FOOTBALL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 690, 28 May 1903, Page 7

FOOTBALL

(By

"Scrutator.”)

FIXTURES. July 18 —Against New south Wales. July 22—Against Combined Country Team. July 25—Against New South Wales. July -29—Against a City Team. August 1 to B—Against8—Against Queensland Re preservatives. August 12—Against Combined Northern Districts of New Soutb Wales. August 15—Against Whole of Australia, at Sydney. Prior to the match between England and Scotland on Match 21st, the annual meeting of the International Rugby Board, which consists of six members from the English Rugby Union and two each from those of Scotland, Ireland and Wales, was held at the Greyhound Hotel, Richmond. Mr H. S. Tyne (Waleq) presided, and the others present were : Messrs Mark Newsome, W. Cail, E. T. Gordon, J. W. H. Thorp, C. A. Crane, and G. Rowland Hill (England), T. Williams (Wales), Rev. R. S. “Davidson and J. A. Smith (Scotland), and H. C. Sheppard and J. B. Moore, who acted as hon. secretary (Ireland). The resolution of most interest to this colony was as follows : —Proposed by Mr G. Rowland Hill (England), seconded by Mr W. Cail (England) : “ That the Unions provisionally keep open dates for representative matches with the proposed team from New Zealand.”

In a recent game at Newtown Park a forward rushed the ball over the line and then fell on it with his diaphragm (writes “Touch,’’ in the “New Zealand Mail”). He got up and walked away while his opponents stood by not knowing their luck. Presently a lad came up to place the ball, and when he put his hand on the ball to pick it up he scored the try. For better diffusion of knowledge the referee told the lad that he had s<ored the try, not the player who rushed the ball across the line. The lad seemed to think there was a joke in it somewhere. Possibly, though (to use the expressive schoolboy diction) he srnmined the matter up by saying that “ the bloke with the whistle was a bit balmy !”

A writer in the “ Waimate Witness” remarks :—“ Apropos of insurance, it isi considered by not a few that the different accident insurance companies doing business in .the colony do not insure footballers on reasonable terms. A shilling a player for each match is pretty stiff, and unless the rates are modified footballers will be justified, we think, in striking out on new lines in regard to this safeguard. It is probable that the Taranaki Union will

take the matter up and form an accident insurance fund, to be regulated by the Management Committee on the lines of a special subscription by the affiliated clubs according to the number of their playing teams. Of course, in such a matter there would need to be unanimity amongst the different clubs, but if it ca.n be shown that the present rates can be justified, as we think they can, none qf them will bo found unwilling to take it up. Besides the decrease in rates, such a scheme, if worked properly would be advantageous, inasmuch that the present collecting Business would be done away with, and thus relieve the secretaries of a great deal of trouble and work.”

Eighteen thousand people witnessed an exhibition of the Victorian game between the Fitzroy and Collingwood teams, which was played in Sydney on Saturday last. Fitzroy won by 61 points to 45. The supporters of the game are making great efforts to popularise it in New South Wales, but Rugby has a very strong hold indeed on the affections of the people. An exhibition game between crack teams may draw a big gate for the sake of the novelty, but I doubt whether the twenty a-side game will ever supersede “ Rugger.”

GRAFTON V. CITY

The contest for the Auckland District Cup was ’continued on Saturday, at Alexandra Park, and resulted in an easy victory for City by 16 points to_ nil. Mr Campbell acted asi referee. Grafton won the toss, and decided to play with the wind behind them. The kick-off was returned by McKenzie into City’s 25, where Grafton had, during the next few minutes several chances to score. On one occasion one ofthe Black and Whites, when near the goal line, kicked too hard, and the leather was sent over the dead-ball line. A short time after Kiernan marked, and, with a splendid kick sent the ball into touch. City’s forwards rallied, and carried the leather into their opponent’s territory, where Young picking up passed to Magee, who transferred the ball to George, and then Tyler, who dashed over the line and fell on it. The referee, however, did not blow his whistle for a try, as the ball was in touch-in-goal when it was grounded. The Black and Whites then became the aggressors, and gradually pressed their adversaries back, until McKenzie in punting for the line sent the ball into touch-in-goal. George returned the kick-off, and Grafton with a strong forward rush broke through and charged

Itl k ........ ■ . **' down the field, only to be stopped by Stevens, who relieved by punting into touch. Some time after Asher got- the leather, but while running across the field was floored by McGregor. From a throwin that followed Kiernan marked, and Huddlestone had a shot at goal, but failed to convert. Some splendid kicking then took place between the opposing backs. The Red and Blacks then made a fine rush, from which Tyler managed to secure City’s first try. Scott succeeded in kicking" a goal, the ball hitting the post and bouncing over the bar. (City 5, Grafton o). Grafton again kicked off, and following up tvey kept City playing a defensive game for the next few minutes. Tyler then got the ball from a throw-in, and relieved the Red and Blacks by punting into touch. The game was ' then delayed, Kiernan, Grafton’s half-back being hurt. Soon after King came on the field and took his place. Magee then kicked into touch, and the bell rang ending the first speT. Changing around Grafton set the ball rolling, and following up .they forced City back into their own territory. McGregor then got away, and dashing down the field he dodged Asher, only to be collared by George'. The Black and Whites then put in some neat passing runs. Grafton was awarded a free kick, which was taken by King, who punted into touch. Soon after the leather was kicked into midfield by the Red and Blacks,and Asher following up tackled McKenzie before he had got the ball. City was again penalised, Stevens then stopped a strong forward rush by Grafton, and kicked into touch at the half-way line. The Red and Blacks then put in a nice passing run(, and George getting the ball outpaced the opposing backs, and scored near the corner. Scot? failed to convert, (ity 8, Grafton o.) Some fine forward rushes then followed, until Stevens punted over the line at the half-way flag. City then kept up a running fire of charges, gradually driving their adversaries into their own territory. Tyler then kicked over the goal line, and Robinson relieved by forcing. Play was again resumed in the City’s 25, wher®Asher, getting away, looked very like scoring when King upset him. A succescession of scrums ensued near Grafton’s goal line. .. Soon after the Black and Whites were given a free kick, and King punted into touch. The relief was however only momentary, Grafton being soon compelled to act on. the defensive again. The ball was then kicked into • mid-field, and Asher sprinting up. got the ball /and dashed over the goal line. Scott took the kick, but failed to register a goal. (City 11. Grafton o?) Not long after City’s backs got the ball out to Asher, who scored again. Scott kicked a good goal. Soon after the bell rang, and the game ended with the scores standing —(City 16, Grafton 0. NOTES. The result of the game came as a big surprise to the followers of Grafton, which team was. however, badly handicapped by the mishap to Kiernan. The team will have to show much more combination than they did on Saturday if they wish to succeed.

As usual Asher was simply invaluable to City, his splendid dashes having the effect of demoralising the opposition. The speedy three-quarter should be a strong candidate for inclusion in the team for Australia later on.

NEWTON V. SUBURBS.

A rather one-sided match was played between these two ‘clubs, and the game was consequently of no particular interest, the result being regarded as a foregone conclusion. Newton won by 19 points to ©il, which might easily have been increased if the full time had been played. The try-getters were Long (2), Rowe, and Lewis, while Eaton converted two of the tries into goals.

PONSONBY V. NORTH SHORE

A very good game was played at Devonport between these teams, which were much more evenly matched than the scoring sheet suggested. At the outset the game was of a very give and take character, while scrum© were all too frequent, the interest in the contest flagging visibly. Eventually Francis had a shot at goal, but missed, and the Shore forced. This they had to repeat a few minutes later, as the result of Cowan kicking over the line. Mathieson then almost scored for Ponsonby, but was tackled, while Carlaw and Lendrum were also conspicuous on the attack. Ultimately a good passing rush by Gallagher, Cowan, Mathieson, and Lendrum gave the latter a chance, and he scored ntear the corner hag. Yeoland had a shot at Ponsonby’s goal, but missing, the Western Suburb were forced, the score remaining unaltered at halftime. Some good work by the rival forwards characterised the commencement of the second spell. Eventually Lendrum got a mark, and Francis taking the kick managed to pilot the oval across the bar. The Shore men then looked like getting in, but Currie fumbling a pass missed an almost certain try. Ultimately Polson got possession, and shooting the ball across to Mathieson, who transferred to Carlaw, the latter got in unopposed. Francis kicked the goal, and as no further scoring was done the Ponsonby men were left victors by 12 joints to nil. Mr Gif tos was referee.

In the senior football at Wellington, on Saturday, Petone (13) beat Wellington , (3|, Oriental (18) beat Athletics (3), Pon©ke (6) beat Melrose (rtil). • • • • In Saturdays football matches at Christchurch, Sydenham (3) beat Albion • \(nH), Christchurch (11) beat Old Boys (nil), Linwood (12) beat College (3), Merivale (19) beat Lyttelton (7). In the senior football competitions on Saturday, at Dunedin, Alhambra (9) beat Zlngari (3), Kaikorai (15) beat Pirates (nil), Southern (13) beat Union (nil).