Football.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 206, 5 July 1894, Page 1

Football.

The usual weekly senior district matches which have so far proved / such a draw this season were not held on Saturday, the afternoon being put in by a practice match between teams chosen by the representative selection committee. Although the weather continued fine thoughout the afternoon, the attendance of the public was certainly the smallest which has thi® season been seen at Potter’s. The scanty patronage on Saturday last is to my mind highly significant of the favour in which the district scheme is held. Time was when a practice match between probable and possible candidates for “ rep.” honours could always be relied upon to draw as large an attendance as the most interesting club match ; but the contrast between the attendance on Saturday last and that of the proceeding week was po marked as to leave little doubt that the falling"off was mainly due to the absence of many whom the district scheme has induced to patronise the game, and whose enthusiasm is at present limited to the interest which they take in the fortunes of their own particular district. The opinion which I expressed in my notes of last week in commenting brieflyx upon the choice made by the selection committee appears to be pretty well borne out by the result of Saturday’s practice. I then wrote that many alterations have to be made in the A team before it could be expected to successfully cope with the numerous foreign teams which will visit Auckland this season. Although at the time of writing the selection committee have not chosen the probable team for Saturday next I quite expect to see that at least five or six alterations have been effected, and will, in common with many footballers { be disappointed to find the contrary. The following players were absent from Saturday’s practice :—A Team : Elliot, McKenzie and Marshall. Peace took part in the second spell. ' All of the B team put in an appearance. Gillespie, C. Hay, Hallamore, and Williamson filled the places of’the absentees. The practice on Saturday was, if anything, better than the generality of such games, but this fact does not count for much since it is pretty well known that the form shown in practice matches is seldom, if ever, of a nature calculated to lighten the prospects of the team which has to battle for the province. Each member of the probable team goes on to the field with the determination of retaining his position, whilst each member of the possible team exerts his utmost powers to secure a place in the final selection. One requires only to witness a few prac«tice matches to become thoroughly convinced that each player is endeavouring to accomplish his ,object by individual play. Experience has taught him that in order to come under the favourable consideration of the, selection committee he must make himself conspicuous, Each player therefore grafts on his own account and views the remainingzg players as his opponents. It not unfrequehtly

happens, however, that several players 'may belong to the one club, and their play is then of a slightly more generous nature. They will give each other a chance of scoring, but no one else. Although not in so marked a degree as on previous occasions, all these features could be distinguished on Saturday and apply more to the play of the A than the B team. When seriously considered, I firmly believe that not only does the present system of conducting practice matches mislead the selection committee in picking the best men, but also acts as an obstacle to acquiring that combination which is essential to success. With the facilities which the first round of district matches has offered for deciding upon the merits of the various players,’ I contend that a strong fifteen could have at once been selected, and that it would be an advantage to have made the first selection the final one. Guarantee each player his place in the team, and then each succeeding practice will be productive of some beneficial result. The incentive at present offered to the honest forward to loaf in the scrum and wait for chances will be removed, and ithe backs will have no reason for not passing to each other. The players will then work for the success and improvement of the team as they do at present in district matches, and even though a few of the men might not be so entitled to a place as some whose claims have been overlooked, the error will be more than - rectified by the combination of play which will result from a few honest and unselfish practices. The play on Saturday was throughout of an even nature, and the call of “ no side” left the A team the winner by 12 points to 9. The B division drew first blood soon after the game started by Breen landing, a pretty goal from a penalty kick incurred by the A team for off-side play. From the kick off the B team again worked the ball inside their opponents’ 25, and narrowly escaped scoring from forward rushes several times. The play for some time was of an uninteresting kind, until a determined rush of the A forwards carried the oval well into the B territory. A smart pass by Hay to Edmunds enabled the latter to score near the corner flag. The B division again made things lively, and Braund, on receiving the ball from his forwards, dodged the opposing wing forward and half back and then sent the leather on to Ramsay, who, running to within a few yards of the A wing three-quarter, made a well judged pass to Rishworth, whose speed Enabled him to cross to the corner flag. No goal resulted. B 6, A 3. From the kick out, play centred for a ; time in until another fine rush of the B forwards carried the play to the A’s 25, where Braund again getting pos session of the ball passed to Ramsay, who in turn transferred to McGill, the latter making a fine effort and scoring near the corner flag. The kick again failed to add the extra points. B 9, A 3. Before the call of half time Rishworth again crossed the line for B’s, but the try was not allowed, and the spell ended without further score. In the second spell the game proved very fast, e'aeh side being called upon several times to defend its line during the first few minutes of the game. From a scrum, which took place in the B 25, Edmunds transferred the oval to Ronayne, who passed to Hay, the latter getting over after a dodgy run. The kick at goal was again a failure. B 9, A 6. A few minutes later Peace kicked a fine goal frqm a mark obtained by Edmunds, and just at the call of “no side” Mills was permitted to run in without opposition, the B team being under the impression that the ball had gone out of bounds. The game ended in favour of the A team by 12 points to 9. As previously stated the game was of a more interesting kind than the usual run of practice matches, but was, nevertheless, far beneath what we are accustomed to witness-on ordinary Saturday afternoons. The backs of the A division were responsible for little or no passing, and, as a whole, -proved a rather weak lot. In the B team the backs played with more combination, their two tries being obtained from fine passing runs. In the scrum the A forwards were hopelessly beaten, their opponents invariably getting possession of the ball and carrying or screwing the scrum, or heeling out at will. In the open play, however, the A division, if anything,' more than held its own, and got in many dangerous rushes. As fullback for A team Hedges by no means proved safe. His tackling was i weak, and he failed to stop more than i one rush. When given plenty of time . he got off some splendid long punts ; but <

i he appears to kick only with the right ■ foot. ! Kissling’s defence was very good, as i he both kicked and collared in fine style. . He is, however, not up to the require- : ments of a rep. three-quarter, for he lacky ! pace, and is not too fond of passing. r Peace played only during the second i spell. His kicking was all that could be desired, but his passing lacked judgment. : When he does pass it is to get himself out of a difficulty, and this style of play is certainly no good to any team. With several of his side waiting to get a pass he allowed himself to be collared by the opposing fullback. Roberts’ play was purely of a defensive nature, and the fact reflects no credit upon the remainder of the back division. He should, however, not leave his position, even though the other backs refuse ..to give him a pass. Edmunds and Ronayne had a little game “ all on their own.” It was, however, a little “ too strong,” and Roberts gave the show away by calling out at the top of his voice to send the ball, out his way. Each, however, put in a great amount of work, and the former got off some fine punts with both right and left foot. As wing forwards Oliphant and Mills cannot be improved upon. Each is full of tricky play, v and you can never tell what he is about to do. On Saturday these two players got off some smart pieces of play. _ I might mention, however, that they did no scrum work. Heffernan again 'played a good game. He works hard from start to finish, and is, I think, well worth a place in the team. Speight and Stone were frequently prominent in rushes and also on the line play. z I liked the play of Hallamore as well as that of any forward on the field. He handles the ball in a masterly style, and makes no mistakes. Freeman shaped remarkably well at full-back for the B team., He kicked quickly, and tackled like a “ book.” Rishworth, Bre.en and McGill all played in rare style. Rishworth and McGill each crossed the line, and Breen was responsible for a pretty goal. McGill received a nasty knock on the kne,e during the first spell, which makes his play all the more meritorious. Unless I am greatly mistaken this player is a long way above the average. Ramsay and McDonald were at their -best, and put in a great amount of work. The former passed splendidly, and could, I believe, have got in twice had he played selfishly. He, however, played the correct game and made certain of the scores by sending the ball on to Rishworth and McGill. I certainly felt pleased with the way in which Braund replied to my request of last week, to show what he could do when behind a strong forward team. Although watched by both Oliphant and Mills as a cat watches a mouse, Braund on every occasion got the ball away to his backs, whilst the way he took charge of the team gained his side many advantages. Of the B forwards Wally Rhodes was certainly the pick of the bunch. His speed enabled him to lead his comra'des in almost every rush, and he proved clever in securing the ball on the line out. Anderson also played a clinking good game, his line play especially being good. He is moreover an unselfish player, which is in itself a great recommendation. Valentine appeared to graft all he knew, but requires more practice at handling the ball. The remaining forwards, Hobson, Gittos, Brady, and Donald, all did a fair share of the work. The most interesting match at Potter’s on Saturday was that between Ponsonby 11. and Grafton 11. Both teams were equal for the first junior championship, having suffered one defeat, and their meeting on Saturday attracted considerable attention. From start to finish the game was made exceedingly fast and the play at times was equally as good as anything I have seen in senior fixtures. It was the general qpinion that the contest should have taken place on No. i ground and I regret that the committee denied the juniors this slight privillege. From the kick off the Ponsonby boys at once began to make things merry and kept their opponents penned in their own 25 for a considerable time. The passing of the Ponsonby backs was first class, the ball being transferred from one to another with an accuracy that elicited much favourable comment. From one of these passing runs Heaps drew first blood for Ponsonby during the first fifteen minutes of the game. Masefield made a good

though unsuccessful try at goal. Throughout the remainder of the spell the Ponsonby team continued their passing tactics, and succeeded in crossing the Grafton line on several occasions, but the scores were disallowed, and the spell ended all in favour of the former team. In the second spell a fine rush of the Grafton forwards carried the play into the Ponsonby 25, where after repeated efforts to score, the Grafton vanguard rushed the ball over the line, where it was secured by Sterling. Smith failed to convert—Ponsonby 3, Grafton 3. From this until the finish of the game each side redoubled its efforts to score, and on several occasions the play was stopped to enable different players to recover from a temporary accident. The weight of the Grafton forwards told in every scrum, and the Ponsonby team was placed on the defensive throughout nearly the whole of the spell. During the last few minutes of the'game combined play on the part of Ponsonby carried the ball to the Grafton 25. From a scrum formed here the ball was passed to Masefield, who by a fine kick sent the ball fairly across the Grafton goal— Ponsonby 7, Grafton 3. From this out the Ponsonby team took care not to allow the opposing team to score, and the game ended in favour of the former by 7 points to 3. By this win the Ponsonby team has now a clear lead for the championship. The Ponsonby back division played in fine style, and made the most of every opportunity. Their combination was really a surprise to many spectators who are not accustomed to witness junior contests.

Masefield deserves every credit for his goal from the field. The kick was a good effort, and he used sound judgment in making the 'attempt. Of the Ponsonby forwards Greenhough, Downey and Robinson all played well.

The back play of the Graftonites was not nearly so sure as that of their opponents, but in forward play they had much the best of the game.

Jones, who played for the Grafton juniors, got several openings, but failed to make use of his pace. Hay played a sound defensive game, and more than once prevented the opposing team from scoring. Tracey, Sterling and McMillan were about the best of the Grafton forwards, who all worked hard and played well. After a month’s spell City 11. again put a team in the field on Saturday,'and made a determined stand against North 11. The colours were, however, unable to improve their position for the championship and suffered defeat by 11 points to 3. For North Shore tries were obtained by Clarke (2) and Grattan (1), from the latter of which Walker kicked a pretty goal. Quark scored the try for the City. The game proved a fast and well contested match, ,but even had the City team won on the actual points it is more than probable they would have lost the contest for playing several seniors. Parnell 11. had a rather soft thing on with Suburbs IL, winning by 20 points to nil. The winners scored no less than six tries, Gallagher and Reid each being responsible for two tries, and Hay and Brodie each securing one try. Mitchell converted one try. Ponsonby 111. failed to put in an appearance in their match with Newton 111. who has so far not encountered a defeat., Grafton A defeated Parnell HI. by 16 points to nil. The latter complains that Grafton played with seyeral recognised first junior players, and it is likely that the question will be brought before the Rugby Union to-night. In the City 111.-Grafton B match neither team put in an appearance. The following are the the positions of the various clubs for the first and second junior championships: —

N.B.—Matches between Newton and Grafton A., and Ponsonby and Grafton B. have to be replayed. Since penning the foregoing I have to hand a copy of the teams chosen to practice on Saturday next.

A Team.—Full-back, Kissling; threequarters, Roberts, Breen, Peace: halves, McDonald, Braund, Elliott; Anderson, Heffernan, Mills, Oliphant, Rhodes, Stone, C. Speight, Valentine. B Team.—Full-back, Masefield; threequarters, McGill, Warnock, Rich worth ; halves, Edmunds, Ronayne; forwards, Brady, Donald, Gittos. Hallamore, Major, Hobson, Moore, H. Speight and Wright. Emergencies.—Full-back, A. Freeman; three-quarters, McPhail, Flynn and Gillespie ; halves, Ramsay, Bullock, C. Hay; forwards, Hancock, Cole, Qlarke, M Flynn. It will be noticed that several alterations have been made in the A. Team. Kissling has been removed from threequarter to full back, and Breen has been put in centre three-quarters. Edmunds and Ronayne as half-backs have given place to Braund and McDonald. In the , forwards Wright, Marshall and Me--Kenzie are replaced by Rhodes, Anderson and Valentine. There can be little doubt that the alterations effected have considerably strengthened the team, both with respect to backs and forwards. The most commendable feature about the forwards is that they are a heavy lot. I do not wish it to be understood that I am partial to a weighty vanguard, but when one knows that there are only six forwards to hold the scrum, it is certainly advisable that they should be as. “ substantial ” as we find can them, if they are not to be pushed all over the field. This was very evident on Saturday. It is really difficult to imagine for what, possible reasons the committee has decided upan playing three half-backs. Are the forwards not sufficiently weakened by having two wing men without being robbed of a third man? If it could be shown that the extra half-back would be of such advantage as to justify the withdrawal of a man from the forward division there might be some element of reason about the action of the committee, but this cannot be established, and it is evident that the committe is blindly following in the footsteps of a prominent Dunedin club which happens to play this game. Why not profit by the experience so dearly purchased in the match against Canterbury and adopt the style of play which was so successful on that memorable occasion ? This much is certain, that the extra half-back in no way enables his forwards to let the ball out to their centre-half, and once the latter obtains possession of it the extra half-back is equally useless, since the centre-half cannot pass to both his wing halves at the same time. It should also be remembered that if the forwards are unable to hold their own in the scrum the backs have no hope of getting on? any passing runs. With this self-evident fact staring us <in the face it is difficult to imagine why that element of the game which is so essential to, success is deliberately weakened.

First Juniors. p. W. L. D. Pte. for Agst. Ponsonby .... 7 6 1 0 78 26 Grafton 7 5 2 0 50 43 North Shore .. 7 5 2 0 84 34 Parnell 7 5 2 0 98 36 City 7 1 6 0 9 49 Newton 6 1 5 0 14 90 Suburbs 7 1 6 0 37 91 Second Juniors V V P. W. L. D. Pts.for Agst. Newton 7 7 0 0 81 7 Grafton A .... 7 6 1 0 36 21 Parnell 8 4 4 0 32 50 Grafton B .... 7 2 5 0 26 33 Ponsonby .... 7 2 5 0 25 44 City 8 0 8 0 i 16 71