FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XXVI, 27 June 1903, Page 1784

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIL’S. ] END OF FIRST SENIOR ROUND. There was a very good attendance at Alexandra Park on Saturday afternoon, when the last series of the first round of the Rugby Union senior championships ( were played. The match in front of the grandstand provided a close struggle between Grafton and Ponsonby. The latter team were leadhig at half time, but Grafton scored two tries in the second half of the game, and won by 8 points to 3. On No. 2 ground, City beat. Suburbs easily by 22 points to nil: and on No. 3 ground, Newton beat Parnell by 13 points to nil. The result of tho first round is that City lead for the championship. SOUTHERN MATCHES, WELLINGTON FOOTBALL. A,drizzle which set in shortly .after the games started on Saturday made the going heavy and the ball greasy to handle. Fonekc defeated Oriental by 5 to nil, Mann scoring a try towards the end of the first spell, which Wallace converted. Old Boys and Wellington played a fast and interesting game, the final tally being 22 points all. Melrose beat Athletic by 11 points to nil. Peterson, G. Spencer, and Dublols scored tries, one being converted by G. Spencer.

CHRISTCHURCH FOOTBALL. Thi weather on Saturday waa nil that could be wished for football, but the grounds at luineaster Park were by no means In good order, the recent rains haviu- left them very heury and slippery. The attendance, though, not so large as on the previous Saturday. was very good. The attention of the spectators was directed chiefly Io the Llu-wood-Chrfstehnrcli game, whL-h was won by the former team by 0 points to 3. Sydenham apd Merivale made a bard tight of it, the former winning by one point. The third match, Athlon. v. Lyttelton, was not played, as the Lyttelton Club was uuable to place a team in the field. Albiou therefore won by default. Old Boys and Canterbury College met at the North Park, the collegians winning by 12 points to nil. Tile champion points now are: Albion 7, Sydenham 6J, Christchurch 6, Linwood sj. Merivale 34, Old Boys 2, Canterbury College 2, Lyttelton J. DUNEDIN FOOTBALL. In tho senior football matches on Saturday University (12) lieat Southern (5), Kaikorai (12) beat Union (nil), Zingnri (3) beat Dunedin (nil), Alhambra (13) Liat Pirates (nil). NEW ZEALAND TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. The four representatives appointed by the New Zealand Rugby Union to select twenty-two players to represent the colony in the tour of New South Wales and Queensland have chosen the following players:—Backs: R. MeGregor, Asher, and Kiernan (Auckland): Wallace (Wellington); D. McGregor, Wood and Harvey (Canterbury); Stalker ami Duncan (Otago); Stead (Southland). Forwards: Tyler, D. Gallagher, Nicholson, and Long (Auckland); Armstrong, Udy, and McMinn (Walrarapa); J. Spencer (Wellington): Cook and Fanning (Canterbury); Porteous aud Given (Otago).