FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue X, 5 September 1903, Page 664

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S PRACTICE MATCH. AUCKLAND TEAM LEAVES FOR THE SOUTH. The final practice match arranged by the selector of the Auckland representatives for Saturday afternoon was witnessed by a very small number of spectators. After the match Mr F. Murray, the selector, chose Sutherland (Suburbs) and Eaton (Newton) to make up the complement of the Auckland touring team. The members of the team, under the management of Mr V. Langsford, left for the South by the Ngapuhi on Sunday. They were farewelled by a large number of enthusiasts, both at the Auckland railway station and at the Onehunga wharf. The team play their first match against Taranaki to-morrow. The members of the combination arc:— Backs: Sutherland. A. Asher, W. Harrison, P. Gerrard. 11. Absolum. W. McKenzie, R. McGregor, R. Phelan, P. King. 11. Kiernan. Forwards: W. Doran. D. Gallagher, G. Tyler, R. Handcock. A. L. Fong, G. Nicholson, it. McDoff. Hayward, Autridge, S. Smith. Lewis, Eaton. FANCY COSTUME MATCH. A fancy costume match took place on the Devonport Domain on Saturday afternoon between “the ladies of Devonport and the North Shore Rowing Club.’’ The “ladies’’ were players attired in blouses and skirts, which were discarded as time went on, revealing North Shore Associati}.! footba’lers. The teams were as under:—Rowing Club: W. Swinnerton (Maori chief), A. M. Orpwood (Indian). V. Richards (Lord Roberts), S. Kelly (Shah of Persia), H. Bayley and H. D. Burgess (frog in your throat), E. McDonald (Chinaman), W. McDonald (stockman), M. Harrison (a negro), Harrison (coon). \V. Oliver (negro), F. Neighbour (Salvation Army lassie). G. Peacock (drover), and Miller (Scotchman). Those representing the “ladies” were: B. Hammond, 11. Grubb, Fogerty, R. Tanto.i, J. Buddle, F. Goudie, W. Bush. W. Logan, G. Dacre, and W. Wynyard. The game was a very amusing one, victory being awarded to the ladies in the end.

PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPETITIONS. The following table shows the result of the Public School Rugby competitions in

Newton E. withdrew after third round; Grafton after second round. Ties played off—(1) Devonport and Nelson-st., draw, no score; (2) Devonport v. Nelson-st., won by Devonport 12 to O. Devonport arc champions for season 1903.

‘ ***' 'I V V» V J. I Beresford-st. B. retired after third round; Chapcl-st. after fifth round. Tie played off-—-Remuera r. Newmarket, won hy Remuera 25 to 0. Remuera win B. competition.

COUNTRY FOOTBALL. PAEROA V. THAMES. The return inter-union match. Thames v. Paeroa, took place on Saturday at Paeroa, and was won by Thames by the substantial majority of 13 to nil. The weather was line, and there was a large attendance of the public in anticipation of a good game. They were, however, sadly disappointed. The play of the local team, especial *y the backs, was not equal to good junior form, and the two last tries obtained by Thames were got by clear runs more than half the length of the field. The Thames team as a whole played very well together, but their backs were very faulty at times, with the exception of Thompson and Houghton. McCollum scored two tries and Thompsoi one. and the latter converted two. Mr A. Fielder refereed in a very satisfactory manner. WAIIH FOOTBALL. The local cup matches were continued on Saturday afternoon, City meeting West. The former won by 11 to nil. Laudy, Fraser, and Garvey secured tries. Mr McWhirter was referee. CHRISTCHURCH FOOTBALL. CHRISTCHURCH, this day. At the present time Christchurch is entertaining a small host of footballers from three parts of the colony. The annual schools’ tournament between Christ’s College. Wellington College, and Wangajmi College is in progress. Nelson College has an engagement with the local High School, and the Old Boys of Wellington College are about to meet the Old Boys of Christ’s College. The Old Boys of Nelson College played the local High School Old Boys on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday also the junior representatives of Canterbury and Otago met. The first match of the school tournament was likewise played on Saturday, when Wanganui College beat Christ’s College by 11 points to V. Neither school had its best side, but in spite of the ground being wet, and the ball greasy, the play was very fast and exhilarating; the local school, although considerably the lighter team, had much the best of the game, but the worst of the luck. There was nothing of interest in the junior representative game. Canterbury gave a poor display, especially in the second spell, when rhe visitors had a great deal the best of the struggle. The Nelson College Old Boys and the High School Old Boys played a draw. What little difference there was in play was in favour of the visitors. OTAGO DEFEATS HAWKE’S BAY. DUNEDIN, Saturday. The sixth interprovincial football match between Otago and Hawke’s Bay was played on the Caledonian Ground to-day under most unfavourable weather conditions, the home team winning by 6 points to nil. A little snow fell in the morning, but the weather then improved, and appearances indicated that the afternoon would be fine. At two o’clock, however, a heavy shower of sleet fell, and was succeeded by snow for half-an-hour. while just as the game commenced a shower of sleet and snow fell, making matters very unpleasant both for the players and the spectators, the latter numbering about 2000. A fairly strong and bitterly cold wind also traversed the

ground, and under these conditions good play was ont of the question, nnd the game was on the whole uninteresting. The visitors held their ...own fairly well in ttufirst spell, and when Otago commenced to play against the wind with a lead' of only three points the match was looked upon as anyone's game: Hawke's Bay, however, seemed to tire in- the’ second spell, and Otago had jv good deal. the best of the play, though they .only increased the lead by three more points; Otago had a hole the best of the 'serum work, and in the loose their forwards were superior, but it was in the back division that thehy showed to best advantage. NORTH ISLAND V. SOUTH ISLAND. WIN FOR THE SOUTHERNERS. The North v. South Island match, •which was played at Alexandra Park, Auckland, on August 26th, was most disappointing, particularly as regards the Northerners, who were quite outclassed. In the iirst spell the Northerners were not long in recording a score, but play flagged till close upon the call of half time, when South Island secured a try. The game livened up in the second half. The Southerners were too clever for their opponents, and left the field victorious by 12 points to 5. lhe match attracted between 8000 and 9000 people. Mr Norris, manager of the New Zealand team, acted as referee. THE VISIT OF A NEW ZEALAND TEAM TO ENGLAND. By a recent English mail, Mr AV. Coffey, who has journeyed with the New Zealand team on its Australian tour, received advices' from an enthusiastic Rugbyite in the Old Country, intimating that the suggested visit of a colonial combination of footballers to Great Britain next year had stirred up unusual interest in Rugby circles. The writer said that an impression apparently existed in the colony that the: English Rugby Union was throwing obstalees in the way to the consummation of such visit. Such was not the case, and although the parent body might in certain directions be credited with conservatism, yet so far as this venture was concerned its officials were desirous of doing all in their power to bring about its accomplishment, recognising as they did that such visit would give a wonderful stimulus to the grand old game both in the Mother Land and in her dependencies. The writer declared that the doings of colonial footballers were watched with the greatest interest by their kinsmen in Great Britain, and the results of the tour of the New Zealand footballers, who were at the time of his mailing the letter about to invade two of the Commonwealth States, would be very closely scanned, seeing that it would give to those members of Mullineaux’s team and others some idea of the prowess of New Zealand’s champion Rugbyites. If a New Zealand team did go Home, it would get a great reception from Rugbyites, and the general public. Moreover, there was not the slightest fear but what the financial returns would amply suffice to cover all transit and hotel expenses, etc. A friend of his had taken the opportunity of visiting several matches when on a visit to New Zealand last year, and he was powerfully impressed with the qualifications of colonial footballers, the pick of whom he thought would stretch the very finest combination that England, Wales. Ireland or Scotland con’d muster. If the New Zealanders did elect to measure strides with Great Britain's Rugbyites next year, it was very doubtful whether an English combination would come out to Australasia in. that year, the visit would be deferred till rhe following season. There was a feeling among the most prominent players and foliowets of the game that it would.be impolitic to tiavel to Australia and New Zealand, if a Maoriland combination went Home in ISO 4. It was practically certain that New Zealand would in the future be included in the Australasian tours of all English teams. The writer iri| resse.l upon the New Zealand Rugby Union officials the absolute necessity of sending Home the very best players if they wished to achieve satisfactory results. The tour would prove a heavy strain on the nien ere it was over, and no ‘‘has-beens” or second-class players should be taken. The governing body would be wise to inelude a plentiful string of emergencies in the combination. They would probably be all wanted before the final matches were in view. ,

both grades:—Team. “A” GRADE. Wins. Lost. Dr*n. Points For. Agst. Devonport ... .. IO 1 —— 44 9 Nelson st . in 1 — 47 Wellesley st.. . 9 1 1 42 t Onehuuga .... 8 1 48 « i Varnell 39 35 J Beresford st... .. 5 1 19 2K , Mt. Eden 4 •7 •*« | Richmond rd.. 4 —— 11 81 4 Poiisoubv .... .. 7 — 15 19 i Napier st 8 1 3 45 I Newton E u 10 —. 0 9 Grafton 0 — 0 O

V) 3 ft C to &* « s: • tn • * 4 • »■• • ts : : ; • c G X« «? CJ 0 aSwi««HH& 0 0 tfl 1 1 1 1 1 1 -H?. c> cn 8 5 w 8 8 S1? 5 S5e5?:itli a «» r