SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 847, 20 June 1910, Page 6

SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS

RUGBY Si TOE MUD. PETONE TOB GOOD FOR ATHLETIC. ■.WELUN6TOM DEFEATED BY PONEKE. ALL BLACKS v.QUEEfISUTO: FAST SCORING

Fortunately the weather broko suffi-1 ciently on Saturday to enablo the senior Rugby games, with one exception, to be played. It was, however, a bitterly cold afternoon—so cheerless, indeed, that nobody could have been blamed foT evincing a desire to remain indoors. Under the circumstances it was not surprising that just boforo tho usual hour for starting the matches at tho Athletic Park that big ground should havo tho appcaranco of being almost deserted. But by 3 o'clock, when play commenced, the grandstand was more than half filled, and several hundreds of additional onlookers wero huddled together in tho centre of tho northern bank. According to the official estimate two thousand wero present, which' goes to show that very keen interest is being taken in tho contests between the stronger teams in jthe competition this year. At tho other grounds, however, where thero is but littlo shelter, tho attendances reached vanishing point. Tho soeno at the park was reminiscent of tho games in tho mud there last season, but the conditions wore not nearly so unfavourable. Indeed, tho turf woro remarkably, well—for tho park—after so much rain, and gave tho impression that the ground is not likely to becomo so cut' lup as was the case last season. It is worthy of note, too, that tho attention of onlookers was not, as usual, confined chiefly to tho gamo on No. 1 area. As will bo seen from tho detailed accounts of tho matches, Petone ultimately got tho whip hand over Athletic in a game which was- not very eventful. On tho adjoining field of play, Poneke, in the first spell, could only compile three points against Wellington—a very unsatisfactory showing on tho part of last year's champions, when it is remembered that they wero opposed to the weakest team in the competition—but in tho second half, after they had got "a big fright," they played up much, better, and ultimately won by a comfortable margin. Of course, only the keen patrons of Rugby wcro represented at the matches, and they could be trusted to make tho best .of things. Half way through the games, when it became much colder, hundreds of feet stamped away merrily in tho standforming a fitting accompaniment to the style of play which was being indulged in. . It goes without saying that there wero also many happenings in the mud which tended to keep the spectators in good spirits. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. As a result of the matches on Saturday the position of tho various teams" is now as under:— i a ssi |j2 5 £ p 3 £.2p^o£ Oriental ... 7 6 1 - 64 22 13 St. James ... 7 G 0 1 99 28 12 Poneko 7 6 - 1 71 9 12 Petone 8 5 — 3 111 48 10 Athletic ' ... 7 i - 3 57 37 8 Vic. Coll 8. 3 —,- 5 56 77 G Old Boys ... 7 3 - 1 45 44 6 Southern ... 7 2 1 i 28 119 5 Hutt Gil 4 23 74 3 Melrose 7 11 5 21 67 3 Wellington 7 .7 17 107 - PETONE, 8; ATHLETIC, 3. Dashing concerted play, coupled with better generalship, was undoubtedly tho secret of Pctonc's success over Athletic on No. 1 ground, at tho Park. Athletic opened wiith a capital loose, rush, which took play into the Petono 25. From a scrum, M'Kenzie, in his turn, soot on a pass to Evon»n, but Joe Ryan found it a vot>- easy thin" to intercept—a? was possible time and again afterwards in connection with this link in tho chain of Athletic backs—and by means of agood ran placed his side on the attack. Whilst Petone wcro within striking distance, M'Parlane, from penalties, had two shots at goal, but the wind interfered on both occasions. In viow. of the state of the ground—and the ball—pluy was new chiefly confined to tho forward divisions— and for the most part was littlo better than a scramble. One of the redeeming features was tho way in which Athletic, after having been gradually forced back by superior "tight" work, would break clean away .at top in a loose rush, taking for an appreciable distance all before them. Once again Athletic requisitioned their back division for an attack, but it signally failed as the result of wild passing. In the course of .further strenuous • forward play tho Petono pad: continued to show better combination, whilst the only strong point about Athletic was their work in tho loose, their tackling being particularly deadly, Tho monotony of the proceedings was noiy relieved by shots at goal by either side, but neither M'Farlane, for Tetane, nor Evenson, for Athletic, ' succeeded. Athletic later made a big bid to score by means of forward 'rushes—one being spoiled by Murphy getting off-side, aud another resulting in a force down. Petono rallied their forces, but Evenson relievod by a__ fine kick and a few moments later Kivell, Osborne, and Murray carried play with tho ball at their- toes down tq the Petono line where Kivell got over. M'Kenzie missed with the kick. 3—o. Petono, however, returned to tho attack with renewed vigour. Onco they were cleverly beaten by Evenson who gained at least thirty yards by .a good run, but his pass in-field failed. When half-time sounded Athletic were again defending. As soon as the second spell had commenced Petono wero seen to much better advantage—their forwards showing their accustomed dash and their backs being anxious to take a more prominent part on the attack. From a line-opt M'Kenzie secured and passed out to Miller, who enabled the speedy Strickland to got to the corner where just as he was well tackled by Cunningham he threw in-iield to Miller, but as a result of tho scramble that ensued Athletic gained relief by a force down. Continuing to press Petono immediately afterwards were awarded a free kick owing to an infringement by Kivell, tho Athletic winger, and M'Farlano equalised tho scores with a capital kick. 3—3. Although Athletic continued to put up a hard fight they were now beaten by Petone and if it had not been for tliV nplendid way in which Cunningham and Evenson in particular defended, scoro after score against them might have followed. Onco Wilson let Petone right downcloso to the Athletic line where a passing rush was inaugurated, but proved futile in consequence of M'Kenzie hanging on to the ball. Eventually, however,. from a line-out, the ball was knocked out to Mlvenzio and he scored a' good try. ■MTurlano made no mistake with the kick. B—3. At this stage Petono lost Price who sustained an injury to tho cartilage of his leg above the knee. From this out play was hard and fast considering the soft condition of the ground. With the exception of a brief spell during which Athletic were on tho attack, Potone had the upper hand, but no further incidents of. a striking, character occurred, the game then ending in the better team on the dav winning. Final scores: I'etone, 8 points; Athletic, 3, Mr, C. Bell was, referee

PONEKE, 14; WELLINGTON, 0, Very littlo of tho play in this match, ] which took place on No. 2 ground at tho park, could bo called first class. Before fivo minutes had elapsed many wero of opinion that Ponelio would run up a "cricket" score, and, indeed, nothing seemed more likely, but Rugby has its surprises, as Oriental found earlier in (ho season, when they secured only a draw against Southern. What gave rise to tho impression that Poneko would win easily was the facility with which their backs had achieved success from a passing rush in which Mount was tho scorer. As it turned out, however, this was • Poneko's liest effort in this direction during the contest, for, later, tho ball became difficult to handle; In order to keep tho ball from the Poneko backs as much i ns possible, Wellington set about to make it o. oloso gamo. Just at this juncture, however, they lost West, who punctured an artery between two lingers. But the Poneke pack soon assertcil themselves, and Wellington wcru compelled to defend for all they were worth. 'Attempt after attempt was made by Poneke to enhance their total. As an exposition of ineffective methods,-howover, their efforts would have been hard to beat. All that wa6 really necessary to secure a score on a number oi occasions was for someone to dribble tho ball over the Wellington lino and fall upon it. What did happen instead was this: If tho Poneko backs were in possession they invariably tried to get through impossible places, solus, or else threw tho ball to a cqmrado who was also hemmed in; whilst tho forwards either over-ran the greasy ball, needlessly kicked it into touch, or attempted to pick it up. Some idea.of tho plight that Wellington wcro in for a time may ho gauged by tho fact that they had to force down over half a dozen times within 20 minutes. As tho spell progressed, however, play became more open, and on more than one occasion Wellington got into the Poneke twenty-five, but their play was far too "ragged" to bo successful. When within easy range, Burns essayed to pot, with the result that tho ball, although very deliberately aimed, went extremely wido of the mark, to the amusement of the onlookers. During tho remainder of the spell littlo of interest happened.. Upon the resumption of play Wellington went dose to equalising tho score. From halfway their pack broke away in lino style, and there was an exciting race over tho Poneko line, Peart failing to score by the narrowest of margins. Without mucn difficulty Poneko now maintained the upI per hand, and additions wero ma'de to their score by Walsh (penalty goal), Calcinai (unconverled try), and Calcinai (try enhanced by Gardiner). Poneko thus won by fourteen points to nil.' Mr. F. Laws controlled tho . game.

ST. JAMES, 16; COLLEGE, 0.

fiecauso of tho rain, the match St. James v. Victoria College was, at tho last' moment, transferred to Miramar from tho Karori Recreation Eeserve, upon which latter ground College aro now pretty much at home. • There was general chattering of teeth in the dressingshed, while the teams were preparing to go out, for tho southerly was blowing bitterly over the flats. ,The captains were given three grounds to choose from (No. 1 having already been reserved for tho Melrose-Old Boys match) and they, selected No. 4, for tho reason that it was the driest, if a less proportion of seagulls upon it was any guide. Warmed up, both teams played a spirited game, in which College wero not hopelessly outmatched, as somo might have expected. Their forwards showed more enthusiasm than in any previous match-of tho round, and, on present form, they should bo able, with a little more abandon, to checkmate any move on the part of an opposing pack. The backs were weak, and lacked the pace and smart passing abilities of tho St. James men. St. James won the toss, obtaining a very slight advantage from the cross wind, and in the first fifteen minutes, compelled College to force down twice. On a third occasion tho ball went into toueh-in-goal. The firstpoints wero scored from a penalty awarded against College near tho halfway line, Thomas surprising all on tho field (himself included) by landing a sure goal, in spito of tho stiff breeze. It was a remarkable kick. Shortly afterwards, Bnrko (College' full-back), was out of his place, and a critical position was only relieved by a timely line-kick on tho part of Phillips. A subsequent scramble near tho College goal-line brought an opportunity for P. Crewes to touch down, and Bradley kicked a neat goal. St. James, 8; College, 0. The ball went into toueh-in-goal again, and St. James still pressing, E. Roberts received the ball from a scrum under tho College goal-post. Considering tho wind ho 'showed bad judgment in attempting to pot a goal, when there were prospects of an easy try. Another score was obtained early in the second spell, for St. James forwards, assisted by creditable line-kicking on thepart of the' backs, Thomas and E. Roberts'in particular, confined play within their opponents' twenty-five. During ono of the more determined attacks, P. Crewes was rolled over in a pool of water, but obviously, this in no degree damped his ardour, for he took the ball over a moment later, with Bertram, clinging to his heels. Bradley kicked his second goal. St. James, 13; College, 0. The last try, a doubtful one, was scored by King (forward) after the ball had been brought up to a handy position by 11. Roberts. Ryan (College five-eighths) caused come amusement about this time by running about like a haro after taking the ball; he endeavoured to get through the advancing enemy, doubled on his course several times, and was finally hemmed in. Five minutes before time, Stainton was compelled to retire, having received a\ knock on the jaw. The young College half, in last week's match against Melrose-, suffered damage to his collar-bone. The scores—St. James, l(i; College o—wero not subsequently altered. Mr. W. Spencer was referee. OLD BOYS, 6; MELROSE, 0, ■ A high southerly wind militated against clever football at Miramar on Saturday, but the game between Old Boys and Melrose was not wholly devoid * of interest. The former team secured a victory, but it was only in the last fivo or six minutes that they asserted their superiority and scored the requisite points. In tho first spell Old Boys, play- ! ing with the wind slightly against them, got tho ball from almost every scrum, Dodd and Jncobsen, the hookers, being in excellent form, while Dodd was also conspicuous in the loose. Gilberd, Old Boys half, failed to get tho backs going on any single occasion, and made little use of the advantage gained by his hookers. Melrose backs, too, wero all at sea in this spell, though play was brightened up towards half-time, by a good run by Richardeoiv from a scrum near half way. He did not succeed in crossing tho line, and his side missing an easy shot at goal from a penalty, the spell ended without either team scoring. Ploy was a groat deal faster in llio | socoud half, which opened with a strenuous attack by Old Boys. Melroso defence was equal to tho occasion, and play shifted down field a little, where Marchant shortly afterwards made a good but unsuccessful attompt to kick a coal from a penalty. Twomey, Melrose fiveeighths, was now playing a sterling gamo, and in a loose rush ho gathered up the ball near bis own twenty-five and ran through the Old Boys team, to Johnston (fuJl-.back),. .who 'managed to upset him

with a fine low tackle. Soon after a passing rush started among Old Boys hacks, but Patcrson intercepted, and broko away past bait-way. Ho lost the ball, but Tivoinny was at hand, and made another fine eifort to score, but again tailed to pass the full-back. Old Boys now put more heart into their work, and penned Melrose down in the corner. In the gathering darkness Dodd caught the ball on tho line-out, and handed it on to Thomson, to Gilberd, to Root, to Grace, to Dawson, aud the last-named pushed his way over in the corner. No goal resulted. Melrose wore now fairly beaten, and Merchant might ha-re scored two minutes later if he had run straight ahead. Another passing rush ended in Dawson being thrown out almost, on the line. Then, on the call of time, Gil- | herd, from behind the scrum, sent tho ball to Marchant, who passed to Grace, who quickly crossed tho line. Marchant missed i an easy kick at goal, and a tew minutes later the game ended with the score—Old Boys (i, Melrose nil. Mr. i. Martin was referee, and though his decisions seemed reasonable enough, both teams appeared to bo anxious on several occasions to debate points with him. IN OTHER CENTRES. (From Our Snecial Correspondent.) Palmerston North, June 18. Weather conditions were splendid for tho football matches and excellent displays were given in both senior games. Palmerston drew with Kia Toa—9 all. The game was characterised by wonderful dash and combination of the Palmerston backs. Kia Tea's defence was solid, and tho forwards held their own very well. The latter team was lucky to draw. For Palmerston EgKug-ton and Boon scored and'Briscoe kicked a penalty goal. Per the other side Ward kicked two penalty goals, and Coldstream scored. Mr. ■ Evans refereed. The Old Boys-Feilding game was a, great I surprise, the former beating last year's champions by 1G to 11, after a very exciting and close game. Old Boys hare not won a match this year and the team consisted mostly of juniors. With. ten minutes to go Fcilding was leading by 11 points to 6, then Old Boys put on two tries, the last just on. tune. Both were converted. For the winners C. Smith, Stalker, and Mullans scored. W. Smith kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. ' Stalker also converted one try. For the losers, M.. Carroll scored and Hughes kicked a penalty goal and eonverted one other score, by a knot of forwards from scrummage on the lines. Mr. A. M'Mimi refereed. POSTPONED. !By TeleeraDh.-BDccial CorreaoondenU Masterton, June 19. Owing to the bad state of the grounds, all Union football fixtures were abandoned on Saturday. Eketahuna, June 18. Owing. to the severity of the weather, all Rugby fixtures for to-day were postponed. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Carterton, June 19. All football matches in the Wairarapa yesterday were , postponed on account of the weather. Dunedin, June 18. All football and hockey matches were postponed owing to heavy rain. COLLEGE MATCH. Napier, June 19. The football match between Lincoln and To Aute Colleges, played yesterday, resulted in a draw, each side scoring nine points. AUCKLAND. Auckland, June IS. . The weather was beautifully fine for football to-day, the bright Tays of the sun being tempered by a cool breeze. The new rules were , used, the four-spell exciting most attention. Two games were played' in tho senior grade, and two surprises effected. A weakened Ponsonby team was beaten by Grafton by 12 points to a. For the winners Eaton scored two, Power and Edwards also scoring, while for the losers Morse scored a try, which Murray converted. University defeated City by 10 points, to 5. Carr scored two tries" for the students, both of which Schofield converted. For City, Eastall scored and R. Mageo converted. TOWN V. COUNTRY. . Christchurch, Juno 18. The football match played to-day between teams representing Town and Country resulted in a win for the former by 42 points to 5. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. ALL MATCHES DECLARED OFF. Followers of tho Association gamo were not surprised to hear, at mid-day on Saturday, that all'fixtures had been cancelled owing to the state of tho weather. Continuous rain had reduced the Miramar playing fields to a stato of quags and pools, whilo the" city reserves wcro out of tho question. The decision of the Grounds Committee in cancelling the fixtures met with general approval. REFEREES' ASSOCIATIONANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Association Football Referees' Association was held in tho Y.M.C.A. on Friday last, thero being present:—Messrs. W. Munckton, president, W. E. Wells, Wellington; J. Davidson, Auckland; E. C. Ilayton, Wanganui; B. L. Salmon, Otago; C. J. Ward, Canterbury;, and W. Wood, hon. secretary. The annual report stated that since tho formation of tho association in September last the work accomplished had been for tho most part of a missionary character, such as tho forming of other, associations in other centres.

Mr. Wells protested against tho short notice that had been given to delegates. His own association (Wellington) had received no notice whatever, and therefore was unablo to give him any instructions on certain matters which needed strict attention. ' .

The chairman admitted that the notice had been short, but in the absence of a proper codo of by-laws it had been difficult in the beginning of the.association to act upon strict business principles, and ho would suggest that a subcommittee bo set up to draw up by-laws. On tho motion of Mr. B. L. Salmon it was agreed that the chairman, tho secretary, and Mr. Fordliam (president of the Wellington Referees' Association) be a sub-committee to draw up rules. The Now Zealand Football Association wrote asking that officials bo appointed for tho Wellington-Wanganui Brown Shield match, to be played at Newtown Park on July 2 After considerable discussion, Mr. W. Wood was appointed referee, and Mr. J. Davidson ouo of tho linesmen, tho other being left to Wanganui to appoint. Mr. B. L. Salmon suggested affiliation with the English Referees' Union for the purpose of obtaining all tho latest interpretations and discussions on tho laws of tho game. The chairman said that it might bo as well to defer writing until a reply to certain correspondence was received "from London. On the motion of Mr. Salmon, Mr. Munckton was re-elected president, and Mr. W. Wood hon. secretary and treasurer.