ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 35, 27 August 1892, Page 852

ATHLETICS.

IE any person has any doubts as to the popularity of football in Auckland, I would advise him to take his stand on the Epsom Road, between half past two and three o’clock, on any line Saturday afternoon during the season, when I think he would see sufficient evidence to convince him of the great amount of interest taken in the * king of winter games.’ On Saturday last, as I journeyed out to * Potter’s,’ on top of one of Patterson’s busses, quite an animated scene presented itself. The side walk was full of pedestrians, and along the road passed a constant succession of vehicles of various kinds, all crowded with people, and all bound for the football ground, where fully 2000 eager spectators, of all classes and ages, had assembled when the bell rang out the signal to commence play.

Of the two senior Cup matches that between Grafton and Parnell excited the most interest and monopolised the attention of by far the greater portion of the onlookers. Grafton kicked off at 3.20 with a strong easterly breeze behind them and immediately began to press their opponents, the Maroons being forced twice in the first few minutes. A return of Kissling’s being marked by McConnell, the ball was placed for Gaudin, who made a splendid attempt at goal, the ball passing just under the centre of the bar. Following the kick-out, Parnell played offside, and the Colours were awarded a free kick in a fairly good position. Gaudin essayed a place, but foolishly delaying his kick—evidently with the idea of getting the charge disallowed—the Maroon forwards rushed the ball and kicked out of bounds. The Grafton vanguard soon had the ball back, however, Cantley, Bruce, and Tracy, dribbling well into Parnell’s 25, where Edmonds kicked into touch. From the ensuing line out McMillan got possession and passed to Binney, and he to Brady, who in turn transferred to Gaudin, and the last-named, out pacing Kissling, scored near the corner flag. Gaudin was entrusted with the kick but failed to convert. Grafton 2, Parnell nil. The game now became more fast and open and a lot of off-side play was indulged in. The Parnell vanguard were the worst offenders in this respect, and it was well for them that Grafton’s kicking machine (Pennalligan) was not playing, or otherwise some of the many free kicks awarded would almost certainly have been converted. Parnell at length got on a sweeping rush and for the first time invaded the Colours 25, where a scrum was formed near the goal line, during the continuance of which the referee stopped the game and ordered one of the Parnell forwards off the ground for hacking in the scrum. Upon the scrum being reformed the ball was heeled out and passed to Jervis who made a quick dash for the line but was

well tackled by Branson, and Caulton and Gaudin were instrumental in removing the danger. Grafton now redoubled their efforts to score, but for some time, without success, until Tracy breaking away from a line out dribbled down the Held, and Bruce joining in picked up cleverly ami secured his side’s second try. Gaudin again failed to convert and shortly afterward the spell ended with the score Grafton 4, Parnell nil. Upon resuming, Parnell, now playing with the wind, moved Kissling up to wing three quarter, Mitchell taking his place as full-back. From the kick off, play settled down in Grafton’s territory, and the Parnell forwards playing to their backs with great freedom, a series of attacks were made upon the Colours’ stronghold, which, for a time, were staved off by the stubborn defence of Bransen, Gaudin and Co. After about 10 minutes’ play, however, Jervis, taking a low pass, very smartly potted a beautiful goal, thus making the score 4 everybody. Replying to the kick off, the Maroon forwards started a fine rush which wtfe checked by Gaudin kicking out of bounds. A scrum which ensued near the goal line was carried by the Colours’ vanguard who carried the ball up the ground, but a hard kick by one of their number enabled Jervis to pick up, and by means of a dodgy run, score near the corner flag. Taking the kick himself he made an excellent, though unsuccessful attempt. Parnell 6, Grafton 4. Parnell were now having all the best of the play and first Clarke, then Jervis, and lastly Geard, each secured tries, all of which were converted by Jervis, the score at this stage being Parnell 21, Graft m 4. As time was wearing on Grafton rallied, and their forwards headed by Caulton carried the ball into the Maroons’ 25. Bruce after several attempts finally managing to secure his second, and his sides third try. Gaudin took the kick this time successfully. Parnell 21, Grafton 9. Shortly afterwards the whistle blew for time no further score having been made by either side.

Although Parnell eventually won the game by a comfortable majority of 12 points, the victory was not of such a run away character as the scores would seem to indicate. Certainly the Maroons had things pretty well their own way in the second term when playing with the wind, but so had Grafton under similar circumstances in the first spell. To my mind the difference in the scoring is accounted for by the entirely different styles of play adopted by the respective forward contingents. The Parnell vanguard never lost an opportunity of playing to their backs when in a

favourable position for scoring, whilst the Grafton forwards seemed to forget they had any backs behind them, and lost many good shows by attempting to carry the ball through, instead of heeling out.

Pahipahi played Pirates on the Recreation Ground, Napier, and won by 10 points to 6. The following players have been picked to represent Napier in the match with Gisborne to be played at the latter town: Full-back, Pain; threequarters, Stuart, Weisman, and Hislop ; halves, Arthur Rees, Tukitare, and W. O'Connell; forwards, Hiroa, Wilson, Howard, Maicon, Tui, Elliot, Morrison, and Fleming ; emergencies, full-back, Prentice ; three-quarters, James ; half, J. O'Connell ; forwards, Tipene, Ellison and McDowell. The Te Kapu has been chartered to take the players* to Gisborne, and each player is to contribute one pound towards the passage money. A champion pigeon flying race in connection with the Wellington Poultry Show took place yesterday. The birds flew remarkably well, doing the distance from Wanganui, about 115 miles, in less than two hours. The following were the winners J. Mouatt’s ‘ White Feather,’ 1 hr. 56 min. 7 sec., Ist; A. Smith’s ‘Amber,’ 1 hr. 56 min. 24 sec., 2nd ; J. Smith’s ‘ Frolic,’ 1 hr. 56 min. 24 sec., 3rd.

The match Suburbs v. City was played on No. 2 ground, and a fast and interesting game resulted in a victory for City by 8 points to nil. Suburbs were unfortunate in being without the services of several of their best players, but nevertheless managed to make a very good fight of it; indeed, in the first spell, they somewhat more than held their

now, and on one occasion at least, had hard lines in not scoring. Early in the second term City were awarded a free kick in front of their opponents’ goal, and Carr piloted the ball between the uprights. Shortly afterwards Rhodes got across the line for Suburbs but lost the ball, and a force only resulted. From this out City had slightly the best of the game, but were unable to score until within a few minutes of time, when Cole getting possession near the 25 flag, ran right behind. Carr was successful in adding the major points, and the game terminated with the score as above. The match Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union, met on Monday and selected the following teams for next Saturday’s practice match : — Probables : Back, Kissling; three - quarters, Jervis, Riley, Masefield ; halves, Elliott, Braund, Rhodes ; forwards, Bruce, Cole, Dacre, Maynard, McMillan, O’Connor, Speight,Stone. Possibles: Back, Taylor ; threequarters, Gaudin, Breen, Branson ; halves, Moore, Edmondes, Ronayne; forwards, Airey, Caulton, Geard, C. Green, R. Green, Montgomerie, Rogers, Williams, Wright. Emergencies : Stitchbury, Hales, Blewden, Brady, Mercer, Major, McSweeney, A. Harvey, T. Inglis.