LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 7 August 1915, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

So far as tire keen foMowere of League football were concerned last Saturday all road's led to Victoria Park, where Graf ton Athletic and City Rovers met to decide the championship honours for the seaeon. That the game is gaining much favour is evidenced from the big attendance, despite the strong counter attraction of races at Ellerslie.

The merits of the respective teams had been the subject of considerable

The match was strenuously fought out, right tip to the last bell, and if the teams were to go out again tomorrow very few amongst the 4000 spectators would be prepared to say which team would be the winners.

Grafton won the match principally through superior back play, and by seizing all opportunities that came their way. Ifwerson, their skipper, playedl a brilliant game, in fact, it was far and away the best game ho has played this season.

City were unfortunate in not having the services of Keraieally, as this ■broke up their combination considerably, but even then their back play does not come up to the standard of Graf ton. It is their forwards that win out ,and it is not saying too much, when we say that it ie some years since one club has had such a good 1 forward 1 team.

The game was bright and clean, and although Eoope of Graifton had l to be carried off the field no blame for the accident could be levelled at the ©pooling team, as Referee Ferguson called the -players together before the kick-off and cautioned them re rough fplay whichi had a good effect on the game.

Bright, for City, played a. fine game, and! was -unfortunate in not scoring on one occasion. He only had to pick the ball up andJ fall over the line, but he missed the new ball, which was bouncing al ways, spoiling the play on mimerous occasions.

Special mention should also He madle of Boylan. City full-back. He played one of the nicest _ full-back games seen in Auckland this season, in fact he was the idol of the crowd on the day, and we congratulate him on coming on so well after his -poor showing at the commencement of the season. We extend to Graf ton. our congratulations on their vliictory for the Myems Cup, amd whilst on this subject a very pleasing incident han,pened after the match when E. Asber was instructed by his club to visit the dressing room of Grafton pi avers and extend] to them the club's hearty congratulations. This is only as it should! be. but it is an ooject lesson to some of the fans on the line, who should profit by fostering the'same spirit.

Sunnyeide fourth grade ran up the huge total of 44 points to 5 against North Shoire. The winners made a miserable exhibition, of goal-kicking, for out of -ftrarteen tries only one was converted.

TJorth Shore fifth grade made no mistake with Graf ton,, and piled on 46 points to 5.