SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1480, 1 July 1912, Page 6

SATURDAY'S FIELD SPORTS.

ATHLETIC WIN EASILY.

ORIENTAL TEAfifl NEARLY GAUGHT MAPPING. SIM CAPITAL "SOCCER," SUMMARY OF RESULTS. Pts. Pts. Athletic 15 St. James 3 Oriental 9 Wellington 6 Petone 20 Poneke G Mclrose 11 , Victoria College 0 Southern a bye,

A biti-iig southerly, with a suspicion of dampness in it, made .the Athletic Park scarcely the most comfortable place of resort on .Saturday afternoon. As.usual, thero wero two matches played, but, as is most unusual, interest was about equally divided between the'two {jamef. Tho bulk of the spectators sheltered from the chill wind in the stand, which was'full from end to end. There were only about .VJO hardy "bun-ackers" on (he banks at the ends of the ground.

Perhaps it was because (he turf was a ti'ille greasy, or niaybo because the weather was dispiriting, but whatever the causo the game between Athletic and St. James never was roally above decent mediocrity. From Athletic, in their present form, surging forward rushes, which sorely try the nerves of waiting backs are to'be expected, and not uiil'rei|uently a movement of this sort is topped oil' with a nippy pa.-s or (ico and a npci'dy run. On Saturday sometimes (he forwards did their share of the attacking, but the backs nsver seamed to bo up to crowd into the breach when it was made for them. The hnll'-back, E. Roberts, did his best to improve his apportunities, but the men behind him, with the single exception of Even-son, either missed their 'own passes or threw the ball yards away from the next in turn. Seldom has such really weak attacking play been perpetrated by any set of backs in a first-class team tin's season. Their defence, fortunately, was sound, otherwise their very erratic passing would many times have landed them iu trouble.

Evy.i the forwards appeared to be below form. The fact that Murphy scored two of the tries, and almost scored two more, does not suggest that the pace was terri-N fie.

Since St. James were beaten, and bsaren soundly, it naturally follows that their play was just a liltlo worse. For about half «n hour, during which time each side scored ono try, the gaino was hardfought, but after this the tied and Whites were simply torn to shreds. Their bucks, though they kicked mid tackled fairly, never handled the ball with precision, thus laying themselves open to the Ulues' favourite form of assault. On attack, Cook and Young might have been dangerous, but not one chance was given to them. Cook certainly scored a try, but lip made that chnnco for himself. Forward their play was i'ast and fiery in spasms, but in the main only ordinary. The only player of whom exception ojuld be made was Mollitt, who played a magnificent game,- even after .the rest of the pack was demoralised. Any flashes of good play by the Hods were mostly attributable, to him, and not a little very sound, hard work nlso. ■• The play was hard and strenuous, and there was no doubt as to the teams taking it seriously, but some players on both sides showed signs of.stateness. It really was a dull game, in spite, of its occasional exciting moments, when there were grim struggles almost on the gonlline. The Wellinston-Orientitl match (nlso at the park) was far brighter than the Ath-lelic-St. James contest. Wellington surprised many of the spectators by putting up a good fight against Oriental, and fullv extending this reduobtable fifteen. Tlib absorption of several ex-Old Boys, and (he infusion of some new blood, have made Wellington u mr.oli better'team than that which sported the Amber and lllaek a few weeks ajn. However, a number of the Wellinglnnions seemed lirfil and under-trained. Wollii/gton lyst Ihe giime through a bad mistake by their full-back. Bridge, who otherwise played a capital game. Hut for tho try which refill rwl from Bridge's bungle the same would, probably, have ended in a draw.

CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. rctone 10 '.i 0 1 165, 110 Ifl Oriental 10 H 1 0 125 47 18 .Athletic 10 S li 1 100 33 17 JMro-e 10 7 '■■> 0 1)7 GO It St. .Times 10 -I !i I SI 82 n Wellington ... -9 2 .'■ 2 32 01! fi I'oiifke !) 3 li 0 61 81 fi Knuthsrn 10 2 8 0 31 146 I Vie. College ... 10 1 8 1. G9 112 3 In compiling the above table, a-bye. hns in each case been credited to the team concerned as a win.

ATHLETIC-ST. JAMES. j BATHER FEATURELESS. Vtiy early' the game, between Athletic and S"t. James resolved it-elf into a formless struggle between the rival backs. Athlctic's first try came after fifteen minutes' play, and it appeared to be more or less an accident. The ball was amongst ! tho Blue forwards near tho St. James's line, and naturally tho Blues were agitating the defence a little.. The leather robcunded, or was knocked on Vy n defending back into Mirrphy's hands, and he hid onlv to fall down to score. 1-i. Roberts goaled. Athletic, 5; St. James, nil. From the kiclc-out the Blues' backs trim! to open the game, and some ; good passes were given and taken, but always the good work of the inside men was spin'lm l bv faulty forward passes to the, wings. t : ree-kicks let St. James up, and firm 30 yards away Moffatt cut loose with tiu- ball at toe, and beat- or bustled evei}body until he came ft) the Athletic full-back,' Cunningham, who had to kick tli-j ball dead to save a score. The Athletic forwards, chiefly by charging in bunches after getting tho bill on the line-out now took the ball right down to the St. .T.i[-:es line, and Ulcere was a moment of c.v; vc<l scrambling m goal before (he ball w-ts s!:fely forced. Again the Blues eaino hick to'the attack, but a couple of splendid tackles, a busy break away, and a loi;-; kick, all by Cook, saved the situation for St. James. Athletic had rather the best of things for tho rest of tho spell. The exchange of kicks after resuming let. Athletic up into the St. James twrutyfivp, and there was a desperate battle on Hie line for a few minutes. Three limes K Koberts whisked passes, out to Town-, but always the transfers from the hitler t) either side went wrong. A pertain trv -hoiild have followed one'.pase fo Wilton, lint he missed it, ami the ball went into touch a yard from Ihc ■■nrner. Hi' Men out from (his ns-ault. the liluos emm hack, and from miolhcr frantic HTamblo on the line Murphy wns pushed out. at tho corner flng. St. .bine; got In work (com the drop-out,, ami were down on At.lilitic's line in a N twinkling. A t-oeoml or two of forward fighting, and thru i"'onk picked up on the fringe of -the ruck, and scored an easv one in fair position. Athletic. 5j St. .lames, .1. Athletic got up t.i the tweuty.fivo line aii-iiu, when tho game wa ; going, and al-m<-.>t. at once Mnriihy, hovering on "Kangi" Wil-ou'» Hank, siuipr.cd up the bull'and iiiihlh his hp.-t pace for the line. P. w.T- « slow pace, nnd he could have. besa at kat.t twi« tackled., jjut he feint-

(•(I pas'ps, mid though Piinnnnga. caught liini squarely, hi> had enough momentum to carry him over. Kvenson kicked a dutiful soal in tlio teeth of the wind. Athletic. 10; St. Jamas 3.

Th-a 1?."Is and Whiles now appeared to be somewhat disorganised after this rcvcr.'c, and the Blues had control of in.-st of -the play. They wcro on St. James's line practically continuously for some live minutes, and tries wore missed by a foot or more on three or four occasions, always through someone trying lo bore through the struggling mass. Twice, the. game was opened for the backs, but twice the passes miscarried. The. third time Gosling, flaying in the forwards, suiu))s:l ui) the ball in the loose and ran over smartly. Kven-on kicked another verv line goal. Athletic, 15; St. .lames, 3. ' Two n::o;l runs by Evens.nn in St. .l.'imcsV quarters very nearly brought result. The first time his pass went awrv, ami the fccoml bo forced his way through and urounded the ball, but the referee rightly declared that it had been held Seldom in the last few minutes of the game did the ball get over (he half-wnv ui'irk. Mr. V. H. Card was referee. ORIENTAL-WELLINGTON. THI-: CIiXCK TEAM'S XAKROW WIN. ' The Orieiital-AVellington match furnished plenty of incident. The veisatile liobe.rts was early in evidence as. ii wily deceiver of opponents. Up tire field he would dash hustling past the AVelling- | tonians, while the crowd roared hilarious y at the discomfiture of the deceived, ncllingtnii were soon well on (lie defensive, and, uhiie Oriental were in n good position, Kolwrts got the ball from a scrum, and opened up the game beautifully. I'roni hand to hand along the chain of backs tho oval flew, till it come to PalTorwn. Patterson bad Hale waiting for a. pass, but Drake and Bridge were shll to Iμ beaten.- Seeing Drake waiting ior Patterson, Muir got into position to take Hale, ),>it-Patie:-son run? onVi surprise by suiii" solus. He pawed the defence, was clear away, nnd a score was inevitable but for bis lack of pace. As it was, lie was overtaken and grassed. While Oriental were still attacking, ICinviir converted a free-kick from in front of the coal. The hall struck om> of the uprights and bounced through. Oriental, .'i; Wellington, nil. A fine pot,at goal by Koberts went close to scoring; but it wns the.last, occasion for some time on which Oriental were dangerous. Wellington now began to deli;;ht the crowd with (lushes of dash and brilliancy, and before the rushes of the Amber nnd Mlack the Orientals went back, back, right back to their own line. Out shot (.ho ball from Drake to Wilkes, who sent it on to Millavd. and. ami<l«t■ cxc.itemenr,-<<lie lastnamed got over. He grounded tl\e ball a yard in-field, and siil it across the line, but a fjore was allowed. Oriental. I); Wellington, 3. A few minutes later, Bridge fthe Wellington full-back) executed a capital piece of work by bringing down two Orientals with deaillv low tackling. liefore the end of the spell Oriental were attac.kiixjf, but there' was no 'further score.

Oriental led off with a score in the second spell. Sf'Lood flashing across niter one of his tvnienl individual effort!:. Orieni.il, 0; Wellington, 3. After further efforts by the Oriental, backs, ■Wellington come nwnv with o. passing rush,' wliich completely beat their foemen Once again it was Wiltros who made tiro opening. He sent the ball on to Grace, to Millard, to Lambert, who raced there.' Tho crack team was now "up'against it." for the score now was: Orientol, 1; Wellington, C. A da«h down the Hue by M/Koiixio raised the Wollingtoninn hopo again, Jmil nothing resulted, and after a while play found iU «ny back to Wellington's tweuty-Svc. Fiiilure to field, on the part of Jluir, let the Oriental forwards over, and O'Brioii scored. Oriental, !); Wellington, (i. Oriental kept \\n tlie attack, and a passing rush ended in Carinichael making a dctennined run for a score at His corner. He was tackled by Grace, and thrown back, nnd a score was avnrted. A moment later Millard nnd Lambert were racing for the Oriental line with a very fair chance of getting there. Lambert made the final dash, but Oarmichnd brouirht him to earth. The bell soon followed. 'Wellington wero ben ten. but they bad extended the formidable "Magpies." PETONE-PONEKE. BRIGHT AND FAST FOOTBALL, Yhe Pctonc Recreation Ground was n littlo greasy, and this fact, aided by wind and rain made back play difficult, but till! forwards of both sides made up all delicienc-ios. Poneko put up a big tight, mid in the second swll scored a couple of tries, tho result of fine work. Daley, H.'iinsden, and \Y. Ryan were out-, of the Pctonc team through injuries. Their places were taken by E. Ryan, Miller and tent. Irvine was absent from I he Red and Black ranks. J'onsk* commenced aggressively, but Pel-one cleared nicely, and their forwards made a concentrated onslaught on tho Rods' goal. Play then evened, but eventually .Tunics Ryan wriggled through a number of Red men, and finding himself jammed on the line, put in a magnificent pot. Tho ball went over the bar, but Uic score was disallowed, Ryan being out of lion nds when the kick was made. Foneko now set up a decisive rush, headed by ■Elliott and Sotheran, and a weak kick by Parker gayo the Reds more advantage. M'Kenzio, however, cleverly kicked to touch, and play went Poncke-wards. Then the Petone backs got to work, and presently, when under the posts, Xunn (with a crowd of Poneke forwards round him) potted a neat goal. Petonc, 4; Poneke, (I. On' resuming, Gardiner set the pace for Poneka with a rush, which ended in Dingle and Ryan pnssiiipr ami repaying to Petonc's, twenty-five. Price, Parrant, nnd M'Farlano led play back, where J. Ryan tried to bump over. Iniirwliotsly after M'Farlano landed nmice penally. Petone, 7; Poncko, 0. Poneke played on with gTeat determination, but a-t half-time t.hovo was no further score. The sreond spell was, very fast and bright, and Poneke attacked most of the time. Gardiner sent a nice pass to Rodgors who rncrd n!on™, till I , '. Ryan grassed him ton ynrds from Hie line. ,\ ljnd movement by thr Rw;s allowed nn intevecnl. mid tho Dine rnroil awav. T!. Rvnn cveiituallv spriired and miii-eil 'after ii inn iiUuig the line. M'l'.irl.ilio sent uver ;\ beaulv. Petoim, |J; rc.nolic, n. Tho town liftfon iw wont id il oven harder. Dingle hnd a shot. bill. miM-cd, nnil just after Solher.in nas«ed to Kyan. who rn-ed straight, np-field. and transferred to Morris, who gnt in at thi> corner. It was n Krc.it tiy, nnd win loudly r.i'plaiidod. Pofone, 12; I'onrlsp, 3. Diuglo..wa« riT-utly ■•nurhl. !iappiP K . :md I'iic-o. liiili.itiv. n "real ilviliblini; rir-h Devil secured, and p.wfd to .1. -Ryan, win sent n hiih lob to his brtithor. ',v',o '•.ill in and toiioljcd down, .with three mon liairfliiK on. I'ctone, J."i: Poneke. 3. \ I great; lino kM< by Morris took'lWlie ta within a yard of Iheir opnciients' lin?.. iiml Horlier.in dasherl over, hut w.i.e lieM i:p. This player 'rereivwl a severe bump just .ift-.rwnnK and left the field. Nnthing daunted, the Reds once, more waded in, ami after n fonvard ■ .nttnok, Klliott m:id« a eroat dish tnd seared. Petone, 15; Poneke, (!. After lesttirting, Gardiner had au shot from'';, nenaUr ■! aiiu Perone, by way a rn n' Vi

rushed down-field, and Parker scorei ; M'l'arlana foaling, l'clmi?, sj; Poiwiw, 6. Mr AlCTwiitli was referee, nnd about alO spoctitors. \vafchcd (ho gume. melrose-college. mostly a mud scramble. lr P H o| ?] e J vho '>™ cmbl! r whet the old Mutt Road was like m a very bad vinNof tli<; IJutl Hcerration Gr.iuiid befnr" Iho Metro* nnil Victoria College tennis eommencsil lo play football there on Saturday. U,,t anyone, ivlio w.u. jwt actually pn-ciif, will hove difikiillv in imagining «-hat the ground win "like wlwii (lie teams bid finished it it is siiflicicnl. to say that at no Ijmo during (.lie. afi-cinoon was it suitable ■ for Rugby. The players, with the exception of two or three wliu look particular cure of Hieinsj.lwS, were early covered in mud, and tho ball was heavy, greasy, and diliicult to hniullc. Forty-minute spells were agreed upon, but, to the central relief! tho neferec onllc.d "no-sidc" long before the second forty minutes was up C'oiloira won the toss, and Mclrosc kiek-d off with tho gal© mostly against them. From the commencement Mel row attacked strongly, and, in about lon minutes' tune, a weak kick by one of tho College backs Rave Ueavis mi ca*y ooening io score. He failed to take the ball, but J. Marshall, who was supporting him, gathered in tho leather on the .bounce, and ran over near the corner flay. \V. Marshall failed with the kick. Mclroso, Si College, 0. Not Ion,; after a strong Melroso forward rush found College in trouble, liyan picked up and attempted to ibid. touch, but his kick went over his own gonl-line, and J. Marshall rushed up and fell on the ball. W. Marshall mado a. good but unsucccsful shot at goal. Melrose, C; College, 0. For (ho remainder of Iho spell College more than held thoir own, and several times looked like scoring, but chances were lost through K,v:in "hanging on." Once the ball was rushed over tho line, and Curbyne made a great effort to score, but the. leather just reached "toucli-in-goal" before h« fell on it. On another occasion Quilliam appeared to havo a good opening, but tho oval instead of coining into his arms struck him a rather nasty blow in the face, lie, however, went on playing, apparently desirous of impressing the spectators-with the belief that "it did not hurt."

Before Hie wcond "spell had been in progress lung, College carried piny to the Jlolrose lino, but almost immediately tho Mclrose forwards cleared and transferred play lo Ihn othor end nf the field. Hyan nnd" Walker averted the first rush, but tho Mclrose men kept up the attack until A. Gik'hrisl scored in Rood position. W. Marshall goaled. Meliwe, 11; College, 0. From this onwards Ihn ploy'was-of ii dreary doscriplion, and w> further Ecoro resulted. Mr. llusscll was rc-forc*. OTHER CHAMPIONSHIPS. JUNIOR GEADE. Poneko were easily defeated by Petone by 53 points to nil.. After a close and interesting game Met rope defeated St. James by i points to 3. M'Enerney scored for St. James, ami Pnrlter potted a goal for Itelrose. Victoria College were defeated by '.*.■ John's by 31 points to 3. Tor tho winners Kfr? (3), Hill (2), Fawcctt, Dallas, Martin, and Forsyth scored tries. Fawcctt and Andrews converted a try each. Longlvui'st scored for the losers. Third Class. ; The Soulhcru-Wadestown game result* ci in :\ draw. Wadcstown led by S to" , 0 in the first epell, but Sniithern inanaged to mate a Araw. Hayes and M'C'oll ecor■l tries, and Little kicked a penalty and converted one try. Petone defeated Exchange by 9 points to li. . St. James were defeated by Felwyn by ' points to 0. For tlio winners tries were obtained by Coopor, Acroad, and Welluinn. Oriental defeated Uaiiit by 21 points to nil. Hrenton (2), King, and Sleredith scored tries, while 'Watson converted two tries and also kicked a penalty goal. Fourth Class, Petone defeated Old Boys by 10 points to nil. i At Jolinfonville the local fifteen defeated Oriental by !) points to G. Tries for the winners were secured by C. Ralston, D. Morgan, and I!. Jl'Farlans. Fifth Class. Poneke defeated Athletic after a clos« game. Melrosc defeated Oriental after an exciting Kamv. Sixth Class. Petone A defeated Poneka by 21 points to nil. l

MATCHES ELSEWHERE. [By Telecrarta-Frcm Aiancl&tlun.i Napior, Juno 2!>. The Htiffby match, Hawke's Buy against Munawatu, was played hero in dull but splendid football weather, before übuiit ICCO spectators. Tho game'was fast aii'l keenly contested. Ilawkc's Bay prove;! too strong in tho backs, and possessed a superior three-quarter line. Tho M.i'Hwutu forwards, however, were up to standard.' 'ilawkc's Hay won by 1" points (a o, Drown and Eggleton scored tries for Manawatu, and Bitrrv, Casey, Porohiwi, O'Neill, and Hlnko for Hawke's Hay. Tim first-, spell ended with the Hwrc— Hawko's Hay, C points; Jtanawatii, 3 p6ints. Most of the rpcond spell play was in Mann* watu's territory.' Christchurch, June 29. The Canterbury Rugby fnion's competition advanced another stage to-day in very ' uicleinfiit woollier, which prevented anything in the way of brill'unt football. Tho principal senior game— Sjdenliiini v. Chvistchuroh—provided l .surprise, as Ghristclmreh 'cored, a comfortable, win over their opponents. This result wa.s mainly due to the fine play of their forwards, who adapted their mode of pbiy to the require.!) tuts of >'1.0. day. The score was: ■ Cliristchnrch.- !l! points; Sydenham, 10 points. Old Hoys (14 points) bent Linv.ood (5 ponus) through the agency of their forwards. Albion easily accounted for Canterbury College, scoring 20 pninlsito 'beir opponents' :ii!, while Merivale only defeated Jfarist Brothers by f points to 3. Duncdin, .Tune 20. Football matches wore played to-day in very -wintry weather. .Southern (21points) beat University (8); Kaikorai >(1 points) bw>t Punedin (3): Alhambra «12 points) bent Pirates (nil): Union (11 piints) he.it.Port Clialir.crs nil): ZinRan' Richmond won from Taieri Roveri by default. IBy Tfllccraph.—Press Association.) Mastcrton, June 30. The Wairarapa Rushy Union continued its fixtures on Saturday. A very poni exposition of the game was given' in nil matches. Gladstone still load for,the. championship by one point. Onrtcrton'being second, and Rod Star third. Results: Senior—Groytown beat Gladstone bv 8 points to 5 j Cartorton defeated Mnstertoir by.6 points to 5; Liljornl defeated Red Star bv !1 points to 6. Junior grade— Dnlofield beat Greytown by IS points Ic H; Cnrterton beat Red Star bv ,12 point) to 3. REPRESENTATIVE. HEAVY DEFEAT FOR THAMES. Auckland, June 20. The Anrklnnd Rugby representative* beat Tbnmes yesterday by SO p'oints to •1. The Thnra'r.i players were to.vyoun?. and inexperienced fer their heavier and more clever opponents, and were out. r.losso'd. at all points. Auckland score'-! ten tries, of which three were converted, mid a penalty ro.i! was kicked. Thames'( score, was n penalty goal, JXTEK-STATE MATCH. Bj- TolcßrnpU—Press Association— CopyrlsM ■ (Roc-. June IW, 5.5 p.m.) Brisbane, June 20. : Queensland be.it Xcw South Wales' in Rugby football by 53 points to S. '