FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 575, 2 August 1909, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

SATU RDAY'S RUGBY MATCHES. PONEKE BEATEN. SA TIE FOR THE CHAJIPIONSHIP Another cfsfeafc was sustained, by the Poneko first fifteen on Saturday, and the rciult leavc3 tho senidr champ'ioniship very and Poneko now being I«el Arrangements made on Satuiday for theV gamc3 to como, appear btloir. Tha state of Athletic Park made good football cTifficult, and tho 'struggle bstween Athletic and Poneko ivas hard, but not brilliant It may indeed have- been, "ftilliof incident," tho total eacttemettt did nob amount-to much. / Poneke could not get their backs going, and 'in tho forwards Athletic were rathei wove ' tliwi their match. Perhape the only leallj meritorious bit of the ga % ne-\vas tho lmckicking of tha backs Considering; tho slippery ball and ground, ib was very good ATHLETIC (3) V. PONEKE (0). "Oft expectation fails" sang Bard of mcot-oft there where most' it promises." Tn« first match between Athletic and Poneke had been a good one. But not tfiis. All tha incident happened m the firsi few minutes of the second spell All tho interest was built up round a single try Aad that-try, by the way, nas no try." "Learned and authentic fellows'' among the 4000 pre; 1 sont seemed to bo of opiiTTon that tho team with Tahttla left in it''at the hnish wrald como to light, 1 and' the match would bo worth watching in its closing stages. The first ' spell was featureless Cheers wt tho combatants going , in thd • second naif, 'and cheers give- pace to a gamo. This game-needed pace to make it a game at all. Toneke., opened with a watoi-logged piece of passing, and"Mitchirson (e\poneut of the. unexpected), seeing thatHho liish was drifting on to tho leo shore of touch, went on the other tack, and potted but missed. The nest few minutes ivere dramatic. Gathering themselves together for the knock-out bloiv, tho Blues, \swept the ball out of then twenty-five, swept the' Reds with it, and. then swept right down the field ,UnldiUmitely, * in the jumble of red and blue, jeisejs, somo eager Bluo/man also swept tlie, hall on. with his hand It was, a ten-yards kncck-oii but the rush, never stoppmPi flowed over the Poneke goal-lmc, -where S Wilson ecctoJ •v 3—o. And now tho lade'Espedtation lot the spectators down .altogether It ought noV to have been a good game for Poneke to ivin, but poor Poneke never' looked like wmmii" . At,one stage they were compelled to touch dowiji three times in three minutes, Indeed, 1 as the spell progressed Athletic looked like ' opening out with their backs, but tho state ot tho ball was against that manoeuvre Pot shots and placed shots were also tried, hut they «were lonly sparks that fell and sizzled out in the dark sea of futilities. At •■twenty minutes to time, the *ircd | stage,came. Both siJcs were "done up," but, Athletic had the match safo ar/l thej know ' it Pcrhap Pcnoko knew it too, for ''hoy made no further move of note. The gjmo tumbled o\er itsglf in its general weariness, eagg&l down about tho knees, and finished I so The mud was the chief winner. Mr. J. Conder wa3 the referee. I

PETOME (15) V.'OLD BOYS («. 1 From a spectacular point •of view, the matcli between Petone and Old Boys, which also',took place ,on xithletic Park, fell shoit of expectations During the earlier stages of the ( , contest, Petoiia hotly pressed Old Boys. 'When sonio ten minutes had elapsed James Ryan got over, but M'Farlane was not successful ■• with 'the kick Both sides now wanned to their work, with the result that good hard forward play was witnessed" Quite unexpectedly, Old Bovs/ swept down on to the Petone line, where a scrum was orderfed Out came the ball on the Old Boys side, and, before the crowd had leahsed what happening, Picot pas'seU' td 'A'v'ery, who eluded several Petono 'backs, and scored Within tho nest couplo ot- mfnutei Old, Boys w-ere / awarded a free-kick in a good position, and ball over the bar Soon after thd hid 1 commenced, Lindsay hea'ded' a" splendid forward ' rush foi I'etouc As a result of tho next rush Millaf , scored, but M'Farlane failed with the kick From/ now dnwards Petone. as. a result ot superiority in condition, wore in the ascendancy. Additional tries Were scored for them by Greon and Price, but neither was converted. A penalty goal, however, was kicked by M'Farlane, tho game thus ending with the score: Petone 15, Old Boys 6 Mr. L. Sievers was tho reforee i \_ ORIENTAL (18) V.' VICTORIA COLLEGE (9). Th 6( grounds at Miramai wore in good condition, and teiided to produce fast play. From,tho kick-oit, Oriental had a distinct advantage, and the College wont down rathci badly. Their forwards snowed some- energy, bntiback work was almost entirely auseut, and thts BlacL-and-Whites romped over them complacently Atter_ several close attempts, 'Kinvig came awiiy with the ball, , and capped hls'run with a score The try was | not oOliveited, on account of tho ltiflueaico of the wnid, but, in a little whilo, oppoitumty came again to Kinvig As before, ho waa prepared, dntl, in a twmklnig, Gioelis had a potted goal against ' them Maze next kicked a penalty goal fioni closo m, and'the spell ended with ten points in favoui ot Oriental. hazardous play in front of College goal, ended, as might have been expected, in a scoro bv Collerton, which Maze failed to convert Coming up, held again, it looked aa if College wero going to retaliate- in a similar manner, but O'Lsary was pushed against a goal-post, and Oriental lost tio time in foicing Play,'however, remained in tho Black-and-White quarters long enough for O'Leary to kick a ]»nalty goal Comer thon got over, and Kinvig goaled again, bringing, tilie Oriental scoio up'to ltt points. From this dnt Victoria College pUycd" with more Vim, and eventually Dnncah scored., O'Learv tailed to convert, but so*pn aff-orwaids he. had 'success with n penalty kick, given for deliberate blocking by West, an opposing forwaid, Jli. Mahoney vas lelereo

BT. JAMES (11) V. WELLINGTON (8). James had'a creditable victory over Wellington on tho polo ground at Miramar, In-tho first spell, Wellington,wcio making all tKe opening6,"and played with sqme dash, the Beds reserving their efforts for later. Half-tinle saw tho scores: Wellington 8, St. Jamee nil. That state of things did not last, however, and the smartness of St. James's backs, , combined with plucky forward movos, resulted in tho obtaining of three good scores, 'one of which,was converted. Tho,gamo"was 'fafct and N dpon. D. Bridge alvLCarr scoreJ for Wellington, .and Sellars kicked a splendid goal from tho second vtry, thotign it was no day for goal kicking, as half a galo was blowing. When ends were chdnged, . Thoinna ropaated the perfonnanco which had won-for Sellare a round of applause. After Hoare had scored from a passing jush, he landed the ball neatly over tho bar. Then Bruce scored twice, instances, tho same.method. 'The first score tyas easily obtained. From a line-out near tho Wellington boundary, he jumped over and_ touched down.' He succeeded later in bi caking right through from a line-out' near the twentyfiVe yards 'flag. Mr. C. Bell was refereo. ■" M&LROSE (13) V. SOUTHERNS). Only a few spectators wmo prpsont at',the , Poiono Recreation Ground to watch tho game between Southern and Molrose. The ground in places was under water, tho gamo was a veritable mud scramble; and tho persistent talking and appealing—moio particularly by ono of the- Slelroso forwards—contributed a debating society element quite out of keeping with football. Mclioeo had tho advantage of the strong wind in tho first spell/ and the game had not long been in progr-tea when ran round and opened the Maroon and Blue's score With a try.' Fraser's kick was unsuccessful. Slelroso 3, Southern 0. Immediately following tliii Southern were forced two or tliToe times in quick succession. Leahy and Houlihan put hope into tho Southern men by a strong dribbk,' but a knock-on cleared tho atmosphere for Melrose, who, taking advantage of a blunder by,' a Southern back, hustled tho play and Murphy got over. Fraser placed b goal making tho scoro 8 points in favour

of last year's champions,. A few minuted be- : for© half-time Bang added another try to the Melro-S* tally, anclFraser. converting, Melrose;,liad;3; load oMSpoiota. Southern; in , their turn, made; tha meet: of the. strong ; wind 'in the sacond spclf. Immediately on resuming'J. Camphell, Leahj-and Houlihan headed. a-.pb#erf\]l. riisa,-which took, play to tfieMel-. 'rose quarter.-,- aiid Taylor scored a , clevertry. JVMrose 13, ■Sontfjeni S; attempted to- .open: up the game, which • attempt/ lio\v.ever,;\rasEoandiji i /eh'eckod..hy_ .their/ op- : j.ponentaj who showed' their opinion of ,it by solid tackling 'and \, good strenuous forward .work..' Thisihadthe deaired effect, >;arid"-Mel-: rose'sVline; was in dangei till a. force relieved. However, SdutHerii'B- efforts'.were •'.vowarded r.hortlv" before time, wh.«a'"Lea.'i'- Campbell dashed and touched do.wivV. There, was no 'further•Eoore.^-ilt'hough'Southern ■■were nearly .over. again just on, time, the gamd ending WithiMelrase winners-by 13 points to 6.;-Mr.;Spencer;Was/'reierce.- •; .\; ;■ ■ ■ ■

THiRD CLASS. :St, James defeated ITppor Hutt by 12 points to nil. i'or -the winners, Donovan, Linklater and Stringer, scored tries! W. -Crewcs kicked a. penalty.griaL V • /: Star j BoatinttlOlub beat Wellington' by ; 7 .points to ,3.; - aturray kicked: a penalty, goal . arid jotted a goal for the winners. ; Wellington College were . victorious over Karori by 6 points: to 3.' Grayiscoreda try and Stewart kicked a 'penalty .'goal for tho winners. :- ; ; ■ The St; John's,v.. Oriental match resulted . in a win for tho'. former by'G points to 3. 'Elliffe and'Mciglian scored for St., John's. FOURTH CLASS. Squi&prn 1 V (2-H.\ defeated'-Athlo.tic (0). The ■ flowing : scorcd ;for the winners: —Wctneral and Gray two tries each,, and ParkeiyHaycs, 1 and G. Russell one each. Capper . converted two -tries, and Parker one., ; Southern :is now loading for tho championship. ' ;p; Victoria'' College; (3) : . defeated ' Wellington ■ (0): Gray scCred'the try. for the winners..; ' Oriental (5) beat Ponoke (4).. For the . winners /-Prideanx scored'. a' try, .which ; was; converted by . Daly. Williams potted ;•& goal ■ for Poneke. • . ' FIFTH CLASS. " 1 Athletic (26) • defeated St. James (6). : Scorors for tho winners were Stevens (3) l v Allen (2), Robinson (1), and Atkins (1). : Stevens converted ono try..- ''' /' SCHOOL MATCH. .r;?A' .match tcok placo on Saturday .botwecn . Mount Cook-School ahd Thoindon ■ School seiv ■ 'ior.sand resulted'in : a; iviu.for tho:former by. ;, three point 3 to nil. J. I'orsythe scorcd a try.

■ (MPORTANT^FDCTURES./: :; ./:>■: to■..tho: ; senior l .'■ games Athletic-Park on Saturday.the. committee of. thc ; -Wellington-Rugby. Football Union : met' to. arrange a number of. fixtures; '_I.t !was.- decided that the. "star".,.-.items, for.next Saturday ''"should 'be , .'played \ at'Atholtic Park, 'viz;j Potone'.v.'Athletic,70n , N0. T giwrid, andPoneke ?.;Oriental on Jsp., 2 area.. Members also 'decided-■that,'thd 'match 'Sargbdd," Son and ; Eweil Y;'Ross "and^Glendining,' , should bo -played 'as' a.jourtaiii-raiser .to' tho Wollihgten .v.': :; .Tara : iiaki:.couteet':qn ■ August 14.:.- It .was' re3olved:'that'',,th6 ■:matches''for :: August; .21. sHduldvbe; St. ..College-.V/'y.icloria. College, and the final for the senior chain-' pionsTup or (if tho cup is won on next Satuiday s matches) tho charity match As a cui-(am-raiser to the match, Nbith Island v South Island, on Wednesday, August 25, it was decided to match tho Wednesday lepifis"ntatives asainst the junior representatives Foi August 28, when ,tho mtorprovincial match, Auckland v Wellington, will tako place, it was airanged that tho lcfeices' match (Manawatu v Wellington) sljould bu held as a prclininary contest It was also decided that a junioi -tual match (m which players trom Kia Oia and Petonp should fora. > ono side, and players fiom tho Wellington junior teams comprise tho other) should tako place, at Pctono next Saturdaj. IN OTHEUICEWTRES. 7 ' ,? 1,, ~"' HANKlks' 'SHIEKD WON BY-^FEfefeN'S. ' (By Tclegrapti.— Special OorruSDonflcnt.) Palmerston, July 30. Colisiderablo interest was manifested in tluT final match foi tlie Hankms Shield between the Feildmg and Kia Toa Rugby football teams on the show grounds this aftcrand a great crowd assembled to witness the contest. Both teams had been inhard training, and a good gaiuo yh-s anticipated Tho ground, howevci, pumgto heavy ' rain which fell during the night and earlj this morning, was against a hrst-dass exposition. Up to 11 o'clock this moining it was thought that it would bo nececsaiy to postpone the game owing to tho ttato ot tho gFound, but tho committee, eventually decided to let £ho match go on. 'lhc gairo was principally confined to tho foi wards, and in this department Feilchng had all the best of the scrums and tho Ine-out work, lua Toa shining occasionally in tho loose. Shortly after starting PiraUi secujed a trj, and, taking the kick himself, converted it Una was tho onlj scoro in tho first spell On changing sides and getting the advantage of the wind, it was thought that Ida Toa would turn the tables on thoii opponents and they did for a 'short time. Cauoll, foi Fcilding, had a pot at goal, but missed the bai. 'lwo Folding pla-jere followed'up the shot, and secured'a tiy through Kia loa bicLs mulling. Tho kick at goal did not increase.tho score. Kia Toa then got into Fcildmg's 25, w'hero M'Minn kicked a goal from a mark, and tho hopea of Kia Toa's backers rose, but all idea of winning was shortly after squelched by I'irani getting ovei the lino again , ; and once 4noro placing a goal." Tho game soon afterwards ended in favour of Feildmg by 13 points to 4. Tho match Palmerston eccond versus Kia Toa eccond was won by tho former by 9 points to 4. Tho following tcjim has been selector to represent Manawatu in k tho| return match agam&t Horowhenua:—Skelley, Stalker, llead, Martis, Ford, Stewart, Ongley, M'iMmn, Brough, Carroll (2), Whisker, Ryan, M'Nae, and Wighton..

WANGANUI VERSUS RANGITIKEI. Marton, August 1. The Eangitikoi-Wanganni representative football match was plajed at Bulls yesterday and resulted m a win'for Wanganui by 14 points to nil. Tho game flas evenly contested, but Rangitikei lacked condition and combination. They broke up in tho forwards towards the end,of tho game, when Wangantii got over tyuco in quick succession. Altogether tho visitors scored three- trios, one being converted. A goal from a mark was also kicked. On Wednesday nest at Marton, Bulls and Rata juniors play a final match for junior shield. '

MARLBOROUGH BEATS NELSON. (By Telegraph—Press Association.)' ,; Nelson, July 31. The annual representative match, Nelson versus Marlborough, waa played hero to-day and was won by the visitors by fifteen points to nil. The ground waa in a heavy and sloppy oondition after the recent rains. Marlborough had the advantago of weight in fcho forwards, who were responsible Tor the win, the backs of both teams being evenly matched. Tries were'stored by Casey, Church, and Costello, but none of them w&ro converted. / Church kicked two penalty goals. /

BULLER AGAINST ELLESMERE. Westport, July 31. The Buller v. Ellcsmcro, (Canterbury) foot-/ ball match was played atf the Capo Foulwind' ground to-day, and resulted" in a win for Buller by 13 points to 0. In tho first spell Ellesmero Ecorod a goal from tho field, Hartgill taking a kick from a mark gained by Corrie. 'lho next score was a try, rather flukily eoored by Brown. In the second spell Bullur pressed all tho time, and Woods, and Corbctt (2) bcoved, Colvin conveiting Uo with long kicks at'difficult angles. On tfio \\holo Buller outclassed the visitors both in tho back and forward divisions. I AUCKLAND DEFEATS KING COUNTRY. Auckland, July 31. ; The first'representative match of the season took plaoo to-day, when the Auckland Rugby, Union's representative team defeated Maniopoto (King Country) by Si points to 3. At tho end of the first spell Auckland wers leading by 16 points (threo converted tries) to 3 & try). I& the second half Auckland

overran the country team, both forward and back. . Trios, were scored during the game by; KeWck (3), Williams ; (2), Rohinson (2), Wilson (2), Herring (1); Jlaguiro, (1), and plages, (1). R. Magee kicked five goals out of six attempts,: the sixth hitting th« post 'above .the crossbar. ! Williamsi and'Maguire also kicked goals. Smith' scored Maniopoto'o only try. ! INTEK-COIjLEGE RUGBY GAMES. Wansanui,'.luly 31. The inter-college football tournament takes plaec in Wancjanui, tho .matches being played on August 2(v 28, v and'3o. : '-.vi' ■: < / ' ~V Busiodin, August 1. ; At Diuiediu on Saturday, Alhambra , (14), beat Southern (3); Union (16) boat ,l)ui-;' .vcrsity (3); Dunedin (10) beat Taieri llovers (nil); Zinga,ri Richmond (10) beat Kaikorai' (rtil); Port Chalmers (6)' beat Pirates (nil). Next\Saturday the flag matches conclude.' l . : Ohristchurcli, August 1. V are Saturday's results iiythe Senior football competition at Christchurch Christchurch (£0) v. Sydenham (0); Albion (14) ( v. Old Boys (3); Menvalo (5) v. Canterbury College (3); .Liuvood a bye. . "■ '■ "■ ; . v'.A