FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

Although dull, the weather was fine for the continuation of the Auckland Rugby Union competitions, and there was an entire absence of wind. Two of the senior matches were very evenly contested, one, indeed, resulting in a surprise. The match between North Shore and Ponsonby on No. 1 ground at Alexandra Park was expected to give rise to a very keen struggle, and so indeed it proved. At the outset there was a lot of very even work. Eventually the Ponsonby men swept down the ground, the result being a try at the hands of Wilson, but Francis failed with his kick. On changing ends North Shore attacked, and after some smart play by Todd and Irivine, the ball went over the line and Neighbour scored, Miller adding the major points. Some quick exchanges followed, which was ended by Clarke kicking a goal from a mark for North Shore. Ponsonby rallied strongly, and getting the benefit of a penalty, Francis put the leather over the bar. This only served to put more life into Shore, who came again with a rush, and Clarke added another goal from a mark. ’When time was called no further scoring had been done, North Shore winning by 11 points to 6. * * * * Newton was expected to have a soft game on against Parnell, but for once the pot boiled over. After some fairly even play at the commencement, Newton got on a fine passing run, in which Trevarthen, Redwood, and Rowe were conspicuous, the latter scoring behind the posts, but Farrant made a very poor kick. Directly afterwards, as the result of a pretty passing run by Wolfgram and Rowe, the latter scored for Newton, Trevarthen kicking a nice goal. Parnell were kept strongly on the defensive, but eventually relieved at a half time the score was unaltered. On resuming Parnell played up much better, and Todd managed to land a goal from a mark. Encouraged by this success, Parnell made valiant efforts to equalise the score, and a fine passing rush was set up by Plugge, Foubister and Todd, the latter getting over the Newton line near the corner.

Although the angle was a difficult one, Todd landed a beautiful goal. Both teams from this out made matters very willing. Todd, Twiname, and Smith were conspicuous in a fine rush, the latter with a great dash taking the ball over the Newton line, but Todd failed to convert. Todd had soon after to leave the field injured, but Parnell managed to keep at the strong Newton attacks, and when the whistle sounded were left victorious by 11 points to 8.

City fairly ran over Grafton, winning by 31 points to nil. The latter team were outclassed in every department, but especially in the back division. Tries were secured by Gladding (3), Nicholson, Seeling, Fitzsimmons, Tyler, and Little. Magee converted one of these, and also kicked a penalty goal. * * * * PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ MATCHES. A Grade. Ponsonby beat Onehunga by 14 points to nil. Newton East beat Beresford-street by 10 points to 3. Nelson-street and Grafton played a drawn game—3 points each. Remuera beat Pitt-street by 3 points to nil. Napier-street beat Richmond Road by 15 points to nil. Normal School beat Parnell by 14 points to nil. B Grade. Newmarket beat Bayfield by 18 points to nil. Epsom beat Mangere by 12 points to nil. Ellerslie beat Chapel-street by 5 points to nil. * * * * North Shore 11. beat Ponsonby 11. by 11 points to nil. Parnell 11. defeated Newton 11. by a goal and two tries to nil. City 11. beat Grafton 11. by 10 points to nothing. * * * IENorth Shore 111. won against Newton by default. Parnell 111. beat Ponsonby 111. by 12 points to 6. * * * * Grafton IV. defeated City IV. by 6 points to 4. Ponsonby IV. beat North Shore IV. by 6 points to 3. * * * * At Dunedin, Alhambra (6 points) beat Kaikorai (nil), Southern (8 points) beat Union (nil), University (13 points) beat Zingari-Richmond (3 points), Port Chalmers (9 points) beat Pirates (3 points). * * * * It was too sloppy at Christchurch on Saturday even for football, and all the matches were postponed. * X » The senior Rugby matches at Wellington on Saturday resulted thus: Melrose beat Athletic by 8 points to nil, Petone beat Oriental by 8 points to 3, Wellington and Victoria College playe 1 a drawn game (6 points each), and Old Boys and Southern played a draw (no score). * * * inPlaying under Association rules, Corinthians and Tabernacle had a drawn game, each side scoring two goals. Thistle and Ponsonby also played an even game, a draw resulting with one goal each. W.Y.M.I. beat Tabernacle by 3 goals to 1. City defeated North Shore by 4 goals to 1. W.Y.M.I. B team defeated Olympics by 2 goals to 1. * * * * Playing under Australian rules Eden beat Imperials by 8 goals and 9 behinds to 5 goals and 8 behinds. Grafton proved too good for Austral, winning by 23 points to 11.