ON THE FOTBALL FIELD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1133, 22 May 1911, Page 6

ON THE FOTBALL FIELD.

Blinding sleet drove across the Athletic Park at intervals on Saturday afternoon, propelled by a cold southerly blizzard and tho attendance- at the championship matches was narrowed to enthusiasts. Tho grandstand was well filled, but those outside of this shelter would not total more than, a couple of hundred. Considering the condition under which it was played, the football was remarkably good, particularly that shown by the St. James team, who were pitted against Poneke. Although they were again beaten, Poneko put up ah interesting showing, a number of changes in tho back team being decidedly for the better, had iiorris only played up to his recent form. Walsh, formerly fire-eighths,, was played wingforward; in place of Gardiner, who took tho position of wing-three-quarter; Neilson, a new full-back, was a great improvement, and played ; a fine defensive game. Without him Poneko would have been in a bad way indeed. Giving Poueke all this in, the result-of tho game was never in doubt, even though there was no score at half-time. Knowing the fine condition of their men, aud taking a line through their excellent (showing in the first spell, followers, of St. James team were very confident ns to tho ultimate result. Tho second half proved to be as one-sided as a match could he. At the outset St. James look a stand in Ponoko territory, aud they hardly left it for the rest of the match. Had the Poueke hookers not got a little more than their share of the ball in the scrums the rout would have been complete. As it was, King, Wright, and Moffatt, three brilliant St. James broke through the Poneke ranks with almost monotonous regularity, and literally covered themselves with glory. With tho exception of Pcrkinson, all tho St. James backs inspired confidence, even with the high wind and slippery ball to contend with. E. Roberts, at half, played a particularly good game, the only fault to be laid at his door being a suggestion of selfishness, when it came to a dash in the open. Cook, a new wing-three-quarter, is a decided acquisition, and on Saturday's showing ho should develop into ono of the most dangerous scoring 'men in the city. The other match on tho Athletic Pnrk, Mclroso v. Old Boys, was not inspiring. Ragged, uuinteresting play and lost opportunities predominated, but there was an occasional streak of brightness in tho general drabness of tho proceedings.

POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. The positions of the teams as a result of Saturday's games are as under :-

ST. JAMES-PONEKE

PERSISTENT FORWARDS TRIUMPH. The result of the St. .Tames-Poneke match was never in doubt from tho outset, even though the-first spell did. close without either side having scored. There was a certain amount, of interest attaching to the first half of the game, but in tho second term tlio more versatilo and better trained St.- James combination had things all their own way, and, with the exception of one short spell towards the close of tho game, kept Poneko steadily on tho defensive. A feature of tho gaino was tho persistent onslaughts, not t.o say the brilliancy, of the St. James vanguard. From the kick-off, Poneko attacked willingly, and the ball was sent along tho lino of backs, but Morris missed his pass and spoiled.the movement. Poncke kept at it, and Gardiner had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Tho failure of E. Roberts to take a ball cleanly in front, of tho pasts heralded trouble for St. .Tames, but they got out of it; Following this Morris spoiled another promis-ing-passing dash by the Poneko backs, by fumbling his pass. St. James now took a band, and pretty passing by tho backs carried play to the Poneke goalline, but the invaders were repulsed. From a scrum on the twenty-five line, h. Roberts got away with a nice run, but ho was tackled and lost the baU, a forward kicking it over tho line and enabling Poneko to force. An . uninteresting lull was followed by another passing rush by St. James, which ended at the corner flag. A nice run for Poneke by Gardiner ended in this player -kicking -in-field-Sotheran carried tho leather on, and was almost over. A counter-rush by St. James carried tho ball, in short stages, from ono end of -the field to the other, but tho onlv result was a free-kick on the line. Another spoil of oven play was broken by a nice dribblo by Walsh, and tho pack carried tho leather on to the line where Hekcta saved at tho corner. . Ihe ijt. James men replied with a rousing rush, which was the forerunner of a pretty dash by E. Roberts, but this player hung on too long, although attended by Cook, and a force-down instead of a try was the result. Led by Bowie, Poneko then put in a big bid for a try, but they could not get past the St. James line. Jus.t before the close of the first half, Tilyard, Poneko half, had to retire for a few minutes on account of an injury to his ribs, and the bell sounded with St. James attacking strongly. The second half was ono long attack by St. James. Tilyard returned to tho field, playing wing-thrcc-quartor, but ho was obviously out of sorts. A couple of minutes after resuming, Cook, St. James wing-three-quarter, was almost over the Poneko line. A series of-scrums on tho Poneko lino and a steady attack in tho twenty-fivo ended in a mark in a good position by E. Roberts. Roberts took the kick Himself, and was successful.. St. James, 3; Poneke 0. St. James literally took charge after this, and came on time ami again. At length, a centre-kick by E. Roborte from the twenty-five line saw the ball beat a couple of Poneko backs and go over tho line. Tilvnrd went after it to force down, but Mo'ffatt, following up fast, beat the Poneke man for the ball ami scored. E. Roberts failed with, tho kick. St. James, f>; Pnneke, 0. Still full of rtiniiins, tho St Jnmos forwards burst through repeatedly, and tho Poneko lino was constantly'in danger. At length a passim? run, E. Roberts, Crowes, and Cork,, saw the latter , dash over at'tho'corner, and run round behind tho posts. E. Roberts converted. St. James, 11 j Poneko, 0. A little before the end of the game, Poncke raado one desperate bid for a score, but tho attempt, though sustained for some time, was hopeless. Mr. Ncilsou was referee, MELROSE-OLO BOYS. ANOTIIER VICTORY FOR MELROSE. Playing Old Boys at tho Park on Saturday, Molrose accepted with debonnair complacency the discomforts of driving rain and a greasy ground ond ball. To their credit, be it. noted, they romped over resultant difficulties with the cheerful adaptability of so manv mountain

-4 ST. JARHES DEFEATS PONEKE. THREE CLOSE FINISHES. MISERABLE WEATHER GONSBTIOMS. SUMMARY OF RESULTS, St. James • 11 Poneke , o Melrosa 9 o|d J3oys 5 Petone 3 Oriental 0 Wellington 3 Victoria College .ZZ'.Z". 3 Athletic 3 Southern n

ponies. Old Boys wore in another box. It may have been tho weather. It looked like a general flavour of mild decay. At nil events, tho painful faot is uudemablo-thnt the excollegians went /all to pieces," particularly in tho opening spell. . * Jiofroso played a steady stocky game. Their backs were not brilliaut, but the forwards kept together in solid rushes and every man was a worker. Old Boys attempted opeu passing-fatal tactics ou a ground as slippery as ico aud with a ball as-hard lo hold as a greasy pig. Iho white-jerseyed forwards seemed all abroad. Their rushes were fierce, but blind, and time after timo they sagged away to tho wing while play swept past them up tho field. The result was inevitable. Molrose, with (heir 6ttady driving footwork, clove tho' , shaky ranks of their opponents like a baby Thunderbolt and only smart tackling'by ono or two lively hacks, notably Grace (threequarter) and Johnson (full-back) preserved Old 13oys from unmitigated disaster. The first score was obtained by W. Marshall, who neatly brought off a difficult shot at goal from a penalty. Melrose; 3; Old Boys, 0. A spell of dullness followed, but the Old Boys forwards at length wakened up a little nnd got well into Melroso ground. Tho Old Boys bncks got away in capitnl order and Grace, after a useful run, sent a pass to Dawson, ou tho wing. Dawsou foozled the ball and missed a certain try, but this failure was excusable considering the state of the ground and the leather. ■

Molrose liad any amount of vigour left and presently Old Boys wero jammed on their home lino, fighting hard. From a scrum on the lino the- ball camo out to the attackers and 11. Marshall went safely over. Tho kick failed. Melroso, 0; Old Boys, 0. Before half-time was calied D. Sullivan scored a second try for Melrose. A dashing chargo by Old Boys blocked tho kick at goal. Helroso, 9; Old Boys, 0. Tho second spell belonged to Old Boys, but they had no very sure grip on their properly. For a time the steady, stocky. Melrose defence proved impenetrable. At last, however, (ho opposing backs got clean away. Tho Grace-Dawsou combination had better fortune than in their earlier onfall at tho other cud of tho field. Grace carried the ball to within striking distance of tho line and Dawson completed tho good work. Drako converted neatly, jlclro-e, 9; Old Boys, 5. In following play Old Boys made some valiant efforts to recover, lost ground, but none of them succeeded. Towards its close the gamo sobered down to i\ jog-trot in which Melroso easily held their own. The game ended: Melrose, 9: Old Boys, 5. Mr. C. Bell was tho referee. PETONE-ORIENTAL.

A GEEAT WET-DAj r GAME'. ■ The boisterous wind and rain whicK swept Petone Eocreation Ground enticed somo 500 spectators to witness the , contest between I'etone and Oriental. It proved to bo the best wet-day game- thai has been played at Petono for a loua time.

The ground, although the turf was uovr, was in- splendid order, and was very little cut up at the cud of tho game. Tho conditions obtaining favoured forward play. Both teams at tho outset directed their play accordingly. ,Tho Petono vanguard had slightly tho best of it. Towards .the end the Oriental backs-made determined attacks in an effort to avert defeat, but they would havo done better to use. tho boot in preference to adopting passing tactics. Play opened very fast, Oriental having tho advantage, until William liyan secured on the line-out, and made a dash upficld. lie was grassed by Mathiesoiy and Carrad with a fine kick sent the ball, into touch. Oriental retaliating, Kinvig and Jl'Leod led a rush, und Pelono had to force. Ryuisden (hen made- a flue run % and put tho "Magpies" on the defensive. He was pushed out at tho twenty-five flag. An attempt at passing was "made, by Oriental, when, from a scrum, Roberts passed to Kinvig, who transferred to MUrdock. It was a great attempt, but the blinding rain spoilt any scoring chance. Considering tho weather the game so far had been remarkable for its swiftness and good dribbling work. Potone's kicking was far superior to that of their opponents. Dent, Aston, and M'Farlano led a rush to Oriental's twenty-five, but Carrad saved. Bunckeuburc, Gillespie, and Perry were responsible for an Oriental rush, which E. Ryan made no mistako about clearing. At half-time there was no score. Pctone were-attacking when tlio whistle sounded.

Tho second half was oven better than tho first. Oriental, led by Murray, broke away, and looked very dangerous, but Joo Ryan was handy, and relieved. Aston and Price started Petone on attack, and the whole of their pack went in hot pursuit. Aston manipulated cleverly, beat Sturrock, and kicked over the lino," Ramsden was handy, and quickly fell on tho ball. M'FarJaue. did his best, but the leather was too heavy—Pelono, 3; Oriental,' nil. Invigorated by success, Pctone now had Oriental defending, but tho visitors rose to tho occasion, and drove Petono back. Roberts headed a dangerous rush, which was taken in hand by Bunckenburs, who transferred to Kinvig. The latter had bad luck in not scoring, tho ball going into dead ground. Roberta started his backs going rapidly, but tho weather was against them, and Pctone's tackling was smart. Although Oriental kept Pctono defending, they wero unrewarded. Tim© was called, with Oriental still attacking.' Mr. W. Spencer was re» fere'e. WELLINGTON-VICTORIA COLLEGE. CLOSELY-CONTESTED GAME AT THE) -HUTT. Although rain had been falling nil Sat. urday morning at Lower Hutt, the Kccroa. tion Grounds, where Wellington and Victoria College met was in better order than might linyo boon expected. It was raining heavily when tho teams took tho field, and continued practically without intermission until tho game was finished, a chill wind blowig the while. The spectators did not number a dozen people,. Both teams arc at tho bottom of the football ladder, and it was therefore rather flitting that they should play a drawn game. A very greasy bull rendered any brilliant play impossible, but as there was very little to cliouse between either side, tho -contest proved interesting. Wellington was the toss, and elected lo play with (he wind slightly againyt them. The first spell consisted mainly of forward rushes up and down fieUl, Quilliam, Fathers, and Curtayne doing l>est. work for Collogo, while Turner generally headed tho Wellington rushes with Jl'Nab and Shoeban supporting him. Either team crossed the scoring line on. more than one occasion without ninking points. Wellington became npgivssivo early in the second spoil, and College were busy defending for several minutes but eventually they oloniv ed the line, and took play up field again, until Bridge, punting high, gave Boddington a chance to follow up and securing the lw 11 on the full, sent on to Hunt. The last-named, niter making tho best run of tho match, was thrown out by Stninton iikii" .tho corner. From, tho throw-in M'Nal) secured a mark, giving Wellington an easy shot at goal.' L. Bridge turned it to nrtvnnUigc, Wellington, 3; College, 0. College looked beaten,

but subsequently attacked with vigour, and after IJyan and Curtayne had unsuccessful shots at. goal, tho green forwards Ebarted a. good rush from half-way. Bertram! secured near the side-line, and centred, and a scrum followed in front of tho goal. College obtained tho ball from the scrum, and after a loreo scramble ITurle nicked up, and scored at tho corner. No goal resulted and, a few minutes later, the game ended: Wellington, 3; College, 3. Mr.' T. H. Jones was referee. ATHLETIC-SOUTHERN. WON BY THEEE ON THE POST. A howling day of rain,, wind, unci cutting wintnness gave a cool reception to tho few who went to Karori to seo Athletic and Southern play. Athletic won on the post, whon things looked black against them, Tho wind was blowing in.a direction which is best described as across the field. Yet it had a tendency, ,which, as the choice of sides went, decidedly favoured Athletic when 'the game commenced. Athletic had Southern in considerable danger wijhin a couple of minutes of the start turough Johnson failing to take a high punt; one of the Blues promptly set his rearguard moving and the last man was grassed near the line by Bradley. Dwan presently got the Reds into . N an ugly situation through attempting to dodge. Athletic continued to make matters warm by good forward . play. • but' on. one, occasion received a quick reverse at the hands of R. M'Don-ald,-who. took the 'leather at his feet a great distance-down-the- line.'-■ . •" ■■ Southern had a great deal the better of the:second spell.- Time, after:time the Eeds raised high the hopes of their followers, but their-efforts were all resultless. L. Campbell had 'several'shots'at goal, and on one occasion a sixty yards' kick saw'the -,oval go-within a foot of ecoring. Southern had the ball over tho line or thereabouts frequently, .but lacked the finishing touch ' which is necessary when a score is sticking out. • Dwan 6topped tho career of Athletic on a couple of occasions,' when \ tho Blue vanguard were under .weigh in earnest. The turn of events was , sudden and decisive. Athletic wero defending, but a watchful Blue turned!;.the tables on. the Eeds by seizing an opportunity and performing a lightning dash '.ttiong the line. The heavy division thundered in his wake, and'by impetus and avoirdupois defied check till within/a eouplo of yards of the gOaUline. Their check, was but temporary, and Bell was engineered across. He scored,, and Greeks "made a splendid attempt to con-, yert. .Southern spent tho few remaining, minutes trying to pull the fixture off, but their last chance went, by, an easy shot in froht~ ? of the posts being missed. The score, therefore, was: Athletic, 3; Southern, nil. Mr, H. Card was the referee. OTHER CITY MATCHES. v .:. THE JUNIOR GRADE. . Poneko were beaten by Southern by 19 points '■ to 5. Tries wero scored for the winners by Wethcrell, Johnson and Parker (2).- Capper and Morison each converted a try. Air.. L. Keys was referee./.,. Petone beat Selwyn by 6 points to 3. St. John's were defeated by Wellington by 12 points to 3. Sheridan, Millar (2), and Campbell scored for Wellington, and Eliffe for St. John's. St. James beat Melrose by 11 to nil. Third Grade. Melrose failing to put in an appearance, Porirua won by default. Exchange defeated Victoria Collego by 6 points to nil. : . ■ .'■ _• St. Patrick's Colkgo beat Karori.by' ll points to .8; •' . . .-• Waiwetu beat Athletic by 9 points.-to nil..-. -.'. . .' .-•.,:-. ....;■. •,-. .=.-.-...• .. Oriental" defeated Selwyn. by 14 t0;3:..' Bradley,' Galvin,/.Wilson, and- ■. M'Comsky got triesfor-the winners, and Carmichael converted one. . -.'■'•' Fourth Grade. : Wellington defaulted to .Oriental A. Fifth Grade, Melrose bent St. Patrick's College B by 6 points to 3. Lower Hutt beat Oriental ■ by ; 15 points' to nil.. ■!■■- -.:. ■ - h, . .:■■■■. -S.t?- Pa'tricli'a-'Collego-■■i' : ."aefea'ted St.' James b/ 6 points to 3. .";. , ,

IN OTHER CENTRES, CARTERTON MEN VICTORIOUS. ' (By Teleirrapii.-Spccial Correspondent.) ■ . • Carterton, May 21. .In the Carterton-Gladstone senior championship football match, played at Gladstone yesterday, Carterton won by 16 points to nil. The game was fairly fast especially, in the •second spell, when superior combination and initiative were tho deciding factors. Cartorton's first try was scored from a .forward rush, K. M Jvenzie converting with a good kick In. the second half Carterfon'opened up with- long/ loose rushes. N. M'Kenzie scored' from a forward scramble, and, converting, brought his team's scoro up to 10. Later Peed passed from a line-out, and the ball, travelling' out amongst the whole'of the Carterton backs, H; Marson dropped over at the corner.- Carterfon's last try was scored by Barry, after M'Kenzie had made the opening through a - smart interception. 'For the winners, N. M'Kenzie, Matson, C. Orpube, and all the forwards played .a good .game. Tory, in the Backs, and H. Henderson and N. Johnson were prominent amongst Gladstone- men. Air. Charters was referee. Carterton. is now' leading for the championship. In junior football, Carterton beat DaloBeld, 11 b ?,,. In third-class, Carterton beat Dalefield, 18 to 3. At Masterton, tho senior championship match, Red Stars,v. Masterton, resulted in a win for Red' Stars'.by 5 to 3.'. The display was very mediocre. R. Welch scored a try, converted byK. 'Welch, for the winners, while Dixori scored an .unconverted try for . Masterton. , Mr. E. M Kenzio was referee. In the junior championships. Ked Stars beat Masterton, In tho junior match, Liberals v Greytown, played at. Featherston, tho former won by 11 points to 18. "ti.- t' n. 10 " North - Ma r " a - J. he tootbali matches were continued hero to-day. Ihe weather was'fine, but tho wound was soft. The results aro :-Senior: Kia IW(ll) beit Palinerston (5). Athletic son by default from High School Old ?^ 5 -, J*%?7 : I>alm <si-ston (12) beat Athletic (10); Old Boys (8) heat Kia Too--(nil). Thirds: Athletic (3) drew .with Kia Toa ,3); Feilding (13) bent Old Bby<; (nil)- Palmcreton (48J-bsnt.Ashhiirst- (nil). Fourth Class: Athletic (U) beat Old Boys (nil). (By Tefegraph-Prcss Association.) Auckland, May 20 ■The Auckland Rugby Union's matches were played to-day in fine weather. PonBoaby defeated City after a pcor display »>"2 points to nil. University defeated Graf ton by IS points to 3. Marist Bros beat-Newton, by 20 points: to-3.- . Dunedin, May 21. In .the senior football, matches played at Dunetlin on Saturday, University beat Southern by 12 points to' 9; Alhainbrn, beat Pirates by 15 points to 3; Kaikorai beat Dunedin by 19 points to (i; ZingariRichmond beat Port Chalmers by 8 points trinil; and Taieri beat Union by 11 points to. nil. ■ ' ,_ Ch'ristchurcb, May 21. Following were the scores in tho senior frames at Christchiirch on Saturday:— Christchurch, 14, v. Old Boys, 6; Meriv(ile;;3, v. Sydenham, 3; Linwood. 5, v Canterbury College,. 3; Albion, 31, v' Marist Bros., nil.

St. James ...:..:.. 5 5 0 0 5fi 12 10 Petono 5 5 0 0 63 22 10 Athlolio ......... -5410 42 23 8 Oriental ,. 5 3 2 0 74 19 G Poncko 5 2 3 0 ' 47 29 4 Jlclrose 5 2 3 0 23 GO -4 Southern. 5 2 3 0 2,i 26 4 Old Boys 5 1 4 0 22 602 Victoria College "5 0 4 1 11 <G 1 Wellington 5 0 4 1 15 52 1