THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1001, 13 May 1909, Page 12

THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

Splendid weather prevailed on Saturday for the opening of the 1909 Rugby football season, but the exhibitions given by the various teams were of rather a poor standard, while the lack of interest in the matches was evidenced by the limited number of onlookers. With the exception of the City and Ponsonby fifteens the teams entered for the senior grade district championship are fairly evenly matched, and the struggle for third position should, therefore, be a keenly-fought one. University, Parnell and North Shore seem to be the three teams that will fight out the finish for third honours, while Grafton and Newton are certain to be close up. The chief match of the season, of course, will eventuate when the City •and Ponsonby teams meet, as both of these fifteens are again this year very strong, and may be relied upon to furnish the football-loving public with a rattling good game later on in the season. Both teams possess a very powerful forward combination, but the Ponsonby back division is regarded as superior to that of the red and blacks. A better idea of the relative merits of the two teams will be gained as the season progresses, and by the time fixed for their first meeting there should be no difficulty in making up one’s mind as to which way the issue will go.

Well, to return to Saturday’s matches, as already stated, the displays given by the different teams were disappointing, although brilliant football is not by any means looked for on the opening day, as it is a wellknown fact that- the players have not acquired the combination essential for a first-rate exhibition. The results of all three matches —University-New-ton. Ponsonby-Grafton, and CityNorth Shore —were fully anticipated, and there were no surprises in the senior grade, the scores indicating that there is little or no difference as regards strength compared with last year. University’s defeat of Newton was not very pronounced, the red and whites pressing the students very hard on many occasions, while the winners cannot be said to have played up to senior grade form. City’s win over North Shore, which now includes a number of last year’s juniors, was a foregone conclusion, as was also Ponsonby’s easy victory over Grafton. It was not, therefore, surprising that the public failed to roll out in large numbers to witness the opening matches, but as a marked improvement in the rlay is certain to take place during the next couple of Saturdays, larger attendances at Alexandra Park and North Shore may be safely counted upon. UNIVERSITY, 10 points, v. NEWTON, 0. Most interest on Saturday centred in the University-Newton match, played on No. 1 ground. University won the toss and decided to defend the western goal, having in their favour a slight breeze and the sun at their backs. At the commencement play was fairly even, and mostly centred near half-way. However, after a good deal of line-outs and scrums, the monotony was broken by Gordon (Newton) taking a shot at goal, which, however, was without success. The game began to liven up a bit, and University set up a determined attack, and a passing run amongst the backs saw Gray centre nicely, and Wilkes following up smartly, he scored tween the posts. Wilson converted: University, 5 points; Newton, 0. Newton then got on several nice rushes, which, in the majority of cases, were headed by Linkhorn, who was playing a splendid game on the wing. Gordon had another attempt at goal, but without success, and ’Varsity gained much-needed relief. For a time Newton looked dangerous, but faulty handling amongst the backs spoiled whatever chances they had. Just before halftime ’Varsity assumed the upper hand, and when the whistle blew were giving the red and whites an anxious . time of it. Soon after the resumption of play Newton set up a determined attack, and the blues were compelled to force twice within a couple of minutes. Play then became very tame, the only item of interest being a little passing amongst the 'Varsity backs, but this was very seldom. Just on call of time ’Varsity worked play into Newton’s terri-

tory, and Wilkes, picking up the ball, transferred to Poananga, who gave it to Wilson, and the latter scored right in the corner. He took the kick and placed a magnificent goal, the game ending: University, 10 points; Newton, 0.

From a spectator’s standpoint the game was not by any means exciting, although it must ‘be admitted that one could not expect a first-class exhibition in the opening match- There can be no doubt but that the best team won, and University gives promise of better things in the near future. There was very little to choose between forwards, although the ’Varsity hookers secured the ball more often than their opponents. Of the Varsity forwards Dineen showed up prominently, while amongst the backs Wilson and Wilkes accomplished plenty of serviceable work. Of the Newtonites McNab was always prominent in the backs, and L’nkhorn in the forwards played a grand game. He was always on the ball, but was not supported by his comrades so well as he should have been. PONSONBY, 29 points, v. GRAFTON, 0. This match was decided on No. 2 ground, and it proved to be the foregone conclusion it was anticipated. Deans set the game going, and for a time play remained in neutral territory, but the blue and blacks soon began to show their superiority, and their opponents were placed on the defensive. The game had not been in progress long when Webb picked up the ball and sent it on to Bater, and the latter passed to O’Leary, who, after beating a couple of the opposing backs, transferred to Murray, the latter scoring. O’Leary added the major points: Ponsonby, 5; Grafton, 0. Shortly afterwards Grafton were penalised, and O’Leary, from a very difficult angle, potted a beautiful goal: Ponsonby, 8; Grafton, 0. The game was decidedly one-sided, and but for the passing of the Ponsonby backs would have been very uninteresting. From a scrum in Grafton territory Webb got the ball and passed to O’Leary, and the last-named, sending it on to McGregor, another try was registered. O’Leary failed with the kick: Ponsonby, 11; Grafton, 0. At this stage the Grafton centre-forward (McGuire) received an injury to his shoulder and had to retire. The scoring of the Ponsonby team was getting monotonous, and Morse picked up the oval, and passed to Bater, who scored. O’Leary converted: Ponsonby, 16; Grafton, 0. The blue and blacks then indulged in a nice bit of passing. Francis got the leather and passed to Webb, and it then travelled to Morse, Bater, O’Leary and McGregor, the latter scoring. O’Leary failed to convert: Ponsonby, 19; Grafton, 0. On resuming after the interval. Ponsonby again had matters all their own way, and within ten minutes had registered another 10 points, O’Leary scoring twice, one of which he converted himself, while Gillett added the major points on the last occasion. It was then decided to close the game with the score reading: Ponsonby, 29; Grafton, 0.

This could hardly be termed a match, there being only one team in it from beginning to end. Although playing an uphill game, the Graftonites are to be praised, as many a team would not have taken things so seriously. It would be hard to particularise the individual play of the Ponsonbyites, as they had nothing to beat, and, of course, all showed up well. Gillett and McGregor were conspicuous for Ponsonby, and McGuire, up till the time of his retirement, and Renwick, were perhaps the best of the Grafton team. CITY, 32 points, v. NORTH SHORE, 0. At Devonport the North Shore fifteen were pitted against City, and a very merry time they had of it. Shortly after the game started it was very evident that it was not a question of who would win, but how many City would win by. At the commencement the supporters of the North Shore team had their hopes raised by seeing City placed on the

defensive. However, the game soon had a different aspect, and City, taking charge of the ball, it was very evident that the home team was going to be kept very busy. City’s first score was registered by Waddel, as a result of a run started by Tobin. Magee converted: City, 5 points; North Shore, 0. City were awarded a penalty, and Magee, taking the shot, he piloted the leather over the bar: City, 8; North Shore, 0. Magee made a splendid opening and transferred the ball to Seeling, who sent it on to Roope, the latter scoring. Magee was again successful with the kick: City, 13; North Shore, 0. The game had hardly been set in motion again before Stewart snapped up the leather and dashed across. Magee, who was in great form, again converted: City, 18; North Shore, 0. From a scrum near the Shore goal City heeled out, and Tobin walked in unopposed. Magee again piloted the ball over the bar: City, 23: North Shore, 0. Halftime was then called. On the resumption of play Shore livened up a bit, and although practically always on the defensive, gave a much better display than in the first half- The visiting backs started a nice piece of passing, and Tobin got across the line, but was called back. Not to be denied. City kept up the attack, and Stewart making an opening, Magee scored, bur failed to convert: City, 26; North Shore, 0. No sooner had the ball been kicked off than Estall picked up and, baffling all opposition, scored. S. Magee failed: City, 29; North Shore, 0. Almost immediately Magee marked in front of the goal, and placed another goal to his credit: City, 32; North Shore, 0. Shortly afterwards . ne bell rang.

This game was similar to the Pon-sonby-Grafton match, and calls for very little comment, as the Shore team had no chance from the time the whistle sounded to start. The frequency with which the Citv men crossed their opponents’ line, coupled with the excellent goal-kicking of R. Magee, took all interest out of the match. However, taking into consideration that the local men had no chance, they did not despair, and played the game right up to the finish. Of the City team Seeling (forward) and Magee (back) were always in the game, while for the Shore G. Seagar (forward) and Wynyard and Coleman (backs) worked well. SECOND GRADEPonsonby 11. defeated North Shore 11. by 15 points to nil. Parnell 11. scored a victory over Grafton 11. by 23 points to 8. City 11. beat University 11. by 23 points to nil. Marist Brothers won their match with Newton 11. by 9 points to nil. THIRD GRADE. City 111. defeated Marist Brothers by 8 points to 6Manukau had a win over North Shore 111. by 17 points to nil. FOURTH GRADE. Parnell IV. beat Grafton IV. by 6 points to nil.