FOOTBALL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 411, 9 June 1898, Page 7

FOOTBALL

[By

Vigilant.]

Though Newton and Ponsonby were allotted the No. 1 Ground on account of the fact that the former team, who are leading for the Cup, had not previously been given an opportunity of playing in front of the stand, the game of the day on Saturday was undoubtedly that between , Parnell and Grafton, decided on No. 2 Ground. ■Parnell, who went on the field embittered by the action of the Rugby Union in refusing to pass Asher, Laing, and Phelan through in time to play against Grafton, had come out prepared to do or die, and as results show they 1 did, winning the match by nine points (two tries and a penalty goal) to three points (a penalty goa»). The victory was due solely to the superiority of their, forwards over the Grafton vanguard, and although the work of the maroon front rank ' was hardly what one would call brilliant in any particular sense of the world, I must certainly say that I never ‘saw a pack fight with more determination. They held the advantage in point of weight, and both in the pack and open were too clever for Grafton, while they tackled to a man. Getting away with the leather from the scrum every man in this division followed up the advantage in great style, and vied with bis com- . panions in arms, to get in the most work, while when the Grafton’s got the ball out to their backs it was the Parnell forwards that smothered - them. As far as backs are concerned, the Graftonites are right away in front of Parnell, whose rear division can hardly-be said to contain a scoring man, as evidenced by their failure to make use of several openings to register points after their forwards had opened the way for them. ~ Their best back was Hedges, who was shifted up from full to three-quarter, and handled himself like a tradesman in this position. A treat to onlookers was his fine kicking, which gained no end of ground for his side, as he seldom failed to make good use of the touch line. His defence was also superior to any of the other . rear men. ■ *

While fairly safe at full-back, Thomson was some what ponderous, if such a word be promissable, or perhaps to put it more plainly, he was not always smart enough in getting rid of the ball. Once he rah into the thick of the fray when he might have kicked, and then had to pass out to one of his three-quarters who ran round behind to assist him. When a full-back has a chance to use his feet, it is a great mistake to run in close quarters—tempting Providence, in fact. Laws was, for the first time this season, patchy in his work —now as good as one could wish playing three-quarters, and anon all at sea, bearing out the rumour whispered round at the inception of the season, that he was an erratic player and hot always , to be relied upon. His principal failing seemed indecision in action. He did not appear quite sure as to what he should do when an opening presented itself, an indication that he is not exactly a “ heady ” man. Miichell was out for the first time for the season, and as he can hardly be said to have got a thorough grip of the men he was playing with, cannot be blamed for one-or two mistakes he made, and this being so, must be credited with a creditable showing. Ronayne could not help being conspicuous, for if nothing else drew attention to him his tongue would, as he seemed to have something to say at almost every point of. the game. A very fair game, though perhaps a shade rough at times, was sadly marred by his persistent and useless chatter, and it would certainly be advantageous

to all concerned if he would learn that Murray was the director in general of the side, and not he.

Whitley, on the wing, did not play with quite as much dash as usual, but his confrere, thornson, though not exactly of the dashing order, got in a lot of useful work. Murray captained the team splendidly, and showed his wisdom and knowledge of the side they were playing in making the game a forward one, and keeping the ball on the ground. At times he loafed a bit, and like one or two others, occasionally showed an inclination to play offside ; yet when he did get to work he made himself a power in the land.

Others who were conspicuous in a lot that did not contain a weak man were Scarboro, Handcock, and Sampson.

“ Dug” Hay was right away the best back on the ground, and although he was always a good three quarter Saturday’s match showed plainly that he is. at his zenith behind the pack. No man could have been asked to have made more openings for his backs than did Hay, while his defence was perfect. If selector Arneil saw him play then it is the greatest certainty in the world that he has ticked him off for serious consideration when choosing a “ rep” half back for this season.

Next to Hay came Smith, at full-back, who played an ideal game in this place, kicking with great power and excellent judgment, displaying great coolness in the tightest pinch, and tackling his big opponents grandly. The three-quarters, while undeniably superior to those of Parnell as a whole, were hardly as good as I have seen them, this remark applying more particularly to Renwick, who has undoubtedly shown better form this season.

Although they were undoubtedly beaten, the Grafton forwards never once lost heart, and hung to their task from the jump until the bell rang, the Bradys (2), Cucksey, and Brown doing particularly good work, the latter showing a splendid example in following up. The Newton v. Ponsonby match, won by the former by 8 points to 3, does not call for much comment, as it was inclined to be disappointing, not because the teams were not possessed of good individual players, but through the fact that there was a sad lack of combination by both sides.

The Newton forwards, a fine heavy lot, were evidently too strong for the Ponsonby vanguard, yet they did not benefit much, lacking cleverness, inasmuch as that though they swept everything before them, time after time coming away with the packs, they came without the ball —hard work to no end. One would have thought that a pack that have been playing together all the season would have shown greater cleverness than the Newton vanguard did on Saturday,

The passing of the backs, both Newton and Ponsonby, wa? below Cup form, every man appearing to overlook the fact that there were others present besides himself- —too selfish or too little knowledge of the ethics of correct football; surely not the latter.

Mynott was the crack back on the ground, playing splendidly in all departments of the game, while Roberts was next best man in New-' ton’s backs, and Pillenger was safe as full-back. Clarke, on the wing, Eaton, Alec. Wilson, Williamson, and Otway stood out most qonspicuously in the forwards. Webber played very well at full-back for Ponsonby, and Harrison, Riley, and Lendrum, at three-quarter, gave a very account of themselves

individually, but did not seem to get going together as they should have done. Braund has played infinitely better games, but Galloway can hardly .be summed up at five-eighth, as his half did not look after him as he should have dohe. ..■■■ Wilson and Gallagher were my pick of the forwards, the former standing out most prominently. Suburbs, having been intimated through their secretary, did not turn up, believing that North Shore had wished to postpone Out of respect, to the late W. W. Clarke, an old member pf the club, who died at the latter end of the week. Such, however, was apparently not the case, as the Shoreites mustered the majority of their men at Potter’s, kicked off and claimed the match by default. ‘

The entries for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, which appeared in the daily papers of. Tuesday, are singularly deficient of any of Our New Zealand performers. It was, perhaps naturally, expected by our turf patrons that such doers of mighty deeds as Multiform, Waiuku, St. Paul, and Swordfish would appear in each list, but such is not,the case. A well-known veteran trainer said on this subject, “ We have plenty of money to race for in New Zealand without going over the sea to Australia.” Perhaps, after all, the trainer in question knows best, for he has had some good ones in his hands.