FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue IV, 26 July 1902, Page 212

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. THAMES. Auckland (blue and white): Fullback, Sutherland: threequarters, Asher. McPike and Thomson; five-eighths, Gerrard; half, Kiernan; wings. Doran and J. Brady; forwards, Tyler, C. Brady, Nicholson, Cunningham, Francis, McGregor. Bonelia. Thames (blue and black): Fullback. A. Newdick; threequarters, H. Kingham. C. McLean and J. Phillip (Walhi); fiveeighths, J. Laing: half. P. Garvey (Waihi); wings T. Smith and J. Bagust (Karangahake); forwards, G. Smith. S. Smith. R. McDuff, R. McPike. J. Lispham (Walhi), T. Mullins, J. Graham (Waihi). About 4000 spectators were present on Saturday to witness the annual meeting of the above teams. A little speculation was indulged in over the result, some enthusiastic Aucklanders giving from S to 12 points in. 1 predicted in these columns- last week — considering the composition of the Auckland team —thnt.it would be a close “go,” and so it proved, Auckland coming out on top by 9 points to 6. Thames won the toss, and had the advantage of both wind and sun in the first spell, and were leading at half-time by 6 points—a try by Mullins, and a penalty goal, kicked by McLean, to 3 points, a try by McPike.

In the second half Auckland had a bit the best of the play right through, and scored two tries, Kiernan scoring a clever try from an opening made by J. Brady, and Asher scoring the'vother. Francis took the kicks, but was unsuccessful.

Little combination was shown on either side, the players nearly all being on their own. The Thames forwards had the best of the line-out play, and were superior to the Auckland forwards in the loose, nearly all of whom were either too slow or too tired. In the back play Auckland were too good, and if the players had not been selfish the winners’ score would have been much larger.

Coming to individual play, Sutherland did not improve on his previous Saturday’s form. McPike put in a lot of good work, but neglected his wing three-quarters, Asher and Thomson, who both made most of their few opportunities. Gerrard was out of his place at five-eighths. Kiernan was easily the best back on the ground. He used tlie touch-line with great judgment. The opposing wings were very attentive to him. In the forward division Nicholson was the only one to show any form in the open. Cunningham and Rod. McGregor both seemed out of form. Francis pnt in some good work on the line-out. Brady and Tyler were successful in “hooking” the ball, but the back row were slow in letting it out. JimmyBrady was the better of the two wings. Doran played a very poor game, letting the opposing wing get on to Kiernan time after time. Taken all round the Thames back division was weak, but the alteration of the team at the last moment might have made some difference. McLean tackled and kicked well, and Laing did a lot of graft, but was a wee bit off-sides at times. Garvey, the centrehalf, put in a lot of work stopping rushes, but his passing out was veryerratic.

McDuff. R. Smith and S. Smith all played rattling good games; the former player was first-rate on the line-out, but he was getting very tired towards the finish. R. McPike, the Thames centre forward, grafted very hard, and used his head and feet in the open a great deal better than the lock-man in the Auckland team.

AUCKLAND V. WAIROA. A friend who witnessed the above match at Wairoa on Saturday informs me that the game was a mere scramble. McKenzie stood out by himself amongst the backs, and Long and McCormick playeo well in the forwards. Harrison was in good form for Wairoa, his kicking being very

good. The referee was not up-to-date and very slow. To score a try a man had to sit on it for a time, or it would not be allowed. He was perfectly impartial, as Harrison got over close on time, but the score was disallowed for the above reason. His ideas of offside were very- good, for my informant states he noticed on one occasion a Wairoa player waiting patiently right behind Young, the centre-half, to collar him when the ball came out of the pack. The players all speak in high praise of the hospitality shown them by the Wairoa players and residents. TRIAL TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. Mr F. Murray, sole selector of the Auckland representative team, has chosen the following teams to play a trial match on Saturday, in view of the approaching representative matches:— "A" Team: Fullback. C. McLean (Thames); threequarters. McPike, McKenzie, Thompson: five-eighths. Asher; half. Kiernan; wings. Doran and Laing (Thames); forwards. Brady, Tyler, McDuff (Thames), Cunningham, Nicholson, A. Wilson. P. Long. “B" Teajn: Fullback, Sutherland; threequarters, Absolum. Gerrard, Harrison (Northern Wairoa); five-eighths, McGregor; half, Young; wings. Brady and Heath; forwards. Handcock. McCluskey, S. Smith (Thames). McGregor, Bonelia. Graham (Waihi), Bispliam (Waihil. Emergencies: Piller.ger (2). Tyler, Stuckey, Gray. Stevenson, Francis, McCormick. Neville and Eaton. The selection of the above teams seems to have given better satisfaction than the previous ones. Alex. Wilson is picked tn the “A” team. This player has played very little during the season, did not roil up to the practice snatches, and yet is trotted out in preference to younger and better players who have represented their clubs all the season. PAEROA FOOTBALL. The inter-cup match. East v. West, which has excited considerable interest, took place on Saturday afternoon, and resulted iu a rather easy win for East by 11 to nil. West were greatly weakened by the absence of several of their best players, but still played a stubborn game, being strengthened shortly after the start of play by the appearance of the veteran T. Clarkin in their forward ranks. Mettam scored two tries for East from nice passing runs, and H. Sorensen kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. For the losers Flynn and Vuglar played well, among the backs, and Silcock, G. Muir, Hamilton, and Clarkin in the forwards. For East, Brennan, Fathers, and Bromwich were the best backs, and amongst the forwards Callaghan, W. Sorensen, and McCullough were most prominent. Mr W Moore gave every satisfaction as referee. Next Saturday Paeroa and Karangahake play at Paeroa. SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES. DUNEDIN, Saturday. In the senior football matches to-day, Alhambra beat University by 12 to 3. Dunedin beat Kaikoral by 11 to 10, Zingari beat Southern by 5 to 3. and Pirates beat Union by 8 to 5. MANAWATU V. BUSH UNION. WELLINGTON, Saturday. 1 The representative maFch, Manawatu v. Bush Union, was played at Palmerston to-day, and resulted in a win for The home team "by 3 points (unconverted try) to nil. The match was fairly even throughout. WELLINGTON V. WAIRARAPA. MASTERTON, Saturday. The Wellington representatives defeated Wairarapa to-day by 6 points to 3,after a very even game, chiefly conflned to the forwards. Kelly scored a try for Wellington. and Wrigley kicked a fine goal from a free kick. McKenzie kicked a goal from a free kick for Wairarapa. CANTERBURY REPRESENTATIVES. The following team has been picked for the North Island tour: —Full-back,G. Turtlll; three-quarters, A. Revell. E. P. Harper. D. McGregor; five-eighths. G. Ormandy. M. E. Wood (captain): half-back. P. Harvey; forwards. L. Corbett. J. Mahoney. B. Fanning, R. Cooke. T. Cross. W. Drake. A. Brunedln. and G. Mathews. Emergencies: A. E. Phillips. J. Weston. G. D. Gray. J. Irons. W. Duggan, and W. Blackwell. The team leaves Christchurch on Thursday next, and plays Wellington on Saturday.