Lacrosse.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 2 August 1900, Page 8

Lacrosse.

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Coverpoint.]

THE CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLES. GRAFTON EASILY IBEATS PARNELL. FONSONBY, AFTER A GREAT STRUGGLE, BEAT NORTH SHORE.

All the matches passed off successfully on Saturday afternoon. Owing to the few counter attractions, a large crowd assembled on the Domain Cricket Ground, and it presented a very animated sight. The managing committee made .. a mistake in according the Parnell-Grafton match / the pride of position. The game on No 1 ground, / in front of the pavilion is about the only one that can be watched with any comfort, and no doubt those who watched for the first time a game of lacrosse must have been disappointed. The Ponsonby-North Shore match resulted in a great struggle, the former narrowly winning by 1 point. This was. one of the most exciting and interesting games yet played here. Grey Lynn again had to tower their flag to Suburbs. Afternoon tea ; 'was in the hands of the ladies of the Ponsonby district, and needless to say, they left nothing to bo desired. Caretaker Yates and his assistant had the ground in splendid order. North Shore v Ponsonby : Richardson (Shore) and MoOoy (Ponsonby) faced off. Play was confined to neutral territory for five minutes, then the Ponspnbyites worked their way well into the opposing ground, weak play by their homes lost a couple of easy chances to score. Ward relieved his side by throwing out at the half-way Watson got well away for the Shore and , gave Wynyard an opening, but this player could not get past Gallaher. First quarter was called, leaving play in neutral ground. Ponsonby. again pressed hard ; Alexander’s attempt to throw was checked in front of his goal, London was handy and threw, the rubber into the net; he met with a feeble resistance from the opposing goal-keeper. Shore, attack, performed even worse than their opponents, and could not get within shooting range. Half-time was called, leaving no alteration in the scores. ’ In the second half the blue and blacks got the best of the face-off, and had ; Shore’s goal looking dangerous. After a lot of ; scrambling, Ward secured and threw out danger. Fast play was then the order,. the rubber was up and down the ground very rapidly, the players of both teams giving one the impression of being in the pink of condition, they never seemed to tire. In the last fifteen minutes the defence of both had a warm time. Alexander was shifted up to the attack and made a vast difference; had the Shore skipper made this change before, results might have been changed. , Toward the end, a Ponsonby player (Eliason) was ordered off the field fora breach of the rules ; The referee should have taken this action earlier “I tie game with a prominent Shore player. Scores: Ponsonby 1 goal, North Shore nil. Mr MoVeagh gave his decisions correctly but did not ' exercise enough control. ~ Grafton v Parnell.—This was a tardy game to watch. Stewart and Ruddock started events. Grafton attacked hard for about ten minutes, and succeeded in registering a score by Graham’s aid. Fenn executed a long throw, which put Grafton’s goal in danger, The white’s attack were very dilatory in getting the ball. They could not cope with the opposing defence. Kallendar threw into mid-field, then the first change was called- Superior combination enabled the black and whites to notch another goal. Graharh was the successful manipulator. Play was fast and ope n till half-time. Second half: Parnell, directly after the face off, made matters lively for the opposing side, and Ruddock by sound play sent the rubber under the posts. This

appeared to greatly impress the Grafto lites. They never lost an opportunity. Graham added four more goals to the total and Hardingham one. The latter’s score was the result of. a brilliant piece of play. Mr P. White gave satisfaction as referee. Suburbs v Grey Lynn. —Morrin and Sayers faced off. The game was fast and open from the jump. Grey Lynn were the first to defend, and failed to check Walker, who opened the red and blacks’ account. It was easily predicted Grey Lynn would fare badly. Their same old drawback, selfish play by their captain (A. Bradly), spoilt all chance of success. Patterson, White, and Cooke defended admirably, but found the opposing attack too superior. Morrin shot number two goal for the red and blacks just before spell was announced. Second spell: Suburbs pressed their opponents hard, and from a loose scuffle near goal Morrin piloted the rubber under the uprights. Treston inaugurated a passing run, which ended in E. Bradly scoring after a smart bit of dodging. A short time elapsed, then Walker accounted for Suburbs’ fourth goal. A well-judged throw by White enabled the wearers of the red and white to get an opening, which they made good use of. EBradly shot the rubber a second time through the posts. From this out Suburbs had the best of it. Walker and Foubieter each got a goal, which made scores : Suburbs 6 goals, Grey Lynn 2 goals. Mr W. B. Eyre was an efficient referee. ■ -’NOTES. : _3 The players from the marine suburb played a far superior game to what they did against Grafton on the previous week. Taking it all through they quite held their own with their opponents. Ponsonby owe their victory to the splendid defence work of their backs. Time after time the ball would be sent to their attack, only to be returned quickly afterwards. White was at his best in goal. Coolness appears to be the chief factor in his success. W. Noton, Mason, and Gallaher were the most prominent of a good defensive combination. Lundon appeared to have a day off, I understand he was unwell. Anderson had Alexander and Kelly looking after him, so nothing much could be expected from him. For North Shore Ward (third man) rendered best service. When the ball went his way he was hardly once beaten for it, and always got a useful throw in. Eagleton played a safe game in goal. Alexander did serviceable work. He spoils his play by being a bit rough. Alex. Watson did a tremendous amount of useful work on the right attack wing. “ Tabby ” /Wynyard did not get many openings, but when he did* Nolan usually pounced upon him.,' This player does a tremendous amount of talking, and should remember there io only one captain on a side. Grafton' missed Atkinson’s services. Stewart at centre looked as though he was playing under difficulties. Roberts was the best defender, and was ably'backed up by Wilson and Roberts. Hill and Graham had the bulk of the work to do attacking, and they did it well, too. Buddock again played a useful and reliable game at centre for Parnell. Hicks, Ward, and Fenn were the pick of the backs, and Lennox, Dennison, and De Lucca were, perhaps, the beat of the attackers. Suburbs* attack has greatly improved. It was surprising to see the accurate way in which they handled the ball. Grey Lynn also showed improvement alround, and can still do with plenty more practice. Their team on Saturday was about the strongest they have yet placed on the field this season.

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Select the winners of three races by the exercise of your knowledge of racing and you will handle the gold. Just turn to page 24.