ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 874, 21 July 1910, Page 7

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

—4 FOOTBALL. •THE MAORI AND THE PAKEHA. . HONOURS EASY. . LUCE FAVOURS WELLINGTON. It was to be expected that the Maori team, fresh from its Australian tour and I from defeating Otago, would make a good ■ showing in the match against Wellington, 'and tho expectation was fuliilled. '•It may bo' added that., tho Maoris had •rather bad luck, as a matter of inches in the flight of the ball when Ball had a ehot at goal from a mark would have giVen his team the victory.- As it was, the Maoris scored a couple of tries to their opponents' one, and played a rattling game. They have any. amount of dash, and individuals in their ranks Bhoot forward in passing rushes in a wonderful way. In scrums tho weight' of their bulky forwards told, and tho homo team Was on divers occasions ignominiously pushed. In regard'to opeii work, /too,' the Maoris • had distinctly the best ■pack of forwards. Their dribbling rushes (took a lot of stopping. Individually, tho [Maoris played with pluck and determination, but the team as a whole seemed to 'lafck. something of combination.. Playing tho dashing game they did, they should have, achieved better results, and tho crumbling- of some of their attacks can (be ascribed only,to a failure to work properly in concert. The Wellington team was minus tho services of Roberts, Mitchmson, and Wilson, and as a whole the team showed to poor 'advantage against /its Maori opponents. When the Wellington' backs formed up in attack they carried things in a way that the Maoris never approached, and at times they were tolerably : ' sell served by the forwards. The weakness of tho team-seemed to lie I not so much in lack of combination or roBOurce, .as in a . sheer lack of endurance. In short, there was the usual proportion of "passengers." On the other hand, tho dogged: brown men, of .the Maori, team fought hard nearly all through the game. It 'was not so 'with Wellington.' There, fwere times when the team was driven in, | and scarcely wpable of staving. off atjtack. Luck saved them from defeat, but tif they had to meet such a team as tho Maoris frequently they would have to Wouse themselves and' do better things. . The Game. About -two thousand people assembled jit Athletic Park to view the match. The isky'- was heavily overcast and a light fog Irang almost motionless in the air, so that fthere was no advantage, one way or the' jother, in light or wind! It was at once !apparent that tho Maoris had the adi vantage of weight. Four or five" of their [forwards scale about fifteen stone. , Tho {teams, were as follow . • . ' WELLINGTON. " Full-backs ' . Kinvig. ... , . Three-quarters:',' Pyle. J- Ryan. Dawson, Five-eighths; j Bradley. M'.Kenzie, Half-backs' Tilysrd. Wing-fofwar<fc' Avery.'. Forwards* Elliott. Irvine. •••' giutnahill. Rapson.' Perry* ■ 'JlTarlaiiß. "M'KeDar, ; MAORIS. ... Pull-back: H. Poananga. Three-quarters . CSByland. R, Nuku.. G, Rogers, . / . . .. :, Five-eighths? . M, Winiata...'A., Eaipara. Half-back.: S. I'iki. • y " .Wing-forwar&j J. HalL , forwards: : P. Warbrick. CH. Paratene., B. Tamn. W. Winiata. _ Ai Takarangi. J,. Martin. •'. • First Spell, . JThe gamo opened briskly. The .Maoris, jtfeked off and. Wellington, returned smartly. With the ball in th-3 hands of ; -the backs, Dawson got well forward and 'transferred to; Ryan, who wjs driven out iiiea'r the. corner. The Wellington backs >mado repeated efforts to get over, but.the defence of the Maoris proved impenetrable and they presently came away with a. jrnsh ;ana'gave them a clear ascendancy. iKirivig was' overrun in.' the neighbourhood "of the Wellington twenty-live and things looked awkward for his side until Bradley'found the line with'a timely tick. The- Maoris, at this stage, showed distinct promise. Their, forwards played with dash and vigour and were. well supported , by the backs. The' field-' irig .- -'of ; the Wellington ~ backs was at times faulty, and for a space'tho home team had its work cut out in defending. Supervening "on this eamo a jperiod >f line-kicking, and tho Maoris [twice forced in leisurely style , when tho Wellington ■ men sent' the bail too far ahead.' Wellington presently found tho lino well up towards the corner, and tho /backs dashed in briskly, but a throw forward sacrificed the, opportunity. The Maoris retaliated with a heavy rush that carried them past halfway, and then came a series of sorambles on the line, in which they , had a clear . advantage and worked steadily towards the Wellington goal-line. They drove across at last, and followed up so -briskly that a Wellington (back had to send tho ball flying among itho spectators, to save his side. Thero iwas no time to force. In tho ensuing play JRbgers cleverly obtained a mark near tho j twenty-five. Hall had hard luck in a shot jat, goal, the ball striking the cross-bar. With the spell about two-thirds gono, 'Wellington started a business-like attack. iTh'e team,, extended across the field, advanced swiftly in good order, but their .career ceased when a mark was obtained (which gave them the opening for an easy (and successful shot at gojil by Kinvig. .. Wellington . 3 points. . Maoris 0 points. ■ The Maoris on resuming showed every I disposition to attack. : Their backs came 'down with a passing rush, which was |6taved off with difficulty. Then came a dribbling rush by their forwards. Takarangi followed tho ball across the lino at a dashing gait, and but for an unlucky .trip would certainly have scored. Play jnow. reigned for a spaco in Wellington iterritory, and there was a loose scramblo, .in which it was hard to distinguish sides. {Passes and kicks were constantly intercepted,, and play sagged back and forward :with little advantage to either party. Matters livened up ere the spell closed, .and each goal was in turn attacked, but without Tesult. Half-time 'found play just inside! the Maori territory. Second Spell, Tie first event of noto in the second spell Was a dribbling rush by the Maori forwards, Which looked like getting home, but MTvellar broke gamely through the ruck and averted the danger. A series of scrums followed near the Wellington: cornor, and a penalty against tho attackers brought the home team welcome relief. It was only momentary,, for the ■ Maori backs came on with a determined passing rush, and J. Hall crossed—the first try of the day. It was safely converted by Cunningham. J?* 1 ?! 1 ? 8 •••— 5 points Wellington 3 points Roused pro tem., the Wellington forwards now swept down in attack, but were effectually stopped 6,t the Maori twonty-flvo, and wero soon back in their own territory on the defensive again. Tho dusky ones followed up this stroke with a score, Warbrick picking up in a scramblo .and crossing in tho face of stiff opposition. Cunningham failed with a difficult kick. I Maoris S points Wellington <■ 3 points Wellington now made another abortive attack on tho Maori goal, hut were eventually swept away by a forward sortie of the opposition. This, however, drew a corresponding ruovo from the home team, and the backs had another dash for tho

line. Pylo just missed obtaining a try, colliding .with tho corner flag as he fell across the line. A mark .supplied the Maoris with a way out of their temporary trouble, and presently they were again assaulting'the Wellington goal. A linekick brought relief to the home team, and they pressed forward stiffly engaged. It was close work, but tho ball eamo to the backs at length, and passed from Ryan to Dawson, who crossed over oftef a clever feinting run; The kick was easy and Kinvig secured the major points. Wellington 8 points Maoris • 8 There wero now ten minutes to go, and expectation ran high, but the succeeding play was uuevontiul. The Maoris made littlo. attempt at concerted attack, and a t'cW • essays by the buck division made small headway. 'IVico the Maoris were relieved by a free-kick, but neither aide was hard pressed. Tho gamo thus ended in a draw'. Mr. W. J. Meredith was referee. ENGLISH TEAM'S FIME SCORE. ! IN SLUSH AKD MUD. (By Telesraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 20. Tho- first match of the 'British Northem Union Rugby football ;. team was played hero tunlay against the New. Zealand Maori team in drenching rain,, and on a ground that was practically under water. The showing of the Englishmen in these adverse conditions was so good .that further matches are being eagerly anticipated. The attendance to-day was over 5000. The. teams were as follow: — .. Britain; 'Full-back, T. Jenkins; threequarters, 3. Itiley, J. Lomas (captain), B.\Jenkins, and J. Leytham; halves, I. Smith and J. Davies; forwards, F Webster, \V. AViustanley, F. Shugars, F. Boylan, 11. Kershaw, A. 32. Avery. Maoris: Full-back,' Reke; threequarters, A. Asher, W. Winiate (captain), Powhiuivhiu; . iive-eighths, Neri and M'Kae; half, S. Haupapa; forwards, Roer.-., H. Maiki, Keri, Davidson, A. Haira, W. WaiUpu, Tuki, and Takapuna. Mr. F. Sharrocks was referee. Lomas won the toss, and decided _to play with a strong :iortlM!asler, which was accompanied by . heavy rain. The ground was' practically under water. -The Maoris kicked off, and from a .scrum they secured,' but the English forwards were too fast, : and tho attack was soon stopped. ■ About the Maoris' twentyfive a free-kick was taken by Lomas (a left-footer), who made a good attempt at goal, which failed, however. From the kick-out all the English backs took part in a passing rush, but the ball was too slippery to hold, and the Maoris got relief by a good dribbling rush. Tho match progressed amid roars of laughter at. the antics of. the. playeTS in'the Water and mud. Lomas made two good attempts at goal, and then from a pretty passing rush . Riley. received, and ended up a fine run by scoring the Britishers' first points in New Zealand. Lonias made a good attempt ot goal,, but failed. Britain - 3 points Maoris — Nil Prom tho drop-out the Englishmen came back to the attack, and the work of therr line of backs gave an idea of .what they could do with a dry . ball on a lino ground. A loose rush saw B. Jenkins secure the leather ev6ntually, and, running in, he touched down behind tho posts. Lomas converted. Britain 8 points . Macria >.— Nil Tho Maoris then attacked for a while,.but the- Britishers were soon back, and a pretty, piece of passing saw Smith score under tho posts. Lomas converted. Britain 13 points. Maoris — Nil.; A spoll'of ■ moto even piny followed, in which tho slides of the players caused the greatest of merriment. • Tho Maori forwards then attacked, but the rush was resultless, and : ploy worked to their quarters again, where the Britishers weroi given a free-kick, to the accompaniment of hoots from tho crowd. . Lomasr.kickedi a goal' and the scores stoSS: ' !vr vw ; Britain '. 15 points.. • 'Maoris—— ...Nil. Tho rain had now stopped, and the Biin was chlniog when ; play was .resumed.-I'rom.-.a ' scrum at . tho -centre- Smith- secured, and sent to Davies. 'From himthe ball travelled to LomaSj and on to B. Jenkins, who scored again. Lomasfailed:, at goal. Britain .18 points. Maoris .' Nil.. The ball was hardly in play again when an. Englishman, who was palpably .offside, started a passing rush, which endedin i B. Jenkins scoring again amidst applause. Lomas failed at goal. Britain 21 points. ■ ' Maoris '.. Nil. Tho Maoris' forwards worked-into the visitors' territory, but their backs gave them no support, and play was soon once more back in tho Maoris' quarters,. where a free-kick was .given against, them, and Lomaa found the posts, Tho spell thus iinished with the scores reading: • Britain, 23 points. Maoris Nil. , No spell was taken, the players changed over, and recommencing straight away. The.British.backs secured almost at once, and, handling tho greasy leather admirably, threatened the local line. Good passing was concluded by B. Jenkins cleverly cutting in, and beating several backs. ■ He scored a try, which Leythani failed to convert. - ' Britain 2G points. Maoris '. Nil. When play resumed the Maoris livened up.- and somo of their backs attempted Bdmo i passing runs. "Opae" Asher' then '.amo into tho limelight, his vaudeville football greatly pleasing .the crowd. His hurdling tactics wero not successful, however, the greasy state of the ground giving him littlo chance. The British fullback, P. Jenkins, was, however, calldd ,uh to do some defensive work, and he gave a finished display. Plav now alter-, uated between both goal-posts. ■ Tho Maoris narrowly missed scoring on several occasions, and then a great run by 15. Jenkins was well stopped. Asher put the Maoris on tho attack again, and they were almost over, a. score being averted at the corner, where a scrum occurred. In tho resulting play Rocro was prominent, and, shortly afterwards, B. Jenkins made a dash, and, in the tackle, Houwhiriwhiri was hurt. Soon afterwards, from his own twenty-five, Lomas secured the leather, and, dashing through tho pack, ran to the full-back, and booted over his head. Ho then showed plenty' of pace, running away from four Maoris, and dribbling across tho line, where ho dropped on the ball. Lomas 'took the kick at goal, and failed, and the gamo ended shortly afterwards with tho scores: Britain 29 joints. ' Maoris Nif. :

OTAGO, 9; AMERICA, 3.

A MEDIOCRE GAME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, July 20. The Otago representatives and the American Universities team met on tho Caledonian Ground this afternoon . in tho presence of about 2000 people. The weather . was perfect, but the turf heavy. The Otago forwards were the first to «how up, and, after carrying play to the Americans' twenty-five, I''. Williams, Curran, and Graham participated in some free pass-1 lng, which terminated in the last-named scoring. Eckhold missed an easy shot at goal. Otago, 3pts.; Americans, nil. After a lengthy and sustained attack, the visitors opened out play, and a brief bit of passing ended in Watts scoring in a fair position. Dole failed lo convert. Otago, 3pts.; .America, ,'ipts. After a long spell of desultory play and some lifeless efforts by the Otago backs to penetrate the American defence, the home team livened tip, and Graham, picking up, passed out to Goinar on tho wing, and that player scored. Paton did not convert. Otago, Gpts.; Americans, 3. Half-time was called shortly afterwards; In tho second spell Otago added another 3 points, Ougley scoring. Otago, 9pts.-.; America, Dpts. The game was by no means attractive, ami tho standard of play exhibited throughout v;as mediocre. Otago's exhibition was far from being impressive, and tho visitors could have learned little from it. The bright feature of tho Americans' ulay was thnir

keenness and dash and dosiro for open play which, however, their restricted knowledgo of the game did not enablo them to carry out to any purpose. Towards tile close they tired perceptibly. DEPARTMENTAL CONTEST. Exhilarated no: doubt by tho contents of tho Estimates tabled on Tuesday night, representatives of tho Treasury Department met a team chosen from tho various branches of tho Bail way Service at. Newtown Park yesterday morning. The Treasury fifteen were much the lighter team, but mainly owing to tho sterling play of their forwards more than held their own in tho general play, and were perhaps unfortunate in not emerging victorious from the fray, the game ending in a draw of 6 points eachtwo unconverted tries. Tho scorers were:—Bradley (2) l'or Treasury, and Fama and Hoaro for tho Railway brigade. Mr. T. H. Jones was referee. ASSOCIATION. WEDNESDAY GAMES. , ARTILLERY, i; UNION, 2. /Within .the first few minutes Artillery, piaying against Union, scored the first goal from a shot by May (centre-lorward). Almost immediately afterwards he repeated the performance the union's goalkeeper making a very feeble attempt to save. Artillery, 2; Union, nil. Union uow_ attacked, and Eirkings, putting in n nico centre, Joyce {in goal for Artillery), proved unequal to tho situation, and Gregory being handy registered Union's first goal." Tho game was one of an even nature, Artillery having the advantage, if any, the defence of Union being somewhat weak. Trevctliick was responsiblo for a. good run up tho right wing, and from a pretty picco of play by _ Union forwards he put in a shot which. Joyce, in attempting to save, allowed tho ball to dribble over the line, making the scoro two goals each. From now out, Artillery attacked strongly, and .May (centre-forfrard) headed in a shot which Patrick caught, but lost again, and Kebble, following close up, hustled the ball through, making Artillery 3 goals and Union 2 goals, as half-time was; called. At the outset of tho second spell play was'in Union's territory, ' Artillery attacking strongly, but tho defensive tactics employed by Union's backs averted a score. jAatiencc wa?, however, rewarded eventually, Mickel sending in a hot shot from long range, which Patrick had no clianco'of saving. Artillery, -1; Union 2. There was no further score, Mr. A. F. Newbold was referee. OLYMPIC, 6; X.M.C.A., 0. Tho match, Olympic v. Y.M.C.A. was played on Newtown Park yesterday afternoon; tho ground being in a very heavy condition, . Right. from tho jump tho wearers of tho white shirts (Olympic) attacked, and had Y.M.C.A. upon their mettlo. Tho game was a decidedly onesided affair, and goals for tho winners were scored by: A. Mount (3), Cornish.' (1), Kutner (1), and Sharkey (1). Mr. .James Davidson was referee. FOOTBALL MEETINGS. Owing to pressure on our. space, reports of meetings of the iSew Zealand Rugby Union, Wellington Rugby Union, and Association Management Committee are unavoidably hold over.

BOXING.

It is understood • that thero is every probability of "Dick" Culleu anil "Johnny" Summers, the two light-weight boxers, being matched to meet in.Wellington'before very long. Both have expressed their willingness to como to this city, and the' Wellington Boxing Association will probably arrango for a match at tho Opera House. The fixturo would prove tho most interesting boxing contest that has ever taken place before u local, audienco. . ! The New Zealand amateur boxing championships, will be held, in the Municipal lOperiv'tflouse, Palmerston North. on Wednesday and Thursday, July 27 and 28.

MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING.

Teams representing Messrs. T. Ballingcr and Company, Ltd.'s warehouse, Victoria Street, and factory, Dixon, Street, met to try conclusions at the Zealandia Miniaturo Rifle Range last evening,, and tlio shooting resulted in a win for tho factory by 39 points. Tlio highest five scorers 011 each side .were as followDixoji Street; C. Fergusson, 30; J. Bolton, 28; G. Rait, 27; S. Harding, 27; J. Cashman, 27. Victoria Streot,-C. Maslers, 31; G. Weight, 26; W. Ballinger, 2G; J. Jacobi, 27; A. Ballinger,-20.; .

HOCKEY.

WEDNESDAY ASSOCIATION. The final games of tho Wellington Hockey Association's second round were played yesterday afternoon. PAKEHA, 2;' KAEOBI, 1.. . This game was played at Karon, and resulted in a .win for Pakehaby. two ! goals to one. In the first spell Cooper ; (PakeUa) opened tho scoring by sending ra.a hot on© from a quick pass by Haase. Half way through the spell F. Spiers, by finis'dribbling, carried tie ball from tho halfway lino into tho circle, beating tho ; goalkeeper, and scoring Karon's first goal. Just beforo half-time, Mutter, for Pakeha, notched aiiother goal, and tliu 'spell finished—Pakelia, 2 goals; Karori, 1. In the second spell Palcolia made a strong attack, but tho fine defence of Iv. Spiers (Karori right full-back) saved them timo after time. The gamo oiided without further score. For tho winners, Mollison, Shipton, Grade, and M'Eldowney were the best; whilo Gayford, K. and F. Spiers, Atkin, and Henderson took tho honours for Karori. Mr. Cusack was referee. PETONE, 0; HOT MAI, 1. At the outset Hui Mai played with ten men, and from the "bully-off" attacked smartly, but their shooting was faulty. From the twenty-five line l'etone secured the ball, and a combined rush ended in. J. M'Ewan finding tho net. Then for tho rest of tho spell. Petone kept up the attack, and Hui Mai had all they could, do to stave off scores. On resuming, Tetone again assumed the offensive, and J. M'Ewan and Taplin scored in quick succession. Then the Iluias got up field with tho ball,-and Owen, gaining an opening, carried the play into the circle aiid struck a fine goal. In the last'ten minutes; Petone pressed again, and W. M'Ewan, Taplin (from a corner), and Beswick scored, making Petone, who were never' really threatened, winners by 6 goals to I.

GOLF.

MANAWATff LADIES' CLUB. At the Hokowhitu links on Tuesday afternoon thero was a tio between Mrs. L. Seifert, M_rs. J. P, In lies, -and Mrs.'H. C. Jlelliop, in tho A grade competition for the hatpin trophy. Tho tie will be played off on Thursday afternoon. In tho B grade, Sirs. P. Sim was first, and Mrs. C. J. Monro second. Miss D. Waldegrave and Mrs. .Bruce. Bealo tied in tho bogey match in the junior division.