SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1187, 24 July 1911, Page 6

SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

in the principal match at the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon worked the spectators up to almost an Auckland v. Wellington pitch of excitement, and, on several occasions., players and the referee came under the lash of spactatorial criticism. This was voiced in no uncertain manner by short bursts of hooting. Tho play was certainly hard—it may have been rough at times—but tho men concerned did not treat tho matter so seriously as a small section of (he public did. There were willing mix-ups in plenty, and no "by your leave" or "beg pardons," but, further than this, the game was clean, hard football, played by two beautifullytrained teams, which were evenly matched, and both eager to win. Tho showing made by Southern against the more famous St. James stamps them

SOUTHERN MEN ON THE WARPATH. BUT ST. JAMES WIN OUT. UNPLEASANT ENDING TO ONE MATCH. ; RESULTS AT A GLANCE. St. James 6 Southern U Prions 34 Old Boys 0 Poneke 9 Melrose 3 Athletic 19 Victoria College 3 Oriental 20 Wellington. 0

as one of the most improved teams in the competition. Although they were lighter than their opponents and lacked tlie finish of the winners, they were trained to the minute, and set a pace which forced the leaders in tho competition to do their best over every inch of the journey. When the first spell clo-ed neither side had scored, and, up to this point, Southern had had, if anything, the better of tho contest. At times their forwards put in magnificent work as they ploughed through St. James, and thenbacks handled tho ball, and tackled in line style. Campbell, amongst the forwards, and Bradley in tho rearguard, did particularly fine service. In tho early part of the second spell, Southern still gave the championship leaders, a goad deal to think about, mid their effort's were applauded by the largo crowd of spectators, but, at. last, a fine break-away from near the centre of the field by Moffilt, , who was assisted by Du Blois, saw Southern defending their line. St. James were almost over at the flag, but , a Southern man secured, and ran out at tho corner. To the surpriso of everyone in tho vicinity, a St. James man now snapped up the ball, and threw it in to tho ensuing line-out, sending it to Hills, who was unmarked, and only had to drop over tho line to score. A number of spectators in tho grandstand protested that it was tho Southern throw-in, but, in the excitement of Ihe moment, the team concerned apparently overlooked the point, and the try was awarded. For a short spell after this try St. Jamas literally. overwhelmed their opponets, and a scries of fine dashes were followed by a brilliant try. .From a ruck on the twenty-five line, in front of tho posts, E. Eoberts secured possession, and, eluding several Southern defenders, shot out into the open, and transferred to H. Roberts, who, in turn, handed on to Hekita. The last-named had no difficulty in scoring, but it was a fine piece of concerted work, and fully deserved the. points it brought , . The Rout hern men foifht a game finish, and did not cry enough until no-side sounded, but they could-not'eross-the-St. .lames lino. ~-. On ono occasion, towards tho close of the game, a very unusual happening took place. Cook, one of the St. James threequarters,- got away along the sidc-linr, and looked to be making for a certain try, when ho was prettily tackled by \V. Capper—the Southern full-back. Just hs ho was tackled, Cook passed to Hekita, who, on being pressed, punted—apparently with the 'object of ccntring-but, to the siirpri'o niicl amusement of everyone, the ball sailed straight, over the goal-posts -a punted goal. Moffilt played a great forward game for St. James, and H. Koberts and E. Roberts wero the star men in the winners' backs. The Pet one team, which has been tastin" tho bitterness of defent during the past few Saturdays, had a "day out asainst Old Boys on No. 2 ground, Athletic Park. During the opening stages Old Hoys threatened to extend tho suburbanites, but it was only a threat, and was never put into execution. As soon as Petono warmed nn, they commenced .to pile up points, and tho tally had reached the respectable total of 31 before the curtain wasTiins down. In the second spell James Rvan filled a vacancy in tho Petone ranks, , and, with this nlayer as, a central figure around which tho less experienced Petono men could operate, tho suburbanites were a new team. Towards the clo-e of the game they wero liandlm? the ball in great style-even giving m the fact that they were up against a wellbeaten combination. ' ... Two minor accidents occurred during the course of tho Pctono-Old Boys game each side losing a man. Mason, for Old Bovs. had to bo carried oft with rainiured kner, and Corson had to leave tho field with a similar injury.

CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. The positions of tho leading teams remain unaltered as a result o last Saturday's matches, St. James stall holding a lead of two points from Oriental, and three points from Athletic. Details arc as follow:—

the St. James goal, but tho host that tbey could get was a force, and hal Mima. sounded withhonours even.

■ ST. JAMES-SOUTHERN. THE CUAMPIOX TEAK EXTENDED. Without reaching the plane of brilliancy at. any stage of tlio proceedings, Southern showed that thoy arc a very clleciive combination,-and quite capablci ol calling forlli the best Ih'at is in St. Jamos. Right at the outset, fast following: up IJ.V tho Southern forwards landed l<. Roberts in difficulties, an/1, following this, Cook and Thomas tried to take a high kick, the result b*>u',' that each spoiled w« other, and tho Southern forwards swoi;t up, and wore toon pressing 011 St.. J »•"«*« line. A free-kick relieved, and St. James retaliated with a. series of determined rushes, which removed the scene of action to tho Southern line After several scrums, E. Roberts got tlio ball an a> to Cook, but I lie latter was smothered. Again Kobcrts tried his back but ho tacHing of tho Southern men nullified t.m efforts in this direction. T"" 0 ; in(l a 'f""; St .lames' would break away, but, as oiten as they did so. Southern would rep y in kind. On one occasion h. .luibcits initiated si pnmiising-UmkinK r«", but, when the attack was close to the. Southern post,, Jt'Jlonnl. intorcop ed and set about i<. counter-attack, winch look he In!! to St. James's f|iiarlers. During Ilio ! 1 ( ,f J,' lons at lack, Southern wero Warded a mark-within ran ß e, but bcll niado a poor cliort to convertl .: Southern men were fiouig Kie-'.t puns .it this stage, and »w swwpniß rusli s; w tlio forwards balllini? stivnuoiisl.v on the S ; James line, but the defence held viimd I'lav evened up lor « tune, but Me" noil was by Jlollitr, who burst alon's the touci.-iiiio, ami, ternnimted a fino dash by passing to Wrisht. 1 h« oniy result of the fiiift ellor , .however, was a force-do™. Shortly bcJorp tnc half-hnio 1,011 sounded, Bradley led a great rush over three-parts of the length or the field, but K. Roberts canio to (ho rescuo of SI James, on the Hue. Southern conUuued to force the play in tho vicinity of

A brilliant, dodgy run by E. Roberts env livened Uie opening of the second , half, and the St. .lames hvc-eightns was all but over, while immediately after, JUntiitii{ went within an ace of scoring. A freekick, and a charge led by Campbell, put Southern out of danger. A great rush, by Southern, led by Bradley, saw both Thomas and Cook smothered, the attacking party meanwhile, rallying on St. James's side of the twenty-live line. Tho i, ball was set moving among tho Southern backs, and Parker atlempted to , pot when straight in front of the posts, but his attempt failed. At this stago of tho gaine Southern, wero having more than their share of tho piny, but they CMild not break down tho last line of the St. James defence. At length Jlofiitt broke away from mid-field, and, being joined by Uβ lilois, carried play to tho Southern liw?, but ono'of the defenders snapped tho ball up, nml ran into touch at tho comer. A St. James' man look tho throw-in, and sent the ball to Hills, who dropped over tho lino. E. Roberts failed to . convert. 3—o. As Eoon as play settled down again Mollitt broke away, towering nbovo \ns fellows like a young Goliath. When within an aco of scoring, however, he lest, possession, and a lucky force resulted. A' . really pretty piece of passing by 11. Roberts, Heketu, and Young followed, but, , mainly owing to the efforts of Bradley, Iho attacking parly was stopped at the corner flag, and, from the ensuing scrum, . a force-down enabled Southern to clear. St. James were going very strongly now, and, from a ruck on the twenty-five, line in front of the posts, E. Eoberts secured possession, and, after a short run into the open side of the fiold, passed to H. Roberts, who handed on to Hekets. The latter ran over tho lino with little or no opposition, the movement completely beating the. defenders. E. Eoberts failed with tho kick. Although this was tho final score of tho matcTi, there was excitement in plenty for the spectators and tho players. Both sides wero taking things in deadly earnest,:and Southern were working ' like demons to cross tho St. James line. Time after time they assaulted tho leaders''stronghold, but as often they .were driven hack. Bard knucks were given and taken, the players being less concerned' by such trifles than the crowd on the b'anlt, who showed their disapproval on-. several occasions. At last, after what one spectator termed "a wild and woolly five minutes," Cook—tho speedy St.. James wing-three-quarter—broke away down the side line from the half-way flag. Ho cleared all the opposition until he reached Capper, the Southern full-back,, wlip brought the St. James flyer to earth .in true workmanlike stylo. This was the last outstanding incident in a grim finish, lo a hard-fought match. St. James, 6; Southern, nil. Mr. F. Laws was referee. PONEKE AND MELROSE, DISAGREEMENT IN THE ! DARK. Starling at about a quarter to four on account of the (rain delay described,elsewhere, the match between , Poncko and Mclroso at Petone resolved itself, , at opening, into a fast and interesting forward struggle, in which there were no breathing spaces. For ji long time honours were easy. Tilyard fed tho Poneko backs well, and (hey frequently got away in good style, but sound tackling enabled Jlelrosa to" hold their own. Tho work of the Mclroso forward pack was excellent, and,, backed by a rearguard as good as that of their opponents they would have made things warm for Poneko. As it was they notched a try towards the end of the spell, ns tho result of sheer hnrd work by tho whole pack. Slipping through a crush, Sullivan scored near the corner. W. Marshall just failed to obtain tho extra points in a kick at a very diflicult angle. W. Gilchrist sustained nn injury to his shoulder during the spell, and was replaced by Spearman. Gilchnst was the best forward on the- field. Ifo was equally at homo in tight and open forward play, and several times, by a mark neatly taken got Mclroso out of a tjglit place. ■ , . Tho second spell opened m a. poor light, and finished in tho dark. Melrose, bending their energies as in the oponing, spell mainly on massed forward play,, at first forged'pastlialf-way, but wore driven, back by a Poneko onslaught towards their line. From tho twenty-five Tilyard started a promising rush', but Ryan failed to tako a high pass from Brewer, awl the chance was lost. Lively contests followed inside tho Jlelroso twenty-five, and Poncko now commenced to gain ground. A series of dashes ended in Gardiner getting over at tho corner. Tho kick failed, and the scores stood level. Daylight was now a. thing of the past, and Powko continued their attack in a thick gloom and drizzle. Under theso circumstances J. Elliott twice crossed tho Molrose line. Molroso play-, crs disputed the last try, contending that Elliott had been run out before crossing the goal-line, and thero was tome.talk ot leaving the field, but better counsel eventually prevailed. It was aj! unpleosant time for all concerned. Spectators were in no position bo form an opinion upon- the matter in dispute un ess they had been right up to the spot at which tho alleged run-out occurred. Thero was no furthor scoring. Melroso maintained a stubborn defence throughout, but their opponents earned tho victory by equal staying power and greater versatility. It is understood that, the dispute ns to tho last Poneko score will bo referred to the football au- , thoritics. Tho final scores were: roncke, 0; Molrose, 3. . Mr. A. E. NcUson was the referee,

ORIENTAL-WELLINGTON. FORMER WIN BY TWENTY POINTS, The first spell in tbe Wellington-Orien-tal match was ono of very little interest. The most pleasing thing was to eeo how well the Wellington team were shaping against a team so far ahead of theni on tho championship ladder, Until very shortly before half-time there was no, score, and Wellington were doing wclL Roberts, playing full-back for Oriental,' frequently supplied'a little, diversion by the easo and simplicity with which bo tricked tho Wellingtonians. Tlio finest foal lire, of the play was tlio excellent kicking of Lambert, who played full-back for Wellington. The first scoro was tho indirect oulcomo of an attack by' tho Oriental backs, but was ultimately obtained through Akcrs picking up from among the Forwards, and going over. l\i;ivig converted. Oriental, ft;' Wellington, fl. A little ialr--. '.iilin«pii> svoml a try, ond the six-ll ended: Oriental. S; Welling. lon, 0. ■ ' ■■ ■ It, was liopnj Hint tho second spoil would be more inUTCt-ting tlnfli the fii"sl, for it was exiwoled Iliat Hie Oriental backs would bo frequently seen at full pallop. But Wellington kept Hie work light, and plaved close on to the "Magpies." Viarly'in Hie s]jell fast following up by Wellington bad Oriental in serious trouble, and tho situation was only saved by a force. M'Leod was the ViTst to increase the scoro. Tho Oriental fiveefehths followed the leather out of a scramble, and, taking the load in tho rape across Hie line, dived, und touched down. Oriental, • 11; Wellington, ,0. .M'Bcan scored Hie next two tries, as tho result of being constantly in tho van in the forward work, - Eight ou the call .'of

iime, Oriental were awarded a free-kick, and Kinvig.vfrora the twehty-fivo line, and a very acute angle, dropped a splendid goal. The final score, therefore, was: Oriental, 20 points; Wellington, 0. COLLEGE-ATHLETIC. INTERESTING IN PARTS. , The College-Athletic game at Karori, though virtually a walk-over for Athletic, was certainly bright and interesting in pnrts. Now and again College would pull themselves together, and, on Buch occasions, there were exciting flashes, of good, play on both sides. Unfortunately, however, College can never sustain the pressure, and they soon settlo down into the old groove again. The opening fifteen minutes wero all in their favour.. Their forwards kept things moving merrily, and, if their team had been up to strength, they might have done something. Ten minutes or so before halftime, "Ranji" Wilson shook his team up, and away they swooped towards the College goal. Hero there were three or four strenuous attempts to cross, and then Murray, the smart Athletic winger, threw the ball over to ™Banji"..Wiison, who made a header into tho midst of a bunch of very gentle Greens, and reached Mother Earth, with the ball, across the line. Murray failed with the kick. Athletic, 3; College,.. 0. The main fault -which one had to find with College about this , time was that they obligingly let thcnisolves bo pulled about, or dumped dowhr or deprived of the ball just as if they were inferior people conceding rights to their betters.

At the opening of the second spell College were forced three times in earnest. Athletic's play was patchy and inferior. Their back passes were too regular and mathematically nice to bo effective— Keryoho knew what was going to hapfien. At length, however, near the Colege goal, Athletic got a free-kick, and • 8. Wilson put the ball over the bar. Athletic, 6; College, 0. College retaliated, and once'crossed, but the last pass was thrown forward. It was hereabouts there were exciting flashes; • After a hard tussle, Athletic bore the Greens back, and the ball, coining across their backs, to the little three-quarter-winger, Madden, that player raced cleverly over; xnd touched down. S. Wilsoci kicked under the goal. Athletic 9; College, 0. The same thins .exactly, was repeated five . minutes later, and Madden hjmself converted his try this time. Athletic, 14; College, 0. Then S. Wilson pnt in a diagonal; dodgy run from half-way, arid left the whole field looking comically on (vhile he leisurely touched down. Madden kicked another goal. Athletic, -19; College, 0. Just on the call of time, O.'Shea, a'promising College three-quarter .'Ubstitnte. galloped ■ straight down the. line; and then passed to Eyan, and Rynn to Gurtayne. ' and the last-n.imed— fhe .hardest working Collegian on the field— poored the b*st try of the day. The kick at goal failed, and the game ended: Athletic, 19; College. 3. . The referee was Mr. Meredith. PETONE—OLD BOYS. • A ROMP OVER. . Petone's victory over the Old Boys was easily achieved, and the play straggled all through. Old Boys early lost the services of their full-back, Mason, , owing to an injury to the knee. They went at it then with fourteen men, until half-way through the second spell, when another old Boy retired, and they finished the game with thirteen. Petone rattled up the points very fast and were leading by 14 points at half-time. By this time, it may be mentioned that Corson 'had met with an accident, and, during the-spell, was replaced by James Ryan.- Perhaps the outstanding feature was'the way in" which Petone threw the oval about, the ball : in most of their scoring efforts being handled by half a dozen, pairs 'pf hands. ■' ' ' The scorers in the first spell were Price, Dent; and Daley, Ashton'converting a try and goaling from n penalty. In the second ■ half F. Eyan, M'Kenzie, Whittey, Martin and Jas,. Ryan secured tries, Ashton converted one, while M'Kenzie kicked a •penalty goal. Tho total was 31—nil. .Mr. J. Hahoney controlled tho game. •-. GRADES. ''~'. DOINGS IN JUNIOR SECTION. Wellington,, the leading team in the junior competition, were defeated by Oriental by 3 points to nil. In. tho first spell t Oriental had slightly the best of matters, but in'the second half tho Wellington forwards livened matters up. The score was achieved by Carmichael, who put on a penalty goal. St. James easily defeated Athletic by 23 points to nil.. O'Leary (2), Healey (2), O'Sullivan (2), and Dobson wero the scorers. Selwyn defaulted.to Petone. ■Southern defaulted to St. John's. Third.Class. ■ Petone were defeated by Porirua by <>9 ■ points to 5. ' . ' Selwyn defeated Karori by 9 points to 5. Tor the winners, M'Phee, Bow.en.and De Clifton scored a try each. • Fourth Class. The Oriental B-St. James match ' resulted in a win for the former by 9 points to 5. Petone defeated Southern by 5 points to 3. ■;•.. ■ . .. Fifth Class. .Petone were defeated by Athletic by 15 .■points to 9. . , . . ' MAORI TOUR OPENS, . : BEAT HAWKE'S BAY IN THE MUD. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Napier, July to Ine-Aew Zealand Maori team commenc. tu .w e > lr oUl \i! vitl V a matc!l a °' ainst Hawkes Bay this afternoon. It was played in wet Weather, and the ground was covered with puddle*, and alter a few minutes tho field became merely a sea of mud. About 500 spectators were present. Takarangi kicked oft for tho visitors and presently Hawke's Bay secured the ball, and carried play to tne Maoris' territory, where Piki (half) cleverly marked. Aaipara then secured the leather, and passed to Ryland, who headed a Maori rush. Monteith (the Hawke's Bay fullback) saved, however, and play again centred. The Maoris quickly started another rush, and carried the ball to the Hawkes Bay corner. In the following line-out tho Maori forwards got to work and a passing rush ensued. The Hawke's Bay men, however, played sound dettnee, and prevented the Maoris from scoring. Hawke's Bay now retaliated with a vigorous attack, but Kaipara marked ami took a kick at goal, but tho ball passel outside the post,-Both teams were K. thp , r ? ro,l " f l Plazas fast and.interesti2£. rho Maoris osprciallv ■ ltora jhownte particular smartness in'picking ",?•■■. A b ? u .t 2 <> minutes from-the start Clark initiated a fine ™<h niwl • Bay looked like effecting hornethin""fen Hughes (Maori full-bacg) cut across and found the line with a - timelv kirk HawkeVßay still tried hard tHore but heir forwards lacked.combination, and their efforts were fruitless. Just before half-hmo ..the Maori forwards started-1 rush, which almost overwhelmed the onposing team, but Monteith, who was plav !? g V# sa ,. me ' SUCM «le<l in stopping it. Half-time then sounded.

X>n changing ends the'game became even more willing, and the Maoris soon pressed an attack home to the Hawke's Bay cor ner, but by a- supreme . effort Hawke's Bay retrieved their position, and for a time honours were fairly even. Prom tiQw on the Maoris had everything their own way, and kept Hawke's Bay well in their own territory. Time- after time they rushed clown near to the Hawke's Bav line, but through being unable to keen their feet aterapts to cross were fruitless. Erckana eventually tried a dropkick at goal, but the ball was touched by Downing, nnd no score resulted. The Maoris still kept driving their attacks home, and from close, play near the Ilawlw's Bav corner Mona cut in and pressed the line. Erpfcnnn failed to add the major points. Maoris. 3; Hawke's Bay, 0. With only two or three minutes to so the Maoris Tlawke's Bay up into the rorn»r of fheir territory, where Tilay remained till the call of time, the Mitoris thus winnirg by threo points to nil.

• Hawta's Bay made a .really good defence, but the Mnoris showed r;rej>tpr cleverness, especially in passing and pickinsr up. Thoir cnmWnnrioii, 'co. was much better than that o{ Eawke's Bay,

RUGBY ELSEWHERE, (By rcleKraph-Prew Association.! ™. . Christchurch, July 22. ine weather was cold and miserable for the Canterbury Rugby Union's coiiipetitions this afternoon, unci a, the roMik of «ii drizzling rain the grounds wore Albion scored il very lucky win uver Svilenham by l> points to :i, hie latter hnviii" a 1 the bosk of the. play. Christchurch (the runners-iip in the senior championship) were beaten bv Linivnnd liv fi noinis t0 ?' 1 ? J, ,0 "™ 1 " hnd an Ya.sy win against Old Boys by 18 points to nil Jiarist Brothers' Old Boys secured their first win of the season by beatin" Canterbury College by II points to :i. 'I'hn results of to-day's games assure Albion the senior championship as they have now a lead of two points, with only two more matches to play, one of which if. against Canterbury Col lope.

Auckland, July 22. The Rugby matches to-day were witnessed by Lord Islington and party. The results'were:—University beat Parnell by 12 points, to 8; Mnrist Brothers beat I'oiisonby by 14 points to nil; City beat Grafton by 13 points to 3. Dunodin, July 22. Following are the results of the, first grade Rugby matches this afternoon:— Zingari-Richmond (9) . beat University (5), Southern (10) defeated Pirates (5), Union (,1) drew with Dunedin (3), Kaikorai (12) beat Taieri (8), Alhambra (3) beat Port Chalmers (nil). (By Telezraph.—Special Correspondent.* Palmerston, July 22. Seniors:-Kia Toa (20) beat Palmerston (6);Third Grade:—Kia Toa v. Athletic, no score; High School (48) beat Old Boys (nil); I'cilding (8) beat Palmerston (0). ißy Teleeraph.-SDecial Correspondent.! . Carterton, July 23. The senior representative trial match. North v. South Wairarapa, was played at Jlasterton yesterday, Tain falling incesfantiy. It ended in an easy victory for South Wairarnpa by 19 points to 3. The condition of the ground was against good football, and the game was merely a forward scramble. Desmond (2), Barry, C. Grouba, and N. M'Kenzie scored tries for South Wairarapa, and two tries were converted by Hodge and F.-Groube. For North Wairarapa, Miller scored a trv. Junior results;— Liberals (8) beat Carterton fnil); Dalefield (16) beat Masrerton (nil); Greytown (9) beat Red Star (nil).

Third Class: Liberals (9) beat Carterton (6); .Red Star (11) beat Greytown (nil); Masterton (2!) beat Dalefield (nil). The Eugby Union has decided to play a third round in these two competitions.

St. James " -12- 2 J J'2 « 24 Oriental It '1 ,, - 1 ' , "'■' \' t r Mctio ...I U 10 3 1 136 50 21 j'oneke U « ? 2 154 W 20 Vntnnn U 0 •' 0 1(4 Si 18 soiihcrn-:::.:.« s e o w ra.w 01(1 Boj-s U , 2 10 2 67 Io6 6 Wellington ... U 1 11 2 « .216 4 Vie. College ... 1* 0 W 1 « 289 1