FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1063, 21 July 1910, Page 11

FOOTBALL.

~ „^ e wea ther, though cold, was beautifully fine on Saturday, when the Rugby Union championships were continued at Alexandra Park. Enthusiasts took full advantage of the weather conditions prevailing and mustered in strong force. The various games were well fought out, but the exhibitions of football were hardly up to standard and at times the play was very ragged.

Considerable interest was evinced in the Secondary Schools’ game between Grammar School and King’s College. The football shown by the college boys throughout the season is more attractive than that provided in the senior club matches, and it was not surprising to find three parts of the total attendance present at two o clock, when Grammar and King’s took the field to try conclusions and play the curtain-raiser to the “big” match. Although the match was interesting the individual play was not up to expectations and from start to finish the play was disappointing. Grammar were not long in showing their superiority, and were the aggressors throughout, victory going to them by 16 points to 3.

As was anticipated, Ponsonby had no difficulty in defeating ’Varsity, the scores at the finish being Ponsonby 16, ’Varsity 6. In the early stages Varsity were more than holding their own, but erratic handling of the leather on the part of their backs was prevalent and the score suffered considerably. Up till the time came to change ends in the first quarter Ponsonby were experiencing difficulty in keeping their opponents out, but the exchange of ends saw the game assume a totally different aspect. The blue and blacks slowly but surely assumed the upper hand and despite the fact that the teams were three all at half time it was always a certainty that Ponsonby would win. While the Ponsonbyites warmed up to their work the ’Varsity play deteriorated and the leaders in the cup competition ultimately. left the field winners by 16 points to 6. .

The match between Parnell and Marist Bros, was won by the former after having all the best of the argument by 9 point to nil. Neither team played what one would term good football, and throughout the individual efforts of the players lacked the necessary finish. Passing amongst the backs was noticeable by its absence, and this department of the game appears to be but a memory. A close, but by no means interesting, game was that between City and Grafton, the latter winning by 9 points to 6. The play was fairly even, but was nevertheless of a ragged order. The Grafton forwards showed to advantage when compared with the opposing vanguard. On the other hand, the City backs were the superior, but they could not give the team victory, and they suffered defeat after an uninteresting game.

There were a couple of close games in the junior competitions, but in the majority of cases the winners retired with a substantial margin of points in their favour.

Ponsonby v. University.

This match was played on No. 1 ground, a notable addition to the former team being J.. O’Leary, who returned to Auckland from the Australian trip. The students attacked at first and essayed some passing, and play kept in Ponsonby’s half for a time. Failure to pass or kick by a University back let Ponsonby into University’s 25- In the resulting play the anratic bounce of the ball gave McGregor a chance, and he dodged across and scored. D’Audney failed at goal: Ponsonby 3, University nil. After Wilson had failed to take advantage of an opening, Ponsonby attacked again, and play was carried right under the students’ posts. Ponsonby backs made many dashes to score, but their passing was faulty, and many good chances were lost. The first quarter ended: Ponsonby 3, University nil. The second quarter saw the University forwards on the attack at the opening. Play was in Ponsonby’s 25 when McKenzie marked, and Schofield kicked a splendid goal: Ponsonby 3, University 3- Just before the quarter ended Morse made a dodgy run, but was well collaredThe second quarter ended in the students’ 25, the scores being: Ponsonby 3, University 3. The third quarter opened sensationally. From the return to the kick-out McGregor marked, and Francis kicked a beautiful goaL from; near half-way and, the

touchline: Ponsonby 6, University 3. Play hovered about centre for some time, the play being of a very open character. Ponsonby then had a spell of attacking, and the blue and blacks keeping up the pressure, Murray scored as the result of a fine passing run. D’Audney kicked a good goal: Ponsonby 11, University 3. Just after play opened again a miskick by Wilson in his own 25 put a line of Ponsonby men on the attack- Nicholson made a dash and was blocked, but Morse was handy, and dived across and scored. O’Leary kicked a good goal, and the third quarter ended: Ponsonby 16, University 3. Almost immediately Wilson made a good opening, and Walker ran across at the corner. Schofield made a good attempt to convert from a difficult angle, but failed: Ponsonby 16, University 6. From thence onwards there was nothing in the game worth noting, except the bursting of the ball. The game ended: Ponsonby 16, University 6. Mr- A- Campbell was referee.

Parnell v. Marist Bros.

No- 2 ground was occupied by the Parnell and Marist Bros.’ teams, and after an at times interesting game, Parnell emerged victorious by 9 points to nil- The play had not been long in progress before the reds were attacking hotly, and, keeping up the pressure, they were rewarded when Twiname snapped up the oval and darted over the line. Hardwicke’s attempt at goal was unsuccessful: Parnell 3, Marist Bros. 0- During the remainder of the quarter play was of a give-and-take character. A grand piece of work by the Parnell vanguard saw the ball dribbled past all opposition, and Marist Bros, were soon occupied in trying to clear their line. A high kick by one of the reds’ backs saw Armstrong follow up smartly, and!* securng the leather from the rebound, he placed it over the line- Hardwicke was again unsuccessful with the shot: Parnell 6, Marist Bros. 0. Matters became very quiet, and there was hardly anything to arouse the excitement of the onlookers. However, just before the call of time the reds were credited with their third score. From a line-out in the Marist Bros.’ territory the ball was sent to Twiname, and, making a briliant run, he wound up by scoring a meritorious try. The shot at goal by Hardwicke was again unsuccessful: Parnell 9. Marist Bros. 0- There was no further score, and the game ended as above. Grafton v- City. Except to those connected with either club the game between Grafton and City, played on No. 4 ground, commanded very little interest from the general public. City won the toss and they had all the best of the opening quarter, and before the time came to change ends had registered 6 points, while Grafton had failed to register. Maguire scored a try for City, and Magee kicked a goal from a mark, Play was not by any means exciting, and the second quarter, in which there was no sciore, was very tame. However, matters livened up a little in the second spell, and the Graftonites attacked vigorously, with the result that two tries came their way, one being scored by Coleman and the other by Edwards. With the scores even and the game drawing to a close play became very fast Just when a drawn game appeared almost a certainty, Deans (Grafton) received a pass, and like a flash he was across the line at the corner. The shot at goal was a failure, and the game ended : Grafton 9 points, City 6.