FOOTBALL

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXII, 28 May 1904, Page 21

FOOTBALL

RUGBY. AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS. The Rugby football championships were continued at Alexandra Park and Devonport on Saturday, when the third round of matches was played. After a hard game at No. 1 ground City defeated Ponsonby by a converted try to nil; while on the No. 2 ground Newton had a runaway victory over Suburbs, who were beaten by no less than 42 points. At Devonport the home team met and defeated Grafton by 17 to nil, after having the best of the game all through. CITY V. PONSONBY. A hard, stubborn game was fought out on the No. 1 ground between last year s champions and the Ponsonby team, and, though not of an exciting nature, the game was interesting. City, winning the toss, took the western end, having the advantage of a light wind behind them. The only try of the game was scored towards the end of th? first spell by Asher, from an opening made by Young and George. Tyler landed a beautiful goal, and the match ended City 5, Ponsonby nil. Though far from being a scientific exhibition of football, the game was “willing” throughout, the contest being stubborn and hard-fought from the kick-off. Ponsonby were at a disadvantage owing to their light pack, which could do little against the weightier vanguard of the winners. In the scrums the latter had things practically their own way, and in the line-outs the advantage was theirs. Ponsonby had the advantage in the backs, however, and the play was of so even a character that a win might have gone either way. A very disappointing feature of the game was the absence of the open rushes which contributed so much to the success of City last year. The red and blacks, trusting to the superior weight of their forwards, kept the game as close as possible, especially after their score, while Ponsonby sought to open out the game in order to give their backs a chance. With a beaten pack, however, they could not succeed in making the game very open, and City held all the advantage in the close forward play. The absence of dash in the open on the part of the City forwards may have been due to the absence of several members of the regular team, but they were lamentably weak .in this department. The City backs played fair individual games, but their concerted play was not up to the mark. Young played up to his usual form, and made several good openings, while Magee was safe. George did not play as even a game as usual, though he was responsible for one or two dashes of brilliancy. City's try was scored as the result of one of these, the score being very cleverly obtained. After making a nice run, George kicked for line,while the opposing backs were expecting a pass to Asher, aud the wing three-quarter had only to dash across, the line and fall on the ball. Gladding was the weakest of the backs, and Donovan was none too sound. The blue and black forwards played a hard uphill game. Gallaher was the pick of the division, playing a tine game all through. Carder also did good work, and Doran was prominent in the open. A feature of the back play was the line-kicking of Renwick, who found the line with every kick and only once failed to gain ground for his side. Carder had very little to do, while Riley was decidedly below form. He failed to take pass after pass, and was slow in getting the ball away when pressed. Taylor at five-eighths played a sound game, while Kenyon at full-back proved himself to be well fitted for the position, fielding the ball well and kicking nicely.

GRAFTON V. NORTH SHORE. This match was played on the Devonport Domain, aud ended in a win for Shore by 17 points to nil. Mays kicked a pretty goal from the field, and Yeoland landed a penalty goal. Tries were secured by A. Wells arid Gerrard, both being converted by Yeoland. The game was fast and fairly interesting to watch. From the start it was evident that the Shore team were superior, and it cannot be said that the score misrepresents the merits of the two teams. Grafton certainly were aggressive at times, but then these were as flashes in the pan, and it must be remewbered that the description of the game does not cover a deal of play which took place. King, the Grafton half, played a splendid game, and saved his' side time after time with clever marks and kicks, and on the rare occasions that the ball came through from the scrum he got it away quickly <nd neatly. His defensive work was a tower of strength to his side. .Ward made a very creditable showing at live eighths, but he' did not get many chances. McKenzie and McDonald were responsible for a lot of good defensive work, but Kiernan, the other three-quarter, played a wretched game on the wiug. Marshall,

the full back, made no mistakes. Huddelstone was the only forward that Is deserring of note. On (he Shore side W. Joyce, B. Warbrick. Mei'luskie, A. Wells, and 8. Irvine were prominent In the forwards; P. Gerrard. C. Fiaukham, and A. Mays the pick of the backs. Gerrard aud Mays jjlayed particularly good games. A HOLLOW WIN FOR NEWTON. Newton met Suburbs on No. 2 ground, and scored the easiest of victories by no less than 42 points to nil. Tries were secured by Roberts (5), Mackrell (2), W. Heath, Freeman, Trevarthen, 11. Rowe, and Hearne. Eaton converting 3. Suburbs stuck gamely to their task in spite of the overwhelming strength of t heir opponents. The Newton team, eveu allowing for the weakness of their opponents, made a really cxcelleut showing both in the backs aud forwards. The passing of the backs was like clockwork, and the forwards showed better footwork than ou the previous Saturday. Gray and Roberts were perhaps the best of the backs, and Eaton. Long, and Lewis the most conspicuous in the forwards. Most of the Suburbs defence was done by R. Sutherland (fullback). Absolum (three-quarter), and Peach (five-eighth). The place-kicking of Eaton was wretched, only three out of twelve tries being converted.

FIRST JUNIORS . North Shore beat Grafton by 18 points to 0. The match was played at Devonport, but was discontinued when the first spell was about half over. Ponsonby beat City by 3 points to 0. Newton beat Suburbs bv 25 points to 0. THIRD FIFTEENS. Suburbs beat Newton bv 13 points to 0. SCHOOL MATCHES. A SECTION. Onehunga beat Richmond road, 13 to 0. Nelson street v. Parnell resulted in a draw', each scoring 3 points. Wellesley street beat Mount Eden, 9 points to 0. Ponsonby beat Newton East, 37 to 0. Beresford street beat Newton West, 3 points to 0. North Shore beat Nelson street by default. Marist Brothers a bye. B SECTION. Iteinuera beat Ellerslie, 9 points to 0. Epsom v. Newmarket, resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. Mount Roskill beat Mangere, 9 points to 0. Bayfield beat Marist Brothers, 29 to 0. Wellesley street a bye. WAIKATO COMPETITIONS. HAMILTON, Monday. Saturday’s football matches resulted as follow:—No. 1 (14) v. Suburbs (0); Huntly (3) v. Tauplrl (3); Tc Awamautu (3), Patelangi (3); Pirongia (19) v. Klhlkihi (0); aud Otorohanga (48) v. Huia (0). GOLDFIELDS MATCHES. THAMES, Saturday. Rovers defeated Native Rose to-day by 5 poiuts to 3. For Rovers, Keating scored a try, and Winder converted it. Taylor scored for Native Rose. Rovers 11. defeated Thames 11. by 6 points to nil, Rleklt scoiiug two tries for the wiuuers. I’AEROA, Saturday. The football matches today under the control of the Paeroa Union were of an interesting character. East seniors were defeated by Suburbs by t-bree points to nil; w'hilst West juniors defeated Suburbs juniors by 19 points to 4. In the former match Rlckits made a splendid run, and scored right behind the posts. It is evident that Suburbs seniors will be difficult to defeat for the Cup this season. Mr P. Flynn was an excellent referee. During the match T. Edwards, the Suburbs halt back, received a nasty cut in the head about three inches long. WAIIII, Saturday. To-day West beat City by 8 to nil. For the wiuuers MePlke and Fenry scored, Cunningham converting the first try. Cunnlugliam played with all his old dash.

TAURANGA SEASON OPENED. TAURANGA, Saturday. The first football match of the season, Tauranga v. Ngawaro, was played here this afternoon, and after a very interesting game resulted in a victory for the former by 17 points to nil. For the winning team tries were obtained by Healey (2, one of which was converted by Cooke), Asher, Cullen, and Taikato. Mr Hy. Tanner had charge of the whistle, and gave general satisfaction. THE GAME AT ROTORUA. ROTORUA, Saturday. Kabukura met City and Whakarewarewa met Waikete to-day, and both matches were drawn, there being no score in either game. Both matches were fast and keenly contested. HAWERA MATCHES. HAWERA, Monday. Considerable interest was taken in the Ilaweia-Waimate senior match on Saturday, as both teams would have been equal for the cup if Waimate had won. Waimate had an excellent forward team, and had their opponents completely beaten in the scrums, the ball almost without exception going to their half back. In the loose the forwards were more evenly matched; Hawera, though beaten by weight, wcie cleverer and in better form. An interesting game ended: Hawera 11 points, Waimate 8. The senior match Patea v. Kltliam was not a brilliant exposition of football, the visitors winning by 16 points to 3. Okaiawa v. Opunake was played at Opunake. and ended in a win for Opunake by 9 points to 5.. In the junior matches Waimate boat Hawera by 8 to nil, and Opunake defeated Okaiawa by 10 points to nil. The second junior match, Hawera v. Waimate, ended in a draw, neither side scoring. THE GAME AT NAPIER. NAPIER, Monday. Beautiful weather prevailed for Saturdays matches. In the Senior Shield competition Aliuriri defeated Te Ante bv 11 points to 8. The game in the first‘halt was uninteresting, as Ahnriri, aided by a good breeze, had their opponents continually on the defensive. Beach and Smith crossed Te Ante’s line. Smith converting his own try. Before half-time Smith registered his second try, which was not converted. On changing ends the Collegians attacked strongly with real passing rushes, and just missed scoring on several occasions. Eventually from a line-out Kingi broke through and scored, Grennell failing with the kick. Te Auto made desperate efforts to improve its position, and one of the greatest passing rushes seen on the ground ended in Kongo touching down behind the posts, Erakana converting on the call of time. The Collegians were very disappointing in the first half. They wore probably reserving themselves for their Australian tour, which commences next week. The winners worked bard, and showed a decided improvement in form. The Sciude-City match proved :he most exciting game of the season so far. being won by the former by the narrow margin of one point. There was no score in the first spell. Early in the second half Sciude was penalised, and D’Arcy placed a fine goal. Sciude retaliated, and in their opponents’ territory Bishop potted a pretty goal. Sciude swept the ball over their opponents’ goal line on three occasions, but lost the ball. McVay made a beautiful shot at goal, which was unsuccessful. A hard fought game ended as above. The opposing forwards were well matched, but the back division of City suffered by comparison with Sci tide’s. Bishop, the erstwhile representative full-back, considerably strengthened the winners’ rear-guard. In the Junior Flag competition the results were:—City (6) v. Te Aute (nil); Tangio (9) v. Suburbs (nil); S-cinde forfeited to Aburirl. In the President’s Cup matches Sciude scored 17 points against Ahuriri’s 2. The junior matches under the jurisdiction of the Hasting suburban body resulted as follows:—Tamatea juniors beat Waiohiki by 11 to nil; Havelock Harriers beat Rovers by 11 to nil. WANGANUI MATCHES. WANGANUI. Monday. There was a large attendance nt the T.Y.M.I. Old Boys' match on Saturday, Old Boys scoring an easy win by 16 to nil. T.Y.M.I. wore handicapped by the absence of Men'll, the backbone of its rearguard, and without him they seemed quite disorganised. The Old Boys’ backs played well together, and their forwards exhibited great dash, particularly In the loose. Murray (T.) and Craig scored tries in the first spell, and Bell potted a goal. On ieeiuining N. Pownnll mid G. Pownnll <• roused the T.Y.M.I. line, but neither try was converted. The Wanganui-Waverly game, played at

Waverly, ended in favour of the home burnt by 15 to nil. Wanganui were minus the services of several of their best players, six juniors being pressed into service. The Waverly lino was never seriously threatened. and the game was simply an exercise canter for Its reps. During the game Duncley, a Wanganui back, was severely kicked in the head, and was taken to the hospital In an unconscious condition. From latest advices he Is much better. In the junior match the results wore as follows:—Kaierau 15. Waverly nil: Pirutes. «. Blackberries 3. The third class match Pirates v. Kaierau. resulted in a victory for the former by 5 to 3. WE LLI NG TON CH AM Pl ONS 11 PS. WELLINGTON. Monday. Good weather and a fairly neutral wind were the prevailing conditions for Saturday’s senior Rugby games, and some fs.st and Interesting play was witnessed. In the first spell Wellington made a good fight with Poneke, and when the teams crossed honours were ovenWith a clever passing run, Initiated 4»v Brebner, and carried on by Scott. Wibou# Pascoe, and Carey, Wellington drew first blood. After a couple of passing attack*’Poneke scored per medium of Slater. In the second half the Poneke forwards attacked continuously, and nearly all the tries were the outcome of the forward pressure. McKay. McCrae. Taylor, Griffiths aud Mann crossed the Wellington chalk McKay converting the last mentioned try. I‘oneke won by 20 points to 3. The red ;»a?k played a fine game, Calnan and McCrae being the pick of the bunch. A win for Gid Boys against Athletic was taken for granted, and the former soon rattled up 10 points. Dawson and Cleland wete the try getters, Cleland converting both scores. For the remainder of the game Old Boys played without any system, while their opponents pluckily made great efforts to retrieve their fortunes. Obi lioys put on two more tries, Neilson and Gardner being the scorers, while Coady tombed down for Athletic, and Halos kicked a penalty goal. The final result was Old Boys 16, Athletic 6.

There was a disappointing exhibition of football in the Melrose-Oriental game, the latter unexpectedly winning by 7 points to nil. Early in the first spell Bush potted a neat goal, and Anderson notched a try. The junior championship results we.-e as follows:—Wellington 8, Old Boys 4; Victoria College 3, Poneke nil; Petone 8. St. James’ 3; Kia Ora 8. Oriental 3; Athletic 18, Johnsonville nil. Melrose defaulted to Southern.

In the third class the games resulted: — Oriental 27. Victoria College nil; Old Boys 6, Poneke 3: Athletic 11, Wellington 3; St. Patrick’s College 17, Melrose 3. The fourth class match. Southern v. Seiwyn, ended in a win for the former by 8 points to 3. McVean. a Selwyn player, broke one of his legs during the game. MA N A WAT U M ATCHES. PALMERSTON NORTH, Monday. The meeting of the Institute and Palmerston senior clubs produced a good struggle. McMinn scored the first try for Institute, Scott converting. With the wind behind them in the second half Palmerston wore expected to pile on the points, but as the game progressed their forwards palpably tired. Stalker, late of Otago, got his side penalised, and Hewitt put the ball prettily between the uprights. Twice Institute passed their opponents’ chalk mark, but were called back in each instance. Baker subsequently dived across, Scott mak ing an unsuccessful attempt to notch the major points. From a loose rush Adams scored another try for Institute. Scott again failing with the kick at goal. The final scores were Institute 11, Palmerston 3. The play of the winners was decidedly superior, their backs handling the ball with greater precision.

Old Boys met Awahurl on the latters’ own ground, ami suffered n heavy defeat. The country forwards walked over their opponents, who were considerably fagged after contesting the first spell against a strong wind. Awahurl played a good solid game, and fully deserved their victoiy. The scores were: Awahurl 16, Old Boys 6. The senior match Wanderers v. Otakl played at Otakl on Saturday, was won by the latter by 8 to G. The game was fast and interesting throughout. Bevan and Bright scored for Otaki, one try being converted. Wiuluta and Smith touched down for Jic losers. Swanson and Bevan forfeited to Levin, and fall out of the senior contest, as they cannot get a team together. The junior matches resulted as follows: Swainson and Beven (6) v. Levin (3j; Wan derers and Tainui a draw, there being no score; Otaki (9) v. Ohnu (nil), in the junior competitions Tokomuru forfeited to FetldIng, and Kia Tons managed to retain their unbeaten record, defeating A wall -I 11. by 8 points to 3. Kelly scored two tiles for the winners, Warne converting one. Awahurl • points were obtained from a try*

**• WAIHARAPA RESULTS. / MASTEHTON, Mon Uy. - TW Mastrrton Carterton senior n.al< b, played at the Nasterton Oval, refinlted in a win for Carteitou by 8 points Io nil. . Th* points, however, arc hardly a «-ii*pi’oii of the state of the panic. for Mastorton bad little Ike worst of it. i'artrrton was a stone heavier ail round than the local cetrbination, and this extra wight. coupled with the weakness <»f the Masterton backs, was a |x>trnt factor in the game. The Mai tinborough juniors Puttered a heavy defeat at the hands of th*’ Carterton i unlove, the latter jiulliitg off the aonoi rs iy 25 to nil. Grey town was defeated by Thhlong! by 8 to nil; Gladstone second boat iMasterton second by 11 to nil; and Grey-, town third bent Morrison s Bush by 7 tu 3. I’arlt Vale bent Clarcville in the school* competition. SOUTH ISLAND RESULTS. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. In to day’s football matches Albion suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Linwood, the score reading five points (a goal from a try) to nil; Merivale heat Canterbury College by 11 points (goal fiom a try nnil two tries) to nil; Christ«hurch beat Old Boys by 27 points (three goals and four tries) tv three points (a penalty goal). DUNEDIN, Saturday. In the senior football matches Alhambra (IO) beat Union (three). Southern (12) beat Dunedin (10), Zingari-Richmond <l4» beat Pirates (nil). Kalkorai and University drew (5 points each). ASSOCIATION. r 'A sir-goal victory was scored by Corinthians against the Tabernacle seniors on the Auckland Domain on Saturday, after an interesting game. The winners had a big advantage in weight and combination, and carried out some pretty movements. If their shooting had been always careful the score would have been much heavier, though the Tabernacle goal defended splendidly. In the first half the Corinthians scored four goals, but after changing cuds the Tabernacle play Improved. And the scoring was not so frequent. Several times during the second half the Tabernacle mon. with fast dribides, put the Corinthians on the defensive, but the attacks were badly supported and came to nothing. Final score: Corinthians 0 goals, Trtbernaele nil. ’ JUNIORS. St. John’s and Tabernacle Juniors, a drawn game, no score. XV.Y.M.I. A v. Corinthians. —'ibis match •played at Kingsland) resulted In a win for the'Corinthians by 4-goals to 2. . Grafton 111. v. W.Y.M.L HL- This match. resulted in a win for the Grafton 4eftta by '2 goals to 1, after a stubbornly contested game. WELLINGTON CONTESTS. W E LLI NG TO N, Monday. In anticipation of a keen struggle between St John’s and Diamonds, the teams leading for the championship, several .hundred people visited Mlriinar on Saturday. The weal her was not at all conducive t<» good fool ball. The high w ind whic h prevailed at times took possession of the ball, and marred to a considerable extent the display of the game. Diamonds, who were ••onsidcred by many to be c apable of checking the career of St. John’s, the champions for the last two year, justified the confidence placed in them by defeating their rivals by two goals to nil. Little interest was taken in the other matches. Queen’s Park defeared Y.M.C.A. by 3 goals to nil; Swifts beat l'eton« by 3 to nil; and the game between iVarls an.l Rovers ended in a draw, the scores being one all. AUSTRALIAN GAME. , I The Austral Football Club played the rum Lined Victoria and Auckland Imperial teams on Saturday, and. after a good game, won by 6 goals and 10 behinds to 4 goals and 17 behinds. AV ELT .1N GTO N, Mondu y. The first game under the auspices of the recently-formed Australian Football Association was played at. Keiburne. when two scratc h teams were got together, representing New South Wales and Victoria. The Victorian team won by 4 goals G behinds to 1 goal 7 behinds. The display was mediocre.