FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 289, 31 August 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

. ' RUGBY. WELLINGTON V. CANTERBURY. ' ' A WIN FOR THE LOCAL TEAM. The annual representative match between , r the .Wellington and Canterbury' representative trains was. played, at tho Athletic Park on ' Saturday' afternoon in perfcct' weather, arid in the presence of-'abbut 4000 spectators. The game was interesting from start'to finish; tho backs on each sido putting in 6t>nie attractive'flashes of play. The score—' Wellington I]., Canterbury s—is5 —is a fair indox of tho difference between tho teams. Although Wellington had a 1 lead of ono point at'.the end of tho first spell, 'they had not by any means the best of-tho gamo,' the only two occasions on which they .wero really dangerous' resulting. in scores ebbing" registered. V The local meii improved l in the second term, and had the best 'of the' play, but the visi-. tors made several- bold'.bids for honours. Thero appeared to bo a screw loose somewhere in the visiting, tekm, a number of their best efforts toing turned to;account iby Wellington.- This did not happen, onoe,-but eoveraj times, Wellington .'entering- upon a vigorous counter-charge when the visitors' chances looked most rosy. 'The teams were as follow: — Canterbury.—Full-back, .Doell;. thi'ee-quar-ters : Fryer, Mason, Aitken; five-eighths, Weston, . .Gray;. half: Burns; -wing-forward: M'Phail; forwards:. Thompson,..Mahoney, Baker, Menzies, .Ward, Webb, Evans. Wellington.—Full-back: J. Ryan: - threequarters: Math&on, Mitehinson,Evenson, five-eighths: : Magco, M'Leod; half: Roberts; wingrforward: Avery; . Beady, Hamilton,. "Rangi" Wilson, A. C. 'Wilson, Rush, M'Kel!ar,.and.Sliadbolt. i'

' : First J>peii. . ,Tho Canterbury men - won the. toss and elected'to play with the northerly breeze boliindrthem. From play in Canterbury twentyfive .. M'Piail made a; break through, and, supported by_ Gray.; and-. Mason, transferred play-.to Wellington quarters. Tho visitors carried the. ball ofi, but Magee came to tho rescue. Operations were confined to Wellington territory for some time,, the .Canterbury backs throwing,tho ball about in good style, but gaining little ground; Weston made, a good , dash, but was brought dowji-on the line..- The .visitors kept Wellington busily defending : within:, the twenty-five,. but, at length smart following up by'Shadbblt got . one of tho Canterbury backs in trouble, and transferred play to the local men's side of? half-way, where charged down a return by Doell.A long kick., down : field by : ' Mason sav<kl. Weston and Gray, combined in a.passing dash on .Wellington line,: but Rush and'Shaubolt broke away, and relieved. . .The Wellington-.forwards carried, the .-ball on :to thj>, twenty-five, .where they were a fn&vtrick. -J- Ryan made a : good but unsuccessful attempt to Convert. On..resuming M?Eellar ,was noticeablo.for a couplo of strongdashefc, which'left Wellington..in a. ; good posi 7 Wellington - forwards: took 'the ,leather"on, Rush-loading,.and picking.up the. ball jindflrj-the .posts, from, tho, midst, of a 1 loose rush he thi;ew it well ; 'out-to Magee, who tscored, j/although tackled on the line. J. Ryan failed to convert. . . ■ , Wellington ... 3 Canterbury,''..! ■ ' ■■■ 0 From a passing rush between MiPhail,;.',Weston, and Gray, saw the latter kick past full-back, who sent the ball .'over tho dead-ball line. Another Canterbury,, rush—Thompson Mahoney, Evans—saw tho latter grassed. A spell of ev,en ; play was succeeded by an attack, by Canterbury, but Evenson-intercepted a pass, and .set Wellington attacking; Evenson tookthe .ball ,on and passed to M-Leod, who handed, on to Evenson again. Tho latter was tackled by : Dooll and "lost the ball, but Magee was handy . and- picked it up and raji oyer the-lino, after a pretty piece ,of concerted afhtMnW,,, J- Ryan nfled to concert,, (,-. , ff'Wellirfgttfri" l " J" 6'- " Canterbury •'''"iK'ia.i (WP" 1 ' .V. 1 ' 0 ' - p.n resuming,. iCantorbury... attacked again,. « ,wfi]l-tiined centre by. EryerVseiting'his for-, wards,'-racing'.for.;tbo s ,line., .'Ono of ilie Wellington .backs was: carried :over: the -line with', the ball-in his :> -possession, and a scruta- enBued;. .froin which .-AVellingten cleared- temporarily, although, the, visitors still held on. in,tho twenty-five. At lengh from a scrum near the line Canterbury were • awarded a freo kick, but Weston failed- to convert. The Southerners maintained-tho upper hand, and Aitken had an> unsuccessful pot in front of tho posts. Immediately after Wellington forced twice in succession, as .tho result of hard kicks over the line. A lengthy attack by Canterbury, was'broken <by a-good dribblo by M'Kellar, but the visitors soon returned to l their former position, and at length .were rowarded, Baker'getting over' at the corner, after several. oftho' Wellington backs had. beeii bustled by a forward rush, in which M'Phail Was prominent. Weston converted. r; ,Wellington.... G ... .- ..., : 5 . Half-time''sounded'a minute or two later.

•':'• - ' ' Second Spell. • The seebnd speli' v 6pened with some .neat paasing; bv/t-Ho . Canterbury hacks, ' handled jthip ' ball v prettily , and carried play inio, Wellington's. (Juartdrs, bu.t off-side, play ga'.vo relief. • Gray ..followed with a ' promisinrdash,'but. was net' supported and had to find' the 'line. /, Shadboltf'.'Rush, and M'L'eod removed play .. to.. Canterbury's quarters . at. Icrigth, and, Wellington kept at it, and a dash by'.Avery compelled Canterbury, .to'forco at the ;cbrner.''Shadbolt, Mitchirisb'n, and Evenson combined iii a passing dash, but the latter' was run..into touch, Wellington were pressing .'hard at. this stage, but' a weak, attempt' to';po't;by ,J. Ryan saw. tho ball' go into touclf-iri-goal. A pretty passing run between' Roberts, Mitchinson, and Math'eson saw tho latter ,knock-on when ho appeared to have J a certain .try in front of him. A; brilliant run down tho. ceintre of. tho field by M'Leod. followed, and he appeared' to .have beaten, , everything, but ,Doell just touched his too' and brought him down on tho lino. A sorum.followed, and tho ball came,out to Magee, .who feinted to pass and' dropped over tho line. J. Ryan converted. ■ Wellington ... ~..11 • : • :Canterbury- 1 ... • ... g

T]ronl tho kick'-but Robert's, Shadbolt,' and Eveifson wero_ a'ssbciaated in a passing rush, tho'latter being collared by Doell. Passing between M'Lepd, A. C. Wilson," and A.' Wilson followed} but a 'pass forward to Shadbolt, spoiled a certain try. Wellington were still .having--all tho best of the play at this stage,' and kept up a constant siego in their opponents' quarters,- but play evened up at last;-'-'[Canterbury losing a scoro through Mason ■ knocking-on, after Aitken and Weston hail made an opening which;' left him a clear, run in. A. Wilson was mainly, instrumental in .shifting play to tho other end of the'field,'where Doell saved 'cleverly on two occasions. _A mark by Avery" enabled ' J: Ryan to liavo another .shot "at. gpil; but without success.' A brilliant' run',by Fryer livened'up a dull spell of play, tho Sout'liener beating the five-eighths, centre, and J. Ryan, -but running into Mathes'onV arms when dodging J'. Rynn. A sthigglo eilsu'ed oil tho line, Canterbury being almost 'o.ver, 1 whpii M'Leod relieved prettily and started a rush,' which 'ended in tho Visitors scouring a lucky fotce, a.procedure which had to bo resorted to again almost immediately'after. A series of scrums on the' Canterbury line ended in tho visitors clearing, and' the gamo ended without further scorc. , Y:eilington , ... ... v ... n . ■ Canterbury ; • ... ... 5 The -best-of; tho 'Canterbury backs wa3. Doell, who played an excellent; gamo at fullback. Burns, Gray, and-Weston also played capitally. Of-the forwards, M'Phail,-on tho wing, Menzies, Malionoy, and Baker woro about tho best.' , ,' Roberts, M'Leod, Evenson, and J. Ryan were the best of.the Wellington backs, and of tho forwards Shadbolt, M'Kellar, "Rush, and "Ranji" Wilson wcro consistently to the fore. . Mr. Potcr Mackio was reforce.

THE CURTAIN-RAISER, A match between Southern and Potono, tha leading teams in the fourth-class competition, wae played as a curtain-raiser to tV rotiresen-

itative fixture on Saturday. When these clubs ,mot previously Petonb won, and Southern this timo niado a great effort to wipo out tho defeat and thus gain -tho championship. In. tho first.spell tho town team put on fivo points, a try secured by Gray from a passing rush, and converted by Guthrie. Had they lot the ball out to their backs moro they would probably have secured a further lead. In tho second spell both teams made attempts to scoro by means of penalty goals, but neither was successful: Then tho Petonc forwards worked their way down to tho Southern goci], whero a passing rush enabled , Collier to score. Ryan converted; thus making tho scores even. . Some very good passing rushes wero instituted by Southern, and one, in wl\ich_the ball was sent out on the blind side of a scrum., ended in a try being secured by Miles. It was not converted, and just on the call of time Parrant dashed through a number of Southern backs, scoring Petono's second try.and equalising matters. Since tho scores wero eight all, tho samo two teams will have to meet again before tho honours of tho competition can bo allotted. Mr. IV C. Atkinson was referee.

.SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES. . WELLINGTON v. WAIRARAPA. Teams representing the primary and secondary schools of Wairarapa were pitted against two fifteens chosen from the.same classes of tho Wellington' district. Tho standard of play in'both divisions was of a high order, backs and forwards playing with liko skill. In tho secondary contest the honours wero very even. Shortly after tho kick-off Poole, Wellington three-quarter, touched down, but the try was not converted. For the remainder of tho spell tho visiting boys did most of tho attacking, aiid were several times almost over 'the Wellington goal-line. Their forwards wero certainly n> fine combination, playing .tpgether nicely in loose work as ,woll as scrums.- Tho scoro was almost equalised when Beard took a kick at goal for Wairarapa, but enough was not allowed for. tho wind, ■ and- the ball passed at the side of tho post.. In the second spell tho play was mostly in neutral territory, neither side having any decided advantage. Once or: twice tho Wellington backs attacked with passing bouts, but Wairarapa tackled , neatly andkicked surely when occasion arose. Thero wero ono or two force-downs in tho latter part of the game; but no further scoro was' notched, Wellington thus gaining a victory by 3. to nil.

• The primary schools match- was decidedly in the visitors' favour, thetown boys rarely being in.dangerous proximity to the Wairarapa goal. 'Some credit, for this must be ascribed to the diminutive Wairarapa fullback, a boy. Very safe in ( his position.. In the first • spoil, Manning touched down .between tho. posts, as tho result of a passing bout, and Nix added the major points to.the visitors' score. Other passing rushes wore attempted, but failed, generally, through hanging-on, ; ft fault. not_ monopolised by schoolboy players.' In this game, tho Wellington forwards wero rather tho.bettor lot, while the backs.of tho Wairarapa tcam'wero slightly superior. Three points more wero added to Wairarapa's total in tho .second spell, Nix kicking.a goal from a mark.. The game ended in a victory for Wairarapa by 8 to nil.. . ■ • . ; , POST OFFICE MATCH. 1 , , Tho annual match between teams reprosepting the' Hnwke's Bay and Povorty Bay Post Offices against Wellington was played on Saturday,' and resulted in an easy win for Wellington .by 30 to nil. Lloyd (3), Clinkard, and Evenson scored tries, four of which were converted. Paul potted a goal.

WAIRARAPA BEATS BUSH LOSEItS RALLY TOO LATE. | (ni TEI.EGEAPII.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) . Masterton, August 30. I The Rugby "football match .between the Wairarapa and the Bush Districts representative teams 'was played yesterday at Carterton, and py : 29 points to" 12." ; The' 1 'gams' ■Was"fast 7 ' and' open, Miftl'UkftWi'li# Bfl«BrHlifiM ,, 'ji&fcjjMg bj' the Wairarapa, backs, and all round''loose play -by the Bush District forwards. The Scores aro hardly an' indication of "the respective merits of the teams, Wairarapa's Superiority not being altogether in all round play, but in the fact of their backs full advantage of the chances offered; Their fielding and .line-kicking was also of a high order. . ' ' - " The Wairarapa forwards, however, were shreds and patches of their former greatness, and it was in this department, particularly in the latter half of the second spell, that the Bush men woro pre-eminent, and fairly crumpled up their opponents. In this connection, the Wairarapa back defence, savfe in' the caso of Duggan; Darville, and Fairj brother, was "not what it should' have been. Had the Bush team' played with -the same' vigour all through the game as it did in the last fifteen' minutes, the margin .of defeat might have been smaller. 'Wairarapa scored seven tries and'potted a goal', and two tries were converted] V. Fairbrother was responsible for: three of the tries,'and lie. also potted 1 a goal, while Duggan, Henflerson,' O'Loary, and Welch scored one try apiece. Duggan's try was recorded ' from his'fullback position.' Ho and. H. M'Kenzio each converted ono of tho tries; • V.- Fairbrother was most jjromiuent in a very capablo division of Wairarapa backs, all of whom played in first-class stylo on attack. The better of the Wairarapa forwards seemed to be H.' M'Kenzio, Levick, Welch, and Henderson. Tho Bush representatives played'somewhat spasmodically. They made tho mistake of attempting to play a back game till nearly three .parts of the second spell had .concluded, when they indulged in forward rushes, against tho vigour of which Wairarapa wilted unmistakably. Jack Sam, a. Native,, who potted a goal, was prominent at intervals. His ono great success, however, practically proved his undoing, for on every occasion afterwards on which he obtained possession of the leather, the importance of tho cross-bar monopolised his supreme confidence to the practical neglect of his comrades. Among a rather fino lot' of forwards Bissott played brilliantly on tho wing. Ho was well supported by Pilking--ton, Kavanagh, and G. Smith. V. Fairbrothers scored ; Wairarapa's' first try fiv'o minutes after the game started. Thero was no conversion, and in another, attaolc ecvou .minutes later Fairbrother potted 'a fino left-foot'goal.Eighteen minutes'later the same player helped Henderson to a try; which was also unconverted. The spell ended:— Wairarapa, 10; Bush, nil. I In tho second half 'Wairarapa put on eleven points iii ten minu--tes' play. From the kick-off Fairbrother scored two tries in quick succession, neither of which was converted. Then O'Leary went over-the lino, ,H. M'Kenzio adding the required points:—Wairarapa, 21; Bush, nil. Bush then got to work and Jack Sam potted a goal, wijlch then added another try for Wairarapa after a long' run, Duggan: converting :—Wairarapa, 26,; Bush,-4. Dugganwas the last man to score for tho local team, with a try which .brought Wairarapa's . score, up to 29. In tho last twenty minutes- Bush ran all over their opponents, and Bissott and Pilkington each scored a try, after -much combined effort on tho part of the visitors' forwards. G. Smith converted Pilkington's try, tho game ending:—Wairarapa, 29; Bush, 12. Mr. James Nicholls was a capable referee. ... i

AUOKLAND. v. TARANAKI. RANFURLY SHIELD. (UI TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 29. Tho Ranfurly Shield match played hero today' between tlie representatives of the Auckland and Taraiiaki Unions w&s won by Auckland bj; 9 points to nil' ' There was an attendance of about 8000,. and the weather, though 'fine, was chilly, with a heavy wind blowing down tho field during the. first.spell. Auckland had. tho best of tho-luck, for, after'playing with tlio wind in tho first spell, it droppqd When they had to face it. Tho Auckland pad: again demonstrated its superiority,' and rendered tho efforts.of the.Taranaki backs to open up play resultless. In the first spell Gillott- kicked a ponalty goal, and scored a try. In tho second spell Murray scored a try after a very clever piece of back play between Wilson, Johnston, and the scorer. A'great deal of the play was uninteresting, Auckland's pack at times keeping the gamo very close. Mr. J. Williams, of Dunedin, matlp. a very capable referee.

WANCANUI V. HAWKE'S BAY. A PLAYER INJURED, (nr telegraph—rßiss association.) Naplor, August 29. Tho match Wanganui v. Hawko's Bay was played to-day in beautiful Weathor, and Resulted iu a win for Hawko's Bay by 11 points to nil. In tho first half a mark secured by Wall for Hawko's Bay was converted by liira, and Konyon obtained a try, which Wail converted. . In tho second spell tho local; s:'<!o novor gavo thoir opponents a chanco, but tho only scoro was an unconverted try secured by Wall about live, minutps after'the start of play. ■ A regrettable accident happened during tho gamo. Wanganui wero forced, and from tho kick-off tho ball camo to.Symes, Hawko's Bay's full-back, and Hogaii tried to intercept Symes's kick. Symes's foot caught Hogan on tho shin and tho bone was broken. Tho injured man was attended to by members of the St. John Ambularico Brigade, and then removed to the hospital. The occurrenco was purely accidental, and was much regretted by . all. Sonter filled tho vacancy in the Wanganui team.

OTAGO V. SOUTHLAND. ; (nr TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunodin, August 29. . A match' between Otago and Southland was played to-day in tho presence of a largo number of spectators. At tho opening of tho' gamo tho weather was porfect, but as play progressed the wind : strengthened, and by tho finish it was blowing' very strong. In tho first spell Southland had the advantago of only a light wind, whilo in tho second Otago had a very strong ono to help them. For tho first half hour Southland held tho advantage, but after that Otago asserted themselves, and soon aftor tho opening of the second spell tho result was beyond doubt. Otago's strength lay chiefly in the forwards, who, generally scoured 'tho ' ball in tho scrums and put in some-' splendid work in tho loose. Southland had the advantago on the lino and followed up bettor. Neither' sido 'gavo a brilliant display in tho back division, but tho home team was slightly better in this department. Southland had tho best of tho opening stages; and at length Miles scored a try, which M'Necco failed to convert. The 'visitors had the upper hand for a while, but play was shifted to halfway, and off-side play by Broad gave Otago an attacking position,' although tho advantago was short-lived.' Up to this stage tho Otago backs had been fielding the ball badly, and Southland'got away on several occasions as tho result; Ridland did somo fino work and almost-' got over, and just afterwards Jenkins got over but Was called back as ho had gone into touch about a yard from tho" Ijile. Exciting play ensued oh the Otago lino, but tho homo forwards forced tho visitors back.' Good' work by Stead put Otago on'.tho defensive again, but a splendid rush by the defending forwards,transferred oporations to Southland's twenty-five. At length Chambers and Stalker took up tho. running, tho latter. passing to Dougherty, who ran down tho lino and scored near tho posts. Eckhold failed to convert,- ■ and ' the sooro qtood

; ' Southland' ' ' '... ... 3 ! Otago ... ... ... ... 3 Otago gave the visitors a busy time for a fow minutes,' but the defence stood tho strain. Fairly oven play followed, and just before half-time Kckhqld made a good .run, arid then passed to O'Sullivan, who scorcd near the corner. Paton failed with tho' kick. Otago, 6; Southland, 3. -Soon after' tho second spell opened,, Eckhold put the visitors on tlio defensive, and a fino rush immediately afterwards resulted in M'Renzio 'scoring near the corner. Paton. converted with<a splendid kick. Otago, 11; Southland, 3. Otago made strenuous but unsuccessful efforts to' scoro. • Southland staved off several attacks, but Otago wero not to bo denied, and aftor somo loose work Ivimey scored in a good'"position. Dougherty failed .with tho'shot at goal. Otago, 14; Southland, 3. Aftor Eckhold had had a shot at goal from a mark by M'Donald, tho scene suddenly'changed, and Southland broko -.away. Fino work by Stead, Bid-' land. 'J.' M-Neeco,; A'. "M-'Neecoy and Broad resulted in the last-named scorinc a good, try ' dear -the'"corher?. ,!l A,■ •M.'Ni&'cd. fa'ilfed to cop--vert.' Otago, 14; Southland, 6. A littlo later Ivimey'secured a mark'in-a handy position, and -Paton kicked-'agood goal. ■ Otago, .17;. Southland, 6. Southland then' put in some excellent' work, which threatened the Otago line, but Ivimoy and 'Stalker managed to savo. Otago were soon aggrossive'again, and after somo loose play, Fitzpatrick dived over' Paton converting. Otago, 22; Southland, 6. The home team still continued to hold the advantage, and from a mark by Sutherland,Paton kicked a splendid goal from almost on tho touch-line. Otago, 25; Southland, 6. 111 the closing stages, Sutherland got away from a scrum, and after making a good run, 'passed Stalker, who scored at tho corner, Paton failing with the kick. Timo was then callcd with tho scores:—

.Otago ; r, 28 Southland • • 6 WELLINGTON Bvi NELSON. 'i; (by telegraph—ninss association.) 1 '■ Nelson, 'August 29. . A representative match, Wellington" I? v. Nelson, played this afternoon, resulted in a win for tho former by 21 points to 3. Tho ground was in splondid order, but a strong wind blew diagonally across tho ground. In the first half, when playing with tho wind, Wellington put up 11 points, Gardner kicking a penalty goal, and Houlihan and Gsbome scoring tries. Thomas 'converted one ia? r ' es " sccoll d spell' Osborne and Murphy obtained -tries, which wcro converted by Gardner and Thomas respectively. Smith kicked a penalty goal for Nelson. Tho game was fast, tho visitors having tho advantage in tho forward work. Tho match, however, was more evenly contested than • tho scores indicate.- • ■ MISCELLANEOUS MATCHES. ' . PALMERSTON NORTH. (by TEr.KGUAPn,—SFKCIAL CORKESrONDIINT.) ; Palmorston North, August .30. ino second' round of the Abraham Cup competition was" played yesterday, the playing'fields being ■in splendid" condition. A strong-wind, blowing directly along tile field, marred.good play• considerably. In tho Feilding-Old Boys' gamp tho, latter team had several vacancies filled by juniors, the positions of some of tho "players also being changed,' I rasor, the usual full-back, be-ing-to hook, while tho Hankins fshield holders had their 'strongest side, including Oiigley and Rout, who have been incapacitated since the middlo of the''season, i'oildins set off against the wind, they having a slight advantage during the spell, but the , y ™, ro ""able to score. "On changing ends 0 d Boys had the upper hand, and at tho call of timo neither sido had scored, a play-on of two spells of ten minutes each being necessary. Old Boys scored three points in each spell, Amedeo kicking a penalty goal, and Lucas scoring a try. The Kia Toa-Palmerston match was also evenly contested, Palmorston having slightly the better of tho play throughout, but failed' to make uso of tho opportunities offered, tho cup holdersi winning by two tries (converted tries by Webb and M'Mirin, Stalker and M Minn adding the major points) to' Palmerston s two tries (by Boon and Best, Brown converting one)'. ■ (iIY TELEGItAPII—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) . , , '' , Wariganui, August 29. A matc.i was played between tho Ituapehu Sub-Union and tho Wanganui B team this afternoon. Iho Wangaipi team outclassed tho visitors, who were defeated by 31 to 6. Christchurch, August 29. A match was played this afternoon between the Wanganui Oollegiato School and •Lincoln Collego. Tho game was a verv interesting one, and until tho closing stages when the superior condition and combination of tho Wanganui boys told, the Agricultural students mado a very good light. In tho first spell- their forwards woro rather hotter in. loose, work than Wanganui, but tho lattor's backs handled'tho ball bettor and. their, line-kicking was generally moro effective. Tho game ended: Wanganui 20 points; Lincoln 6 points,

THE NORTHERN UNION CAME. SERIES OF MATCHES ARRANGED. (l)Y TELEGBArn—IMtESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunetlin, Augiist 30. Supporters of the Northern Union gnmo aro hopeful of gaming u strong fcotuiK horo

before the season- is over. Olio of tho promoters of tho gamo says thero are some forty players, including many of tho best men here, who liavo intimated their intention, of playing this gamo. It is proposed running the game on purely amateur lines, and tho promoters' intend commencing practice matches in another week. The Qaledonian ground has been secured, and a'match against Wellington will bo played on it on Otcober 3, and also on the Saturday'following. ' It is hoped to arrange a match against a Alaori team for tho Saturday after, that, and on the last : Wednesday in September a match will bo played at Invcrcnrgill. Players Trill bo paid for time lost while away from Duncdin, but it is not tho intention to go in for professionalism. If tho New Zealand Union decide to improve tho present game the promoters of tho Northern Union gamo will bo satisfied, but in tho meantime they intend doing their best to push the new game.

■ LEAGUE FOOTBALL. (DY TELEGEAPII—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.) v Auckland, August 29. Tho Auckland Northern Union Football League has decided to send a team to Wellington to play tho representatives of that city on September 5. The team will leave .Atfckland on Wednesday next, and will probably play a gamo at New Plymouth on tho way down. Inyeroarglll, August 29. Tho Northern Union football team about to tour tho North leaves for_ Wellington on Thursday morning. It contains many leading players.

PLAYERS INJURED.

. (by telegram;—mess .association.) Napier, August 30. Three members of tho Wanganui football team wore injured in tho match against Hav,-Re's Bay yesterday. J. Hogan accidentally suffered 'a broken leg, tho bono of which was cleanly fractured at the anklo. The break was set at the hospital last night, !>tit it will be a considerable time before logan can bo. removed. E. Paton had his kneo put out, and G. Aitken had a rib broken. :

ASSOCIATION.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. THE SENIOR CHAMPION SHIP "WON BY DIAMONDS. j As forecasted in our "Association Notes" of Saturday last, the finish for the Senior First Division Championship was likely to he closo one, a surprise packet not being improbable. The result was somewhat unexpected. Diamonds, Rovers,, and Y.M.C.A. ■jVero all "in it," so to speak, their positions being as follow: —. . ( • Team. Points. 1. Diamonds . 21 2. Rovers ' ... 21 j 3. Y.M.C.A. .., . ... ... 20 I Diamonds wero cast to play Y.M.C.A., and in tho basis of two points for a win and ono for a draw a win for tho former would have placed the'latter out of tho running. Rovers were to play Ramblers, who occupied sixth place, and. therefore, had lio influence in tho result beyond what everybody considered to bo the veij improbable chance of either dofenting their formidablo adversaries or even honours with them. Tho result of -tho Diamonds-Y.M.C.A. match was. in (Joubt; -the-Rovers-Ramblers contest was rogardod as a oertaintly for Rovers. Had. Diamonds and Rovers both won their matches on Saturday, tho championship final would have had to bo played on Saturday next. But if Diamonds had suffered defeat at the hands of Y.M.C.A., and Rovers beat Ramblers, then tho Rovers would have pocketed, tho Championship without further ado. j But tho unexpected happened, so far as tho Rovers-Ramblers match was concorned, for one of the strongest teams in tho Senior First Division suffered defeat by ono goal_ to, nil, at tho hands of a team which, during ijlio proscnt season, had won three out of thirtocni matches, lost..eight, and drawn two! Thati was„t.he surprise packet. . . j 'Diamonds defeated Y.AI.C.A.,by three goals to nil, and so. gained championship'honours. The honours!,; list is : as follows.

• i ' . TO. . O tl • ' • • rt Team. • U' : , , £ m » a • j? § 3 § "3 g § I -2, .? O U O 6 J V - j g a o o Diamonds ... 14 11 2 1 40 10 23 Rovers . , ... 14 9 2 3 32 12 21 Y.M.C.A.: . .... 14 10 i 0 4i 17 20 Wanderers ... 14 5 7 2 20 23 12 Swifts ... 14 5 7 2 17 22 12 Ramblers • ■ 14 4, 8 2 18 29 8 Petone ... 14 .3 10 .1 14 27 7 Tliistlo '... 14 '3 10 1 10 57 . 7 SENIOR . FIRST DIVISION. : v'' DIAMONDS v. Y.M.C.A. i . ! Air'crithusiastic crowd, numbering about 1000, witnessed tho Diamoiids-Y.M.C.A. fixture at tho-Basin Reserve on Saturday.- Weather conditions were perfect, and a lino' display of "soccer" was witnessed by those present. Y.M.C.A. did not have the services of Chapman, who through injury sustained in tho match against Rovers, was unablo to play. To balance things Diamonds had to • substitute? Hodges in place of A. Lowe, who is an influenza victim.' I Y.M.C.A. won the toss and elected to play with the sun at their baoks. Shortly after tho Jiick-off they were' in trouble, but offside by Diamonds gave them temporary relief. Combined rushes by Y.M.C.A. compelled Diamonds to take two goal-kicks. Diamonds rose to the occasion and invaded \ .M.C.A. territory, but a foul transferred play to neutral territory. "Peter" Roberts came in for applause for a brilliant save after Fitzgerald had fistod the ball out. Forbes shortly dftor had a chanco, but Fitzgerald was equal to the occasion and sent the ball well down tlio field. Another opportunity of drawing first blood was missed by Forbes, who received a pass from N. Irvine, but the shot Went wide. Mooro tried hard to scoro for Y.M.C.A. From his shot, Fitzgerald kicked well down field, and after some fine passing Hatliauayput in-a shot which was saved by Gofton in good stylo. Rcddy received a pass from "Joe" Taylor, but the final execution was weak. Tho gimo was stopped at this stage for about five minutes, while the re-fereo-cleared,tho lines. A pretty pieco of forward play by Diamonds enabled Duffy to shoot, but without success. From tho goalkick Y.M.C.A. attacked, and T. Irvino put in a foeble shot. The goal-kick boro fruit for Diamonds, for after au excellent piece of passing between Hathaway and Reddy, tho ball reached A. Lowe, who scored the first goal. Gofton, was having plenty of shots, to stop, and was acquitting himself creditably ; a second shot from Lowe was saved in fine style. When Diamonds secured tho lead, Y.M.C.A. pressed hard, but "Mick" Fitzgerald was equal to tho occasion and saved good shots from N. Irvine and W. Gibson respectively. The fourth free kick was allowed Diamonds for Y.M.C.A. not throwing the ball in fairly. From one of these kicks Duffy securcd, and wont near scoring. Timperley had a chanco near Diamonds' goal, and missed by inches only. Diamonds rfc-re having all tho best of tho game at this stage, and shots wero missed by "Wag" Hathaway, Hodges, and D. Roberts. Tho first spell ended 'with Diamonds pressing, and tho scoro stood: —Diamonds. 1Y.M.C.A., 0. - ' '

On resuming Diamonds combined wel), with tho result that Hodges scored with a difficult shot that beat Crjfton. From the kickoff Y.M.C.A. attacked and were awarded a free-kick near Diamonds' goal. Fitzgerald saved, and .play was transferred to Y.M.C.A.'s territory, where a penalty was awarded" to Diamonds. I-lathaway was entrusted with' tjio kick, but Gofton, equal to tho occasion • saved by conceding a corner. The corner was fruitless, and Y.M.C.A. camo away with a rush, which Ov'orend stopped by finding touch. " ' After being forced Diamonds rallied,' with the result that Hodges, from a pas's from Roddy,' placcd the .third goal t-o Diamonds' credit. After tho kick-off Lowo mado a brilliant run down tho lino and outmanoeuvred tho opposition. His centre, though good, was received by Hathaway, who sent in a hot shot, which missed by inches. Y.M.C.A. rallied, and after a good passing rush W. Gibson secured in tho shooting lirea, but hin ohot was wonk. "Joo" Taylor, who was playing brilliantly sent in a

shot which Gofton cleared well. Lowo secured, and after heating tho opposition shot, but tho ball glided over tho bar-. From tho goal kick Forbo3 headed tho ball and Overend secured. He dribbled past tho opposing bocks and took tho ball down tho lino and ended a brilliant piece of. play with a fmo centre. . Y.M.C.A. attacked, 'but a head shot from W. Gibson went very wide. iThc samo player missed an easy shot later ■in tho game. Y.M.C.A. wore awarded a corner through a mis-kick by Roberts, but' jnothing resulted. Taylor sent in a couple pf" hot shots, hut Goffxm was in good form and saved well. Shots, were tried by both sots of forwards-without result, and tho gamo ended: Diamonds 3 Y.M.C.A 0 For Diamonds, "Mick" Fitzgerald, in goal, was decidedly safe. "Peter" Roberts and Overend did all they were required to do in fine style. Overend probably played his best game this season. Thorley, Taylor, and D. Roberts were a fine sot of halves, and fed their forwards'well. All.tho forwards worked liko Trojans, and were in good form. For Y.M.C.A., Gofton had the most to do, and during the game made some brilliant saves. Tho other backs wore weak, with perhaps Irvine the exception. Their kicking for the mcst part was too hard. Forbes did not. play as well as usual. Breaking - up tho Forbes-Timperloy combination was not a wise move on tho part of tho club's selection committee. Mr. Waters controlled tho ga.no to the satisfaction of all concerned.

; • RAMBLERS v. ROTORS. i The Ramblers-Rovers match was played at Newtown Park under perfect conditions, tho ground being in splendid order. Rovers played with tho sun in their eyes during tho first spell, but having a slight advantage as regards tho wind. O'Sbea kicked off for Rovers, but. hard kicking by Lowo gave Ballingall the Opportunity of" returning the ball to Mouat, and a splendid" passing rush 011 tho part of the Ramblers' forwards, in which Mouat, Anker, and Smallbono were most prominent. Tho ball was taken well into Rovers' goal area, Smallbono having a shot which was well stopped by Penlington. Play then became very uninteresting for somo and the Rovers'- halves* with tho exception of Bethell, failed to feed' their forwards. A good piece of play by Ramblers' forwards, in whicli Mouat and Anker were again prominent, took the ball nearly the whole length of the field ' They outmanoeuvred tho backs, and passed to the centre, where' Edwards (Ramblers) made a beautiful shot which gave Penlington no chance at all —Ramblers 1, Rovers 0. 'Rovers thbn made strenuous efforts to equalise matters, hut the defence of Ramblers' backs and Jackson at half stood every test* ' llovers evidently had a day off, O'Shca, at centre, being tho only forward to show anything like' form, and ho received no support from his colleagues, Martin and Duigan, who were decidedly off colour, frequently mis-kicking the hall. . Halftime was called with tho score still at I—o in Ramblers' favour.

On resuming play, Ramblers kicked off and immediately attacked tho Rovers' goal. W. O'Shea coming to tho rescue; and setting his forwards. to work, .took the play well up the (Veld out of danger, Cashman, Barry, and O'Shea in the forwards passing nicely. O'Shea had a shot, which Oldnall ■ stopped, but tho ball was again returned' into goal by Betholl, Lowe having a splendid chance of equalising the score. He, however, mado a feeble attempt, the ball flying wide. At this stage Rovers were very unfortunate in losing tho services of their captain, Martin, who was disabled and had to leavo tho field. This necessitated Rovers playing the "single back" gamo. Play then became very slow, Ramblers' forwards having it nearly all their own way, and missed scoring on many occasions through not steadying tho ball. Timo was caljed with tho score unaltered, Ramblers winning by 1 goal to nil. Mr. H. G. Mayor was referee, and gavo every satisfaction.. , For the Rovers, Bethell at half and O'Shea in tho forwards wero the only players who showed out prominently,, the team appearing to be off colour-as a-'whole; on 'the 'other' hand; cohibmed > Wollj l ' , all"th'6' l ' forwards playing good football. -Mount' and Anker were conspicuous in the forward line, and Ballingall and J?.ckson at half.- Oldnall had tery' : littlo to do in goal. ... ... I

SECOND DIVISION CHALLENGE CUP. Swifts defeated Rambors by two goals to ono on Saturday. Swifts kieked-off against the wind,, and rushed the ball up to Ramblers'. goal. M'Mahon returned tho hall to Ramblers' forwards, who commenced an attack 011 Swifts' goal, but tlio reds backs had -little or 110 difficulty, in keeping ■ their goal clear—their opponents had no sting in their forward play. Guise was responsible for instituting a Swifts' attack, but tho ball was kicked over Ramblers' goal-lino. At tho other end a corner fell to Ramblers, and in clearing Pye-Smith managed to handle, but tho resulting penalty was put outsido by Smallbone. Moffatt and M'Lean worked' tho ball up tho Swifts' right-wing, and from a scramble in goal Patersbn scored for tho rods. I—o.1 —0. This reverso livened tho Ramblers up, and they succeeded in gaining a corner, which, however, was cleared. A shot from Fraser was only cleared by Salmon' at tho'expenso of a corner, which was kicked well into'goal and bustled through, making tho scores level. I—l The balance of tho spell ended in favour of tho Swifts. Ramblers commenced tho second spell by a series of raids into Swifts' territory, but although Wills, Ferkins. and M'Lean did good work,. the final efiort was invariably spoilt. Tho Swifts' defenco was, - for a time, uncertain, and was almost broken by the Ramblers more than onco. A penalty fell to Swifts for "hands," but Wil-' son kicked yards over the goal. Swifts again tightened their hold on tho game, M'Lean making somo' good saves "in' goal, especially from 0110 or two well-placed corners. Just before t-ime, another penalty foil to Swifts, and l'ye-Smith made no mistake in getting a low shot past M'Lean. 2—l. Mr. A. Newson refereed impartially. M'Lean, M'Mahon, Wills, and Ferkins were the best of the Ramblers, while Wilson, Guise, Moffatt, and M'Lean did well for Swifts.' St. John's and Y.M.C.A. met in the second round, when St. John's were victorious by four goals to two. Tho game was-a very poor exhibition, of soccer, both teams being entirely off colour and not able to control the ball at all. Ferguson,' Shaw, Gosney, and Johnston scored for St. John's,' while the outside right and centre- forwards scored for Y.M.C.A. Mr. Godber was referee.

JUNIOR GAMES. I Y.M.C.A. A drew' with Y.M.C.A. C on Saturday-, C having a slight advantage on tho play. Tho scoro was two all. j A Y.M.C.A. team (01) met Swifts, and after a closely-conte3ted gaino suffered defeat by three goals to one. Y.M.C.A. drew first blood from a passing rush in the first spell. In the second half Swifts, represented by Williamson, Coleman, and Murphy, netted t)irco goals. Coleman and Oyerend played a; splendid game on the Swifts' left wing. ( Swifts, 1; Ramblersj 0. Diamonds, 3; Ramblers (A), 0,-. - i BROWN SHIELD TOURNAMENT. . j The Brown Shield representatives are to moot tho cummitteo of- management of tlio Wellington Football Association at the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Tuesday evening next, when certain proposals referring to tho expenses of the tenm will ho discussed. ! The Taranaki representative team for tho Brown Shield tournament in Dunedin will arrive in Wellington on Saturday, leaving tho same evening for Christchureh,' where thoy vMll stay over Sunday;- • •