FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 50, 9 July 1891, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

The District practice match arranged between Parnell and Ponsonby went greatly in favour of the former, who scored 11 points to z. Jervis shone brilliantly, potting a goal and securing three tries. Masefield made a grand run, and O’Connor played a good but somewhat rough game. Ridings and Cooke were conspicuous, and the Parnell full-back showed excellent form. It is to be hoped that the various districts will without delay secure central grounds for practice. This is perhaps the best feature of the new regime. Formerly clubs being composed of members scattered over all localities, were greatly handicapped by the difficulty of finding a convenient ground where they could meet and practice dribbling, kicking, passing, etc. Under the new system if a ground handy to the district can be secured, the entire team can readily be got together on say two or three evenings a week. Superior combination and efficiency must result. For such practices a full sized ground is not an absolute sine qua. non. Space for combined dribbles, drop and place kicks, as well as punting and passing is all that is necessary. GORDON TRIP TO WHANGAREI After many disappointments and no end of work on the part of Mr. T. Neill, Gordon’s energetic secretary, a nondescript team was raised to fight under the Gordon banner. Starting at 10.30 on Friday evening the wanderers experienced a very rough passage, most of them sacrificing to Neptune copiously and frequently. Messrs. Neill, White, Carmichael and D. Stewart proved veritable ancient mariners, and escaped scot free. The visitors reached Whangarei at 11 a.m., and were cordially welcomed by their hosts. At about 3 o’clock the match started on a very good and level ground. For Gordon, Walton played full back; L. Meldrum, Somerfield and Dickey, three-quarters; Cook, Stevenson, and D. Harvey, halves ; forwards—D. Stewart, (captain) A. Harvey, Cantley, White, Phipps (2), Busby, and Dacre. Thus out of the team not more than seven players could by

any stretch of imagination be regarded as seniors. Among the Whangareites were Moore, an old Wellington rep, who played a grand game ; and Wilson, an old Gordonite, who also played in hard and consistent form. Two of the Whangarei three-quarters, viz : Coutts and Hone Heki were hummers, and distinguished themselves throughout the match. In the first spell, Gordon played against the sun,. there being no breeze worth mentioning. The game was principally confined to hard forward rushes, the backs but seldom having a look in. The scrums were carried sometimes by Whangarei, and on the whole the play was fairly equal, Somerfield and Stevenson scored for Gordon, but L. Meldrum who took the place-kicks failed to improve. The second spell for the most part was similar to the first, but rather more back play was seen. The forward rushes on both sides were continuous and determined, the ball travelling all over the ground with amazing rapidity. Although several narrow shaves occured only one try was scored by either party in this spell. Bertie Dent scored a clever try for Whangarei, which Meilis converted by a splendid kick from a very difficult angle. Dacre succeeded in getting a try also, which equalised the scores, and the match ended in . a draw. Whangarei 3, (goal and try) against Gordon 3 (3 tries). In the evening a smoke concert was given at Pearce’s Hotel and a very pleasant and sociable time was spent by both teams and their friends. On Sunday the teams drove ih brakes to Kamo and Hikurangi, receiving hospitality and attention in every direction. Altogether they cannot speak too highly of the kindness shown them during their visit. A second match was arranged for Monday. The Gordon team was identically the same, but several changes were made in the. Whangarei representatives. This match was almost a repetition of Saturday’s, save that the backs had a few more shows. Walton, the Gordon 1 full-back, covered himself with glory, repeatedly averting scores. No score was made in either spell, so the match resulted in another draw. Hone Hiki, the Whangarei three-quarter, again proved worthy of the historic name he bears, playing a splendid all round game. The pick of Gordon in both matches were among the backs—Cooke, Stephenson, Walton and Somerfield ; among the forwards —Stewart, Cantley, ‘ A. Harvey, White and Busby all worked hard and well. In the second match Dickey played forward and Cantley played centre three-quarter * doing well in his new position. At 5 p.m. the team embarked on their return journey. This time CEolus and Neptune were propitious, and : nobody suffered. The wharf was reached at 3.30 on Tuesday morning, and everybody voted the trip a pleasant one, and the Whangareites jolly good fellows.

The tickets for the complimentary benefit which is being got up for Mr. T. Collins, of the Zealandia Athletic Club, are going off apace. An excellent programme will be submitted, and already a large attendance is assured. There will be a Polo match, Chinese v. Niggers, in costume ; a one-mile championship on a boxing tournament, and running events too numerous to mention in this issue.