FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1690, 19 July 1875, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

PARNELL V. PONSONBY.

This match came off in the Domain on Saturday afternoon. At the opening of the game Parnell was onfy represented by ten players, while Ponsonby had their full compliment of fifteen. At half-time, however, three more Parnellites turned up aud reinforced their party. As the contest progressed it was evident that although fewer in number, the local team were fully a match for their opponents, who had all their work to protect their goal-line; and thus they were unable to do quite effectually as no less than . three " touch-downs" were scored by Parnell With their usual ill-luck they were not able to turn any of these, into " goals" although in the " tries" the ball twice passed within a yard of the desired region. When time was called no decisive ad vautage had been trained by either side, so that the match ended in a draw, Parnell enjoying the barren honour of having " had the best of it." In the course of the game there was little really good play exhibited on either side if we except the drop-kicking which was excellent on the part of both. The Ponsonby men1 helped one another better than the Parnell did, but there was a sad lack of co-operation all over the field. Very few players, when in possession of the ball, seemed to take in the situation when, they were hopelessly surrounded by the enemy, and instead of by a little prompt jid^meui passing the ball to another of their fide, or kicking it away before it was too late, they would hug it to them as if thoy loved it, and coukl'nt on any account part with it. Ibis is a portion of she game which rtquires a great deal more attention than it gels in Auckland. ! here was also, especially on the part of Ponsonby, though Parnell was not guiltless, too much loitering behind the ball. " Following up " is the main feature of the Rugby Union game, and although a man may often secure an advantage by adopting the loitering principle, such play is not sportsmanlike. It reminds one of shooting at a sitting pheasant. Some youngsters who joined in the battle did good service. They were principally Grammar-school boys, among whom young Anderson was conspicuous by his fearlessness, when encountering the "big-uns." R. Yati£f made a most encouraging debut as a football player, and obtained a touchdown in gallant styJe. The Parnell uniforms made their first appearance and looked very well. Captains of sides should see that their men do not infringe the rules by being iron-shod. AUCKLAND V GRAFTON. . This match also came off on Saturday in the Domain, or rather we should say a match under the title came off, for from what we could see, it was Grafton aud North Shore against Auckland. No goals were obtained on either side. It is a pity that all the interest should be taken out of a match by such combinations.