ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 26, 1 July 1893, Page 607

ATHLETICS.

Notwithstanding the wretched state of the weather in Auckland on Saturday afternoon last, fully six or seven hundred spectators, including a fair sprinkling of ladies, journeyed the four miles to the Epsom Ground to witness the senior cup contests. It was generally expected that the Parnellites, who were without the services of Jervis and Speight, would be defeated by the Newton team, who have a heavy vanguard division, but as is generally the case, the unexpected happened, and Parnell, after having all the best of the game, won comfortably by 14 points to 4.

The hitherto invincible tri-colour banner of City met their first reverseat the hands or feet of Grafton by 4 points to 2. Grafton had also played a drawn battle with City in the first round of the contests. The day was all in favour of Grafton, who chiefly rely on their fast forwards to do the scoring. Ou the other hand, City resort to passing tactics among their backs, but with a greasy ball and the absence of their wise general Caradus, they were greatly handicapped.

Suburbs had several of their best players absent, but gave Ponsonby a tough game, both teams scoring a try. Ponsonby gained the victory, as their try was converted into a goal by H. Cooke. Ponsonby thus won by 5 points to 2.

CITY V. GRAFTON.

In the City-Grafton match the former had the best of the game for the first quarter of an hour, but the Grafton vanguard gradually worked the play to their opponents’ 25, and Laird taking the ball from a throw in, made a high punt. City’s full-back (Hill) caught the ball near bis goal line, and as he dropped the ball to meet his toe, to return it, the irrepressible Binney, who is ever with the ball, grabbed it and scored a try for Grafton. The kick at goal failed to improve the score, and nothing daunted, the City vanguard made a fine rush to their opponents’ line, where fumbling on the part of the Grafton back allowed Gillespie to score. Stone, the crack place-kicker of the season, made a splendid though futile attempt, the wind being hard to judge.

In the second half of the game Grafton had decidedly the best of the play, and went very near scoring on more than one occasion. Gaudin, who is a fine drop kick, had three or four pots at City’s goal, which went uncomfortably close from a City point of view. R. Whiteside with a place kick from a mark, was somewhat unfortunate, in the ball falling about a foot or so short of the cross bar. The only score gained in the second half was by Tuohey, one of the Grafton forwards. Binney, by fast following up, muddled the City backs, and dribbled the ball to near City’s line, where it was kicked into touch, and from the throw in the Grafton vanguard carried the ball across the goal line, where Tuohey secured it. For Grafton Clayton at fullback played a very safe game, and proved an effective defender. Hay and Brady also played serviceable games, the former being noticeable for his quick punting. Gaudin S long and judicious kicking was a source of great advantage to Grafton. He made several fine attempts at goal, which might have been successful but for the command the gale ot wind took of the ball. The play of the half-backs was very patchy, but Binney and Pyke did a great amount of work, the former especially being, as usual, always about. Of those who worked in the scrums, Tracey, McMillan, and Hancock were about the best. All the City backs appeared to be at sea with the greasy ball, for their pretty passing rallies were conspicuous by their absence. BLEWDEN played a very safe game, and Hales and Pilkington at times rendered good service. Hill, at fullback, repeatedly fumbled, while Mackie got few opportunities thrown in his way. Gillespie, who filled the breach caused by Caradus, was not a success. All the City forwards worked hard, and did their best to uphold the team’s record. Stone, Cole, Devin, and Goldwater were about the most prominent.

PARNELL V. NEWTON,

In the Parnell-Newton game some pretty passing tactics eventuated between Elliott, Kissling, and Simpson, the trio continually carrying the ball close to their opponents’line amid loud cheers. Soon after play commenced Elliott secured the ball, and ran through the forwards and backs and secured a try. He was again very prominent, and passed the ball to Whyte, who scored Parnell’s second try, but the attempt at goal did not increase the score.

Kissling had hard luck in a shot at goal from a mark got by Edmonds, the ball falling just under the bar.

During the second spell Edmonds cleverly passed to Elliott, who made a brilliant run, and succeeded in touching down behind the posts. Kissling placed a good goal. Soon after the kick out Parnell again penned Newton, and Simpson picked up and scored. Kissling took the kick and landed an unmistakeable goal.

Newton tried hard to score, and Donald, Murray, and Mills were the best of the forward division.

FOOTBALL AT THE THAMES.

The third round for the Senior Competition commenced at the Thames last Saturday afternoon, the County Club meeting the City. The game was rather uninteresting, no doubt on account of the greasy ball and dirty field, and resulted in a victory for City by two points to nil.

City are now leading for Championship matches with four points, City 11. being second with two points, County being third with one point.

In the junior contest City 11. had a victory over County 11. by four points to two.

W. Elliott (Parnell half-back) commenced his football career with the old Grafton 11. fifteen, playing as a forward. He soon showed signs of better form, which anticipation he in no wise disappointed. The first fifteen of the Grafton Football Club called him to their assistance, and after playing a few matches as a forward his strong running powers gained for him the position of a half-

back. Elliott first represented Auckland as a half back in 1887 against • Itago and other interprovincial contests, in which he played brilliant games, and he has played for this province ever since. Although lie has no Maori blood in his veins be travelled across the line with the New Zealand native team and played against England and Ireland, as well as Australian colonies. He is a very unselfish player, and works hard, bis running is strong but a poor kick. His weight is 12st 41b and he is twenty-live years old. Elliott was picked to represent New Zealand against the Australian colonies this season, but not being able to get the necessary leave was unable to journey over to the other side.

Mr Hargraves, the footballer, who was seriously hurt whilst playing for the Albions in their match against Hokitika, has been brought back to Nelson, but I.e is very ill still, and it will be a long time before be can get about again.