FOOTBALL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 414, 30 June 1898, Page 7

FOOTBALL

[By

Vigilant.]

THE CUP MATCHES.

The second round of the district cup matches under the Auckland Rugby Union was entered upon last Saturday, when Newton, Suburbs, and Parnell beat Grafton, Poneonby, and City respectively. In defeating Grafton the Newton fifteen thus established a clear lead of three matches, which almost places the cup honors beyond doubt, there being very little prospect of their colors being lowered sufficiently often in the remaining matches to allow of Parnell, or any other of the clubs, drawing on terms. At the came time it way be said that while they succeeded in beating Grafton by 3 points to nil, they had little or nothing to crow about on Saturday, rather was it generally admitted that the losing side had something the best of the game, taking it from end to end. In the first spell the black and whites had all the best of the fun and should certainly have scored, and quite held their own up to within fifteen or twenty minutes of the close, when Newton held sway until a few minutes of time, when Grafton came again with a final effort but failed to score. Pillenger, the Newton full-back, was as sound as ever in his defence, and got in a large amount of saving work. Roberts, who had been playing quite up to “ rep ” form in previous matches, was decidedly off color, bis passing being wretched. Freeman did not seem at all at home with the greasy ball, and fumbled two or three of his takes badly. Kirkwood was the best of the Newton threequarters, while Mynott rendered a good account of himself at five eighths, and Hobson, with the exception of one or two mistakes, did his work behind the pack cleanly. Clarke, of whom I have a great opinion, played with his usual dash on the wing, while in the ■ forwards none worked harder than Lewis.

“ Safe as a church,” was the remark of a Grafton supporter as Smith, the full-back, wriggled out of of a tight corner and got in his kick. ’Over and over again this clever little “ full ” brought his side out of ugly corners, and kicked in grand style; Tait, Renwick, Hume, and Freeborn were the three-quarters, and their handling of the wet ball was far and away better than that of the opposing side. At times their passing was very good. Carlton Hay and brother “ Dug,” at fiveeighths and half, worked splendidly together and made more than one nice opening for their Brady on the wing, and Stirling and McGregor in the front, were always conspicuous. Ponsonby made a game fight against Suburbs, but were 'outclassed, the blacks winning by 12 points' (4 tries) to nil. The game was fast.

Absolum was the pick of the winning threequarters, and played a slashing game on the attack, quite at his best. His handling of the wet ball was a treat. Sutherland was out again, and with McPike proved that the Suburbs tthree-quarters are a real good lot. The trio got in some nice passing runs, and were always there when called on to defend their quarters. Elliott and Gage worked splendidly together at five-eighths and half, the former making his openings as cleanly and cleverly as of yore, while Gage got in.some smart dodgy work and punted judiciously. Of the forwards, C. Speight, McKenzie, and Williams always stood out. Webber was very good at full-back for Ponsonby, and the other backs played well, when it is remembered that they were hampered by a beaten pack. Harrison was undoubtedly their best man.

At five-eighths and half respectively, Galloway and Braund made the most of every chance that offered itself, and initiated several good passing runs, also defending well. The Carder Bros, and Cole played well among the forwards, while Barker stood out on the wing. Parnell ran over City to such an extent that the latter, who played three men short, gave out after 30 minutes play, the scores then being Parnell 19, City ml.

The New Zealand Football Council will consider the question of sending a football team to England. Several efforts have been made to get George Smith, the City three-quarter and member of the last New Zealand team, to don the jersey again, with a view to his inclusion in our rep. team. So far these attempts have proved fruitless, and it seems that Smith is likely to adhere to his decision not to turn out again. A cable of last week states that Mullineaux’ English team will not be able, on account of want of time, to pay a visit to New Zealand on their Australian tour next season. This being so, they will not have a chance of playing the strongest Rugby colony in the Australias. The Ponsonby forward, Wilson, has gone to Coromandel, and Sid Brown, the dashing Grafton front rank man, has gone to Sydnej. Tauranga boys are anxious to arrange a match with Auckland, and will be given a game if the rep. matches with visiting provinces permit. So far, Taranaki do not appear to have notified the Auckland Union as to when they intend coming north. A general meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union has confirmed the resolution carried by the management committee, that the residential qualification of visiting players wishing to join our district teams shall be four weeks.

Rumor says that Asher, of Tauranga, who has thrown in his lot with Parnell, is likely to return home shortly. Is it true ? Frank Surman, who returned to Sydney a week or two since, will play for his old love, Randwick.

The Auckland Referees’ Association decided at last week’s meeting that in the event of a ball tucked under a player’s arm being knocked on through concussion with another player it shall be considered a throw forward, even though the player that had possession regains it ere it touches the ground.

At a recent meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union, the following programme for the northern tour was adopted, subject to satisfactory replies being received from the unions interested: — “ Leave Wellington 25th July, play Taranaki 26th, play Auckland 30th July, leave Auckland 2nd August, play Hawke’s Bay 4th August, arrive Wellington sth August.” It is doubtful whether the Auckland Rugby Union will be prepared to accept so early a date.