LACROSSE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XXV, 23 June 1900, Page 1166

LACROSSE.

THIRD SERIES OF CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES. PARNELL. NORTH SHORE, AND PONSONBY THE WINNERS. A large crowd of spectators journeyed to the Domain Cricket Ground to witness the third series of championship matches on Saturday afternoon last, and were treated to a splendid afternoon’s play. The fair sex were well represented, and seemed to take a keen interest in the results. Afternoon tea was handed round by a number of young ladies belonging to the Ponsonby district. North Shore created a surprise by defeating Grafton, the latter’s attack being weakened somewhat by Graham's absence through illness. Ponsonby had an easy win over Grey Lynn. The game between Parnell and Suburbs attracted a lot of

interest, and the former, contrary to expectations, defeated the red and blacks after a good struggle.

NORTH SHORE V. GRAFTON This match was the centre of attraction. Mr W. B. Eyre refereed and gave every satisfaction. Miller (Shore) and Wilson (Grafton) faced off. For the iirst few minutes play was in neutral ground, then Tizard, Walker and Biackler worked the rubber gradually into Grafton’s territory, ana. after a loose scramble, S. Walker secured and manageu to beat Roberts and Kallendar, thus getting Shore's first goal. Fast open play was now the order, and a dangerous passing rush by Grafton's forwards was cleverly nipped in the bud by Tizard. and Martin relieved his side for awhile. The black and whites again started for Shore s goal, and Buckie, Hemus and Atkinson looked dangerous, and the lastnamed had a shot, but Eagleton stopped this nicely and threw out of danger. The blues were on the aggressive once more, and Wynyard dealt a hot one, which Roberts stopped. Give and take play followed in Grafton’s quarter, and then Reid and Stewart, by clever play, relieved matters. This brought the ball into mid-field, where it remained for a few’ minutes. Shore again attacked vigorously; Blackler, Kelly. Walker and Wynyard shone out conspicuously, and a loose scramble ensued. Finally Walker drove the rubber under the posts a second time for the blues. This seemed to impress the Graftonians greatly, but all efforts on their part to score were foiled. Young, Tizard, and Ward were prominent for good checking work at this part of the game, and even play followed till half-time was sounded. The second half was equally as interesting as the first. Soon after starting the blues’ attackers participated in a passing rush. This gave Kelly an opening, and he rose to the occasion and recorded Shore’s third goal. This greatly encouraged the Shoreites; they were continually on the aggressive. However, no score resulted. Ashton, Reid. Stewart and Hardingham relieved, and charge! the opposing defence, w’ho were playing rather close up. and a score at this point seemed imminent. Atkinson shot, but not successfully. and Eagleton stopped splendidly, and a few’ minutes later Shore’s goal was out of danger. Gradually they worked up into Grafton’s territory, Wynyard smartly picked up, and. after feinting cleverly, threw fourth and last goal for the blues. After this play was confined to mid-field, where some excellent attempts were made to work up into goal. However, they resulted in nothing, leaving the scores— North Shore, 4 goals ; Grafton, nil.

PONSONBY V. GREY LYNN. Mr P. White had charge of the whistle. J. Peacock faced off with Gummer, and Ponsonby attacked heartily from the jump. Their opposing attack men went to the rescue of their defenders, and play remained at the quarter distance on and off for ten minutes. Patterson, Sweet and Warnock call for special mention for their checking work while this attack was proceeding. Afterwards red and white’s forward men wandered back one by one to their correct positions, and by this nearly scored just before the bell sounded “change ends.” R. Noton accepted a good pass from Peacock and beat Warnock, and Sw’eet threw into Ponsonby’s ground. E. Bradly and White attacked persistently: Noton. Anderson and Gallaher then cleared Ponsonby’s lines of defence, and fheir attackers fought every inch of the opposing ground, and got well up, where Lundon threw an unquestionable goal. The blue and blacks were soon again on the aggressive, and Lun don was again to the fore with a third goal. Nothing of note occurred for the next five minutes; then the bell sounded half-time. Grey Lynn worked with little or no combination in this spell, and some of their men were sadly out of condition five minutes after starting. Ponsonby carried all before them, and R. Noton added another goal to their score. The red and whites now commenced to tire at intervals, and the blue and blacks started passing rushes, and these invariably resulted in a score. R. Noton succeeded in piloting the rubber five more times before the finish. PARNELL V. SUBURBS. The latter were favourites, but failed to justify being so. The Parnellites are gradually improving, and will give a good account of themselves before long. Mr R. McVeagh acted as referee and gave satisfaction. Hicks and Rendall set the ball going, and, after stubborn play, the former worked the rubber into opposite ground. Suburbs failed to check this dangerous rush and paid the penalty of having a goal recorded against them. Moore-Jones was the successful scorer. Fast play now commenced; the ball was up and down the ground at quick intervals; both sides were playing splendidly; but Challis, being out of his place, Walker •was able to throw a goal for the red and blacks, making the score one all. Fenn, Ruddock and Lennox worked the ball into their attacking goal, and here Hicks was handy and secured the white's second goal. Even fast play followed till cease play for spell was sounded. Suburbs attacked with vigour, and by the splendid efforts of Walker. Rendall and Morrin the latter threw the ball under the posts. The whites determined to head their opponents, and dashed down the field, where they were temporarily kept in check. Finally Dennison scored. Play still continued to be interesting. From a loose scramble close to Suburbs’ goal Short sent the rubber under the posts, find the next five minutes saw the ball tn neutral ground. Then the red and blacks' attack men broke through the opposite defence, and, by the aid of Walker, recorded their third goal Parnell now settled down tn work hard, and before the whistle sounded two more goals were thrown for them by Ruddock and Moore-Jones. The following is the position of the competing teams up to last Saturday:—

Matches Goals. D. For Ajfi Ponsnnby ... North Shore Plyd. W. I.. 0 0 ... 3 ... 3 3 0 0 2T» 1 19 3 Grafton ... 3 2 1 0 14 2 T’arnell ... 3 Q 0 r> i; Suburbs ... 3 0 3 0 r» 2t Grey Lynn.. ... 3 0 3 0 4 25