THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 14 May 1908, Page 12

THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

The defeat of the City fifteen at the hands of the Ponsonbyites has been the chief subject in football circles during the week. While admittedly the best team won, it must be frankly confessed that the score cannot be taken as an indication of the difference between the two teams. City’s weakness to a large extent lay in the fault of their backs, who failed to make anything like the. showing of the Ponsonby rear division, who lessened the work of their forwards considerably. Whereas the Ponsonby fifteen snapped up every opportunity and put it to advantage, the City men, though afforded plenty of chances, utterly failed in this respect, an unusual thing for the red and blacks. The Ponsonby forwards played hard games, Sellars putting in some particularly fine work. “ Scotchy” McDonald grafted consistently throughout, getting through an immense amount of work. Gillett played a sterling game, and was always in the thick of it. Of the backs Webb earned special distinction, playing a heady game. Bater was responsible for some good work, while Murray played a rattling game. Carlaw got through all he was called upon to do in creditable style, and made no mistakes. Phillipps was rather weak at full, and showed out poorly. Of the City forwards Walsh stood out most prominent, and made the pace hot from the start. Coleman was nothing short of disappointing, and was of little use to his side. In the rear division R. Magee shone out most conspicuously.

A large number of Rugby enthusiasts turned out to witness the match between Parnell and North Shore, which took place on the Devonport football ground. An even game was looked forward to, but, contrary to expectations, the Shoremen were returned victors by a fairly large margin. The afternoon was an ideal one for football, the rain keeping off till after the match. The Shoremen were able to put a strong combination into the field, the forwards being an active lot with plenty of weight, while the inclusion of Murfitt, the hardy threequarter off the H.M.S. Pioneer, in the rear division, was a considerable help to the green and whites. The Parnell fifteen were without the services of Kinder and Glasgow, two hard-graft-ing forwards.

Parnell winning the toss took advantage of the wind and sun, but failed to make the best of their opportunity, half-time being called with the scores even—three points each —a try secured by Wells for the Shore, while Hardwick kicked a penalty goal for Parnell. The second spell the Shoremen played a hard game right up to the call of time, tries being notched in turn by Todd, Wynyard, Woodward, and Jackson, the latter’s try being converted by Warbrick. The game ended: North Shore, 17; Parnell, 3.

The game could by no means be cal ed a good exhibition of football, the sweeping rushes of the Shore forwards being about the most creditable feature of the match. The green and whites thoroughly deserved their win, as their forward division kept matters going with untiring energy, playing a hard game throughout, and being of great use to their backs. The Parnell forwards lacked weight and did not displev the vigour of their heavier opponents, although for the first quarter of an hour they seemed more than capable of holding their own. The maroons were undoubtedly handicapped by the playing of two five-eighths, whereas the extra man in the forwards would certainly have been of invaluable service in checking the attacking tactics of the opposing team’s forward division. The form of the Parnellites was considerably below that of the previous Saturday, while on the other hand the Shoremen showed much improvement as compared with their display against the University fifteen. Had the maroons displayed true form, however, the result must surely have been altogether different. * * * *

Among the Shore forwards A. Wells played a serviceable game, while Griffen toiled particularly hard throughout. Warbrick, a last year’s first ju-

nior, showed that he is quite up to senior form, putting in some useful work.

Of the backs D. Miller was undoubtedly the pick, and his welljudged kicking and sound defence saved his side on many occasions. Murfitt, at centre threequarter, got through a good deal of work in a capable manner, while H. Wynyard was responsible for a tricky display.

Of the Parnell forwards the most noticeable were Muir and Tonks, both of whom put in some solid graft.

Among the Parnell backs Fox, at half, played a plucky game, while Twiname rendered valuable assistance with his clever line kicks.

Newton and University met on No. 2 ground at Alexandra Park, and after a poorly exhibition of football the latter team had a somewhat lucky win by 10 points to 9. The game was mostly fought out among the forwards, and proved an uninteresting match to watch. With the exception of Wolfgram -the Newton backs failed to make anything but a second-rate display. The red and white forwards shone out at times, but could do with a little more combination. The ’Varsity forward division showed marked inferiority to their opponents, and had it not been for the brilliant showing of their backs the students would undoubtedly have met a bad defeat.

Wilson proved the star of the University team, and was successful in placing a try and two goals (from tries) to his credit. His pace and clever handling of the ball plainly showed that he has lost none of his old-time dash. “ Morry” and Allan Gray were both responsible for some smart pieces of work for the pale blues.

Of the Newton rear division Wolfgram gave a most creditable display, and his try was well deserved. Linkhorn, a last year’s first junior, played solidly on the wing forward, and more than justified his inclusion in the senior fifteen.

NOTES.

Messrs. Sanders, Donaldson and Atkin are the new advisory committee of the A.R.U. as far as junior football is concerned.

Mr. H. Jones has been re-elected sole selector of junior representative teams. The right man in the right place.

It is suggested that a big Rugby match be played in Auckland during the visit of the American fleet. The suggestion has more sense in it than some which have been submitted.

The annual meeting of the N.Z. Rugby Union takes place at Wellington to-day. Messrs. Sheahan, Gallaher, Murray and Langsford have gone South to attend.

An Otago team will visit Auckland this season.

The English football team is due to arrive in Wellington by the lonic next Monday. The opening match against Wairarapa takes place on the 23rd inst.

On Saturday’s showing Ponsonby’s chance for the premiership may be regarded in the light of what is generally known as “ a moral.”

The new stand for the officials at Alexandra Park is a great boon, and tends to relieve the press box of the strain that used to be placed upon it. A wind shield would be a boon, however.

The sum of £lO4 was taken at the gates at Alexandra Park on Saturday.

Webb, a promoted junior, played a fine game for Ponsonby on Saturday. He made a very “nippy” halfback, passing out very cleanly, while his kicking was very fine.

Gillett has rarely been seen to greater advantage than in Saturday’s match. With a roving commission he

was here, there, and everywhere, being always prompt to profit by his opponents’ mistakes. The goal from half-way was a “ dandy,” even allowing for the wind in his favour.

Mr. A. Campbell, who acted as referee for the Ponsonby-City match, in his desire to keep the game open, appeared to allow several breaches of the rules to go unchecked. It appeared to the onlookers that no less than three of the Ponsonby tries were, to say the least of it, very doubtful ones. Two were undoubtedly the result of knocks-on, while in a third instance the ball was picked out of the scrum.

The City Club was represented on Saturday by the weakest senior team it has put in the field for several years. The forwards were only indifferent, and the tackling oy the backs very feeble. Another reason for their easy defeat was the uncertain handling of the ball, in which they compared badly with their opponents.

It is rumoured that “ Micky” Kiernan has decided to don the jersey for the Grafton Club. Should this prove correct the crack half-back will be a strong acquisition to the black and white’s rearguard.

The second round will see the City back division strengthened by the inclusion of Seeling, brother to the popular skipper of the red and black combination, who will make his appearance on the wing-threequarter.

Wilf. Wright, a promising Ponsonby first junior forward, severely injured his kneecap in the match against the Parnell seconds on Saturday. He is progressing as favourably as can be expected under the circumstances, but the accident in question will possibly spoil his chances of a trip to Australia with the Ponsonby team at the end of the season, a voyage which in all probability he would have been called upon to make as emergency for the blue and blacks.

The City Club can boast of putting nine teams on to the field this season. First of all there is the senior fifteen. Next comes the red and blacks’ first junior team, while also playing in the second grade competition is the Marist Bros.’ Old Boys’ team, which has affiliated with the City Club. In the third grade City have their own thirds and the Marist Bros.’ seconds. In the fourth grade competition no less than four teams are playing under the jurisdiction of the City Club, viz., two of their own fourth teams and an Alexandra and a St. Patrick’s fifteen, the latter two teams having become affiliated.

Two days before the Anglo-Welsh team left England the Brixton Cricket Club, through their skipper, presented their president, Mr. G. H. Harnett, manager of the coming football team, with a quart loving-pot, on which was inscribed: “Presented to George H. Harnett, by the members of the Brixton C.C., on the occasion of his leaving England for New Zealand, as manager of the Rugby Union football teain, April 3, 1908.”

According to the “ Referee” the Anglo-British team’s programme in Australia is: August 5, Western Union, at Bathurst; Bth, New South WaJles team (to visit England), at Sydney; 12th and 15th, Queensland, at Brisbane; 19th, Northern R.U., at Newcastle; and 22, Metropolitan team, at Sydney (prior to which the N.S. Wales team will have left for England).

The table given below shows the number of international matches played by each country, with the results. Scotland is at the top of the list, but WaJles is fast coming up:

Wales, having beaten England, Scotland, and Ireland this year, takes the international championship. • * ♦ » The Welsh Rugby Union has asked for twelve matches with the New South Wales Rugby Union team, and has arranged the international match Wales v. New South Wales for December 12, probably at Cardiff.

Mchs. Won. Lost. Dm, Ireland . . . . . . 86 25 56 5 Wales . 72 36 32 4 England ... . 92 42 38 12 Scotland .. . 90 50 27 13