OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 41, 29 June 1907, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

By Harkieb.

WITH the prospect of seeing a well-contested game betweenCity and Ponsonby, and the weather being almost perfect, it was not to be wondered at that a record gate at Alexandra . Park on Saturday was the result. And so it proved. A very large crowd turned out, and the takings amounted to the large sum of £127 — thus establishing a record for club games for the Auckland Rugby Union. The game resulted in a draw ; and this leaves City well ahead for the Gup. In fact, they cannot be beaten, and it is quite possible that the senior championship wi 1 now be closed down. The other senior games resulted in Grafton and Parnell making a draw, whilst Newton beat North Shore by 5 points to nil • • . •

The game between City and Ponsonby was an infinitely better exhibition of football than when these two teams met in the first round. Both teams made the play more open, and at times excitement was at fever heat. Ponsonby had a very slight advantage with the wind in the first spell, and may be said to have had all the best of the game, Dillamore being downed on the line on one occasion. The second half opened with Ponsonby again the aggressors, but after a while City took a hand and gave the blue and blacks a warm time of it. Near the end, Seeling got over for City, but was called back on account oi a player being out oi touch when the rush was started. A draw was a fair criterion of the game. Another meeting between these teams would draw like a mustard plaster. There was not quite as much play shown by the backs as one would wish. If anything, the City men gave the best concerted work, particularly in the rush started by Ladner in the second spell. The ball went through four or five hands, and R. Magee was hauled down just in time. Coming to the individual players, S. Magee, full for City, rose to the occasion in fine style and did some .splendid saving. Smith's kicking was by far his best point. Several times he started to get underweigh but the Ponsonby men generally collared him. Redwood was very safe in his taking, whilst Little made no errors. He got but few chances to .-how his attacking powers. R. Magee got few opportunities to open the play, it oeing very rare that Ladner sent the ball out. Still, he did a heap of solid work, and Ladner by his play has proved a worthy substitute for Young. It is" doubtful if City's pack on Saturday was as good as that played against Ponsonby in the first match. Gladding took Williams' s place, and Harris went in in place of Plant. AH the same, it was- a solid combination, • and the way they came to light in the second spell was an oye-opener. Mackerell and G. Tyler held the honours in hooking, whilst Seeling was going big guns all through. McGuire worked well as lock, and Gladding and Herring were noticeable in the open. Of the witfgs, W. Tyler stood out most prominently; • ! n Of ;■ the Porisonby backs, Wilsoii showed the poorest form. He made several bid mulls, and he' will have |o improve Considerably y tb c get bis

Blakey ' did his work well, and Murray's play was consistent, getting in 1 somei great' line-kicking. . DiUantbre ' went really well all through, whilst Bater and -Cox did passable, work; The Ponsonby forwai'ds were fight . at their best in the first spell, but they felt the strain in the second half . and .appeared to tire. Nicholson again stood 1 out for splendid all-round play, and Hall, Cunningham, Dunning and Francis toiled very solidly. Fricker is a light forward, but he was noticeable for some good play. Gillet was, as usual, the mainspring of the Ponsonby team, and he had a very able second in McDonald, who played on the other wing. This player was in the thick of all the rushes. The tackling of both teams was very deadly, and Mun\>y did a heap of good work in this department. He paid much attention to George Smith.

The Parnell-Grafton game was a very quiet affair. Parnell did not display too good form, and they were lucky to come out oi it with a draw. The Graf ton backs shaped very well, Sutherland, Stewart and Marshall being a conspicuous trio. «•» <*• "■*

The football displayed in the North Shore-Newton game was of a very poor character. Anyhow, Newton deserved their win, as their forwards were a bit too good in the open and line work. Murfitt, of the warship Pioneer, played a sound game in the backs for North Shore.

■•• •» »•; The Auckland rep. team will meet the Goldfields team on Saturday, July 20, and the Thames reps, a week later — July 27th. Hughie Absolum is playing a great game in Wanganui. In. a recent match there he scored several tries by dashing over the line near the corner flag — a favourite spot of his. . At moment of writing, it is doubtful if any more senior championship games will be played. City have practically won the Cup, and as our reps, meet the Buller team on July 13th, probably a trial match will be played on Saturday next. It is interesting to know (remarks a Dunedin writer) that Paton, the Dunedin forward who has - been selected for a place in the New Zealand team for Australia, was originally a three-quarter back. In that position he was a dismal failure, but put up amongst the forwards he quickly, made a name for himself, until now he wins a New Zealand representative cap. By the way, Paton should prove a useful placekick on the Australian tour Duncan McGregor made his first appearance for the season on Saturday week, but the "Canterbury Times " scribe says that the Christchurch Club benefited little by his inclusion in the team. The " All Black " three-quarter played at outside five-eighths, but he was evidently out of form, and the ground was altogether against him. He is purely a dry-weather player, and we shall have to wait for a better day before we judge him. The following have been given to a Wellington scribe as some of the backs in the proposed professional, team : — Hargroaves (Taranaki), Abbott (Wanganui), Smith (Auckland), Wrigley (Wairarapa), and McGregor (Canterbury). Also that passages have ijoon booked for this professional " All Black-" team. A number of cabins have been reserved, but' the names are not yet available. The dates, of the matches of the Ne"w Zealand team iv Australia are : July 13, v. New South Wales, at Sydney. July 17, v. New South "Wales, at Sydney. July 20, v. Australia; at Sydney. Jtjly 24, v. Queensland, at Brisbane. July 27, v. Queensland, at Brisbane, i - . • August '3, v. Australia, at Bns August 10, v. Australia, at Syd

The first of the two return matches between New South "Wales and Queensland will be played at Brisbane on Saturday next. The decision of the Auckland Rugby Union to send a junior rep. team to Taranaki has given much satisfaction in football circles.

The latest number of Spalding's Athletic Library, published by The British Sports Publishing Co., Ltd., 2 and 3, Hind Court, Fleet-street, E.C., is entitled " Cricket," by Tom Hay ward. The book it illustrated on mbre than forty pages.

J. Godfrey, of Auckland, and J. Gosling of Wellington, have signed articles for a match at His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, on July 26. A purse of 40 soys. has been allotted for the. contest, and the issue is to be of fifteen rounds. The contest has evoked considerable interest, and a crowded house is assured, particularly as the Wellington Bacing Club's "Winter Meeting will be held during that week. When they last met as amateurs, Gcdfrey beat Gosling. Quite a stir has been caused in athletic circles by the running match between Day. the British champion, and McLachlan, the New Zealand champion, to be contested at the Auckland Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon next. Three distances have been agreed to — 130 yards, 175 yards, and 300 yards. In a match a short time back, Day proved the winner against McLachlan, but the New Zer lander has great hopes of getting his revenge on Saturday. Both men have been training hard for some time, -and this contest alone should be worth the admission money. Besides the big event, a 75 Yards Handicap, Sack Race and Bays' Championship will be got off. Po those, who wish to see a good afternoons -spo rt should not miss visiting the Domain on Saturday afternoon.