NORTHERN UNION.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1154, 23 May 1912, Page 15

NORTHERN UNION.

The following is the draw for the remaining fixtures of the A.R.L. championship matches in senior and second grade:— SENIOR GRADE. May 25: City Rovers v. Newton Ran- . gers, Ponsonby United v. Eden Ramblers, Manukau Rovers v. North Shore Albions. June 1: Ponsonby United v. Newton Rangers, Citv Rovers v. Manukau Rovers, North Shore Albions v. Eden Ramblers. June 8: Ponsonby United v. North .Shore Albions, Newton Rangers v. Manu- . kau Rovers, City Rovers v. Eden Ramblers. SECOND GRADE. May 25: Ellerslie United v. Northcote Ramblers, Ponsonby United v. City Rovers, Newton Rangers v. Hobsonville Pirates, North Shore a bye. June 1: Ponsonby United v. Ellerslie . United, Northcote Ramblers v. Newton .Rangers, North Shore Albions v. City Rovers, Hobsonville a bye. June 8: City Rovers v, Hobsonville Pirates, North Shore Albions v. Newton Rangers, Ponsonby United v. Northcote - Ramblers, Ellerslie a bye. June 15: Ponsonby United v. North Shore Albions, Ellerslie United v. Hobsonville Pirates, Newton Rangers v. City Rovers, Northcote a bye. June 22: Northcote Ramblers v. City ' Rovers, Newton Rangers v. Ellerslie United, Ponsonby a bye. June 29: Northcote Ramblers v. Hob- • sonville Pirates, North Shore Albions v. Ellerslie United, City a bye. The matches, Ponsonby v. Newton and North Shore v. Hobsonville, have already been played, and these fixtures ;are therefore omitted. Positions of Clubs in the Senior Championship at the end of the second round.

The victory of the Thames and Goldfields combined rep. team over .Auckland last Saturday is certainly a feather in the cap of George Gillett, who has recently been “converting” the old Rugby Union players in those parts to the new code. The game was fast and clean, with the result that the large crowd of spectators, w witnessed the match were strongly impressed with the superiority of the northern Union game over Rugby as a spectacular game. The match is sure to increase the interest of footballers on the goldfields and induce many new recruits to join the League.

It was gratifying to see the Manukau Rovers, who only made their debut the previous Saturday register a win. There is no question this club has some excellent material to work •on, and before the season is through the Manukau Rovers should stand well in the championship.

The absence of a number of pla; ■ ers at the Thames on Saturday robbed the senior matches of some interest, but nevertheless the three senior games were fast and keenly contested, although the scores indicate rather hollow beatings for the North Shore Albions and City Rovers.

W. R. Dick, a prominent Auckland footballer, who returned this week from a lengthy trip to the Old Country, had special opportunities of observing the rapid progress the Northern Union game is making at Home, tor whilst in the northern counties he renewed the acquaintanceship of ithe little band of New Zealanders whose names have become famous in English League football circles. Mr Dick witnessed a number of Northern union matches, and was particularly

interested in the play of the New Zealand members. He attended several games in which the Wigan senior team participated, and speaks enthusiastically of the fine form shown by the trio of Aucklanders, C. Seeling, L. Todd and P. Williams. “Broncho” Seeling is playing with as great dash as ever, and is regarded as the finest forward in the Northern Union game. In Wigan', Lance Todd, who has been showing phenomenal form, is considered the best threeq.uarter New Zealand nas ever and this in face of the fact that Wigan football crowds are partial to teams hailing from the Dominion, can be taken as proof that the Aucklander has not gone back in his play since he first thrilled followers of the League game at Home. Todd intends giving the game best at the end of this season, and there is a likelihood of him returning to Auckland permanently.

Mr Dick states that George Smith is retaining his meteoric form in wonderful fashion, and is still a great power to be reckoned with in the Oldham backs. When Oldham meet Wigan the onlookers are provided with a series of thrills as the result of the close attention Smith and Todd pay one another, the pair, though the best of friends,' using every piece of strategy that lies in their power to check each other's movements. Albie Renwick, the ex-Auckland back, is playing for Warrington, and in the. match against Wigan was responsible for an exceptionally good exhibition. “Jumbo” Turtill, the exCanterbury rep., fills the position of full-back in the Huddersfield team, and at the time of Mr Dick’s visit was showing up prominently for that Club,. E. Wrigley, the ex-Wellington-ian, is also playing well for Huddersfield. “Archie” Waddell, the ex-Auck-land forward, is making a big name for himself for St. Helens, being one of the leading players in that Club.

The Northern Union game is now in such a flourishing condition in the Old Country, states Mr Dick, that it has little or nothing to fear from the Rugby Union movement, which lags far behind it in popularity. In Scotland particularly, the Rugby Union game is very poor to watch and is not likely to impede the advance of League football. The or 1 opposition of any moment which the Northern Union Clubs have to contend with comes from the Soccer game, which has a very firm hold throughout Great Britain. Mr Dick journeyed to Edinburgh in company with a number of veteran Rugby enthusiasts to witness the Northern Union test match between Australasia and England, and the party were greatly impressed with the League game.

The unexpected happened in the first representative match of the season between a combined team of the Goldfields and Thames clubs against the Auckland reps. It was generally anticipated that the Auckland team would l ave a fairly easy win, but after a'fast and very interesting contest the Aucklanders had to surrender the honours to the home team.

During the first spell the Goldfields’ team was for the most part on the defensive, but occasionally they broke away and made determined efforts to cross the Aucklanders’ line, where, however, they met with stubborn opposition from a solid back division.

One of these attempts secured for the Goldfields the first score, which Ormsby was responsible for after a fast piece of play. As the game proceeded the home team appeared to tire under the repeated and determined rushes of the Auckland vanguard.

Twice in quick succession towards the end of the first spell the Aucklanders crossed the line, and tries were credited to Mitchell and Malcolm. Both these tries were converted by Francis, who played a brilliant game, and kicked with great precision. The first spell thus ended in Auckland leading by 10 points to 3.

In the second spell the Goldfields’ team returned to their task with renewed vigour, and seemed to play with a good deal more combination, which told its tale -before the game was through. The forward division played with great unison, and were particularly successful in getting the ball out quickly to Griffin, the half-back, who nlayed a splendid game, and fed his backs with fine discretion.

Dillamore secured a second try for the Goldfields as the outcome of a smart passing rush. The attempt at goal failed. Next, Francis kicked a neat goal from the field, which was equalised a few minutes later by Dufty adding two points for Goldfields. From this out the Aucklanders were given a severe task in defending their territory, for the home team were pressing hard. In the last quarter of an hour Hyde and Ormsby each scored tries, while Hyde kicked a goal, and the game ended Goldfields 18, Auckland 12.

Mr C. Liversidge has been appointed treasurer of the Auckland League in place of Mr G. Hunt, who resigned owing to stress of business.

The Huntly Rovers beat the Taupiri team at Huntly on Saturday by 14 points to 3. For the winners, A. Wright, F. Dunn, A. McKillop, and T. Aubrey scored tries, while A. Raynoi' kicked a goal. Nield scored the try gained by Taupiri. The game was fast throughout, and was a good exposition of the spectacular qualities of the new code.

The Northern Union code is booming in Australia. In a recent issue of the Sydney “Sun” comparative figures are given to show the great strides the League game has made in recent years. In the first round of competition matches this season the gate takings were nearly £lOO better than in 1911. This year a total of £403 2s was taken at the gates for the opening matches.

The third grade matches resulted as follows:—Ponsonby. United B - 3 v Manakau Rovers 2; Eden Ramblers 25 v. Northcote Ramblers 3.

At Hamilton on Saturday the Uniteds beat the Albions by 11 points to 9, after an interesting match, which was evenly contested.

In the second grade match between Ponsonby and Hobsonville the former had a run-away victory by 26 points to nil. However, the Hobsonville team is one that is likely to show to better advantage with more experience and practice. They played a plucky uphill game.

Two brothers hailing from Taranaki named Clarke are the latest additions to the Manukau Rovers. Both are reported to be clever exponents, and their appearance on Saturday is awaited with no little interest by supporters of the Manukau team.

Griffin, of the North Shore Albions, who has frequently represented Auckland in Northern Union football, has

just recovered from a bad attack of tonsilitis, and on Saturday last was again able to take his place among the Shore forwards. Griffin is one of the best exponents of the League game in Auckland, and it is to be hoped that he will speedily return to form.

The City Rovers suffered a severe defeat at the hands of the Ponsonby Uniteds on Saturday. The scores were Ponsonby 36, City 12. In the first half the play was fairly even, but as the game proceeded it was quite evident that the Ponsonby back division outclassed their opponents, while the City team generally were not in a condition to see a keen and fast game through. Towards the end of the second spell Ponsonby piled up the points in quick succession.

Roope played an attractive game for Ponsonby, and was responsible for quite a number of successful passing rushes, which materially added to Ponsonby’s big score.

Minchem scored most points foy Ponsonby, as he succeeded in scoring four tries. Dunning' was also useful with his kicking, for no less than five goals went to his credit. The other scores for Ponsonby were compiled by Savoury, Roope, Dunning, and Lambert, each of whom scored tries, and Savoury kicked a goal.

Riley, Minchem, Roope, and Crossey were the mainstays of the Ponsonby team on Saturday, and the combination they showed at times was particularly creditable for so early in the season. Ponsonby should be well in the funning for senior honours this year.

For City the forwards showed up to better advantage than the back division in Saturday’s game, and had their efforts been better supported the result would not have been such a hob low defeat for last season’s champions.

For City, Hickey and Warner each scored tries, while goals were kicked by Stannaway (2) and Warner. * :S * *

Asher played a very sound, game for City, but he has so far this season failed to reproduce his best form. He does not appear to be. as aggressive as formerly, but his capacity for stopping rushes saved his side on numerous occasions. A few more Ashers are wanted by the City Rovers if they are to gain the premiership this season.

The Newton Rangers scored an easy win over the North Shore Albions at Devonport. The Newton forwards were in great form, and were chiefly responsible for the victory of their side by 24 points to 8.

Dervan was the hero of the day, for he played an excellent game, being always handy when the Newton, forwards were pushing home an advantage. He was responsible for seven points scored by his side (two goals and a try). Maiki, Bennett, Blakey and Perry also played with commendable dash..

The Newton score was made up .of six tries, secured by Maiki (2), Blakey (2), Dervan and Bennett, and three goals, two of which Dervan ~ kicked and the other Farrant secured.

The Shore team lacked combination, and were weak in the back division. Wynyard, Hadden, Law, Rogers, Paul and Gledding were the pick of the North Shore Albion team. With more experience, some of the younger members of the team should show marked improvement, so that there is still hope of the Albions being near the head of the championship list at the end of the season.

The eight points scored by the North Shore Albions were made up of two tries, scored by Rogers and Gledding, while Rogers also kicked a goal.

The Manukau Rovers scored a meritorious win against the Eden Ramblers on Saturday, which was largely due to the exertions of Hardgrave and Rukutai. There is no doubt the ne' club has entered into the championship struggle with keen enthusiasm, and the team have assiduously practised, so that they already show more than usual combination foi' so early in the season.-

As a good place kick is a valuable adjunct to a team, the Manakau team would be materially strengthened by a Francis or a Dunning. With practice, possibly the Rovers may “ discover” a good man, in which case they should stand well in the championship, lists when the season closes.

W. Brett showed some of his last year’s form while playing for Eden on Saturday. He is a useful forward, and manages to keep pretty close to the ball.

Walworth, the new full-back for the Eden Ramblers, is a useful man, and

will be a valuable add.tion to the team when he becomes more conversant with the rules. * * * * Don Keneally, as usual,’ got in some brilliant work for the Eden Ramblers, but he should not get the idea that he is playing the opposition on his own. Several good openings were lost by him through not passing. As captain of the team, he should be the first to correct this bad fault. * * V * Taken on the whole, the combination of the Eden third grade team, who were responsible for a victory over the Northcote boys, is very good. The senior team could, with advantage, take an example from the juniors in that respect. * * • * Perry, the Newton full-back, gave a splendid exposition of the game on

£at.irday, and is easily entitled tc rank as one of the most promising League men in Auckland.

Clarke, who used to play lor Ponsonby under the Rugby code, was a very useful member of the North Shore Albio’n team on Saturday.

Dennett, the b g Newton threequarter, had the misfortune to displace a small bone in one of his ankles on Saturday that will prevent him playing again for some. time. His loss will be much felt by Newton.

At a meeting this week of the Auckland ’ League Referees’ Association seven new members were elected. This is an encouraging sign.

George Gillett, who has been appointed organiser for the New Zealand League, left for the South this week, where he will explain the new code and assist recruits in forming clubs in the various centres. There

is no question that the success of the Northern Union game in Auckland! has awakened great interest in the South,, particularly in the Manawatu, Wairarapa, and Wellington districts, and it only needs a couple of clubs to open in. each centre so as to start compete tion. When this has been accomplished the forward march will be rapid.

P. w. L. For Ag. PonKonby Uniteds . - 2 2 0 55 17 Newton Rangers .... 2 2 0 52 17 North Shore Albions. . 1 1 1 21 33 1 1 1 21 49 Manakau Rovers .... 1 1 1 16 24 Eden Ramblers .... 2 0 14 37