FOOTBALL

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XXII, 3 June 1899, Page 772

FOOTBALL

Ponsonby v. Parnell was played at Potter’s Paddock in front of the Stand, and resulted in a very easy win for t’he blue and blacks by 20 points to nil.

The exhibition of football was very poor, Parnell’s display being far below senior form. Ponsonby’s backs were light, but smart, and their passing was fair, though it was rather slow and high, instead of sharp and low. It did not matter a great deal on Saturday, as Parnell’s backs were too slow and disorganised to take advantage of it; but had they been opposed by smart backs their passes would frequently have been intercepted. The blue and black forwards showed no especial brilliancy, but they were a hard working lot. The Parnell forwards held their own fairly well, and were not responsible for their crushing defeat. The backs, on the other hand, were distinctly bad, and until they can re-organise this department the maroons are likely to have heavy scores put up against them.

Amongst the Ponsonby’s threequarters Lendrum, who scored three tries, was the most conspicuous, and he was well supported by Upton and Riley.

Rule at half showed great promise, land as this was his first appearance as h senior in tfhe position, he should Improve. Of an even lot Gallagher was about the most conspicuous of the forwards In the Parnell front rank Gordon was the best, and Thompson also did lot of work.

F. Murray played on the wing, but le would have been of more service to Ins side amongst the forwards, though le played a fair game. None of the Parnell backs call for Special mention, though Hume put in a lot of defensive work. Suburbs tried conclusions on 2 £. ro nnd, and the game was very close, City winning by 8 points (a goal from a try and a try) to 6 pointl (a Penalty goal and a try). Though the exhibition of football was not first class, this match was much more interesting for the spectators than the Ponsonby-Parnell. Geo. Smith donned the jersey for City after a long retirement and played a fair game only clearly Shewing a want of practice.

Asher played his usual game, was weak in taking passes and tries to bullock far too much. Sidde! played a good sound game t°rl WaS the beSt ° f City ’ s thr ee quar-

to C ? e^ anrJ Stevenson at five-eighths tinltlv al Jn r , es P ecti . vel y were Loth disp”n y £.'“' 1 - ■ 23 Donovan at full was safe.

Suburbs badly missed ‘Rab’ Mackenzie and Absolum, with these two in their fifteen and a little more combination they would prove a stiff task for any team to defeat. On Saturday Dempsey at full played a good sound game, and prevented several scores.

Sutherland at three-quarter put in a lot of graft, his kicking being very effective.

Gillet was responsible for a lot of work amongst the forwards.

Newton v. North Shore met on the latter’s ground, and a real good game resulted, which ended in a draw, each side scoring a try. Both teams played fair football, and the result showed that they were splendidly matched. It anything the Newton backs showed slightly better form than their opponents, and on the other hand the Shore forwards a little more than held their own.

Cardno at full for the Shore played a brilliant game, doing all that was asked of him in fine style. Gerrard was the pick of the threequarters, and Walsh was very little his inferior.

Paul hardly passed out enough at five-eighths, but when shifted to three quarter did much better, his kicking being Al. Pitt on the wing was really brilliant, playing about the best game on the ground. He scored the try for the Shore, and it was thoroughly well deserved. Marshall on the other wing put in a lot of hard work. Amongst the forwards Scott was about the most prominent, though all played well. Amongst the Newton backs Wood and Roberts showed the best form, the latter playing in his very best style, and his tackling was much better than usual. Pillinger at full was safe, but at times he was inclined to run instead of getting in his kick. Amongst the forwards Eaton and Clarke were perhaps most prominent, but all the forwards played well, though they seemed to tire slightly towards the end of the game. SOUTHERN MATCHES. WEDDINGTON. <Bv Tr'egraph—Own Correspondent., WEDDINGTON, May 27. Petone beat Athletics, 14 points to 3. For the winners Hawke kicked a goal from a mark. Ryan and Pollock scored tries in the first spell, and in the second spell Hawke kicked a goal from a mark. Hales kicked a penalty goal for the losers. Athletics suffered heavy loss through Kelly and Devere being absent owing to injuries received on Queen’s Birthday. In the first half Petone had the best of the game, but Athletics made a splendid fight of it in the ensuing spell. It was a great game. King, skipper of the Petone team, was ordered off on a charge of having struck an opponent. Melrose defeated Poneke by a goal potted by King after an interesting game. Wellington beat Oriental by 4 points to nil. Bird potted a goal for the yellows. DUNEDIN, May 27. Kaikorai beat Southern by 3 tries to 1. Zingari (Richmond), strengthened by the inclusion of Smith and Hobbs (last year’s rep. forwards) and Caradus, put in their claim to-day by drawing with Union, there being no score. Dunedin beat Pirates by 7 to nil. Alhambra won their match against University by default. CHRISTCHURCH, May 27. The senior championship football competition was continued at Dancaster Park to-day, when Merivale beat Dinwood by 14 points to nil, Kaiapoi beat Albion by seven points to three, and Christchurch and Sydenham played a drawn game, neither side scoring. The weather was fine. The first round is now concluded, Merivale and Christchurch leading with four points each.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. The most interesting game on the Domain was that between United and Rovers, which ended in a win for the former by the narrow margin of two goals to one. The play was very even throughout, but the superior combination of the United proved a little too much for their opponents. The game at times was inclined to be a trifle rough, and for this the Rovers appeared to be mostly responsible. The other senior match in the Domain was that between the ‘A’ and *B* teams of the Y.M.C.A. Club, in which the former proved victorious by six goals to two. At North Shore the local team tried conclusions with Grafton, and were beaten after a good game by four points to one.

JUNIORS. Grafton 11. v. United ll.—The former won by 4 goals to 2. For the winners goals were scored by Bell, Kennedy, and Stokes.

Falcons v. North Shore ll.—The former won by 2 goals to nil, Evans and Stokes scoring.

Y.M.C.A. ‘A’ and Y.M.C.A. ‘B.’—The former won by 6 goals to 2. For the winners Hellaby scored 2 goal* and Cousins, Hemery, Butler, and Totman one each. For the losers King se .red. For the ‘A’ team Totman, Cheal, and Hooton were most prominent, and Battley, Milne, Marshall, and Holloway played well for the ‘B’ team.