FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 610, 13 September 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. ' ' WELLINGTON 13, OTAGO 3. THE BACKS AGAIN BRILLIANT. , , , SEVERAL PLATERS HURT. V .. TotesraDb.—l'rcas Association.) v - Dunedin,-September 11. ,-. r, ,The' match; "between the-'.' Wellington' - and Otago ,represehttttiTos;,.took' place' this. .afternoon (in the ,'Carisbcook ground m tho preserico of'about 8000 ; The. : weather was and-the grourid'was-'i.n': splpridid nnd ; : r whati-'sligbjt wind"therp. wM .gavo ;advantago to neither side. Mr.; A..Downes was >rcfereo, and ably, controlled l the: game, From. start "to finish ' the contest . 'was a "very close one; . the. Otago -: : forwards played "with beautiful combination, - but their- back division was weak. The Well,:,V;^l!n^^ffo!W^s>ll': -ambiigVthe'backs .Roberts' was' brilliant. Otago won tho:-toss, .and-"Ranji" .Wilson kicked off, ■ the ball being well returned ■by Davidson.' ~ Otago followed up' well," and the first' 1 encoun- ': ter " took - place "' at Wellington s V quarter : fliig; - .By -. loose ■play• tho ; .visitors worked the • ball back to ; the centre, and an - interchange ■'. -,: of J,kicks -was . by a clever.', mark .by ■ v. : Evehson," but' little' ground-was' gained; . From ' . a.'line-but'the .ball, went to" Roberts, who trans- - .'iferred .to Mitchijispn and :the',-Wellington centre /. .r ; up<a good.run ; by throwing out to .Even:r Boi: The last-named:made off at a .great pace ■ r' 'to.'Otago's' where, 'however, ;he was •grassed' by .Scott. , "Play ..was presently' shifted to tho other ead of'the field, and aftor a'good- ; '-.J: ■ passing;rush among- the': home 'backs, O'Sulli- , varicrossedtlio lino. but lost thejball. - A niin-' ■ ate or two.later.a fine dribble by Casey ended . '■, in I'itzpatrick dodging over the line, 'but again "v. .. the pLayer lost' the -ball,' and Evcnson getting' : ' possession kicked cio'.vn the lieldand play ceri- ' tred.'. Interesting and. hard play ensued for five, minutes,', neither, side,'however, -.gainingr ..: .mu'ch 'grotind-till Paton,' With a long, kick, - . found tho i line; Y in , y the "' Wellington twenty-five. 'From ! here - the . ' Welling-;' '! ton - forwards,' by hard,: kicking;- took the : ball' back into- Otago territory. On arriving. thoro Casov broko away from tho . line, and passedto", Ivimey.who passed to Paton, but ;*this ..attack resolutely mit and soon, stop- • ped." Eckhcff got a mark,'/but Ivimoy's .kick at:- goal failed. Somo hot .work ensued', near' tho Wellington line, and it.was mainly owing to Mitchinson's efforts that :the. visitors got -out' tlof •■'difficulty.''.; The 'Otago.;forwards,'however, ■ again :camo. away-with the ball at their feet, over- the '.line. -. '. -Patori's kick was resultless... - . ,-'_•'. . Olago -. - ■ ' ... 3 points.- "' Wellington ... ' nil. - .-'Wellington/'VonPresuming,..worked •.the' 1 ball, down tho. ; fldd/'frElaiijT.vWitebii.'/particuhvlx' doingfjood work. Inside Otago's twenty-five the'.visitors looked like 1 scoring, -but Scott, the' < local.full-back, kicked out well, .and play con; .. trei}. ;,Here Mitchinson got away, but- M'Don- . 'aid brought : him down, , and.'then' some Wel--V: lington forward, making toohard a kick,. Otago were forced. The homo . team" . then shifted thq scene .of operations to, the opposite . .: end; and play: wasV. stopped -.for.'.a t couple'. of. i minutes to allow," M'Leod..to" recover' froni : the effects' of a-kick. For off-side play by a Wellington man a free-kick was" given to Otago, and Paton . mado a .splendid shot, the- ball !just passing outside-the post. ' Wellington: now had ■/.v a look-in; mainly owing to.'Avery's-good'play, but MlCenzie (who was playing a great game) , ! took tho':ball back down tho-field, vwhere weak pi ay lam ong - the'' Otago backs, spoiled all-chance '-.;':Kof yscorinß.j'Their, .lndiffer'erit'handlijig,'ended in Roberts 'cutting' in; and shifted' pl»y ■to the : centre," whetO 'Davidson missed- the ■ ball, •' and ' -. /Mitchin'sqn,:.getting.'!possession;:.made -.av.'good ' . Idodgyiruh^i.Five'-minutes^later•.•half-time was r '' i '.'Vsounded.V.with . the; : play; ; still,.oscillating .back, ;- •' and: forward' ahont „tlie" centre.- '. .' - -A, ; :V'"''-In v the fsecpnd'spell dn;exchango.'of,kicks; saw, r . the;-.ball:; go\ out; just'.inside /Otigo's - .ground;' where.'a'.freeikiok; waS'awardei -to, the'.visitors, 'Roberts "made ■ an attempt, to ■ placo a goal,'- .'' I but-the-ball'.went'_verywide,-Su{h'erlandtiero . put in'a- 6trong "kick, -which -took iplay to tho , centre;'■ and ,;a':rreerk^ck, ; to;: Otago gained ,'moro ground;-.iißufc/jtha-[fine/WeUingtnn.?back!';"divi-,

v;'V I ,n^m%rn>h«^ l aadv'Bsen^; rf was,,,9nten;eol*! lorijd by M'Donaul at the quarter flog In . :Eorde, determined play, which - followed -Even- 1 \,'X. sonj l sustained t-'a: ; kickVori''.tlie-'Jeg,'^nt ; 7;,; pluokily continued 'plaving; - 'Ivimey.: however, had ;ti» rotiro ; ' f witli' .liii ' mjurv'vtd • liirf l '*-knee; l Clark 'taking: >'-_his' : '-place. ''■ 'AVellingtori; now . charged hotly.; irito\Otagb.:'grouttd, and 'Even- 1 ' rV son.looked dangerous tilbPaterso'n brought"him ■' down .in proximity, to the .line. o.Otago by hard, kicking; but from a scrum at the con- • tre IMitchinsoh got'/away,:.. and -. kicked - to.; the : . q.narte'r;;flag,> 'where . T an- Otago' back -kicked .Y'. wildly.- across ''the -ground'arid gaveM'Leod a: clear run in. .Roberts's "kick -failed. . - . .'Otago:;'- . ... ... .. 3'points..' Wellington . 3 points • -M'Leod, in dodging over.' the line/broke ■ a v.! rib, however, and retired; M'Kenzle taking- his . -place. Otago, on resuming, rushed into 'the ~ - visitors .'ground.', arid ;hbt'"ploy-: followed i'.'Wel- ; v w;Ungton-eventua'llyibeing forced.'i.OniM'mbro'bad passing on .-the' partpof.'the "Otago 'backs 1 rei suited m the ball; going.to Mitclunson, who ; lucked;, wellinto', Otago territory, jrom a - line-, . out -near >-the quarter 'flag.'.'VV'alsHe 'got :posses- ■;. : : Bipn/;and .-.passed over, close! tb/tho.- pbstsV:;Mitchinson.'s kick-was successful. - ' •'- -'Wellington.' • . ...- i..' ..." 8 points! . ' Otago : •'3 points.' ■>-. ; ; .V'lmmediately.Von' resuming Walsho,' who' was ■ : strongly tackled • -by M'Donald,. received a rather , sever? injury to his; knee,' and was carried off the' field.- - .Alexander filled. '. the > '■ vacancy.> -The' Otago:'forwards,; in> 'a.' ilooso O ;. Jrushj now took the ballup to the Wellington end, -;and,;the ivisitors ,were: forced; ; • .They. lost j vno :time, however,.in'.;'shifting!-.play.:to'.\ Otago territory; -where.Mitchm'son ;got. the. ball 'from' Roberts, and, cutting in ;! and, swerving,' clean' ,beat'the-'whole of then -passed 'to M'Kcnzie, who ran round "behind the po'sts- ; Roberts took tho; kick, j and;, registered the i.V. major points. ' V,; , Wellington . 13 points. 1 Otago \..." . " L "3 points. 9.' ,: {Play followed, (it;-the i'cantroi'.but a: speculat.- .... ing v kick by' an .Otago forward " took if inside -,'.;tho Wellington twenty-five, and loose;play then . i earned, it up .to. the .hne. The visitors, -how- . . . ever," gottho.ball '.-from the : scrum,..and * rej , : - backs: Bennett 1 ; -'. .was''collared '•ahd , ;.tte. ! .#Mstle'.' sounded', with - the play in .neutral territory/ -, SOME NOTES. < r [By a Contributor.! 1 i By. defeating Otago: on Saturday, the Welling-. ' ton: team .^achievea, "clean..sheet", on their . BoUthern four,'with three distinct wins. This .y g;th» second' time in- the history of >Welling'ton - -Rugby that liak been. established, . - the -first ,occasion •» being-:. the. memorable 'and. v.; somewhat itonir of 1897.' It is Mn- \ - teresting'to note that'in .tHe.1897 tour the Wei- '. - liniton ' team generally-; won "their matches. on , their' ' forward.: play, whereas this. year. the ./ kudos...is given to the' -backs.'..'-.Roberts; ' the' : * , Wellington skipper;is ;deserving : of every con- ' gratulatiohV:.Ho' wiis 'not : eipected' ..to: '.«in against .Canterbury,- jirhile.';predictions.' oi\ 'Iho .' : Otago matcl# were'.generally: in favour of the bomo team,' owing .to'their alleged strong. for- ' ward combination. ;/The' Wellington forwards, ..''howeyeri 'shdwed : very .conclusively . 'against -. i 'Auckland ~:that: thejy did -not' • lack condition; ;andit is very evident'that this factor has , been of i the -greatest' .value' to them, in-i their j matches .on-the southern tour. It appears that r.- './'.fa; tk® second. spell against .Otago,iWellington, bask .and', forward,..fan clean 'over'; the home combination. No. doubt the iWelliagton. Rugby ■Union'-and -local'.enthusiasts- will give . their , : champions: a fitting reception on .their arrival : here, on' Tuesday, morning next;;' : - „ - V.vln ; 'addition to tho; 1897 and ,1909 Wellington tours. :acpomplishing ; . -"all-win" re- ■, cords; -,there. is also' a. similarity: in . the' ''casualty" list of tho finishing contest,' with this • Y .difference,"that in 1897;.th0 injured, wh'ich : 'in-' ...V::. :cluded:VDuncan, 'JJason,, W'oods,.'and others,' v were' mainly.-Otago' njen. iwhile.'this yesr it is t J tho' Wellington champions ; who 'have suffered. ./ Otago plainly'lost'tho.j;ahie through the weak- - ncss of .their; back .division.' .: - Wellington-Ota'go .matches have usually ' pro-' .vided v exciting'.' games, r, Tho encounters dato , froin 1877,.' thirty-two years ago. Half .a dozen :. of : the games have been fairly -desperate. .The - ; : . : >first.-ofthese' 'was' possibly,«in '1891," 'when -El.'.'i'liSp'n, -probably the .most .braigy.'footballer 'pro- ! /:■■'■:; duced "in New. Zealand, led'j* southern invasion V in which it was considered that, ho would como ... .. vback "trailing clouds, .of glory." ; reverse - Was,the case,-however,.and it.was.in the match ■'against.' Otago' that' the Wellington, skipper," '• playing : ,threo halves. against - Otago wing-for- . ';wi>rds,. received a.set-back, -which' decided liini that, the :.team.. which: made.a'feature: of these E.ugby : :',priyateers would-add : inuch,' to; their. .. worth.' .-.The"- next very, : meinorablo' 'game was . i in :189G, when the Otago'.conibiriation: included the great D.uiican, and other.- such :■ chainpioiis ■ : as-'Stephenson,. Mason,- Armit,'. arid -Priest. The : ; garni -played, in Wellington,'.ended in; a draw.

The 1897 contest, played in Dunedin, is still talked of in . football history all oyer New Zealand. . ' " ' ' Otago, with Duncan; Arniit, .Woods, Fell, and oompany, had a great back" division, while Wellington had a very hardy forward combination. Amongst the features of this' struggle were tho-nuniber of Otago men-who jurcd, and who were replaced so quickly that tho spectators lost ,<all count of..them;, the potted goal; by Hardcastle, tho Wellington wing-forwatd; and understudy of M'Kenzio, tho Wellington, skipper; and tho,. sensational runs of Fell, .when no nearly won tho ganie for his side 'in the last five niiuutes of the goiho. Tho football literatuio y which sprang into' being over this Homerip/struggle would havo filled a good-sized volume. ' .. Another interesting .struggle was in-1900, when 'Otago lost tlie match ' through missing an er.sy place in tho lnst few.minutes:of the game* ■: Tho 1901, gahio was even more sensational. Timo was up, but the. ball was in play, with Otago standing 9 points to .5 points.: Crowds of peoplo had left the ground, believing that tho match, was over, and Wellington defeated. Suddenly Slattery (Wellington) followed up. a kick, 1 and, bustling the Otago full-back; scored a try, which Jf. Wood converted from a fairly difficult angle. .' ' . ■ .'* '. In 1901, in a Ranfurly Shield match, Otago Were 13 points, to nil at half-time; when Wellington,replied with a. burst iof" 15 points in .the second-half, and w-on the match brilliantly., : Last , year was, the occasion. of a fine encounter,. in : which Wellington, • after starting l Svith :a lead;.of six points, ;was:.outplayed lin the succeeding stages of the, game ..by Otago, who eventually, won (17 to: 15) by two points. THE UNIVERSITY MATCH. ' NEW -ZEALAND 17, . SYDNEY 14. VISITORS REQUIRE MORE;DASn. " The second RugbyV match between ' Sydney and .New Zealand' Universities took place on the Athletic Park on Saturday-afternon -in the presence of nearly 3000 .people, and-the Sydney team-suffered, a reverse. Last week in Dunedin they vanquished a New Zealand team .."composed-chiefly "of "southern students by 15 points to :5:-' It, was expccted-that Australian methods would prove too much for tho northorn' students :also, but this was not the case. Heavily handicapped by a stiff "northerly" in the first - spell, .bydnoy droppfd behind 'nine points, the 'scores at ■ halfrtime being 14—5., In the opinion of many, who expected Sydney men-to play up hard- with/the wind behind them, tho match was-..then not too safe for New Zealand. ■ But evouts turned' out Motherwise. 'Tho visiting backs threw the ball about anyhow and anywhere, and this was a failing' which the local : players' quickly , turned to advantage; Although the Blue and Gold men' brought out a bright lot of forwards,.who had all, tjieir own way in tho scrums, the backs isoon lo6t" their dash, and "towards-the'-finish tho wind. wiis about th'o only! forco of any 'account oporating against. New "Zoaland... .' t , The Teams. • .-Sydney,'University.—Full-back,/ J. B. Lane; three-quarters, B. C. A. Pocklev, H. lt. Brown,ing, P. J."Kelly; -five-eighths, -W. : J."-Stack, ,E. M, Fisher;.half-back, F. Hughes; forwards;:G. B.,Lindeman, N. W. Broughton, G. W.-Mac-artney; AV B. Doyle, W. W. Martin, H.(. J-. Clayton, J. B. Metcalfe, and M. Maxwell. : ' " New Zealand University .—Full-back; Sinclair ■ (Auckland) ; three-quarters, Robinson" (Auckland): Ongloy (Oiago)', Duncan (Wellington); five-eighths, Phillips ; (Wellington), . O'Leary (Wellington); half-hack,' Otterson- (Auckland); forwards, I Williams '■ (Canterburj 1 ), -Brosnan .(Wellington), Curtate - (Wellington); 'De -la Maro (Wellington), Wigley (Canterbury)', Tennant.-! (Canterbury), Robertson . (Wellingtbh), afld Wilkes'(Auckland)... . -'y.-.'- ; First Spell ,- •'•The" Sydney captain; having lost'the .. .toss,' kicked off against the wind, and followed up briskly." -New 1 Zealand were -penalised,for',',:a breach of -' tho scrum rules when the ' ball reached their twonty-iivo, and - Hughes (the Sydney! half) had an impossible attempt,-, at goal/: From tho :kick .out? Naw '.Zealand went headlong down the/field, .-and.'Duncan almost sprinted home.,'-He was brought low,by Lano ■(lull-back), and the-visitors irepelled all' attacks/for a The combined' efforts' .of "Neiv .Zealand ' forwards soon; brought play in front of "the Sydney fortress, however, and after ragged passing there came a "bright, little ; bit'.in • which -Otterson,. O'Leary; and; Ongley .'took'part, arid,Robinson;.scared :..-b'e£ween the posts,,lHe-.fiiiled 'toinrni'Se"ffie' balll l 'in-'i-'tho

;kick. iuit'i. c " v,rt v ''NewZAihaidsn-.J? 4 ?!.JS® :?.Q. Sydney -y: : :' v V t»il.'.'<■ : , tijfee'. : Cante'rbUfy iey, ",t®d '.pennant,, put. in ssome.., energetic work', i, tho' intention.- of. wliiclir^Tftis. spoilt ..by. "prompt.notion,-.on the- part of.-,the Sydney■ fnlK back, Lane. . -Dominion students still'followed up .the.'.advantage.; which : was.. theirs : by reason of!,the stiff Ji.rceze,. but the game was,dull. Ongley : (centre)* the- only : t)tago. representative; drbpped the.ball, and put an inglorious, end to. a passing- moveniont, full' of premise. New' Zealand.:free-kick .was; handed ; to Robinson, but -the Auckland representative just sent , the -ball .outside .the posts. ~ A kick given for ; a;;premature charge ~on: the tbe Sydney •,men. .went.,, wide. Proceedings were still monotonous, and the visitors .were, making a poor defence.. .It was, therefore," a^joyous .'moment. ;in the), grandstand -when. tlieT Black -.team :made a- successful expedition/down:.on the breeze.-. Ottorson, Phillips, Ongley, and ' Duncan . comprised: the. attacking .. party .sent 'out, and Duncan, found • that his services were riot 'required: jn the' sortie.J Ongley.-beat,;tho last • Sydney, man," and deposited ; the, ball safely; O'l.eary earned cordial applause for the kick, about which there was no mistako. New Zealand ... '... ... 8 points. . • . Sydney .: ... ... ' nil. . ■ ' . A surprise came:quickly.' ..In a remarkable piece of footwork and - woll-judged. punting! Sydney'worked up field to -.'the'- New -Zealand .'.twenty-five, -and the ball .was almost in 'touch wheh'-.a .scoHng' moveinent got- into-its stride. The ball was passed in, and tne'fdrwards got well awaywithout' opposition, Brougbtori touching down .fetween;. tho;'posts.' ■■■... Fisher completed tho perfofii'ance'.with a 'gqod'kick.i. :. New Zealand ... ... ( ... 8 points, j ; Sydney.. . ... 5 points.". . Ragged football succeeded, and .the Sydney men: lagged, while a-.couple of their "iteam-had a.'race upfield, and were'di}ly caught.' 'Then a couple of looahnien indulged in' similar ; fruit.less.'effort.. -From' a line-out, ' howeveiv there caioe- anotlier. score, the-cTredit of which goes to Ongley. i -O'Leary missed- the goal. 1 :: ■. "New!. Zealand . .... ; ... 11 points. - Sydney ..I ..., .5 points. .. Some" confused, play followed,-but-eventually tlie - leather : bounced up 'into;- the-, hands of-. ' Williams,': , who .transferred-'.; to ( Cui--tayne",' and,, the Victoria College man - scored witli a short run. ! Robinson'failed to'convert. .''.New'Zealand■■... li points. Sydney ... .5 points. : : Inan engagement;round the Sydney J line, the -Blacks, with-.one voice claimed an offside, 'and the kiek caused the: Australians to force,' for tho first''time during the spell. Half-time followed immediately.'.-- ' ,: - - ■ ; Second Spell. '. . With a- fair. handicap of nine points, Sydney boinraenced the second spell hopefully, and exhibited a : keen : desire to make the .game; open. The speed of .the Blue and .Gold, backs was quickly manifested; but. two: attempts, one on either wingi. were'ifrustrated just.in the niok of .time, A third endeavour'proved resultless in' a melee in front of the .Blacks' goal, arid the pressure was relieved by a touch-kick. As soon as the ball:camo: back into play, it w6ut into th'o hands of .'the - New Zealand l backs; *yhoso potential proved great. Ongloy sent .in ;out to Robinson, and the tall Auckland student steered a brilliant*course'.'upfield; • ; -He passed Pockley, left Lane behind,, and 1 placed the l ball' comfortably between the posts. O'Leary's aim was true, but the. wind blew the ;ball back in falling, and It scraped-the wrong side of the cross.bar. V . : Now. Zealand ... • 17 points.' Sydiley V: ... 5 points. In' a moment, or - two, the visitors ; were penalised, and : Otterson mode a good. attempt at . a distance, kick. A bright, rally among, the Dominion backs saw'tho. ball flashing from O'Leary to Ongloy, and then to Duncan, who iwas olleido. .The free-kick awarded was nicely treated by Hughes. . . i ' New Zealand ... 17: points. ■ . Sydney ..••• .8 points.:. ■ The visitors livened.-up .somewhat at'this, and made '• intermittent' inroads through , the New Zealand lines. .Their passing was erratic, and tho local players tackled severely. A big inun 'bounced over,O'Leary, 'and left him on tho ground 'with a dislocated, shoulder.., -.Tho fourteen 1 ' men * left acquitted themselves well,' and maintained a sturdy, defence. They 'were caught- napping, however, ■ when Hughes sent the nail smartly out froin a scrum to I'isher. The latter ran in-'unopposed,' and tho trv .was inado doubly, sure by Kelly, risher,failed with the kick.-' ; , ' ■JJew Zealand ... ' ~.. 17 points. - Sydney ... 11 points. ': The.'Australians .-finished' up; with' l another good score. Tho. opposing backs severally missed a high kick which brought play into dangerous proximity; and the. Bluo and Goldß swarmed down- upon it. -Pockley snappedlit. from .under

the Black front, and Was over in a twinkling. Hughes failed with a difficult kick,- and timo was called. i Now Zealand .... .... , ... 17 points. . Sydney ■ ... : ... ... 1-4 points. / Mr. T. H. Jones was referee. ' The Visitors Entertained. : The Sydney University team were, entertained lit dinner in the Hotel Windsor on Saturday evening. Professor Hunter was chairman, and the company numbered about sixty. Mr. H. O'Leary, with his loft shoulder bound up, seciiied to be ,the hero of tho evening, and his arrival was the occasion of much cheering.' • : 1 ■ " ;-'J.'lio : chairman proposed the toast of "The Sydney University- Team,", and Mr; V. R. Meredith also welcomed the team on behalf of the New Zoaland Rugby Union. Ho. said, that the visits of football teams from the other side did a. good deal of good-to, the game in both countries.'-It was what tho All Blacks and the-Wallabies had learned from each other; thathad enabled both teams to go Home and beat England, frpm.whom they had originally,received the game. Rugby "at the. universities had reached a high standard, and it should be fostered still more. : College football held a placp of hpnour,in:the junior grades,..it stood .J nil;that was honest and clean arid sciehv tific, and they must look to university Rugby similar position in the-higher grades.. The ltugby of l Sydney University had left, an indelible mark' on , Australian football, and, tho University of New Zoaland was having the same excellent. influence. on . tho. Rughy. of tho Dominion. (Applause.) Mr. Reynolds responded. on'behalf. of' the Sydney team. Hb said that the , match that afternoon had:not been a. exhibition, but it had been a clean, hard, and cnjoyablo game. When tho team' first reached Wellington they had seen the' North v. South match, which they regarded :as'-another, clean, and straightforward_.game,, The team had noticed that Rugby in "Now Zealand .was' much cleaner than in New South Wales. Tho New' Zealand matches had none of the' objectionable features which characterised all representative games in the Australian State, ;,'ariij nearly all Sydney club matches. , The team had-. had ' a little troublo with New Zoaland. referees, who > ruled' differently on": some points to -Australian referees, but Mr. T.-Jones", had-,given an exhibi-, tion of reforeeiug that'afternoon equal' tb. tho best Sydney standard. , Mr.. H. J. Clayton also responded. . ! Mr. J. B. Lane, captain of the'Sydney'team, proposed "The New Zealand., -Universijy .Team." He.said■ that siich games as'the.bno they had lost that afternoon wore calculated to bring out tho best in football. Tho .interchange'of visits between the universities must bo fraught with good, not only, to the game but .to tne universities as a whole. (Applauso.) •• Mr. O'Leary had . a.' cordial reception : when .he rose to respond. ; He reforred to last year's jvisit of, the'. New ' Zealand' University team" to Sydney,' arid expressed, the hope : that, on the' nextytTip to:-Australia thoy. would - meet; : a Rugby, .team from, the Melbourne University.' ' The toast of "The Wellington Rugby Union", wasrproposod by Mr.-F.-.A. Do la-Mare,- and. responded to by, : Mr. J.,:Burns.' -Mr. G. ,B. Lindeman proposed the toast of "The Ladies," "and Mr.': J. B. Lone that of "The Chairman." The -Vitetta Brothers' band! supplied a ■ musical programme.,.. \. ... / . THE CURTAIN-RAISER.' , \ ST. JOHN'S V. ST. JAMES. - The annual match,' St.' John's v. St.'James, was played on' Saturday afternoon at the [ Athletic Park, by., way of !-n-curtain-raiser, to the. Uiiivcrsity 'match.- • St.. John's won by ;U points to I). For the winners, 'a' try was scored by Elliffe, and three more by Galloway, one of these being, converted by' Duske," For St. James's, tries were scored by' Korr and Kitto. ; ' : . MANAWATU; DEFEAT WAIRARAPA. . .- (Uj Telucrapti.—Sooclal GarrcaDonilsnt.i Palmerston .North, September 12. / On-Saturday Manawatu. easily defeated Wak rarapa; who iwero 'withput thc.services of - several .of their most :prominent/players,, by jl4 points to' 5. All through tlio game -Manawatu wero'-the better -side. /'Though , the Wairarapa forwards.-.put' up o stern .fight, their backs let them,"down .' time after" tiriie.' For' Manawatu; Ford, .Buchariaii,- and the • Carroll': brothers scored " tries;. Buchanan ' converting' one, while R. .M'Kenzio .scored, for Wairarapa. Ball converting.' Mr.'o.';H.',Cleland was refereo. '' "

. AUCKUANPn-iPi :.TARANAKI, .5, . - : IB? Toloi:raDh;-l'resj ABSoclatlod.i : • Auckland, Septeiriber: 12. The representative : Rugby football, inatch, played yesterday between tho'Auckland';', and" resulted- in, a win- for fAuckland by; 18. points to. 5.'- .Tho w'eather, was ideal arid 'the iattracted'.an attendanco'of over 6000; : . which ■ included tho/.Vice-Regal; party 1 . Auckland, playing 1 with' tho Wind ,in ithe first spelt-, - scored two ■ tries,- Sellars- and,- Murray, touching down. . Early in tho second -spell, became'aggressive,'but the 'Auckland defence wa's equal'to the.'strain. In going down to .a rush Renwick received iv,. slight ooncussiori,, arid, was carried off ,the. field-in an linsoriscious condition. Auckland's additional scores comprised four unconverted tries, which were obtained by - Hay ward, O'Leary, and M'Gregor (2)., 'Taranakils points were the result of a sensational try scored'by Cameron, ;yho ran froiu ..near midfield, and' practically beat tho whole of the; Auckland back' division. Dive converted tho try. Tho concluding stage of the game was. very fast and exciting. . Mr, J; Williams, late of Dunedin, was referee.- • ' v A MAORI MATCH.' . ; - .' Wanganui) September 12. " A Rugby match - between Wanganui and Tarariaki * Maori representatives was played at Wanganui on Saturdaj' afternoon, the "visitors winning by. 20. points,to-nil.: . ■ ' . JUNIOR ;RcPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. . (By Telegraph—l'rcss'Association.).. :- - ';- ■; Master'on, September 11. Tho: Wellington-Wairarapa junior ropresentati'vo football match-resulted in a win for Wairarapa by 11 points' to 9.- In tho first spell the-score was 3 points to nil in favour of Wcllington. '. r -' ' -i . 'j ; ■'! , Blenheim, September. 11. . The junior interprovincial . match Marlborough v.; Nelson' was' played to-day : ill fine weather, and' was won- by tub :fo.rmer team . by '14 points to.C. The wirining points .were made; up of:four tries,- one converted.. Nelson scored | a try arid a-penalty-goal: 1 . . : ,