SENIOR MATCHES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 56, 20 August 1891, Page 8

SENIOR MATCHES.

[BY

POSTER.|

Parnell v. City.

A half-gale from the north-east rendered the first spell of this match more equal and exciting than under ordinary conditions would have been the case. City winning the toss had the wind at their backs, and Parnell had to work hard against so heavy a handicap. The result was a hard and even fight during the first spell, Parnell scoring the only point registered, and City nearly scoring on two occasions. In the second spell Parnell playing with the wind, which, contrary to custom, did not abate, scored time after time, and put up the large total of 18 points. The match started late, Smith kicking off for Parnell against the wind at 3.25. A cloudy sky kept the sun in shadow during the afternoon, with occasional brief breaks. Smith started with a dribble and the ball went out at City 25. City forwards worked the ball back, but a pass to Jervis and a good kick sent the ball out at City 25. Parnell forwards got a rush on, well stopped by Braund, who passed to Stevenson, who with a good run and kick sent the ball near Parnell 25, where Elliott secured it, but was thrown into touch after gaining some ground. Cole, with a good kick more than restored the balance,, but presently Elliott getting well off was only stopped by the fine collaring of Wyllie near City corner flag. A dribble by Edwards and Murray, and a good kick brought play back to mid-field. Elliott after a good run passed to Jervis, who travelled a long distance before transferring the ball to Green, the latter scoring first blood for Parnell. Smith essayed the place, but the strong breeze carried the ball across. Score Parnell 1, City o, at 3.36. Stone kicked off with a long shot which reached Kissling at full-back ; the latter ran and kicked into touch, near Parnell 25. Elliott next kicked high, but the wind blew the ball back, and rushes and counter rushes ended in the ball going out on Parnell side of centre. City worked the ball to Parnell 25 where a scrum was formed. Smith made a short run and passed to Elliott, the ball going into touch. Jervis by a good run, backed up by ,a strong forward rush took the ball to mid-field, where some determined struggles took place, ending in Madigan getting possession, but the wind eventually sent the ball out at Parnell 25. Scrums, rushes, and counter-rushes about midfield lasted for some minutes, until Stevenson made a run and passed to Pilkington, who missed, but Mackie got on a useful dribble which was counter-balanced by Smith and Jervis taking the ball past centre, where it went into touch. From a long throw in Jervis got off well, but was grassed by Wyllie, and A. Braund with a good kick sent the ball out near Parnell 25. Cole secured a mark. Stone took a place shot, but the ball went low, and Parnell forced. After the kick-out Braund made a clever run, passing to Mackie, who looked like scoring, but lost the ball, Jervis averting the danger by a clever kick into touch, in goal. Albie Braund being winded had to retire for a space. Exchanges between Stevenson and Kissling ended in Wyllie making a good run. Parnell with a couple of strong forward rushes took the ball into City 25. and it was out.near City corner flag. Mackie with a good dribble took the ball back to centre, where a fine struggle between the forwards took place, diversified by marks got by ’both sides, and ending in Parnell being forced by a long kick. A lot of even up and down work in which Jervis, Elliott, Madigan, Rees, Pearce, Edwards, Kissling, Green, T. Murray, Graham, Conway, Wyllie. Mercer, Braund, Fagan, etc., were at times prominent for their respective sides, characterised the rest of the spell. Mackie almost scored by a fine run, but Kissling managed to check his speed, enabling Edwards to overtake and grass him. Half-time was called at 4.15, the score being still Parnell i„ City o. On resuming, Parnell with the wind at their backs proved irresistible, but City nevertheless fought a gallant and good-tempered game. Jervis was the first to score from a pass of Elliott’s. Smith at a most difficult angle placed a fine goal. Score—Parnell 4, City o, at 4.28. Next Madigan scored by fast following up. Another difficult angle, Smith making a good shot, but failing to convert. Parnell 5, City o,

at 4sj2.;t Jervis again scored behind the posts after a grand run. He essayed the place himself, but missed. Parnell 6, City o, at 4.37. Again Jervis with a fine run scored, Mackie though collaring well, being just too late. Smith tried a difficult place. Parnell 7, at 4.42. Elliott was the next to score, but Smith did did not improve. Parnell 8, at 4.55. Shortly after Jervis made a tremendous run from just outside his own 25, touching down between the posts. Kissling sent the ball straight over the bar. Parnell 11, at 4.58. After a good run by Madigan, Elliott again scored, and Kissling improved. Parnell 14, at 5.3. A good dribble by Wright and Meilis ended in Lecky scoring. Madigan failed to convert. Parnell 15, at 5.6. Lecky scored again and Madigan missed the place. Parnell 16, at 5.9. A grand forward dribbling rush enabled Whyte to score a well deserved try. Elliott taking the place put the ball over in fine style, and the match presently ended in a crushing victory for Parnell. Mr. J. Webster was the referee. 1 Ponsonby v. Newton. A determined struggle of which neither side could claim to have much the better. In the first spell Fred Murray, who as usual played a fine game, scored after a fine combined forward rush by Newton. Taking the place himself, he failed to convert. Roberts, who shone resplendant throughout the match, scored for Ponsonby after a splendid run. Flynn placed a fine goal, and the spell ended with the score —Ponsonby 3, Newton 1. In the second half, Newton forwards played a grand aggressive game, but Ponsonby backs defended well. Murray from a mark had a shot at goal, but failed. Masefield made a grand run, but did not score. Roberts again shone. Donald scored for Newton, but Murray did not improve, and the match ended in a victory for Ponsonby by 3 points to 2. Airey played a brilliant forward game, and was well backed up by McLean. Murray, Heffernan, Mills and Donald were to the fore among Newton forwards; Davidson and Beamish did best in the back division. , Suburbs v. North Shore. The Shore for the first time played their match at Potter’s, but the “ Rhubarbs ” proved too good, winning a well fought match by 8 points to nil. The Shore forwards played an excellent game, but the Suburbs’ backs were too powerful. The first score was from a penalty kick — Simson having held the ball. Peace placed an easy goal. Otway next got over the line after some fine passing between the backs. Peace did not improve. The spell ended with the score—Suburbs 3, Shore o. In the second spell, Andrews, after a splendid dribble scored, but Peace again failed to convert. Good passing enabled Rhodes to score, and Peace placed a good goal. Hales by a magnificent run was the last to score. He took the place himself, but missed, and the game ended as above.