Football.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 220, 11 October 1894, Page 3

Football.

Our winter game is certainly dying hard this season, for although Saturday last was a perfect summer day, over half-a-dozen teams journeyed to Potter’s to engage in friendly contests. The day was, however, a regular “ scorcher,’ and as the majority of the players were playing their first match of the season, it is perhaps unnecessary to state that the contests were not “ hard and fast games from start to finish ” One of the principal matches was that between the Auckland and Ponsonby Lodges of Druids. The game, which resulted in an easy victory for the latter by 32 points to nil, was Watched by a large number of spectators, and was contested throughout with the utmost good feeling, The representatives of the Ponsonby Lodge, amongst whom were several wellknown senior players, were far too good for their opponents, and scored no less than eight tries, four of which were converted. For the winners tries were secured by the following —T. Mills (capt) (3), P. Mackie (3), Newbigin (1), and F. Cooper (1). For the Auckland team Lewis (capt.) Mens (2), Hunter and Michaels all played well, and did their utmost to avert defeat. In the evening the teams met at St. George’s Hall and spent a highly enjoyable evening. The contest between these lodges promises to become an annual affair. The match between the Ponsonby Navals and the Victoria Rifles, produced an interesting and exciting game. After an even contest, in which good play was shown by the players of either side, the game ended in a draw, each side failing to score.

On Saturday afternoon a football match took place between St. Stephens’ College and Richmond at the College ground, Parnell, and resulted in a win for the former by 24 points to nil. During the first spell tries were obtained by W. Raiti and H. Tawihana, and a free kick and a penalty kick were converted by J. Te Paa. In'the second spell tries were obtained by J. Kiriki (2) and J. Tawihana (1), one of which was converted by H. Rewetiro. T. Hazleman, Brook, Johnston, and R. Brown played well for the losing team. The Ponsonby team finished up the season on Saturday last by a trip to Papakura. Leaving town at 12 o’clock in brakes the team arrived at Papakura at about 3 o’clock, being heartily welcomed by the country team and a large number of football enthusiasts. Play commenced shortly after 3 o’clock, the game being watched by a large number of spectators. After a friendly and wellcontested game the town team proved victorious by 9 points to 5, their combination being slightly too good for the Papakura boys. For Ponsonby, tries were obtained by Masefield, Cole and Wright. The local team secured a try from which, a goal resulted. The Ponsonby team was entertained at a smoke concert in the evening, and returned to town the same night after a pleasant trip. The winners played only 14 men. Mr A. E. Sefton, the manager of the New South Wales football team, who returned to Sydney before the completion of the tour, was interviewed by the representative of the Referee. In reference to the reports in certain New Zealand papers concerning the conduct of the team Mr Sefton says : “ The reports are absolutely untrue. They were the quietest lot of footballers I have ever seen together, especially for the number, viz., 28. It was a great exception to find even one of them out after 11 p.m.” Mr Sefton considers that in forward play the cornstalks were able to hold their own with anyset of forwards in this Colony, having met only two teams from whom they were unable to secure the ball in the scrum five times out of six. He attributes the defeat of the Welshmen to the superiority of our back play, which is a different style of play from what they were accustomed to witness in New South Wales. In referring to the Auckland and Taranaki matches, Mr Sefton said, “ Taranaki and Auckland showed far better combination than we afterwards saw. Auckland’s last two tries were real masterpieces, and could not be surpassed by

anything in the world. Our three quarters mostly stand and pass ; theirs run straight ahead and pass at full speed.” The Suburbs Football Club held a smoke concert at the Newmarket Hotel during the week.- The gold medal presented by the proprietor, Mr W. E. Ryan, for the best all-round player in the team was won by Wally Rhodes, whom I may mention left for Wellington on Monday last.

The Waikato Rugby Union are tendering a benefit to “ Barlow ” Madigan. The affair takes the form of a fancy dress costume match, and is set down for Saturday next. Any of “ Barlow’s ” old admirers who wish to assist in making the benefit a financial success, can purchase tickets from either Mr J. A. Cooper or Mr T. Foley. I may state that Barlow has been the victim of a lengthy illness, and is still unable to work.

The Otago Rugby Union has written to the English Union, protesting against the action of the New Zealand Rugby Union in forbidding their annual interprovincial match with Canterbury, both of whose Unions are affiliated to the English Union. During the football season just closed the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Refeiees Association, which was formed on June 4th, supplied seventy-four referees for various matches. Mr. A. J. Parker officiated on ten occasions, .and F. Drum, A. Kilfoyle and A. M. Edmonds each nine times.