OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 47, 29 July 1916, Page 8

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Old Timer.]

FOOTBALL

(N contrast to last week, Saturday proved a most favourable day for fast and spectacular play, and large numbers journeyed to the different parks in anticipation, of an enjoyable afternoon. The Rugby Game. The opening games in the second round of the Auckland Rugby Union championship competition were played this afternoon at Eden Park. Several surprises and disappointments manifested themselves during the afternoon. University B, who were matched against City, defaulted to their opponents without play. The expected but non-appear-ance of the Maori team from Narrow Neck Camp, who were to meet Grammar B, caused a deal of disappointment. Apparently the nonarrival of this team was quite unexpected, and some explanation is due for such cavalier treatment. The most interesting game on Saturday was undoubtedly that between 'University A and Grafton. 'Varsity went on to the field warm favourites, but, to the general surprise, Grafton, after a most exciting game, landed the mustard, 15 to 6. In the same park, on No. 2 around, Grammar A put it over Ponsonby to the tune of 23 points to 8. These scores are not at all indicative of the play. Ponsonby opened out from the start, and kept hammering away right through the piece. Their tackling had iplenty of devil in it, a little too much. a+ times perhaps, and their forward rushes were most determined. Grammar, however, possessed, besides other things, men of scoring faculty, hence the result. . The positions of the teams in the championship, as the result of Saturday's matches are:—Grammar A--1.5 points; University A, 13; Grafton, 10; Ponsonby, 3; Grammar B, 2; University B, 0. .» • * The League Game. With such excellent weather prevailing, it was not surprising that such large numbers of League sunporters journeyed to the various playing fields to view the championship fixtures. The, grounds underfoot were in good Condition, but, as often happens when anticipation is high, the play was not as spectacular as expected. . No. 1 ground, Victoria Park, was the scene of City Rovers' match with Grafton. The latter team was practically out of the running for championship honours, but yet a victory by Grafton over City would have meant that North Shore Albions and City would have been equal points, and would have to play off for pride of place. On the other hand, if City won the match, they also won the championship. Hence, great excitement filled the thousands who witnessed the match. However, City did not allow much to chance, and, with the forwards working strenuously to keep their opponents well employed, the backs had opportunities of which they were not slow to take advantage. The game ended with the. score: City 14, Grafton 4. The No. 2 ground was occupied by teams representing Ponsonby and Otahuhu. The latter team on Saturday- fared- no better away from

Iranie than they usually do on thenown ground, and suffered defeat hy (5 points. The play was of an extremely open nature, much kicking heing in evidence, and players needed a rare amount of stamina and wind to keep up with the hall. Ponsonby forwards kept up a vigorous attack right through, and it was mainly through this that the game ended . Ponsonby 6 points, Otahuhu 0. On the Devonport ground, North Shore defeated Newton, 8-5. The Shore team played three fifth grade men, and thoroughly deserved the win they registered. Their forwards kept an incessant attack upon their heavier opponents. Newton were the first to score, anil, mainly Ir-eause of their ability to hold the • crura, were always dangerous Shore'showed to advantage in passing rushes, some of which culminated in scores being added. The positions of the teams in the championship are as follows :—Oity, winners, 17 points; North Shore, 15; Grafton, 10; Ponsonby, 9; Otahuhu, 5; Newton, 4. City Rovers, by defeating Grafton Athletics on Saturday, won the cup championship for 1916 Grafton made no secret during the week ot having a big chance of beating the rod and blacks, but although they strengthened their team considerably, they were beaten in all departments. City forwards were the principal factors in scoring such a majority ot paints over the black and whites, and on the day, the scores, 14 to 4, were a true indication ot tfieir superiority. Rukutai did not waste any men, and when he saw that Duggan was getting the ball regularly from the scrum, lie immediately put McAubrey out as an extra hve-eighth, thcrebv preventing Itwerson, McGregor and Co. from getting going, consequently the public did not see such a good exhibition as these teams' previous meeting. Still, it won City the cup, and Ruk must be congratulated on his judgement. Lipscombe, full-back for Graftonwas fairly safe. He had a tremendous amount of work to do, and, on the whole, he. did it very satisfactorily. His tackling was not as strong as one would like to see m a first-class full-back. Cornaga, wing three-quarter, made his first appearance in League football, and certainly gives promise of making a first-class player He is very fast, and made use ot what few opportunities he had. tie seemed to be hampered somewhat by lack of knowledge of the new code. Ifwersen (centre three-quarter) played his usual brilliant game, but the City backs gave him few opportunities. They were down on him immediately he got the ball, and as before stated. City played an extra back during most of the game, and one would not have to be a Sherlock Holmes to understand that he was a well marked, man. D McGregor, second five-eighth, was out of his place. He is essentially a wing three-quarter, and does' not show' his best form anywhere else. He made some fine dashes, and his side-stepping, etc., was a treat to witness, but spoilt his olav by his selfishness. Grafton would "be well advised to leave him on the wing, where he has very tew if any equals in the competition. J. McGregor (five-eighth) and Clancy (half) were not as good as last week, J. McGregor in, particular not relishing City forwards rushes. Mitchell and Ballantyne call for special mention in the black and white's forwards, Ballantyne playing an especially fine game. He made one fine opening during the day, but spoilt it by not transferring to Itwerson in time. Breaking away, he raced through to Fitzgerald, City's last line of defence, with Ifwerson alongside, with a clear field, but instead of throwing it out he ran into Fitzgerald, who got him, ball and all. It lost Grafton a sure three, and probably five, points when

they were badly wanted, and it might have made a decided difference to the decision at the finish, as City were only a few in the lead at this point. It is hard to individualise among the winners, as they all seemed to show their best form, with perhaps the exception of E. Asher, who is still suffering with a weak shoulder. He missed a number of balls during the first half, but made few mistakes after spell-o. His kicking also was not as good as usual. • Rukutai and Sheen call for special mention in the forwards, and, taking the season's play right .through, Rukutai has proved himself the best and most consistent player in the League competition this season. Davidson (centre three-quarter) was the best of a good lot of backs 1:11 the day, and, perhaps with Hwer-c-on excepted, has proved himself the best amongst the League centres. He has played for City for three seasons. The first season he played grade, and again his team won th* competition. He then played second orade, and agai nhis team won the championship. This year is his first year at senior football, so consequently he has a hat trick to his credit. The same remarks apply to Duffwan, City's hooker, as he has been connected with the same teams as Davidson, playing in the one position right through. We congratulate City on their victory for the season 1916, as they have been very close up for the past four years, either being runners-up or thereabouts, consequently thenwin is not out of its turn. Killed in action, somewhere in France -.—Recent lists of killed bear the names of two prominent League players, i.e., "TOO6V' McWhirter and G. Cook, who both played foi ; ward for Ponsonby seniors. Toods represented' Auckland in. 1910, against both Waikato and Thames. A remarkable coincidence is disclosed in. connection with these players Both attended the same school, both left the same day, both went to work for the same firm on the same day, both enlisted the same day in the 10th Reinforcements, arid both laid down their lives on the same day, playing the great game for King and Country. \ B. Cummings, chairman of Junior Advisory Board, has been wounded a second time, and is at present enjoying leave in England at his own home. Bill Bright, the burly forward o* City, when, writing to a League member, wished his friends and fellow footballers in Auckland good cheer, and hoped that they were carrying on the game in good styleso that" on bis return he could join up again. Bill wrote in good spirits and anticipates very shortly a solid kick at the Kaiser's goal. According to advice received it will not be long before the silver rooster (Roope's) will be landed in Auckland, ex Rotorua, The documents iv connection with the shipment are already to hand. Ihis tropin* is a true facsimile of a celebrated strain of fighting cocks, standing 20 inches high. The proceeds from the matches are to be devoted to charity, and at the last meeting of- the League it was agreed to allot a portion of the proceeds to the St. John Ambulance Brigade in recognition of services rendered during the season. « •* • The Association Game. The Auckland Football Association's Club matches were continued on Saturday in fine weather. The grounds were in good order. A fair number witnessed the contests in the Domain, but the play was not of the most interesting character. In the first divisionNorth Shore defeated Everton by 4 o-oals to nil, and Richmond gained supremacy over V.M.C.A. by 2 goals to 1. In' this game neither side at first showed to advantage, but livened up towards the latter stages. V.M.C.A. were unfortunate in not equalising the score.

Second Division. Devonport Presbyterians defeated Richmond by 2 goals to 1. This game was interesting throughout, with the result all the time in doubt. Fifth Division.—Everton suffered defeat at the hands of Richmond by 3 goals. Sixth Division.—Northcote defeated Takapuna after a close game by 3 goals to 2.