FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 194, 11 May 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. POSITION OP THE TEAMS. ■£ ■ £ .'S ft 'Team. g £, <? i . a J 1 g i 5 % 5 p i-5 a p, p u Melrose •: ... 3 3 — — 40 3 G Oriental ...3 3 — —' 28 11 G Wellington ... 3 1 — 2 12 6 4 Petono 1 .3 2 1 0 39 8 4 Poneko ... 3 2 1, 0 27 21 4 Athletic ...-3 1, 1 1 12 8 3 01(1 Boys ... 3 1 2 0 15 32 2 St. .Tames ... 3 0 2 1 fi 13 1 Southern ... 3 0 3 0 3 JO ft Vic. College... 3.0 3 0-5 52 0 SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The.senior championship contpsts wore advanced another stage on Saturday under very disagreeable conditions. Heavy rain fell in the morning, but tho-'afternoon was Ano, although a'gale swept.the playing area and completely,,spoiled the play. The prospect of two hours on tho Miramar flat did not appeal to a great many people, tho attendance at the senior games being small —probably not more than 500. The ono advantage Miramar has over the other grounds was brought out on Saturday, namely, the dryness of tho soil after rain. The grounds woro beautifully dry, so much so that tho hall was not even greasy. Tho spectators split up amongst the four-grounds; but none of the contests appeared to be exciting enough to hold their attention. . Tho results of the various,marches were:— . . Melrose 9 defeated St. James 0. .Oriental 11 dsfaated Southern 0. , Poncke 21 defeated Old Boys G. Potono ,13 defeated Vic. College o. ' Wellington 3 drew with Athlctics 3.

MELROSE V. ST. JAMES. , The. Melrose-St.. James . contest .; might have'proved interesting but for .the high .wind which spoiled every elfort to open the play oufcv. ..The iSt.: Ja'nies men, stood iip, gamely to their vigorous opponents, and although -tliey. left the field, beaten by 9 points . had the. satisfaction of ' preventing Melrose from crossing their line, three penalty goals making up the winners' total. Melrose, forwards attacked from the outset, and G. Spencer had two'good but unsuccessful shots at goal from penalty kicks. Before play had -been' in progress many minutes Worger gavo Melrose another free-kick by offside play, and this time Spencer sent tho ; ball over the bar. The Melrose vanguard camo on again, and St. James relieved by forcing down. Soon after the kick-out Melrose wero awarded another free kick straight in front of the posts. G. Spencer, piloted the .ball oyer the bar.' The gale of .',wind was assisting Melr.ose, ;.but-_St. James; made: several bommendablerallies; but could not pass' with like accuracy on account of . the wind.; ,Tow, end of tho spell Melroso" lost ' tho services of Hamilton, who had.to retire on- account of an injury to-his logs'. The vacancy was filled by M'Grath. Still another penalty goal was added.'-.by , ;G!' .Spfencer 'befpro, nalfHime sounded. ' The Melroso men showed improved form when,battling' against/the wind in the second 'spoll; and pressed ' their opponents closely "on several occasions, but no further score was recorded. > The' St. James team, made oiie or two; willing attempts W score, but 'the-, conditions were right against their style of play. When ho sido was'sounded the score vras: — . ; , • Alelrbse.: ~'. ■ ... 9 St.' James : > ;V.. 0 Church was tho best .of.the Molrdse,backs, his.'handling bf ; the ball and kicking' heirig iperfectiVitGESiiks'iivnda Geo.- JSpencei. also ' shaded well, and Adams:were about tho best , of'the Melroso pack. ■ For St. James Thomas played, a fine gamo jat. full-back, and Neilson and Warwick also piit in some . good work. 11. .Wighton and' Manning- wero. the most prominent in th 6 forward division. Mr. F. A. Laws was reforee.,. j. .. - v j -.- •.-

ORIENTAL V. SOUTHERN. The Oriental ;team, which is. alleged by: its supporters to havo a big chance of championship ' jtonours, was ;given a good run by Southern.; The new team's forwards made a good showing, but their backs did not mako the most of .their opportunities. Soon after play commenced, Southern attacked, and a mull -by .Thompson saw Oriental; in trouble, the outcqmo being "a. forco down from ; a straggling; forward rush'. Oriental rallied, and Roberts made an opening for Thompson, but the wind and over-eagerness made the .threo-quar'ter overrun, the ball. Southern lelieved by a force down. After a spell of mixed play of a more or less even nature, Robert's galloped through the Southorn team and passed to Daly, who spoiled a good chance by knocking-on. Orientals were rewarded immediately after, however, M'Leod securing possession and dashing over, at tlio corner. Roberts : failed ; with the : kick. Roberts had : another ' shot lat goal a few minutes-later, from well outside tho 25 line, and > made' a' fine attempt to score, tlie ball going over one of the posts. Led by Campbell, : the.-. Southern forwards rushed the ball into Oriental quarters, but the black and whites returned tlie charge, and a force down resulted. A series of serums took .place near the. Southern line, and at length lieenan succeeded in getting over at the corner. Roberts'took..the kick, .and landed a lovely goal 1 from, the touchrlinej and against the wind. .Tlie ' Southern .forwards livened .lip after this, and a series of good rushes saw them attacking- vigorously, but a speculator by Roberts' relieved and -sot-. Oriental on. the attack again. : There was iw further score before half-time. -Southern had the best of the second term, the wind helping them' considerably,' but they could not cross the Oriental line, although they were almost over on several occasions. -About the middle of the spell, ( Thompson- scored a brilliant try fori Oriental. The ex-All Black picked the ball up about .midfield, and streaked for the line. Several men attempted to tackle him, but he swerved away from them, and ended up a brilliant piece of individual work by scoriug. Roberts took the kiek,\but failed to convert., 1 This", was the only score,in the second half, the game ending:— Oriental ... ......... ...11 • Southern'....; ' ... 0 Mr. P. Roborts was referee.

WELLINGTON v. ATHLETIC. 'Tho Wellington-Athletjc match resulted in a draw, each side scoring an unconverted try;! For a-fow minutes alter the kick off, the Yellow vanguard kopt the ball in their opponents''twenty-five, but the Blues gradually worked downfield. At this stago the Athletic hookers wore getting the ball regularly from tho scrum, but their backs/were not working in concert, and several rushes were spoiled by'tho five-eighths " hanging on." • _ _ " . L The Wellington forwards wero working hard, and occasionally broke away lip field, but the Blues generally cape back to itho attack. Evenson' mado one'good rim from half-way, and got right down to tho Wellington posts, but ho was not supported. Halfway through the spell, Kivell, ono of the :Athletic wing forwards injured his noseband just towirds tho end of the spell the same player put his elbow out and had'to bo attended by Div Newman. Hb was relieved by E. 0. Hales. Wellington was compelled to force several times, but .the Blues wero unable to score, their forwards missing one or two chances through offside play. In the second spell Wellington commenced vigorously, and started somo good passing from the loose forward rushes. After about five minutes' play, Barclay snapped the ball up, and transferred to Aborerombio, but the latter's. pass was intercepted by Evenson, who carried tho ball behind. From tho ensuing scrum Riley marked within easy rango, but Sellars missed the posts. Then from a scrum near tho half-way, Malfroy sent tho ball 'to Sellars, and the latter, after making a fine opening, passed to Aberorombie —to Riley—to. Hill, wl.o scored. about. ten yards from tho posts. _ Thiß was "a nice piece of j)lay. Sellars's kick was a failure. Athletics.

now worked hard to wipe out tlio deficiency, and their half-back, Richardson, was conspicuous in tho attack. Wellington had n lively timo in tho last twenty minutes, but the forwards, led by Turner, t-ook tho. ball down field several times. Gordon, the Athletic five-eighths, secured in a favourable position, but a wild pnss spoiled a score. Tho same player next put in a good run, but lost tho ball nc<ir the posts, and Sheridan sent it into touch down field. Then liales had a fntilo shot at goal from a mark. The Blues wero determined to score, however, and Richardson, picking tho ball up about twenty yards from tho lino, sent a crisp pass to Evenson, who scored. Tho kick was not a difficult one, but Hales missed tho posts, and tho whistlo sounded 110-sido with tho score— Wellington 3 Athletio 8 Mr. Georgo TTowo was roforcn. PONEKE v. OLD BOYS. Tho match bijlwocn Ponoko und Olfl Boys, which resulted in an easy win for tho former, was witnessed by a fair proportion' of tho visitors to tho park, Superior skill waß shown by tho victors in all departments of tho gnmo. Play would hn,vo boon of a much highor standard had it not been that a strong wind.swept iilnmst straight down tho field. Notwithstanding limb lie was not in tho best of form, Wallnen, who had been unablo previously to umwil Poncho this season, put in it considerable amount of useful work,

In tho imoll Ponoko had tho advantage of Uio wind. Within a .fow minutes tlioy commonnod u dangerous pausing rush, but Thomson lliwnrlod tlio attompt. Old Boys then fiUuokod iitwngly, and as 'a result, Ponoko I'oieud, Tlio itcono of playwas again shifted to Old Hoys' twenty-five, and from a scramble Hush got over, but Wallace's kick, although a effort, was unsuccessful.—-Ponoko, I) points; Old Boys, nil. Shortly afterwards Goodbohcre failed to take tho ball, and 'INvoliill, who secured, had little difficulty in scoring. Wallace again failed to enhance.—Ponoko, G joints; Old Boyß, nil. Ponoko continued to preßs, and within a couplo of minutes Wallace made an opening and got across, and, takling tho kick, added tho- major points.— 'Poneke, 11 points; Old Hoys, 0. Tin's score might liavo. been averted, iiad tho Old Boys got round smartly—a fault much in ovideiice oil their part' 'throughout tlio match. Subsequently, when Poneke bad a territorial ad-vantage,'-Old Boys woro penalised through Avery coming round tho scrum, and Wallaco made, a good but fruitless 'shot at goal. After play had hovered .in the, vicinity 'of midway for a 1 fow minutes .Poneke again pressed, and from a tusslo between tho forward divisions tho. ball was thrown out to Wallace, who,'beating three or four opponents, scored in convincing! style. His kick at goal was successful.—Ponoko, 16; Old Boys, 0. Tilyard'next worked the blind side ■'excellently for Poneke, but tho ground gaiiied was made up again by Thomson. Further passing rushes ,by tlio Pofieke backs were spoiled, -Magee, in one instance, holding on too-long, and. Wallace, on another occasion, failing to toko a pass. Matthews next put in a strong run for Old Boys, and during tho, remaining few minutes of tho. spell Old Boys more than held their own. - With the wind at their banks Old Boys, in -the'.' second half, commenced to attack at once, and Poneke wero compelled to force twice \within the first ten minutes. _ Shortly afterirards Tilyprd by , a good kick into touch'saved for Poneke.;' Loose play up and down-the, field followed. ; Poneko: forwards, headed by Rush, O'Brien, andCalcinai, attacked stronglji; but... an infringement occurred. , Later on Old. Boys wore awarded a free kick, and Thomson made a good b,nt unsuccessful attempt.- Prom a. soramblo near •the line, subsequently.,- Jacobson got 6vor •for-.Old Boys, but Thomson failed with .tho in kick, —Ponoke; 16; Old Boys, 3. From--this out Poneke forwards 'played harder [than everj ..'and on several occasions , carried the ball from their own'twenty-five into Old Boys'. territory. Once,, upon receipt of tlio {ball, after..a .'line-out,. Wallace, successfully evaded a number of opponents, scoring behind tho noßts. He also • converted tho itry.— Poneke. 21: Old Boys, 3. : Owing to'one ■of the Poneke forwards being guilty of obstruction:.. Old- Boys wero'ifziven.a. free kick.'and Thomson.".. 21; 'Old Boys, 0.; j Later on Thomson made an unsuccessful 1 attempt from a mark, and the 'remainder,of tho. spell wns characterised by strong play on the-part of the/Poneke' pack, tho game, which,, had been efficiently controlled by ; Mr. T. Quinn, ending:— Poneke ... ... ... ,21 points., Old Boys ... ... 6 points.

-■> PETONE v. VICTORIA COLLECE. The contest between Petone and Victoria College, ' which eventuated at Petone, 'attracted a fairly large crowd of spectators. It was not generally, anticipated that tho margin of,.t'lio College defeat, would have been so small. ■ ; ■;■-.

played,with tho.wiiuH'in'-the first spell, Und occasioned- Petone many anxious moments.' Their forwards put plenty of dash into 'their.' work, and theirbacks assisted them by using; the'lino welh . At the outset Collego attacked^. but, after a sharp onslaught' near the line, .J tho Petone forwards, brolco away and carried play to tho other end of the field'. There tho l'etone backs, prominent, amongst thc-m J. Ryan and Green, pressed strongly, but good tackling oil the part of the College backs prevented a score. Shortly afterwards, from a splendid passing rush, initiated by Green, the ball came out to Instone, who, when blocked near the touch }ine, passed in. field to J. Ryan, who enabled Instone to scoro a pretty try in a : good position. M. Ryan was successful with the shot ,at goal—Petone, 5j College, nil:' From the kick out College attacked again, and 'a : force : downV resulted. Hitchings returned tho kick out •to tho corner. Again Petone were forced. Soon after Hitchings mado a splendid dodgy run through the Petone backs, but unfortunately his pass to Goodbehere when. a.score seemed imminent was a poor one. After this Petono backs cams away, and Instone centred well to his forwards, but M. Sullivan lost a. certain try by knocking on.. College, continued to attack until half-time was called, but did •not succeed in scoring.. In tho second spoil Petone,. aided'by tho strong. wind, attacked with-' great vigour. The College defence was,'howevor, very solid. Hitchings stood out particularly; and was well assisted by Bogle and 0 Leary. At length tho Petone forwards broke through, and from a looso rush, Ready scored near the posts. M. Ryan added the extra • points— Petone, 10 ; College,. nil. After this Petone continued to attack, the College making occasional incursions into Petone territory. M. Ryan made a fine left foot attempt at goal, the ball going just outside the posts.'Petone, towards the finish, made desperate efforts to score, their backs attacking in good style, but, they were kept out by the splendid tackling of the College. Once it appeared that a try was certain, but J. Ryan held on too long. Just before time was called a passing rush was: commenced from a ' line-out', and it terminated in Instone scoring near the corner. The kick at goal failed, and the gome endod — Petone ... ...; ' ... 13 points. College ... ... ... nil.

JUNIOR.CHAMPIONSHIP. Old Boys' v. Selwyn.—With the wind against them in the first spell, Old Boys managed to prevent their "opponents from scoring, 'and even compelled them to force down once. Jones, at half, and Jacobs, tho full-back were towers of strength in the defence cf the Old Boys' line. In the second spell, with , tho wind in their favour, the wearers of : whito commonced the attack, and Drumniond succeeded i in getting over. Jacobs failed with tho attempt at goal, and tho score had not beon increased when the; whistle: sounded, tho result standingOld Boys, 3; Selwyn, nil; The game was a forward one throughout, though, the Selwyn backs got going once or twice and showed a littlo combination. In the scrums tho white hookers did their work well, but. their efforts wore neutralised by tho rest of the pack, which generally blocked the ball. Mr. N. M'Loan was referee. St. James v. Victoria College—Victoria College at first appeared to be getting all tho best of the play in their Contest with St.James. Playing against ft stiff breezo, tliey yet held their own and kept the ball iii tho enemy's country. After a good tmri, however. Alpo oro&sod their lino, but M'Grath failed with the. kick. In the seoond spell the clay,

which had been of an open forward naturo, becamo slightly willing, and a couplo of players wero cautioned. For Victoria College, Boyco secured a try, Randrup failing to convert, and Baumgart put St. James again in the lead. ' Alpo failed to add tho major points-to tho last try, and timo was called with St. James (6), Victoria College (3). Mr. E. Wylie referced. Athletic v. Poneko.—Athletic made the best of the wind, which was in their favour for the first spell, and Mount secured a try, which Wilson converted. In the sccond spell tho Athletic backs showed at times -a certain r.iggedness, more than one player appearing to bo in doubt as -to what was his proper place in tho field. This was in marked contrast to tho Poneko men, who took the ball and passed in a manner which* would have been creditable to a senior grade t-eam. But all efforts to cqualiso the-score proved vain, and Athletics remained victors at tho end of the game by 5 to nil. Tho referee was Mr. C. Bell. Wellington v. Oriental. —Though several chances wero thrown away, Wellington came out best by a margin of 8 points in the in'atch with Oriental. In tho first spell, with tlio wind at thoir backs, Orientals managed to keep tho game oven; but on changing round tliey wero outclassed completely. Their forwards were unwilling to put their heads down and push when the work was tight. Forbes and' loms crossed tho .line for Wellington, and Humo converted cne try. Russell was unlucky in losing a try for his side by mistaking tho lino and forcing too early. Mr. G. Lusk was referee. Petone defeatod Melroso by 8, to 0. Kia, Ora defeated Southern by 23 to nil. THIRD-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. Selwyn defeated Victoria College by 9 to 5. J. arid F. Cooper scored for the winners, and Lowo kicked a penalty goal. Gibbons scored for tho losers,' Inder converting. ' St. Patrick's College defeated Oriental by 9to nil. Stewart, Malier, and Cullen scored for tho winners. - - Polhill-defeated Southbrn by 6 to nil. 1 Railway defeated Kia Ora by 14 to nil. Athletic defeated Johnsonvillo by 9 to 3. For the winners,, Carruthers and J. Smith scored tries, and Heley kicked a penalty goal. FOURTH-CLAS? CHAMPIONSHIP. Selwyn won from Johnsonville by default. Old Boys defeated St. John's by 14 to nil. Tho scorors were Sievwright, Fordham, Simmons, and Brown. Robertson kicked 'one goal. Southern defeated Wellington by 23 points to nil. . Tries were secured by,Parker;(2), ■Gray (2), and Stevens. Parker converted four of the tries. . Railway beat Kia Ora; 14—0; Ryan'.(two), Miller, and Gray scored tries, Hoare converting one. Athletic were defeated by Petone by 27 to nil.-.;; ,| ' " FIFTH-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. St. Patrick's Collego defeated Selwyn by 12 to'd. B. Ryan, M'Cormack, Maher; and L. Buckley scored for tho winners. Southern defeated Athletic B by 11 points' to nil. Trios wore secured by Russell and Hague. . • , '- . Petone defeated. Athletic, A' by 14 to 3. S. Jones seoi'ed for "Athletic. / WAIRARAPA : MATCHES. / MASTERTON v. CARTERTON. ' (BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDES*.) P/Sasterton, May 10. 1 ■ The first round of the Wairarap'a Senior Championship Rugby contests was. finished oil Saturday, when. Carterton beat Masterton by G points to 3, and Greytown beat Stars by 16 to nil. Carterton now loads for tho championship honours' with three - consecutive wins; Mastertoii' is next with two wins and one loss ; Greytown third with one 'win and two losses;, and Stars fourth with three losses and :no wins. There are i two moro rounds' still to be played. Tho Masterton-Carterton match,- played at Masterton, was a hard, fast game, in. which the issue was in doubt till nearly the ond of the second SDell, when from: a lengthy assault. on- tho , Masterton line.-:. Canterton ;at. last;-.-succnedo.3 ; in , scoring wiiinliig try. There was little difference between; two teams, but Cartel-tori all round, liad more weight and strength, and/to i this tliey practically owo,-their victor}'.' --Their badfcs kicked better than those of their opponents, and their forwards,- who were beaten decisively in the scrum, \ showed dogged aggressiveness, which was prominent in the latter stages of the game 1 . Although they wore; afforded numerous , chances, the, ■ Masterton backs played disappointingly in. the attack, while O'Leary,'-Thompson, and Darvell did the bulk of the ■" defensive work. The back play of both teams was tfeak, especially in passing, tactics. " The most conspicuous of tlio Carterton team woro;.Jf._M'Kenzio and Mason (2)' in the back division,-'and Levick,: Heridorson;-! and'"H;, M'Kenzio --in the forwards.Amongst ,the -/Masterton.:. backs, ; O'Leary gave -'.his,,-usual.' clean exhibition,' while Barvcll 'was •'also conspicuous.- at times. Of the Masterton forwards,' C. Ross played tho best game on tho ground. He (was woll supported by Brenchley, A. Ross, arid Lyall, A' feature of tho game- was the;poor placekicking, and' the number ■ of penalties, given against both . teams, especially ' Carterton,' for infringements. '. ••'.' ' ' There .was no score in tho first .spell till, three minutes from timo, when C. Ross kicked a goal for Masterton for an infringement by Carterton in their own twenty-five, tho offender being N. M'Kenzie. The second .spell was very spirited. Carterton wero most aggressive, and early in the half had' their opponents in difficulties, and from the ruck in Masterton territory the, ball was passed to S. Mason, who badly beat three Masterton backs and 'galloped over the line. ; The try was not converted. With both teams pegging levsl, each, put in more strenuous work. Masterton' \Vere first in evidence, and Lyall Jed a great rush of Masterton for-wards-into the Carterton twenty-five, where Gray lost a fine chance. The Carterton men had to play all they knew to'stave off the attack, out ultimately the line was cleared ]in brilliant' style by V.. Fairbrother... There ; was then a long attack on tho Masterton goal line, which culminated in a dash by E. Mason (Carterton), with whom wore' associated Cadwallader and Hall, who fell over the line in the scramblp and was awarded a try, which was not converted. Masterton made one more effort to equalise the scores, but were unsuccessful, and the game ended: Carterton ... ... 6 points. Masterton ... ... 3: points.

GREYTOWN v. STARS. The Greytown-Star match, which was played at Greytown, was more equal than the scores indicate. Greytown put on eleven points in . the first spell and five in the 'second.' 'Star had hard- luck in not scoring, especially 'when Andrew,' their, five-eighth, kicked a poster from' a fifty, yards' drop. Greytown scorers' were—Skeet, penalty goal and try; Milsome Jury, 1 try; and a try by some other player.

WAIRARAPA REPRESENTATIVE TEAM.

The following is the team selected to represent Wairarapa against the Bush Districts representative fifteen on Saturday noxt at Masterton-Full-back, Russell (Greytown); three-quarters, Darvill (Masterton), N. M'Kenzie (Carterton), D. Thompson (Carterton); five-eighths,. J. O'Leary (Mastertou)',' C. Groubo ' (Carterton) ; half, Adams (Star) ; wing forward, J. Workman (Greytown); forwards, M'Carthy (Star), Barry (Masterton), Cadwallader ana H. M'Kenzie ' (Carterton),. Brenchlcy (Masterton), C. Ross' (Masterton), and Henderson (Carterton);' emergencies, back, Milsome Jury (Greytown); forwards, ; Lyall (Masterton), Wines (Greytown),' F, Johnston (Carterton). Carterton has six representatives, Masterton fivo, and Greytown and Stars t\\*o each.. RUGBY UNION MEETING. '■ , At A meeting of the General Committee of the Wairarapa Rugby Union at Carterton last night, Mr. A. B. Charters in tho chair, suggestions from the Novi'. Zealand Union were considered regarding the apportionment of the pat-o money in' tho Wairarapa v. Bush Districts representative match next 'Saturday, and the selection of the team to play against the'-British team. It was deoided, after, some discussion, that the

Wairarapa Union' should insist on appropriating tho whole of: tho gate money in next Saturday's match, and that the pro-, portion of selectors to provide tho Wairarapa and Bush Districts representative team against the British team be tbreo Wairarapa to two Bush Districts men. In connection with tho southern tour of the Wairarapa representatives, it was decided' to play Canterbury on July 18, South Canterbury- on July 23, Otago on July 20, Southland on-July 29, and North Otago on August 1. If the South Canterbury date is not suitable for the home team, North Otago would bo - played on July 23. 11l responso to an application, it was resolved to allow Hospital collections on the grouud on the day of the WairarapaBritish match;- subject to the confirmation of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Should tho Bush Districts refuse to play against Wairarapa on Saturday, tho meeting dccided to play a .North and South Wairarapa match. , PALMERSTON MATCHES. (BY TELEGRAM.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Palmerston North, May 9. All football games here to-dav. wero played in a sea of water, an exceptionally heavy rain pouring down just after '■ play commenced. In the senior, matches, Old Bovs sprung a surprise in defeating Kia Toa by six to nil, while Palmerston suffered defeat at the hands of by eight to nil. Junior results -were as- follows; —Palmerßton (3) v. Feildins (0); Kia Toa (6) v. Old Boys (0). Third-class: Feildinc (15) v. < Old Boys (0). ■