OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 51, 26 August 1916, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Sphere.]

FOOTBALL. The Rugby Game. WITH Eden Park in an unplayable condition, Rugby fixtures were decided at the Show Grounds, Epsom. The attendance was not so great as at previous matches, principally because of the lack of importance attaching to the fixtures arranged. The day was fine, with a fairly stiff breeze blowing down field, but the ground was in good Older, notwithstanding the recent rains. Grammar A won by default from Graf ton, who did not put in a team, consequently the Grammar B and 'Varsity match was played on No. 1 ground." The interesting feature of this contest was the, fact that, had the. B's won against 'Varsity, the A's would still have had a chance for the championship. 'Varsity, however, made n>o mistakes, and easily won, 25 points to 3. University from the start made the play open, and their forwards, per medium of dribbling rushes, gave Grammar plenty of work in defence. The backs threw the ball about freely, often wildly, but still some fine passing rushes were instituted by Boucher, Maxwell, Milliken and Robinson. ■ • • The League Game. If Newton, the philosopher, lived in these days he might have wondered if the Northern Union game should be considered of as much importance in human affair© as the laws of gravity. At any rate, 5000 full-throated football enthusiasts gravitated to Victoria Park to witness the play-off for the coveted silver Rooster. A sterling game was expected, and. the play was. of such a nature that those who were present voted the game to be as spectacular as the League's officials say it. is. City won by; six clear points. Some doubt the legitimacy of some of the points scored, but as the referee is sole judge one must leave the scores as they stand, and let City take its second trophy. The game itself was fast and furious, so much so that the players were, only too eager for a chance for an occasional breather. The hero of the match was. Scotty McClymont, Ponsonby's nippy and versatile ca/ptain. The try he scored may be declared to be the best of the year. In Ponsonby's own 25 McClymont gathered up the ball, and, dodging three of City's, players, ran fully 75 yards in a sterling race for the line, oiitpacing Opai Asher and Fitzgerald, two of City's defenders. The effort was a brilliant one, and fully deserved the reception given it by the spectators. The proceeds of the stand, amounting to £30, will be devoted to charity, in keeping with the League policy. So far this season over £200 has been given to worthy institutions, and the League may take full credit for being the leaders in adopting a policy which is. original and worthy of commendation by the sporting and general public. Despite war conditions and the depletion of the followers of the sport, the League have had a successful season, and when times assume the normal a bright future is in store for the Northern Union game.

The taking over of a permanent ground will make an epoch in League matters, and it is to be hoped that, the new ground will prove as. popular as. the Victoria park has been in the past.

The beautifying scheme undertaken by the. City Council, Avhicli includes the pulling down of the fences at Victoria Park, has robbed the League of opportunities to further increase its charitable donations, and, incidentally, gives free admission to all and sundry at all times. Had the League bad an. opportunity of charging last Saturday a record would have been established. However, the officials, seem satisfied with their efforts, inasmuch as they are assured of the public support and command a big following. A house match, Mennie's, Ltd., v. Laurie's, has been arranged, with other matches, for Saturday next, and the League enthusiasts will still have football for a few weeks to come. The competition features have practically concluded,, but the League intends to arrange .suitable fixtures for several weeks, so as. to enable its players to have a complete season of football. City deserved their win over Poiisonby, as they were considerably the better team on the day, and are to be congratulated on putting up a record for a club in New Zealand, viz., four championships and the knockout round in the one season.

Fitzgerald, full-back for City, played a magnificent game, and it is mostly owing to him that City are in the position they are. He made no mistakes, and, on the whole, gave a faultless exhibition.

Clarke, on the wing, played better in that position than at five-eights, and one wonders why he was not ■played there before. He is too selfish as a five-eighths, but as wing three-quarter left nothing to be desired. His defence was always solid, and he scored a very nice try.

Davidson, centre three-quarter, played up to his. best form, which is all that is necessary. He. perhaps kicks too often, but, taking his play on the whole, he is one of the League's best centres.

"Opai" Asher, wing three-quarter, played his usual hard game. He was well marked by Jones, and did not get going much during the day. He is undoubtedly worth his place, in the team, if only for his head work. The try he gave Davidson was very fine, and was brought off simply through his superior knowledge of the game. He kicked a magnificent goal from the line when the points were, badly wanted, and< all round must be given credit, for a good display.

Sutton and Mitchell, five-eighths, opened up the game better than usual, Sutton playing better in that position than on the wing. He was unlucky in not getting a try on one occasion, the ball slipping from under him as he dived.

Mitchell played well, and started many rushes.. It is a pity he is. not heavier, as he would make a firstclass forward. His footwork is very clever, but he is not out of his teens yet, and. will be heard of again to advantage.

Lunn, half-back, played his best game. He opened it up wfsll, and on defence was hard to beat. He scored a very nice try on the call of time, which deserved the applause* given it. City's forwards all played well, the outstanding man being perhaps S. Barchard. He was always on the ball, and worried Ponsonby's backs right through the game. He. has been a good man right through the season, but excelled himself on Saturday. Wilson, full-back for the Uniteds was not quite as good as usual. He did* not take the ball ac clean as in previous matches, and was tackled once or twice in possession. Still, his exhibition was fair. McOlymont, five-eighths, was. the best on the ground. His. try when he raced from his own 25 was a fine effort, and warranted the applause received. He (seemed to come from nowhere, and, grabbing the, ball practically out of Fitzgerald's hands, went for his life and got there under the posts.

Norgrove (wing) and Martin (centre) were not as sound as desired. They missed the ball often, and did not get down, to the red and blacks' forward rushes too well.

Jones, on. the wing, did not get many chances on attack, but was a tower of strength on defence. His upsetting of the nuggetty "Opai" met with warm approval from the "fans" on the line.

Walsh (half) and Cross (fiveeighths) were fair, but the writer thinks that Pip Webbe. would have been of more assistance to Ponsonby behind the scrum.

Harris, Longbottom and Lowry were the pick of a good set of forwards, Harris perhaps calling for the most praise. • • • The Association Game. In fine weather, but with a brisk breeze blowing down field, the senior grade fixtures were concluded, on Saturday, resulting in North Shore defeating Everton, 4 goals to 1, and thus gaining the Cup. The game was characterised by its. free spirit, and was. exceedingly interesting throughout, with Everton taking their defeat in a most sportsmanlike manner. Their sjripper (Hillcoat) deserves oorigratiilations. for his skilful handling of his team, which played two men short, and his untiring efforts on the team's behalf were most praiseworthy.

The Shore forwards, Clark, Perritt and Spinley, were again prominent in, attack, and their combination at times was very fine, while Craig, Innes, McKellar and Broughton were several timee instrumental in clearing their side of danger.

For Everton, Anderson, Clonahan and Blomly gave a good exhibition, and worked hard to stave off defeat".

By better combination, Richmond rather easily defeated V.M.C.A., 4 goals to nil! The latter team wore unfortunate, playing two nie.n, short, and then in the second, spell losing Webber, who broke his. leg through a collision with McDonald. The injured man was attended by St. John's Ambulance, and eventually removed to the hospital.

Second Division.—Everton and Mount Albert drew, with each side notching a goal. Ever ton had the best of the game, and should' have .scored in the first half. Both teams will have to meet again, since the championship for the second division is still undecided.

German military authorities which instigated tfhe crusade against wide skirts and other "wasteful imported styles," have now: taken another step designed to wean Grerman women from foreign fashions. The general commanding the 17th Army

Oorj>s (Danzig) lias just decreed that it will henceforth be a felony punishable with a year's imprisonment and £75 fine for anybody to receive, sell, or otherwise use or circulate any foreign fa-shion journal or fashion dlrawing