OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1, 14 September 1912, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Harrier.]

AUCKLANDERS had a rare feast of football on Saturday last, when they had the choice of witnessing two big iest matches.- The League game at the Domain drew a thumping gate, while the Ranfurly Shield match attracted a very satisfactory crowd at Alexandra Park. * ■ * *' It turned out to be a near thing for Auckland for that Ranfurly Shield. After a close and exciting go, the match ended in a draw—s points each—and thus this much-sought-for trophy remains in Auckland for another season. * * * The wind gave a trifle of advantage to Auckland in the first half, and they did most of the attacking. However, the visitors got dangerous, and about half way through the sfcell Sheehan forced his way over from a forward rush. A goal was kicked, and the Otagoites were in high glee when they led at half-time by 5 points to nil. *-* * . Auckland made matters willing in the second half, but still they failed to break through, and the local support- . ers began to look glum. Then the blue and white backs got into action, and Macky dashed over near the corner,,and ran right behind the posts. Walsh goaled, thus making the scores equal. Auckland had a bit the best of the play till the end, although Otago's goal kicker missed a couple ot excellent chances. ** . * Whilst looking at the three Ranfurly Shield matches, Otago must be credited with putting up the best fight against Auckland. When the blues were beaten in their first two matches in the South Island, their chance against the blue and whites looked poor.' But these reverses, had evidently done good, as before meeting Auckland the Otago boys downed Taranaki in handsome style, and then drew with us, a frequent result, by the way, between these two provinces. « * * The'form of the Auckland team was not as good as that displayed against the Wellington team. But one thing that marred the game was the continual piping of Mr Williams's whistle—it is many a long day since such a fine tune has been played at Alexandra Park. Some of Mr Williams's decisions were difhcult toiloilow, and why will he persist in putting the ball into the scrum ? _ It was very rarely the ball went in fairly, and the hookers of both teams were under a big disadvantage. * * * Among the Auckland backs, O'Leary was again one of the most consistent. Macky made the best of what way, and he has the unique record ot scoring all the tries in the Shield matches. He scored the only .try in the Taranaki game, four against Wellington, and one against Otago. " McGregor was not seen at his best, and Stewart, Ifwerson, Weston and Webb were safe. v The local pack put up a good fight, but some of Mr Williams's decisions had a perturbing effect on the players. Carroll was again a shining light, but the whole set are to be congratulated on their wbrk, and Walsh made good as a winger. Perhaps the best feature of the Otago backs was their line-kicking, Watson, doing a lot of fine work in this respect. Eckhold also went in for a lot of it. This player did a lot of smart intercepting, but he was given a lot of latitude by the referee. Dryden played a plucky game as half, opening up smartly and not being afraid of the stopping. Cuthill also did good service in the latter department. Of the three-quarters, Cockroft was perhaps the best.

The blue forwards gave' a good display, Sheehan being One of their best toilers. Casey worked some old points oh the line, and Graham, Douglas and McKellar were conspicuous toilers.

For Saturday next, the Auckland .Rugby Union has arranged for an athletic carnival to take place at Alexandra Park. A programme of nine events will be gone through, and the proceeds will be handed over to different charities. The idea is a splendid one, and from the following programme it will be seen that a rare afternoon's sport can be looked forward to : Seven A-Side Tournament (seniors),- Seven A-Side Tournament (juniors), 100 Yards Handicap (Members A.A.A. and C. Club), Relay Race (for teams of four), half-mile (open to Fotball Clubs), 110 Yards Championship (football costume), amateurs only, Referees' Handicap (75 yards), 120 Yards Handicap (professional runners), Place-Kicking Competition, One and a-half Miles Handicap (amateur), open to members of football clubs and Auckland Harriers' Club.

Before a crowd of anything up to twenty thousand people (inside and out), New South Wales had their revenge over New Zealand under Northern Union rules at the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday last. With finer weather conditions, the New South Wales backs were able to handle the ball more accurately, and it is to them that their win was due. New South Wales led in the scores all through the game, the first -spell ending 13 points to 5. Each side added another five in the second half, and when time was called the scores were 18 points to 10 in New South Wales' favour. Hallet, as full-back for N.S.W., played well, his kicking being especially good. Dean and Broomham showed to advantage in the three-quarter line, and the former was responsible for a lot of solid work. Frawley also put in some useful bits. " Norman was fair as five-eighths, and kicked some nice goals. The half, Holloway, played a great game, and was in the thick of it all through, opening up cleverly and starting many passing rushes. The forwards were not too brilliant and seemed to be inclined towards pointing tactics in the scrum. The .best were Burge and McCue. The New Zealand backs were disappointing, their tackling being none too good, and they did not back their forwards up. Bradley played consistently as full. He got his side out of some tight corners, but his kicking could be better. Kelly was the best of the threequarters, and he was the only one to make sure of his man. Reke seemed to be out of his place, and it would have been better if he had changed places with Curran in the five-eighth line. Webb played another consistent game, and was one of the busiest backs on the ground. The forwards played splendidly, the best being Hayward, King and Rukutai. "Circus" Hayward was always to the fore, and together with King, was seen to great advantage in the open play. %* * * The Grafton F.C. are holding their annual dinner on Friday evening, September 20th. The affair will take place at Strand Cafe,

Mr Jack Williams, who refereed in the Otago-Auckland match, left for Sydney on Monday evening last. •

A most enjoyable evening resulted at the annual smoker of the A.R.U. Referees' Association on Friday evening last. Chairman Harry Frost, to whom much of the success was due, kept things going merrily, and the musical" part of the function was in excellent hands. A number of speeches were given by budding orators, but " Scotty " Bonella's was the hit of the evening, and he had a good runner-up in Paddy Sheehan.

At moment of writing; the final of the N.Z. Amateur Billiard Championship was about to commence. Those left to play were Messrs Valentine and Cook. The game was to be 1000 up. In the semi-final, Mr Valentine had a big win over Mr E. Burke, the latter not playing up to his recent form. Messrs Jim Russell and Cook had a great go, the- latter getting home by the small majority of five points The games have been well patronised, and altogether the function has been a big success.