PUBLIC SCHOOL FIXTURES.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1017, 25 June 1898, Page 18

PUBLIC SCHOOL FIXTURES.

June 18— A Section— Wellesley-street v. Ponsonby, Napier-street v. Newton East, Beres-ford-Btreet v. Qrafton, Devonport v. Mount Eden, Parnell a bye.

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES. Angust 6— C anterbury v. Auckland, at Epsom.

The enormous amount of interest taken in the meeting of Newton and Parnell on Saturday last was evidenced by the fact that, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the attendance at Potter's was fnlly eqnal to the previous best on record for a Cnp match. Fortunately, the | rain cleared off as the time for commencing operations drew nigh, and, as there had not been sufficient moisture to prejudicially affect the gronnd, the only inconvenience to players was that of having to manipulate a wet and slippery ball. Despite the fact that Newton had won all their engagements to date, general opinion, prior to the match, favoured the maroons, whoße recent accessions, it was thonght, had strengthened them to the point of invincibility. The delightful uncertainty of the game was once more examplified, ; however, and Newton's j decisive victory by 16 points to 9 was all j the more popular because unexpected. The game : was fast and interesting throughout. During the first spell Parnell held somewhat of an advantage, and scored two' tries — one as the result of a boat of passing between Pearce, Asher and Laws, and the other as a sequel to a forward rash — to a goal from a mark, kicked from a difficult angle by Eaton. The second term opened all in favour of Newton, whose forwards, playing with great dash, completely over-run their opponents and piled up three tries in remarkably quick time. Parnell then rallia&t and in turn became the agreaaors, their many determined efforts to score finally culminating in Asher securing a clever tiy, as the wind-up to a pretty bit of play, in which Laingand Laws also participated. No goal resulted, and Newton ahortly afterwards relieved .the pressure, and just before the call of time were enabled, through the laxity of Hedges, to score a fourth try, the ball being carried over the line by a straggling forward rush and Eaton falling on it near the corner flag. Nothing further of note occurred before the bell rang, the game terminating, as previously stated, in a win for Newton by 16 joints to 9. On No. 2 ground at Potter's, Suburbs defeated City, after a somewhat uninteresting game, by 11 points (3 tries, one converted) to nil. The winners put a strong team in the field (including Speight and McKenzie), and had the best of the play throughout. At Devonport, North Shore effected a surprise by inflicting a reverse upon Grafton, the scoring being 14 points as against 9. Grafton were minus the services of D. Hay and Brady, whilst the Shorites were represented by the strongest forward divison they have yet put in the field. The game was fairly even daring the first half, at the termination of which Graf ton had scored a goal from a try (5 points), and their opponents a penalty goal (3 points). In the second term the superior weight and power of the home team's vanguard bore down all op position, and three tries were scored by Nicholson, Gerrard, and Marshall, respectidely, oneof which Pitt converted.

Eaton, Otway, and Lewis were the pick of Newton's forwards. Clarke, on the wing, alao put in a lot of good work.

Parnell's forwards were too fond of picking np in the loose, a system of play which it is risky to indulge in when the ball is at all greasy. Phelan and Sampson were both absentees from Parnell's ranks on Saturday; the former haying hurt his shoulder, and the* latter -being laid up with influenza. - ' . . ■ The credit of Newton's victory on Saturday is almost entirely due to that team's forward division, who are an exceptionally powerful lot, and whose style of play was, moreover, suited to the day. Of the Newton backs, . Pillinger at full was the best, and played a very Bound, safe game. The rest all played fair games, but displayed nothing approaching brilliance. Murray's failure to convert the easy shots was, 1 think, due to his taking them too easily. I have noticed that he always gets better direction when power is necessary, and he would do well to note this. Roberts did not show to nearly so much advantage as on the previonß Saturday. He kicked really well, certainly, bat his tackling was not up to the mark. On three separate occasions he allowed ABher to beat him badly. Mr Ohlson's refereeing in the big match on Saturday gave very general satisfaction. He is the only one of our referees who succeeds in keeping the wingplayers within proper bounds, and thus avoids a lot of unnecessary horse-play. The place-kicking in the NewtonParnell match was of very poor quality. Murray missed two kicks right in front of the goal, and a third which was not at all difficult. Freeman also failed to negotiate a straight shot, and Eaton only succeeded in getting the proper direction once out of many attempts, but in his case none of the positions were easy. It will soon be time for the Auckland Rugby Union to bestir themselves in preparation for the forthcoming representative matcheß. We have ample material for a very strong team this season, but in order to secure the best results it is absolutely essential that the fifteen should be chosen early, and afforded ample time and opportunity to acquire combination. The following table gives the position o c the various senior clubs at the termination of the first round of matches : Points. Played Won Lost For Ag'st. Newton ... 6 6 0 71 12 Parnell ..6 4 2 73 39 Ponsonby ... 6 3 3 42 30 Grafton ... 6 3 3 34 35 Suburbs ... 5 -2 3 22 28 . North Shore.. 5 2 3 21 56 City . . . . 6 0 6 3 63 The recent decision of the Referees' Association to interpret the rule re lying on the ball very strictly has already borne good fruit. As a reaultthe games are rendered much faster and therefore more interesting for onlookers. And more important still, the dangerous practice of falling on a ball to stem a rush ia in a fair way of being stamped out altogether.

Mr Warden, for several years secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union, but now a resident of Palmeraton, is in town on a short visit. He informs me that the Manawatu Union are serioußlv contemplating a Northern trip, and will in all probability send a team to Auckland daring the present season. A feature of this season's local football is the very marked all-round improvement in forward play. Never before within my recollection has Auckland possessed Bucn a [quantity of "bitf, strong, dashing forwards. I could, without difficulty, name at least fifteen pack forwards any one of whom would get a place in an ordinary year, but they can't all be chosen. Certain it is that the forward who gains his cap this season will have special reason to be proud of the distinction.

I hear that, the Waihi Rugby Union purpose sending a team to Auckland very Bhortly. . ■ Laws kicked well and made no mistakes in so for as catering for his wings was concerned. Laing played a fair game at fiveeighths, but was handicapped by the -weak play of Pearce at half Richards, at wing three-quarter, was not a success, his bad taking being constant source of weakness to his side. The Wellington Rugby representatives will probably tonr North towards the end of Jnfy or early in August. Hedges at full-back for Parnell Slayed very much below his usual form, 'wo at least of Newton's tries were directly attributable to his weak play. The gate at Potter's Paddock on Saturday totalled about £75, an amount which has only once previously been reached on the occasion of a club match. The annual match with Thames is to be played in Auckland this season, and in all probability arrangements will be made for it to eventuate within the nest few weeks. Jack Swindley is reported to be playing in great form at the Thames. If so, he will require to be considered when the Auckland representative team is being chosen. The sports committee of the Auckland Exhibition are not letting the grass grow under their feet. Tenders for the construction of cycling and running tracks closed yesterday, and the work will, I understand, be commenced straight away. I dropped across ' Long ' McKenzie, the Wellington wing forward, in town on Monday. He had - just arrived from Eotorua, and informed me that he had benefited to a considerable extent by the course of treatment he had undergone up there. He is still very weak, however, and unable to get about without the aid of a stick. All footballers will, lam sure, join with me in wishing him a speedy restoration to health. Asher, Parnell's new wing threequarter, confirmed the good opinion I formed of him when playing for Tauranga two years ago. In build he is a somewhat enlarged edition of Geo. Smith, being about the same height, bat bigger bodied and heavier. He possesses great pace, heaps of pluck, and is a most determined tackier. Unfortunately, however, he is a very indifferent kick. Let him but learn to punt well with either foot and he will be hard to beat as a three-quarter. Mr W. H. McKenzie, the wellknown Wellington and New Zealand representative, writes me as follows : — 'I notice a contradiction of yours to " Cynic," the well-known writer of football in the Sydney Referee. The only provincial teams in New Zealand that have played the three half-backs are Otago and Southland. They have done so for several seasons. Last year, when New Zealand played New South Wales, in the last test match, we played three halves, but it was mostly on account of being able to put seven very strong defensive backs in the field. When New Zealand played Auckland, I am led to believe (aB I did not see the match) that the Auckland wing forwards had a lot to do with the victory. In the selection of having either wings, or three halves, it rests mainly on those who can fill the position in a proper manner. If a team can pick seven first-class backs, andxsan make sure of getting possession in the scrum, then it is an advantage. If they can get six ordinary backs a good all - round scrum forward team, and two nrst-clasß wings, they need not look any further. Wing forwards Bhonld be as good, or nearly as good, aB backs as they are forwards. They should be faster than their mates and use their brains. A wing forward should never collar a back who has the ball, but should push him. By getting his opponent 'on the run from him ' as it is called, he will be able to push three backs over, whereas, if he had collared his man, he would have gone to grass with him. It is quita legal to push when your opponent has the ball. Some people talk of abolishing wings ; but if there were only ten men aside, they conld play wingers if they liked. However, nine rattling forwards at present will knock all the science of back play into a cocked hat This has been found true in East years by Ireland ; in the paßt season, y England; and in New Zealand, by Wellington; who have never had a firstclass back team for many seasons.— -I am, etc.', W. H. McKenzie.'