FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXIV, 11 June 1904, Page 21

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. It would be difficult to imagine more disagreeable weather for any outdoor game than the weather on Saturday. It was bitterly cold, and a biting wind from the west brought up fierce showers. However, several hundred people were enthusiasts enough to visit Alexandra Park to see the continuation of the championship matches. It was tine when play was started, but about half way through the first spell heavy rain came on, and continued until the end of the game. After a hard, even game, Newton won by five points to nil — the score being a try secured 10 minutes before time by Heath, and converted by Long. NEWJON DEFEAT GRAFTON. Considering the extraordinary conditions under which the game was played, the play was really extremely creditable. Accurate handling of the bail, or even accurate dribbling, was out of the question, but the dis - play was much better than is usual under such conditions. There was little or nothing to choose between the two teams. When Grafton left the field at the interval their chance was practically gone. They had tried had to score in the first spell, and on one or two occasions nearly succeeded, but that little bit of luck which is so often necessary under disadvantageous circumstances was lacking. Their backs handled the ba 1 well in attack, and it is quite probable that on a dry day their superiority in the back division would have given them the victory. It was a hardfought battle from start to finish. The winners did not do much in the way of passing. ami when they did they found it impossible to pass with any accuracy. Phillips and Murray stood out among the backs, both handling the ball splendidly. Phillips saved his side time after time in the first spell. The forwards had the advantage in weight, but it was not until the second spell that they began to get the ball from the scrums. They showed some cleverness in screwing, and their football was better than usual, though not so good as that of their opponents. Among the Grafton backs McKenzie was very conspicuous all through the game. He saved his side many times, kicked well, and was very tricky in making openings. Ward at five-eighths played a good, sound game, and Kiernan was seen in something like his old form behind the scrum. Craig, full-back, played a very safe game. The forwards gave the Newton backs plenty to do in the way of forward rushes. It is pleasing to record that the game was played in a good spirit PONSONBY V. NORTH SHORE. North Shore, on their own ground, defeated Ponsonby by five points to three, after a very close’ game. For Shore. Wynyards scored a try, after a neat dribble, Yeoland converting. Ponsonby’s score was a try secured by Renwick. In the first spell good football was provided. The Ponsonby backs showed greater speed and combination than their opponents, and they had hard luck in not registering a greater number of points. The foiwards were evenly matched. Ponsonby showed better combination and dash, but lacked the weight of the Shore pack. Kenyon at full back for Ponsonby was again very successful. Renwick, Taylor and Polson were the pick of the other backs. In the forwards Gallagher. Doran and Carder stood out prominently. Of the Shore backs Gerrard, Mays and Wynyard played very well. Gerrard’s defence saved his team time and again. McClnskle. A. Wells, and Joice played most consistently in the front division. PARNELL DRAW WITH SUBURBS. Parnell and Suburbs, who are at the bottom of the list, met on No. 2 ground, and fought out an uninteresting game in the rain and the mud. The game ended in a draw, neither side scoring. Suburbs were promised a set of jerseys by Mr 11. A. Lloyd if they defeated Parnell, and although they only made a draw of the match. Mr Lloyd stated that he would present the jerseys to mark his appreciation of their play, and the way in which the team turn out Saturday after Saturday. SECOND FIFTEENS. Parnell v. Suburbs. —Parnell won by 9 points (three tries) to nil. North Shore v. Ponsonby.—North Shore won by 3 points to nil. THIRD FIFTEENS. Parnell v. Suburbs.—Draw; no score. Ponsonby v. North Shore. —Ponsonby won by 6 points (a try and penalty goal) to nil. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCHES. Grammar School v. Prince Albert College: Grammar School won by 40 points to nil. Grammar School 11. v. Prince Albert College IL: Grammar School won by default.

GOLDFIELDS MATCHES. THAMES, Monday. The chain pionship matches wore postponed on Saturday owing to the sodden condition of the ground. PAE ROA, Saturday. To-day West and Suburbs Seniors tried conclusions at Hikutaia, and a keenly cont< sted game resulted In a win for Submits by 3 points (a try cleverly scored by Hartley) to nil. At Paeroa East and West Juniors played, and the former won by 3 points to nil. The Auckland and Ohincmttri Druids’ match at Maekaytown to-day was won by the Ohtnemnrl Druids by 12 points to nil. Arns and Pennell each scored two tries for the winners. WAI HI. Saturday. The championship football matches were continued this afternoon on the local recreation reserve in exceptionally bad weather. Suburbs (nil) played West (nil), and Suburbs Juniors drew with City Juniors. ROTORUA GAMES. ROTORUA, Saturday. The Kahukura v. Whakarewarewa match to-day was drawn (no score); City (3 points) beat Waikete (nil). In the junior match City (9 points) beat Ohlnemutu (nil). RESULTS FROM TARANAKI. ““ NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday. The recreation ground was a veritable quagmire for the meeting of Tukapa and Clifton, so a first-class exhibition of football was out of the question. The only score in the first half was a try secured by T. Smith, who took the ball from Mynott. Tansey failed with the kick. in the second spell Smith and Woods scored. Tansey converting one try. The game ended — Tukapa 11, Clifton nil. Inglewood met Star on the racecourse, and the match went to Star by eight points to three, after an interesting game. The ground was in good order, but a high wind interfered somewhat with the play. The losers’ score was a penalty goal. Smith and Clarke scored for Star, Clarke’s try being c< averted by Humphries. in the second grade Tukapa beat Star by six to three, ami in the third grade Star A defeated Star B by 20 to nil. HAWKE’S BAY UNION. NAPIER, Monday. A cold easterly wind interfered with ibo play and the attendance on the Recreation Ground to witness the various games. The senior match Suburbs v. Ahuriri at first promised to be a fiasco. Ahuriri coming out with 11 men and Suburbs with 12. but eventually each obtained the required strength. The first spell was uninteresting, and ended with honours even, Suburbs having a potted goal by Williams to a converted mark by I>. McCarthy. Both sides made strenuous efforts to score in the next half, and for the last 20 minutes Ahuriri had opportunities for placing another dozen points to its credit. The attempts at goal within ridiculously easy range were missed. Each side registered a try, Cattanach for Suburbs and Day for Ahuriri, and the game ended in a draw, seven points all. A Suburban player was ordered off the field by the referee. Ahuriri 11. defeated City IT. In the Junior championship by 14 points to nil. It was the first game between these teams, and the contest was keen. Ahuriri HI. defeated City 111. by 7 to 3. In the Hastings sub-union contests. Havelock beat Waiohiki by 31 to nil. Rovers beat United Ileretannga by 9 to nil. Roy's Hill and Tamatea played a drawn game, scoring six points each. WELLINGTON V. WAI RAR A PA. WELLINGTON, June 3. The Wellington and Wairarapa representative Rugby teams met to-day, the latter being defeated by 22 points to nine. The game was a fast and desperate struggle throughout. The Wairarapa forwards got the hall whenever wanted in the first spell, but were unable to do much with it owing to the neutralising efforts of the Wellington barks. In the second spell the Wellington forwards priformed much better, and the backs ran over the visitors. For Welling ton. Wallace scored three tries, Wilson two, and McGregor one. For the losers. Beard scored a try and E. McKenzie putted a goal. WELLINGTON JUNIORS. WELLING TO N. Monday. Owing to the representative match Wellington v. Wairarapa having been played on the previous afternoon. all the senior matches s< t down for decision on Saturday were postponed till the following week. The .junior championship contests resulted as follows: —Melrose 3, Ponoke nil; Ohl Boys 9, Athletic 3; St. James' 11, Wellington nil;

Petone 6, Southern nil. Owing to the darkness the Old Boys Athletb* game was not finished, and it will probably bo played over again later in the season. Southern sustained its first reverse of the season. Third class games ended: —St. James* 1!», Old Boys nil; Southern 28. Victoria College nil; Oriental 22, Poneke nil: Wellingt.-Mt College 24, Kia Ora nil. Fourth class results wen*:—Selwyn 11, Old Boys 3; Athletic 9, Oiiental nil; St. James* 14. Poneke nil. The fifth class match, St. Patrick's College v. Wellington College B, was won by the former by 17 points to nil. The match. Old Boys v. Masterton Club, playt»d at Athletic Park, resulted In a fairly easy win for the town combination by 13 to 4. The going was heavy and the weather boisterous. Playing i-u the Schools’ Rugby- Championship. Brooklyn scored 27 points* to Terrace’s 3. So far Brooklyn has had but one defeat this season. BOUGH PLAY AT WANGANUI. WANGANUI. Monday. Kaierau v. Pirates match was played under very unpleasant circumstances, rain and a cold wind making matters unpleasant for spectators and players as well. In the second spell Fremont wound up a tine run by touching down for Kaierau. From a line out Austin broke away, and McLean scored another try for Kaierau between the posts. Some clever passing by Kaierau ended in Tregear making a brilliant run, and registering Kaierau’s third try. The attempts at goal were all unsuccessful. Kaierau won by 9 to nil. h was a matter for regret that Pirates bad so many men knocked out, and they became vei y dis organised. Loveridge. In stopping a rush, received a severe kick over the eye. and had to retire. Quarterman was kicked in the stomach, and had to go off the field. Holland had his eye cut, and Morris, who met •with an Injury to hfg knee, had to follow Loveridge and Quartermaiu, the former subsequently coming on the field again, though in a veiy unsteady condition. Later on Loveridge was again knocked out, and had to be assisted off the field. College, represented by a scratch team, which included many juniors, some of their best men, including Dive, not having returned from the vacation, met Old Boys, and suffered a defeat by 24 to 9. J. Powiiall (2). Johns and Led were the try getters on Old Boys’ side, Craig converting one. A beautiful passing rush by College team, all the backs handling the ball, menaced Old Boys’ citadel, and eventually Meuli dropped a pretty goal. Bell letaliated by notching a try for Old Boys, Ditchings responding for College by a grand run. which took th« ball over the opposing chalk mark. Hitehings converted. Bell scored twice again for Old Boys, Craig converting one of the trlea. MA NA W ATI’ M AT( ’ 11ES. PALMERSTON N., Monday. A steady downpour of rain, which continued the whole o-f the afternoon, put anything like decent football altogether out of the question. The two senior matches set down were closely contested, the forwards having the biggest say on the greasy turf. Awahuri had the best of the game in the first spell by reason of its fast forward rushes, the effects of which were, however, nullified by the sound defence of Institute. In the next half play was more equal, and the hacks on both sides had work to do. Awahuri registered a try through a fast loose rush, hut the attempt at goal was resultloss. This was the only score in the game. Stalker and McMinn, last season’s New Zealand reps., played well in their respective divisions. Old Boys beat Palmerston by 13 to nil. In the first spell Waldograve and S. Kelly crossed Palmerston’s chalk mark. S. Kelly boat, the opposing backs badly by one of the finest runs of the season. Half way through the second half G. McMinn potted a beautiful goal, ami Bateman touched down. The stormy elements were not conducive to good Rugby. It was apparent that the injuries to Woods and 11. Hewitt have completely dislocated the combination of the Palmerston rearguard. A Wanganui team is expected to contest th( Wilson Challeugeshlp at Palmerston next Saturday. WAIRARAPA FIXTURES POSTPONED. MASTERTON, Monday. Owing to the severity of the weather all the Rugby matches were postponed. BUSH UNION CONTESTS. DAN N E VIR KE, Monday. Aotea v. Dnnnevirke ended In a draw, neither side seoilng. The game was evenly contested, and without incident. Aotcn had the heat of the first spell, the advantage resting with its opponents in the next half. Woodville A was defeated by Damjevhke in the junior championship competition by 13 to 3. Excelsiors beat Woodville B by 11 to 3. The first round of the junior championship Is now concluded. the position of the teams being ns follows: Excelsior 10, Dannevlrke 8, Woodville A (», Aotea 4, Woodville B 2.

SOUTHERN RESULTS. * 'J& CM KISTCIIV HCH, Sa t u rday. The weather was flue for the continuation of the Canterbury Rugby I senior • bainpionship matches on Saturday until towards the end of the afternoon, wh *r. a ••old rain net in. The second round of the matches was .m»<u:i. and considerable likerest was created by the meeting of Sydenham and Albion, the leading teams. The play was interesting from start to finish, Albion winning by a potted goa. to nil. Merhale had a fairly easy win against old Boys, scoring lb points to nil: ami «'hristchnrch put up the exceptionally big score of 42 points against 11 scored by Canterbury College. The attendance was by fur the largest of the season. DUNEDIN, Saturday. Tn today's football matches Union «>) beat Zingarl (3). Near the end of the game, whh li was played on a greasy ground, King of Zingarl tripped Fish, of the Union team, about the half-way, and the referee awarded a try as the penalty, and ordered the 1 ripper oft’ the field. Thus Zingarl were defeated for the first "line this season. Kfilkorni beat Dunedin by 14 points to nii, and Alhambra beat University by b points THE TE AUTE TEAM. SYDNEY, Saturday. The Te Auto College team (New Zealand) opened its New South Wales tour at the Sydney Cricket round to-day and scored a decisive win against St. Joseph's College team. The weather was glorious, and the attendance, despite numerous counter at--liactions,iactions, large. From the outset the piny was very willing, the feature being the • lever handling of the ball by the visitors. The first score was obtained for Te Ante after a fine piece of play, IHroti securing » try, which Erekanai converted. Before the eml of the spell the Maoris gained another try, but Erekanai failed to increai«e 1 he score, ami at half-time the score stood: To Ante 8, St. Joseph’s nil. The visitors showed improved form in the second half, and generally outclassed their opponents, Ihe individual efforts of the backs being brilliant. At an early stage Ilenare, from some loose play, slipped over the line and scored. ,He took the kick himself, but failed. Tries were subsequently obtained by Takere and Iliroti, ami Erekanai kicked a goal from a mark. To wards the close St. Joseph's obtained a try, but failed to convert, the game ending: Te Ante B points, St. Joseph s 3. ASSOCIATION. . AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS, The matches on Saturday wore very suggestive of mud-larking, lhe Domain ground In particular being very sodden through the heavy rain. A strong breeze which blew heavy downpours of rain in the faces of the players effectively disposed of any combination which might otherwise have •been j>ossible, and there is consequently very little to describe In the matches, the most important, Thistle v. Tabernacle, being declared a draw owing to the severity of the weather causing a premature ••all of “ time.” The games were as follow:— Thistle v. Tabernacle match was commenced on the Domain, but the players soon got tired of playing hi the rain, ami decided to knock •ff about 25 minutes before time, and to finish the game the next time they meet. Thistle scored one goal. North Shore A v. North Shore B match whs played nt Devonport, and, uh hough the ground was heavy, the game was interesting, and at times very fast. The A*s, being the heavier team, kept their opponents busy from start to finish, but only succeeded iu scoring two goals to their one. Gondie and .Sutherland scored for the A’s, and Macky for the B’s. Mr Buddle acted as referee. W.Y.M.I. (four goals) beat Corinthians A <nil), at the Domain. St. John’s v. W.Y.M.I. I? resulted in a win for St. John’s by seven goals to nil. At North Shore, Tabernacle and Corinthians 11. scored three goals each, the match thus resulting hi a draw. North Shore A beat North Shore B by two goals to oue. At Kingsland, Ivanhoe ami Alexandra met and played throughout the rain. Ivanhoe won by two goals to one. M.VM.I. met Ponsonby on the Kings’atid ground. WY.M.I. won the !•»**, and, playing with the wind and rain behind them, press’d for a short period, but the Pomsonby defence was too strong for them. At length W.Y.M.I. scored from a |>enalty (against which Ponsonby protest<ml), and at half-time the score was one goal to nil. After changing ends Ponsonby made the game very lively, and lhe W.Y.M.I. goal hail some very narrow shaves. Tabcrner just missing by inches. After some hard play, Lainbie secured the ball and scored for Ponsonbv. From now on Ponsonby were doing all the pressing, and it took the W.Y.M.I all their time to keep them out. As the weather became very bud. the referee stopped the game with the score at one goal carb. .WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIPS. WELLINGTON, Monday. Despite the damp, windy and chrerlrss weather, the Association senior games were played at Miramar. The Swifts v. Ht. John’s match was of a mediocre nature, devoid of dash and silence, ami utterly spoiled by the wind and rain. Swifts won by 2 goals to 1. Handicapped by having several men short. Pearls offered little opposition to Diamonds, who won by sewn

goals to one. The scorers for the winners were Black <2). Collins i2), Roberts, CunHtagham. Cheshire. Paul BCOMd>for the losers. The Rovers v. Queen's Park match Mas decidedly slow. Mach side scored a goal in Ihe first spell, but Queen's Park secured the upper hand in the second half, ami eventually won by three goals to two. Sharkey, Naughton, and B. Clark scored for the winners, and Godber and Much for the losers. The Y.M.C.A. v. Petone game was won by the town men by four goals to two-. The game was fairly fast and interesting. Wilson (2) and Hodge scored three of the Y.M.C.A. goals, while McColl and Pairell scored for Petone. The junior ehampionship results were:—Ramblers A nil. JSwifts A nil; St. John's 1, Sw’ifts B 1; Kaiwarra 5. Y.M.C.A. A 2; Y’.M.C.A. B 3, Ramblers B 8; Diamonds 2, Pearl 1. AUSTRALIAN GAME. AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Monday. An exposition of the Australian game was given at Seatoun, the newly-formed Federal and Advance Clubs taking the field in the presence <»f a considerable number •»f spectators. The contest resulted in a wln for Federal by 3 goals two behinds <2O points) against Advance’s 2 goals 7 behinds (19 points).