ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1145, 5 June 1911, Page 2

ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

ST. JAMES BEAT ATHLETIC. TIE FIST STYLE OF MY MAINTAINED. DRAB BAY FOR WEAK TEAK, SUMMARY OF RESULTS. St. James 5 Athletic 4 Southern 3 Melrose 0 Petone 30 Victoria College 6 Oriental 29 Wellington 0 Old Boys 8 Poneke 8

Tt was pleasing to find on Saturday that (ho high standard of football set up the ' previous week by Petone and St. James was fully maintained in the match ho'hvecn St. James and Athletic, which was played on No. 1 ground at Athletic Park. The turf was in capital order for fast play, and the crowd that attended—some 3000 odd people—were treated to a very interesting exhibition of modern Rugby. St. James were without the services of Wright and Manning in the forwards, and Clarke* replaced Parkinson in the backs. Athlefic had a strong team in the field, and their men were apparently trained to tho hour. In the first spell, although Athletic led by four points to nil, the pame had mostly been in favour of r-t. James, and it was only a very sound defence that l;ent the Athletic line clear. Strangely enough, the second spell was quite the' reverse, for, while St. James put on five points, the Athletic score did not increase, and yet St. James were penned down on the line for more than half the spell, with three or four of their forwards of litlla more assistance to the team than the average spectator. The St. James backs were superior to their opponents', and brought off some pretty pawing at times, while E. Roberts played a wonderfully good defensive game, and appeared to anticipate almost o\lery move of the enemy., the single occasion that ho did not fill the breach being when Hanson crossed the lino in the second spell. Athletic forwards, while not showing to much advantage in the first half, outpointed St. James in every move in the second spell, A. Wilson mostly leading the attack, and bf-ing ably supported by Kapson, Irvine. Cunningham, and Levick. There could bo no doubt that on the nUiv, Athletic were ufortunatc to lose. They should have kicked several easy goals, and, but for being over-anxious, might have scored more than one try. The game, though hard fought, was played in excellent =nirit, and thoimh Itapson. A. Wilson, King, and Donaldson were temporarily disabled, there was no accident of a serious nature. On No. 2 ground Southern defeated Melrose, after an uninteresting game. During the second spell. Jf'lnncs, of (he Melrose team, sprained his ankle, and. had to retire. D. M'lnnes, of the Melrose team, snrained his ankle in the second soell of the match against Southern, and had to retire from tho field. HOW THE TEAMS STAND. The positions of tho various teams as a result of Saturday's games arc— S £ 3 r•££ S.<-° Tetone 7 7 0, 0 99 31 H St. James ......... 7 G 1 0 Gt 22 12 Oriental 7 5 2 0 109 II) 10 Athletic 7 4 3 0 1G 33 S Southern " 7 4 3 0 .'tt 31 8 Poneke 7 3 3 1 85 43 7 Melrose 7 3 10 41- CO (! Old Boys 7 1 5 1 35 74 3 Vic. College ... 7 0 G 1 23 127 1 AVellington 7 0 G 1 21 111 1 OLD BOYS-PONEKE. , PLAYER ORDERED OFF, FIELD. By drawing with Poneke at Uutt on Saturday, Old Boys have again proved themselves to be a combination which (if in training) no senior team can afford .to despise. But their unreliability, as in all teams of their kind, is remarkable. On the previous Saturday we had the spectacle of Melrose decisively beating them, but on Saturday last the same team (.orely tested the defence and virtually defeated the redoubtablo Poneko fifteen. Had it not been for an unlucky infringement in front of their own goal at the call of time, Old Boys must have left the field victors. Old Boys kicked off, and after the first ten minutes the conflict was waged in the Whites' territory. By a solid, though far from brilliant, defence, they succeeded in rolling back repeated Poneke invasions, Johnston and Bernard being noticeable for tho number of times Hint they saved tho situation. One promising rush was made into the Black and Hod territory, but the tables were suddenly turned by Prendevillo who, taking the ball in Peneko's twenty-five, set out at a great pace for the opposite goal. Fordham, however, stopped him by a- fine tackle, and warded off what looked like a certain score. From this on Old Boys began to take a hand in things, and. realising rue truth of the maxim that "attack is the best defence," took the leather into Poneke's twenty-five. The latter, however, immediately removed operations to the Old Boys line, and, from a line-out, Cotcinai drew first blood by securing the ball and crossing the line without the faintest opposition. Walsh, by a magnificent effort, converted. When half-time was called the score stood: Poneko 5. Old Boys nil. On resuming, tho Whites, smarting under tho advantage gained by Poneke', made the game very livelv. From some hot work in front of tlio Poneko goal Gilbert secured the ball, and sent it along smartly and swiftly to Poole, who, by a clever feinting run, evaded the defence, and scored the finest trv of tlio day. Drake converted. The scores now stood 5 all. From this on tho game was fought by the forwards. From a scramble in the Poneke twenty-five Gilbert sent a low puss to Grace, who kicked the ball over the linn, and Dawson, making the m ?, st , , of llis P acc > scored. Drake ailed to convert. 8-5. Old Boys had the upper hand after this, save for brief spaces when Poneko mado desperate but ineffectual attempts to win. of at least draw. Just before time Old Boys were penalised in their own half, and Miichiu son made the game a draw. Early in the second spell Freyberg was ordered off the field, and Dennehy, a Poneke forward, had to retire on account of an iniury to his ankle. Mr. Fordycc was referee. ST. JAMES-ATHLETIC. CLOSE GAME; LUCKY VICTORY. Athletic won the loss, and decided to defend the eastern goal. Moffitt kicked off for. SI. James, and, after play had hovered about half-way for some time Cook gathered the ball up in a loose rush! 'headed for tho line, and transferred to Molfitt, who sent it on to Kitto, the lastnaii'«d being pushed into (ouch not far from the coring area. A free-kick gave Athletic relief, but SI. James were attacking again almost immediately. Murray then broke away for Athletic, but what looked like a good rush was stopped by ITcketa intercepting. Athletic, however, pushed the advantage, and got as far as their opponents' twenly-livo. Both teams were using their best'efforts, and excitement ran high when Moffitt. came down-field again at the head of his team, llis pass went astray, but. IliHs got possession a minute later, and file ball passed on In 11. Roberts and lleketa, who was tnckh'd in lino style by Evenson and Gosling. Temporary relief came to Athletic through K. 51' Donald. but neat passim,between Clarke. Crowes, and Cook had the Blues in trouble again. The defence of tlie latter team, however, was very sound, and. trv as they would, St. James-were unable to cross the line. Capital line-, kicking by Evenson placed Athletic on the attack, and M'Vay, securing the ball from the scrum, sent on to Evenson, but

the latter closed up an opening by "hanging on." A second opening came in a second, when E. M'Donald sent a Jong pass to S. Wilson, who looked certain to score, but E. Roberts dived for his man, and closed the scoring gates again. After a strenuous few minutes, St. James brought play back to half-way, and then followed two magnificent rushes, which looked very dangerous for Athletic until Gosling and Cunningham saved the situations. The pace was now very fast, and an Athletic rush headed by A. Wilson and Murray was countered by pretty passing between the St. James backs. Just liefore half-time Athletic were attacking in Iront of St. James's goal, and, from a scrum, tho ball shot out to Pool, who essayed a drop-kick. The ball grazed the bar, and fell over. Athletic, 1; St. James, 0.

On resuming, St. James caused a stir by setting their batk.i going i ]l earnest. Creivcs received the kick-oil', and transferred to 11. Roberts, who passed to Cook, who centred. Crewes marked the Athletic return, but E. Roberts's kick at goal fell short. St. James, at this stage, had the opposition sorely pressed. From a scrum on the twenty-five line the ball came out ,nt the side to Kitto, who passed to E. Roberts. The latter centred, and 11. Roberts followed up fast and scored under Uic- posts. El Roberts converted. St. James, 5; Athletic, 4. By this time, apparently, St. James had expended the best of their efforts, and Athletic assumed the upper hand. Evensou marked a weak kick by 11. Roberts within easy range, ■but the wind carried the ball wide of the posts. A promising Athletic rush was spoilt by Bell knocking-on, and, shortly nftor, S. Wilson missed an easy goal from n irec-kiek. Following the drop-out, the Blues renewed the attack-. Thomas failed to take one of Gosling's kicks, and Rapson and Irvine came charging down at the head of the Athletic forwards. Heketa made a great effort to stem the rush, but. Rapson dribbled the ball past and fell on it over the line. The ball rolled away, a St. James man fell on it again, and the referee's decision was a forcedown. The light was now very bad, and heavy rain was falling. The game had become mostly a continuous Athletic attack, the St. James defence being chiefly maintained by that versatile person, E. Roberts. S. Wilson had a pot at goal, ond the ball went dangerously close, "and then tho Blues seemed certain of victory when Levick look a clever mark rightin front. S; Wilson's kick, however, was again u failure. Athletic kept up a vigorous attack, but St. James managed to pull through until tho whistle left tliem victors by a point. Mr. W.' Roberts was referee. ORIENTAL-WELLINGTON. A BLACK AND WHITE riCNIC. ~„ Wellington topic tho field against' Oriental at ivtiruri with fourteen men. At half-time they borrowed ono of their club men lroiu a lourth-grado match which was in progress near by. Wellington adopted cleiensivc tactics trom the commencement; they were not penned down in their oivn territory much in the first half (in which they had the wind in .their favour), but what' they did t'hey did witli the object- of defeating Oriental's tactics. Oriental's iirst try came through a creditable passing rush which Jl'Ewan. wound up by scoring. Oriental 3; Wellington, U. Lambert had several shots at. goal for Wellington, but the wind was too tricky for him. Oriental (lien got up near the Yellows' line again, and a ( clever cross kick by Roberts enabled . Mntheson to score. The kick, from right in front of the post's, was missed by lvin- , vig. The score at half-time was: Orieu- : Inl, C; Wellington 0. Wellington attacked as soon as the second spell opened, but Oriental, in one rousing passing rush, initiated by Rob- , crts and carried on by M'Leod, Kinvig, : Sturrock, and M'Ewan, took play right to ilie other end of the field, where Hunt overhauled M'Ewan. Immediately after- ; wards Bridge saved by a smart kick. But the relief was only temporary, Barber geting over from forward play. Kinvig converted. Oriental, 11; Wellington, 0. Oriental presently got a free kick and Kinvig increased their total to II by dropping a goal. From a scramble Roberts made an opening, and passed to M'Bain who scored. Roberts failed with the kick. Oriental, 17; Wellington 0. Jl'Ewan scored the next two tries. Kinvig missed the first goal, but. Roberts converted the second. Oriental 25; Wellington. 0. M'Leod, who was playing fullback nt this staso (owing to having hurt 1 liis knee) potted a splendid goal from about 35 yards out, and made the "Magpics' " total 20, at which the sum stood when time was called. Mr. .Simpson was referee. PETONE-COLLEGE. ' THE WEAK PUSHED TO THE WALL. At Petone, the local team had a walkover. College played well as usual for the first ten minutes, but, after that, they came nowhere. Pet one's forwards started with a fine rush which let Dent in, M'Farland converting. 5-0. Bertraml brought play to Pctone's quarter, and, after a series' of scrums, College secured. Jas. Rvan missed his man, and, after the ball hud reached Faire, he had no opposition. Curtayne missed with the kick. 5—3. Bertraml was responsible for the next attack, which gave College a penalty, and Curtayne landed a nice goal. j-G. But this was the end of College, who were thenceforth outpaced and outplayed' in all departments. Their backs were very plucky in defence, though, and, if their forwards had moro pace tliev would have done very much better than tho heavy final total indicates. The next score was a penalty for Petone, kicked by M'Farlane. 8-G. Faire (College) then made a goad attempt at the line, but was pulled down before he finite got there. Another penalty, and M'Farlane brought Petnne's score up to 11— G. A good run by Ramsden, in which lie darted through (ho College defence, brought the score to 11—0, and half-time sounded. The second half was a series of ' fine efforts on the part of Pctone's rearguard. They passed nicely and showed a telling turn of speed. Tries wero put on by Aslon, Dempscy, Ramsden, and Daley, M'Fiirlaue converting two, and the game ended: Petone, 30; College, G: Mr. Marten was the referee. Dtoif, M'Farlane, and Price went well for Pelonc, and Bertrand.. Ryan, and Faire were conspicuous for College. SOUTHERN-MELROSE. DULL, FEATURELESS SCRAMBLE. Savo from a little band of devoted bnrrackers who ensconced themselves on the southern bank, Hie match in which Melrose tried conclusions with Southern, at i the Park on Saturday, attracted lillle at- ' lent ion, and deserved less. From begin- i niiig to end it was an unredeemed scramble I of the dreariest description. Through < nine-tenths of I lie time the forwards play- I ed in a locked embrace, with the ball I somewhere in the interior. The respec- i live rearguards meantime danced attend- fr ance in the ofling, waiting, vainly, for ] something to turn -up. The Southern backs only really got away once. The v opposing rearguard did not get away at j all. There never was a game that less a deserved detailed description. If the task f were attempted, it could be but "a study ]; in scramble." i 1

In tho opening spell Melrose at first worked a little, banter than their opponents—threw weight into their work—and shoved Lhe proceedings towards the Southern line. Hero D. M'lnncss made a dash for a score, but the ball, eluding him, struck Ihe comer-ilag, and bounced into dead-ground. Southern retaliated towards the end of the spell, and there was a quick succession of scrums, scrambles, and lino-outs up to the Melrose line, but half-time sounded without a tcore being registered. The second spell, in the main, was a mero repetition of tho first, but, when it was about one-third gone, tho Southern backs at last found their opportunity, Bradley extricated the ball from tho tiresome scramble, in which it had been so long imprisoned. In a lively run, he eluded most of the defenders, and raced for tho line, with Houlihan for a companion. Only the Melrose full-back (W. Marshall) remained to opposo the at-' tack. He did what he could, and brought Bradley to earth in capital style, but could not prevent him transferring to Houlihan. The latter had a clear run in. M'Donald failed with the kick. Southern, 3; Melrose, 0. The remaining play was deadly dull, and Melrose had rather the worst of it. Mr. T. H. Jones was referee. OTHER CITY ENGAGEMENTS. JUNIOR GRADE. Wellington decisively defeated Melrose by to points to nil. llill, Hulbert, Eonayne, Schramm, Hunt, Hurley, Campbell (2), Miller (3), and Durie (2) scored tries and Sheridan, Ronayne, and Wallace converted ono each. Mr. J. Manning was referee. Athletic were beaten by Southern, by 8 points to nil. Russell and Gopper scored tries for the winners, and Parker converted one. Mr. J. P. Sullivan was referee. Petonc routed Old Boys by 37 points to nil. Only one spell was played. Mr. C. P. Brocklebank was referee. Selwyn easily defeated Poneke by 3G points t'o nil. Mr. S. Lanray was referee. St. Johns were beaten by Victoria College, after a close game, by 10 points lo 8. Oriental defeated St. James by 11 points to 6. For the winners Akers scored two tries and Findlay one. M'llwraitli converted one. Third Class. Athletic defeated St. John's by 18 points to nil. For the winners, Watson, Myers, and Cowlie scored tries, ono of which was converted by Hugh, who also kicked a penalty-goal. Ford potted a goal. Oriental and Petono played a draw, 3 points each. Fourth Class. Wellington defeated Selwyn by 32 points to nil. Selwyn played four men short. St. James and Waiwetu drew with 6 points each. Fifth Class. Athletic defeated Poneke by 30 points to nil. Wellington College won from Selwyn by default. Southern scored 20 points to nil in their match against Oriental. Petono proved victorious over Hutt by 21 points to nil. REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. TARANAKI BEATS WANGANUI. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wanganui, Juno 3. Tho ! first representative match of the season was played to-day between Wanganui and Taranaki. The game was fast and open, and was witnessed by a large attendance. In the first spell the score was: Wanganui, 3 points (an unconverted try by Campion) to nil. The second spell saw Taranaki run up 9 points to tho locals' nil. The score of the visitors was made up of a try, and two lino goals by Stohr—one from" a mark, and the other from a penalty goal. The kicking of Stohr was a feature of tho match, in the game itself play was verv even. Taranaki thus won by 9 points .to. 3. The Wanganui team was not representative, several players being unavoidably absent. NORTHERN UNION GAME. NAPIER BEATS DANNEVIRKE. Napier, Juno 4. A Northern Union League match between Napier and Dannevirko representatives was played here on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a win for Napier by 15 points to 2. Auckland, June 4. A representative Northern Union football match will'be played between 'New Zealand and Auckland next Saturday. . RATHER HEAVY SCORE. By Tclecraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. Juno 4, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, June 3. New South Wales defeated Queensland by G5 points to 9.