FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 42, 16 May 1891, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

The Football Season commenced last Saturday when the following matches were played :— Ponsonby v. Grafton. After some good play the match resulted in Ponsonby scoring 6 points, Grafton 2 points. Tries were obtained for Ponsonby by Cole (2), Masefield and Murray, one of which Breen converted into a goal. Madigan and Pennaligan scored for Grafton. There were no umpires appointed. Mr. E. McCausland acted as referee and Messrs. Wells and Hobson as line judges. This is certainly an innovation. The public did not seem satisfied with the result. Gordon v. Auckland. The Auckland team were lighter than their opponents, but made a good fight of it. Gordon did some good dribbling. The match ended in a win for Gordon by 6 points to 3. Tries were secured for the winners by Otway, Smart, A. Cooke, and Jervis, the last-mamed converting his try into a goal. For Auckland Ramsay got a clever try, from which Flynn kicked a neat goal.

Gordon 11. v. University. This match, greatly to the surprise of many, resulted in an easy victory for Gordon 11. by 6 points to nil. The victory was due to the superior combination and dash of their forwards. For the winners E. Rees, T. Adcock, and F. Phipps obtained tries, and Moreton potted a goal from a pass by Meldrum. Ponsonby 11. v. Victoria. A good contest took place between these teams, but the last year’s cup winners were too good for their opponents and won by 8 points to 2. Grafton 11. v. North Shore. This match was played at the North Shore. Grafton 11. proved much too good for the local players, and won easily by 12 points. Native Rose v. Jervois. This was a regular runaway match, Native Rose winning by 14 points to 4. The Jervois showed some good play, but had disadvantage in weight, strength and experience. The Pokeno Football Club held their annual meeting on May Bth, when there was a fair attendance. Mr. Rust in the chair. The club through the kindness of Mrs. Lumer has secured a paddock close to the railway station.. The following officers were elected :—President: Mr. W. Motion ; Vice-Presidents: Messrs. A. M. Rust and Hamlin ; Captain: Mr. A. Findly; Deputy-Captain : Mr. A. Craig ; Secretary and ■Treasurer: Mr. J. Dean; Committee: Messrs. "J. Dean, A. Craig and A. Findly. Hutchinson, the crack quarter mile runner, played for Gordon last Saturday. Although somewhat of a novice at football, Hutchie showed promise of developing into a capital back in the near future. The Wellington Rugby Union have decided to send a team South during the present season. A football club has been formed at Russell, much to the delight of the natives, who take a great interest in the Rugby game. We wish them every success. The Tabernacle Gymnasium resumed operations on Friday (yesterday) evening under the conductorship of E. Jones. The membership having reached a considerable number, efforts are being made to secure the use of a larger building.

The following letter is taken from the Sydney Rpfprpp •— 7 ’ RENFORTH’S DEATH. (to the editor of the referee.) Sir, —I often hear it emphatically stated by people here that the sculler, Renforth’s, death while rowing in a race at St. John’s New Brunswick, was caused by drugs administered by interested parties before the race. I know there were shady rumors after his death, as there always are in cases of sudden death like that, but I never knew that the drugging was proved, as some assert, or that there was ever anything more definite than a rumor. I wish you would kindly let me know the truth about the matter, so far as you know, and give me all the circumstances, suspicious or not. that you know of in connection with Renforth’s death; that is, if it does not intrude too much on your space. His untimely end is often thrown up to Americans as an example of the unfair spirit in which sporting strangers are received in America. The charge of unfairness is a gross libel on the American people. In no country in the wide world will a stranger —be he a sporting man or not —be received with more hospitality and be treated more fairly than he will be by the American public. Hoping you will oblige in next issue, —I am, &c., W. H. Sydney, April 14. [Will some of our readers, who have perfect knowledge of the case, oblige by writing us on the subject ?—Ed. R.]. We were residing in Newcastle at the time of Renforth’s death, when it was currently reported that he had been poisoned, but on the best medical testimony, his relations and all connected with him were convinced that the cause of his death was heart disease, which neither himself or any one connected with him suspected.—Ed. S.R.