Out Door Sports

Observer, 24 July 1909, Page 10

Out Door Sports

By Harrier,

A.R.TJ. FIXTURES

July 31 — Auckland v. Maniapoto, at Auckland. August 7— Auckland v. Thames, at Thames. , August 14 — Poverty Bay v. Auckland, at Auckland. August 21 — Thames v. Auckland, it Auckland. August 21 — Auckland v. Rotorua, at Rotorua. August '28 — Auckland v. Northern Wairoa, at Auckland. August 28 — Wellington v. Auckland, at "Wellington. August 31 — Wanganui v. Auckland, at Wanganui. September 2 — Taranaki v. Auckland, at Taranaki. September 11 — Taranaki v. Auckland, at Auckland (suggested).

THE second meeting between City and Ponsonby in the A.R.XJ. Senior Cup competition did not attract nearly so large an attendance as their first game, played some weeks back. No doubt the weather had a material influence in the matter, as drizzling rain fell at intervals during the afternoon. The gate takings realised £82, as against £143 in the first contest. Ponsonby had an easy win from City, by 24 points to 5. The other senior games resulted in Parnell beating Newton by 14 points to nil, while University got the upper hand of Graf ton by 8 points to 3.

Ponsonby's defeat of City practically settles the 1908 championship, as the blue and blacks have a decided lead in points. For the second year in succession they did not lose a game in the season. The following table shows the positions of the respective clubs :

■ The City - Poneonby game started somewhat sensationally. The reel and blacks had t-he advantage of the wind, but from the kick-off Ponsonby were the aggressors. They quickly worked the ball down to the City line ; after which it was sent out among the backs, and from a nice passing rush Clarke got across. O'Leary kicked a goal, so that five points went to Poneonby's credit from a little more, than a minute's play. After this City set to work • / in great style, and for some time had o the advantage in the play. From a ; forward rush City took the ball over : the line, and "Waddell managed to } score, R. Magee concerting. : The play was still exciting, and both •;■: teams played good football. Pon- §' uonby'B second score came shortly bey fore half-time. "Webb started a passim ing rush, and after the ball had gone £ through three of four pairs of hands $:■. Murray raced over the line. O'Leary - ? ; failed ffco convert,^ahd the spell end|\ed <: Ponsonbyrß ; City, 5. p •;■■.' TK^second spell was noticeable for •fif * th» quick scoring rung on by Ponpj*; .sbnb'y , although the City men were 0' playing a. sterling game. Morse life: started the ball - and fee McGregor scored a cleverly gained |^ try. ,Then Francis got over from a P^^forw-ard nisl^. &n& towards the end

O'Leary and Webb kicked a goal each. When, time was called Ponsonby had 24 points to their credit and City 5. As at the first meeting between these teams last month, the win of the blue and blacks was due to the superiority of their backs. The forward divisions were well matched, and towards the finish many of the players had begun to feel the pace that was set in the first spell. Of the Ponsonby backs, I liked best the play of O'Leary. He beat his men cleverly in the passing runs, and his fielding was splendid. McGregor was very consistent, and his try was the result of a heady piece of work. Murray and Clarke did tolerably well, taking their passes safely, but Bater was not so prominent, although he was putting in his share of the defensive work. Morse was not seen as much as usual, but at times he displayed dashes of his cleverness. Webb had a pTetty hard time as half, and when he did get an opportunity to pass out he lost no time about it.

Playing against the wind, the Ponsonby pack had a hot time in stemming off the rushes of the City men, but towards the end of the game they were having a little the best of it. To my mind, there. wasn't a- better forward on the ground than Francis, and his all-round play was of a very high standard. Sellaa-s again showed himself a promising young forward, and Cunningham, who was working in great style, made it clear that he is a long way from being done. Nicholson is a useful man to have in any pack, although he did not appear to be using his weight to any extent. The outstanding feature among the City backs was the grand game put up by " Bob " Magee. But for this player the City team would be in a bad way. He was into everything on Saturday — starting rushes, and doing his share of the defence. Many of the openings that he made, however, were not used to> the best advantage by his fellow-backs. S. Magee and Stewart took spells as full-back, and the former was seen to better advantage when closer to the work. Stewart was undecided in his taking of the ball. Baker, on the wing, had but little to do. Hanley was consistently good. His fielding and kicking were easily the best he has done this season. Young played a plucky game, his defensive play being his strongest point. Estall was played as a rover, and did remarkably well. Frequently he put on his top pace and swooped in among the Ponsonby backs. Taken all round, there have been many good features in Estall' s play this season . The City forwards played the game for all it was worth when they had the wind in their favour. _ The pace began to find them out in the second half, but they exerted themselves to the last. Herring and Maguire were the hookers, but neither side oould claim any advantage. Waddell nlayed a fine game, and Seeling set his men a merry pace.

In comparison with the City-Pon-eonby senior game, very little interest was shown in the other two oontesta. Newton went into the field short-handed against Parnell, and threw up the sponge after twenty minutes' play. Parnell had by that time rung on 14 points to nil.

Grafton and University had a fairly interesting go, Grafton being determined not to lose third place in the Senior competition. "University won by 8 points to 3. The position now is that University, Grafton and Parnell are equal for third place.

At the moment of writing, it seems quite possible that the Ponsonby 11.Marist Bros. Old Boys game will be played on 'No. 1 ground on Saturday, next. The Marist boys are, I believe, very anxious to have another game against Ponsonby, and the match should be an interesting one to watch. N ,

The Ponsonby senior team will leave for Sydney on Monday evening next. Rumoured in Wellington that an attempt will be made to import the district scheme into football next season. Considerable interest was taken in the third junior game between Ponsonby and Newton on Saturday. After a particularly exciting game, Ponsonby won by 5 points to 3. Ponsonby 11. had a tough contract in meeting Newton 11. on Saturday, and just manged to get home by 3 points to nil. This win practically gives Ponsonby 11. the Junior Cup. They still have to meet Marist Bros. Old Boys, but even if the latter win, it will not affect Ponsonby's position. The decision of the Dunedin Clubs' delegates to introduce the system of district football does not seem to have met with unanimous favour at the meeting of delegates of the clubs. The proposal was carried by a bare majority, and a writer in the " Otago Daily Times " bewails the fact that such a half-hearted movement should sweep away the clubs and their old associations. The writer says, " A football club is primarily supposed to be composed of men of kindred tastes, who associate themselves for the sake of the social enjoyment, as well as the healthful exercise they derive from the game." The Pon-eke Club has (remarks a Wellington writer) had an invitation from the Ponsonby Club to play a matoh in the northern city early in September in aid of George Gillett; who has retired from the game under medical orders, so it is alleged, owing to heart affection. The Ponsonby Club offered to give the local club £50 as expenses for the trip. The Wellington Rugby Union has given the local club permission to make the trip on certain conditions, and subject to the Auckland Rugby Union approving of the date. It is just possible that the Poneke Club will be unable to raise anything like a representative team when the time arrives for the contest.

The New Zealand Amateur Boxing Championships will be concluded at Dunedin to-morrow (Friday) evening.

There, have been (6ays a Southern writer) mysterious reports in circulation as to the arrival a week or two ago of a very "dark horse" in the person of an English bantam-weight who has many scalps dangling to his belt, the result of encounters in the roped arena. The Englishman is said to, have worked his passage out to the Dominion as a greaser on one of the direct liners.

• Pt.H. Ptß. Ch M.P. W. L Kor. Ag'fct Pts Ponsonby ..9 9 - 252 21 18 City . ..9 7 2 17« 60 14 rhtversity .. 8 4 4 fi9 9fi 8 Parnell ..9 4 B 122 I^4 8 Grafton .." 8 4 5 66 '00 8 North Miore ..8 2 « 44 16 4 Newfon .. 9 0 9 12 K4 0