ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1139, 29 May 1911, Page 6

ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

1 PETONE BEATS ST. JAiES. THE BEST ENCOUNTER SEEN FOR YEARS. A FAST AND GRIM AFFAIR. GUMMARY OF RESULTS. Petone 6- St. James 3 Oriental 6 Athletic 0 Melrose 21 Victoria College 6 Poneke 30 Wellington 6 Southern 6 Old Boys S

A grim battle (held by many to be the | best match seen in Wellington for many years) was waged on the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon when the leaders for tho championship, St. James and Petone, met'. The ground was on the greasy side, arid it was essentially a day for forwards. The 4000 odd spectators saw some stirring forward work, and some Hashes of smart back play were also sandwiched in. It was a great game from the point of view of the spectator, but a hard, gruelling encounter for those engaged, the pace being a "cracker" from the jump. The seriousness of. the encounter can bo gauged from the. number of stoppages—at least six—for minor casualties. St. James had the misfortune to lose tho services of .Wright for.a short tiino in tho first half, oiving to an injury to his leg. He returned to the arena later, but was a "lame ono" throughout. • The Petone forwards set a heart-break-ing pace from the kick-off and, for a considerable spell,, they had their opponents in trouble, play being 'confined to" the St. James twenty-five, and frequently perilously near the line. On at least three occasions^in the. first fifteen minutes Petone should have scored, sheer luck standing' by St.' James, when their defence was hopelessly disorganised. After numerous narrow escapes St.. James pulled themselves together, and, during the final half of the first spell, they had the best of tho battle. Whenever the St. James backs got the ball they gained ground, some of their movements being particularly smart. As far as tho attack of the backs went the town men were superior to Petone.. Whilst the Petone backs played a good defensive game it was the dashing set of forwards who bore the brunt of the work. The suburban men were heavier than St.. James, and quite as fast, resourceful, and well trained. The pace set in the first half was maintained throughout. . Taking a line through the second term Petone had the best of it, but St. James challenged every inch and, in the last ten minutes, when it' was neck or nothing, they put in a rally.on Pctone's line which bade fair to pull tho match out of tho fire at. the eleventh hour. On this occasion the ball. was. swept over the Petono line once, and kicked into touch-in-Rdal just as a St. James man went' to fall on it. The excitement of tho spectators at this juncture was such as is rarely seen at the best interprovincial Kugby. : . . .' The six points gained by Petone were tho result of excellent place-kicking by M'Farlane, who placed two . penalty goals. The final tally, G—3, is a. lair indication of tho merits of the teams on the day. Practically no interest was taken in tho Oriental-Athletic match which was played on No. 2. ground, Athletic Park. It was a fairly good match, however, Athletic starting out vigorously, but being worn down to a few harmless, spasmodic, bursts in the second , half. * A player named Jones, a member of the Melrose junior Rugby team, was rather severely injured at Miramar on Saturday. The ambulance men attended to him, and had him removed for further treatment.

HOW THE TEAMS STAND. Tho positions of the various teams as a result of Saturday's games are:—

PETONE-Sr, JAMES. BRILLIANT FORWARD PLAY. The feature of the Petone-St. James match was the brilliant, forward work of both teams and the break-uock pace set from the start. 'The Petoue forwards, on the day's play, demonstrated that they are the best forward combination in the competition. The suburban backs assisted in defensive tactics, but the followiugup, dash, andtacklingof the vanguard was superb. St. James had a very nippy set of backs and good forwards, but the latter repeatedly succumbed to the fierco onslaughts of their opponents. The ciiy backs did not have many chances, but what they did get to do they did we 11. The town team had some very bad luck, but so did J'ctor.e. The game was full of exciting incidents from bell to bell, each sido takin? its turn in defence ana attack. Petone defended the western goal, aud lost no time in netting up a vigorous attack. Thomas was caught napping, and St. James sought relief in a force. Agf.in Petone attacked, and a miskick by E. Roberts nearly let his side down, 'but Jloifit put in a "speculator/ , which brought play to half-way. Petone s backs began moving, and M'Keuzic made a fine opening, lie transferred to Bamsden, who was grassed about a yard from the goat-line, and E. Roberts relieved with a fine kick to near half-way. Fast, exciting play ensued, each team doing its utmost to break down the defence of its opp6nents. Jloffit and King broke away from the line-out, and, with the whole team hi hot pursuit, they succeeded in taking play- within five yards of the I'etone line, where Miller came to the rescue with a well-judged line-kick. As- ■ ton, ; Dent, and Lindsay led .Petone with'a counter-rush, and got right down, but-K. Roberts averted a certain score. Back came St. James, with another rush, wilh H. Roberts, Wright, and.-Jfoflit in the lead. A scrum was called five yards out, but Aston rose- to the occasion, aiid, breaking away with the ball at toe, soved. A good tossing about by St. .Tames put Pctoiip on Ihe defence. K. Roberts esilioretl tho ball, and sent it to his -brother, to Crewes, to Cook, who streaked alcng touch. A score seemed inevitable, but Cook had bad luck in slipping on the touch-line. St. James were awarded a penalty, and Thomas very nearly put on three points. Aston, jt'Farlane hiid Price led a business-like rush for Petone, but Thomas, whoso play was. s(:und, found the line. Crowes and Hcketa roplied.with a dash, which E. Ryan upset, and again St. James were on tho defence. Tho Roberts. Brothers led an i-t----tack, and a penalty allowed Manning to have a shot, but it went low. The town team were having slightly the better of the game at this stage, and their baclt play was brilliant at times. By a series of short passing runs, (hey got play under tho posts, where a. scrum was ordered. St. James secured, and E. Ecborts sent to H. Roberts, who beat E. Ryan, and scored amid wild excitement. E. Roberts could not. convert. 3—fl.

In tho second half play was if anything faster than-the first, Pctono having a slight advantage; iii ono of tleir forward rushes St. .Tamos wore penaliw), and M'Farlano landed a goal. 3—3. With Ihn scores oven. Uio excitement and paco of the. play increased. Tho ball was travelling up and down at a great rate. SI. .Tames put in a> strong attack, ami lloffit was nearly in. Xuiin turned the

tide with a dribble, which was taken up by Aston, Dent, W. Ryan, and Price. In the face of. this-squad Thomas became bustled, but play went to touch. At this .stage -Manning was ruled clfrid'c, and M'Farlane added another throo points for Petono with a truly majuiiicmit kick. G —3. St. James pressed Petone. EOTely, awl Cook bad very bad hick in not scoring, the ball just going dead before ho reached it. The high standard of the play was maintained right through, and at no time was it; certain who would .bo the ultimate winners. Towards tho finish, St. James nearly got in, and, immediately afterwards, Petono had bad luck in missing a score. E. Roberts set his backs in motion, .and a great move was expected, but Aston intercepted prettilvi and raced for the line. Ho passed to W. H. Ryan, who only had to fall over, but this_he failed to do, and Thomas cleared. h. put in a great individual efiort for St.. James, but the defence was like a brick wall. At last.it was all over, and Petone were victors by three points, after the most exciting and brilliant contest seen on the park this season or for. very many others. . Air. C. Atkinson was referee. ORIENTAL-ATHLETIC. . DESERTED BY THE PUBLIC, Under any conditions other than those which prevailed at tho Park on Saturdav, the Oriental-Athletic match would have been a "star" fixture. However, with sv. James and Petone going at top speed on the adjoining ground, Roberts, Evenson, and Co. loomed no larger in the eye ot.a discriminating public than the moderates who grace the ranks of AVellington and Victoria College would havo done. Ihe game m question, although fairly fast, had soms very ragged patches, which were the more noticeable becnuse of the pace of the adjoining game. The early part of the gamo was. decidedly in. favour of Athletic, who spent the.first half of the opening spell in Oriental quarters. Athletic initiated several promising-looking attacks, Evenson, ■on one occasion, putting'in a pretty run up the centre of the field, and reaching within three yards of the Oriental line. • Here be was challenged.from the side, and, although he might have got in had. ho dived, he decided to pass, and the pass went astray.-. A'little later "Ranji" Wilson, following up fast, caught tho Oriental 'full-back (Carrad) napping, and made an opening, which allowed. 801 l to. get over under the posts, but the scorer was called back for a pass forward. A number of shocks, almost as severe as those detailed above, galvanised Oriental into activity at last, and a pretty try arose out of some, more or less haphazard work in Athletic twenty-five. Roberts secured possession, and passing, by M'Leod-Kinvig-Mfl.thesoii, saw the last-nam-ed dodge over the line. The first half ended: Oriental. 3; Athletic, 0. The second spell was all in favour of Oriental, who lroro down on their opponents' line time after timp,.-'onl,v to be baulked at the last moment.., During one rally on Athletic line, one of the defending forwards was ordered off the field for (it is alleged) striking an opponent. The only further score was another try for Oriental. After passing between Roberts, M'l.eod, and Kinvig, Mathesoii put in a strong ruu up tho centre of the field, but, when within a yard or two of the line, he was deliberately tripped by ono of the defending backs. He came down heavily,- and lost possession of the ball, which rolled over the line, where Perry pounced on it. The referee awarded a try to Matheson, as a penalty for the wilful tripping. The final score was: Oriental, G; Athletic, 0. Mr. J. Conder was referee. MELROSE-COLLEGE. GOOD TOTAL PUT UP BY MELROSE. A dozen people witnessed tho meeting of Melroso aud Victoria College at Miramar. The proceedings were opened with a display of energy by all concerned. The lighter vein was supplied by W. Adams. Melrose on the whole showed to advantage in the earlier stages, but College occasionally "got to them" with a vim which mad'e tho entert.iinin.jnt livelv. Melross made one or two iutilo'sorties, and W. Marshall had two shots at goal without sucpes;, but eventually, from a scrum near- College line, the- extensive form of W. Adams appeared with the oval, which he passed to I'ooley, who shot over. Melrose, 3; College, 0. Just at the close of tho spell, when Melroso were attacking, College effected a lightning change, and took play to the other end of the field, where a Melrose back in defence made a high punt for the line. Hurle took tho oval beloro it reached the line, and made a gcod opening before transferring to Quilliam,. who scored. Melrose, .3; College, 3. Early in the second spell Melroso increased their total through a *ry scored by Scott, and converted by W. Marshall. Melrose, 8; College, .1. The game was very little older when Wells went ever for "the Victorians." Melrose, S; College, G. A fine run, half the length of tho field by D. Sullivan, placed Melroso in a good position, and, from a scramble, tho ball was put out by Adams to Scott, from whom it went to Pobley, who scored behind the- posts after a fine run. W. Marshall .converted. Melrose, 13; College. G. Melrose scon brought their total up to 1G through H. Marshall getting over after hard play near College's line. W. Marshall missed an easy kick. On the call of time H. Marshall scored again by diving over from behind a scrum. W. Marshall added the extra points. Tho scores, therefore, were: Melrose, 21; College, G. Mr. W. Roberts was the referee. PONEKE-WELLINGTON. HEAVY SCORING. At Petone, the Poneke men proved immensely superior to Wellington, whom they'defeated by 30 points to 6. Poneke played without the services of Tilyard, who is on the injured list, and Wellington lacked tho assistance y of Lamb'ert-in Ihe backs, but were strengthened in the pack by the temporary inclusion of M'Kellar, who has returned t.) Wellington from New Plymouth. The ground was in good order, but the drizzling rain (hat fell at intervals made the' ball greasy.' Poneke assumed tho upper hand from the start, and though on occasions Wellington made one or two good, efforts to attack, they never had the slightest chance of victory. The first Poneko score camo from a forward rush, in which Sotheran and Bowie were prominent, Ihe latter scoring near the posts. Morris couvprted. Poneke, 5; AVellington, 0. The second scoro was the result of pretlv passing between Morris, Mitchinson, B. Calcinai, and F. Gardiner, tho last-named scoring- a try that was not converted. Poneke, 8; Wellington, 0. Morris shortly afterwards dashed through his forwards and fell on the ball under the po«t Vt half-time the score was Poneke, 11 j Wellington, 0.

Shortly after resuming, Bridge obtained 3 points for Wollineton by a pcnalty-goal. Poneke replied with a good forward rush and Morris, taking the ball up at (ho right moment, passed to Kelly, who ran across at the corner. 11. Elliott converted Poneke, 1G; Wellington, 3. A little later an obstruction by a Wellington player allowed Morrij to kick an easy goal Poneke, 19; Wellington, 3. -Christophers

srorod a try for Wellington next, but the kick was too difficult . for. Bridge. Poneke, 13 j Wellington, G. Poneke's score was increased In 22 points, when a passing bout between Chapman, Jutld, and .F. Elliott enabled the last-named to touch down at the rornrr. Morris further increased it with n ponally-goa], and again by obtaining the ball from the scrum, mid running right through (he AWllinp. ton backs. He converted this last try, nnd the game ended—Poneke, 30 poiutss Wellington. G. Mr. E. Tr-egear was referee. SOUTHERN-OLD BOYS. VAST GAME AND HGHTING FINISH. Mist hung around the hilltops at Karort, but little ruin fell while the match. between Southern nnd Old Boys was in progress. The ground was firm" and comparativcly dry. From first to last the game was remarkable for its speedy movctn, i" jt "into a tnnglo of AVhite and lied, but it was t V Ii r f rc r ful - At , o P e "'»e there was a ■ s pell of disorganised play, (he t«ams sagging hack and forward, and across the nhl,in! n " 'F ht ecralnl - , le. and neither nh aining advantage. Old Bovs began w th a man short, and were further weakoi led by the temporary loss of Picor, who ■ sustained an ugly cut over the right oyo .? . s « mvu 10 , a nisl '- Southern we're lust to throw a dash of method into their ■?ii«. lbough - a h ? nt team > « compared villi tho men in the white iersev thev got the best of it in a spell of haVd-drivl ng footwork, and jammed Old Boys pretty tightly in their territory. From V scrum on the hue, the ball came out to Dawson, but it had hardly left his boot on> it collided with L. Campbell. The Souths ern men made an enterpribing dive, and., obtained a meritorious score. Southern, 3; Old Boys, nil. The rest , of the spell was in Iha main a series of smashing attacks'on the Old Boys line, and the dew fenders had their hands full. The Southern backs attempted a passing rush now nnd then, but a greasy ball and Eoracwhafe insecure foothold handicapped them'severely. The defence of Old Boys, though ragged, was powerful. Towards the end of the spell Bradley, taking a shot from a penalty, sent over a workmanlike goiil, Southern, G; Old Boys, nil. Southern began .the second epcll in their opponents' territory, and looked like staying there, but it turned out that Old Boys had still any amount of "devil" in reserve. Gradually gathering way, they swept iip : field, and, by the time the spell was half through, wcro battering tho tiring Squthern defence with vigour. The red-clad men boro up against this unexpected visitation, but it was a patent case of "night or Blucher" with them. They stood the battering process fairly well, but when Grace. picked up tho leather in mid-field, and sprinted at top speed for tho posts, ho was almost unopposed, and scored with case. Drake converted. Old Boys, 5.; Southern, G. Southern put in the remaining quarter of an hour fighting fur dear life, and they were lucky to retain their narrow margin of advantage* Tho game ended: Southern, 6; Old Boys, 5« Mr. W. J. Meredith was tho referee, OTHER CITY ENGAGEMENTS. THE JUNIOR GRADE. Athletic defeated Melrose by 12 points to nil. Tries were scored for the winners by Madden, 'Wilton, Hutchison, and.JolinsDn. Welliugbn .lefeited Victoria College by six' points to nili Fraser scored for Wellington, and rihcridna kicked a penalty goal., St. John's were beaten, by Petoiie by 9 points to 3. Oriental routed a Poneko team by U points to nil. Tho Sehvyn v. Old Boys contest resulted in a win for Sehvyn by Jl points to nil. Third Grade, ' Pebue' (IS) defeated Oriental B (nil). ■ Victoria Collese defeated Athletic by 111 points, to 3. Oriental had an easy win over St* John's by 30 points to nil. Poneke defaulted to Porirna. , Exchange v. St. Patrick's College: This match was a draw—ll points each. For Exchange, Cameron, Harrison, and Lennox got tries, and Lennox converted one, ' M'Carthy and Blake scored for the College. M'C'arthy converted his try, and kicked a penalty goal. It was a hard, fast, and exciting game throughout. Baker , and M'Carthy were tho best players onv '• tho respective sides. Fourth Grade. Melrose defeated Selwyil by 15 points-; Oriental A. defciUl Waiwetu by 18" pouts-to nil. , St. James, playing with 10 meu, dc* , featcd St. John's by 1G points to 3. I Southern defeated "Wellington by I . points to 3. Both sides were short, WeU lington only having eleven men. Fifth Grade . Two unbeaten teams, Athletic and Petoue, met at Petone, and . played &, diawn game, each side scorug 3 points. MATCHES ELSEWHERE. (By Tclccraph.—SDccial CorressondenU Carterton, May 28. Wairarapa Rugby championships werui continued yesterday in fine wont nor, wheni the Carterton Club repeated its last Saturday's performance by scoring a triple win. In the senior match, Carterton versus Mastorton, played at Mastevton, Carterton won by 11 points to G, after a fair* ly fast game in which forward play predominated. Masterton accomplished their full score in the first spell, when R. Spnckman notched a try, and Yates kicked a penalty goal. The Carterton scores consisted of a try by Carmine in (ho first spell (converted by N. M'Kcnzie), and six points in the second half—a penalty goal by X M'Kenzie, and a try by. Barry. In the other senior match, Stat beat. Gladstone by 11 to nil, tries beinrf scored by N. Chamberlain and B. and K. Welch, the latter adding the extra points in one instance. In the junior contests Carterton beat Masterton by 31 points to nil. Fcatherston Liberals beat Masterton by 11 to nil. Dalefidd beat Grcytown by Gto nil. In the thirdclass contests Carterton beat Masterton by 11 to nil. Greytown beat Daleh'eld by 3 to nil. Star beat Liberals by 1G to nil. (By Tclcßraph—Prose Aseociation.) Auckland, May 27. , Rugby matches were played to-day on wet grounds. In the senior grade University beat I'arncH by 14 points to .5; Marist Bros. , Old Boys beat Tonsonby by G points to 3; City defeated Graf ton by 18 points to 3. Palmerston N., May 27. Tho football here was played in wet weather. In tho senior grado Athlclio (3) beat Pnlmerston (nil). Christchurch, May 27. The Canterbury Rugby Union's compos lilions were continued ibis afternoon in beautiful weather, tho grounds being in capital order. The attendance at Lancaster Park was, however, evidently affected by the counter attraction of trotting, the gate amounting to only 428 l'Js. Gd. Tho chief attraction was the match between Old Boys and Merivale, a well-con tested game, in which Old Boys showed rather better condition than their opponents. It resulted in Merivale being beaten by 4 points to 3. Sydenham, whose forwards gave a dashing display, were unlucky to be beaten by Albion by 7 points to 3, and Christehwcli hnd their work cut out to beat Linwood by C points to 3. At the Show Grounds Canterbury College registered their first' win by beatiug Marist Old Boys l;y 19 points to 5. Dunodin, May 27. Ritljby senior matches were played today in line weather with tho following rc.inlts:—Alhanibra 00) beat So'ilhern ((!); Union (5) beat Dunodin (nil): Uni- ' versity (1G) beat Port Chalmers (10); Pi. rates "(H) beat T.iiori Hovers (11); Zingari Richmond (11) beat Kaikorai (8). NORTHERN UNION RULES. THE TEAM FOE AUSTRALIA. IBy Tclesrapji.-Press Association.! Auckland, May 28. The following Northern Union football team has l>cen chosen by tho officials of the New Zealand League to tour AustraDarks: 13. Aslicr, S. Koano, F. Mofso, and G. Gillett (Auckland); R. Spmguo (Lower YVaikato), F, Woodward (Rotorua), G. Smith (Hawke's Bay), Siddells (Wellington). Forwards: C. Dunning, A. 11. Francis, C. Savoury. S. M'Donald, ,1. Rukntai, ft. Seager, aud A, Staimaway (Auckland),

Cotterell (Hawke's Bay), Feary and Mason (Nelson), Hughes and llilno (Southland). Messrs. E. W. Watts and A. J. Powley ! were elected joint managers of tho team. It is probable that some of tho abovo players, will be included in the Australasian team, which leaves Australia at an sarly date for England.

i, s-,3 z% «>? o uoeotoo ft P hi P ftf=( ft< H Potone 6 6 0 0 69 .25 12 St. James f> 5 1 0 5!) IS 10 Oriental 6 4 2 0 80 19 8 Athletic 6 i 2 0 42 28 8 Poncke 6 3 3 0 77 35 6 Southern 6 3 3 0 31 31 6 Melroso 6 3 3 0 44 66 6 Old Boys 6 1 5 0 27 GG 2 Victoria Col. ... 8 0 5 1 17 i)7' 1 Wellington 6 0 5 1 21 82 1