FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1021, 30 September 1909, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

LAW v. INSURANCE. Considerable interest was taken in the annual match between the Law (“ Devil’s Own”) and Insurance (“ Fire Eaters”) representatives, which was played at Alexandra Park on Saturday in the presence of a fair number of spectators. As was to be expect ed, both teams . included some good exponents of Rugby, as well as some very moderate players, while there was a noticeable lack of condition on the part of a number of the participants. Under the circumstances the enthusiastic supporters of both sides were not allowed to go short of humorous incidents, the actions of some of the players, who perhaps were donning the jersey for the first time this season, causing no little merriment among the onlookers. The game proved a very evenly-contested one, the result being a draw, each side notching six points. Insurance won the toss and took advantage of the wind in the first half. The Law were placed on the defensive from the kick-off, and Clark securing possession, transferred to Duthie, who drew first blood for the Insurance. Nesbit was unsuccessful with the kick at goal. The Law then set to work in willing style, with the result that Insurance had an anxious time, the “ Devil’s Own” going within an ace of scoring on several occasions. However, the “Fire Eaters” managed to keep their line clear, and half-time was sounded with the score: Insurance 3, Law nilWith the wind in their favour m the second half, the Law were early on the attack, the Insurance men being hard put to to defend their goal. Finally Moore obtained the leather when in close proximity to the “Fire Eaters’” line, and, passing to Campbell, the latter broke through and scored. Basley failed with the shot at goal: Insurance 3, Law 3. 'Matters had now reached a very interesting stage, and both sides grafted hard for supremacy. The Law continuing to press hard, the Insurance made great efforts to defend their citadel, but one* of ..their kicks enabled Newell to obtain a clever mark. Basley this time made no error in piloting the ball over the bar: Law 6, Insurance 3. A great struggle then ensued, Insurance making determined attacks on the “Devil’s Own” line, and finally their efforts were rewarded, a clever piece of play between Hines and Gillies ending in the latter scoring just before time was called. Amid intense excitement the attempt at goal proved fruitless, and the game ended in a draw —6 points each. Mr. P. Mackie refereed the match. The match between the second fifteens of Law and Insurance was played as a “ curtain raiser” to the big game, and resulted in the former team winning by 11 points to 3- For the winners tries were scored by Reynolds, Bull and Ross, one of which was converted by Oakley, while Pycroft notched Insurance’s only try. Mr. R. McGregor fulfilled the duties of referee. In the evening a dinner was held at “ The Tiffin,” when the usual toasts were honoured, and a musical programme was carried out. COUNTRY MATCHES. At Paeroa, the match between the Paeroa and Karangahake representatives was won by the former team by 9 points to 6, after a vigorous game. For Paeroa, Clarke kicked a goal from the field, while Brenan scored a try which was converted by McDonald. For the losers tries were obtained by Gribble and Bramble. Paeroa have now won the Sharebrokers’ Cup for 1909. At Waihi a representative match was played between Waihi and Waikino, and was won by the former team by 12 points to 9. For the winners Johnson scored a try, while Hyde kicked three penalty goals. For Waikino tries were notched by Hill, Nichol and Burns. At Rotorua, the final rep. match <*f the season was played, when the Rotorua team defeated the Te Puke fifteen by 13 points to 3. THE GAME IN THE SOUTH.

At Napier the return match between the Napier and Hastings representatives was won by the former team by 13-points to 5.

At Palmerston North the final match for the Abrahams Cup resulted in the Old Boys’ Football Club defeating Palmerston by 11 points to 5.

The Wellington football season was closed on Saturday, when a Charity cup match was played between the Poneke fifteen, winners of the 1909 championship, and tbe Pet one team, runners-up. The Petone team succeeded in defeating the Poneke representatives by 9 points to 8. At Dunedin the Alhambra team (Dunedin) : defeated the Merivale fifteen (Christchurch) by 14 points to nil. NORTHERN UNION NOTES. On October 9 a representative match, under Northern Union Rules, is to be played between Auckland and Wellington, at Victoria Park. Both provinces will be strongly represented, and as the Northern Union game has made considerable progress this season, a first-rate exhibition is being looked forward to by Rugger enthusiasts. Training operations have not been neglected by either side, so that the players should be in a fit condition to last out a fast and vigorous game.

A fancy dress football match, in aid of the sick and accident funds of the

Devonport Fire Brigade, was played at North Shore, under Northern Union Rules, on Saturday, between the Devonport Fire Brigade and the North Shore Albions. Prior to the match a parade was held from the Fire Brigade station to the Victoria wharf and from there to the football ground. On arrival at the latter place the Fire Brigade representatives and the North Shore Albions. found the ground in use by a team, who urged the Fire Brigade players to abandon their match with the professionals and play them instead, as otherwise they would lose their amateur status. The firemen, however, were unmoved in their original intention to play the Albions, but it was discovered that the matter of providing a ball had been overlooked. A request was made that the North Shore amateurs lend their ball for the afternoon, but this they refused to do. Then followed an exchange of hot words between the-two parties, while League and Union officials raged at one another with angry threatenings. Finally the Northern

Union players carried the day, by taking the leather from the other party, who tried in vain to retain possession, and the fancy dress match was then commenced, much to the amusement of those present who had thoroughly enjoyed the situation. ♦ ♦ * ♦ With Harold Rowe’s arrival and the advent of others who are under promise to assist Union clubs, the number of Colonials actually on the register of the Northern League will,, according to the ‘‘Athletic News,” be sixteen, and .this-invasion has been made possible in the course of sixteen months, and notwithstanding the adoption of rules and regulations which have for their object the keeping of Colonial players in the colonies. The same newspaper adds that: “The New Zealand League is not yet affiliated to the home Union, but both Fraser and Wynyard realise that if the Northern Union is to flourish in New Zealand those who are conversant with the rules and the style of play favoured by English professionals should s ’ay in the colonies, and play the part of tutors. This side of the question is at the present

time providing food for reflection for the Northern Union legislators, and if the game is to be colonised, the home officials will be well advised to at once pass a resolution which will tend to discourage further importations of Colonials. Of course, the English clubs are to blame in the matter, and the resolution should be passed for their guidance.” A. Rosenfeldt, the Sydney three-quarter-back, secured by Huddersfield —one of the Northern League teams at Home —started training at Huddersfield early in August, with E. Wrigley, Huddersfield’s New Zealand centre threequarter. * • i • A Northern Union team from the '’’ld Country 'will in all propability pay a visit to Australia and New Zealand next year, and about six matches will be played in the Dominion. •.. »■ * • The visits to Australia of the New Zealand and Maori combinations were a great success (says the “ Sydney

Referee”), and to them the League owes its present strong position, as the support accorded the local cl-ib matches was very meagre. Towards the end of the season it improved slightly, and great hopes are entertained for next season. Entries and handicaps for the Auckland Rugby Union’s Carnival, which takes place at Victoria Park on Saturday next, will be found in our Athletic columns. The sports programme, published by Mr. J. Munro, on the authority of the A.R.U., in addition to containing the names of competitors in the different events, includes a large number of photographs of the Auckland Rugby Union officials and leading members of the various district clubs. The publication should find great favour with those football enthusiasts attending the carnival. * * • • The victorious tour of the Wellington representatives down South is supposed to prove that the quality of Rugby football is as good as ever J t was. Those who make that statement can scarcely realise how very poor Otago and Southland football is at the present time. Also we had the opportunity of seeing Auckland on Athletic Park this year (says a “Dominion” writer). They played one of the most uncouth, ragged, and itterly unscientific games which anyone could see. No. In a country where even the schoolboy is beginning now to complain that his free school books “ are too heavy to carry” one cannot expect the strenuousness of football to endure. [Notwithstanding the fact that the Aucklanders played such poor football as the Wellington writer yvould have us believe, they, however, proved too good for the Empire City representatives, on whose play i t would be interesting to hear his opinion.] « * • * The Wellington representatives certainly beat Otago, but one member of the losing side (says a well-known Southland writer) at least can take the credit of surprising and beating the winners. This was S. Casey, whose tricks "on throwing ’in from , touch fooled the opposition time and again, and this in spite of the hints given the Northerners by Southlanders, who had good reason to remember what the All Black hooker was capable of. During the tour of the Maorilanders in the Old World Casey acted as throw-in, and in consequence

is now in possession of the best collection of knowledge in regard to this department of any player i n the Dominion.

The two well-known Australian footballers—Darby Hickey, of the “ Wallabies.” and “ Cracker” Crowley, of Pyrmont —put up a hurricane battle, as long as it lasted, at the Gaiety Athletic Club, Sydney, the other nignt. Half-way through the third round a weighty body blow sent Crowley down for the full count, and Hickey was declared the winner. This match was the outcome of a little difference of opinion on the football field, which the,lads agreed to settle in true British fashion. Now bot-h are satisfied and as good friends as ever. They shook hands heartily directly “ Cracker” felt equal to the effort.

At the A.R.U.’s athletic carnival on Saturday next the cups, medals and caps won by the successful teams { n the different grades of the district championship competitions are to be presented. The Ponsonby Club, which have won the first, second and third grade competitions this season, have decided upon medals being awarded the members of the three teams in preference to caps, while the City IV. fifteen, winners in that grade, will receive caps. The Ponsonby Club also receives the silver football for the highest total of championship points in the four grades. The presentation of trophies at Saturday’s carnival will make a fitting winding up of the 1909 football season.

Replying to the toast of the Otago Rugby Union at the dinner to the Canterbury team, Mr. F. Campbell referred to the attitude of the International Board and the colonies. “ They regard us as professionals out here,” said Mr. Campbell, with some fire. “No!” said someone looking for an argument. “ But I say ‘ Yes,’ ” replied Mr. Campbell; “ and the sooner we prove that such is not the case the better. When professionalism comes into the game in New Zealand I am going out.” “Me, too,” interjected the manager of the Canterbury team. Mr. Campbell then went on to refer to the necessity of severing from the Home Union. He thought the time was coming'when Australia, South Africa and New Zealand should control its own football.