Out Door Sports.

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 754, 10 June 1893, Page 5

Out Door Sports.

[By Vigilant]

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. SENIORS :

June 10. — Suburbs v. Parnell; Grafton v. Ponsonby; City v. Newton. FIBST JUNIOBS :

June 10.— Newton v. Grafton; Ponsonby v, Suburbs j Parnell v. City. SECOND JUNIORS:

June 10.— Suburbs v. Grafton (a) ; Grafton (B) v. Parnell; Ponsonby v. City.

Suburbs had rather hard luck with their attempts at goal last week.

Native Rose (fourth Junior) defeated Hobson's last week by 7 points to nil.

Braund (Ponsonby) worked with, his usual celerity, and was not slow to Bee advantages and use them.

Surrey and Oxford had a most exciting straggle last Saturday in the fourth Junior grade, the former winning by 6 points to 2.

Hill (City), at full, was as usual very safe. You might punt a little higher, Hill ; a rebound from the forwards might result disastrously.

F. Taylor, late of Grafton, actod as referee in the Native Bose - Hobson match last Saturday, and his decisions gave universal satisfaction.

Stephenson (City), on the wing, worked well, though perhaps not so well as in previous weeks. His collaring waß very sure and he got away with one or two fine rushes.

The way some of our fourth Juniors pick-up and tackle argues well for future football. MoGuirk, one of Hobson'a boys, is really clever, and it was only the wet that prevented him from scoring last week.

Teddy Binney (Grafton) is the same old Ted as of yore, following with great persistency, and having just as bad luck as he used to have. Your fast following, Ted, is apt to get you off-side though, and this fault, slightly noticeable jast week, should be rectified.

Stone, (City) in City's scrum worked like a Trojan. Charley's work as centre-man is not' so much noticed as it ÜBed to be when in the third row, but nevertheless he does more good for his team than heretofore. He is also a most useful man on the line.

Last year the City team won the first three matches and looked likely to give the big teams a tie, but meeting Grafton they were defeated and afterwards went to pieces. Strangely enough this season they have annexed the first three games, and Grafton *have stopped their victorious career. Will this season be a repetition of last ?

Pilkington (City) was an absentee from the back division last Saturday. His place, was filled by Mercer, who, though greatly inconveniencing himself, kindly decided to play, when asked. This spirit is the right one, and Mercer is to be commended for it. Under the same circumstances I am certain very few players would have ' rolled ' up.

Blewden (City) was sure, kicking well, and otherwise assisting his mates. He had little or no running to do. Mercer, also performed very creditably— con-, sidering it was his first game this season. As a tackier this latter player is superb. He takes a ball well, and is fast. With a dry day I feel certain he would have done much better.

The result of last week's match City— Grafton, came as a surprise to the majority and more particularly I fancy to those oloßely connected with the City team. I have it on good authority that the members of the City felt so certain of winning that they refraiped from their accustomed training during the previous week. Thiß being the case, I can only say I feel pleased that Grafton who underwent a strict course of training for the match, proved able to hold their own, and more than once they should have scored, but for the greasy state of the leather.

Carlton Hay (Grafton) was ver safe last week. Good and quiok puntin being his forte. '

Was Mcllhone at Potter's last Saturday ? Bather ! And he seemed pleaßed at City's downfall.

Eoseberry defeated Clifton last Saturday, but I understand the latter are protesting on the grounds of over-weight.

The Graf ton forwards are a grand combination, and when working together, they will take a lot of beating from any of the team.

Dan Clayton (Grafton) at full was sure. He takes matters very coolly, and got out of difficulties in a clean manner last week.

Marshall (Suburbs) again put in his fair share of the work, his pace proving very useful to him on several occasions. His kicking is very clean.

Pyke (Grafton), on tlie wing is a very useful and hard player. He has plenty of toe, and uses his feet with good effect. He was a little inclined to offside.

"Whiteside (Grafton) worked his team very well last Saturday. He made some very useful play at half, and was the means of stopping several of City's passing rashes.

What was the matter with Doss Jervis and Billy Elliott last week when Grafton nearly scored on one occasion ? One would have thought by their manner that they were anxious for Grafton to win.

M. McMillan (Graf ton) played a fine game against City last week/ Both in the pack and the open he is conspicuous, and on the line out he is hard to beat.

.Harry. Hales (City), had a lot of work to do last week and did it for the most part well. You hang to the ball too much though, Harry, and the passing was at times wild. In defence Hales is as sure as can be found.

Scott, (Ponsonby), "who seems to improve with practice, was of great assistance" in the blue and black back division last week. The effort which secured the try was very clever, and deserved all the applause be received.

Some of the passing on both Ponsonby and Suburb's Bides, was really good last week, the latter especially giving one fine exhibition, which transferred play from their own 25 right into Ponsonby's territory.

City forwards who have performed so well against the other teams, were all to pieces last week against Grafton, the latter having the best of the majority of the scrums ; and they used their advantage with great effect.

Eob. McKenzie (Suburbs) was playing one of his old-time games last week, ever with the ball, and using his head and feet with great effect. His noninclusion in the New Zealand team for Australia, is rather unaccountable and a surprise to a good many.

Dandy Cole (City) again worked hard, but resorted to his old selfish tricks. Don't fall back into the old bad habit of hanging on to the ball, Dandy. What looked like a certain try was lost last week through this fault. Bar that Cole was in good form,.

Gordon and Pennalligan (Grafton) were both noticeable for good allround play last week. The former is a very hard-worker. Pennalligan's main feature is his open play. I noticed he knocked oat a little from the line out: this he would do well to avoid.

Gaudin. (Grafton), as a kicker is a wonder. Anywhere inside the half way seems to suit him, and he had extremely hard luck with one fine attempt last week which just managed to graze the wrong side of the post. He did little or no running, and his defence was not tested to a very large extent.

The Hobson fourth Juniors showed some clever forward play against Native Eose, Ramsay, Carlaw, Edwards, Clarke and Hoare, being very conspicuous and brilliant. Doran on the wing for Natives is the making of a good man, but should not cultivate the ofr-aide tactics.

Caradus and Mackie (City) did not get many shows last week. The forwards could not get the oval out and consequently the clever passes did not come off as usual. What little they did get to do was done well, but it is almost im possible for backs to play City's game if the oval is not heeled out properly.

The match between Stanbury and Teemer is off.

Harding, who won the Searle Memorial Cup, scaled only 9st 31b. The shell he competed in weighed 19£lb, all complete.

Hanna, of Glasgow, won the 10 Mile Scotch Championship, run on March 27. Time, 55min l2fsec. The same runner was successful in 1889-90-91.

i The first test match, England v. Australians takes place on June 25th, at Nottingham, for the benefit of the wellknow professional cricketer' A. Shrewsbury.

Masefield (Ponsonby) put in some brilliant ' work last week, kicking and following in fine style. His running was also good and his play generally assisted to bring about the result.

The Merivale (Christchurch) Football Club have now a clear lead for the Championship with 5 points. East Christehuroh and Linwood tie for second honours with 3 points.

Rhodes (Suburbs) was more conspicuouß than usual, and did some really hard play. He was somewhat unfortunate in his attempts at goal, some of which went uncommonly close.

Green and Flynn (Ponsonby) were both in the thick of it and spoilt many a likely show by their quickness. Their untiring efforts had a deal to do with Ponsonby's success.

In the first test match, England v. Australia, ou Jane 25th, the following will represent England: Grace, Gunn, Shrewsbury, Attewell, Lockwood, Hewett, Pallairet, McGregor, Stoddart, Feel and Briggs.

In the British Association Football Championship for the past Beason England, who has defeated all its opponents comes first, Scotland who beat Ireland and Wales second, and Ireland third ; one win two defeats and Wales last with three defeats.

Ireland and Wales (Association Championship) met on April the Bth for the final go for the season's International contests, the representatives of the Green Isle just getting home by four goals to three. These teams have met twelve times, Wales winning 7, Ireland, 3, and 2 have been drawn.

Of the^ Oxford eight, who -won this year's • Varsity ' race, seven stood 6ft and over, the eighth man touching the beam at sft 6in. The tallest mau was 6ft 3in and weighed 13st B£lbs. The crew were all young feLows, iheir ages averaging from 19 to 23.

In a letter to the »>ydney Hefere&> Billy Warbrick, speaking on the scoring code, says that in Queensland they have adopted the following : 2 points for a penalty goal, 3 for a try, 5 for goal from try, 3 for field goal, adding that he considers a penalty goal should not score so much as arfry or goal from field, and that two tries alr'e better than a goal from a try.

From a private source I learn that those interested in cricket circles in Wellington are thus early busying themselves with a view of sending a team to Aucklarid during the early part of next season. I sincerely hope their efforts in that direction will be successful and if our Association intends journeying South it will be a fine opportunity of playing a return on that trip.

An exchange says the following question was recently asked the English Jttugby Union : A player crosses the line for a try and touches the ball down, but immediately picks the ball up and attempts to get behind the posts, and in so doing is tackled and the ball held by one of the opposing side : therulingwas: a try was obtained at the spot where the player touched tbe ball and must be scored, and the ball must be taken out for the kick at goal from that spot.

An extract says : There is no more prominent figure in oricket circles in Wellington than Mr A. Ashbolt, the well-known umpire. Being an old cricketer himself, he is, on the score of knowledge, full; qualified to £11 tbe important position. Mr Ashbolt also acts as a member of the Selection Committee, as well as the Championship, and Ground Committees, and at the annual meeting of the Association last year was elected a life member of the Crioket Association. He is generally respected, and few men enjoy more popularity amongst players and public alike than he does.