LACROSSE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue V, 4 August 1900, Page 200

LACROSSE.

The fourth series of the second round of lacrosse matches for the championship of Auckland was played on the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon, and passed off successfully. Fine weather prevailed, and there was a large attendance of the public. The match Grafton v. Parnell took place on No. 1 ground. The play was mediocre, and resulted in an easy victory for the former team. Ponsonby and North Shore fought out a splendid game ou No. 2 grernd, and the former snatched a win by the narrow margin of one goal. It is to be regretted that for the convenience of the public and in the interests of lacrosse the management did not think fit to place the chief game of the afternoon more prominent b before the public, for when Ponsonby and North Shore met in the first round a gr< at struggle took place, aiid on Saturday the game was even more exciting and closer than when they met before. Suburbs had a fairly easy win over Grey Lynn, though at times the game was very fast and interesting. The lady friends of the Ponsonby district club provided afternoon lea. Notwithstanding the heavy rains latelj the turf was in excellent order. GRAFTON (7 goals) v. PARNELL (1 goal). Stewart ami Ruddock faced off, and the former beat his opponent and sent the rubber on to his atta<*k, who gut well up into Parnell's territory, where a lot of unnecessary scrambling took place. Finally Ward got possession, and by a long throw had br.ittou hard defending. Moore-Jones got an opening, but could not succeed in getting the rubber past Kallendar. Some fast, <»p< n play took place, and rhe speedy attackers ot the Grafton team brought the rubber dose to Parnell’s goal, and Graham smartly shot the rubber through the uprights. First quarter was sounded shortly afterwards. !• rom the face-oft Parnell made matters look black for their opponents, and two good openings were made, but the weak play of the homes allowed the opposing point to throw well out of danger. The black and whites again attacked vigorously, and after a series of passing runs Graham shot the rubber under the posts a second time for Grafton. Uninteresting play at midfield t<»ok place till half-time was called. In the second spell Parnell were the first to invade opposing territory, but they were soon repulsed by Grafton's sturdy defence. Hardingbam at right attack got an opening, and after a brilliant run threw the black and whites’ third goal. Parnell appeared • to put more vim into their play now, and after several attempts Ruddock succeeded in sei tiring their first and only goal. Grafton also livened up, and handled the ball with much more accuracy. Graham threw font more goals before ’‘cease play’’ was sounded. Mr I*. White gave satisfaction as referee. © © © PONSONBY (1 goal) V. NORTH SHORE (nil). McCoy and Richardson, the two centres, opened play, ami the funner got the best ot the lace off. North Shore were very hard pressed for live minutes, but they gradually worked play. into midiield, where a long throw by Ward was quickly returned by W. Noton. The blue and b.acks attackers again got away, but \ v “ r ’’ cleverly stopped, chiefly through Alexaiu . r s agency. Fast open play took Place till tlie first change was announced, t lay was up and down the field at remarkably quick intervals, and the defence of both teams had a lively time. A well timed passing run by Ponsonby’s attack ended in Lundon throwing first goal. Shore's goalkeeper made a feeble attempt to stop the shot. Play remained as fast as ever till half time. Second Half: Immediately after the face off Hie blue and blacks’ attack got away well, and what looked like a certain score was lost by the weak play of the home. Alexander was spoilt in attempting to relieve, and Shore’s goal was in great danger, bat Ward went to the rescue and threw cut at half way. From the face off Watson secured and ran towards Ponsonby’s goal, hut he kept the ball too long, which enabled the opposing defence to concentrate. A lot of loose scrambling took place, and W. Noton threw well up the field. Ward Intercepted and returned to Shore's attack. The blue and blacks’ goalkeeper wns called upon to stop a couple of hot shots from Wynyurd's cross?. This he did successfully.

In the last ten minutes some exciting and interesting play took placer in which Shore pressed their opponents very hard. About three minutes before the whistle sounded the referee, ordered a Ponsonby player oft the field for a breach of the rules. Mr R. McVeagli. as referee, gave prompt decisions, but was hardly strict enough in dealing with several players who indulged in too much rough work. © ® © SUBURBS (6 goals) V. GREY LYNN (2 goals). Morrin and Sayers faced off. Even and uninteresting play occupied the first ten minutes, the superior combination of the Suburbans told the tale, and before half spell two goals were posted to their credit, by the aid of Morrin and Walker. Second Spell: Grey Lynn fought the issue out stubbornly. E. Bradly by clever play threw two goals, and had it not been for selfish play on the part of his brother, their score would have been much larger. Four more goals were added to Suburbs’ total (Foubister 1. Walker 3.) Mr W. B. Eyre had charge of the game to the entire satisfaction of all. NOTES. The Grafton-Parnell match calls for little comment. On the whole both teams performed very disappointingly. For Grafton, Graham was in good fettle, and was responsible for nearly all their score. Wilson. Ashton and Roberts were the pick of the defence, and Hardingham, Luckie and Hill did great service on the attack. The Parnellites seemed to be a bit nervous, as it was their first appearance on No. 1 ground. At centre. Ruddock greatly troubled his vis-a-vis Stewart. Ward and Fenn played safe games, but were very poorly backed up by the rest of the defence. On attack Dennison, Lennox and Moore-Jones were at times conspicuous for good play. The Ponsonby-North Shore match was distinctly even. The former’s defence was faultless, and White in goal saved repeatedly, Nolan at cover point played a .sound serviceable game throughout. Of the others E. Mason and Gallaher were perhaps the best. The two attack wings played far too close into the centre, and roamed about too much. Peacock did not show‘up as much as usual. Third home does not suit this clever player. With one exception—that was when Ponsonby scored—Eagleton in goal did all that was asked of him. Ward was a host in himself at third man, and was undoubtedly the best back on the ground. Alexander used good judgment, and paid great attention to Anderson. A. Watson has improved wonderfully. He plays very coolly ana unselfishly. Martin. Walker and Johnstone indulged in far too much hockey piny. The game at times was far too rough, and the referee let some of the offenders off far too easily. Grey Lynn, considering the disadvantages they are under, made a creditable display against Sububs. White, Patterson and Whitehouse worked hard on the defence. and E. Bradly. Treston. Sayers and Cossey on the attack. Foubister was a success, when in goal fur Suburbs in the first half. Morrin. Rendall. Owen. Herrold and Brown (2) were always in th© thick of it. and did good service. A special meeting of delegates and players will be held in the Amateur Sports Club on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m.. when the question “Should a third round be played,’’ will be finally decided.