PRACTICE MATCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 2 August 1900, Page 7

PRACTICE MATCH.

PROBABLES DEFEAT POSSIBLES. On Saturday afternoon last, a practice match was held on No 1 ground between the two teams ■elected by Mr Arneil. Play was somewhat late jn starting, owing to many of the players waiting

in town under the impression that the Rugby Union would provide drags for them. Some changes were made in the team owing to H. Smith declining to play, while G. Tyler had to refrain from participating, owing to an injury to his ribs. The places were filled by Sutherland and Scott respectively, and their places in the B team were filled by McGee and Long The game was fairly even up till the middle of the second ■pell, when the A’s seemed to get slightly the best ■of it. The B’s, however, rallied ne»r the call of time and scored, and on two other occasions went very near crossing the line t The match resulted in a win for the Probables by 17 points to 9. The full backs did not play up to expectations, especially Upton for the B’s. Donovan’s kicking was not as good as usual; his defence, however, was very sound. Of the A three-quarters, D. Hay played far and away the best game His attack and defence were both equally good, and his kicking was of the best. Sutherland acquitted himselt fairly well, but was no doubt hampered by the injury which he received to his arm during the early part of the game. Galloway had little to do, but he was not altogether a success. He played too far away from the centre three-quarter, and his weight goes greatly against his making a representative three-quarter. Asher, at five-eights, played a very good game, aqd kicked to gain ground. He made some good openings for his backs, and the try he scored v;-as very neatly obtained. Kiernan, at centre-half for the A’s, and Young or the B’s left very little to pick and choose be-

n tween each other. Young’s defence was better th&_ that of his vis-a-vis, while the Graftonites’ pass ing was better directed than was that of Young. Young was somewhat at a disadvantage, having been laid up during the latter part of the week. The A wings were all that could be desired, and Doran, as usual, got in a lot of pretty footwork. Stannaway, for the B’s played a much improved game, and at times was a tower of strength to his side. The forwards were a good lot, and Mr Arneil will have his work cut out to please. I think of those playing in the B’s on Saturday, Eaton and McGregor and Handcock should be in a place when the final selection comes round. The most improved back on the ground was Absolum. He seemed to have found his old form again, and his passing and collaring brought forth rounds of applause. He must have a great chance of representative honours if he keeps up to his present form. Another much improved back was Roberts, his attack was good and to wards the close played a really good game. Waikato played Thames at the mining centre on Saturday last, and were defeated by 42 points to nil. Buckland, Riley, and B. McGregor were the pick of the Thames backs, while McPike, Dingle, and Pike were the best of the Waikato back division. S. McGregor, Cunningham, and Oantley were most prominent in the Thames vanguard division, whilst Moore, Cox, Lovatt, and Hall, were the best of the country forwards. A match between Ohinemuri and Waihi Juniors took place at Waihi on Saturday afternoon last, and after a very evenly contested game Waihi won by 8 pointe to nil. Wellington defeated Wairarapa on Saturday last by 11 points to six. Considerable interest centered in the match between Christchurch and Sydenham, played at Christchurch on Saturday last. The came was fast throughout, and resulted in a win for Christchurch by 11 points to 6. Christchurch’s score

was made up of a penalty goal and two tries, one of which was converted, while that of Sydenham was composed of two tries. This victory gives to Christchurch the championship banner for 1900; At Dunedin, on Saturday last, Alhambra beat Southern by 10 points to nil; Kaikorai beat Dunedin by 14 points to 5 ; and Union drew with Pirates, neither side scoring. This gives Alhambra the championship for 1900 The annual football match between the Post and Telegraph departments was played at Potter’s on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a win for the Post by 16 points to nil. McDonald scored 2, and Mathieson 2, while the latter kicked a goal from the field. The Nelson Mat 7 says : —A special meeting was held by the Management Committee of the Rugby Union to investigate the charge made by a Rival member against two members of the Albion Club of offering to sell the Albion v Rival match on Saturday. The evidence on both sides was taken separately, and then all the parties were called in and their statements contrasted. There was considerable 'variation between the tales of both sides, and after the parties bad left the room, the Committee, which included two Albion representatives, assented that the evidence was against the defendants. Thereupon a resolution, “ That the two members named be suspended during the pleasure of the Union from this date (July 7,1900),” was carried unanimously. Auckland has lost a good player in P. Gerrard, who has joined the Torpedo Corps, and left for Wellington this week. H(s inclusion in the rep. team seemed almost a certainty, and I am

| sure Peter will do himself justice in the Empire Hume, the Parnell five-eighth, a young player of much promise, has left Auckland for Christchurch. . The Taranaki Rugby Union decided at a recent meeting to recommend to the New Zealand Union that an Auckland referee be appointed to officiate in the interprovincial matches to be played in Taranaki this season. On Thursday, teams representing Canterbury College and Otago University met at Christchurch. The game resulted in a win for Otago, who scored nine points to seven. The match was a good one, and produced a close struggle for -supremacy. The Canterbury and South Canterbury teams meb at Christchurch on Thursday in fine weather and on a ground in good order In the first half the Canterbury fifteen scored 8 points to nil. In the second spell the visitors went to pieces, and Canterbury had notched 39 points when the bell rang. The great feature of the game was Harper’s goal-kicking From eight tries he kicked six goals, and from a mark he struck one of the goal posts. On Saturday evening last the annual smoke concert of the North Shore District Football Club was held in the Foresters’ Hall, Devonport. There was a good attendance, and M. E. Ford, vice-president, presided. A fine musical programme was gone through, whilst numerous toasts were honoured. During the evening a presentation was made to Mr P. Gerrard, who is’ leaving the district, having joined the Torpedo Corps at Wellington. The presentation consisted of a handsome gold ring and a portmanteau. The chairman, in making the presentation, eulogised on the many sterling qualities of Mr Gerrard, both as a player and in private life. He said he was sure his loss would be greatly felt in football circles. Mr Gerrard suitably replied, and said that he hoped before long to

return to assist his district to add another victory to their banner. At a meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Union, held at Carterton on July 14, correspondence was read from the Otago Union stating that they would be unable to visit Wairarapa this season ; from Mr J. B. Emmett, resigning from the Selection Committee; from New Zealand Union, enclosing names of disqualified players from Wanganui, Horowhenua, and Marlborough Unions; from the Wellington Union, enclosing list of referees available for the WairarapaWellington match at Wellington; from South Canterbury Union, stating that they would be unabe to play on August 1, and offering £lO towards expenses if the match were played on August 2. Mr Elliott was appointed in Mr Emmett’s place on the Selection Committee. It was decided to play the return match with Wellington at Masterton on August 11. The members of the Auckland teams will meet for practice to-night (Thursday), at Buckland’s saloyard. The “A ” team eaves at 5 p.m. on Friday, returning at midnight on Satu - day. The following team has been picked to repr - sent Ohinemuri against Auckland on Saturd y next Full-back, Shaw; three-quarters, Thom, Landy, Moore; five-eights, Hockley; half-bat k, Garvey; wings, Mathias and Cock; forward , Sorensen, Douglas, McGuire, Bennett, Gordo; , McMillan, Clarkin. Emergencies : Backs, Houghton, Johnson, Flett; forwards, Brown and Hughes.

Mr .T- Arneil has chosen the following tea® to represent Auckland against Ohinemuri, on. Saturday next, at Paeroa : —Full-back, Donovan 5 three-quarters, Woods, D. Hay, Absolum; fiveeights, Asher; half-back, Kiernan ; wings, Gallagher, Doran ; forwards, H. Wilson. A. Wilson G. Tyler, Bonella, McGregor, Irvine, Brady. Emergencies : Backs: Upton, Paul, Sutherland; forwards: Eaton and Scott; The same team will do duty against the Thames on August 11. j The Wairoa team will be unable to play at Auckland on Saturday next, as many of the players are unable to make the journey to town. An attempt is being made to arrange for a Waikato team to play the “ B ” team at Potter’s on Saturday next. On the Recreation Ground, last Saturday afternoon, Napier Seniors succeeded in defeating Olive Seniors by 7 to 4, after a real good go. For the winners Irons, Bristow,. Heath, McVay, MacasHey, Bowman, Hune, and McMinn were very conspicuous, while Flavey, Joll, McCarthy, Brock, Mellior, and Cheer played well for Chve. Mr Cowell had charge of the whistle, and gave every satisfaction. Caledonians II defeated Port Ahuriri II by 20 points to nil. Mr Hallamore acted as referee. On the Spit Ground, at 1.30 p.m., Kiaora 111 beat West End No. 1 teams by 3 points to nil. Mr Fulton was in charge of the whistle. On the same Grounds, at 3 p.m., Nap er 111 defeated West End No 2 team by 8 points to 5. Mr Fulton acted as referee. —£Napier correspondent.J

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