Out Door Sports

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 912, 20 June 1896, Page 5

Out Door Sports

By 'Harbiee.'

COMING EVENTS.

July 13 — Stanbury v. Harding, Championship of the World and £500 a-3ide; Thames Championship Course.

FOOTBALL FIXTUKES

First and Second Fifteens. June 20— Parnell v. Suburbs, Grafton v. North Shore, City v. Newton. Third Fifteens.

June 20— Parnell v. Suburbs, Grafton v. Ponsonby.

IJociL footballers were again fortunate in the matter of weather for Saturday's games, but the attendance at Potter's Paddock was hardly bo large as usual, the reason, doubtless, being that little hope was entertained of a close contest in either of the senior fixtures set down for decision at that ground. As events turned out,- however, both matches proved much more interesting than was anticipated, and the Grafton-Newton game, played on No. 1 ground, particularly so. Prior to the commencement of hostilities, the general impression was that .Newton had a comparatively easy task before them, but as the game progressed it speedily became apparent that such was Dot the case. As a matter of fact, they were compelled to extend themselves to the uttermost, and were even then somewhat fortunate in securing a victory by a margin of 4 points, the scores at the call of time being Newton 11, Grafton 7.

There can be no doubt that in the matter of combination the Grafton team were a long way ahead of their opponents, and it was entirely owing to this fact that they were enabled to obtain an advantage over the more powerful Newton team, and maintain it during the greater part of the game. This superiority, although chiefly noticeable in the back division, was also, in a somewhat lesser degree, apparent in the forward ranks. The Newton vanguard, although heavier and more powerful than the black and white contingent, were nevertheless more often than not beaten in the important particular of obtaining possession of the ball. Indeed, it was not until the Grafton pack was weakened by the loss of Gittos, about half-way through the second spell, that Newton were ever really able to obtain the upper-hand. It must be conceded, however, that, once set going, their three tries were rattied up in remarkably quick time, and the match thus literally pulled out of the fire;

Ponsonby met Suburbs on No 2 ground and defeated them after a fairly close game by 11 points to 4, thus their second win this season. During the first term, the Suburbs team, although playing without much attempt at combination, managed to stave off repeated attacks by sheer force of hard work, the only score registered up to half time being a penalty goal kicked by Cooke for Ponsonby. In the second half, however, excellent passing by the colonsr' backs enabled them to register a couple of tries (one of which was converted) as against a goal cleverly potted by McPike, for Suburbs, and the game finally ended as above.

Albie Braund and R. Masefield were the try getters for Ponsonby on Saturday.

T. Roberts secured two of Newton's tries, in each case running right round the opposing backs.

' Dandy ' Cole played three-quarter for Poasonby on Saturday, and with a fair amount of success.

Newton's three tries were all secured between the uprights, and yet Roberts was only equal to converting one of them.

Parnell defeated North Shore by 21 points to nil, tries being secured by Taylor (2), Gordon, Murray and Elliott, three of which were converted by Murray.

Sutherland at full-back for Suburbs had lots of works to keep him busy, and accomplished it in capital style. His kicking was invariably good ana his tackling safe.

C. Brady and Gittos were the pick of Grafton's forwards'. Webber did not kick quite so well as usual on Satnrday.

Dave Gage is playing five-eighths for the Poneke Club in Wellington.

Val. Masefield was not a success at centre-three-quarter for Ponsonby.

McPike again played a sterling three quarter game for Suburbs, running, kicking", and tackling in fine style.

J. Brady played a dashing game on the wing for Grafton, but is too fond of picking up. He lost one splendid show by knocking the ball forward in attempting this on Saturday.

Hazeman played behind Newton's 3crum during the first half, but displayed the same fault as when at five-eighths, viz., passing always when standing instead of endeavouring to make an opening first.

Dan Clayton played an exceedingly clever game at centre-three-quarter for Grafton. He never lost an opportunity of feeding his wing 9, whilst his kicking and defensive work generally was of the soundest possible character.

D. Hay and T. Moncur were Grafton's wing-three-quarters. The former played right up to his very best form, but Moncur, whilst showing a good deal of dash, at times has a tendency to get out of his place, which requires checking.

There appears to be very little interest taken in the Junior competitions this season. There were no second fifteen matches played at Potter's on Saturday, and only one third fifteen match. The rest were won and lostby default.

E. Gittos had the misfortune to sprain his ankle during Saturday's game, and will probably be unable to play again for some weeks to come.

Kelly, Newton's five-eighths, did not feed at all well, and invariably made for the touch-line instead of running straight, as should always be the aim of a player in that position.

Andrews grafted very hard in the scrums on Sa turday, but was not so succesful in the open. On one occasion he lost a certain try by failing to take an easy pass from D. Hay.

P. Marshall, who again played fullback for Grafton, managed to kick quite a number of ' shooters ' during the game. In no respect was he nearly so successful as against City on the previous Saturday.

Carlton Hay, at five-eighths for Grafton, was the right man in the right place. He had the misfortune, however, to receive a nasty knock during the second half, which handicapped him for the remainder of the game.

Like the rest of Newton's threequarters, A. Freeman had to make the most of his own openings, but was responsible for one very clever piece of work, which resulted in a try. Finding himself blocked after a sharp dash up the field, he punted over the heads of the opposing backs, and Wilson, following up fast, scored between the posts.

The well - known yacht Ladye Wilma, winner of the Yacht Club race 1896, is being offered for sale by Messrs Logan Bros. She is complete in every respect, and in first-class order, and would suit admirably anyone desirous of a fast cruising yacht.

Fred Ballin, the well - known amateur sprinter, has passed his dental examination with honours.

C. Freeman played centre-half for Newton in the second term, and performed very creditably. Roberts' first try was the direct result of a slashing run of his.

Mr Musgrove, manager of the Australian team, is negotiating with a French syndicate as to the terms for one match to be played against a French team in Paris.

Fielder, a junior player, created a very favourable impression as centre-half for Grafton. He worked hard throughout, and loßt no opportunity in feeding his backs.

H. J. Pither, the ex-New Zealand cyclist, won the One Mile Scratch Race at the Theatrical Carnival in Melbourne on May 25th. Time, 2min 59 2-sth sec.

Canterbury will play against Wellington, at Wellington, on August Bth, and against the Manawatu Rugby Union's team on either August 10th or the following day.

A writer in the New Zealnnd Mail expresses the opinion that the Wellington representative team this season will be weak so far as the back division is concerned.

It is said that A. W. Harris roade over £250 in five weeks in Australia. The Leicestershire Lad thinks Australia such a paying racing-ground, that he intends tore , turn next season.

Martin, the American cyclist, paced by a tandem in Brisbane on June 9th, rode half a mile in lmin 1 4 sth sec, and a mile in 2min 3 2-sth sec, breaking Zimmerman's record.

Stuart, who came out to New Zealand with the English football team, and for many years played for the Poneke Clnb, has returned to Wellington. He will play for his old club for the rest of the season.

The total expenses in connection with the visit of the New Zealand rowing representatives to Sydney to take part in the recent intercolonial contests, amounted to about £130. All of this was raised by voluntary subscription throughout the colony.

The Five Mile Bicycle Championship of West Australia was decided at Perth on May 23rd, when J. W. Parsons, of Melbourne, won easily, Ross being second, and Hamblin third. Time, 13min 0 l-stb sees. Parsons also reduced the mile record for West Australia from 2min 28secs to 2min 12§secs.

Jones, of the Australian team, has been offered high terms to qualify to play for Sussex County, and, it is thought, will probably accept. The South Australian Cricket Association has, however, cabled to Jones, asking him to consult the Association before accepting the engagement offered by Sussex county. It is understood that the intention is to retain Jones as ground bowler at the Adelaide Oval.

The wrestling contest advertised to take place in the Agricultural Hall on Saturday next shoald prove of unusual interest, and we have no doubt will draw a record house. The veteran on this occasion is to be opposed by two of our crack wrestlers, one of whom weighs close on 16 stone. They wrestle alternately against the veteran, and should the two win the most of five falls between them, they claim the stakes. We hear that Dinnie is under negotiations for a twelve months' professional tour in Great Britian.