ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 22, 3 June 1893, Page 510

ATHLETICS.

WITH such a perfect day for football and the prospect of at least two exciting matches to be played, it was not to be wondered that a large crowd found their way to Potter’s Paddock on Saturday last. A larger number of ladies made use of the grand-stand than at any time previously during the present season, the stand being very comfortably filled. City and Suburbs met on the ground immediately in front of the stand, but the game did not prove as interesting as was anticipated, and during the second spell the match on the neighbouring ground between Parnell and Ponsonby deservedly attracted greater attention.

The Committee of the Union are to be congratulated that their efforts to start the game punctually had such a happy result. The ball was kicked off sharp at a quarter past three, and the usual fifteen minutes’ tedious waiting and consequent grumbling from the spectators were avoided. CITY V. SUBURBS. Suburbs were considerably weakened through the absence of Peace and Rab McKenzie, and the want of these two sterling players was felt by their club all through the game. City bad their full strength but played very loosely and half-heartedly at times, and had Suburbs anything like the combination they should have had City would have found it a hard matter to beat them. Suburbs played very well all the first spell, which ended in their baing two points to nil, but immediately the second spell opened by City scoring a try from the kick off, the country boys became completely disorganized. Of course, one cannot expect the combination in Suburbs that is shown by town clubs, but looking at the team on paper one would not expect to find the City forwards push their opponents about as they pleased, and the City backs so outdo the Suburbs'.

Herrold was a tower of strength to his side, doing far more than his share of work, dribbling and tackling to perfection. Marshall did not show up quite so conspicuously as be has done this season, perhaps because Herrold rather neglected him, but on several occasions be gained well deserved applause for his clever play. It would have been to his club’s advantage, however, had he remembered that Absolum was playing wing three-quarter, as on two or three occasions be lost a lot of ground through kicking instead of passing to the Otahuhu representative.

Absolum is very fast and punts extremely well. The way he got out of several difficulties was a treat to see. He will yet be seen on the representative field if he improves as he has done lately.

Branson and Noakes were, undoubtedly, the greatest blemishes amongst the Suburban backs. Neither could hardly have played worse. Rhodes did a lot of work, but there is still room for much improvement. Of the losers’ forwards very little can be said in praise ; handicapped as they were by the inclusion of several juniors, Dacre, Williams and Leighthart had a hard task to hold up the scrums, and towards the end of ths second spell, especially, City completely vanquished them, and to a great extent this accounts for the mess the Suburbs’ half backs got into on occasions.

The City forwards played well to a man, very useful work being done by Stone.

Otway uses bis great weight and strength rather against his side at times by pushing wildly, and thus disorganising the City scrum. Buff Caradus played as usual a very good game, and started all the passing runs made by Cole, Pilkington, Hales, and himself. He passes very straight and low, and is up to all the finer points of the game. City should congratulate themselves that they have secured such a captain.

Pilkington has wonderfully improved, and takes his passes in much better style than formerly. Peter Mackie would have been one of the most useful men on the ground did he not pass so wildly. He takes the ball better than most, and is very fast and sharp at getting away, but he invariably loses all the valuable ground he has made by throwing the ball back when collared, regardless of whether friend or foe is behind him. After remedying this great fault Mackie will be amongst our two or three best halfbacks. Cole played bis usual off side game at times, but at others was all that could be desired, and materially assisted in getting several scores. By blocking Herrold, the opposing half-back. Cole was the means of Suburbs being allowed some five or six free kicks, and had these been nearer the

goal line probably the Suburbs score would have been increased by sundry goals.

Hill was very clever and gained two out of City’s four tries, and was always well to the fore in any passing runs. Stone had some three attempts at goal and Cole two, and yet not a goal was scored. On a dry day and with a dry ball it was expected that Stone would convert almost any try, but be made wretched attempts. Cole failed also, but only by a foot or so from a place very near the touch line, and it would have been more satisfactory had Cole taken the last try also. Hill was very safe at full back, and did the little that was desired of him very well.

Great praise is due to Mr J. C. Webster for the efficient way iu which he carried out the duties of referee. Hardly a single breach of rules escaped his eagle eye, and as breaches of the rules were very numerous on Saturday he had plenty to do.

It is quite probable that the well-known warrior, Hugh Poland, will support Suburbs forwards against Parnell next Saturday, and that he will be returning to town permanently in August next.

Rhodes’ try against City was very cleverly obtained. For a man fourteen stone weight Rhodes is very active and quick, and keeps bis feet extremely well. PARNELL V. PONSONBY. The Parnell v. Ponsonby match resulted as was anticipated in another Parnellite victory, the combination and form of the Parnellites proving too superior for their opponents. This was especially noticeable in their passing, which during the second spell was very clever. During the first half of the game Ponsonby looked as if they were going to hold their own, but Parnell played a good defensive game whenever their opponents put them to it. Ponsonby seemed too anxious to indulge in a rough game, but even that could not prevent Parnell from continually running over them. The game throughout was very fast, the Parnell backs passing splendidly, the leather going through half a dozen hands on several occasions, which was a perfect treat to the spectators, and Parnell thus won by 12 points to 4.

Jervis again proved himself a great three-quarter. He had a tremendous amount of work to do, but he performed it almost without a fault. His running was, as usual, very clever, but his kicking was not quite so good as it has been this season. He missed one or two rather easy goals.

Though Jervis played a really good game he held on to the ball at times when passing would almost certainly have resulted in a score. He is the best three-quarter we have, but he might remember he is not the whole of the Parnell team. Selfish play has spoilt many a first class man ere now, and Jervis would do well to guard against this almost isolated fault of his.

Elliott played his usual dashing game, and his passing and taking leather was very clean.

Masefield was a tower of strength to his club, and he seemed to have the major portion of the work. His running and kicking were both good, and I am glad to see that he is inclined to desist his * bumping ’ game.

Braund did not get much show last Saturday, the Parnell men invariably smothering his passes. He might, by the v.ay, take a lesson in the science of passing from Buff Caradus, who would doubtless tell him that it is not necessary to hold the ball high above the head before passing. It can be done more smartly and surely in the one action straight off the ground.

Speight played a splendid game. He was continually on the ball, and was running and passing out to his backs in good style ; in fact he was everywhere he was wanted.

Wright was in great form, and the try he scored was from the best run of the day. The way he went through his opponents, both forwards and backs was a caution, and he planted the ball clean behind the posts. Jervis, of course, landed an easy goal.

Cooke and Scott played their usual game, shining occasionally, and Langsford did some very useful work.

Edmonds was responsible for nearly all the passing on

his side. He was very quick in getting the Kall out and making the play open.

CRUICKSHANK, Drummond, and Flynn worked hard and made some good rushes.

WHYTE, as three-quarter, shaped very well for the first time in that place. His picking up was very clean, and he made a very good pot at goal.

Anderson and Meilis showed conspicuously in the forward rushes.

Stitchbury played a good defensive game, collaring his opponents and kicking well. His pot at goal was a splendid feature, and it was the only score for Ponsonby—it deserves special mention. - NEWTON V. GRAFTON. The former had a win for the first time this season, nor did they have much difficulty in running up a good score. As far as the winning team was concerned the game was confined chiefly to the forwards, who gave one of the best displays of this season. Newton were, by the way, without the services of Donald and Beamish. Although it was a forward game it was very fast and open, and scrums were conspicuous by their absence. The Grafton backs were rather careless in their passing, and on two occasions the ball was intercepted by Newton men, with the result that the latter scored each time. Walton, at three-quarter, played a good game, especially while on the defensive. He was very nimble with his feet, and by judicious punting he saved his side several times. He found a valuable help in G. Murray. The litter is rapidly developing into a first-class player. He scored his tries very cleverly, and his place kicking could not be improved upon, as on no less than three occasions he added to Newton’s score. Gaudin made his first appearance this season, and, entered upon the work very auspiciously by potting a goal, this being the only score for Grafton. Freeman as full-back was the best man Newton have had in that position this season. His kicking and tackling were especially good. Parsons and Moore both accomplished useful work. The former received quite an ovation when he traversed the whole distance of the field and secured a try. Whiteside did not play with anything like his old brilliancy, but he put in some useful defensive work. BINNEY was most conspicuous among the Grafton vanguard, and it was surprising how untiringly and quickly he followed the ball all over the field. Teddy must have great wind. It would be hard to mention any special individual play on the forward division of the winning team—all played consistently and well. Brown, Murray, Williamson, and Mills, were very prominent. There is a general opinion expressed amongst footballers that Ponsonby and Grafton will fight it out for last place in this season’s contest. 1 hope both teams will Grajt on to the finish. JUNIOR FIFTEENS. PARNELL II V. GRAFTON 11. The former won this match in the first spell by 17 pofnts to nil. CITY 11. V. PONSONBY 11. This match fell through as no referee could be secured. HAMILTON V. HUNTLY. Hamilton won the toss and defended the eastern goal with the sun in their eyes. B. Marshall kicked off for Huntly, and the ball went out shortly after at the half way flag. Fiom the line out Wright got the ball and ran, passing to Hill who punted it, and the Hamilton forwards swept on to the Huntly line, Seddon singling himself out, and scored. Cassidy failed to convert. From the drop out play centred in mid-field where from a good rush the Huntly men got over the Hamilton line for the only time during the game, and Cassidy cleverly saved. The play after this was in mid-field and was uninteresting. From a throw in Gillett got a good dribble on, and Seddon again distinguished himself with a try. Peacock was entrusted with the kick but failed. Kicks between the backs were exchanged, and Connolly made a splendid run for Huntly and was thrown out by Hill.

The play for some time after this was uninteresting. Several good passing runs were made, play centring on Huntly’s side of half way. T. Clarkin made a good run, fending in Al style, and passed to B. Hume, who ran in behind the posts. Peacock converted. A series of scrums now resulted, and B. Marshall made a good run. Huntly were shortly after again forced ; half-time was called soon after in Hamilton ground. The scores were Hamilton, 9 ; Huntly, 0.

Hamilton kicked off, and the game was interesting, some good passing being indulged in. One in particular when Hume passed to T. Clarkin, who repassed to J. Clarkin, who ran in behind the posts. Peacock’s attempt was a failure. During this run C. Smith, a Huntly man, collided with B. Hume, and the former’s head striking the latter’s hip he was laid out, and play stopped for quarter of an hour. Huntly finished with only fourteen men ; they were now making a game fight for it. Giileth and Harrison got a good dribble on, and the former scored. The try was not converted. From half-way W. Hume passed to B. Hnme, who made a splendid run and scored. Cassidy converted. From a throw in immediately after J. Clarkin secured the ball and ran straight in, scoring the seventh try. Cassidy did not convert. Gillett scored again almost at once. Cassidy did not convert. Play was now wholly in Huntly’s 25, and soon after Hill ran in, securing the ninth try, but the kick at goal was not successful. Huntly now made frantic efforts to score, but it was not to be, for, by some good passing between the three Clarkin brothers, Jack ran in and scored the tenth and last try for Hamilton, which was not converted. Play ceased soon after, the ball being in Maroons 25. CHRISTCHURCH. Match Results —Merivale beat Linwood by 20 to 5 ; East Christchurch beat Sydenham 13 to nil ; Kaiapoi beat Canterbury College 9 to nil. The East Christchurch-Sydenhamgamewasa terriblyslow affair to watch, and especially so during the first part of the first spell. There was no pleasure to be had in watching the game at any time in fact. The play on all sides was poor ;no one showed up brilliantly; all were sleepy, slow, and most.unprofitable. There were frequent displays of bad play, but Page distinguished himself in this line, his passing being villainous to the last degree. The only man who did really good senior work was Barr, of the Sydenham, who promises to be a first-class forward. Although Kaiapoi beat the Collegians so easily they have no special reason to be proud of their Saturday’s play, which, though good, was a distinct falling off from that displayed in the match against Sydenham. The forwards did good work, gaining all the tries, but the backs were not at all up to form. What is the loss of Christchurch is the gain of Wellington. Morris, the crack forward of the Canterbury College team, will be a distinct gain to whatever Wellington club he joins. There was a rare boil over in Christchurch last week when the black and green banner of Linwood went down before the Merivale blue and white. ’ Twas all a case of splendid combination on the part of the Merivale forwards, who not only completely baffled their opponent forwards, but crippled the best efforts of the younger club’s backs. Linwood made one or two desperate rallies, but were beaten fairly and squarely by not only a stronger but a cleverer team. No faster game has been seen in Canterbury, though we will say there was no ‘ temper ’ shown, but there was considerable feeling, and once or twice temper was not far off. O’Brien, of Christchurch, is spoken of as being about the most promising * three quarter ’ in the Canterbury district. He is about as fast as they make them, and plays with bis eyes open. He is as full of tricks as a French poodle, and as one Merivale backer remarked, * slippier than greased lightning.’ In F. Hobbs, who is shortly leaving the City of the Plains, Erst Christchurch will lose one of the most famous full-backs not only in the province but in the colony. He particularly distinguished himself in the last Otago-Canter-bury contest. NELSON. Considering the defeat they met with on the eve of their departure, the Albion Club of Nelson must be congratulating themselves heartily on the success of their tour down the coast. They were only defeated once, by Hokitika, and scored several decisive victoiies.

MISCELLANEOUS. Poor Hargreave, who was seriously injured in the Hoki-tika-Albion match, is still on his back, though by latest advices his condition is not so critical as before ; still, concussion of the spine is a very nasty thing, and we shall rejoice to hear that the unfortunate fellow is out of danger. This and other accidents surely point to the absolute foolishness, nay viciousness, of not ensuring against football accidents. A card from the Standard Accident Company, forwarded by Mr Gould, of Auckland, is before me. The terms are certainly reasonable, and show that for a trifle pecuniary loss from accident can be avoided. Insurance is always a virtue, in the footballer it is assuredly a duty. The Wairarapa boys are notoriously rough, but the Masterton v. Greytown match last Saturday was a record in this respect. On several occasions play resembled a free fight rather than football. There was no attempt at combination ; each member seemed to play his own game, and against some individual opponent. Not by any means an edifying exhibition. The following from the Sportsman gives the English Rugby Onion’s new system of scoring :— SCORING BY POINTS. •Mr A. L. Bill (Coventry) proposed, and Mr G. Hogg (Rugby) seconded, that in section 4, which relates to the system of scoring, the paragraph should read “ A try equals 3 points.” ‘ln supporting this, the Chairman (Mr W. Cail, the President) stated that he thought that it was the feelings of footballers in general to have the present value of a try increased. The proposal before the meeting was one which had been tried in Wales with great success. He hoped the meeting would accept it, as it would then enable England and Wales to bring the matter before the International Board in order, if possible, to get both Scotland and Ireland to adopt it, so that they would once mote have a universal system of scoring. ‘Mr J. Pearson (Halifax) proposed and Mr R. J. Hodgson (Middlesex) seconded, as an amendment, that a “ penalty goal equals two points and a try three points.” Mr Pearson thought that a penalty goal should not equal a try in point of merit, as it was very often obtained by strategy. A penalty goal had undoubtedly done a great deal toward improving the style of play, but he thought that it ought to be reduced in value. Un being put to the meeting the amendment was lost. • On the suggestion of the Chairman, a proposal by Mr H. E. Steed (Lennox) with regard to the duties of the referee and touch judges was left over until the next September meeting, as the matter is being now considered by the International Board. • A proposition by Mr Robert Bell (Barrow) to the effect —“That when a scrummage is formed the ball shall be placed in the scrummage from the side on which the referee is standing,” was not put to the meeting, as the Chairman explained that this was invariably done at the present time. He, however, thought that the motion had better stand over until the September meeting, as Scotland had a proposal before the International Board to the effect that the referee should have the opinion of ordering the ball to be placed in the scrummage on whichever side he chose. ‘lt was carried unanimously — “That any resolution passed at that meeting should not take effect until next season. ” ’