ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 24, 11 June 1892, Page 588

ATHLETICS.

TH E second Senior Cup football match of the season was played last Saturday week in Trafalgar Park

(Nelson) between teams representing the Nelson and Albion Clubs. The Nelson team being ereatly strengthened since last season by. the addition of Atkinson, Lorimer, and Levien (backs), and, Scully and Clapham (forwards), they were considered the bettei team of the two, and the result proved them to be so their score being 19 points to 2. For the first five minutes the teams were very evenly matched, but Nelson by some fine loose play and following up, scored a try. This seemed to completely dishearten the Albions, and they played without any dash or pluck afterwards, allowing Nelson to do just as they liked with them. The Nelson backs all played well, but Atkinson and Lorimer deserve special mention for theirsplendid play all through. Amongst theforwards Cresswell, as usual, played well. Greenfield, Trolove, and Deneker also showed good form. Of the Albion backs, the less said the better. Not one of them played in their old form. Of the forwards, Busch and Hale showed up well. The Nelson place-kicking was very bad, as out of eight tries only one goal was kicked, and all the kicks were comparatively easy.

In the Junior Cup match, Richmond v. Albion 11., the Albion won by4points to nilThis result was a great surprise to everyone, as the Richmond club were looked upon as certain winners. They will have to play up if they hope to win the cup now.

At Lancaster Park the Canterbury College team suffered a severe defeat at the hands (or feet) of the Merivale Club, being put down to the tune of four tries and the same number of goals to a pot from the Held. The combined play of Merivale gained them much applause from the spectators, and their win was a popular one, as the team played one man short for some time—Hormer fracturing the small bone in his shoulder during the progress of the match.

The Linwood - Christchurch match was very even throughout, and resulted in a draw.

Kaikorai v. Pirates. —These old contestants fought out another of their characteristic matches on theCarisbrook Ciound, and so evenly were the teams matched, that at the end of the first spell no score had been recorded on either side. Very little fast play could be shown, as the heavy state of the field militated against anything of the kind. It was a day for the forwards, but the backs had occasionally some defensive work to do. The Pirate forwards were plainly overweighted, but several times in the first spell they screwed the scrums, and carried the game into the Blues’ quarters, where King, the fullback, justified his claim to the position.

Time was drawing near in the second spell, and it seemed as though ovals would represent the scoring on both sides, when the Pirates surprised the onlookers by scoring. Kaikorai had been on the defensive for some little time, and the ball had come into the bands of the erstwhile Aucklander, Caradus, who ran over his own line with it in older to get room to kick, but the ball, after leaving his toe, rebounded from Priest, who promptly dropped upon it, and Drabble converted. This aroused Kaikorai, who immediately afterwards attacked with great dash. The Pirates had now their work cut out to defend their lines, but their efforts were in vain, for the ball was passed out to Laurenson, who with one of his smart dashes carried it up to the goal line when he threw out to Richardson, who got over near the corner. Torrance failed with the kick at goal. Still in a deficiency the Kaikorai renewed the attack with vigour, and their exertions were shortly rewarded with a try secured near the posts by Caradus. The kick was taken by Laurenson, and as a goal was declared to be the result, the Blues had two points to the good, ‘No .side,’ being called the score read Kaikoria, 7 points ; Pirates, 5.

The football match for the senior championship was

played last Saturday afternoon at Newtown Park (Wellington) in the presence of fully two thousand people. The weather was glorious, and the ground was looking gay. The match was that of the Poneke v. Melrose—the former Club winning by 9 points to 5. The play throughout was not particularly interesting except towards the finish, when some smart play was seen on both sides. Ellison did some neat passing, but failed in bis kick at goal. There was some fine passing among the Poneke backs. I especially noticed Te Weka, who took Gage’s place at the last minute. Pudney was also good. The Melrose forwards were in good form, but the backs were distinctly ‘off colour.’ The best players for the winning side were Ellison, Pudney, Sim, Roberts, and Te Weka. Hoar, for the opposite side, failed in his kick at goal. Mr Firth was referee.

The Petone v. Athletics played their match at Petone, and beat last year’s champions by 5 points to nil. This was a great triumph but the losers took their crushing like all

true sportsmen. For the winners Wynward (back) played a grand game, also for the backs Pelting and Ross. Pringle, Speedy, and Dagger were perhaps the pick of the forwards. I missed Milne among them. For the losers Baker and Fraser (backs) played splendidly, Tattle, Goldie, and Riddler doing fair work amongst the forwards. Mr G. Fache acted as referee.

The Wellington 11. were beaten by the Melrose 11. on the same day by 8 points to nil. The game was played at the Hutt. R. Smith and Warwick both scored tries for the w inners, Warwick also potting a goal.

The Pirates defeated the Orientals by 17 points to nil. The Orientals played a wretched game, their opponents finding hardly any competition ; in fact, they had their own way from beginning to end. G. Mil ward potted 2 goals, and Laughton, Osborne, and Drummond scored tries, one of which was converted by Johnston.

The Pioneers made a still poorer show against the Carltons on the same day at Newtown for they were thoroughly beaten by 12 points to nil. The losers need a lot more

practice, and should try to pull together more. They have some good men, too, and should do better.

The Bowling Green at Wellington is just getting into good order again. Several matches have had to be postponed, owing to the ground being too wet after the recent heavy rains. There is some talk of a new bowling green in Thorndon. This would be a boon to players.

We give this week a picture of Mr Shorland, who has been beating the records for long-distance riding in England on the very latest thing in bicycles. It will be seen that the new bike is neither a * safety ’ nor a ‘ tall ’un,’ but a sort of cross between the two. It is claimed that it is the easiest running machine ever made.

I GATHER from the remarks of my Picton correspondent that a friendly football match, which was quite Sundayschool like in its character, eventuated in Picton between Marlborough and Waitohi teams. The result, however, was not quite satisfactory, and though the match ended in a draw, it has to be played over again in the committeeroom of the local Rugby Union. Skin and hair nearly covered the field — a fact which must have gratified the spectators not a little, as my correspondent states that • the game was the very roughest ever indulged in in Picton.’ The male spectators were so excited that they could scarcely be restrained from joining in the bear garden exhibition, but hooted and groaned to their hearts’ content. The ladies also took to hissing, but whether it was the goose or the serpent they intended thus to honour with their emulation my correspondent does not say.

DUNEDIN won their match with the University club by 9 points to 4. The game was fast throughout, Stephenson and Sullivan for Dunedin making some splendid runs. Harvey’sfootseemed to have lost itscunning with regard to goal - kicking, he only managing to pot one from the three tries for Dunedin. University also lacked a good kicking man, as Strong failed to improve on Marshall and Hislop’s tries.

In the Grafton-City match at Potter's Paddock last Saturday, Gaudin shone. From what seemed a hopeless ‘ pen up ’ in Grafton’s 25, he picked up, and fending several opposing forwards, the right half and three-quarter backs, ran to within five yards of City’s line, being there brought low by the full-back Poland. This was early in the first spell, and though throughout the remainder of the game he was a marked man, he made several brilliant speels. Gaudin much resembles Masefield in his play, and is in my opinion, a much better exponent of the gime than Tommy Roberts.

Mercer and Blewden played up to their usual form, which is saying a great deal ; Maynard worked hard, but was on several occasions indiscreet ; Golding played a sure game, potting when he got a chance, and Cole worked like a horse in the scrum, bu fate was against them and the Club went down.

Penalligan was never in better form, and his kicking, despite the wind and wet was worth going out to see. Whiteside

deserved the honour of his tries, for he followed the ball well throughout the game. Reg. Caulton played as befitted the captain of the team, and set a fine example to all.

What a splendid ‘bad weather’ ground Potter’s Paddock is was again demonstrated on Saturday afternoon last, when, notwithstanding the large amount of rain which had fallen on the preceding ninht and morning, the turf was in excellent order. The ball, of course, was wet and difficult to hold, but this was the only thing which militated against the players.

Ponsonby v. Suburbs was the match of the day, and the four or five hundred enthusiasts who braved the inclemency of the elements were rewarded by witnessing the best-con-tested game and the most scientific display of football yet seen this season.

Considerable difficulty was experienced in securing a referee, and in consequence a start was not made until 3.40 p.m., the spectators on the Stand, in the meantime testifying their impatience by repeated stamping.

From the kick-out the Ponsonby team commenced their passing tactics with, however, but a scant measure of suc-

cess, the greasy ball frequeatly slipping through the fingers of their backs, and thus affording openings, of which the Suburbs forwards, headed generally by Herrold, were not slow to avail themselves. In this way the play was for some time confined to Ponsonby’s side of the half way flag, Otway, Rhodes and Herrold making repeated dashes for the coveted line, but the Colours’ defence was too good, Stitchbury, Eraund, Hales and Masefield putting in a lot of sound work. Suburbs maintained the pressure and Hales obtaining possession from a pass, made a quick pot, the ball passing .just inside the upright. Suburbs 4; Ponsonby, 0. Shortly after the kick-off the all-Blacks, unfortunately, lost the services of Otway, but still continued to have the best of the play, and Herrold securing a mark in a good position, Peace kicked an unmistakeable goal. Suburbs, 8 ; Ponsonby, 0. Ponsonby now in their turn became the aggressors, and aided by the splendid running and passing of their backs, carried the war into Africa with a vengeance. . Hales lost a good show by attempting to pot instead of passing to Masefield, and Roberts twice in quick succession made splendid dodgy runs, in each case being brought down within a few yards of the line, and his pass missed by Ramsay. Herrold finally relieved his side by a long punt into touch, and immediately afterwards got through to Ponsonby’s 25 with a clever dribble, and picking up smartly, passed to Rhodes, who mulled the take, and the opportunity was lost. During the rest of the spell the play was of a fast open character, the Colours having a bit the best of it, and half-time was called with the ball in Suburbs’ 25.

Dacre started the second spell for Suburbs, and the game at once became very fast, Ponsonby in particular, passing with great freedom and occasional recklessness, and evidently determined to make up their lee-way at all hazards. Suburbs were playing equally well, however, and for some time the game progressed without material advantage to either side, until from a fast rush of the Colours Airey obtained possession, and made tracks for the line, scoring Ponsonby’s first try. Flynn made a poor attempt at goal. (Otway here resumed play.) Following the kick-out Suburbs got on one of their phenomenal rushes, carrying the ball over the line, where Herrold secured it. Peace failed toconvert, and the score stood—Suburbs, 10; Ponsonby, 2. The Ponsonby forwards gradually worked the ball past the 50 Hag, where from a loose scrum near the touch line Braund secured the ball and passed to Roberts, who quickly dropping into his stride, made a most brilliant run, and eluding his opponents in a marvellous manner, got over near the corner flag. Flynn made another indifferent attempt at conversion. Ponsonby still kept in the scoring vein, and the forwards charging down, a return of Peace’s rushed the ball across the line, Cruickshank scrambling a try near the posts. Roberts added the desired 3 points. Subuibs, 10 ; Ponsonby, 9. The excitement now became intense, each side making the most strenuous efforts to score. At length the Blacks got on a sweeping rush, which ended in Hales scoring. Peace made another unsuccessful attempt from a difficult angle. Suburbs, 12 ; Ponsonby, 9. Ponsonby fighting hard to avert defeat had a little the best of the game from this out, but the all-Blacks staved off’ all assaults, and the game ended in semi darkness without further scoring.

The game throughout was most keenly contested, and really excellent form was displayed by both teams. For the winners Herrold, Hales, and Peace were most prominent of the backs, and Dacre, Leethart, and Major of the forwards, whilst for Ponsonby Roberts, Braund, and Stitchbury (backs), and Airey, Stewart, and Cruickshank (for wards) were the most noticeable.

Newton and Parnell met on No. 2 ground, and a closelycontested but somewhat uninteresting match resulted in a draw, each side scoring 2 points, Williamson, for Newton, and Twiname, for Parnell, securing tries, neither of which were converted. The game was almost entirely a forward one, and the result must be considered very creditable to the Parnell vanguard, whom it was thought would have no show with their redoubtable opponents. The Newton forwards certainly showed some slight superiority, but on the other hand their backs were not able to negotiate the greasy ball with so much certainty as Elliott, Kissling, and Co.

Truly this is a season of surprises, and Grafton added one more to the list by easily defeating City, the scoring being 21 to 2, thus completely reversing all previous form of the two teams. For the winners tries were secured by Whiteside (2), Binney, and O’Brien. Two of these were converted by Penalligan, who also kicked a goal from a mark, and another from a penalty kick. For City Rogers got a try, which was not converted.

Neither club was represented in its full strength, each having to draw upon its second fifteen to make up the proper complement of men. The Grafton team, however, included (for the first time this season) Bruce and Penalligan, both of whom rendered yeoman service to their side.

OUR * boss ’ place kick, Penalligan, commenced his sea-

son well—four goals out of six attempts, and with a wet ball is pretty tall kicking.

Gaudin, Whiteside, and Caulton showed excellent form behind the scrum for Grafton, and Bruce, Binney, and Tracy were perhaps the best of a good lot of forwards.

Maynard, Stone, and Cole were the mainstay of the < ity forwards, and Blewden, Golding, and Poland were the pick of the backs.

Who says the district scheme is not a success? The interest of players and public alike in this season’s matches is increasing week by week, and the final result of the contests is to all appearances still as open a question as at tho beginning of the season.

I Noticed that three of the senior teams on Saturday played with only two half-backs. With teams like Newton and Grafton possessing strong forward contingents and rather short of scoring backs, it is undoubtedly the best game to adopt.

Ponsonby possesses a very clever, aggressive lot of backs, but they made a serious mistake on Saturday in always lining out their three-quarters nearly level with the scrum. This is all very well when on the right side of the half-way Hag, but should never be done in your own 25.

Donald played a great game for Newton, his following up being especially good, as did also Murray and Williamson.

Stitchbury made no mistakes at full-back for Ponsonby. His style of picking up the greasy ball reminded me very much of Bob Lusk in his best days.

Herrold was certainly the best wing half on the ground, his play in all departments of the game being really ‘ Al.’

Airey showed really good form, and scored his try like a brakesman, but would do well to restrain a slight tendency to off side play.

Hales (of Suburbs) is an improving man. His game on Saturday was the best I have yet seen him play.

My Dunedin correspondent wires:—‘l saw the second spell of the match between Union and Pirates on Saturday, June 4th. The play was most interesting. Pirates scored 9 points in about as many minutes, and then Union had a turn, scoring 7 points, which, with 2 scored in the first spell, made 9 points all. Just on the call of time Pirates got another try, which won them the match. I heard play in the first spell was very tame, so I did not miss much, but in the second the ball was going up and down the field al! the time, and a lot of passing was indulged in. On the winners’ side Hume, a three quarter, played a splendid game. He is of small stature, but very fast and plucky. Williams, who scored two tries, also played very well. Roscoe made some dashing runs, but does not pass enough. Of the forwards, Prain is facile prmceps. 1 never saw him play so well. Priest and Arthur Morris also shone. The latter is in town on a holiday, and took Drabble’s place in the team. I did not know the names of many of the Union backs, but noted Douglas and Burnside doing good work. Beadle, Hanning, and Alexander played well among the forwards, the latter gaining two tries.’

Leading the Calf to the Slaughter.—‘ You sit on a horse like a butcher,’ said a pert young officer, who happened to be of royal blood, to a veteran general who was somewhat bent from age. *lt is highly probable,’ responded the old warrior with a grim smile ; • it is because all my life I’ve been leading calves to the slaughter.’