LACROSSE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue IV, 28 July 1900, Page 160

LACROSSE.

The bad weather on Saturday afternoon was anything but favourable to lacrosse, and the turf was heavy and slippery. The attendance was good despite the uninviting state of the weather. The pride of position was given to the game between North Shore and Grafton. As was expected, the Parnell-Suburbs match resulted in a very even and interesting struggle, the latter team manging to get home by 4 goals to 3. Ponsonby kept up their unbroken record by defeating Grey Lynn by 11 goals to 1. It cannot be said, however, that they had things their own way, for had the Grey Lynn team kept their positions on the field better the result would have been much closer. Afternoon tea was kindly provided by ladies residing at North Shore.

GRAFTON (8 goals) V. NORTH SHORE (1 goal).

Stewart and Miller, the two respective centres, faced off, and for a few mo- , fast open play look place about midfield. Grafton opened with a hot attack Hardingham, Hill, and Atkinson handling the ball smartly, and the lastnamed after a short tussle drew first blood by a clinking shot. The Shore’s defence worked very half heartedly for a time, and Hardingham was allowed to get a very easy goal, which should have been stopped by goal-keeper Eagleton. Shortly afterwards Grafton's attack scucessfully got away, and Atkinson drove the rubber into the net. Matters looked very black for the Shoreites with three goals against them in- less than twenty minutes. An excellent throw by Ward relieved them, and their attackers were looking dangerous when the whistle sounded for the first quarter. Grafton had now a strong sun in front of them, but this did not prevent them from running over their opponents. The splendid passing of their attackers and the faultless play of their defenders seemed to paralyse the marine suburbs team, and when half time had arrived 4 more goals up against them (Atkinson Hill 1, Stewart 1). This brought Grafton s total to 7 goals against North Shore s nil. North Shore played a far superior game in the second spell than they did m the previous half. Shifting Wynyard to home seemed to have the desired effect, and no scoring was done in the third quarter. Fast open play was the order, the defence of both being splendid. Near the finish of the game, Blackler, Wynyard, and Eagleton did a brilliant piece of passing which ended in Eagleton (jun.) shooting a neat goal—the only one scored by the Shore. A long throw by Ashtori found North Shore s defence napping, and Graham 2.t at soal-keeper by a great Huke. The bell sounded leaving Grafton victors by 8 goals to North Shore's one. Mr W. Robinson as referee gave every satisfaction. PARNELL (3 goals) V. SUBURBS (4 goals). This game attracted a good share of attention. Owen, Suburbs crack point was unable to play. Ruddock and Foubister faced off and the red and blacks were first on the aggressive. Goldsbro’ (Parnell) was called upon to stop a hot rush from Morrin. This he did successfully. Good defence by Ward and a long throw by Fenn, enabled Parnell’s attack to get an opening, but they were badly repulsed. Suburbs now got a chance and made every use of it, and Walker shot the first goal. There was nothing to choose between the play of both till half time, when Suburbs still had a lead of one goal. Second Spell: The game resolved itself into a ding dong go to the finish. Ward notched first goal for Parnell, and Rendall retaliated for Suburbs. The rubber was now up and down the field at quick intervals. Dennison threw Parnell’s second goal, and a little later Ward secured their third and last. Suburbs brought the score by 3 all by the assistance of Somerlield. Five minutes later their last goal was got by Morrin by clever play, just before cease play was called. Parnell’s attack got well into opposite territory, and Lennox was very unfortunate in not scoring. the ball just rebounding off the post. The game thus ended in favour of Suburbs by 4 goals to 3. Mr W. B. Eyre had charge of the whistle to the satisfaction of all concerned. PONSONBY (11 goals) V. GREY LYNN (1 goal). In the first quarter of the game play was distinctly even, and one goal each was the score, Short (Ponsonby) and Treston (Grey Lynn) being the scorers. The second quarter saw Ponsonby in the lead, and superior combination told the talc. Lundon and Short each successfully drove the rubber under the posts. Ponsonby 3 goals, Grey Lynn 1. Second Spell: Grey Lynn could not manage to score, but were very close to it on several occasions. Selfish play by A. Bradly was their chief stumbling block. Ponsonby's total was brought up to 11 goals (Peacock 3, Anderson 2. Lundon 1, Short 1, Latta 1). The game at times was unnecessarily rough. Mr Montgomerie was referee, and gave his decisions promptly and correctly.