SATURDAY'S SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1777, 16 June 1913, Page 6

SATURDAY'S SPORTS.

ORIENTAL & WELLINGTON

RUGBY POSITIONS UNALTERED. ATHLETIC EXTENDED BY PONEKE. THE LEAGUE RULES. NEW ZEALANDERS IN QUEENSLAND. SYNOPSIS OF RESULTS. Athletic 19 Poneke 8 Petons 16 Victoria College 8 Oriental .' 12 Wellington 3 St. James H Melrose . 11

Tons of Poneke hopes have found a burying ground at Athletic Park in recent Rugby seasons, but on the other hand it may be said that frequently, when the club has had no record to lose, its senior team has shown form which enabled it to bring about' the defeat of one of the teams higher up the ladder of fame.. This season the Red and Black representatives certainly have no great record to worry about, and yet there were times on Saturday when they 6eemed quite likely to wipe off a deficit of six points and triumph over Athletic, the leading team in the championship. It was a Poneke crowd that looked on, and a Poneke victory would have been very popular, but it was not to be. At half-time the Reds were nine points down, but as soon as the game was restarted it was 6een that there was a. deal of fight left in them. After a long attack on the Athletid line the deficit was reduced by three, points and, as the attack was immediately renewed tho crowd roared at the promise of further excitement. This promise was not, however, maintained.It can only bo said that the Red forwards had scrummaged very strenuously against the redoubtable Athletic pack, and, if the backs had taken all the chances that came, the finish would have been very close. But several opportunities to score were muddled and, as the Poneke forwards could- not keep up the hot pace against tho sound, well-balanced team that opposed them, tho final victory rested with Athletic by 19 . points to 8. The match wag certainly no kid-glove affair, but the keenness with which it was fought was fully appreciated because of the entire absence of anything in the nature of unclean tactics.

Principally a forward struggle, the match nevertheless provided one or two patches of bright back play which pleased, but there were some really bad) mistakes by the backs on both sides. The weakest spot in the Poneke defence was the .right wing three-quarter, on whose side of the field the whole of the Athletic 1 score was piled up. Combination was badly wanted, too, on the losing side— o fact which would have been even more apparent, but for some hard work by the experienced Mitchinson, who, if not as brilliant as of old, is still very useful to his side.

Notwithstanding the excellent weather, the orowd was not a very large one, and it is evident that the old game is not holding its own with the' public. Here were weal conditions—capital weather, a first-class ground, and two of the oldest teams in the competition matched, but the attendance was poor. Enthusiasm was not wanting, though "enthusiasm," for some part of the time at least, meant hooting the referee. This conduct on the part of a section of the crowd was scarcely warranted, as the official appeared to have a good grip of the game,.and administered the law with duo regard for the advantage rule. As mentioned above, it was decidedly a Poneke crowd.

CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. ' 1 MU -. 115 J£ s oil Athletio ...... 9 8 1 0 102 43 16 Petone 9 7 1 1 128 66 15 Oriental 9 6 3 0 105 59 12 Wellington ... 9 4 4 1 49 59 9 Melrose 9 4 4 .X 68 60 . 9 Poneke 9 2 G 1 44 104 ' 5 Vio. College ... 9 1 5,2 51 103 4 St. James ...... 9 0 . 7 2 52 120 2 . PONEKE & ATHLETIC.

THE BATTLE ON THE PARK. j Both Athletic and Poneko had practi- t cally all their senior men available on ( Saturday, and the teams _ took the field as printed in the programme. So they ] played until the finish, with the excep- , tion of a minor change in- the 6econd ■ spell, when. M'Vay, th<s Athletic full-back, i retired with an injured shoulder, and j was replaced by M'l)onald. The teams i met on No. 1 ground at .Athletic Park, i and Athletic won by a comfortable mar- 1 gin of points, thus retaining their posi- | tion at the top of the championship ladder. Poneko (red) won the toss, and Athletic (blue) kicked off from the western goal. The Blues were at once on the attack, and before many minutes had passed Poneke were compelled to force. Following the drop-out, Mitchinson and Algar placed Poneke on the attack, and a little later a good lonc-hand effort by Mitchinson, preceded an effort by Tilyard, who made a fine dash near the corner-flag, and managed to transfer to H. Elliott, who got within an ace of scoring. This was merely a prelude to reverse, for. Athletic worked within scoring distance, and, after Poneke had forced down a second time, Madden marked a weak drop-out, and Evensen kicked a neat goal. Athletic, 3; Poneke, 0. A little later a passing bout between. Adams, Evensen, and Madden ended in the lostnamed returning to Evensen, who lost the ball a yard from the line-out. It went into touch, and from the throw-in Cunningham secured, and forced his way over the line. No goal resulted. Athletic, 6; Poneke, 0. The Athletic score mounted still higher, as the result of a try by E. Osborne, who scored after Evensen and Madden had made matters easy for him. Evensen added the major points. Athletic, 11; Poneke, 0. Durmg a further Athletic attack, an erratic pass by Cunningham got his side into difficulty. J. Elliott headed the Poneke rush after the )>nll, and obtained possession. He passed to Mitchinson, who centred with a magnificent kick, Iho ball dropped right under the posts, and Jacobsen, who appeared to have nursed his strength specially for such an occasion, rushed up, and scored a try. Mit> chinson converted. Athletic, 11, Poneke, 5. Concerted effort by J. Elliott, Mitchinson, and Tilyjird just failed to bring a score to Poneke, but one was recorded against them just before "half-time, vuicn Madden, after a fine run. transferred to Roberts, who scored an unconverted try. Athletic, 14; Poneke, 5. Poneko attacked early in the second spell, and Morris early made an opening for J. Elliott, who was grassed within a yard of the line. Then pretty passing bv Athletic followed, but Poneke quickly came ba(& to the attack, and Gardiner just failed to place a goal from a mark by Morris. The Reds at this stage were playing with great heart, and Mitchinson and Morris, in the backs, and Oardiner, at wing-forward, wero playing brilliantly at times. After several unsuccessful efforts to pierce the Athletic defence, a fair reward came at last, lling broko away from a scrum near Athletic twenty-five, and passed to Tilyard, who sent the ball on to Mitchinson. lhe last-named cut-in beautifully, and] list fell short of the line, but Tilyard chimed in again, and obtained the try. "J I *,"' flier failed with a difficult kick. A*"" letic, U; Poneke, 8. For some time of tor this score the Poneko forwards sxejaA JSB&.

but in the last. ten minutes they were beaten back to their own line. A forward rush by the Blues saw Bell score a try, which Roberts converted-. No-side was called soon after- with the scores reading: Athletic, 19; Poneke, 8. Mr. W. J. Meredith was referee. PETONE & COLLEGE. OPEN GAME & EASY WIN. Upwards of 600 spectators were present on the Petone Oval to witness this game, which proved very interesting. Both teams made tho game an open one. In tho back division Ryan, for College, played an outstanding game, both in defence and attack. Little, at full-back, did some very serviceable kicking, but at times was weak when called upon to defend. T. Beard is a cool player, and for his weight gets over the ground fairly fast; ho was good both at stopping rushes and getting lii 3 kick in when pressed. Fawcctt, M'Kenzie, Quilliam, Bennett, and Brosnan wero the best of a very willing lot of forwards. Parker made few mistakes for Petoae, while Dansey covcred himself with honour in tho oyes of Petone supporters by his improved play. Petone forwards aro a working lot, with one or two shining lights in the loose, more especially W. Ryan and A. Parker, who are always there or thereabouts when tries are in the air. College were not •in such good condition as Petone, and to this must be attributed the score in the second half.

From the kick-off College set up an attack, which was relieved by A. Parker and W. Ryan, breaking through with the ball and making for the opposite goal-line. After negotiating three parts of the field, off-side play relieved College. Petone rushed tne ball back froin the kick, and a chanoe was lost through Nunn running into the opposing forwards. An infringement by College in their own twenty-fivo enabled M'Farlane to place a beautiful goal. Petone, 3—o. College attacked from tho kick-out, and M'Kenzie, fumbling the ball, obliged Parker to foroe. A rush by Petone was stopped by a kick by Faire, which M'Kenzie returned. East failed to catch the ball, but saved by throwing into touch. Fawcett securcd on tho lineout, and kicked down the fiold. Petone forwards brought it back again East relieving with an excellent. kicH. under difficulties. College worked the ball into Petone territory, where East marked inside the twenty-five. After a shot by Beard, M'Kenzie sent the ball out at the College twenty-five,'-where, from tho lineout, Dansey gained possession, but for holding too long when collared was penalised. College received slight respite from thta kick, the ball (coming out of a subsequent scrum), was passed from Dansey to Boyd, to Daley. The forwards carried on the rush, and A. Parker got oyer. M'Farlane increased the score. Petone, 8; College, nil. Twenty minutes had now gone, and, after this reverse, College made 6trenuous efforts to equalise things. Fawcett came through grandly from a scrimmage, and looked like scoring, but Boyd, fielding the ball splendidly, saved in the nick of time. The "gowns were not to be denied, howevor, for immediately afterwards Miller smothered G. Parkers return, and the ball went into touch at Petone's corner-post. G. Parker relieved with a good kick, which Ryan marked. Beard was next to come into prominence, by bringing off a good run which ended near Petone goal-line. Bennett, who was playing a dashing ' forward game, secured from tli© touch-line, and grounded, the ball near tho goalposts. Ryan missed the easiest of kicks. Petone, 8,; College, 3. Play became very fast; attack followed defence in quick succession. The smart maffkingof Ryan, for College, nullified several Petone rushes, which were beaming- dangerous. Nunn passed to A. Parker, wlio gained ground by a kick, and College had hard work keeping the aggressors out, College being ultimately foroed College were again forced soon after through a forward movement by Petone, in which Nankivillo, M'lCenzie, and Dansey took part. M'Kenzie getting possession, sidestepped two opponents prettily, passed to Na'ikiville, to Boyd, who knocked-ona' bad pass. College then pressed hard, and halttime arrived with play on Petone s side of the half-way line. Petone commenced the second halt witn ning ru-tfies. Dansey made a nice sprint, yan knocking the pass forward. Nanlavillo came down the line with the ball, and College wore caught mapping. A. l'avber carried on tho advantage gamed, and got over at tho corner. Petone, 11; College, 3. From this out Petone had the, ■best of the argument. M'Kenzie central, and Ready was almost over, but lost tlio bail, College being foroed. Nunn started a veTy pretty passing bout, the ball travelling to M'Kenzie, to Boyd, to J. Ryan, to Dansey, who scored near the posts. M'FarWs had no difficulty in adding the major points. Petone, 16; College, 3. Titers was no further. score. Mr. L. Larway was the referee.

"THE GLORIOUS UNCERTAINTY." Cricket is not the only game which carries about with it the whole of the world's supply of "glorious uncertainty. If any spectator of the Oriental-Welling-ton match at Miromar had been asked fifteen minutes before the end of tho game what ho thought of it ho would probably have said "Oriental are up against it." That, at any rate, appeared to be the case, for Wellington* had scored a try--the only score of the match—and the Black and Gold forwards were simply running over the Oriental pack and bustling tho backs not a little. But when things were looking blackest for the "Magpies" Kinvig, unmarked for the mo* ment, loosed one of his left-foot snapshots, which went straight. Thus, in a flash the complexion of tho game was entirely' changed, for Oriental then led by four points to three. Whether it was that Wellington crumpled up after this reverse, or that Oriental were encouraged by their turn of good hick, certain it is that tho Black and Whitos never gave Wellington another chance in the game. A minute after ICinvig's goal was kicked tho Wellington backs wero pinned on the lino and Hn.ll secured and bumped his way over the line. Paton missed the shot at goal, and the sooro was 7 to 3 in favour of Oriental. Just before "noside" was called Bridge got into difficulties near his own line, and in a scramble on the lino Moffott fell on the boll. Ho was allowed a try, but thcro were different opinions as to whether tho ball had not been fairly forced before he touched it. Paton added tho extra points, making Oriental's total score 12—3. Wellington's one and only try came early in the game, as tho outcomo of good following-up by Millor and Francis. Both of them pounced on Carrad before ho could get rid of tho ball, and Miller snatched it from liim and dashed over tho lino with it. Bridge failed with this kick, and also failed with sevoral others within fair range. Lambert's absence was very noticeable when there wero kicks going. Wellington should liavo scored on at least two,' if not three, other occasions, but bungling by tho backs at critical times nullified the good work of tho forwards. On the whole, however, Wellington had distinctly tho bettor of tho gaino right through, and Oriental were lucky to win. In Wellington's case it. was tho proverbial slip twixt cup and

ST. JAMES & MELROSE. HARD-FOUGHT DRAW. Melrose and St. James fought a particularly hard battle on No. 2 ground at Atliletio Park, and it was only in the last stride that Melrose drew level with St. James and avorted dofeat. Hokota, who nas in great form, was one of tho chief 1 thorns in Melrose's side, and ono of tho pnnoipal factors in almost bringing about the downfall of the Newtown boys. At half-time St. James led by 8 to nil, and Late in tho gamo they wore in tho van with tho sopro standing 11 to 3. Heketa scored tho first trr, of tho match, shooting over brilliantly from a loose rush. Crowes goaled. St. James, 5; Melrose, nil. St. James kopt Melrose defending, and ft useful mark by M'lneraey gave Crewes a shot at goal. Tho kick wns successful, and St. James led by 8 to nil. St. James maintained tho upper hand until halftime. Melrose opened tho second spell with an attack which was only stopped right on tlio line. St. James were penalised, and Cjreeks landed a fine goal. St. James, 8; Melrose 3. At about half-way, Utiku (St. James half) opened up a passing rnsli. IJIO oval went out to Crewes, who made a great sprint for the line, and then transferred to Hokota, and that nuggety individual bumped and bounced a way across. St. James, 11; Melrose, 3. From now on Melroso played better football, but St. James were going so strong that tho gamo seemed to bo already lost and won. However, the ball was booted across tlio St. James line, and,in a race for it Peterson, who had just taken, the field in place of an injured confrere, boat Heketa and. scored. Greeks goaled 'from the corner. St. Jamos, 11; Melrose, 8. Close 011 timo Greeks kicked a penalty goal for Melrose, and tho gamo onaed: St. James, 11; Melrose, 11. OTHER CITY MATCHES. THE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Selwyn wore defeated by Petone by 3 points to nil. Wynyard was the scorer. Oriental defeated Porirua by 28 points to 3. Third Class, , St. Patrick's College defeated Petone by 10 points to 6. Athletic beat Y.M.C.A. by 19 points to 8. Murray and Sclater scorod for tho losers, and Alexander converted ono of the tries.

The Hutt-Berhamporo game resulted in a draw, each side.scoring 3 points. Johnsonvillo were defeated by Wellington A by 8 points to 3. Elias and Packer scored for the winners, and Holes converted one try. Little scored for the defeated team. Oriental defeated Wellington College by 12 points to nil. Bradley and M'Oomisky scored tries, and Watson converted one. A. Moore kicked a penalty-goal. Fourth Class. Potono easily defeated Oriental by 23 points to nil. Borliampore defeated Hutt by 22 points to nil. United Mothodista wens defeated, by Athletio by 5 points to <3. Wellington A defeated Johnsonvillo by 39 points to 12. Tries' for the winners, wore scored by Gardener (6), Amies (2), O'Shea, Thompson, and Morton. Gardener converted three tries. Fifth Class. St. Patrick's College B team was badly defeated by Athletio A, the score being G2 points to nil. Trws were scored by Xl'Carlie (6), Macauley (3), Watsta (2), Linloy (2), and Mills and Lonby. M'Carlie kicked a penalty goal and converted a try. Watson, Henderson, and Macauley converted one try each. St. Patrick's College A defeated Athletic' B by 9 points to 8. Johnsonvillo were defeated by Selwyn by 24 points to nil. Sixth Class. Wellington College beat St. Patrick's College by 5 points to nil. \ MATCHES ELSEWHERE. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Masterton, Juno 15. In Hie senior Rugby matches played on Saturday, United defeated Red Stars by 9 points to nil}' and Gladstone beat Carterton by 10 points to 5. Red Stars and United are now on equal terms for the championship. . In the junior division, Red Stars defeated United by 17 points to 10. ' In the third-class match, Red Stars (21) beat Dalefield (3).

(Br Tclegrnpli.—l-rora Association.) Auckland, Juno 15. Dull and cold weather was experienced for tho football matches yesterday, rbut there was a big attendance at Alexandra Park when the principal game was played. Ponsonby defeated City by 5 points to nil, and are now leading for tho championship. with Marist Bros. University beat Collcgo Rifles by 18 points to 3, and Marist Bros, beat Parnell by 17 points to 3. Palmerston, Juno 14. In tho senior grade,, Feilding beat United by 12 points to 8. Western defeated "Oriental by 19 points to 7. Christchurch, Juno 15. Senior championship results Old Boys (18) beat Christchurch (nil); Albion (19) beat Canterbury College (nil); Lin woo (1 (9 points) beat Sydenham (8 points); Merivalo (1G points) beat Marist Bros. (3 points). Wanganui, Juno 14. The senior cup match Kaicrau v. Wanganui resulted in a win for Kaicrau by 3 points to nil, after a very even game. Dunedin, Juno 14. Tho senior Rugby matches were played to-day on greasy grounds. Results:—Kaikorai 16, Alhambra nil; University 6, Pirates G; Dunedin 9. Union 5; Southern 11, Port Chalmers, nil; Zingari Richmond a byo. MAORIS DEFEATED AT BRISBANE. By Telegraph—Pross Association—Copyright (Rec. June 15, 5.5 p.m.) r Brisbane, Juno 15. Queensland defeated tho Maori team by 19 points to nine. Tho game was fast and exciting throughout. Both 1 sides snowed splendid combination and tho tackling <vas deadly. Woods scored and converted, and Grace got a field goal. Queensland scored two converted tries, two unconverted, and one penalty goal.