SATURDAY'S' FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1765, 2 June 1913, Page 6

SATURDAY'S' FOOTBALL.

A SERIES OF SURPRISES. FROM UNPROMISING GAMES. ATHLETIC STILL UNBEATEN. SYNOPSIS OF RESULTS. Oriental 24 Victoria Collegs Athlotlc 8 St. Jamßs Petone 12 i Wellington Ponek# 1# Melrose

A sunny, almost windless day and lively turf, perfect conditions for football, woro offering on Saturday, but all tho wrong teams wero matched, and tho piny was poor. Habitues of tho park mostly spent thoir half-holiday elsewhere, for only about 1000 peoplo viowed tho games, and, a still moro unusual ciroumsfcance, about half of them watched the game on tho No. 2 ground. In aotual l fact it was tho bettor game.

For just a little while, a vory littlo whilo, Victoria College lookod like giving Oriental, who were handicapped by being a man short, at least a good game. This was when their bulky place-kicker, Beard, had scored six points with two beautiful shots, and dropped another one, a long ball against the Triad, under the. bar. At that' timo Oriental liad only three points on, also soored by a goal, and the Green forwards were getting amongst the Black and White backs so speedily that their efforts to throw tho ball about availed them nothing. At this stage the following up of the lively Green pack was really fine, amd they did a lot of spoiling which tho Magpies found moro than a littlo irksome. But forwards cannot last out a game and keep speed unless t.hoy are trained to tho minute, and tho Greens broke down after about half an hour. In othei' play they kept a fairly decent standard for a little longer, but at the end of tho day they were utterly demoralised.

At half-time the scores were level—nix all—Oriental having soured a try. In the second spell the Oriental forwards hooked the ball from every scrum, and the backs had all the play they wanted. They made not the best use of their opportunities, but they scored six tries. Not a single goal was kicked from any of them. _ ! Beside the other ground the partisans of the rival teams were yelling encouragement to their friends, and there was something like excitement at times. St. James had mustered a good team, and, contrary to expectations, they were able to extend Athletic. Fifteen minutes hail gone before the Blues notohed their first try, but in half an hour they had eight points of a lead. For a time afteT that it seemed that the Blues would presently romp over their opponents, so pronounied was their superiority, but St. James recovered their spirits, or their energy, or whatever it was that they had lost momentarily, and they kept the Blues out for all the rest of the came. About ten minutes before the end of the , } "Ranii" Wilson retired from the held hurt—a. disabled kn^i —and the Blues missed him sorely. Without him tliey were never dangerous, and the Beds were threatening.their stronghold all tho time. Nor was tho unexpected good stand made by St. James the only surprise of the day. Poneko caught Melrose oil im off day, and beat them by 16 points to 13. It must be accounted a rathor lucky vietory for the Red and Blacks but Melrose apparently oame on tie field disinclined to take the play too seriously, and Poneke were out to do or die. On tho th©y deserved their win. Petono aind Wellington had a good game. The Black and Golds made things very for the Petone forward pack, but tho Blue rearguard were able to do a httle more than to keep the scales even, and Petono won. 1 CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. I , i e "& 3 g 4 s .s s .a-a a Wfw 6 CHOtflH g!: J n ft S Athletio 7 7 0 0 77 27 M Petono 7 5 1 1 93 50 31 Oriental 7 4 3 0 79 50 8 Wellington... 7 4 3 0, 43 44 8 Melrose 7 3 4 0 49 43 0 Vic. College... 7 1 4 2 42 (3 4 Ponoke 7 2 5 0 33 82 4 St. James 7 0 G 1 28 90 1 ORIENTAL & COLLEGE. AN EASY WIN FOR THE MAGPIES.

Oriental drove College back to their line from the kick off, but loose passing by the Black and White and useful work by tiro Green forward pack took the ball up to t'ho halfway mark again. There Little tossed the ball out to Kinvig, who jut in a good run, and then gave it to Dingle, bul the latter was pushed out near the corner flag. Good kicks by Ryan cleared the College line again, and their forwards had Oriental defending in a few seconds, until Carrad saved with a smart line-kick. The forwards came back to the .attack, and twice in front of tho goal Ryan was nearly in after gathering up tho ball on tho fringe of scrambles, but at length Shearer, wing forward, got a good kick away; Tho first score of the game was registered after about a quarter of an hour's play. Oriental, who had been able to keep the play on the College side of halfway, and about the twenty-fire line, were awarded a free kick, from which Shearer kicked a goal. Immediately after the kickoff Oriental infringed on their own twentyfivio line, and Beard sent the ball safely over the bar—a beautiful shot from, a very difficult angle. Collego, 3; Oriental, 3. About five minutes later Bnting marked in front of the: Oriental goal, but well down the field, and Beard took the shot. The distanco proved easy for him, and the ball flew fairly over the centre of the bar. College, 6; Oriental. 3. Tho Magpies set out to equalise the scores, when the bafl was away again, and Little loosed tlio backs on a Mod run, but Dingle, the last man in the line, failed to hold up his pass. Their chance came immediately afterwards, when a Green forward got offside, and gave Shearer an easy shot with a free charge. Tho ball flew wide, however, I'aire madb a good opening on his own twenty-five lino, and ran -up to halfway, but on meeting Carrad thero he gave a bad pass into Avery's hands. Tho latter kicked for 6afety, and saved what looked a very dangerous situation. Oriental regained their lost ground by another good line-kick, and a passing run, Little to Sullivan, to Kinvig, let the lastnamed in after beating a,couple of College backs cleverly. Tho kick at goal by Mullaney was a very poor one, and the spell ended with tho 6Cores even. Oriental, 6; College, 6. Almost immediately after resuming, Little, M'Lcod, Suillivan, Kinvig, and Avery in that oTtSfir handled the ball in a passing rush, but Avery was tossed out of bounds at the cornor. Collego forwards cleared, but Oriental wwro not to bo denied. Kinvig dashed off by himself, ran round most of tho College backs, and scored. Perrv made a poor attempt at coal from a difficult angle. Oriental, 9; College, 6. Black and Whites woro holding Collego comfortably now in tho scrums, and their backs got all tho play in consequence. Sullivan 1 rnado a good dash by himself through tho centro for goal, but his pass when two yards f rom tho lme was intercepted. Oriental took tho ball from tho next scrum, and this time Sullivan ran in! Kinvig foiled to goal. Oriental, 12; College, G. Oriental backs kept on breaking away at frequent intervals, making ground every time. Twico lunvig made breaks, and gavo passes on each occasion to Sullivan, who was unlucky enough to knock-on. Tho forwards took a hand themselves then, and Moffat was iust in the act of fulling on the ball whon ho was held back by a College man. Tho reforeo awarded a try for tho obst-motion. Dingle failed with tho kick; Oriental, 15; College 6. A few seconds after tho drop out, Avery darted away, swerving inwards from the wing, and gave a puss to Moffett with only threo yards to go, but Moffett knocked-on. The big forward redeemed his reputation in tho next minute, for coming | through with tho ball at too, ho drove tiu Collcim dofence, diibblod

over, and 6Cored. The kick at goal went tlilo way of all the other previous attempts—wretched place kloking. Oriental, 18; College, G. Collego rallied for a moment after the kick out, but immediately the Oriental backs got moving they did as they liked. M'Looa set off on a straight run, but instead of passing to tho men on his flank lie kicked down field. Dingle and Perry crowded on to it, and ono or other of thorn, or rather both of them together, scored a try near tho flag. Shearer failed again with the kick. Oriental, 21; College, G. Tho Magpies loosed another passing attack immediately, and Little, M'Leod, Sullivan, Kinvig, and Dingle all handled the ball briskly, allowing Dingle to 6core. PETONE & WELLINGTON. OVER 1200 SPECTATORS. .Over 1200 spectators at the Petono Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon Witnessed tho match between the local team and Wellington. Pelone were without tho services of several plavers, through injury, and their places were taken by Dansey, Daley, and Liodtay. The game was an excellent one, and was nover uninteresting. Wellington forwards played good football, and through their ; offorts Petono wero often called upon to defend their line.Petono kicked off, and the ball went out at. tho Wellington twenty-five. A free-kick relioved Wellington, and Iroin a- scrum, Wellington forwards came through, but J. Ryan stopped the rush b.v kicking into touch. A kick down field by Lambert was followed by Irons, who gained possession, sent out to Elliifo, to Lambert,' and tho last-named had a shot at goal, without result. Petono rushed tho ball into Wellington territory from the kick-out, and a bad pass by Nunn spoiled a possible chanco to score. Wellington forwards wero showing their strength, and beating tho opposing pack, time after time. Dansey stayed a Wellington forward rush by finding the touch-line, and from a subsequent scrum Nunn passed to M'Kenzie, to Daley, to J. Ryan, who failed to hold up the ball. . Irons and Lambert were responsible for carrying tho ball to Petono twenty-five, whero, from a loose scramble, Irons secured, and the ball, after being handkd'by most of tho backs, went to Lambert, who was thrown into touch close to tho Petono line. A Wellington forward forced his way over, but was held up, and a five-vards' scrum resulted, Petono relieving the .pressure. Back came tho Wellington forwards, and Petono were again defending, but W. Ryan saved. An infringement helped Petone. and Nunn started his backs moving, but a bad pass from J. Ryan to Daly nullified tho advantage. Several passing-rushes were started among the Petono backs, but bad passing wasted good opportunities. 4 Wellington forward rush was popped bv'J. Ryan, and W. Ryan, coming through tho Tesuiltant scrum, with the ball at his toe, went away by himself and almost scored. A scramble on th? Wellington lin&"-ended in W. Ryan M'Farlino'failed with the kick. Petono 3: Wellington, nil. From this to the close of thio game play was a little in favour of Petone. Passing rushes wore frequent, but Petone backs continued to take tlio ball badly. Also M'Farlaue failed with two shots at goal which would not ordinarily have bean beyond his powers. Offside play on the part of Petone reheved Weilintfton, and a rush by the Black and ' Gold forwards reached the danger zone, but Parker proved, safe. Petone wore hard pressed defending, and from a-free kick Lambort placed a goal. Petone, 3; Wellington, 3. Soon after a passing run, C. Irons to Elliffo, to Henderson, to Lambert, ended in tho long Wellington back being grassed by "Joe" Ryan. A passing rush initiated by Nunn saw Boyd out at the corner, after a fino effort Petone wore now playing a much better game, arid liad the best of the encounter fro n this out. jPFarlane at length had another ohancc from a free-kick, and the ball over thenar. Petone, 6 Wellington, 3. The second half was even more strenuous than tbs first. Lambert opened, and rush was met with coimtcr rush, until Irons passed to Henderson, toi Lambert,, to M'Gregor, who mulled. Wellington continued to press. Miller was almost over, but'an infringement let the and-plav was moved to _ the Wellington, line. M'Farlane just missed theposts from another free-kick, and Eliffo returned to half-way. After a series of ineffective passing bouts. Lindsay scored from a sorum, but M'Farlane failed with tho kick. Petono, 9; Wellington, 3. AlZt immediately being slow in returning alnck.WKyan rushed down on him, spoiled tho return, snatched the ball, <io „ wn ' w^° «i«l Petone. 12; Wellington, 3. Wel&n scored once more, a long-Tango <soal kicked by Lambert from a penalty. Petone, 12; Wellington, G. The ganvjcudil afterwards in tl.e Mr. R-. Evenson controlled tho game. . . PONEKE 1 MELROSE.. FORMER BRING OFF A' SURPRISE. Poneke brought off a surprise on Saturday bv defeating Melrose. Tho match was nlaved at Miramar, and through a. lato start it was finished in semi-darkness. Poneke scored first There was a high kick to Capper (the Melrose full-back), and Tilvard, following up fast, got on to him before he could dispose of tho leather. Taking the ball from Capper Tityard dSI across the lino and touched down. Poneke, 3; Melrose, 0. Shortly afterwards H. Marshall potted a goal |or Melrose. Melroso, 4; Poneke, 3. T.ho Melroso forwards took play close to the Poneke line and the leather was sent out among tho backs,: with the result that at tho oorner. Melrose, 7; Poneke, 3. The second spell was not old beforo Algar scored a fine try for Poneke, and altered tho scores to Melrose 7, Poneke, 6. A little later Poneko jumped well into tho lead. ' Gardiner kickcd hard across Melroso's line, and J. Elliott, fol-lowing-up very fast, touched down. Mitchinson converted. Poneke, 11; MeboH), 7. Brewer scored the next try off an opening made for him by Til.vard. Mitchinson goaled. Poneke, 10; Melrose, . Melrose, from then on, made desperate efforts to break down the lead. 1 hev added two tries-Oakes and Flack were the scorers—but left tho field beoton by 16 pomts to 13, after a fast, exciting gamo. Mr. A. Thompson was referee. ST. JAMES & AfHLETIC. Most people no doubt thought that St. James would bo very easily defeated by the formidablo Athletic fifteen, but it was not so. Athlotic scored, eight points early in tho first spell, but no further score was put. on by either sido. Athlotic kicked off with the sun in their oyes. Helccta presently obtained possession of the ball, and his chances of scoring looked well, but M'Vay intervened. Another' dangerous rush by St. James men followed, and the Athletic's lino was seriously threatened. Maddon, however, interposed and found the lino. Soon after .Adams received a pass from Roberts, and after evading two opponents touched down. Roberts converted. Athletic, 5; St. James, 0. Play was now fast, and St. James began to make their presence felt. Tho Athletic backs, howover, by some clever passing, brought play into tho Reds' twenty-five. Later, n froc-kick was awarded tho Blues, and E. Roberts, kicking from a, good position, placed a goal. Athletic, 8; St. Jamo?, nil. Tho second spell was unproductive. Mr. W. Roberts was refereo. OTHER MATCHES. THE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The match at Polo No. 3 between Sclwyn and Wellington resulted iu a will for SolWin by 6 jjoiuta to 3, Roberts and Gal-

vin kickcd penalty cools for tho winners Mr. A. C. Kitto was referee. Victoria College, playing with. 18 men att Polo No. 4 were successful in defeating Poneke by 0 pointy (o nil. O'Shea and li. 11. Grovillo scorcd tries. Tho Griv villo brothers anil Nathan played a Rood gaino for College. Mr. L. Couzons \vca rofereo. Third-class Matches. The game between tho Y.M.C.A. ani Victoria College teams resulted in an easy, victory for Y.M.C.A. by 19 points to G. Per the winners the following scored tries:—D. Sclator'(2), Alexander, Hueston, and Douglas, and Alexander converted' two of tliem. Rodwcll, for College, scored ono try, and a penalty goal was kicked. Berhamporo defeated Melroso by 15 points to 3. Scott (3) and Latham (2) scored for 'Bcrhainpore; Mr. A. Brou* nan was referee. Oriental and Old Boys played a drawn game," tho scores being 3 oil. The gaino was exceedingly fast and' Oriental had very bad luck in not registering a win. Bernard scored for Old Boys and L, Avery for Oriental. Benton, playing for Oriental potted a goal, but it was disallowed .owing to tho ball having touched an opponent's hand in its flight. St. Patrick's College beat Wadestown at Anderson Park b.v 11 points to 3. Red-., mond and Barry played well for St. Patrick's College and Joplin for W&dcstown. Mr. E. B. L. Reade was referee. Petono defeated Wellington A at Petono, by 9 points to 3. Mr. 11. Scott was r©» force. ; After a keenly-contested game Welling'' ton B defeated Wellington College by a - score of 9 points to 8. Higgle (2) and Mehaffoy scored tries for the winners. _ Athletic defeated Hutt at Sharpe's No,. 1 by 5 points to nil. Haughton toorea a try and Leys converted one. Fourth Class. The Poneke-Johnsonvillo match, played at Kelburne Park, resulted in an easy, victory for Poneke by 20 points to nil. Troy, Pi'-vall, Ander=on 12), Hedges, Tilyard, and Morris K»red for the winners, and Troy converted a try and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. C. J. Owynne wa* referee. The United Methodist) in their asme against Wellington B, at Wakefield Park, were eneoesfful in defeating their opponents by the law raarrin of T9 noints to nil. Mr. D. A. Taylor was referee. ' In a fast open game at Newtown Park, Old Boys 1A met and defeated Oriental IV by 15 jwiats to 3. The winnere' score was made up a= followf: —Potted goal by R-ix-Trott, tries by Robertson, G. Grey, ana Ilopliirk. Hopkirk converted one trv. For Oriental, King-scored a try. Mr. )V. Creives was referee. Fifth Class. > Atbletio A at Athletic Park defeated St, Patrick's College by 14 points to nil. Wellington College A baat St. Patrick's College B at the College grounds by 20 points to nil. Mr. J. Slincs was referee. Tho mntoh between Petonc nn'd Wellington College B resulted in a very easy victory for Petono, the aooro being 83 points to nil. ' MAORI MEN IN FORM. Thames, June 1. Parata's Native touring team defeated Thames by 21 to nil. In the first half tho sooro was 6—o, but in the second tho Natives' superior combination told. MATCHES ELSEWHERE. Auckland, June 1. Weather conditions were ideal for field games on Saturday, and attendances wero Large at all grounds. In the Auckland Rugby Union s competition, Ponsonby (3) drew with Marist Brothers (3). University defeated Paniell by 15 points to nil..City defoated College Rifles bv 11 points to nil.. Marist Brothers ore leading for the championship, being ono point clear of Ponsonby and City. Dunedin, May 31. ! Splendid weather prevailed for the football matches to-day. Southern (G points) beat Union (nil). University (15 points] beat Dunedin (nil). Zingari Richmond (13 points) beat Pirates (nil). Kaikoral (11 points) beat Port Chalmers (6 points). Palmcrston, May 31. ! In the senior grade, Feilding (9 points) b?at Oriental (0 points). Western (9 points) beat United (8 points). Christchurch, June 1. Football senior results:—Christchurch ,(0) v. Merivale (0)r Canterbury Collego (12) v. Linwbod (11); Old Boys (25) r. Sydenham (3); Albion (8) v. Marist Bros, (0). Invorcarglll, Junp 1. Rugbv football matches on Saturday resulted as followStnr (12 points) beat Inve'rcarpll 1 (3 points); Athletic (6 points) beat Wnikiwi (nil). (By Telegra-ph.-Spcoial Correspondent.) Masterton, June 1. In tho senior Rugby matches played yesterday Carterton defeated Gladstono by--5 points'to 3, and United btat ItedStar bv 8 points to nil. In tho junior division, iJed Star beat Dalofield by 12 points to ml. REFEREES' MEETING. A meeting of tho executive pf the New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association wai held in tho Y.M.C.A. rooms on Friday evening, 1913. Present, \ Messrs K M. Isaac, D. M/ICenzic,. G. Howe, J. I\o SulJivan, L. Simpson, L. Sie'vers. The following interpretations of the Laws of the Game were asked for. Question by Hawke's Bay Referees Association; What interpretation does the Now Zealand Referees' Association put upon Rule 16a of the hnndbook, in so far ns it clashes with the note to tacklfyoa page 14 of the handbook? Decision! That Law IGa and noto under "tackle," on page' 14 of the handbook, oouilict. Tho note under tackle Bhall now read: "A playor cannot bo considered as tackled unless he is so held that- he cannot pass or play the ball. Thus, if a player is collared (but not held «> that, ho cannot pass or play the ball), ho may pass tho ball, even although lie has been brought to tho ground, and tho ball has touched tho ground, and he may (should he be within reaching distauco of tho goal-line) score a try. . Question bv Wellington Referees Association: In tho ovent o{ a three-quarter fumbling tho ball, can ,one of his own players, who is offside, run back tehind the three-quarter, and play tho ball cision : Yos. I _ The resignation of Mr, H. E. Curd vrns accepted with regret. Mr. D. M'Kenzie was appointed to ropresent tho association on ,tho New Zealand Rugby Union Appointment Board. Now Zealand Referees' Association certificates were awarded to Messrs. I. Jen. kins and A. Derkie, of the Southland Rof' orecs' Association. *