Lacrosse.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 524, 9 August 1900, Page 8

Lacrosse.

IBy

Coverpoint.]

FIXTURESAugust 11. —Ponsonby v North Shore ; Grafton v Grey Lynn; Parnell v Suburbs. CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS. PONSONBY AND GRAFTON PLAY A DRAWN GAME. WINS FOB NORTH SHORE AND GREY LYNN The last series of matches for the second round of the championship were played on the Domain Cricket Ground last Saturday afternoon. The weather was not very inviting, however a large and enthusiastic crowd put in an appearance. The match played on No. 1 ground between Ponsonby and Grafton was the most keenly contested struggle ever witnessed here. Both teams had plenty of supporters As they appeared on the field prior to starting the Graftonites looked to be the smartest, and it appeared to be the general opinion they would just about snatch a victory, but it does not do to judge by looks. To give the Ponsonby team their dues they ought to have won, for they had the best of the game throughout, and were unfortunate in having a goalkeeper of Kallendar’s ability opposing them. A number of the Grafton team at the start were found to be wearing bars across the soles of their shoes or boots, and were promptly compelled to remove them under the penalty of being ordered off the field. Their action in trying to evade the rules was adversely criticised by everybody, and it is to be hoped it will be a lesson to them in future. Grey Lynn and Parnell had a very even game. The latter were greatly handicapped through having two of y their beat men away. Grey Lynn are a very game team and earned their win, and I wish them luck in the next three matches. Suburbs had to lower their flag to North Shore, as they had to do when the pair met in the first round. The Shore have improved much of late. The play started punctually to time. g|Pensonby v Grafton. — Peacock (Ponsonby) and Stewart (Grafton) set the ball going. The former got the best of the deal, and quickly sent the rubber on to his attack, who gave Grafton a lively time defending. For about five minutes a couple of dangerous shots were intercepted well by Kallendar. The ball was thrown out at halfway, and about ten minutes were lost through the Grafton team breaking the rules regarding their footwear, as mentioned above. Starting again the black and whites invaded Ponsonby’s territory, but were soon repulsed. Ponsonby kept up a hot attack till the first charge sounded. The first half of the next quarter play was mostly in Grafton’s ground, then Kalleader secured and executed a tremendous throw, which put the blue and blacks hard defending. Graham picked up and feinted cleverly, and shot at goal successfully. The opposite defence made a weak attempt to check this player. Some long throwing was now indulged in by both. Peacock, at centre for Ponsonby, was now playing brilliantly, but was not backed up well by his com rades. Half time was sounded leaving the scores, Grafton 1 goal, Ponsonby nil. Second spell: Neither side had any advantage for about ten minutes, then Lnckie brought off a clever piece •f play, which gave his attack a good opening, and after a short scramble in close proximity to Ponsonby’s goal Graham picked up cleverly and •hot a neat one. With 2 goals to their credit Grafton appeared to be content with playing a defensive game, and Graham was brought back to defend. Peacock picked up at centre, and after Anderson, McOoy, and Lundon handled the ball, the latter beat Kallendar, which made the

seores, Grafton 2, Ponsonby 1. Change ends for the last time was signalled a little later. From the jump Ponsonby made matters extremely lively, and were within an ace of scoring on several occasions. Kallendar relieved temporarily, and Peacock, intercepting the return, wriggled through half a dozen opponents about midfield, and threw to his homes. Short gave McCoy a good pass, and this player made the scores even by shooting the rubber into the net. It looked as though Ponsonby would now win, but half of Grafton’s attack went down and swarmed round the goal to prevent any further score. This they did successfully. Just on call of time Ponsonby’s goal looked to be in danger, but White saved in the nick of time. The game ended in a draw, both having scored 2 goals each. Mr W. Robinson acted as referee, and gave apparent satisfaction. Grey Lynn v Parnell: This was a ding dong go from start to finish. Treston and Hicks faced off. The game was fast from the j ump. Nothing of note occured during the first quarter, and play was distinctly even. Early in the second quarter Grey Lynn, by sheer doggedness, worked their way ihrough Parnell’s line, and E. Bradley shot first goal. Nothing of special note occurred till half-time was called. Second half Grey Lynn started auspiciously by getting well up to the desired goal, and dealt a couple of deadly shots which Goldsbro turned off beautifully. Fenn secured and threw well out of danger Play was now confined about neutral territory till the last change was called. The red and whites again broke through the opposing lines and kept up a hot fusila.de, finally E. Bradly managed to beat Goldsbro with a straight shot. The bell rang, leaving Grey Lynn winners

by 2 goals to nil. Mr G. Robinson had charge of the game. North Shore v Suburbs : Riohirdson and Foubister opened play and a series of ground scuffles took place soon after. A good throw by A. Brown compelled Shore to defend all they knew, the rubber was thrown out about centre. From the face-off Watson inaugurated a pissing run, which finally ended in Tizird scoring. Ten minutes of good lacrosse followed and then first change was announced. During the incoming quarter the marine suburb boys had the best of it, but the shooting from their homes was inaccurate. Blackler got a flukey shot home, bringing the score to 2 goals against Suburbs’ nil. Matters remained the same when spell was sounded. Second half, play was more even than in the proceeding half. Towards the end of the third quarter E. Tizard sent the rubber under the uprights, which was Shore’s third and final score. The last quarter saw some fast interesting play, but neither managed to score, the game ending in favour of North Shore by 3 goals to Suburbs’ nil. Mr R. MeVeagh was referee and gave entire content to all. NOTES. I expected to see a much better exhibition of lacrosse in the Ponsonby-Grafton game. Both were on their metal and perhaps the only thought that occurred to the majority of the weak players was to get the ball away in the direction of the goal they were attacking, not thinking whether it was going into the enemy’s hands or not. Grafton failed to bring any of those passing runs off for which they are well-known. Kallendar, in goal, played a brilliant game, and Grafton can thank this player for the small score the opposing side put up- Of the other defenders, Roberts was the only one who played decently. Stewart, at centre, at intervals did good work. He is inclined to play to the gallery too much. He would do well to remember that a throw is much better than a quick sprint on his own, for the latter he gets applause, but his side gets a disadvantage. Luckie, Graham and Atkinson did sound work on the attack. Hardingham was very weak in picking up and intercepting, and continually handled the ball, for which the opposite side got a free position. For Ponsonby, White, in goal, was not in his usual trim. Nolan and Noton did good service, as did likewise E. Mason and Gallaher. Pt acock was again the best man on the ground. It was a treat to watch him when he had the ball. Short and Latta were patchy. Grey Lynn obtained their second win of the season and there was a general all-round improvment in their play. Oossey, E. Bradley, Treston and White were prominent for sound and clever play throughout the game. Parnell appeared to take their opponents too cheaply, but only found out their mistake when too late. Fenn, Ward, Dennison and de Luccas were responsible for the bulk of,the toil. When North Shore had the game well in hand, they appeared to take things very easy. Eagleton was, as usual, safe in gaol. To Ward, Kelly and Alexander the credit is due for keeping Suburbs from scoring. The last named in particular played a careful all-round game.

“ Tabby ” Wynyard played very unselfishly to Tizard, and was always in his place when wanted- “ Jack Thomson was a tower of strength to Suburbs’ defence. Of the rest of the Suburbans, Somerfield, Walker, Foubister and A. Brown were perhaps the b’st. J. Burgess, a prominent “ tocker ” footballer, mad i his first appearance for the North Shore team and promises to be a success.

South Australia met and defeated Victoria by 8 goals to 3on July 21st. The match was at Melbourne, and created a lot of interest. Mr J. Thomson, a popular member of the Suburbs’ team, returned last week from a trip to Australia. He witnessed several important engagements while there and was greatly impressed. He states the chief drawback over there is that there are few decent grounds to play on, generally two or three inches of mud on the surface ; they rarely allow the ball to touch the ground. Mr E. J. Fenn, one of the promoters of lacrosse here, and a prominent and popular member of the Parnell club, leaves for South shortly. I hear several of our clubs will be able to . place two teams in the field next season. The membership and attendance in the Domain is increasing weekly. The following table shows the positions of the different teams competing : —

At the special general meeting of the Association on the 31st inst, it was unanimously resolved to play three ex’ra sets of matches, to count in the Championship, and to conclude the season with a rep match between two picked teams from the eastern and western districts.

Plyd W. T. D. Pts. Goals For Agst. Poneonby .. 0 9 0 1 62 9 19 Grafton .. 10 7 2 1 65 13 15 North Shore . ... 10 6 3 1 37 19 13 Suburbs .. 10 3 7 0 29 46 6 Grey Lynn ... 10 2 8 0 13 75 4' Parnell ... 10 1 8 1 13 57 3