LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

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

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

THE CHIEF GAME. PETONE GO DOWN. TO NEWTOWN. The rivals, Pctone 'and Newtown, met for a great struggle at Newtown. 'Park on Saturday. Petono were all out to lower' Newtown's colours, for they needed a win to give tliem a chance in tho competition, Tho game was exciting throughout, and at times a little" rough play entered into it. In the early stages Newtown put oil a lead of seven points, but beforo tho half-tiino came, honours were even, and for a timo in the seoond spell Petono were on top, and looked like getting away with the match. They tired at the finish, and Newtown ended with points to Sl Prom the kick-off tho Petone forwards made play willing, and were pressing Newtown, when Strickland intercepted a bad pass, and took the ball out of danger. Seconds lator tho samo player got clear away, and, utilising his speed, had 6oorcd for Nowtown, sonio three minutes after the start. Ho failed to kick tho goal. Petono kept up an attack after this, but Shardlow, getting off-side, hold them back for a time. A nico centrekick by Glading gavo them an opening, however, and Ashton put in a good run, managing to got over just on tho corfier. Whitley's, kick at goal was good, but failed to achieve its purpose. Sponcer kicked off well for Newtown, tho ball landing right under Petono's posts, but it had to be brought back for a scrum, through a White man having been in front.- From the scrum, House and Glading put in a good run, taking play to Newtown's end. Hero the defending team got tho best of a number of speculative kicks, and took play again to midfield. llussell started a fino passing-rush for his side, and tho ball rapidly passed to Strickland, George, and Munlock, the last-named getting over for Newtown. Ho added a goal. Whitley, the Pctone captain, was responsible for a run which covored half tho length of the field when play started again, but his pass was not taken at the last moment, and Nowtown later forced down,* thus relieving their line. Newtown resumed the attack, and a mark in a good position by George cnXflMed them 19 take ploy well into I'etqao'a.

territory. Tho defending line was equal to tho occasion, until ft clever mark by M'Ardlo for Newtown gave Murdock tlio clianco to kick another goal. Newtown wcro now leading by seven polntß, but tlio gamo was not all in thoir favour. TII9 Blacks were putting up a strenuous attack, in which the forward division mado many openings for tho backs. Pefcono added their next points just beforo lialftimo, when Finlayson kicked a beautiful dropped goal from tho half-way line, and Barber, House, and Whitley, getting in an effective run, Whitley scored'in a good position, and added a goal, making tho ecoro ten all. On changing round Benscmann and Spencer- started a forward rush Newtown, but Finlayson nullified this by splendid kicking from tho back-line. I'ctono at this stage got into a leading position in a funny manner. Glading missed a pas 3 when it looked as if ho must 9core, but managed to catch tho ball as it rose, and sent a long, speculative kick over Newtown's lino. Whitley followed this up rapidly, and, boating two opponents, scored. He failed to add a goal. Immediately on tho ball coming into play again, Potone were penalised, and Murdock kickcd a goal. This left Petone, still ono point to tlio good. For a long time piny was keen, but Newtown wero not to bo donicd, and M'Guire soored, as the result of a nassiiig rush stavtsd from a scrum. Murdock added a goal.. Petono wcro not equal to the demands required for' again scoring, although lliey mado a great effort. Just on time, King added another try to Newtown'e score, and Strickland kicked a goal, making tho linal score: Newtown, 22; Petone, 18. Mr. T. Cunningham was-referee. ATHLETIC & HUTT. Tho gamo between Athletic and HIIH wag played on the latter club's ground. From tlio outset Athletic attacked, and Hutt, after defending for a spell, returned the compliment. Tlio town team, howover, broke away, and after a lot of quick passing, Wilson scored. 3—o. Hutt started a further attack, which looked promising, but Athletic turned the tables at tho right moment, and ended a great rush by Burke {/freaking over. G—o. After somo 1 evon play Hutt (by means of their backs) gained ground, and from a scrum Collett divod in. G—3. Athletic had all the lx?st of the game till .the end after this, and Brookes put on another score, tho gamo thus (ending: 9-3. Mr. Wright had charge. JUNIOR LEAGUE. Petone A defeated Hutt by 17 points tJ 8, after a good gamo. For Petone, Johnson scored two tries, Ingham two, and Hume one try, and Johnson converted a penalty. For Hutt, France got a try and • Collett one, which M'llvride converted. THE AUCKLAND'CLUBS. (By Tolcgraph.—Presj Association.) Auckland, Juno 14. In the Leaguo competition North Short beat City by 17 to nil, and Newton beat Ponsonby. North Shoro aro leading for tho championship.

THE TEAM ON TOUB. QUEENSLAND, HEAVILY BEATEN. By Telegraph—Press Acsocintion—Copyright 1 ' (Rec. Juno 15, 5.5 p.m.) Brisbane, Juno 15. In the Northern' League game New Zealand defeated Queensland by 39 points to's. The game was played on the cricket' ground in fine, cool weather, and with a largo attendance. Tho Now Zealand team was as follows:— Back, Miller; three-quarters, Proebstel, Ifwerson, Duvall; five-eighths. -Maiming, ICelly; half, Bradley; forwards, Clarke,' Slmdbolt, Walters, King, Hogan, Hay.' . Ward. Queensland: Back, Duffin; three.' quarters, Lynch, Hickey, Maunders," M'Gregor; nvo-eighths, Saxgood; half, : Fahey; forwards, Busteed, Hcalaby, fs'al- ' del - , M'Kay, Greaves, Ross. Haywaird won the toss, but tlioro was no wind. The visitors attacked early,' and quickly had the Queensltvnders de-' fending. Prom a scrum near the lino, • King secured and scored, and Ifwerson got a goal. The attack was resumed, and Kelly soorcd easily. Ifwerson again got a goal. The then began to.force,.and,Duflin, Toceivoid at half-way, audi ' afVr«a dodgy run punted over, and M'Gregor scored. Sargood failed to conr, vert. Play was oven till near tho end of: tho si>oll,'when Proetetel scored after: running through tho defence, and Ifwerson. secured tho goal. In the second 6pell tho Now Zealanders woro attacking most of the time, and Manning, Shadbolt, Kelly, Ifwerson, and Walters scored tries. Ifwerson converted, two, and Bradley one. Rosb converted; from a mark for Queensland, Ifwersov eprained his ankle. PROPOSED ENGLISH TOUR. By Telegraph.—Ptosa Association—Oonyrighl London, Juno 13. Tho secretary of the Northern League, interviewed, states that tho New South Wales invitation for a team to visit Aus-< tralia cannot be accepted unless tho Colonial Leagjio accepts tho proposed basis , for safeguarding tho mutual interests respecting the transfer of players. This was as essential as torm3 for tho tour, ASSOCIATION. FINE MATCH AT THE BASIN. SENIOR RESULTS. Hospital ......... 2 St. John's f Y.M.C.A 1 Thistle ! Corinthians 6 Rovers 0 Wanderers 2 Swifts 1 Diamonds 2 Brooklyn United 2 Tho centro of attraction on Saturday was tho Basin Reserve, where a very fine display of "soccer" was given by the two teams engaged, Y.M.C.A. and Thistle. An enthusiastic crowd watched tho varying fortunes of tho ganio with more than ordinary interest. * THISTLE & Y.M.C.A. After what is said to havo been the best game soon this season in Wellington,. Thistle and Y.M.C.A. walked off tho Basin Reserve on Saturday unbeaten teams. It was a drawn game. -Both combinations were out to win. Thistlo having played seven gamos, and won them all, had 11 points to thoir credit, and were top of tlio League. Y.M.C.A., on tho other hand, had played fivo games and were lying fourth on tho list with seven points. As a result of tho "go" on Saturday, Thistlo still lead for tho championship, but Corinthians and Hos- ' pital are now close to thorn. Play was very fast, and was always interesting, and, time and again, tho largo crowd present showed their appreciation by chccring. Thistlo did thoir utmost to break through tho splendid defence of tlio ' Y.M.C.A. backs, but without result, for • "Y.M.'s" were playing a safe game, and wore feeding their forwards well. Up to half-timo both sides fought hard for a lead, but it was a neck-and-neck race, with honours easy when tho whistle sounded.

During the opening stages of tho second half Thistlo pressed their opponents hard. Barnctt, on Iho left-wing, was playing a great game, whilo Hollis, in goal for Y.M.C.A., was saving well. Presently Barnett secured and sent tllo ball like a shot towards the net. Ho just missed by inches. Ho had another ehanco' a little later on, and after some very fine play on the left-wing Thistlo's out-side-left sliot hard, 'l'ho mill hit another player's head, beat llollis, who was Ijdic'i unawares, ond bounded into tlio net. 1 his made Thistlo ono up. From uow nmvnril tlio game becamo very willing. I.M.C.A. forced the pace, and being tlio lighter team, gavo their heavier opponents a lot of running about;. Tinnj was getting 011, arid darkness was creeping up when Y.M.C.A.'s chtrnco tame. They had been pressing the 131 tics hard for a few minute's when, froiu a splendid picco of play in iho vicinity of Thistle's coal, Cnrruthers sent in a beautiful shot which equalised the scores. Tho remainder of tho same ivas fought out in tho semidarkness. Mr. W. Auld was referee. HOSPiTAL & ST. JOHN'S. St. John's gave IMspital a lively time on Saturday, tho Porirua' men just man-

aging to defeat tho town team by 2 goals to 1. From start to finish it was a closo even game. St. John's went out with a full team—tlio best they have had on tlio field this season—determined to lower Hospital's colours. Had it not boon for tho" fact that Hospital played a g.nno tlio lilto of which has not been played in Wellington football for years past, Joku'e would havo attained ilieir obt

ject. During tfa first half, St. John's custodian (Walls) was call&d upon to savo repeatedly. It was duriug this 6poll, howovor, that St. John's succeeded in scoring. Lowe put in a high dropping sliot, and the ball struck tho post. Morrison was handy, and succeeded in placing tho ball through tho posts from the rebound. Try as they would, Hospital i through St. John's defence, the latter s backs proving very solid. After 2a minutes, however, "Walls played a corner kick by Daily, over tho lino, and a goal was awarded to Hospital. The winning goal was scored by Hughes in characteristic manner. Boots put in a beautiful long shot, which Walls attempted to save. Before tho 'keeper could do so, however, Hughes came bustling up and sent him and tho ball through the opening. Thus the game ended, leaving Hospital .winners. I Mr. J. Ince was referee. CORINTHIANS & ROVERS. Corinthians defeated Hovers on Kelburno Park on Saturday afternoon by six goals to nil. It is worthy of note that Corinthians have always put up a big 6core when thoy play on this reserve. During the greater part of the match thoy did all the* pressing, and rattled on goals in fine style. On one or two occasions Erivers managed to get within shooting distance of Corinthians' goal, but Webster (in goal) was always very safe. O'Shea and Ballard, who played well tof other on Corinthians' left-wing, did all lie scoring between them, with the exception of one goal by Willis. Mr. A. E. Wells was referee, SWIFTS &~WANDERERS. A very poor game was put up between Swifts and 'Wanderers, at Miramar. These teams hold «jual positions in the championship running, and consequently a fast, even "go" i was expected, but the form shown was disappointing.' ' Both team 9 had substitutes in. their ranks—a 6omewhat unhealthy sign. The opening play was sadly lacking in organisation, but the exchanges in the first half were fairly even, the ball being carried from one end of the' field to tne other with tiring regularity. Swifts, although in difficulties several times, would (with proper combination) have had no trouble, not only in repelling tho attack, but in forcing their own attack home. Unfortunately for them, however, this combination was lacking. A few minutes before the spell ended; combined play between Kettleworth. O'Shea, and Sogers produced a goal for Wanderers. Soon after the second spell opened a' Wanderers man fouled within the arcp. Swifts were awarded a penalty, and PyeSmith sent in a goal. Wanderers, 1; Swifts, 1. Somo rather fine play was shown after this, Wanderers securing the lead through Trowin driving' the ball home with a well-timed shot. Swifts made a desperate rally, which/ continued till the. end, but they were unsuccessful in their endeavour to change the scores, and were thus defeated by one goal. Mr. J. P. Paton controlled the game, DIAMONDS & BROOKLYN UNITED. Hard play characterised the tussle between Diamonds and Brooklyn United, at Wakefield Park. Both teams were unfortunate in having a man seriously injured. Eostral, a Diamonds player, received a kick shortly after the game commenced, and this necessitated leaving the field while Johnson, a Brooklyn man, had his ankle broken. The latter Occident occurred a few minutes before the end of the game, and Johnson, after receiving medical attention, was removed to the hospital. When the game began, Diamonds soon got to work, and had the Brooklyn goalkeeper in difficulties several times. A corner-kick was put in, and Bade scored the first goal of the game in Diamonds' favour. Brooklyn brightened up after this, and carried the game into the Blacks' territory. Bidmead defend, ed excellently, but the Brooklyn men were too much for him, Marshall putting the leather through at close quarters. Brooklyn, 1; Diamonds, 1. The opening of the second half saw Diamonds playing with vim, but their opponents were equal to them. . The Brooklyn forwards"seouredy'£Hd 'bdftV' down on the goal-mouth with a rush. Marshall got the ball at his feet, and sent in a neat shot that again beat the goalkeeper. Brooklyri.2;'Diamonds; i; : It was at this point that Johnson met with his accident, and tho game was temporarily held; up. Play recommenced, both sides appearing to profit considerably by the brief spell. Lowe Bros, put in some smart work, and placed tho scores level; Diamonds, 2; Brooklyn, 2. Both teams were going strongly when the whistle blew. . ' Mr. H. Yeoman was referee.