FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XXIV, 12 June 1897, Page 766

FOOTBALL.

RESULT OF MATCHES PLAYED TO DATE.

The conclusion of the first round of the Cup matches leaves Parnell and Ponsonby far ahead of the others, having each won four games and lost one. I don’t think there can be much doubt as to the ultimate winners, and I plump for Ponsonby, with the Shore as runners-up. PARNELL V. GRAFTON. The match between these old rivals was very interesting. and Parnell may thank their lucky star they were not severely beaten. Grafton had a lot the better of tbe game, and had their following-up been better, they would undoubtedly have scored on several occasions. Parnell, too, had bad luck, inasmuch as they had three or four unsuccessful shots at the goal. Now and then the players were considerably confused by the howling and hooting of the spectators, who evidently desired to influence the umpire, Mr Kattems. He, sensible man, took nonotice of theboodlums, whoseignoranceof thegame was apparently only equalled by their lack of common sense. The first spell was chiefly remarkable for a series of very fine passing runs by the backs of both teams, and by sound defensive play by the forwards. Grafton men evinced a decided off-side tendency, and deserved to have a couple of penalty goals scored against them. I have no donbt that the time will eventually come when points will be awarded against a team whose men are addicted to constant off-side play. Gordon and P. Murray were the pick of Parnell forwards in the first spell, and Handcock played a fine game. This player does not appear to make the best use of his opportunities, being probably unable to correctly judge the effect of certain play. D'Arcy, at five-eighths, was fairly successful, though not nearly smart enough in close play ; he seems to rely too much on his kicking abilities, thus neglecting opportunities of running and passing. Jervis seemed now and then to be his old self, and several brilliant dashes revealed the fact that he is rapidly coming back to form. Smith, as full for Grafton, generally played a good game, but sometimes he didn’t seem to know what to do with the ball, and hung on to it for choice with almost fatal results. D Hay was also an offender in this respect, though otherwise his playing was first-class. C. Hay, fiveeighths, was a long way ahead of D'Arcy, and frequently put in very useful work. The first spell ended without any score being registered, and the second spell was simply a repetition of the play, with the exception, viz., tbatsbortly after the start some splendid passing runs were made by Parnell, the ball being anchored in Grafton’s 25. Here Jervis secured it, and in a trice propelled it over the bar. Grafton woke up after this and time and again assailed their opponents' line, but without avail, the match resulting in a win for Parnell by 4 points to nothing.

NORTH SHORE V. CITY. This match was contested at Devonport, and resulted in a win for the local team by 1 to nil. Shortly after City s kick off, North Shore rushed the ball down to the visitor's 25 ; from a loose scrum Clark secured the oval, and evading the City forwards, potted a beautiful goal. Thus encouraged. North Shore continued these tactics, and Francis, taking a pass, slipped over the line, but the ball was recalled, and a scrum formed for a throw-forward. City awakened to the fact that they had met a team above their expectations, and endeavoured to amend matters. The ball went out at centre; P. Gerrard marked, but nothing was gained, as he kicked while some of his forwards were in front. City by a passing run carried the leather to North Shore territory, it going out at the quarter-flag. From a scrum the oval got into Clark's hands, who kicked, and following up transferred the play

into City’s dominions, a scrum for knock-on taking place in front of City’s goal; a free kick for obstruction brought the ball to the centre, and a series of scrams followed, neither side gaining ground. Smith taking a pass got clean away from the ruck and looked like scoring, but Cardno brought him down. Exchange Kicks amongst the backs ended in a throw-out near the City’s 25 ; free kicks for off side play in quick succession, both sides offending (two each), took the oval out near the centre when the whistle blew for conclusion of first spell. North Shore 4 points, City nil.

The Shore backs showed a decided improvement on former occasions; the passing was exceptionally good, and the forwards were much superior to their opponents. During the interval a line flag, the colours of the Club, and with the monogram in gold letters, was presented to North Shore by the ladies of Chelsea. Three cheers for the ladies were given by the recipients, and the City team courteously did the same.

After duly sucking the proverbial lemon, the second spell started, Hyland kicking off for City. Dacre for offside play gave. a free kick to City near North Shore’s 25 ; Absolum took a place at goal, but kicking low, the ball rebounded off the opposing forwards. North Shore were pressed. H. Gerrard clearing the line; Smith kicked hard along the touch line, and following up smartly, looked like scoring, the ball, however, going in touch in-goal. Pitt, from a free kick near the halfway, made a sensational drop at goal, the ball falling a little short: City forced. Shortly afterwards P. Gerrard took a pot at the bar, again forcing City. The City, with a good forward rush, carried the oval down the field, and looked like scoring, but Cardno turned the tide, and North Shore responding, the ball went out at the City 25. From a scrum, P. Gerrard secured and transferred to J. Mays, who in turn passed to White, the latter securing a try ; Clark did not register . Mays took a pass, and got well away, but as the ball was thrown forward he was called back. From a scrum, Purdie got through, and carried the ball to the City quarter ; some good passing runs by the North Shore backs penned the City men, and Francis had a clear run in, but unfortunately the ball was passed forward. Mays watched for an opportunity, and picking up smartly let Pitt have it, who, with a dodgy run, evaded the City backs, and scored a try. Clark on this occasion placed the ball over the centre of the cross bar. There was very little time left, and City’s chance of preventing a defeat was out of the question. Nevertheless, they gamely stuck to it, but at the sounding of the whistle the ball was in mid field without further score. North Shore had the better of thegame from the start, the passing of the backs was exceptionally good, and equal to any seen on the ground this season. Cardno again played a slashing game at full, collaring and kicking well. Francis, Clark, Gerrard brothers, and Nicholson all were in good form, and took a lot of stopping. The forwards, as a whole, made a grand display, not a man shirking, and the City backs had no opportunities. The wing men were great stumbling-blocks. The play of the City team was rather disappointing. Of course Smith was there, and put in a great amount of work, and required a lot of watching. Cories seemed lost, no doubt being rather surprised at the quickness of the opposing wings, who spoiled him on so many occasions. Absolum did all he could but makes the mistake of attempting to run round ; in one endeavour he simply rau straight across the ground, and gained, perhaps, a foot. Hyland was the pick of the forwards. Jordan, Connell, and Brown were also conspicuous. Mr Campbell, as referee, was very successful in his first venture in a senior contest. He made no errors, and gave every satisfaction to both sides.

PONSONBY V. NEWTON. This match was a perfect farce, Newton only playing 10 men, and not taking the slightest interest in the game. The first spell was concluded with the score at — Ponionby 3, Newton o, a try being secured by Renwick. After the interval the game was continued, but after Ponsonby had scored two more tries (Renwick and Braithwaite), the teams decided to suspend operations and have a look at the Parnell Grafton match. The game ended in Ponsonby winning by 9 to nil. JUNIOR CUP—AWARUA V. WAITOHI. This match was played in Picton on Saturday last, being the first match played there thia season, and resulted in a win for the Waitohi’s by 9 points to nil. Till nearly the end of the game, the ball and the players simply travelled over the field without either side gaining any advantage, then Wilmott got a chance from the centre of the field and kicked a splendid goal. Afterwards D. France wriggled through the lines and touched down. Fuller converted from an awkward angle, and the flight of the ball was watched with breathless interest by the whole field, and spectators alike. A burst of cheers from both sides of the field greeted both Wilmott and Fuller for their prowess.

An interesting football match, played at the Recreation Ground, Napier, took place on Saturday afternoon between Napier and Te Ante College, with the result that the Te Ante College boys won by a point. Simpson got a try in the first spell, but failed to increase the score. Although there was bnt little combination among theuatives, they played well on the whole, and thoroughly deserved their victory. The local players would show to better advantage were they to practise more than they do at present.

Club Parnell Played 5 Won 4 Lost 1 Drawn 0 Points. For 47 Against 10 Ponsonby 5 4 1 0 42 23 North Shore 5 2 2 1 32 44 City 5 2 3 0 24 38 Grafton 5 1 2 2 16 18 Newton 5 0 4 1 6 36