FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 314, 30 July 1896, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY UNIONS CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR. SOUTH ISLAND. DUNEDIN. Julv 25—Dunedin v. Caversham, Caledonian Ground; Zineari-Richmond v. Alhambra, at Montecillo; Union v. Pirates, North Ground; University v. Canterbury College, at Christchurch. Ausrust I—Kaikorai v. Alhambra, at Bishopscourt; Dunedin v. Pirates, Caledonian Ground; ZinganRichmond v. University, at Montecillo; Union v. Caversham, at St. Clair. CHRISTCHURCH. Autrust I—Linwood v. Christchurch, Canterbury College 6 V. Kaiapoi, N’tu Ahuriri v. Merivale, Sydenham v. East Christchurch, Albion a bye. WELLINGTON FOOTBALL TOUR. August 18—Taranaki, at New Plymouth August 22—Auckland August 27—Hawke’s Bay, at Napier OTAGO FOOTBALL TOUR. August 26—Oamaru August 29— Canterbury September I—Taranaki (at Hawera) September s—Auckland5 —Auckland September 9—Hawke’s Bay September 12—Wellington QUEENSLAND FOOTBALL TOUR. Saturday, August B—Auckland.8 —Auckland. Tuesday, August 11—Taranaki. Satoda^’A^gust^ 3 -NewZeahSd match, at Wellington. Thursday, August 20-Canterbury, at Christchurch Saturday, August 22—Otago match, at Dunedin. Tuesday, August 25 —Southland, at Bluff. the test match. Watching probable reps.—“A” team not up to full strength —Surman, Absolum, Swindley, Brown, and Jervis absent—Play not up to expectations -The “B” team defeats the “A” team—Jervis has his shoulder put out—Wynyard gets a kick on the nose—Surman and Jervis not available for the rep. team —The Queenslanders have a strong team—They defeat New South Wales - The Thames reps — They play Auckland on Saturday—The Auckrepresentative team.

The district matches were suspended on Saturday afternoon last, and the attention turned to a practice match between the “ A” and “ B” teams, in which the former, the chosen of the selection committee, were sadly defeated. Such a result is of course nothing new, as it is quite the usual thing for the “ B” players to knock corners off the chosen ones, who usually suffer from swelled heads on such occasions, and run round with the idea that they are certainties, never mind how they play, and cannot be overlooked when the rep. caps are awarded. But the idea is a mistaken one, and I believe more than one of them will be called upon to suffer the penalty. Of course their ranks w r ere considerably weakened by the absence of two or three of the stars, viz., Surman, Absolum, Swindley, and Brown, while Jervis had to retire owing to his shoulder being put out in. the first spell. D. Hay and Roberts were replaced in the “ B,” the former having taken the place of Absolum, who has not yet recovered his severe knocking about of the previous week, while Roberts’ ankle is none too strong yet. The teams were .—“ A”—Masefield, D. Hay, Wynyard, Jervis, Ronayne, Edmonds, E. Murray, McLean, Wilson, Scarborough, Gallagher, Williamson, C. Brady, Oliphant, Elliott. “ B” —Sutherland, Smith, Clayton, McPike, C. Hay, Braund, Purdie, P. Murrav, Stone, Hancock, J. Brady, Mills, Gordon, Heffernan. Masefield, on the whole, did very well at full-back for the “ A” team, and was generally safe, though he was badly fooled on one occasion by J- Brady, the outcome being a score for the “ B” team. D. Hay substituted Absolum, and did yeoman service, and must be considered quite on a footing with the man he replaced. Jervis needs no word —everyone knows how he . played until he met with the accident to his shoulder, and rather let us sympathise with him in his misfortune, as it is certainly hard luck that a man should play in Cup matches all the season, to get his shoulder put out in a practice match. Of the remaining three-quarter, Wynyard, a great deal cannot be said. He was a trifle erratic, and showed a rather weak defence, though he atoned somewhat for his shortcomings in the second half, by showing several flushes of brilliancy. Both Edmonds and Ronayne played below their reputation; but this, of course, is due to the fact that the “ B” forwards had all the best of it, and hooked the ball four times out of every five. Elliott was a failure on the wing, but Oliphant, was doing good service, and so was I. Mills, who opposed him, while J. i.' Brady had all the best of the “ go” with Elliott. Neither of these men can be

overlooked, and Mills I should say is an absolute certainty. With these few remarks I will pass over the question, as it looks “ ill” to meddle with the work of the selection committee.

Wynyard, who received a nasty knock on the nose soon after the game started, was consequently a lump off in the first spell, but in the second he livened up and put in some fine dashing runs. McPike played a sterling, honest game as wing three-qnarter, although in a position new to him, and established himself affavourite with the majority of the spectators. His place kicking was also above the average. Carlton Hay fairly surpassed himself, and the neat manner in which he and Braund worked together was a treat to witness. One of the three tries 'secured by Hay was the result of a splendid dodgy run. Thie accident to Jervis is greatly to be regretted, as he will be sadly missed by Auckland should he be unable to play out the season. If he and Surman are compelled to stand down, the rep. matches will be robbed of a lot of interest.

Suburbs played Waiuku at Onehunga last Saturday, and won by 9 points to nil. The visitors were entertained at a smoke concert in the evening. Geo. Smith and Clayton were both at their best, the former especially making

some splendid dashes, and his long returns were a feature of the match.

The following players have been chosen to represent Auckland in their match against the Thames representatives, to be played at Potter’s Paddock on Saturday next: —Full-back, Masefield ; three-quar-ters, Surman, Clayton, and. Absolum; five-eighths, Elliott; half, Braund ; forwards, C. Brady, Handcock, Wilson, F. Murray, McLean, Gallagher, and S. Brown. Emergencies: Full-back, Sutherland ; three-quarters, Wynyard and D. Hay ; five-eighths, C. H ay ; forwards, J. Brady, P. Murray, and Stone. The Thames team chosen to do battle with our representatives at Potter’s Paddock on Saturday afternoon are as follows: — Full-back, H. Smith; threequarters, R. McGregor, G. Paul, and Robinson; five-eighths, Carter; half, Wilson ; forwards, Lang and Billings (wings), Cornthwaite, McMillan, Mcllwain, Stewart, Brownlee, Downs, and S. Smith. Emergencies : Back, McLean ; forward, Spinks. Five of the abovementioned players are selected from the Ohinemuri Rugby Union. This is a very strong contingent, and should give a good account of themselves. Judging by the result of the recent match between Queensland and New South Wales, I should say the former

will lead the local reps, a merry dance when they meet them at Potter’s Padr dock It will be remembered that the Welshmen made matters very interesting when they were over here, Auckland only winning in the last few minutes. The cable says:-—ln the Intercolonial football match between Queensland and New South Wales, to-day (Saturday), on the latter’s ground, the visitors won by 13 points to 7.