FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 855, 26 July 1906, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

GOLDFIELDS V. AUCKLAND. There was a fine gathering of spectators to witness the match between a team from the Goldfields Rugby Union and the Auckland fifteen. The game took place on No. 1 ground, Alexandra Park, on Saturday, and proved very interesting throughout, being of a fast and even character from end to end. Auckland led off with the wind behind them. Their first score came from a good piece of play by Wilson and R. Wynyard, the latter getting over, but Wilson’s attempt to add the major points failed. Gillett changed the scene of operations to the Auckland 25, and the visitors getting a free kick Dufty kicked a nice goal. Fast following up by Wilson gave him a try, but Eaton’s kick just failed. In the second half play was very fast and even. Ultimately as the result of a strong attack, Flynn scored a try for the visitors, which Dufty failed to convert. Flynn had a good chance a little later, but slipped, and the ball was centred. The visitors’ next score was the outcome of a passing run by Darby, Flynn and Fosster, the latter scoring, while Dufty added a fine goal. Auckland promptly rallied, and amidst much excitement the Wynyards and Kiernan bore down on the line, the latter getting over. As Eaton kicked a goal, the points were even, and the play at the close was fast and furious. Right on time Auckland had a penalty goal given against them, and Dufty kicking a goal won the match for the visitors by 14 points to 11. The City team had a close call in their final match n Sydney against the crack Sydney fifteen. All through the first spe'l the Auckanders were almost constriving on the defence. Cann and Berlegh both crossed the line and scored tries, but neither were converted. Just before half-time Magee kicked a penalty goal. The second hsAlf was very even, and the game was much faster. A fine run by Smith and G'adding gave the latter a chance, and he was able to ground the ball behind the posts. Magee had an easy task to convert. Just on time the City men were hemmed in, and McMahon from a free kick came within an ace of landing a goal for Sydney, but the balll struck the post. City thus scoring a lucky win by 8 points to 6. • * * * The opinion is generally held that football in Auckland is a good deal below the standard of a few seasons ago. The narrow wins of the crack City team against some of the Sydney clubs either points to a great improvement in the latter or else to the deterioration of play here, for it must not be forgotten that the City men are far better than any of the other local fifteens. Some seasons ago I prophesied that Auckland would have a “ slump” in football, basing this upon the remarkable number of junior matches that were allowed to go by default, and there is strong ground for believing that the forecast was not without truth. However, we must hope that with a strong infusion of country players Auckland may be able to hold its own against the visiting teams from the South. The forwards should be good enough, but where are the backs to come from ? * « A * Dufty played a fine game for the Goldfields team on Saturday. His goal-kicking was a very special feature, and should earn him a place in the rep. team. * * » * The Goldfields forwards were a lot of grafters, and it was owing to their solid work that Auckland was defeated on Saturday. • * * * The A and B junior teams had a practice match on Saturday, when the B team won easily by 17 points to 6. * * * * Prince Albert defeated University by 3 tries to 1. Auckland Grammar School beat King’s College by 9 points to nil. * « « * At Te Awamutu, Kihikihi beat Otorohanga by 17 points to 5, and thus won the Waipa Rugby Union competition. *.* • * Rotorua played a very even game with Piako on Saturday, winning by 6 points to 3. * * * * The crack Sydney University team visits Dunedin this season, and may come on here. A return match between City and the visitors would draw the town.

The following are the teams selected by Mr D. Gaillaher for next Saturday’s matches :— Against Thames (at Alexandra Park): Fullback, Renwick; threequarters, G. Smith, Wi'son, Magee ;• five-eighths, R. and W. Wynyard; halfback, H. Kiernan ; wing-forward, W. Tyler; forwards, Dunning, G. Tyler, Francis, Eaton, Maguire (City), Maguire (Grafton), Trevarthen. Against Northern Wairoa (at Dargaville): Full-back, Miller; threequarters, Gladding, Twiname, Rowe; five-eighths, Todd and Bater; halfback, E. Young; wing-forward, Barclay; forwards, MacCormick, Mackrell, Marshall, Kinder, Herring, Hooper, McDonald. Emergencies: Forwards, Williams and Vosper; backs, Little and Riley. Messrs Cary, Forster, and Callinan have picked the folilowing team to play against Waihi under Australian ru'les on the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday : —Eden : Welch, A. Buttle, Callnan, Schofield, R. W. Cary, George. Imperials : P. Lawson, W. R. Forster, C. Stevens, T. Birch, S. Spence, J. Wilson. Australs: Stewart, Abfalter, A. Moss, Wadsworth, Montieth, A. Strange. Emergencies: Park (Imperials), and Glenister (Imperials). * * * * Playing under Association rules Ponsonby and North Shore had a very even match, neither side being able to score. * * * * Corinthians rather easily defeated Thistle by 5 goals to 1. * * * ♦ Olympia beat North Shore 11. by 3 goals to 1. * * * * City beat Ivanhoe after a fast game by 3 goals to 2. * * * * Australs met Imperials under Australian rules, the former winning somewhat easily by 10 goals 28 behinds to 4 goals 10 behinds. * * * * The following junior team has been chosen to play against Waihi juniors next Saturday:—H. F. Forster, W. Rutherford, T. Mason, O. Clark, B. Bernie, B. Sloman, F. Rutherford (from the Grafton juniors), A. Bettis, H. Rutherford, T. Cole, J. Cox, G. Cotton, D. Kell, D. Winter, D. Ivil, M. Fogarty, T. Winter, and G‘. Bettis (from Austral juniors); emergencies, D. McKay and D. Miller.