure and clean, and had it not been for him the total I am sure would have reached a much larger height.

Marshall (Suburbs), was the most consistent in the back division last week against Graftoh. At times he accomplished some really good -work. His turn of speed sa-ved the Suburbs just at the last momeut when a try by Wliiteside seemed inevitable.

Gittos and 3cott (Ponsonby), the two scorers in the Ponsonby-Newton match, were ever in the van, and put in a lot of useful work. On the line they were also conspicuous, and as a result of quick following they were rewarded with trie 9.

Bob Whiteside (Grafton) is not the same dashing player he was in seasons gone by. Though he worked hard tor his team last Saturday, he lost more than one comparatively easy chance of scoring, which in past years would havo . been cer* tainties- His collaring was also a little weak.

The North Shore team deserve great credit for the plucky manner in which they roll up season after season, with the evident intention of allowing the otuer teams to swell their number of points. With such material to work upon, and such enthusiastic supporters to back them, the puzzle to me is that the committee do net get a hall and indulge in practice during the week, and by talking the Saturday's game over, why cannot the Shore boys spring a surprise on the town teams ? It's worth trying and. where there is a will there invariably can be found a way.

Poasonby's vanguard proved without doubt that combination must assert itself before individuality. I do not suppose for a moment that the Ponsonby boys would claim to be better individual players than Newton; but as a body they certainly showed out to advantage against their opponents. Past following seemed to be their fort, and it was by this method both of tneir tries were secured, and they seemed to work so well together that they could not be denied. On the other hand Newton, who had several opportunities, did not seem to be capable of. availing themselves of them, and consequently had to suffer. I predicted last week that Newton's team was a strong individual one, and such proved to be the case ; but Ponsonby as a combination were a trifle too clever, and the game resulted accordingly.

The weather at Christchurch was very good for the Cup matches last week. East Christchurch met the Christchurch club, and defeated them by 35 points to 2, the success of the winners being 1 attributed to the practice of the passing game.

Mendelson (Christchurch), who played at full against Auckland last year, assisted the Christchurch Club against East Christchurch at three-quarter last week, and did an enormous amount of work in his endeavours to keep down the score.

The Bast Christchurch Footb al Club have secured the services of a firstclass centre three-quarter in the person of D. Page, who is considered by a good many to be a better man than Hobbs, who played &uch a wonderful game in that position for the Canterbury reps., when in Auckland, last year.

The finish for the recent all-round jumping championship whicn was held in Australia on April 14 and 15, was very close, the winner turning up in J. W. Byrne, with 8£ points, J. Greddan, T. White and W. MciVianus, a tie with 8 points, coming next. The prizes were as follows, Byrne, <£2365.8 d and gold medal; Greddan, MoManus and White .£2O each.

I have to acknowledge with thanks a copy of The Queensland Footballer and Cricketer, a neat little publication in the interests of out door sports in general, but particularly in connection with football and cricket. The promoters intend leaving no stone unturned to make their venture a Ruocess, and judging from the opening number, I have no hesitation in recommending it to all lovers of out door sports, and predict a successful career.

Speight, Eonayne and Hodgson (Parnell), were all conspicuous in their sev eral positions last wees, and did their share in the scoring.

Oxford beat -Eeefton rather easily by 16 to 5.. The winners^ should have something to say regarding the badges before the season is over.

'Rhodes (Suburbs) made some of his famous strong runs last Saturday, but still T find he inclines to bullocking, which he would do better to avoid.

Doss Jervis (Parnell), was as .usual of great assistance in the back division, securing his share of the tries and adding to the total by his place kicking.

W. L. Murdoch, will captain Sussex County this summer. An exchange says he is in grand fettle at present.

The Wentworth (Sydney) Football Club, defeated the Randwick in the open ing match of the season by J3 points to 3.

The Kaiapoi — Merivale (Christchurch) clubs met, for the first time this season, last week, tbe latter winning a very even game by a small majority.

W. McManus put up a world's record in the recent jumping competitions in Australia, covering 49ft 2iin, though his actual jump from toe to heel was 50ft £in.

Lee (East Christchurch), the speedy-three-quarter, who gav# our boys a taste of his speeling powers last season, got 3 tries against the Christuhurch Club last week.

T. White (Coomba), N\S."W., created a new record for Australia in the standing broad jump, at 'the recent championship meeting, covering 12ft 8f in (with weights). He also -won the three standing jumps with 37ft lOin.