SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 883, 1 August 1910, Page 4

SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

- ... ~.• . T - 'j: ; ■• : -i, -'■ EXCITING RUGBY.

BNEKE DEFEAT ST. MES BY'-"NINE TO SIX

ORIENTAL BEAT. ATHLETIC.

BRITISH NU.TEA^OUTPLAYSIEWZEALWB

'-."■ Rugby-going Wellington was present Kin great numerical strength at Athletic Park on "Saturday,-and in all its enthusiastic : expectancy. It was a njee -lafternoon ,for football, and the .weather'circumstances'in .which to'play and:; the important matches' set down-; ->ere 'much '■ mora' -fitting to "the.voccasion than the climatic; conditions which prevailed on the'/.previous..'.,-Saturday,' which, fortunately,'. was cancelled as a playing' day. >.'' ."•;•■; •; .

. ..The four teams drawn to mest in tho two matches were at the head of the: championship ladder.. St. Jaines took "the field with their flag floating above the rest, but before the day waß igone they-had struck their colours to Poneke, Athletic -dropped hack' ■ a rung, being beaten by Oriental, and thus conceding the fourth position-to-Petone.

■i , The • interest, of the • big crowd • was '.:' thrust almost entirely, whole-heartedly, '•:-.and .;fairly demonstratively into the .■'■' Ppnek'c-St. James match,-.;'.and,, all; ' things. considered, the energy was not -wasted. jßptter games they' had seen,. !-, • maybe,; and contests bristling with i \ greater .excitement,-]and -.punctuated by; l; more>'.'sensatipns;'.but it was'what;hung '■':■■■ or the game,'quite apart from how interestingly it was contested, that made V- , the match,- bef ore,-..ever ■ it- was ; playepV ;'.;' the most memorablo Wellington has had; '[>,-' this season. It was a game well playj-.:■'': eil, but 'too hard fought and too even.to, '( f4!ow;'"spectacolar effect" to appear in f -"■ tfi'e limelight very often. -That is not ' ;.;an inference that neither sido was cap- |; . able ;of providing a;display worth see- |. ■'. .ingj- it \ means that, the play of both' \\.'r sides'was alert and willing, and neither jj, /rarely' : pormitted'an'organised attack by ii'v the other to be carried to any length or |;p, ; extent.' Lovers of the spectacular cheer. j|S .and enthuse over'a-display match,, but fc;.'.'; they usually forget about the -weakli!' ';nesses which permit it. The match was I!!' 'more than half played bofore it was at fi(. all clear which side'was going to win.; jH ; .-There was no score in.-.thVfirst spell. kif ,; - St: James, scored ajfew. minutes after y|''. : .the second half had'been opened,'shortly; E-V-- afterwards Poneke obtained t a pottea, fj| . goal, and Jed by. one,,late in'the game [.:!;'■'"Ppneke;sent 'their.total up to nine by [:'.|., adding : a try and converting it, and still' [)!■;"■; nearer %e end St."James converted' a' Hi ./marki":and made their score., six.... It. j'|| ..:". was. not the -better-trained.team,, which [5;;. won, : .bu| decidedly it 'was the, team; offii , the better;material.""St,' James played, i-vj-'. with more straight>6ut dashV:ahd-clean h-lj. decisiveness ■ throughout.v/. Poneke's ,: |■';;■'-. backs defended .well; enough; to keep-the, fy:;'- St. James ( for^vards-iput,.!but, the_ Red i/;i '.■ lagged, . somewhat, at time's, j/jfT.and the whole team'was'.occasionally jj! .;afflicted 'with' 'the''hesitancy .'which''is : rcjL incomparable in effect with.tho methods. [fi ..of a. team which .hurls its attack.at the M;;',v enemy the moment the opportunity'.is ?;''■ .'presented'. :.'"V- '"'■'. '■■"'*'•'■"■':'■. -'' j'-;i:..."- -.'The.,Oriental-Athletic .match*.did not' !;:':;;. cause 'anyone to' lose hats or " break, £■■';!:': jumbrellas.-.-It was. .-.'a;.' very ■ desultory, pi '.-'■ ajfair.-in tiie .first, spell, and. was at p'fi.v.itß ;.brightest : half-way through the [.-;".: second .-act', ,at which time the; Oriental f: r ;; ;' : backs: were, throwing, the oval about a ;';,;',; good deal and'seemed to bo developing F;\|!;":.a habit ;of scoring; ■';'- '/■'■ ' ' [i ■{'-■: : .Tho'positions of tkb'teams are as.-fol- [;;!;- low:—; ' ~ ~'. ■ ' ''. ■ - '■' ■■■ ivU •■'■•■' '-' ; '-' ''si'.-1--.--"■-!-.- .'' °>£. : < '.''■■ "•' ■. ,--■■'. '"'&'• ;-a'- i '"'g. ; Sgn-3 § A ;;^: x 'Poncke'-"..;;.'.' li':"9'. 2 0 96. '36. 18." - ; "i ' Oriental'--;'.".:,- 10 ;8" 1 • 1 125 i 617 ;' ;i: - St. "James ... 11 8; 2 1 123' '43 17 : Petone '.-..:..- 11 7 ■ 4 0-. 150 65 14 r.-:.; Athletic-. ■;;.,. 11 6 4- 1 109 71 .13 - P' :.Old-Boys .-...'10 -,5' 5 0. 65-61 10 [.;- Vic. .College .10' 4 6 0 86 88. 8- |' : •■' Wellington 11 3' 8. 0 40.134 .6 C' ; Hutt .'.......- 10 .27 1 30-105 5 \"K Southern''.:.' 10 2 7 i 28 148 '5 ;.....-10 -1-S 1 24.123.'3

PONEKE (9) V. BTi. JAMES (6). The Poneke, forwards" dashed to the attaClj'as soon'as. the whistle .'let .them lops'e,'jind the first"piece of interesting ; play came when .Tilyird obtained tho b%ll.'from'' l a,scrum?and flung it out to the'-backs^/whose': onslanght was ter"through Prondevillo missing a pass..-''Mitchihson backed him up and scpoped : ;tlie ball'intb'.'■ his possession while, going at top speed,* but that time the opportunity was gone. Poneko went :back' to the . attack, - and ; were. hammering at the defenders' very gates when.,»; free-kick'for St. James brought them temporary relief.' , Poneko then attempted to get through by passing rushes', but the "Jimmies" kept them out. °t. James had a long kick to find tj&e'touch-line,; but Elliott fielded it before:it wont out and enlivened matters; by a' fine; dash down the sideline. : '\Firidihg an: 'opponent across his path ho punted and raced for tho ball: again.. The oval -bounced ■ con- , venieiitly, and .Elliott .gathered it in 'and', strode ...for. the line, ffhich he was Hearing.when a couple 'of burly defenders' rushed tp." the' rescue and bundled him unceremoniously right across the side-line into the adjacent playing-field. St.. James-.made several good but ineffectual attacks, and; a feature of their work was. the ing of Thomas. Before the spell ended, Thomas had a pot. at goal, but did not succeed in scoring.' :.'..'•'.'.

The second spell ..provided 'a much better entertainment. It was: evident from the kick-off that St. James were out' to make: the pace.-. Twice successively their forwards swept play to tho line," and'.on..the second occasion they went right through and Wright scored within, a"..few minutes of the. recommencement. Thomas did not succeed wjth a!difficult kick, but made a fine attempt. " "' St. James .............. 3 points . Poneke ~,,....,.... nil Another dangerous attack, by St. James was repelled by a splendid linekick by Slater. Walsh placed Poneko on the offensive after a creditable run and a handy line-kick. Gardner got a clever mark, and had a kick at goal, but, a-splendid attempt .fell, a little short. Poneke .came again with a passing rush, in which backs and forwards were well mixed. At length Tilyard got the ball and tried to'go around on the left wing, but had, to cut back and dispose of the.oval, which drifted through many hands and.. at length to the ground ffboro both sets of : forwards packed around it energetically. Poneko, shoved St. James along and heeled out to Tilyanl who whipped the ball out to the backs, Walsh sent it on to Ryan (who had been moved in as second- fiveeights, instead of Prendoville) fromwhom, it-went to Mitchinson. : presentativo three-quarter took tho pass and unhesitatingly dropped the ball at

.his toe and potted a magnificent goal. It -was a piece of beautiful, play and put Poneke one point ahead. ■ : Poneko.. "4-points." • St. Jaines. 3 ponits. Shortly afterwards Thomas had a shot;at goal but'failed to increase St. James's score.' St. James forwards hiade. 1 determined eft'orts'to carry tacks home, but wero thwarted on every occasion. Play got back to halfway where the ball was transferred through tho hands of tho Poneko backs right out.to Elliott on the wing, and the last-named piled-on all the pace ho could muster .'and. sped.past tho ;St. James backs with tho exception.of the last man, whoso presence in the road was the means of halting the attacker. Tho. attempt to .score was continued vigorously, but for the.fifth time,when they'were in a like predicament tho referee's whistle saved St. James. Tho .gamo was then delayed 'a while owing to H. Roberts having been injured. Roberts retired, arid immediately the game was resumed' Walsh' broke right through a line-out and made a clear opening, for Poneke. Ryan followed him,; received the'pass and 'flung the leather out to Mitchinson who galloped across in a fair position.'. Walsh converted.-•'• '.' , .-.•:•■ ,-• ..:.> ' , Poneke' ..;;;... J:':i.. '9'points.' .' St.-'James ........'... '--3-pbihts. St. James battered ..'.'away at the Red's defence and one of tlie"hacks had very hard luck in,not getting through'. Nothing hut luck -saved- Poneko thescore. /'--'Then -Mdffatt I '' marked ; inPoneko's' twenty-five. "Bradley •■ attempted- to convert it,' and tho ball went wide, but 'another i attempt was allowed . because' the whistle' had sounded'for a free charge while Bradley waa in'the act of'kicking/':' In his second effort Bradley was successful. " Poneke '.'..'...*....'...''..' "9 jxfiiits. . . St.. Janios ~_6 .points. . Thero was not any further scoring. Mr. F. Martin refcreed. \ ■"..

' ORIENTAL (19) V., ATHLETIC (5). Oriental, .kicked: off, :.tlieir .opponents having: a.'slight advantage of nvind.- A ponalty.in the .region '.or ithe.,. Athletic twenty-five , gave .Jiinvig the opportunity for. a successful shot. at. goal. , Oriental, ~'3-j-Athletic,,.o.,.-'..For'.a/little timp the Athletic pack.ifept Oriental.busily and '.once/the",latter wore compelled to,'force.,-A; succession of scrums' gave ho apparent "advantage to either side, and play.resolved .itself into an.. uninteresting scramble.'',;.. pie remainder of the spell was eventless, save for a fow^'ill-organised, passing.'rushes by tlie Oriental backs, who'''brf;';every occasion .'failed to attain qbjective. x Just j hefore" .half-tirhd " ( Evenspii' .-had ;an'aboriivd^shot,''nffgoal ffoni - a. ;;i ; " ;;; ': ; •'•'■'■" ;'"' [ '_"---' "'- Oriental Med; off ''with 'a ; 'yig6rpiiß' dasli. at 1 the resumption' of play, •a scrum on the line,'-'a'lively, hit'-of passing '-work' by Roberts' 'and -M'Leod ended'm the "former-crossing oyer after a clever'run..VOfierital;';6;"'"Athretic, 0. Athletic in'their'turn'displayed an inclination to . activity, ■ and paid' a call at the Oriental twenty-five, but their advance was 7 repelled, arid as play -went back'.into, their 'territory (Roberts added .a further-touch" to their 1 - discomfiture; ■Picking up--at''the"'twenty-fivo,--'hc slippod'swiftly forward/a'hd, pvadiiigmany tacklers; obtained a well-earned try. Oriental,' 9;■; Athletic, 0.- -Athletic,' although'at this stage-they show'cd -a ..willingness to atiacki • ■ wore still .. com-pletely-held in : check.-.■-■.■Tho LOnental backs' wore notito- ! bc de'nied,.'-arid a passing rush" maintained against opposl-' lion ended - in- 'Sturrock; 'getting safoly over." Kinyig converted; Oriental, 14; Athletic,-o.'. Athletic.now at length-'suc-ceeded in pressing homo their- attack, and Oriental worokept. busy,; in the close neighbourhood of .their -own lino. From'a. scrujn in'this; quarter the ball -passed by way of • .M'Vay-.'to -Evenson, ■ who dashed, over right;- between the posts. S. Wilson bad an' easy; shot at goal,;. Athletic,,.?; Oriental, ,14. The .game; was .now .at its best, the Athletic, forwards maintaining- a determined attack. . Once Oriental forced in the pick, of time, and shortly afterwards, the ball again/crossed their line, but in their eagerness theißlues had sent it too.far ahoad. , Ere the gamp ended, Oriental again assumed the direction; of. affairs, -and shifted play, to their', "opponents' -end. Pyle, after being driven out at tho corner in a. dash at, the line, sue-, cessfully renewed the-attempt and'got ovoi'v. Kinvig improved with the kick at goal, and made, the final score: Oriental, 19; Athletic, 5..: ,' • .'" Mr: H, Oa'rd'was referee'.','-'., WELLINGTON (3) V. SOUTHERN (0). . At Kai-ori on Saturday, the'ro was very little to choose'between Wollingtoii ,'aitd. 'Southern,', but' tlio,former team' had the good fortune" to' secure a win with a try, scored almost on .the call of time. If there was any advantage in the first spell it appeared -to lie with Southern, but the team has no scoring backs, and waa unable tu make, thu' most of its opportunities. Line-kicking of. both teams was very ineffective, and on the few occasions that the backs succeeded in finding the line it was generally bad policy to do sp, The first incident in the game was an unsuccessful, shot at goal by L. Campbell (Southern) from a mark by Gallagher. ' A few minutes later Gallagher got the ball from a scTum in his opponents' twenty-five, and after a smart run got over tho linu, but he hadi'been "fairly 'tackled," and a scrum was the result, Wellington forwards cleared the line, but.Southern returned tp the. attack. What looked like a promising' piecu of passing between- Johnson and Mprtensen'ended in the leather being thrown into touch. Southern were: still attacking wfien Wellington forwards', headed by M'Kellar and Turner,, roriimbnced a fine dribbling rush. The ball went the whole length •of the field, and Mills .had an excellent chance to score, but was not quick enough to fall on the ball, and j Southern forced.-: Even play followed till half-time. ; ' ; . , .

In tho second spell play wha very uninteresting, L. Campbell, for Southern, had shots at goal from all points of tho compass,, but he failed lo discover the magnetic poles. Wellington backs essayed a good deal.of passing, but never with any profit. On ono occasion, about ten minutes before time, Irons got the ball from the scrum, and it went onto Jury, Fraseiy Bridge, Lambert, and back to Bridge, but when tho captain took" bearing's " the team had drifted about .ten.:yards: further away'from port. 'Southern were, howover, being beaten in the' sorum,' and their forwards were beginning to tiro. .A badly-plaoed kick )i}\ a Southern

three-quarter a few minutes before tho call of time gave Lambert a clear opening near "half-way, and ho raced down tile line, and, evading Mitchell's weak tackle, scored near tho corner. His attempt to convert was unsuccessful, and a couple of minutes later the game endedi Wellington, 3; Southern, nil. Mr. W. J.' Meredith was referee.

' PETONE (8) V. OLD BOYS (3). On the Hutt ground; Petone were determined to avenge tho' defeat inflicted by Old Boys in the first round, and after an interesting contest showed, superior form by five points. Petono attacked from the start, but tho sound defence of Blacklock gave Old Boys the advantage. A second attack, led by Hardham, resulted in a force by tho Whites': Old Boys' forwards, led by Avery and Alexander, put Petono on the defence, and from a scrum within a few yards of the lino Thompson spoilt an almost certain score by passing wildly. Potone, with fine dribbling, quickly carried play into Old Boys' sido of half-way, where Dawson found touch with a lucky kick. At;this stage forward play was prevalent; the rushes on either sido being particularly keen. From a scrum, Grace secured, and after cutting in nicely left Petone's backs standing, and touched down near tho posts. No goal was kicked. Old Boys, 3; Petpne, nil. Petone's'back division tried passing, and after an amount of juggling with the ball Joe Ryan was rushed out-at the corner flag. Petono lost the services of Nankiville, who had to. retire with a broken bone in tho hand.' Ho was replaced shortly aftorby Valentine. Valentine, Jas. Ryan, and Daley started a dangerous passing rush, but the latter knocked tho corner flag down, and Thompson relieved with a nice kick. . Half-time sounded w T ith Old Boys in the lead. In tho second half' Petone warmed up. Joe Ryan put in a fine centre, and all tho suburban forwards | charged down- smothered the defence,' and continued the rush, till Blacklock brought off ,a timely save. M'Farlano had a fruitless attempt at goal.. Shortly after, a high centre kick, went to Thompson, who took the ball all right, but was too slow in getting,his kick in. Hardham, following smartly, gathered up and scored in a good position. M'Farlano missed 1 with the kick. 3—3. Potone, who were beating their opponents. now in • every department except getting possession from- the scrum, upset A Uld Boys by a series, of high, centres,, and-their reward came when Joo Ryan secured and dashed along the line, passed iq Daley, who put in a 'fine run,..arid ~ in-passed, to Joe Ryan again, who '.dashed over. M'Faarlane increased, Petono, 8; O'd Boj's, 3. Petone ha<l the town team well beaten from this to tho end. Dawson, Alexander, and Avery played doggedly, but wore unrewarded: The first spell was Old Boys', and tho second belonged to Petone. Just before time Petone spoilt one chance of lifting the score by not being able to field .cleanly, and the game onded: Petone, 8; Old' Boys, 3. Mr. J. Condor-was tho rofereo.

HUTT (7), V. MELROSE (0). • Oh the Hutt I\o. 2 ground, Hutt beat Aieirpse py a poueu goal anu a penalty goal to' nil. 'ine game was •rauier .luuuterestiiig, though, a low m-ciuent-s m the, second sped mado' it worm watcumg. timu sides suowea lacli of coniuiuaiion, niore particularly, the liuti, wliose DacUs, nowever, put up some good, individual periormances. liokita and (Judy, in the backs, and jU.'ijtui'k and rlui'iieu, in the loiwaius, were most-prominent, the latter snowing up well. Jlutt pressed tne attack Hum tbe start. itt'Uurk headed two good dribbling rushes, out the Melrose lull-back-was Bafo. Hekita renowedtho attack by kicjdng nicely, after a dodgy run. Alelroso smartened up, and Fraser.had...an unsuccessful shot at goal..from a .placp : kick,. at '~haU-yray. Half-time sounded with no,score. Melrose started tlie. second spell by a vigorous attack, but a'dribbling rush 'of the Greens', headed by Tonnahill and Cudby,. carried, the ball to the Reds' line, a force-down resulting. Hutt had the best of tho game from this out, but want of system prevented their success from being as great as it might have been. Harnett and Cudby were both making vaiii attempts at goal from the field. Fraser (Melrose) had another shot at long distance, the ball again falling short. Then Hekita scrambled the ball through the Melrose line, where a scrum, resulted in which-the Reds were penalised. Langford placed a good goal. A few minutes later: Harnett, after, having failed in three previous: attempts, suddenly potted a goal for tho Hutt. There was no further score when time was called.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS. The Wellington Rugby Union has instructed its selectors to pick two representative teams by next Saturday night —an A team for the northern tour, and a B team to visit Blenheim. It is hoped that by selecting the teams on that, date the players will. have time to practiso together and so gain ' combination beforerthe tours commence., JUNIOR. Athletic, playing with fourteen, men, were beaten by l'etono by 17 points ■to nil. The game was a very, fast one, and the Pet-one backs were far superioi li. thosi. ot then opponents. Selwynwere victorious ovter Victoria College by 18 points to 9. THIRD CLASS. Falone defeated St. John's'by 17 to nil. For the winners, Hogan scored three' tries, and Mooney and Riddlcr one each. Mooney also converted one of tho'tries. ....'. Karori were - defeated • by Southern bv 8 points to. 6. , The gamp was a' vqry willing one. . ''•... . Wellington Collcgo defeated Selwyn by '56 to 0. Tries for tho winners wero scored by Harris, Stewart, Gallio (2); Straok, Gothard (2), Larkin (3), and Childs (2). Capper converted seven and Stewart three. Petone (17) defeated St. John's (0). Tries wero obtained by Hagan (3), Mooney (1), Riddler (1). Mooney converted one. .•■-.•'

FOURTH CLASS. Old Boys drew with Southern, three Sjints each. Robinson scored for Old oys, and Capper kicked a penalty goal for Southern. FIFTH CLASS. In the match, Petonev. Melrose, the former won by, "22 points to 3. Tho scorers were Bale, Bolton, Murphy, Whitley, and Abrahall, one try each. Jl'llvride converted two tries, and kicked a penalty goal in addition. Athletic defeated Wellington College A by 12 points to 9. For tho winning team, l'oole and Styles scored tries, and Hugh kicked two penalty goals. St. Patrick's beat Wellington College Bby9to 3. ' - Petone beat Melrose by 22 points to 3. Bale. Bolton, Murphy, "Whitley, and Abrahall got a try eaoh,'and M'llvrido converted two tv'ies, and kicked a penalty goal. WAIRARAPA REPRESENTATIVES. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Carterton, July 30. The following Wairarapa representative football team will ro on tour this week:—Masson, K. Welch, N. M'Kenzic, E. Skeot, Torri, C. Groubo, Ball, R. M'Konzie, 0. Skeet, A. Boss, Desmond, Barry, Allan, Hodge, H: M'Konzio. Emergencies: Bond, Millor, Groubo and Thompson

PALMERSTON MATCHES. Palmerston North, July 30. Beautiful weather prevailed this afternoon, and the Show Grounds wero in fmo order for the Hankins Shield Rugby football match between Kia' Toa and Palmerston Seniors. The game was fast and interesting all through, Kia Toa winning by 14 points to 9. In the junior games for the O-'-hbonG Cup, Old Boys A beat tho Palmerston thirds by 25 points to 3, mid High School beat Old Boys B by (52 to nil. High School scored fourteen tries und a penalty goal. Only three of the ti:es ivere converted. . Feildlng, July 31. ' As Foilding (by 30 to nil) defeated' Old Boys yesterday, and Kia Toa defeated Palmerston in the Rugby Union contests, Feilding—the champions of the past two seasons, who went right back ji couple of months ago—have recovered all their lost ground. Feilding ' will now meet Kia Toas in tho final for the Hankins Shield. AT OTHER CENTRES. WANGANUI. Iliy TclecraDh-l'rssa Association.! Wanganul, July 30. .' ; For the Charity Cup, Pirates beat Kaierau (seniors) by 8 to 6. : Pirate (juniors) beat Wanganui by 8 to. 6. ~t ', ' CHRISTCHURCH. ; Christchurch, July 30. ■ Football was played to-day under (deal conditions. ; The leading teams—Merivalo and Albion—met, the former winning a closo hard game by 3 points to nil. It Was a first-class display of football by both backs and forwards, tho Mcrivale three-quarter line being rather better than tho opposing line. Mitchell .seored_ after a long run,i following on a nice piece of passing, i Old Boys beat Marists by 24 points to 8. . , ; Sydenham beat College by 17 points to nil. ! There was a record attendance for the season at Laucaster Park, tho gate being £73 Bs.' ' • • • ! Merivale is now half a point .ahead' for tho championship, with two matches to go. . DUNEDIN. Dunedin, July 30. i Perfect weather prevailed to-day for the football matches. - Alhauibra, 9 points, drow with Southern, 0 points'; Zingari-Richmond, 29, beat University,-' 4; Taieri Rovers,, 11, beat Union, nil ; Dunedin, 14, beat Kaikorai,'" 3; Port phalmer-s, 8, beat Pirates. 5.