OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 52, 2 September 1916, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Sphere.]

FOOTBALL

THE various championship and knock-out fixtures having been successfully terminated, no very important matches were set down for Saturday last. The paucity of spectators was no doubt accounted for by the number of counter attractions, as much as by lack of interest. Nevertheless, those who journeyed, to Epsom witnessed some interesting decisions in the cadets' championship and the college matches. *. *■ • The Rugby Game. Juvenile supporters were in the majority at Epsom, and, judging from their plaudits, the senior cadet match held pride of place of Saturday's Rugby fixtures. This, match Wiifi the final for the championship, and was fought out between teams representing 35th Company, Parne.ll, and 31st Company, Ellerslie. The day was beautifully fine, and all conditions were set for fast and spectacular play. The pace set was hot throughout", but little back play was indulged in, dribbling rushes being more or less the order. With such fast play, however, interest was maintained, and many exciting incidents .took place. The treble-voiced encouragement of the juvenile fans was noticeable during some of these incidents, entirely eclipsing the more sonorous acclamations of the ad'nlts. 35th Company eventually won by 5 points to 3. For the winners, Simpson, Tate and Brockliss were prominent, while C. Fisher was more than useful for the losers.

Tom Harrison, the old Otago University and Otago representative forward, has returned to Palmerston to resume, his practice. Captain Tom, who returned recently, was on board the Marquette when she was torpedoed.

The Otago fifteen who defeated the 16th reinforcements recently suffered a setback when they met D Company of the 17th reinforcements. The soldiers' win was very popular, and their team included several of last year's reps., including Lieut. Pilling, 'Varsity forward, who recently returned from Galhpoli, and who is. going back again to the firing line. The soldiers' backs were weak, but the forwards made the game theirs with determined dribbling rushes and fast following up. Conspicuous amongst them "was Inlay, the old Light Blue rep., Macd.ouga.ll, the old' Alhambra five-eighths, and Duff, of Kaikoura, were the pick of the backs. The Army won, 10 points to 8.

Jack McKenzie, Petone, Wellington, Auckland and New Zealand representative five-eighths, is in camp at Trentham. "Pete" tried many times to get into uniform, and has at last succeeded in his desire. He has two stripes upon, his sleeve. • • • The League Game. With the main competitions over, League football consists of games in the junior grades. The chief attraction centred in the final for the fourth grade, competitions. The matched teams were. Oity and Sunnyside. City won by thirteen points to nil, and thus secured the Endean Memorial Shield for the second successive year.

A mixed team, consisting of players from Newton, Graf ton, North Shore and Oity, journeyed to Ngaruawabia on Saturday, and played

the Lower Waikato representatives. The visit was arranged by the City Club, who have annually visited the Waikato boys. Those who undertook the trip included such good playeirc as Jack Paul and Stan. Walters from the Shore, Potier from Newton, Asher, Fitzgerald, Rukuiai and Hogan, from City, with other players from Graf ton and City juniors.

The AVaikato team included well known players in Littlewood, Reg. Sprague, Karl Mansfield, Mayall and Wilson.

The visitors won by 13 to 9, after a veiy interesting game. The Aucklander's (Paul) goal-kicking won the match. In this: department Waikato failed badly, their three tries not being converted.

Walters, for City, crossed t,hc line twice, and Potier once.

For AVaikato, Callaghan scored twice and Kay once, all three being from well organised passing runs.

Tom Fielding refcreed the game, and the trip proved a good outing, the visitors returning prr express on Simdiay.

An interesting discussion took place at the laet weekly meeting of the League, concerning the appointments of referees for senior matches. The matter was introduced by Mr Pollock, of the City Club, not, as he explained, with any feeling of antagonism or personal animosity against the appointment board of the Referees' Association, but for the sole purpose, of seeing whether some better method of appointing senior referees could 'be. found, in reply to the criticism expressed from time to time against some rtf the referees who had controlled senior matches at the Park.

The delegates present each expressed what in his opinion would be an ideal method of appointing senior referees. Mr McDonald, who keenly advocated control by the League of such appointments, considered that the senior games should be confined to a few of the best men, and appointments should be made by the League in keeping with the wishes of the opposing teams. If the Aeeo-

oiation submitted five names lo the League, then the League could select three beet men for eacli Saturday. Mr Fellowes (Newton Rangers) considered that referees, like players, should be held to account f< any misapplication of the rules of the game. Where a referee grossly mismanaged a match, or repeatedly misinterpreted the rules, an explanation should be sought by the League. It was finally decided to request the appointment board of the Referees' Association to submit three names weekly, to enable the League to make its own allotment for senior games. Now that all the competitions are about finished, club secretaries are busy arranging for their annual smoke concerts. Newton Rangers Club were in first, and hopped off on Saturday night at the Tiffin, under the charge of President C. Gray.

The usual toast list was. honoured, and the festive board was kept supplied till 11 p.m., when "Auld Lang Syne" brought a good evening's fun to a close. The visitors included R. Pollock and R. Spinley (Auckland League), W. Culpan (Ponsonby), E. K. Asher (City), W. Davidson, junr. (advisory board), and J. Herrick (City), each replying to their respective toasts.

An interesting comparison was unearthed when. Mr Fellowes replied to the toast of the Newton Club. Mr Asher had previously stated that his club (City) had established a record by winning four grade championships out <>f sixj and also annexing the Roope Rooster, a record which would hold for many years. Mr Fellowes admitted the record a good one, but stated that the Hunsley Olub, in England, in which he was a plaj'er, won four senior championships in the same year. He only wished he were a few years younger, so that he could play for Newton.

Mr Allan Blakey, when proposing the toast of the Auckland League, gave the parent body full credit for the wonderful growth of the League game, and to the fine work of the

management committee. In replying, Mr Spinley modestly stated that the League did not desire to take any credit for the improved state of affairs in League football, but rather desired to show to the old players and founders of the game that the, credit was due to them and not to the present executive. The good work of Joe Bennett (Newton's captain), and Allan Blakey and H. Rowe (ex-players) would be remembered for many a day.

The Thamos Old Boys, Ponsonby and City Juniors are journeying to the Thames on Friday evening p~r Wakatere, returning on Sunday; Special fares have been arranged, and there ie every possibility of a band enlivening proceedings.

The Association Game. After all the wet and stormy weather we have experienced lately, the bright sunshine last Saturday afternoon was really enjoyable. The atmosphere being free from biting winds, it was a pleasure to bask in the warm sunshine at the Devonport Domain, apart from the fact that there were some interesting soccer matches to watch. Few people, however, availed themselves of the opportunity of doing so, in contrast to pre-war times.

Two representative matches were played, between teams representing this and last year's players, and in both cases last year's players were successful.

The oft-tried championship for the fifth division was at last decided, Everton beating Mount Albert 3 goals to 1. The game was very willing right through. Everton had the better of the first half, in which Barnes scored, although Graham, for Mount Albert, was not long in following suit. In the second half, Hill and Mitchell both netted one each for Everton, making the score as stated.

The match, Auckland reps, versus last year's players, was full of interest, and although the "Old Birds" won, the juniors gave them all they wanted. Both the individual and concerted play on both sides was very fine indeed. Gribble and Corrin were prominent for the old boys, while Perritt was, instrumental in netting for the reps. The forward line of the reps., Spinley, Dacre and Perritt, played vexy well together, and some good work resulted from their combined play.

Sixth Grade. —Behnont defeated St. Helier's by 4 goals to nil, Verran (2). Hook and Jones finding the net. North Shore A beat Takapuna, 3 goals to nil. Northoote had an easy win over Shore B, netting no less than 8 goals to Shore's cypher. For Northcote, Burford, O'Leary and McCrea were instrumental in foaling.