WON BY A NOSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 229, 27 September 1928, Page 17

WON BY A NOSE.

JOCKEYS AT FOOTBAJLI*.

NOPtTH 22, SOUTH 21

In strong contract to the conditions prevailing at Avondalc on Saturday and Monday lai-t no rain fell yesterday afternoon when the jockey.- made another public appearance, this time in the annual -League football match between the saddle-sittera of the North and South. A strong breeze blew across the course ati Carlaw Park, and as a result of recent heavy rains the going was a bit heavy, and therefore it may be wise not to attach too much importance to the form as many of the starters could not handle the going and would dhow up better en a firm track. It was also apparent that many had been spelling and wepfc carrying too much condition, and early in the contest they lost their dash, although they plugged along to the end. Alt' investments were made at the turnstiles, but .instead of deducting the usual 15 per cent the "tote" this time took the lot, aud will hand it over to assist in setting out of golk" links at EUerslie. The dividend at the gate was declared at £8,. which is all profit, as.the Auckland Rugby League did not charge for the use of the course.

- A number of the riders came without "their gear and it was only after some hunting and borrowing that :'eets of colours ;. and., number cloth* ..were obtained.

Mr. A. Kae filled the roles of referee, judge> starter and stipe. Late scratchings reduced the divisions to eleven aside. The fields lined ho at 5.2.> and when a start vas effoctvd the rod ami black colours of North took, up ilie running. For a bieach the field ,bunched the middle of the "course.'" X6rth forced ahead and Hearing the South line the ball went out to the centre. Burgess sa.w an opening and snapping up the ball raced for the line and won nicely by sl head. Leydon's shot bit one of -the poets. The judge hoisted: North G f North again took up the running and setting a merry pace South were being ridden with "hands and heels. Sharkey moved up smartly but when making his run met with interference and was brought down. Leydon, bracketed with Sharkey, clrried on, and won with a bit to spare. He converted [Jus own try, and the numbers were altered to. read North 8l The North stable was in great form .and its representatives settled down to a 13s to the furlong gait. Olive secured and led ;past the stand from Akerstein, who was ftlosely'followed: by a bunch. Olive ran wide and lost a lot of ground, but Akertjjfapin took charge and though he cut in towards the rails lie scored well by four lengths from Goldsboro', who was seebnd. Leydon eteered a goal. North 13j South 0. Leydon, who stood out like,- Limerick, just ambled in for the next sprint, the ' South side not seeing the way he went. His shot hit the post. Nk>rth 10. Leydon was. then

transferred to the South stable and immediately there was a, reversal of ,form. From ove line up several were not ready and from force of habit were calling, "Wait a minute, sir." Twice Grihner showed i>ace but was. running wide out. Leydon and Dunn were handy and Dunn with a fine finishing effort got up to win a try in the last stride. North 16, fouth 3. ',

Starting on the second round one of the North bracket went out of the tapes brilliantly but be was without plates and waa slipping all over the course with the result that when tackled by Gray be could not finish on, and stopped like a pricked balloon. For interference Stipe Rae issued a caution and Leydon landed a goal. North 16, South 5. ■When the field bad again settled down there -was a scramble for positions. Potter threaded - his "way through and got np in time to score in fine style. O'Connor goaled. North 16, South 10. There

was a bit of a mix-up near the finishing post and at loast a dozen had a chance when ssuddenly '"No. 15," who was not on the official card ami ruay have been a "ring-in," or a late entry, pot hit head in front and scored. Potter potted. North R>, Suiith 15. Not seeing an oj»eii|iri£ Chaplin ran off, and froing outside a post, had to be brought back. Williams had no trouble in scoring the next dash, winning pulling up, and over the last few yards he was going half pace. South *18, North 16..' There had evidently been an error in the draw for divisions because Leydon, who had started with North and then went to South, now came' back to North and at once an improvement was noticed. Akerstein, who had been pulling hard in the early jgtages, was now given his head and he dashed over to ecore with a bit in hand. North 19, South 18. Reid, who had been, lying well'back, came into the picture near the finish, and though he covered a lot of.unnecessary ground he lasted long "enough to score • brilliantly for South. South 21, North 19. The last stages of the contest .were now entered and all were hard at it. Just when South looked to have it won L. Dulieu emerged from the ru«k. Under pressure he swerved out badly'Tbut had sufficient ■pace to» win the match for North in the last stride. It was an exciting finish and many thought South had won but the judge decided, in favour of North by a nose;— North. .«.«.......:. 22. South *~ 21

MATCHES FOR SATURDAY. . The following fixtures were arranged for Saturday next :— ROOPB BOOSTER COMPETITION. Semi-final.—Ponsonby v. Newton. No. 1, Carlaw Park, 3 p.m., Mr. W. Miifcham., STAIXARD CUP. Senior B, Final.—Athletic v. Point Chevalier, No. 2 Carlaw Park, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Kae. ' SECOND GR^DE. Newton t_ HVstfield, Mount Albert, 2 $.m., Mr. K. Menziess. THIRD GRADE. Athletic t. Kingsiand, Outer Domain, 3.30 p.m., Mr. T. Churnside; Rirrhmond -v. Glen Eden, Western Springs, 3 p.m., Mr. S. Billman ; Mount Albert v. Northeote, Mount Albert, 3 p.m., Mr. K. Mentieg. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. i Rictimond v. Newmarjcet. Carlaw Park No. 2, 1.45 pro.. Mr. W. Simpson.

FOURTH GRADE. Norrhrote v. Akarana. Outer Domain. 2.30 p.m., Mr. \V. Oadtly; Hikurangi v. Reznuera, CnrltnT Park No. 1. 1.15 p.m., Mr. V. Simpson. SIXTH GRADE A. Kk-hmond v. No'rtheote, Western Springs, 2 p.m.. Mr. S. BillDjan; Devonport A v. Devouport B, Devonport, £5 p.m: SIXTH GRADE B. Point Chevalier t. Marist, Outer Domain, l.tfU p.m., Mr. C. Thompson. / PRIMARY' SCHOOLS. Onebimga B v. Otahuhu B, Onehunga, 1 p.m., Mr. H. Stevenson; Onehunga A ▼• Mangere, Onehunga, 1 pan., Mr. H. Carrol; Onehunga Couvent v. Newmarket, Onehunga, 2 p.m., Mr. H. Carrol; Mount Albert v. Ellerslie, Mount Albert, 1 p.m., Mr. T. Jackson : Newton v. Papatoetoe, No. 2 Carlaw Park, 12.15 p.m., Mr. G. Gedge; Richmond v. Otahuhu, Otahuhu, 2 pun., Mr. W. Westou.