ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 24, 17 June 1893, Page 558

ATHLETICS.

PONSONBY V. GRAFTON. A MATCH between these two clubs under the old club scheme generally used to result in a very close game, and on Saturday when they met under the district scheme a similar result was expected. Nor were the spectators who ventured out to Potter’s Paddock, despite the wind and rain, disappointed. Grafton were heavily handicapped by the absence of Fred Gaudin, their crack three - quarter, who was suffering from a severe cold, whilst Ponsonby were minus the services of Green, one of their best forwards, who has left Auckland and gone to Taranaki to reside. Grafton, on the strength of their great tussle with City the previous Saturday, were if anything the favourites, and assisted by the * heavy going,’ had slightly the best of the game, and eventually won by 2 points to nil. This was the result of a try obtained by Bob Whiteside.

The greasy ball was all against Ponsonby’s passing tactics, but they, nevertheless, got several good passing runs going. The collaring of the Black and Whites was pretty safe. The game ended in the dark, it being impossible at the finish to distinguish one player from another. This delay was occasioned by the bursting of the ball, and some time was lost in procuring another.

Mr W. Gardiner officiated as referee to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Clayton, as fullback for Grafton, played a splendid game. He kicked and stopped rushes in fine style, and the way he grasped Masefield speaks enough as to bis collaring abilities. If Clayton keeps playing in this position, and plays up to the form he displayed in this match, he will stand a show second to none—of representing Auckland as fullback in this season’s interprovincial contests.

Carlton Hay and Brady both played a sound game. The fonner kicked and collared well, and Brady made one really fine run, something like his old form when he used to play for the old Ponsonby Club.

Bob Whiteside was again very useful, and he made several smart dashes. The cheering was loud and prolonged when Bob fairly encircled the oval behind Ponsonby’s goal, and scored the first and only try for his side.

In the Black and White’s forward division McMillan was again to the fore. He proved himself to be beyond doubt the best forward on the ground.

Tracy, who has been playing very consistently this season, played another good game on Saturday, and was prominent in neatly every rush. He was ably assisted by Proberg and La rd.

Pennallicen and Barton did great work in the scrums, but the former’s ‘ toe ’ seems to have lost its cunning, as he failed at a very easy place at goal. Shortly afterwards, however, he made a splendid attempt from a mark just about the half way.

Ted Binney was, as in the City match, a source of trouble to the opposing backs, and he had hard luck in not scoring. He also took a hand in the nuh which resulted in Grafton’s success.

Scott and Ramsay were the most prominent in the back division for Ponsonby, and the former, who seems to improve every Saturday, made the best run of the day, being within an ace of scoring.

Masefield made several short spurts, but Clayton always prevented him from getting across the line.

Cruickshank and Flynn were the best amongst the Ponsonby’s vanguard, but were closely followed in order of merit by Langsford and Drummond, the wing men. The latter started several good diibbles, but was not backed up by his other men as he should have Ireen.

STICHBURY had all his work cut out, and on the whole he acquitted himself with credit. Throughout his defence play was excellent.

Wan NACK distinguished himself more than once for bis good all round play. His defensive work, especially his punting, could not be improved upon.

PARNELL V. SUBURBS. These teams met on No. 2 ground, but the game throughout was very uninteresting. The ground was very heavy ; in fact, it was almost unfit to play on. In the first spell Parnell got a try by a passing run between Elliott, Jervis, and Kissling, and in the second half of the game two more tries were secured, Parnell eventually winning by 6 points to nil.

Suburbs were without the services of their best threequarter, Marshall, and were greatly weakened by his absence.

Jervis was again in good fettle, and his passing and kicking were up to his usual standard. He also scored a try but had no luck in his attempts at goal.

Elliott played a good game, making several fine rushes, and always passing in the right place and time.

Kissling did a great amount of useful work, collaring well. His punting was also commendable.

Edmonds behind the scrum passed out nicely, and was very effective in stopping many rushes.

IN the forwards of the Maroons it is hard to mention any individual, as they all worked hard and played well. Speight and Meilis were very noticeable in the line out play, and the former also did some good passing.

Wright, although following up well, lost Parnell a couple of chances, in the first instance by kicking the ball too hard, and in the second case he picked up the ball when it was a few yards away from his opponents’ goal line.

Noakes Suburbs’ full-back, was very safe, and played a sound game, his kicking and collaring being good.

Siddle and Absolum did some very serviceable work, their kicking being good, and their running and collaring cannot be overlooked.

The most conspicuous was Rhodes. He made several fast dribbles, and had hard luck in not scoring.

Amongst the forwards Rab McKenzie was by far the best man on the field, following and tackling very well. He was always foremost in all of Suburbs’ rushes. Major and Jeffreys were all there. They worked very hard and followed up well. JUNIOR FIFTEENS In the Second Fifteen contests there has been considerable interest taken, especially between Parnell If. and City If. On the first occasion these two teams met, City came off victorious, that giving them the lead for the Cup, but last Saturday, when they had their second combat, things were somewhat changed, and Parnell beat their opponents by 15 points to nil. Hall obtained the try and Mitchell converted. These two teams are now level for the Junior Championship, and I fancy the premiership for the season will result with one of these being at the head. FOOTBALL AT THE THAMES. Notwithstj nding the fact that the weather was anything but pleasant a goodly number of the public witnessed the football match at the Thames on Saturday last between the City and City North teams, which, after a very close contest, resulted in a win for the former by two points (a try secured by Connors) to nil. Mr F. Hobbs, the crack fullback of Christchurch, who has been removed to Timaru, before his departure was presented with a gold albert by the members of the East Christchurch Football Club, for whom he played.