SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1474, 24 June 1912, Page 6

SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

PATIENT SPECTATORS.

CHEEF RUGBY HATCH A FORWARD MELEE.

TfiE ®iKei'-iMKBRISHTEi

SUMVIAfIY OF RESUI.TS Pts Pts. Atblstic 3 Melrose . (1 St James 6 Ponekc 3 Pstonc . ... 28 Wellington . 3 V ctoria College .. )8 Southern 3 Oriental ... ' ... a bye.

A Very Modest Shilling's Worth. ■anyone who. was disappointed in Satyrday's chief game has only ' himself lo blame. I'iie '?i;6rd.-/*^(iDi<^ : ;|is-:iised> in',ifs". broadest sense, but no or.e bad- any- reason for expecting more from .Athletic oik} Slplr.osi?, Anyone who expected ''better,' surely has .a good' cause for civil action against himself on tlic ground of- gross niirivprcsentauon. £-" ?!v'-. : ;-T ■B.o'tli- teams art capable of. playing good forward games, and incapable. of showing hack play worth- seeing. Tluit is tho truth .about ,i.lieni> that -is their .reputai tiou; and both played up, to reputation. One could only wish iliat. tliey. hod been iheoiisisjent tor :piic'ei ,iiid^gi^i^us'>ourshilling's worth-!

■ The pkv was of ; . cVipiipiii almost right throughout, and; in this sor'ty ,pf' ■ iiiclee r for one? got the worst .of tliir.gs. ; In tiio. 00crisional loose forward work ,thoy. .were their opponents' superior?,- hut Melrose managed to keep things ; faii-ly . tight. Melrose- \vcre (he attackers during tho major portion of the game, b'ul they never looked like ' >vinnei:.s-^kobpt;. when' .W. Marshall h;i<l a shot from in'.front of (he goal. . Thei-p/iS/t^niplete^ i.-h pboht tho Meiroso, team' as;a whole, . and this was si evident (hat: even w;hilo they we.rp ■^^£taclii.li■gJ~^Vti^cy^ : ■■ , ;{ailed-";instil confidence into:'their'=upporter^4;v;#M The Try That Won the Match. However, Athle'i.e's victory was a little on the lucky side, although I hole \vas : lio luck —it was all UR'riiHn- the j?etti«i? of The try was got by-J he Athletic half-back, tho brilliant iitllo "Teddy';' Roberts. It was as- any try of 1 its type i'lyliicluhay l>eeii: Park for many, a day. There • was. a scrum; withia livo \ards of tho Melrose line. .' Tho, ball :ciime out. smartly, behind ■, the; Blue pack, ~ a ny, T !itx i ß^ moment,'/' hut. «:6nce i, lie, dasli,ccl round the sidii of the iuinblc,. ami shot. ever. • lie., j nst pot there, and it was a li'an'.e piece-of-business for a liffhl mail; Happily, 'twenty imnutes. after .this '.'tin: ; 'sextbri^Urille(l:,tlye : .v;elcoirio bell} which announced that. the liour of deliverance;had co'.he.- .It The Colleges—A Prettier Style, ,Oji- ttevridjoining vgioujid ! B,Wellington' ■ College;land.; J>.ti';Patrick ? s:., College played; hi? section of the crowd on tot lie southern of.'theMinor'.teaiiis, can do. • It .was ?'a. bright,.. 'fast'Vgamf,! lego-boys came oil' victori6us ; by-li! points' !o nil. .End passing w;as plentiful, par-, ■'ticularly. jiyitli.' tiio;' : v-."! n iier s;; ; %y ho, ■.avoi'© ii'; good deal ; the ;hcuvier?:lp''?,■ The Arrangements at the Park. i. ;I).iu-ihg;-;thd-'- :^ tipi'oF Athletic Park .-came to the' surr, taec. onco- more. .... This i tihiej the'; patient,, i'tivp-siiilliiigs-Sfiicad public-wero iiiore hatlu' : . iro-ntVof.-tho'/payi-: lioa' are. two .grounds parallel,with v. ono. 'ianotnerl : .The ground;nearest'.;tho/exits' vi|: NjSr. ;lVv.iihdJ- furthest'-' from' them Xo.- 52;". ■;1 t.has long been regarded ■ ;-as';aii;;ainiqyaM for anyone' to "stand-in . front .'of .thenr : aml.'jjiocli /tiicir :Yicu : ;of;(iie~ uintchy/oi/.to walk along in. front'of. the • pavilion on their way to the gate:bcfore tie match is ■■oyerV"'' . * V'"■ '"i^

'■ Several men got lirol ;'pf ; tlVo. i>oioro>st front .'• 01. ; tile ' :.tand • . toward •;'■■. the. ■exlioii'.'Sat^ /eel; by ' olio of ' iha -union, officials. ■TUtii:: r /. :aiioLlicri*"*-i baVclj : 'i-.>. / iiyas:«>%<.- block-, eii by the same oflicial," and others were, iiitj. .doj'iMi tluis tlytorrcd ii'Oiii inLiking (ho attempt.' .&■ ft wmi to everyone's.: sui pris2, ; a ! party of four .from ''hio'Tu^ev^eilii^aninwa^vaSlowpdilo .flout Urn;.rule,, and suit convenience by filing-olf to. the exit. ■Hhoh: ground-is 'faftliest^froiiiiitho;gates,-' finished* i.n;j'o!9 the.chief pur.o, and several hundred pcopie ilirek'ed . across : the line-' vision of .the i;po]ilo in the s'.and.. /. .'• • •'• V ' Tiii' fceiin;,' wiisMhat it would ..have been In tier ii' the match' oil. No iif ground;, 'toil .heeii- cbmiivMe!klS)ate:;<M^ ssurt its being. finished last • Also, if'the' union. arranged. for - an adequate supply of-tnuneaiV, ptop'io would no! be in such a. 'Worry to.,', 1 Cii.vo'; a ■gre'at temp'fitipn ile tho service ;is as. it. now stand 1 -.;'. It may be„nr\v 0 ...t0 ; . the -tlio^ : fra l)eo pie'ot. kiiowv; cirs: : wait;..fl Anc'.iiand Kugby. ground every Saturday iit...l j'ciut• iiyp u'clocfcslt'epin;™ public. popukuisrs the Rugby"resort, Mid eaU'hes. the tram lares. .■

During .p'i\i"'r^' ■college match-f-Weiiing!on jsvi.'-.: *'• . I'a ! - rick-'s—M 'Carthv, ca pi ,iin' of -I ho. SI. Pal • iiv.kteam, !fad t.lie niisfor;ahe; to: break : one' of the '.fingers .of ;..his,'left l!an<l, ; ;yi'irn considerable nW; Hie litt'.c '!;vp-pighths played right ihrougli' the. inarch.. ll_i* 'iti-ju4?Aa^ub.!^q.u,ehtly/-atjcndc<l,;io^by;;Di'.-' >.inrtin. Another uumii hero! .the St. l'at-. I lie second spell with" a strained knee, lie .' CHAMPIONSHIP LADDTR *?! ■-.eL- '' £tt -i 5.'. ■ oM Petone 1 S 0 1 115 2! 1? ("Irtenral ' ......... !1 .■$ .1 O 'llii' tt .10 Mbife f .7 t i « :io ir. Meim.-" ,!l .fi 3 . fl ll'ii lin .-VJ • Si;. /InillO.s v..0 l>7;'rt• H ■Wellington a 8 Z 4.' 2- „M.. S7 .fi l'.-av.!:»- 8 ■ ;:3: ; ' 5 0. .Vvfir. fi Vic. oil. ue 7 .1 iV.iIM. .1 iSptipisrii.. . In c;q!ii]iij.iil'gf^rlicValiciviSnb 1 .nWiiy,Jly^':li;t s! til irjunj

ATHLETIC—MCLROSE, Till-; ni'TAI!.?- I'll' • THK .ni'lKF $ l-.-p.'in ! > |>rrv- '.Wiili'liV ;/>r>n p.lin'i inphoi I 'sji>■ uy";-= ll -.-I''orvv.i rirl.- Vn!-ho=' jv I'iJS. :p^Vi?(iV=iTrirJa.*i hj^jrolrnpßjyaiiguard 4 ']-!?:({ jllon* "npji.iiiirii 1 -i"' linf■ iir;;;! riivai"rJs h O. !il.'of><i sgfiiikli'. jl]V t.filffUipi?A t J J 1<« tfc :i.-'i 1 !'!<!<] i"nj;<n i; »1 I; IlhV 1 i uc/;. On." f M"o' •.■!'C.!- : i>!K.\vil!liil 111." .!inv>,;!]!:||o : - MHvWn vv.'.-rt 1 iu:;!i:!v .>^i-i-.f: 7 in: l l.i. :ii i:llI'r-f<v.f>f'{>.si.i.V}ii?'..VIlilrl ifcwri'iX pbiiVitoiv.

■f!^vll" ,, luulv : .r\- n r Jiv - allni\)h-.hciY..cYev. ; KivflX a.-./.v.o!\v. not ■ suctoeil;.. It wn.< new !:irn .to>.(•' ■■ iJ c-i ! j 'i' li/j.v-S : ii.il:i»kickijig- for' ' Uio .iliiioi. •aifi^-Rr,fflunll}: l .' l l]io.ft:\v.orl;o,-|. piny : .tit Ollb]iic^c.;'S"- tAy.on(VrfiA-OjV-.iyboj- made viw.'.'ms to' ionvia. passage from ■i hfo'v^rn I.■;!j<;li irh*- necnn t'd. HowvOvprf 'slivHHeniiiti/in' this ilivcction failed for lh\: liir.'c li. Kolierts ist'ewpud txTc«t rouiid oil tlio-blind but -was.

-.graisef.'.before:-:he even • got.'.dangerous.., sshptij.at goal : by Kvcr.sou.was'- not- sucec';s ; : ial,;'ani!'.a f<Mv. moments Inter ths.'M?U. ' Rosa pack- : wtre' again., bundling'- tlia ■' 131uea--.bcfovoiihcmi down' tho field';'.' Mfdrose'sir'iy li'c-.wal. of ■ attack had not been--longin-pro-gress when .!. Marshall--look a f sjilcwhdi unavlf;'right''in front of -the Athletic? goal.; .'From, 39 yards out W. Marshall kicked for a ? ' goal—and->faik'd.;«;Shortly,,aflerwai'ds, Hhe^-fnell;;-ended,. ■ahd ; i.u«itheiV.'.side. : ;^.huQ ; scorecLioi.-.

fMelrose;, attacked immediately? the;.- we-; 'ond spell "was opened, and. twice drove 1 thei'./' Blues.v.right -. to their. la=t lines;, .ofi.:"'; defence.' .' Then tho i? Blue forw-ardsv.'r ■ ■ and a quartet, with: ; ;tlio?.f ball in' command,-'' moved play ... ;nearlyis-half, the length, of . tho ficlt!., • A- ". :fii\o ehanco.was presented to Athletic, H; ~Roberts,'-'• at wing-three-quarter, -. being',j,C;. given a clear field for about twenty yards./ Ee,'feinted, and side-stepped was-no oa-> near him, but when he caaio;. 1 ' upon a., couple of opponents ho somehow ran into them. E, Roberts had a couple"! I '' of shots at goal, both from fairly, good' 1 :* positions, hut ho missed the bar on cacll occasion. Then followed a sample of what; . lias for tho last, twenty years been-called;:.';'' h ''an iuterchauge of kicks' by tho,opposing;' '■ bae.l<B." .This th-eary .siwcies of aimless-;-, ; : ness ended in nothing in particular; but, • " I in a few moments, Melrose v.-cro defenduij; hard,: and; at/that; occupation they- con-. tinned for-some., time.:.- It: seemed, obvious'! •that Athletic''were-'going: to:.take! tho : '- upper'handr;no>v..;-' : ; JlelroscM\-ere ijetling' ' moi'D-.and' niorcjiconfmed-i; to deteiiMvo';; work; and eiich' defonce was a l:U:o. weaker, v - and lit tie less" effective,! thasi;; 1 . its predecessor..'!.- Once, the dilatoriness of\ ........ tiio, ball:..ihe!f nearly let Melrose doivuv®-'.: Rivers/was waiting for it to go over .tho?? line. 1 soVtbat-. ha'could force, but tho oval -..' leek so much time to get (here that, ; eventually, ho just touohed down a frac-Sji; tion.of a second before Erenson was' npom; ''! him.'.- A food ' mark > by. IV. Gilchrist . stopped a hot Athletic rush, but.Athlctjojv rusn.Mvas now crowding upon"',. Athletic" rush.';'. Right do«u to the -Melrose" line; r they' drove their way. : ' A- scrum" near'- the-., .. lino j, Athletic; hooked tho ball; out it . ■ caiue, aiid, in-,''a twinkling,' E.. I-fobcrts was over—a fine. try. l'rom thenitilb'tlifl.' !,, . conclusion of the game—about .20" minutes:' —Melroso'.atfcicked incessantly,.-but,.they, failed to. bleak through the clefenvvlmd . Athletic,,3; Melrose,'.;iiili- , ' ST JAMES-PONEKEr','' BITTER FEELING DIPPLULD li'Thc Hutt Recreation Ground wa? in a , !very bad condition on. Saturdoy; : "and'.:tlid'. game in which St. .Tames defeated 'Pou'ekS)" .-. was on a.par with tlie groiind.SltsMicst; ! features wej-o. nothing, to boast about, and . 'it ste.'idily,;degenerated.,as. timo wofe on., •. ,Lato;in .thejfirst spell-ai try:ivas• aivarded"!;..;. to'; St. James, when ronekc,'! to' , all- ; !'dpp'eayv iuico, had forced down.i; Some'of the l'or.: ke ■■■ 1 tnoii" protested loudly .against the deri-ion oi' flu l ' referee,'.and. as" playcoiitimu-d. ie."marks ■- ■ both: in. the field nu'd froni the .sid.->iino.. ; :■Before the spell ended tho''rcfprPe.;fbi'ni-: ..' ally, cautioned one ill this way. During tho"; socohfI!;. spell';/ ' bitter feeling was-displayed'iby jiiemlKrS' , . : of. both teams. More tlinn onco- opi'-os-.. I ing players were . observed ■.wrestling.'-'ori;; ■.the. ground, tho priye'; of ■■.valour;' appar-:. -! enllv being the privilege 'of' rubbing,'.the? , faco" of a l'oemriii in-thc''mu(l.;";:At;.leasft. ; twice, when players arose.: afte'rian.'/eifi ~. ■counter of this kind,'.blows'were'/strucki','; and tho"contestants seiKirated, breathing . threats; These episodes, ewaped the no- . 'ticb'of tho referoc.;;/::';!'5:/<.': ;.' Frequently during/.tlw? course;'of ■ptoyx;;/ so-'much mud and'wntrr wero knocked ii 'up."that it was difficult to'sco'what/had';;. ■■-. beeom.o- of the ball; Tho I'oneke lor-, . wards set up one hot attack after;an-;;iK/ other,-and St. James spent ten minutes in stubbornlv defending their line." lwie.i :... tho'defender's had to force, and onco (ho,-, attackers- threw awav a good chance by«/-/.. kicking the ball into dead ground. I'in-. ally- fcst. James, broke out of durance; Ymtng' gained some ground by smari!y ; taking'a'mark on the v.iug.; This .en--v: : ..; .: abled St, James to work up-iirhl, and ■ . Cook -and' Young, on opposite sides ot "tho field, each in turn mado a number ■of daihss for tho Fonek« base.-"The fence was stubborn, but St. .lames held. ; the ground they had gainwl, and evontn- . allv. drove the ball over tho Poneko line. l-'rom the side-line it seemed plain oncuvili that- Roberts lmd forced do v "« ' beforo / \Vri"hi (St. James) touched the ball,? bat Mlie"referee awarded tho latter a uj^i#;;St'.'" James, 3; I'oneke, ml. ' Haif-t-iino-?iv;s----"found tho sc'ores unaltered.': A; knoei;-oil;#;:- ■ the''head compelled Young to re ire. lrom ■ ; tho : field 'ton minutes U'foro tho . ■ elided,; but ho returned when play re-. The second spell witnessed a very, : .'Htnnrgle.-i St. James had the best.of. Mintilf.towards the end of the upeli, j„t an early sia-o double'i !"en. s.e e-.. Dobson ; sflnt a switt pass (o " •[) , 'the 5 Maoris raced over 111 great style. <.cok I iust'- : f ! 'iled l 'lo convert..- His- k'.o.«.wai. i iood-at a difficult angle.-- St., James/■ I.Poheto';'<nil; '::. Voiwao.- still hi 11 oui< Jtl m-ratclv -to gain the ; upper . hnnr,. -hi . the foi wards at: lenelli broke nwavuvse-j--s-istibiy':.: Irvnv:- capp«l the ei oil with;:. . ;a'-brilliant .iiidivuluai dash, and.t ,\t- s.if-.i.V-, I over!v-Poneko, 3;. St. James, G. 'the ro>t , 01- the plav .was. strenuous; lint not in: 'lerestiiiH-i-Pencko were attacking swhen ■ ,'time, was called.-, !■ ' - Mr. ¥. I.arv.-ay was the referee.'i. l -" PETONE—WELLINGTON ! Till!; CITY MEN WALKED OYER. •. conditiuns were all that could ;fee desired at l'etone for this match, and 'witlrtlie slrenslhi.«aing oi the city, team--. it was ..thought that the -strong-letona;-'--;-; .■. •twin might 'bo 'extended, -luis vus . 'case only duriug I lie ( ll, ®t'fiUi i (scores were etjuai, but in tho middle quar-j;.v;.: 'ter a lid 1 second half Wellington/'went 1 t.s-j..-,. pieces;/ cliieliy through !*.?«- .wcticsSowtiieir backs. ;in. t.'tij.--.viiiUi, -'was "not a-- sueccss ns . oye-v-.';: eighths, iw v.a.: his partner, U - . 'V.'AVelUngton had,,the sun advnntage-tofe ■ ■beEiii'v.-ith.'''.':■ I'etonb'at oneo.set.up a bu.Mj; . but .Bridge-anu -Lambert..;;;-;;, "were responsible for..a. non-scow.®; Aflet\;a';j?;iV, i'spell:' of give-aiul-take"forward rushi'fjj.l.iiei -j ' : )'eio:ic'baeks got into'lino. 'U . Kyo'-i sent!«;v;j a'-ele'vtrMiass to-his brother, who made a-,';|K ' : Hrio.onen!i"ig'ior Boyd, who got' ; ■ loiie;:^;'AVelliliKton, o.'' tionii wt-H;.- by - : . "(Irace;.lrons,' and Tnompson-now put fitv.leii.ji'<i u ihe ollensive, anil .tilSs ofiort; ciil'niiMted' in lon.ivrt bcoting over a weai'.v. "I'lme all. On .rcoumiug, l'ar ; : ...rant' M'l'ai'iano,; Parker..'"and Pnee,;^K; • liiiT.isph t!;<•: "id rf clever'work by, livan, repeatedly broke away witn ri'.slios, . 'which woiv> safely accounted for by Bridge,' ,?.j ; <ho- Weliinetnn i'lill-lMck. Rush and eoun-.■//:';! •>er-rush by both ynnguavds occupied tiio! .'litlention of the spectators for quite a / while; play being e\eiiing and very last. , .'■'■"; 'iPrworitly Ino Weiiington backs got undei «r.i< 'wa.v, the' ball coming to Wilkes who >.;in> . iy pasjed to M'Kenzie, wlw_ flicked t< ■. ,': : ' (iraee.: ■ T'ltc latter, however, knocked on, . and DaUy marked. Turning.defc-nco io.t< ■. ..attack. lVi.ew went nway with a gr-ja' rush, which was only stonpod by a bread: 'of-rules. At this stage Welliugtou liven eri up coiifideriibly. Their forward*, hue an advantage en the line-outs, ami th?ii backs—hail (hoy pawd inslead of kiekins —would certninly haw l;oen reward".! ]>nriug. a strong attack by Wellington, Grace mad? a fine dash, and was only grassed: inches from the lino, A force

saved Petone. A win did tho Yellows attack, and Grace liad ti clear run in, but was overtaken and pulled down by Nunn. Swarming round quickly, W. Ryan, rar- • rant, Price, and Asliton broko away with a. determined rush. Sweeping all defence away, and at the right moment, M'Farlano tell on the leather. Ho converted try. Petonp, 8; Wellington, 3. JrFarlnne's ncoro broke tho ice, and l'etone never afterwards looked back. Just before halftime Ashton scored at tho comer, l'etone, 11: Wellington. 3. I'oTin and "legs" told its talo in tho second Tound, and although tho Yellows spasmodically attacked, they did not increaso tho tally. Bridge, who was playing a lino game, attempted a pot, which wont ivide, and then_ Petone started putting on tho points. Nnnn nipped over after a brilliant forward rush, l'etone, H; Wellington, 3. Shortly after re-starting- the Blue bacl-3 again assorted themselves, ,T. Ryan getting over, and M'Farlano adding. ,Petone, 19; Wellington, 3. Than M'lv'enzio put in a fino run. touching down under tho posts. Petone, 22: Wellington, 3. Chiefly, through open and fast play, W. M. Ryan • Fcoretl next (Petone 25, Wellington 3), and then J. Evan ended a fino passing hout by touching down, fit the corner, Petone, 28: •Wellington, 3. The ganvo throughout was fast, and Jvcllinston wero run off their less. Mr. 11. Card controlled tho game.

COLLEGE-SOUTHERN. SOME GOOD BACK PLAY. Collego have been waking up to some purposo .of late, and if it were possible for tho team to get into any form tlioy would havo a nnicli better record. They havo a hack division which is capablo of a great deal, hut tlio forwards aro usually so completely overwhelmed that the speedy rearguard'seldom-gets up. into tha play. In their match against Southern, however, College were playing a disorganised, disheartened team, and they. 'Teally merited thoir decisive win. Southern, 'it may ho mentioned, wero without the services of their very useful winger,. ■X. Campbell. Only for a few minutes after they kicked olf wero Southern dangerous, and in (hat timo they went finite near to scoring on t.wo occasions. After that College held, them safe for the. wholo of the match. The Green's first score was ,a goal kicked by Ryan from the tnnch-line-a remarkable, feat 011 tho day. Then the. Collego backs got into action, and pood'passing work let Fair over the lino. Ryan failed with a difficult shot at goal. AYhen next his opportunity came he im!proved it by kicking a second goal from • the field at a very difficult, angle. At. : half-timo tho seoro was: College, !); Southern, nil. On resuming, tlio Greens took charge at once. The 'backs were venturesome, .throwing tho ball about freely, and to some effect. S.ilmond it was who -scored a brilliant try after a really clover, dashing run. Ryan failed to add tlio extra points. Southern now tried hard to fight •back, but their spasmodic attack was met by a counter attack, which ended in Paulsen scoring. Again there was 110 goal. Still another try by Fail', which was not converted, raised Colleges total to IS. Just, on the call of time Finlayson kicked a gotil fur Southern, making the hnal pcores: Victoria.. College, 18: Southern, ft. Mr. W. Church was referee.

INTER-COLLEGE MATCH. W ELLIN GTON—ST.. PATRICK'S. Clever passing and clean fast football sire generally looked for when the f 'vo local college, teams—Wellington awl St. Patrick's—meet every year. The match always attracts a large crowd of spectators, and when tho teams met at Athletic Park on Saturday'it was easily seen that there was something other than the ordinary senior matches to interest the crowd. Prom a casual glance the. Wellington team appeared much heavier than St. Patrick s, ■who were beaten in every department. '. In the first spell the line-kicking ot St. Patrick's was very weak, but it improved considerably towards the close. Wellington inado the pace warm from tlio start, and kept on tho attack for some minutes. From a loose scramblo just in s ido St. Patrick's twenty-five Stainton (WpUingtoA five-eighths) picked up the ball, and, Seating several opponents, scored within easy jrange, bnt Hindniarsh 'failed >toiConvert. Wellington, 3; St. Patrick's, 0. Soon after the drop,-out a capital passing rush from Stainton to Bramwell, to Strang: ..and then to Davis, ondocl in the last-named being brought down by'M'Donald (St. PatTick's full). Wellington continued on the attack, and from a. serum near St. Patrick's goal i weak kick by M'Carthy ,-was marked on the twenty-five line, and Beard kicked a'fine goal. Wellington, 6; St. Patrick's, 0- Tho next bright feature -was an effort by Staples (Wellington threequarter), who took a kick on tlie full and ■made a fine dash for tho corner, where Cullen brought him down. Good work by ■Barry and M'Carthy brought temporary Tclief to St. Patrick's, but tho Wellington backs then commenced, to handle tho, "ball in fine style, and splondid passing among Math'owson; Stainton, Bramwell, ; Strang, and Staples was barely checked ■ivhen Mathewson secured from a scrum .md transferred to Stainton. The latter pent the ball on to Bramwell, who cut in beautifully and scored under tho posts after a good run. jriiulmarsh converted. Wellington, 11; St. Patrick's, 0. The losing side, thei'i essayed a passing rush, but the ball, after travelling from Barry In 'M'Carthy. to Campion and Sullivan, went ■astray. A few "minutes before half-timo Stainton set tho Wellington backs going, and the'ball"went from Bramwell to Strang, and then to Davis, who broke clear away, but was overhauled by Redmond. St. Patrick's played with vigour at tho commencement of the second =?pell. and on one occasion R»dmond was nearly over at the corner. Wellington snbsetiuentlv gained relief with a free-kick, and Beard, ibreaking away from mid-field, looked certain to score, but lost the chance in a •weak pot at goal. Give-and-take play continued until more han halfway through the spell, when Wellington pressed the attack with their forwards, and Beard scored a. try, which Hiudmav«h converted. Wellington, tfi; St. Patrick's. 0. After this further reverse St. Patrick's made some dwperal? but unsuccessful efforts to score, features of the play being a couple of capital runs by Peiimend and excellent line-kicking by M'Donold. The forwards, however, were palpably tired towards the close, and when Beard broke away again for Wellington had hut weak opposition to face, and easily scored. His shot at .eonl was futilf, and the gnmo ended—Wellington, 1!); St. Patrick's, 0. .Mr. F. C. Atkinson was referee.

THE OTHER CHAMPIONSHIPS. .TITNIOIi GRADE. Athletic defeated St. James by 9 points 10 3. . St. John's were defeated by Petono by 12 points to nil. Selwyn beat Wellington by G points to 3. Third-Class. Wellington defeated Jolinsniville by ? points to 5. Eennington converted a try scored by Alley, and .also potted a goal. Pfltone drew, with Waiwetu, cacli side scoring 8 points. Southern u'-ero easily defeated by Oriental by 21 points to nil. Tries were scored by Moore (2), Bradl-ey, Evans, and King, and Watson converted three tries. Fourth-Class. Petone defeated Waiwetu by 3 points to nil. Oriental won by default from Poneke. Fifth-Class. Petono were.victorious over Southern by 11 points to 3. Sixth-Class. Petone B were easily defeated by Petone hj 30 points tq nil. MATCHES ELSEWHERE. (By TeloiranU—Prosit Asaocla'tlon.) Auckland, Juno 23. The senior Rugby inatehes • yesterday ■were played in unpleasant weather. The ■■nconcl Saturday for succession and the third timo in the =cason. City., who had been leading for the premiership, played n. drawn game, University scoring a. penalty goal to City's try. and the game ending 3 points cach. City, however, had the better of the spine. Marist Bro«.' Old Boys bs.it Pamoll by 0 pointi to nil, and thus obtained a lead of one point from City. Posjscnby beat College Rifles by 3 joints to nil. Christchurch, June 23. Albion, drew with Merivale, 5 points sach; Sydenham (G). beat Old Boys (3); "Linyood (15) beat Christchurch (14); Marist Bros. Old Boys (11) "beat Canterbury College (0). (By- Tclesraph—Special Correspondent.) Masterton, June 23. In the senior competitions Eed Star (0) drew with Carterton (0); Gladstone defeated Liberals by 11 points, to nilj litis-.

terton drew* with Greytown, 8 points each. In tho junior grade Bed Star drew with Greytown, 110 score. In tho third-class Red Star (-1) defeated Carterton (0); Mastcrton (3) defeated Liberals (0). Palmerston, June 22. western District (6) beat Pastern (0); Feilding (11) defeated Northern (.'))• INTER-STATE MATCH. (Ree. June 23, 7.25 p.m.) Sydney, .Tune 23. 111 Rugby, Queensland (IS points) defeated New South Wules (15 points).

THE LEAGUE GAME.

KUW ZEALANDERS IX SYDNEY. FIRST MATCH A DEFEAT. By Teleerapli-Presa Aioociation-Coßrrtzlil (I?ec. Juno 23, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, Juue 23. The League match New Zealand v. Now South Wales was played to-day. About 28,000 people were present. Tho towns wero constituted as follow:— New Zealand.—Pull-back, Hargrcaves; three-quarters, Gilmour, Bradley, Weston: iivo-c-ighths, Kelly nnd Carlaw; half, Barber; forwards, Francis, Dunning, Rukutai, Deryan, Irvine, 11. Ilayward. Now South Wales.—Full-hack, Hallet; three-quarters, Broomham, Messenger, Gilbert, Frawloy; halves, M'lCivat and Campbell; forwards, Courtney, Noble, M'Cue, Pearce, Sullivan, and Cann. The first spell was fairly oven. Tho New Zealanders had landed after midnight after a rough trip, and tho Welshmen's superior condition told at tho finish. New South Wales kicked off and pressed, a passing rush by Courtney, Messenger, and Gilbert enabling the lastnamed to score. .New South Wales, 3 points; New Zealand, nil. Russell replaced Brooniham, who had been injured, and after a free-kick to New Zealand Russell initiated a passing rush, to'Cumpfcell, to M'Cue, who scored, Messenger converting. New South AVales, ,8; New Zealand, nil. Near the end of. the spell Gilmour dribbled up-field, and, racing the Now South Wales full-hack, scored, Gilmour converting. New South Wales, S; Now Zealand, 5.

The defence of both toarna -had so far been severely tested, but in tlio second spoil tlio New Zealanders wero overmatched, and tries wero scored for NewSouth Wales by Russell (2), Messenger, Courtney, and "Frawloy, Messenger eonverting " two. Barber scored (or New Zealaud. but 110 goal followed. The Now South Wales backs got ill much pretty passing, and beat tho New Zealand backs. Their final try was a splendid nieco of work. Starting near their own line) the Welsh backs carried the ball the length of tho field against determined tackling, Frawley being the scorer. Gilbert and Cann gave .tlio best exhibition for Ihe locals, but the Now Zealand forwards also showed dash. Monday's game is expected to bo more even. During, the course of the game Campbell was kicked, and his ankle broken. Tho total scores were: New South Wales, 27 points; New Zealand, S.

ATHLETIC, 37; NEWTOWN, 5. 'I'll© Northern Leagiio club game, Athletic v. Newtown, ployed at the Berhauiporo ground on Saturday afternoon was in the nature of a preparatory game, or at aiiyrato it will be charitable lo treat it as such. Both club? are newly formed and contained a considerable number of "raw" players, so that the oft or so spectators who journey out to see the game could not liavo expected a finished display of the Northern Union game. At all'events they did not. get it. Such merit as was to be found in the display was all with tho Athletic team which took the lead from the jump and gradually piled oil the points until their total had reached 37. This comprised eleven tries, four of which were scored in tho firat half and seven iji the second term. The place-kicking was very poor, only two tries being converted, although _ som9 of the shots wero very simnle. AVith the exception of J. Spencer and Georgo none of the Newtown men showed any outstanding ability. The five points registered by the side —a. penalty goal and van unconverted try—were secured early in the game Ihforo' tho opposing side got fairly into its stride.

Petone, 21; Hutt. 22. This game was plaved at Petone on a ground nearly all under water, but play was fast, brilliant, and open. Potone hod a little tho b«st of things, but Hutt were responsible for somo good individual efforts. Sc-ores came quickly, and when one side was not touchin? down tlw other was. Both teams included plavers who have dono service for the league" in Australia or England. Mr. Hey was referee.

ASSOCIATION.

HOSPITAL BEAT SWIFTS. OTHER. SURPRISES. Hospital 4 Swifts 0 Corinthians 1 Ramblers 0 Wanderers 2 Rovers U Diamonds 1 Thistle 0 Y.M.C.A; 4 St. John's 2 Bv what must have been a benevolent interposition of Fate, the bad weather predicted for the week-end sports held off long enough on Saturday to emiblo a full round of senior grade Association matches to be played in the afternoon—and a very uninviting afternoon it was, a<> everybody agreed. DIAMONDS-THISTLE. Generally speaking, the encounter between Diamonds and Thistle furnished a fairly interesting exhibition of the Association game, especially in the final spell, when the play became very fust ai;d energetic. Diamonds, ivho succeeded in beating their opponents by one goal to nil, acted more or less on the defensive during tho first spell, when the. wind was against them. On the change of cuds alter a period of desultory play they scored a l.ueky goal from a rebound, and so won the match.

I'ront the. kick-off at the opening of tho game, Thistles, with tho wind behind them, immediately crossed the border into their opponents' territory, and pressed for an opening, but tiio dilatoriness of the half-back line weakened tho strength, of the attack. They were gradually driven back, and after about twenty minutes of luiTd fighting, Diamonds cro=-ed tho line, and Rowan (Thistles' goalkeeper) was given a. very lively time for a iew minutes. The excitement of tho struggle then lulled for a space, and in tho latter half of tho spell Diamonds' wing men made occasional salliers into their enemy's stronghold. A critical moment came towards the close of the spell, when A. Lowe, playing at centre for Diamonds, missed tho Thistle iroal by bundling; on easy shot, which Rowan saved neatly.

The second spsll was interesting and fast enough to satisfy everybody, all things considered—weather, around, and players. With tlie wind in tlieir favour, Thistles made a determined effort to score a goal, and so turn the odds of victory in their favour. For the greater part of the spell they forced their opponents back on their defences, and if energy v.-eie any oriterion, they certainly deserved to score. Diamonds, on tlieir guard, divided their time between resisting the onsets of the Thistle forwards and making occasional forays up the field as opportunity offered. Nothing happened to decide the game cither one way or the other till just ■' on (he call of time, when A. Lowe spurted j up tho field, dodged the Thistle backs, and ; drove hard for the goal. Tho goalkeeper i .bounced the ball out again, and Lov,-e I catching it on the rebound, sent it flying between the posts, and the game ended— > Diamonds, 1; Thistle, 0. Mr. ,f. B. i I'aton we.s referee. HOSPITAL-SWIFTS. Swifts, the redoultables of the senior first division, fell on Saturday, null great was the fall thereof. They were beaten > by tho Hospilal men at Porirua by 4 ! "oals to nil. Those who saw them leave 1 town 011 route for Porirua, and noticed ' that Scott, Mnthieson, and Vessev wore I posted as absent, remarked, when the vanquished return to (oil the tale: "We (old you so." A strong team which ventures' ■ to send a -weak force out In meet an i enemy of formidable repute, virtually solicits defeat. Hence it was that Swifts bit the dust—the mud. one should t-ay, j with due respect to tho season of the 1 year. | For the first half-hour of the game the j Hospital men had the Swifts backs and goal-keeper in a regular fire zone of shots, but so stubborn was the defence of the Swifts that only one goal was scored , against ttoin, Hvgfes iHqaital) captur-J.

illg a return shot from the .Swifts' goalkeeper (Penlington), and slipping tho hull neatly past him. Hospital, 1; Swifts nil. 11l the second spell the Swifts men were in dire exhvmily. One w.is reminded of the wnrdj in "Tile Charge of tho Light lirigade"—"cannon lo right of them. eannon to left of them, cannon in trout of them, volleyed and thundered" —as (liO i Hospital men penned their opponents in front of I heir goal, and rained shoU from every quarter. (loal number two—they were all Hospital goaU—was scored by Unfiles I'iuiu a neat centre by Leadsman, and the saino player also scored the third goal by a smart drive through a momentary gap in Ihe Swifis jihnln.ii.x-. The fonrlh go.il was scored by t'ocklmvii, tlio Hospital goal-keeper who took a penally kick awarded against Perks (Swifts), for handling the ball. Mr. Yeomans was the referee.

| WANDERERS-ROVERS. | Scrappy and un iutoi o-titij; van f it*- | broad colour of thing? in the meeting oi' | Wanderers and Kover* on Newtown Park. I Jhe ground was slippery, of tho players Foemed to ho out of form, tlure was no £cod c<)jnl>incd play at all, and on one or two occasions only did any man in either learn dislinj,'iji.?h himself above his fellows. Better exhibitions have bc;-n given by junior and hoys' loams. Ihe first score of the dav came from a scramble in front oi' ttovcis' ? oal, and Kendall was the man who put the ball in the net for "Wanderers. After this Jvovers had several chances to score, but their shooting was all at .sea, and every shot went wide. Later on, in a scramble, nanderers Again scored, this time from a penalty taken by G. Barker. Half-time wa.s now colled, and several spectators, fl i i. P) a^<?rs u'oro heard to remark that they ''wished it wa? over." However, Referee Bernard whistled to call to action again, and nwav Wanderers went «t a gallop. Thcv' pressed Hovers for some littlo while, and Bidmead (in goal for tho White?) kept up his reputation as a goal-keeper, slopping some pretty hot shots at times. On one occasion a good shot came in from the left wing, and tho goal-keeper slipped in trying to save. He managed to push tho bail clear, but Havward (Wanderers) being handy made a dive at the leather, and put it in the net. The referee, however,, ruled that a member of tho Wanderers' team was off-side, and 110 goal was give.n. Only once or twice during the rest of the spoil did Rovers get down to their opponents' goal." On 011 cof these occasions, when Gibson had an cxc-elbut chance to put 011 the points, lie - made a very feeble attempt. The game ended: Wanderers 2 goals, Rovers nil.

ST. JOHN'S—Y.M.C.A. Dnppa Street ground was the scene of a somewhat exciting encounter between St. John's and Y.M.C.A. Both learns were level for championship honours, and both were oi:t to win. There was no secrecy about this at all, and at times a very hard-played struggle was the result. The referee appointed lo the nintch did turn up—a disappointing state of affairs—so Mr. I!. Y. Walls. a member the Management Commitbe of (ho W.F.A., and a prominent supporter of the St. John's Club, took tlie whistle. There wero times when his decisions did not find favour but, taken on the whole, the game was not much affected either one way or the other.

Y.M.C.A. were the first to open the scoring. Baker took the ball down the wing in good stylo, and parsed to Hughes, who "landed it,"' The next happening of note was wlien St. John's were awarded' a penalty-kick, l and Johnstone equalised the scores. Not to be denied, Y.M.C.A. kept up the attack, and their persistence was Beavi>, from a scramble, scoring goal No. 2. This reverse appeared to put new life into St. John's, and they attacked strongly, giving Hoilis (in goal for Y.M.C.A.) a lot to do. This lie did well, but just before half-time was called Y.M.C.A. managed to work their way down to St. John's end, and secured a "corner." Baker took tho kick—a beauty—and Beavis again "landed it.'"' Y.M.C.A. 3 goals, St. John's 1.

Shortly after tho commencement of (he second half St. Johu's were awarded a penalty-kick for obstruction, Johnston took it, and made no mistake. Darkness was .now raining on, and made things rathc-r unjileasant for referee, players, and onlookers. Y.M.C.A., however, scored yet another goal, ami left the field winners by 4 goals to 2.

CORINTHIANS-RAMBLERS. As indicated "by the score, th(/ contest between Corinthians and Ramblers, which was played at Kelburne, was evenly contested, Corinthians scoriug one goal to Ramblers nothing. Ramblers kicked off and at once made a determined attack on Corinthians' goal, and looked like scoring until Rutter (right-back for Corinthians) scoured the ball and placed it further down the field. Ives (centre-forward for Corinthians) played a good game, his footwok being particularly good. Throughout the game Corinthians' accurate kicking constantly endangered Ramblers' goal, but lucic seemed to be against them, and they did not succeed in scoring until about half way through the sccund spell. During the first half, Hart (Ramblers' centrc-for-ward) did some brilliant work, lie secured the ball when about half way lip the field, pud passed to his oulsidc-right, who returned it to him. He (hen made a splendid effort to head it through the goal, but Corinthians' custodian was on the alert and returned the Iwll down field. On resuming play. Corinthians carried the ball into Ramblers' qiuu'.ers. At this period of the game Ives broke away and looked like scoring, but he tripped, and the ball rolled out of Kir.se hberg, playing at half-back for Ramblers, was very conspicuous throughout the game, hi- footwork being very good. About liali'-way through the second spell Corinthians were awarded a penalty, and Ives, taking the kick, succeeded in beating M'Lcan (Ramblers' custodian), making the score: Corinthians. X; Ramblers, 0. Towards the cud of (he game Ramblers tried hard to equalise, but did not succeod. Mr. R. S. Littgow was referee. JUNIOR RESULTS. The results of the various junior division matches are as follow:— Sccond Division, The Petonc-Crooklyn match was not plaved. Wadestown and St. Johns played a drawn game—no score. Third Division. -St. David's (G) beat Swifts (0). Petono (2) beat Xevrtowu Congregational (0). Brooklyn defeated Y.M.C.A. by 13 goals to 3. For iirooklyn, Makeluim scored 8, ilareer i, Ilickey 1. Johnsonvillo defeated Marist Brothers by 2 goals to nil. Kennedy and Lewis scored. Fourth Division. St. David's, 1; Brooklyn, 1. Y'.M.C.A. defeated Swifts by 2 goals to "1. Wirth and Cusack scored for the winners, and Joimslon for ths losers. Marist defeated South Wellington by 4 to 2. M'Cnrtliv (2), Layburn (1), and O'Sullivan (1) scored for tho winners. Institute (6) beat Y'.M.C.A. B (0). Fifth A Division. St. David's A (1); Institute (1). Brooklyn (2) beat Y.M.C.A. (0). Fifth B Division. St. David's B (11 beat Institute B (0). i Sixth A Division. j Institute (3) beat Marist Bros. (0). ; Brooklyn and Saatomi played a drawn i game, neither side scoring. The play I was fast and open. j Sixth B Division. j Kelburne (2) beat Marist Bros. (0). Morton and Clapcott scored. Newtown Congregational (3) beat Evans Bav Rovers (0). tit. l'anl's (fi) boat Swifts (2). School Competitions. South "Wellington (1) beat Island | Bav (0). Thnrndon A (I) beat Maranni (0). I Kilbiruie i'l) beat Thnrndon li <»). Mnrist 'Ilawkostom! Street) beat Inslislituto by :i goals to nil.