Football.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 199, 17 May 1894, Page 2

Football.

Any one who has resided in Auckland during a football season must be familiar with the bustle and excitement which precedes a football match. The signal to cease toil is not allowed to finish before a rush is made from offices, shops, mills, and factories. Rich and poor, strong and weak, old and young, all hurry along with an activity foreign to their usual movements. For about an hour, during which the players and patrons of the ‘ ’ king of winter games, partake of a hasty repast, and don their football costumes, or “ Sunday clothes,” according as they intend to play or witness the coming match; a cannon ball might almost be fired along any of our streets without doing in jury to any human being. Suddenly, our thoroughfares are again an animated scene ; brakes, ’buses, trams, cabs and vehicles of every possible description are being driven iu all directions ; old ladies and gentlemen, usually sedate, are minus their customary dignity and speed along with a lightness of step which belies their true age by two decades; young ladies, looking at their best, can’t reach the football ground soon enough, lest the match should have started, and some clever piece of play on the part of their future life-partners (who, they are sure, are the best players and should be in the rep. team) might escape their eager eyes ; then may be seen the brake-loads of footballers in their different coloured costumes which indicate the club for which they are to battle. The games are played; won and lost, and then commence the bustle and commotion of the homeward journey. Nor can it be said that with the finish of the matches dies out the interest of the day’s contests, for they are re-fought again almost every Saturday night in Queenstreet, and the reasons why such a team won and another team lost fully explained. On Saturday last the football season for 1894 was formally opened, when the first heats for the various championships were contested. The opening was by no means successful as on many former occasions, due no doubt principally to the threatening nature of the weather, which prevented many who would otherwise have found their way to Potter’s from being present, and the slippery state of the ground, which had a marked effect upon the play of several of our best men, who are apparently far from being in form.

Now, however, that the season has fairly started, and the various clubs have overcome the difficulties which accompany the initial contest, we may reasonably look for an improvement in all respects on Saturday next. Complaints are numerous concerning the grandstand, which is certainly not in .a very clean state. It behoves the Rugby Union to see to this matter during the week otherwise the patronage of many ladies might be lost completely. The principal match on Saturday, or to be more accurate, the match played in front of the stand, was that between Parnell and Suburbs, in which, as was generally expected, the former scored a rather pronounced victory. Mr G. Dixon performed the duties of referee. From the kick off Suburbs were placed on the defensive, the determined attempts of the maroons to cros3 the line being nearly successfql on several occasions. An

error on the part of a Suburban back enabled the Parnell forwards to rush the ball across the line, where it was secured by Wright. Jervis failed to convert. From a miskick by this Suburbs’ fullback, Moore picked up smartly and registered Parnell’s second try between the goal posts. Edmonds converted. In the second spell Parnell increased their score from 8 to 16 points, Jervis and Elliot each securing a try, one of which the former converted. The Parnell —Suburbs contest was certainly a one-sided game, the latter team never being dangerous during any period of the game. Shortly after the second spell many of the spectators left to witness the Grafton —Ponsonby match. Elliott played a splendid game for Parnell, his play being characterised with all his old time dash. Jervis did all that was required of him, but was by no means as brilliant as usual. Moore was perhaps the best of the Parnell backs, his passing at times being particularly good. Moore kicked and tackled in good style. The remaining Parnell backs made few mistakes; but the combination of the back division was not so good as might been expected. Evitt, Clarke and Anderson could be distinguished in nearly all the Parnell forward rushes. Each of the trio played a hard game. Of the Suburbs team Wally Rhodes did all he knew to avert defeat, and was instrumental in preventing several scores. With one exception (from which a score resulted) Southerland played a good game for Suburbs at fullback. With practice he will develop into a real good man in this position. His tackling is sure, and on Saturday he grassed Jervis when a score seemed certain. Andrews and Williams played honest forward games, though neither is particularly clever. A team is, however, much better off with an honest worker than a clever loafer. Major did some fine dribbling and follows up well. In Richworth and Peace Suburbs has two really fast backs. .With anything like combination they should cause the opposing team no end of trouble. Although the display of football in the North Shore—City match was far beneath what might be expected from two senior teams, the game nevertheless proved most exciting. At half time City were three points and Shore nil. Shortly .after resuming play City registered an other try, making the score 6, whilst Shore was still nil. A few minutes before time the Shore forwards drove the leather across the City line and Valentine scored for Shore. Chamberland was entrusted with the kick and converted, the score then sianding City 6, Shore 5. From this until the sound of the whistle each team made frantic endeavours to increase their score, but without avail, the game ending in a win for City by 1 point. Binney and Otway each crossed the line for City. The former was conspicuous for his fast following. Stone played a good forward game, and showed up to advantage on the line play. He failed twice in his attempts to convert the City tries into goals. Stone, however, showed that in place kicking, distance is no object to him, as in kicking off at half-time he placed the oval fair between the Shore goal posts. Of the City back division Hales was far ahead of his mates and stopped many rushes which might have ended in scores. Hill at full back also played a safe game. Marshall and Speight grafted like Trojans for the defeated team. The latter was especially brilliant on the line play, and started several rushes. The Shore team was captained by “ Jockey ” Breen, who proved a constant source of trouble to the City backs. The scores in the Ponsonby—Grafton match would indicate a run-away victory for the latter, who won by 12 points to nil. The impression thus conveyed is, however, altogether erroneous, for apart from the actual scoring the game was throughout of a most even and interesting character. Grafton’s score was composed of two tries, obtained by Oliphant and Broberg, one of which the latter converted, and a goal by Kallendar from a mark obtained by Hay. Although Ponsonby failed to score, they played in tip-top form, and it was only hard luck (or perhaps over anxiety) which prevented them from crossing the Grafton line on two occasions. The Ponsonby—Grafton match was by far the best game played at Potter’s on Saturday, and a great number who were watching the game in front of the stand came over to witness the former contest. Oliphant by his brilliant display on

Saturday has created a most favourable impression with those who can appreciate sterling play. His try was cleverly obtained, and he will be a welcome acquisition to the “ rep.” team, for I know of no one who can keep him out. Ramsay, Braund and Gittos were responsible for several fine passing runs. Clayton kicked well on Saturday, and was unfortunate in being deprived of a goal from the field owing to the ball striking a Ponsonby player. Jimmy MacDermott acted as line umpire for Ponsonby and A. Donaldson occupied a similar position for Grafton. “ When Greek meets Greek then comes the tug of war.” As I mentioned some time back, Charlie Stichbury was not back in time to play for Ponsonby. “Stich” and “Vic” Langsford will greatly strengthen the WTestern. suburb.

Many of the matches were delayed on Saturday owing to the difficulty in obtaining referees. Something will have to be done in this matter at once, as the public naturally object to being kept at Potter’s until after dark. At present the position is apparently this—the clubs will not aid the Union in providing referees, and the Union will not hear of paid (or professional) referees. The Parnell II had a rather soft thing on with the Suburbs 11, the former winning by 24 points to nil. Suburbs played only 13 men, and were completely beaten in every department of the game. For the winners Reid played remarkably well, scoring two tries. Baker, Taylor, Bearly and Whitley each crossed the Suburbs line, while Mitchell kicked a pretty goal from a penalty kick. Ponsonby II made amends for the defeat of their senior division by obtaining a pronounced victory in their game with Grafton 11. The combination of the Ponsonby boys was altogether too good for their opponents, whom they only allowed to score once. Kelly, Graham, Gillespie, Farquhar and Wright all secured tries for Ponsonby, one being converted by Masefield. McMillan got Grafton’s try. Ponsonby won by 17 points to 3. The only other first junior match was that between North Shore and City, in which the latter had the worst of the “ go.” For North Shore Mann and Beaston each secured a try, from which Francis kicked two fine goals, the game ending in the Shore’s favour by 10 points to nil.

Newton 111 was the only representative from the Newton'District to do battle on Saturday, and went down before a third fifteen from the Grafton District to the tune of nine points to five. Grafton’s score was composed of tries obtained by Hancock, Cook and Barton. W. Mills crossed the line for Newton and took the kick himself, landings splendid goal. Parnell 111 beat City 111 by 13 points to 8. Mclntyre and Keat scored for the winners, Meilis converting in each instance, and also obtaining a goal from a penalty kick. Ponsonby 111. were victorious against the Grafton 111. by 14 points to 8. The Parnell district was the only one to secure 3 wins on Saturday. Surely this district is not going to carry off the three championships.

George Lusk got a goal from the field on Saturday for the Pirates. He is kicking as well as ever, and we all know what that means.— Referee. The Rugby Union will to-night have to decide three protests. Grafton B protest against Ponsonby on the ground of the latter playing 16 men. City protest against Parhell on the ground that the referee’s decisions were opposed to the rules. Newton assert that Grafton A had the services of two Newton players The protesting teams are all second juniors. The visit of the New South Wales has been delayed until September. . The following table, which I intend to publish every week, will show the. played, won, drawn and lost matches by the different clubs, with the points scored for and against t— — Seniors.

Mr Ryan, of the Newmarket Hotel, has generously donated & gold medal to the Suburbs Football Club, to be presented to the best all-round man. An Association match was played at North Shore on Saturday, between a team from North Shore and one from H.M.S. Rapid. The game throughout was evenly contested and resulted in the defeat of the sailors by i goal to nil. Dacre kicked the goal for the Shore team. At the last meeting of the New Zealand Rngby Union, that body refused permission to send a. South Island team to Brisbane. An application from the Christchurch Club to play a match with the Pirates. of Dunedin, was also refused. The 1 question of the registration of Unions, Clubs and Associations, under the Joint Stock Companies’ Act, was brought up by the Wellington Union, and it was resolved to take no action until the views of all athletic bodies were obtained. The object of registration is to enable athletic bodies to acquire a legal status.

HAWKE’S BAY FOOTBALL.

(bv wire.—from, our own correspondent.) • May 16. The senior and junior championship ma.tr.he a were resumed on Saturday last, when the first And second fifteens of the Caledonian and Napier football clubs met on the recreation ground. Both matches resulted in favour of the Caledonians, the juniors by six to love, and the seniors by twelve to ten. The junior match was played first, but was not of a very interesting character. The Caledonians owe their victory mainly to the bad combination, of their opponents, who individually are fairly- good, but have no idea of combination ; several scores were lost to them owing to the faulty play in this respect? For the winners Presling, Mills, Neagle, and McLean showed best form? Hughes, Simpson, Fraser, and Peacock being the best of the Napier. The senior match was very interesting from start io finish. In the first spell the Caledonians rkh up a total of 12 points, Macfarlane potting a goal and obtaining a n try, which Williams converted, and Smith scoring a try. In the second spell Napier made it very warm for their opponents, who had all they could do to Avert defeat. As it was, more than one score was lost to Napier owing to wild . passfag. For the Caledonians Macfarlane at three-quarter played., a splendid game, as did H. Kelly at half. McLean, Scorrie, and Smith were the best of the forwards, Bennett and Donnelly were head and shoulders above the rest of the Napier backs, and Eliott. Wilson, Ryan, and Murray did good work forward. The Napier third fifteen beat West End by 4 points to 3. Flink kicked a goal for the winners from a mark obtained by Bell, and Sandilands scored a try for West End. ‘

- TARANAKI FOOTBALL NOTES

o (from our own correspondent.)

May 14. Stratford and Patea met in a senior cup match on Friday last, on the ground of the latter. The game resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. There is talk about Stratford protesting on the ground that Patea played with more than fifteen players. On Thursday last Star 11. beat Kaitaki by *9 points to 3 points, in the junior Cup match, and the same day Inglewood beat Clifton 11. by 10 points to nil in a similar fixture.

P. w. D. Jj. Pte.for Agst. Parnell 1 1 0 0 16 0 Grafton 1 1 0 0 12 0 City 1 1 0 0 6 5 Suburbs 1 0 0 1 0 16 Ponsonby .... 1 0 • 1 0 12 First Juniors. P. w. D. L. Pte. for Agst. Parnell 1 1 0 • 24 . 0 Ponsonby .... I 1 0 0 17 3 North Snore .. 1 1 0 0 10 0 Grafton 1 0 0 1 3 17 City ........ 1 0 0 1 0 10 Suburbs 1 0 0 1 0 24

: v ■ Parnell Second Juniobs. p. 1 w. 1 D. 0 L. 0 Pts.for Agst. 13 8 Ponsonby .... 1 • 1 0 0 14 8 Grafton A .... 1 1 0 0 9 5 Newton 1 0 0 1 5 9 Grafton B ... * 1 0 0 1 8 14 City ........ 1 0 0 1 8 13