SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 22 April 1912, Page 6

SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

FOOTBALL SEASON OPENS. THE STANDARD 0F PRESENT RU GBY PLAY SOME "SOCCER" SURPRISES. V Points. Points. • Petone 8 Poneke 3 Melroso 14 Southern 0 St. James 29 Old Boys 0 Oriental 12 Victoria College 3 Athletic 22 Wellington ; 6

• Standing on the rim of 1912, Petone found itself a divided house. James Uynn, like tlio aggrieved Achilles in his tent, threatens to play no more. Ashton they wanted to try as a "hooker," but, ns he has never struck for the ball .in that position before, ho. hinted that, sooner than do it. he would take off the navy jersey altogether, and join Oriental. Other members also were murmuring, and, at last, tho selectors got tired, and rolled in their resignations. Then a new lot of selectors drew together the scattered threads .a little. They stuffed Miller into the vacant centre three-qunrtership, nnd gave Ashton his own way. The team was "topped off" with a spoonful of training, and faced Poneke at Athletic Park on Saturday. About 2500 people looked on.

As for Poneko one fears that."lchabod" is written over it in letters of lead.. Certainly "the glory has departed from its welter-weight division—there is now no "heady" Mitchinsou, no alert Tilyard, no jjlucky and resourceful "Tom" AValshe. Of the newcomers, Dingle, ah ! ex-Christchurchian, played fullback for iv spell, and ' was then moved up to centre. Hβ is something liko an iceberg in either positionglow to move, but rather powerful and massive when he does gather way. He dropped a pretty goal at the close of the game—Poneke's only score.

The game was interesting, not for any play in it, but rather because it formed a small -link in tho chain of circumntance3 which seem to indicate that the fate which has overtaken Riigby football in New South Wales may overtake it jifire. It is not the botting or tho rough play, as some suppose—these things are no. more numerous than they were twenty years ago—but the-gradual deterioration in the standard of play.

M'Parlano opened proceeding^' nicely with a bit of his long-range artillery, landing ono goal, and only missing another by the thickness of a shaving. Thereafter, the first spell was only a weird heap of nothing. There wero 21 scrums, each occupying about a minute, 20 line-outs (all ending in "mush"), which also ate up about a minute apiece, and several stoppages for small accidents. What time was left for "play" out of the total 43 minutes was nearly nil. In the desert of scrums, II ended in nothing more stirring than a further blast of the whistle, Poneke- "secured" on eight occasions, while poor Petono only saw the leather twice. In the second spell also they only got it twice. At half-time, however, they wero ahead by thrco. points—M'Farjniio's goal/ i Jeers and chetrs from the bank swifted ny the second spell, and ono was hardly prepared for the bright finish which capped the game. The pace lifted from a walk to a trot, then from a trot to a gallop. "Legs," said the solemn enthusiasts who follow Petone round like a pillar of cloud by day and a streak of fire by night—"legs would win put.in the finish,'' and those "legs" were popularly supposed to belong to Petone. But, as tho nlay proved, both sides had thorn at tho last, and, considering what a restful period the first spell had been, it would have been lather wondrous had it turned out otherwise.

So fnr Petone had been trying forwards ouly, but now their light division began to take a hand. They could not get the ball from tho scrum, but they got it nomehow, mid their backs echeloned out across- the field searching for a way round the flank, now on one wing, now on another. MTarlano was soon over, banging his way past sortie weak Poneke Jiands, and (allowing nicely for the wind) h<? .goaled in good, stylo, thus giving thn suburban men a handy lead of eight points. Tt was, indeed, Al'Fnrlane's day. P.otono hammered on. From tho wrestling mountain of jerseys the ball flew out to -.Miller, to M'lCay, to Ramsilen, tn •Boyd, and back to I'amsdcn. The rush ended on the leo shore of touch in goal, Jiut it was the prettiest oft'ort of the day. Ho till ten minutes to time Petone looked: like .scoring 20 points, and, indeed, they did put on another try, but, (lid not get it. Daly bounced over at the corner,..and fell fully a yard inside the flag. Mr. Fonlyce, the' referee, thought otherwise, however, and so this mid other assaults became merely something like the brave legends in the story books—" a tale of what been." ; ;Sevcn i minutes before the bell howled 'Time!" the Red' brigade seemed to sec that.it is more blessed to give than to redoive. and handed out a small taste nf attack. In this Ding-le, taking a drop-kick, Hhofcthe ball over. That was the last incident in a <|uaer. confused, and rather ui:=cientific straggle. One- of the features of this match was the number of men who were hurt. The play.was -topped seven or eight times on this account, and ono player—Price, of Pelnne—left the field with a damaged mikle. Taplin replacing him. There was, )t must be stated, no rough play. The game was hardly energetic enough to be Tough, and most of the injuries were so plight that the hefty old-timers of 1890Slfi would not have stopped for them at Rt all. For the standard of play shown tliere were, of muni, the inevitable host' ?! apologists. The commonest excuse was: Hell, what else can yon expect at the begiunini; of ths season."

, . . PETONE-PONEKE. DETAILS OF THE CHIEF MATCH. Petone commenced operations by a powerful forward rush, led by Parrant, Price, »nd MTarlaue. . Morris and Elliott were found wanting, and, from tho scramble near Poneke's lino, Xunn marked, and STFarlanc opened the scoring with a penalty. Petone 3—o. Pluy had then been goiiiff lor only one minute. Poueko then 6et both Ixiclts and forwards going in a scattered unslaught, right up field, Nunn bringing oft" a clever check, and play centred. Again Poneko worked up, this time headed by Elliott, Chapmau, and Brewer. Scrums ensued a few yards from Petone's line, but ovcntually MTarlnne started a counter-rush. This was stopfed by Morris. Play was now quite slow and ragged, the first dash seeming to have been enough for both sides. T. Trice ricked his ankle, and had to retire, his place being filled by Taplih shortly after. Sotheran now got in a nice kick, und the Red forwards, following np, smothered Parker. A "free" to Petone spoilt any scorine chance. Again the lied forwards adopted aggressive tactics, but Daley . cleverly marked, and linmsden got touch well down, anS, by Bipart following up, the Blue vanguard, with Ready in thb lead, gave Morris and Co. a wnrm time. M'Farlane had another shot at goal, but, although it looked like a score, the referee orderefl , a kick from the twenty-five line. Chiefly by Heady's good play, Petono were put on the attack ngain, but u powerful kick by Dingle gave tho Reds an opportunity, nnd. with Morris, Gardiner, Ryan, and 11. Elliott, all let loose in a passing rush, a Bcore looked likely. Parker nnd Miller, however, had to be reckoned with, and tho scorr remained unchanged. Lindsay then retired with a cut eye, but, after first, aid had been administered, he returned to the field. He toon distinguished himself, nnd, assisted by Ryan, Ready, Parrant, and M'Farlane, ewent through.

the tottery Poneke defence, compelling the Reds to force. Soon after Calcinai passed out from the ruck to Sotheran, to Ryan, to Morris, Gardiner, and finally to Elliott, who was just thrown out at the corner by Eanisdcn. The game was now even slower than it had been. -Both sides endeavoured to open up tho game, but lack of form and judgment was always in evidence, besides which frequent stops were called for cramp trouble. Poneko had tho advantago pretty well up to half-time, and Gardiner and Morris both had attempts at goal from easy range. There was plenty of line finding and uninteresting play, but .when half-time sounded Petono were attacking , . The second half was an improvement on the first. Play was brighter, and it grew to something like excellent towards the very close. The Petono backs were worked for all they were worth, Miller shining particularly. Dingle, of Poneke, was sent up to centre three-quarter, nnd Morria dropped back into the gap. It was a good move, ns Dinglo, though alow, did a lot of damage, and proved a hard man to stop. Miller put in a high punt, followed up and smothered the full-back, and M'Fnrlane dive<l over. He took tho kick himself, and the score then read B—o. M'Kenzie then kicked to the opening, and Daley put in a iino run. He secured and got over, but the score was disallowed. Then the lied forwards played up. They tackled and rushed, dribbled and followed up, keeping Petono on tho defensive. When in striking range, the. set the backs going,- time after time, and it was then that Petone's tackling told. Every time Poneke essayed a passing turn—and it was pretty often—the Blue backs accounted for their men, and they could not get over. Parrant headed a rush which ended, after a fine display of passing by Petone, by Ramsden being pushed into touch in goal. But Poneke come back, through the good work of Gunn, Brongh, and Brewer, and, given a penalty on the north side, Dinglo dropped a pretty goal. B—3. That was the final event.

MEI.ROSE-SOUTHERN. AN UNIDENTIFIED GAME. Melrose and Southern, met on No. 2 ground at Athletic Park, and, technically speaking, fulfilled their fixture, but they did not do what was on evidently mistaken general principles expected of them —they . did not play Rugby. Precisely what game they did play hag not been disclosed, but investigations are being made. Neither "Scientific Research" nor "Encyclopaedia Britannica" contain any reference to a pastime resembling Saturday's innovation. However, to describe the affair as though it were Rugby, Southern allowed untrained men to take the field, and promptly got what they deserved—defeat at the opening of the season. The game had only just commenced when L. Campbell, one of the few well-conditioned. Southerners, gave Melrose a taste of his keenness ■ and vigour by breaking through them for forty yards or so. As a result of this individual effort, Melrose were in much trouble for a while, but, thereafter, spent the remainder of the spell in the vicinity of the. Southern goal-line. Half-way through ■the spell H. Murphy (five-eitghths)' broke in upon the stodgy uneventfulncss by neatly potting a left-foot goal. Then Rivers (wing three-quarter) ran in, and, right on half-time. J. Marshall (full-back) potted a goal. (Melrose, 11; .Southern, 0.) In the second spell Southern attacked strenuously most of the time, but could not beat down the Melrose defenca. Just before the finish Southern's condition petered out again, and Melrose set up a merry attack. Good tackling by H. Capper, Mortensen, and Bradley kept the enemy out for a while, but eventually O'Brien scored from a forward scramble. So, the Fcores were: Melrose, 11; Southern, 0. Mr. W. J. Meredith was referee.

ST. JAMES-OLD BOYS. EX-COLLEGIANS OUTCLASSED. A more one-sided game than that in which Old Boys met St. James at tho Mini mar Polo Ground on Saturday could hardly be imagined. When play commenced a strong breeze was blowing across'-the ground. Early in the first spell tho wind veered until it was blowing on a diagonal slant in favour of St. James. This was a handicap, but it did not account for a fraction of the things that happened to Old Boys. Two minutes after play began, the White jerseys were jammed in their own corner in the lee line. For a lively minute or two tho defence held good, anil then St. James, playing a masterful forward gnme, commenced to score. King, a ■forward of tho bull-dog variety, fought a pnssage over the line, and after a very brief interval repeated the feat. Goalkicking was difficult, and both shots went astray. (St. James, 6—0.) Old Boys remained penned up, and it was not. long before King again forged ahead from a■■ scramble and lifted the score to fl.. 'Crowes very nearly brought off a difficult kick, but the ball struck ■tho post.

■ Old Boys never got out of the' pickle into which they had fallen as soon as play commenced. Grace and Logan amongst the backs, and Fordhani and one or two others in the forward division showed some <juterprise and dash, but a majority of the team tired away to nothing, and had to content themselves with defensive tactics in very restricted territory. The only thing that kept down the register of points was the absenco of originality or resourco in the' attack. Compared with their opponents, the St. James men were fresh and active as so many goats, but pounding forward play was almost the sum of their endeavours.

The rest of the spell was pretty steady scoring by St. James. King broke clear from a scramble and sent a pass to Bowie, who hnd a clear run in. Then King went over again on his own account. He was soon followed by Cooke, who crossed the lino nfler a clever feinting run. King scored the seventh try (his own fifth), and it was converted by Crewes, who kicked tho first and only goal of tho dny. (St. James, 23—0.) The second spell did not give rise to any sensations. Old Boys nnw had the wind in their favour, but despite this advantage, remained imprisoned on their own side of half-way, and never hnd prospects cf scoring. Tries were scored for St. .Tame? by Young and Hills. Old Boys played one man short throughout, and half-way through the second spell numbers were equalised when Ponangi received a kick in the body, which compelled him to leave the field. The game ended: St. James, 29; Old Boys, 0. Mr. L. Simpson was the Teferee.

ORIENTAL-VICTORIA COLLEGE, From the form displayed in their first match, Victoria College, after a little more practice, and with a little better combination, should have a formidable team this season. They put up a fine fight on Saturday agninst Oriental. Their backs are os yet rather wenk when attacking, showing to belter advantage when on tho defensive. Oriental forwards played a brisk solid gflino, nnd proved stronger than their opponents in the attack. The backs have not yet struck first-class form, but showed Hint llii> material wn.s there tn bo improved. College kicked uff and commenced pla-ving against the wind. A good deal of lineplay was indulged in, until the ColUgi? forwards started a rush that loolwd m if it tm 6°iug to oou&t, until irqll etojjocV

by M'Coaibie, Ihe Oriental half, who continued throughout the ■ entire game to jilay very well. After this Oriental began to seltlo down lu hard plii.v. and only just misled .-coring by an fill'-sidc Itenalty. Tlio Oriental pack began to get tlio best of it, nml despite the efforts of tho other side they gained ground. College, a good deal lighter in the pack, started playing a dogged defensive game. Oriental several times got the bull nwny to their backs. The backs, however, tumbled a good deal, and were frequently penalised. From a free-kick to College, Iho Oriental backs managed to start, a good passing rut-h, and Hie ball, gelling out to Manning, he scored easily, close to tho posts. Kinvig took llio kick, and failed to convert. Oriental, .'I; College, 0. Continuing, Oriental again had College battling hard on tho defensive, and had it not been for O'Hhwi, would have scored inoro than once. Tho wing men on both sides wore putting in good work, Gwilliam, for College, especially. Beaten back well into their own territory, College with a good effort got away with the ball, in the hands of.Faire, O'Shea, and Millar. A pass forward, however, stopped what might have been a try. Subsequently, getting a free-kick for an off-side Oriental, with Carmichael kicking, managed to score. Again, shortly afterwards, Oriental got. well away, and Murphy scored just before the spell was called. Oriental, 9; College, 0. With the wind behind them, College started in fine style, with abundant dash. It looked for some minutes as if they were right through, but the Oriental collaring was 100 much for them, and once more they were forced back. Time and again Oriental rushes were stopped in tho nick of time by individualistic piny from College. At length M'Combie got the bull well away from the scrum, and Kinvig passed it on to Manning, who scored. The kick failed. Oriental, 12: College, 0. College rallied, and started another rush, and this time carried it

right through. They managed to get the ball over tlio line, and Faire dropped on it. Bray took the kick, but did not augment the score. For the rest of the Same College settled down to defend their line, and with tiio exception of a few spasmodic rushes, which were well stopped by Oriental, did not gain much. There were no further scores, and the game closed with Oriental 12 and College 3. Mr. Evenson was the referee.

ATHLETIC-WELLINGTON. Lost year's champions wero pitted against Wellington at Petone, and tho small crcwd of onlookers was a very fair index of what was expected. The Wellington first h'ftoen Appeared, however, to bs much stronger than last year, for they had in their ranks eight members of tho team which put up such an excellent record in the Junior Grade last year. The Blues had all the superiority which comes from experience and good.condition—they were liveliest when opportunities offered. Also they were stronger in the scrum and immediately behind it.

Wellington played with a strong, breeze behind, but the opening exchanges vrero by no means ;u their favour, and Lambert had to stive with a clever mark under his era goal. Presently he had an easy chance at goal through ofT-side play by a Blue forward, which he made full use of, and drew first blood for Wellington. He had still another shot—a.luckless one this time —from another penalty a couple of minutes Inter, but presently, after the Yellow and Blacks had been fought and rushed to their own line, off-side play gave the attacking Blues a. free-kick in front of the posts. Roberts made no mistako with the shot. 3—B. Once Lambert had a fair chance to scoto from a clever interception, and had he been supported a try must have followed. The only other score in the spell was a try by Evenson, obtained after a series of scrums on the Wellington line. In the end Roberts whipped a pass out, and the rest was easy. 6—3. Assisted by the wind in the second half, tho task of the Blues was lightened considerably, and they pil.ed up their big score without much difficulty. Lambert, and Evenson both had ineffective shots at goal, and then the latter cut into a loo?e forward rush on the Wellington line and scored. Roberts goiued. 11—3. The Yellows retorted with a. try by Miller from a forward scramble, but the kick did not improve the score. 11—fi. This was Wellington's, last, effort. n .Afterwards Roberts and ■' Cunningham ecbred tries, and Roberts converted the second one. Wilson also kicked a goal from a mark, making the score 22—6 in favour of Athletic. Mr. A. Neilson was referee. Fifth Class. Wellington College, wero defeated by Southern by S points to G. For the winners, T. Smith scored a try, and J. T. Foley converted, and kicked a penalty goal for the winners. In the St. Patrick's College-Oriental match the former team scored 38 points while the latter had to be content with nil. The College scorers were, Redmond, O'Sullivan, Meehan, Brownlee, and Ber-, gin. At Hutt, Waiwetu and Melrose played a drawn gamo, three points each. Bui't got ft try for Waiwetu, and Reay scored for Melrose. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. Br Tilemsh.—Pr«i 4»eo«litUn.l Christchurch, April 20. The Rugby Union competitions opened to-day, the' results of the First tirade matches being as follow:—Merivale (15) v. Christchurch (0). Sydenham (11) v. Albion (3), Linwood (15) v. Marists (5), Old Boys (») v. Canterbury College (0).

ASSOCIATION,

OPENING OF 1912 SEASON. . SOME. SURPRISES. . In . drizzling . rain and . on Blippery grounds, the 1912 Association football season was : opened on Saturday. Later on, howDver, the weather conditions changed for tho, better, . and although there was a high northerly wind blowing, some fair games wore witnessed. As is generally tho.case on opening day, therewas an evident want of condition and form, but no doubt when tho new players (jet to know their fellows better the want of combination will not be lacking. Mental Hospital have opened their account well by defeating Thistle by four goals to nil, nnd Swifts went down to Diamonds. Corinthians, who are supposed to have a. very strong team this year, were defeated by Y.M.C.A. The two last-mentioned results came as a surprise to local enthusiasts. In the junior divisions the games were well contested, and as the eeason progresses there is every reason to believe that there will be a great many interesting games for spectators to watch.

Members of tho Wanderers' firet and second division teams wore a black band on the left arm out of respect for their late member, Mr. W. Ritchie, the games played being the first since his death. Following aro tho results of the first division matches: — Hospital i. Thistle 0. Diamonds i, Swifts 3. Rovors i. Ramblers 1. St. John's 2, Wanderers 1. Y.M.C.A. 2, Corinthians 0. • RAMBLERS-ROVERS. Ramblers met Rovers on No. 12 Miramnr on Saturday afternoon, and at the outset it can bo said that combination on both sides was lacking. This was accounted for by the fnct that, both tennis hnd emergencies playing, nnd theji again there were only ten men aside. During tho first half it was an even game, spoilt by D. high wind. If anything. Rovers had the better chances of scoring. When they had the wind in their favour, Ramblers should have used it more to their own advantage, and instead of keeping the ball down on the south side of tho field, they should have kept play up to "windward," so to speak. When" the whistle soubded for halt-time, thero was no score on either side. During this spell Rovcts' new centre-forward (Dnncan) put in a lot of good work, but was not backed np enough. About halfway through the first half. Rovers were awarded a free-kick, on account of Ramblers' goal-keeper lur.-ing taken too many steps while carrying tho ball. Even with practically open goal, they could not score.

After about a quarter (if an hour's play in tho second hnlf, the first score of the mutch came. Tho hall citmo up tho right wing, and Hart. (Ramblers' outside-right I centred nicely. [{overs' goal-keeper (Hrookoi caught tlm ball, but fumbled, jind not having received any support from his two full-backs. Ramblers fnrn-.irds were on top of him before h>? could clear. «ith the result fhflt from (v rnolM in front of Uw KtwUnnulh, W. Jlwt (Kwablwi , co&tr»-fc&U) difrw irat^

blond fur liN side. Hovers preyed their opponents and terpt Hit ball in Ramblers' territory for sonw lime alter this, nrnl on occasions had capital chances to score. I'atienco was rewarded, however, and owing to a miss-kick by KirschixMg, who was playing full-buck for Ramblers, (Irani; was enabled to equalise. Shortly afterwards .1. Duncan was responsible for the second goal, having scored from a scramble. Kamblers now. averted themselves, and tho leather travelled- towards tho oilier end of the field, where Brooke, was compelled to punch out. . T. Duignnu secured, and ran the whole length of the field with (ho ball at his loe. It-amblers' goalkeeper came out and tackled him, and was successful in saving the situation for tlm tinin being. Another pretty piece of play now look place, this time botn-eon Wmgnan ami Grant, another goal resulting. Tho EcoiP now stood: Kovers, 3; Ramblers, 1. Not content, Rovers again attacked strongly, and added yet another goal to their total, Duignan bein? responsible for the score. The game ended: Hovers, I; Rnmblers, 1. Mr, I'. O'C'onnell was referee. DIAMONDS-SWIFTS. Swifts suffered defeat at the hands of Diamonds on Duppa Street No. 2 on Saturday, the Blacks scoring four goals to the Reds' three. Shortly after the opening, Diamonds secured a corner, but Penlington (ingoal for Swifts) cleared. This was followed by a run up the left wing by F. Guise. (Swifts), which resulted in a good centre, but Vessey, who secured in a scoring position, missed badly. Soon after this J. Wilson (full-back for Swifts made a faulty kick. Robinson (Diamonds) put in a high slanting shot, Heavily assisted by tho wind, the ball beat Penlington, and the score stood: Diamonds, 1; Swifts, 0.

On tho resuniption of play, ,T. Black (Diamonds) missed a splendid chance to score. From the goal-kick the ball was secured by A. Low, and Sinclair, in trying to save, conceded a corner. Good combination between. A. Lowe, Black, nnd Robinson enabled the last-named to centre nicely, but Hathaway placed over the bar. Diamonds then gave a foul, but Rickerby (Swifts), who took the kick, was unable to improve his side's position. Subsequently the Blacks were awarded a penalty kick, which Hathaway converted into a goal. Diamonds, 2; Swifts, 0. For a few minutes give-and-take play followed, until Swifts secured a comer. Just before half-time was called, J. Black udded another gonl for Diamonds from a good centre by A. Low. Halftime was called with the score: Diamonds, 3 goals; Swifts, 0. Tho game bud not been going many minutes when Hathaway took advantage of n. miss-kicl; by J. Pye-Smith and scored again for Diamonds. This was evidently too much for tho Reds, who, with twenty minutes to go, set to work to try to wipe off the deficiency. Rickerby missed a good chance oil' a foul for ''hands," but a. little, time later the Reds wore rewarded, Mathieson scoring the first goal after Roberts had worked the ball into goal. G. Guise (half) then put in a shot which just missed the posts.. Mat.hieson was again prominent, scoring Swifts' second goal off a good centre by Roberts. From now onwards Swifts did all the pressing, and should have scored on several occasions. > Mathieson, who eventually engineered another ono between the "posts, missed some easy chances, as also did Vessey,

For Diamonds, Fitzgerald and Taylor (backs) were always useful, whilst * A. Low was a star in their forward lino. Robinson, a promoted junior, also played well.

J. Pye-Smith was the safest back for Swifts. Tho forwards all seemed to work hard, but condition, or the high wind, seemed to spoil their final efforts. Roberta, who took all the corner kicks on the right-wing, deserves credit for the way in which ho placed the ball, and had ho been fed more might have Improved tho position of the Reds. Mr. J. Inco was referee. Y.M.C.A.-CORINTHIANS. At Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon y.M.C.A. met Corinthians, 'faking into consideration that it was the first match of tho season, both teams played a good game. Ives, tho Corinthians' ccntro forward, who is usually a good player, did not seem to be in his best form, but shortly after the funic began ho broke away, aud looked like scoring until Coates cleverly deprived him of the ball and passed it to Phillips (right-half). The latter player dribbled down tho line, and put in a splendid shot, which very nearly found the posts. The ball was very greasy, and this was responsible for a lot of mis-kicking on both sides. Rutter (left-back for Corinthians) played a splendid game, and was considered the best back on the field. At different times during the match both teams showed very Rood combination. Halfway through the first spell Phillips, Y.M.C.A .'s right-half, secured the ball, and succeeded in placing it between the posts. This placed Y.M.C.A. one point in the lead. Several good shots were stopped by both goalkeepers, and especially Hollis, of Y.M.C.A. Shortly after half-time Y.M.C.A., with a nice piece of combination, carried tho ball to the opposite end of the field, where Phillips again succeeded in placing it between the posts. Y.M.C.A-., 2; Corinthians, nil. The principal players in the Y.M.C.A. fonv&rd line wero Smith, Boavis, Code, and Phillips, while Coates played a good game at full-back. Bradbury Corinthians' ' centre-half) played a good game, and stopped several dangerous rushes. The Y.M.C.A. outeide-right, sent a number of good centres, which were usually stopped by Rutter, the Corinthians' left-back. Mr. Yeomans was referee.

ST. JOHN'S-WANDERERS. Generally speaking, the contest between St. John's nud Wanderers, which took place on Kelburne Park, was a drab affair, although at times flashes of bright pl.yr lightened itho darkness. At the 'outset it looked ns though Wanderers, who were playing against the wind, wero going to beat their opponents by superior combination, but they did not continue as they started, and before long St. John's wero forcing the play. A rally iu goal-irjouth followed a corner kick, anil the result was a goal for St. John's, Thompson heading the ball into the net. St. John's, 1; Wanderers, nil. Play continued in favour of St. John's, and Webster narrowly averted another goal lfor St. John'?, but in doing so conceded a corner. Shortly afterwards St. John's notched their second score, Brace putting the finishing Vouch to a pretty piece of passing by coming away with the ball and driving low and fast past the Wanderers goalkeeper. St. John's, 2; Wnnderors, nil.

In the early part of the.second spell St. John's put in Bome effective work, but taking a line right through the spell, Wandorers, aided by the wind, had the best of it. They set up an attack which lasted for a long time, and kept up a continuous bombardment of the St. John's goal, but the shooting was poor. Just before the call of time St. John's rallied, and the Wanderers' goalkeeper was called on to save several very stiff jliots. The (only score of the second half was a goal to Wanderers, scored by Loveday, this bringing the tally up to St. John's :!, Wanderers I, at which figures it stood when "no-side' wns called. The only man on the field who was impressing and consistently sound was Shaw, 'of St. John's, who played a remarkably fine game. Mr. A. Williams was referee.

HOSPITAL-THISTLE. Mental Hospital did not have very much difficulty in accounting for Thistle on the Porirua ground. Tlio bnll was greasy, and, consrauently, accurate passing was hardly to lio looked for, but Hie Hospital men used their feet to such effect that w hen the end of the ijaine was announced they had four goals to their credit, wliilst Thistle had failed to score. The lirst score waa recorded bv Tyrer, who' finished a nice dribbling effort by sending a ball past the Thistle goalkeeper. This was the only score in the first half. AVith the exception of an occasional dash' by the Thistlo men, the iepreseutatives of the Hospital had charge during the second term, nnd three more goals were recorded. Two gyals were roistered by Boots and one by Loadman. lac game was controlled by' Mr. A. P. Xowbold. Second Division. IMone defeated Y.M.C.A. by < gonls lo nil. Curtis scored all the- goals for his side. Tons won by default from St. John'? Wiule.Mowu 'defeated Swifts by t goals'to nil. Knlwrts (2) nn<l Ovcronil and Hendie scored. Wanderers beat Brooklyn by 2 goals fo t n>. DuDpn .Street. No. 1, oii Sohirdaj". Wnmkrnn ml Uin wind Jμ fovmu' durisg the Ant b«lf fttt4 wot» uaiiioij.lji

not scoring on several occasions. However, Brooklyn broko away and notched a goal through tin , agency of .laekson. Tlion camp a goal for Wanderers. Brooklyn handled, in the penally area, and Jluywood iiiiido the scores level. 11l the second half Wanderers showed superior form than their rivals, and again scored, this time from a good centre by Rogers. After this play continued interesting to the end, but without further score. For

Wanderers, Rogers, T. Hart, and Hatcher played well.

Third Division, Pelono were defeated by St. Dpvid'e by 3 goals to 1. M'lliil scored for I'etone. The Draoklyn-Johnsouvillo match ended in a draw—one goul each. Mnrij-t defeated Newtown Congregational by 1 goal to nil after a. keeulycontesled game. Carruthcrs played well for the winners, nnd Neilsen, Leversedge, and Hayeroft for the losers. Congregational were handicapped by having two of their third division men short, having to play two of sixth division li. Turner scored for Marist.

Swifts won from Diamonds by default.

Fourth Division, Brooklyn scored 10 goals against Johnsouville's 1. Swifts beat Institute by 2 goals to nil. A. Johnston scored both goals. St. David's defeated Y.M.C.A. by * goals to nil. Curtis scored all the goals. Fifth A Division, The matoh botwoen St. David'a and Marist Brothers ended in a draw—one goal each. Brooklyn netted 6 goala against Jolin.sonville, who failed to score. Y.M.C.A. defaulted to Institute. St. David's and Marist played a drawn game at Petonc, each side ecoring a goal. Fifth B Division, Porirua beat Karon by 5 goals to 0. St. David's defeated Swifts by 2 goals to 1. South Wellington defeated Institute B by 3 goals to 1. Seatoun won from Y.M.C.A, by default. Sixth A Division. Marist Brothers easily defeated Seatoun by 4 goals to nil. Mahoney (2) and Mickey (2) scored for the winnors. Y.M.C.A. beat Institute by 1 goals to 1. Sixth B Division. Swifts boat Marist by 3 goabi to 1. Swifte played seven, men only. NO SCORE IN ENGLISH FINAL. Br Teletiaph—Prees AißocUtlon—Oopjrlghl (Eoc. April 22, 0.20 a.m.) London, April 21. The final match for the Association football cup was played at the Crystal Palace yesterday between West Brom'wieh and Burnsley. No score was made by either side, and the game will bo replayed on Wednesdny. Owing to the strike, only 60,000 spectators were present.

HOCKEY. The Feilding United Hockey Clubs' annual report states that the club closes its first year with satisfactory credit balance amounting to £1 Bs. 3d. In the Romnoy Cup competitions it camo third: winning four matches, drawing two, and losing four. The losses sustained were against Beacansfield in each round, and finally against the park. As ovincing tho keenness displayed in the closing matches of the competition, no less than nine were drawn. During the season two representative matches were played between the Feilding sub-association and Manawatu. Regarding the strength of tho club, tho report states that the club could well possess a larger membership. The thanks of the club are due to Mr. Graham. In offering a t.rophv for tho season's most improved player, he showed a practical support and interest which has been much appreciated. HARRIERS. BROOKLYN CLUB.' The Brooklyn Harriers opened what promises to bo a most successful season on Saturday. Notwithstanding the bad weather, twenty runners were present, and seven or eight of the club's supporters, including tho president (Mr. fi. A. Wright). Tho president, in declaring tho soason open, congratulated tho club.on its past successful season, and wished it the best of luck for the new season. Leaving Moore's Tea Rooms at Lyall Bay, tho run commenced along the beach, round the back of tho golf links, up Miramar, and back home. Tho run-in of a distance of about 410 yards resulted in a win for C. Murray, after a. closely-contested race with J. T. Don. B. Shaw ran well, but had to be content with third place. C. Murray has won tho run-in on the opening day for three consecutive seasons. A feature of tho run woe tho good Bhowing of tho new members, who, for the most part, ran well, one or two giving promise of both pace and staying power.

BOWLS. KELBUKNE CLUB. The rain in tho early port of Saturday afternoon threatened to prevent the holding of the progressive pair 3 tourney at Kelburne Green on Saturday, but a start was made at 5 o'clock, and continued until 11 p.m. Tho green was in excellent condition, and the new departure of playing. at night was voted to bo a great success. Altogether five games were played. The skips' prize was won. hj L. Campbell, who went through without a loss. Three , tied for the leads' prize with four wins and one loss each—Gannawav, it'Whannell, and Hutchinson, who will piay off during the week. The green was illuminated by four, 750 caudle-power Lux lamps, and tho effect was capital. A numW of the Ladies' Club at Kelburno were present, and indulged in a friendly roll up. Arrangements have been made to hold another tourney on Thursday ovoning, commencing at 6.30. Entries close on Wednesday evening. CRICKET. CONCLUSION OF THE AUCKLAND SEASON. (Br Telerraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April 21. The Auckland cricket season finished yesterday. Parnell won the Senior District Championship, beating Qrafton in the play-off match by an innings and CO runs. The scoring was extremely poor. Qrafton made 85 in the first innings and 45 in the second, beine quite unable to play the bowling of OlKff and Kerr with success. In the two innings Olliff took eleven wickets for 35 runs, and Kerr eight for S3. Parnell's first innings realised 140 runs (Anthony 62). Keill took five Parnell wickets for 3B runs. Parnell also won the Third Grade Championship. Grafton won the Second Grado, und Ponsonby the Fourth. SOUTH AFRICAN TEST TEAM. Bj Telerrfcph—Press AjseclitUn-OepTrlcht (Kcc. April 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 20. The South African cricket team hus arrived for the Triangular Test matches. The manager, Mr. Alsop, on being interviewed, said ho. did not think Hill, Trumper, and company would bo missed as much as hod been anticipated. G. A. Faulkner, tho well-known South African player, in writing to the "Sportsman," said England should have no difficulty in annexing premier honours.

LAWN TENNIS OTAGO TOUBNAMOCT. i»j Ttleirisi-Vrem Abio.ilhlbb.i Dunedln, April 20. The (Hugo lawn tennis tournament was concluded , tordnv, in splendid weather. In the final of , the combined doubles championship Hamilton and Miss Campbell l*at Wilkie and Miss G. White, 6--0, C—4. The ladies' handicap singles was won by Miss Mills thn combined liaiitliciip doubles by .T. S. Nicolson ntid Mi?? Campbell, nnd the men's handicap double? by Wilkie nnd. Hamilton. SCULLING. A NEW BOAT FOR AI.'XST. By Telejraph-PreFf Association-Copyright Sydney, April 20. Mr. Mnrk Foy is pvojojitine Anift. thr f.uillws r-hewnwn, with <>. new bo-it for hil no* Trith Barry on Uu XJuata,