ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1220, 31 August 1911, Page 8

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

eRUGBY FOOTBALL. ONE-POINT WIN FOR TARANAKI. AGAINST SOUTHLAND. THEIR BACKS BRIXG THEM HOME. (By TelcKrapli.—Press Association.) Invercargill, August , .lo. The Taranaki-Southland football match was played to-day in line but windy weather, and in the presence of about 2500 spectators. The game was fast and exciting throughout, and ended in a lucky win for Taranaki by 12 points (a goal from a try, an unconverted try, and a potted goal)* to 11 points (a goal from a try and two unconverted tries). The Southland forwards' were superior all round, but the Taranaki Kicks wero far ahead of the local backs, and their splendid line-kicking against a strong wind in the second spell saved the game. Mvnott showed the poorest, lorra ot the visiting backs, whoso play all round was admirable, however. They seized every available opening, and they are apparently a fine collection of fliers « hen under way they invariably looked dangeThe%lay of the Southland forwards confirms the opinions of experts that inev are tho finest pack which has represented the province for many years. First Spell-Eight All. : The first notable incident was a Southland forward rush into _ the visitors twentv-fivc, Mvnott relieving by finding the line at half-way. Fast play ensued the bull travelling up and down the field at a great rate, but, on the whole, Ta ■ naki made good use of a. favourable strong wind. Eventually, l>° w <-' v . er \. ''!* Southland forwards worked the ball to tho visitors' line, and, after a fierce rallj, Fordo made a dash, tat lost, he ball. Ridland, however, was handy, and snapped it up, n.sd scored Martin failed to goal. Southland, 3; Taranaki, 0. )\ Klin five minutes after resuming Ivissock secured at half-way, end, running stionglv, boat several opponents, and pa**d to Hawkins, who scored. ■ tatohr goalee! beautifully. Taranaki fr—\i. Taranaki, still rnakin;? good use of the wind kept Southland busy for a time, but eventually the local forwards cleared with a fine rush, M'Neece further improvin" matters with a good run. Iyimoy hen madJ a (tosh for the line, but lost the ball. M'X-eece, however, who was backing up, secured possession of the lMther anS Rot over. Martin converted with a brilliant kick from a difficult angle against a strong wind. Southland, 8; Taranaki, 5. ... Play was fairly even for a., while until Stohr secured and made a nasmng run. Ho finished by passing to Cameron, who got over - , but tho kick added nothing. Eight points each. The remainder of the spell was a hard-fought affair, but neither side could claim much advantage, and no further, addition was mado to tho The Spell that Decided.

With the wind in their favour in the second spell it was expected that Southland would more than hold their own without trouble, and although they did not do so as well as anticipated (from tho scorhi" point of view), they liad decidedly I the better of the qanio. From the commencement they pressed the visitors hard, splendid line-kicking- nullifying their eflorts. Not to l>o denied, however, they persistently attacked, and from a loose rush Bi""ar scored. No goal resulted. Southland, 11 points; Taranaki, 8 points. Play hovered in neutral territory for a time, but Taranaki then took a hand and pressed. Martin relieved by a high kick, which Hill secured, and from outside the twenty-five potted a lovely £oal. Taranaki, 12-points; Southland, 11 -points. . Tho local men now strove desperatcly to regain the lead, but the deadly linekicking of the visitors proved their undoing. Several tirucs, top, Taranaki were dangerous. Taylor, Osborne. Kissock, and Cain, of the forwards, playing finely, and Roberts, Stohr, Prince, and Cameron among the backs. -Cameron on one occasion was unfortunate, in. not scoring. On the whole, however. Southland had the better of the spell, and only the failure of their backs to take advantage of their chances prevented a considerable addition beiiis made to the score. The game ended— Taranaki, 12 points; Southland,.'ll point*. ! Of the local men, Forde (half), Smith (wing), and Martin (full-hack) were the best, the last-named playing a particularly coou game. All the forwards played well; Biggar and Ridlaud securing tho ball in the , scrums, whilo Ivimey, Mitchell, and Aa'rons were very prominent en the lineout. In the loose all played dashing games. Although the Taranaki forwards were beaten to-day, still they seemed to be a very fine hard-working pack, and only the fact that Southland this year is abnormally strong caused them to take, second place

Tho general opinion hero is that T.iranaki will" hold its own with all other South Island teams. WEDNESDAY MATCHES. ARTILLERY, 3; TRAMWAY, 0. Artillery just succeeded in beating Tramways yesterday by 3 points to nil. The Artillery forwards were a good deal heavier than their opponents, and had it lvot been for the Tramwnymen's superior backs they would havo been defeated by a bigger margin. Tramway, however, deserve credit i'or the phnky way in which they contested the game. Kivell scored Artillery's try. Mr. Simpson was referee. ORIENTAL, 8; ATHLETIC, S. The Oriental v. Athletic encounter resulted in a. draw, each sido scoring 8 pints. Tho game was evenly contested, rath side? alternately attacking and defending. Martin scored for Oriental and Snlmond converted, and also kicked a penalty goal. For Athletic, Williams scored. Monat converted this try. ami also kicked a penalty. Mr. O'Sullivan was the referee.

WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. CHANGED MATCH PROGRAMME. Tho Wellington Rugby Union met last night. Mr. (5. S. Brown presided. The Woirarapa Union notified v that it would accept September lfi as the date for a match with Wellington. s Tho Referees' Association communicated n. desire, that a special evening should be set -.iside for the discussion of the matters of difference between it and the union. It mis resolved to ask the referee? to attend the union's meeting next Wednesday evening. Messrs. Tlales, -Sweeney, and Brown were appointed to attend n meeting of sports bodies on September 4, at which "daylight saving" is to be considered. The Wellington Club wrote, stating Mini they would not be sending n senior team to play Fonfka on Saturday nwf, and Victoria College made a. "similar communication in respect of their match with IVtcne. II was then resolved, 0:1 the motion of Mr. .T. Siveonov, (a p| av only the Oi icntnl-.Uhl-otic. anil the St. .lames-Melro.-i' games (the championship final, and the giinie to decide the runnerup). It will be derided o:i Saturday moniing on what ground the St. .Tamei Molrose gime will be played—on Athletic Park Nα. 2, or a suburban ground. PONEKE FOOTBALL CLUB. ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. Song and jest blended pleasantly at U IC annual smoke concert of lht» " Prmo|;i\ Football Club, which was hold in Scott's Rooms last evening Dr. A. K. Newman (president) occupied, (he chair. Among the "old-timers" present were such veterans of the g.'uno u< Mr. Sid. Nichnlls, an ex-captnin of the club, who in the halcyon days often led his men to victory; Mr. "Davy" Gage, one of the brightest and trickiest of backs; and Mr. Goo. Lnsk. These were the men of oilier days, and all honour w:is dune them by thi'isc- in charge of the toasts.

The chairman propo.-(MJ the health of tlic Poiickn'Club, .and referred to its hoiionralV.f cavcor in tl\c \n\-\. ami tlm gonil position whU'h it still held. 'J'hu loplv wa>. puli'iisl«d to llc&sis. S, Nicholls anil AValsli.

Mr. D. M'k'e'.izie propo;fd Hip Wcllinston Rugby Union, to which Mr. Perry (treasurer) respoudod. "Old Member.-.' 101 l to Iho lot of Mi-. X. Wilkimon, who (liioterl a. lone; list of pnsl giants of th:' game, who had upheld the honour of th? old club at homo and abroad. Mr. D. Gage ropliiMl briefly. Mr. T. P. Wal-.li proposed the "HofiM-pcs , Association, and Mr. 1.. Sievers responded. ••Our Opponents" was proposed by Mr. Uao. LufcUi "Kindred Sports" foil t.o the 10l of Mr. W. Brown. "Tlio Press' , was proposed bv Mr. T. M. Burgess, and tht> "St. John Ambulance Association" by Mr. 11. Elliott. ' Son"?, rooilalinns, etc., wore given ny MeWs. C. Jtoid, L. Kchlin, B. Gardiner, 11. Shakes, J. Elliott. Aekroyd, E. L. B. Keade, A. Griffiths, J. Elliott, and W. Connor. ASSOCIATION. W.F.A. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. 'Mr. H. X. Holme? presided over t.he usual meeting of the Wellington Football Association held last evening. The Canterbury Association wrote stating that the Show Grounds hod been obtained for the Brown Shield match, Wellington v. Canterbury, which is to be played at Christchurch on September IR. The Xcwtown Coneregational Club was granted permission to play Courtenay Place at Xo. G Miramar on September 2. Wanderers Club were also granted permission lo piny a match First Division v. Second Division players on Saturday at. Xo. 3 Miramar. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to those who had billeted members of the Auckland Fourth Division representative team during their recent visit to Wellington. The Swifts Club was granted permission to piny Ponsonby Club (Auckland) oil the Basin Reserve on September IS. The secretary"s action in writing the Xew Zealand Football Council suggesting that t.he match be played for the New Zealand Cup was confirmed. Mr. J. .T, Roberts moved a motion to ,the effect that the City Council l;e asked permission to charge for admission lo this match and that, in conformity with Kiile 12 of the W.F.A. by-laws, the Swifts Club take the g<ite and supply a balancesheet to the Association. The W.F.A. is to take 20 per cent of the net gate. It was mentioned that' Wests and the Royal Picture Syndicate had offered to take a moving picture of the above match and this was agreed to. SATURDAY'S GAMES. The following are the grounds and referess for Saturday next:— Charity Cup. Diamonds r. Hovers,'at Jv'elburno; Mr. R. I.ithgow.

Y.M.fU. v. Ramblers, at Duppa Street No. 1; Mr. J. B. Pa ton. Hospital v. Corinthians, at Porirua; Mr. .1. Inee. Swifts v. Thistle, at Basin Reserve; Mr. A. F. Newbold. Challenge Cup Final. Brooklyn v. Wadostown, at No. 2 Duppa Street; Mr. H. Yeoman. Henderson Memorial Cup Final. Brooklyn v. Jolinsonviile. at Basin Reserve, at 1.30 p.m.; Mr. H. Godber. Challenge Cup Final. Brooklyn v. Y.M.C.A., at Duppa Street No. 1, at 1,13 p.m.; Mr. A. E. Wells. Fifth A Pivisio-i. Swifts v. Y.M.C.A., at No. 2 Duppa Street, at 1.45 p.m.; Mr. E. }Vindle. Brooklyn v. Marist, at Kelburne, at 1.45 p.m.; Mr. R. S. Lithgow. . Sixth Division. Porirua v. Institute A, at Porirua; Mr. F. O'Connell Karori v. Institute B, at Karori; Mr. C. B. Melville. Seatoun v. Marist. at Miramax No. 2, at 2 p.m.; Mr. W. M'Q. Smith. . Y.M.C.A. A v. Kclbnrne, at Miraniar No. 2, at 3 p.m.; Mr. tY. M'Q. Smith. Rangers v. Y.M.C.A. C, at Miramar No. 5, at 2 p.m.; Mr. J. Bates. Brooklyn v. Y.M.C.A. B, nt Miramar No. 5, at 3 p.m.; Mr. .1. Bates. Public Schools League. Thorntlon v. Marist A. Nt Anderson Park, at 11 a.m.; Mr. Mutter. ' Karori v. Johnsinvillo, at Anderson Park, nt 10 a.m.; Mr. Mutter. South Wellington v. Te Aro, at Duppa Sfrect N'o. 1, at 10 a.m.; Mr. Kerschloy. Rop-eneath v. AVadestown. at Duppa Street No. 2, at 10 a.m.; Mr. W. ii > Smith.. Marist B and Ohariu a bye. ' ■'

CRICKET.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, August 20. Warwickshire won' tho county cricket championship witll a percentage of 74. Warwickshire beat Northants by an innings and 33 thus. Foster, in the second innings of Northants, took six wickets i'or C 3 runs.

Last year Kent retained the championship, whiclf they 'had won in l<loo. It was their third success, the first having been in 1906. Surrey were second, Middlesex third, and Lancashire fourth. Warwickshire was fourteenth, and Northamptonshire) ninth. "*■

SCULLING. .

TOGWELL IN GOOD FORM. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, August 29. Tho paper "Sporting Life"- et'ates that tho form of i'ogwell, who is to row Barry for. the English sculling championship has greatly improved, and that thn improvement has been most encouraging to his supporters.

BOXING.

WELLS-JOHNSON FIGHT. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright , London, August 29. Bombardier Wells, who is to fight Jack Johnson for tho heavy-weight , championship, has commenced training. Ill's quarters are at Earl's Court, where- his work is watched by many spectators. Johnson is continuing his I raining in Paris.

ATHLETICS.

SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, August .10. A race for the world's sprint pionship has boon arrniißfd between Holway and Donaldson. The distance will be 130 yards, and the race will take place on September 23.

COURSING.

The August, meeting of the Wellington Metropolitan Couriinjj Club opened on Tuesday afternoon. The hares ran very well. Mr. Gough acted as judge; while thn slipping was onlrusted to Mr. C. Pciirce. in the ab-ehce of Mr. P. 11. O'jlonoghue. Two stakes were decided, the tucfting being mnnaged by Mr. J. J. O'Donoglnie. following were the results:

WILFOIiD STAKES— J. O'Donogliue's Ruberoid (a. bye); (i. Saylcs's Miilbojik beat l ; . lliggins's Raffles; Clark liros.' Sir Minlo (a bye); C. A. Schauer's Jlufus Dawi'i bait S. IJurk's Gold Dust. ties: Millbank beat Ruberoid; Sir Minfo beat liufiis Dawes. Deciding course: G. Sayles's Millbank Warliiighurst—Duflcv (Juten) bo:\t Clark Urcs.' Sir Minto (Uiiimond Oram— Minlo) and won the slake. I'OHT NICHOLSON STAKES.-F. Thompson'svUawn/bent .1. lligginsV Jliddlcmarsh; C. A. Scluiuor's Ileadlighl beat C. O'Donoghue's Czarina II; O'Donoghiie and Reid's Pleasant Surprise beat S. iiynu'.'s Knock Girl; G. VViirchamV Pren'liliiliou (a bye). Fir>l lies: Headlight brat/ Dawn; I'lensanl Surprise brat I'ren?ulation. .Deciding course: O'Donnxluie iiiid lipid's ripasanf Surprise (I'leasant Dnvf— Wellington llomO heal (.'. A. Scfmirr's ll'.'ndligl\t <Vi\ilor-Ni s h(fall) and won tlic stake.