THE CUP MATCHES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 515, 7 June 1900, Page 7

THE CUP MATCHES.

There was a very fair attendance at Potter’s Paddock on Saturday last. The Auckland Rugby Union gave over the takings of the day to the Auckland Cricket Association. Only one senior match’ eventuated, as Suburbs failed to put a team in the field against City. < ity came out and kicked off in order to claim the match, and I noticed George Smith out again for his district. It is to be hoped that George will continue to don the jersey this season, as his presence in the three-quarter division will greatly strengthen City’s team. Ponsonby and Newton played on No. 1 ground at Potter’s Paddock on Saturday last, Mr P. Macky officiating as referee. Newton won the toss, and chose to play with the strong sun behind them in the first spell. The play during the first half was very fast and even. During the greater part of the first spell, play was confined to the forward divisions. The second spell was marked by fast play, which was characterised by passing rushes on the part of the two back divisions. Ponsonby’s defence was very sound until the end of the second spell, when the backs collapsed and Long succeeded in scoring. The shot at goal was a failure. Shortly after this, Newton again got Ponsonby hemmed in, and from a loose forward scramble, Eaton succeeded in scoring. Eaton himself took the shot, which failed. Newton 6, Ponsonby 0. Pillenger and Lovett, the two opposing fullbacks, were not good in their play. The former fumbled and kicked injudiciously. Lovett was altogether too slow, and this fault oi his cost Ponsonby the first try scored against them. Of Newton’s three-quarters, Paul was undoubtedly the best. He got on several dangerous runs and kicked with judgment Mills and Roberts did good work individually, but Roberts’s old characteristic of selfish play somewhat marred his display. Woods, at five-eighths, was not so brilliant as usual. Newton’s wings, Dobbs and Clarke, did good service, but they were not nearly so good as their opponents. Long was the best of Newton’s vanguard division. Ponsonby’s three quarters played a good defensive game, and with the exception of Munro, they were very good in their attacks on Newton’s territory, Galloway being perhaps the best. R. Rule was not a success as five-eighths, his passing was erractic and he did not kick freely enough. The evergreen Albie Braund again donned the jersey for Ponsonby, and played by far the best game played behind a pack this season. Doran and Stephenson, on Ponsonby’s wings, played good games, and were at all times too .smart for their adversaries.

forwards worked hard, and were much better than Newton’s vanguard in their foot work.

Grafton defeated the Shore on Saturday bj the small margin of one point, the scores bein; Grafton 4, Shore 3. Grafton had the best o the game all through, and out classed thei opponents in the scientific parts of the game Grafton’s' forwards showed up well, and al worked hard to a man. Stewart acquitted him self in an able manner at full back for Grafton. Kiernan, Campbell, and Taylor were the best oi the black and white’s back division. Shore’t vanguard division worked hard ; and the three quarters Frankham, Gerrard and Walsh got it some fine passing rune. Wynyard played a gooo game behind Shore’s pack, as did also Smith ai full back.

Parnell II played Grafton 11, and after a very close game Parnell won by 8 points to nil. The scores were registered by Carpenter two tries, one of which was coverted b- Foster.

Ponsouby II won their match with Newton II by default. Two matches were played in the third grade, and they resulted in wins for City A by 6 points to 3 against Parnell, and Ponsonby B against Grafton by three points to nil. City B won their match with Ponsonby A by default.

Two matches were played in the second grade, and resulted in wins for City II and Parnell 11. Suburbs II met City 11, and a very interesting game ensued. City gained on their opponents from the first quarter of an hour’s play and eventually won by 12 points to nil. Gladding two tries, and Little and Ramsay one a piece were the score getters.

Four matches were contested in the Public Schools Championship A Section : Parnell defeated Grafton by 11 points to nil. Wellesley-street defeated Richmond Road by 28 points to nil. Napier-street defeated Ponsonby by 6 points to 5.

In the B. Section Bayfield defeated Chapelstreet by nine points to nil. Newmarket drew with Epsom. Beresford-street defeated Newton East by 15 points to nil. Onehunga defeated Mount Eden by 43 points to nil.

Karangahake seniors and juniors met and defeated both grades of the Paeroa Club. The seniors beat Paer. a by nine points to nil, while the juniors won by 25 points to three. At the Thames True Blue defeated Rovers II by six points to nil, while in the second juniors True Blues defeated Carlton by six points to nilMr 8. Somerfield has been elected secretary of the Suburbs Football Club, vice Mr Leahy resigned. At a meeting of the Lancashire County Referee’s Society, held on February 27th last, the following questions were discussed and answered :

Q,: A half-back dropped a goal. The ball was touched in flight by an opponent and then rolled dead. Attackers claimed a fine-yards’ scrummage, defenders a knock-out at twenty-five. A : Kick-out at twenty-five, the action being passive.

Q : A three-quarter, after making a five run, and going over the line for a try, is held up in goal by a defender. In the compact of the tackle the ball was thrown forward over defender’s shoulder on his back. It then rolled forward a yard or so (towards the dead-ball line), and was pounced upon by a member of the attacking side for a try. A : This is no try, being thrown forward, but ranks as a dead ball, and should be kicked off at twenty-five. Q : Now, supposing this man stretches his arm over the defender’s shoulder and drops the ball on to the tackler’s back. It then rolls forward as above. Is this a throw forward ? A: No.

“ Touch,” in the New Zealand Times, write® as follows : — Wellington football has an unenviable reputation for roughness, but it has seldom, if ever, been demonstrated to such an extent as was the case last Saturday. There seems to be a taint coursing through the veins of senior footballers which requires a very strong prescription to thoroughly eradicate. A few salutary lessons would have the desired effect, for if the growing tendency to rough play is not at once checked it will ultimately ruin the game

altogether. Hard knocks must always be ex ‘ expected in the Rugby game, and no exception is taken to what may be termed “ willing ” play ; but when deliberate and cowaidly attempts to cripple a player are made then surely it is time to take such rigid measures as will forever crush out such conduct. The same remarks may well apply to several matches recently played in Auckland and the Upper Thames. The element of roughness is becoming too prominent of late. Referees should do all in their power to put a stop to it, as it must in time absolutely spoil the game.