LACROSSE PIROUETTES.

Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1178, 27 July 1901, Page 23

LACROSSE PIROUETTES.

By Bcaroon.

Fixtures. July 27th, No. 1 Ground. — Suburbs v. Parnell. No. 2 Ground.— North Shore v. Ponsonby No. 3 Ground.— Grafton v. Grey Lynn. Ponsonby A stand out. The North Shore Club wlil provide tea and refreshments.

Ths fi rat round of championship competitions waa concluded on Saturday, with the result that the Grafton district team is leading for the President's banner. The few hundred enthusiasts who turned Qut in Siturd •y'a rain and assembled at the pavilion, were rewarded with ao exciting contest between Grafton and Pon Bonby. The standard of play was below the average, though there were fl tsbea of scientific lacrosse at times The game was interesting to watoh, chiefly on aooount of the many aharp tussels between individual playera. It was in the lack of quick, effective wing men of tho Thomson type that Ponsonby found their chief weakness. Had their attack wings been stronger, and had Ponsonby's homes not 'lacked cohesion,' it would have made Grafton feel they needed every one of their five goals. The battery of Grafton waß mainly represented by Atkinson, who never played better. Withthe exception of Anderson, the Ponsonby' homes did not play op to their reputation. Anderson was brilliant at times, and did tbe lion's share of attaok work. A little of Mr London's catching and goal-shooting that the Herald describes as bo ' extremely beautiful ' vould have been of nse te Ponsonby. Bat last Saturday thia player was more successful in keening himself extremely and (no donbt) beautifully clean than in keeping up his reputation as an exponent of lacrosse. Good judges thought Stewart waa very saccessful in smothering Peaoook; some Westenders axe, however, of a different opinion, and their view also finds other supporters. There is no doubt that Stewart did, in a great measure, cramp the Ponsonbyite, bnt he had ' a steady job ' all the afternoon. I thonght that Peaoock's cleverness in obtaining possession of tbe ball waa a treat to witness. Taking the line right throngh, the firat round of matches, I regard Peacock, McCoy, and Anderson aa being ihe moat consistent and teat all-round players in the Ponaonby team. The wet, heavy state of the turf on Saturday made the play rather slow at times. In some instances, the Ponsonby men used tbeir weight to advantage, boi in the maj c rity of cases, lhe lighter Graftonianß, being more athletic in their movements, were better able to keep on their feet, and thus beat tbeir opponents. The second round of matches will commence next Saturday. The following Ib the present position of each team In the championship tonrnament: —

Those who requite to use Spectaoles will find a very large assortment to Bull almost any sight at Miller's Fancy Repository, 110, Victoria-street. Prices to suit I any pocket, viz., 6d, 93/, 1- and 1/6 per pair. Real English Pebbles, 3/9 per pair. Coloured Spectacles for sun and dust,6a and 1/- perpair, sent post free to any address in New Zealand. Anyone mentioning thia paper when purchasing or sending wiu have a oase value for 6d presented to them. t — Advt.

Qoala. P. W. L. D. For Agst. Grafton 6 6 0 0 45 8 Fonsooby A. 6 5 1 0 54 8 Bnborbs 6 3 3 0 13 22 North Shore 6 2 3 1 16 20 Parnell 6 2 4 0 27 36 Grey Lynn 6 1 4 1 11 44 Ponsonby B. 6 1 5 0 11 39