SATURDAY'S SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1825, 11 August 1913, Page 8

SATURDAY'S SPORTS.

THE PREMIERSHIPS.

DECIDED IN. RUGBY AND ASSOCIATION.

ATHLETIC & THISTLE ON TOP.

LEAGUE REPORTS, NEWS, AND FIGURES.

Athletic Petone Poneke Victoria College

SYNOPSIS OF RESULTS. 11 St. James 3 8 Wellington 5 13 Oriental 0 11 Melrose 3

Form worked out as anticipated in Saturday's principal Rugby contests, and top rung on tho grade ladder is now permanently adorned by Athletic. Considering that the contests at Athletic Park included .what was practically tho seaeon's final, ths attendance -wins not remarkable, neither was tho "sting" and "clinch" present which would colour an Athletic-Pctono match with scores of purplo patches. "Park No. 1" was tho convincing ground for St. James and Athletic, while, on No. 2 ground Wellington wrestled with Petone. Both clashes were hard enough, but Athletic, at no time looked like losing and were probably unfortunate in not registering at least 20 points. Certainly St. James made a great fight and did quite a lot of attacking in both spells, but their efforts lacked tho real red light of danger. On tho other hand, there were occasions in tho first spell when certain scores were lost to Athletic—once through tho untractable bounce of tho ball, and again through a pass that was made without judgment.

Athletic wero without tho services of their half-back, E. Hoberts, who was suffering from tho effects of a slight injury to his knee. M'Vay took his place and Gosling played at full-back. Apart from this the teams were representative of the full strength of each club. A capital spirit perraded tho play though tho hard efforts of the men meant some fairly hard knocks. St. Jamos fared tho worso in this respect. In the first half, Griffiths (centre-threo-quarter) received a painful cut over the left eye, whilo in tlio second half Brown (forward) hurt his anklo rather badly, a.nd had to retire temporarily. Both received attention from tho ambulance officers, but Young, who was also temporarily injured, did not require nioro than a oouplo of minutes' respite from the battle.

Passing was not much in evidence during tho • match as both sets of, forwards kept up spoiling efforts throughout. St. James endeavoured to make the gamo open almost tho wholo time, but never managed to get their backs going ill the avalanche stylo that tells—tlie Blues wero usually down 011 them much too quickly. So the game ended only as it. could have ended—a win for Athletic and both sides very tired.

CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. I P A ' I J * Ij, . j, f-5 OA< Athletic ~„ 1J 12 2 0 24 Petone It 11 2 1 23 Oriental 1-1 8 6 0 16 Wellington ..... 11 7 6 1 15 Jlelroso 1-1 5 -8 1 11 Poneko 1-1 5 8 1 11 Vic. College 14 3 fl 2 8 St. James 14 1 11 2 i ATHLETIC & ST. JAMES. - COMFORTABLE WIN FOR PEEMIEKS. Atliletio won the toss, and defended the western goal with tho.sun at their backs. Soon after the kick-off, St. Jaincs were penalised, and Athletic worked right down inside the 'St. James twenty-five. A pot at goal from tho Athletic side went very wide, and Madden, following up fast, had a clear opening ahead, but tho bounco beat him, and tho ball went into touch. Israel relieved pressure with a useful kick, but this filuo forwards camo back again, and in a scramble the ball went out to Evenjon. The latter sent on* to Adams, who gathered a faulty pass on the bounce, and transferred to S. Wilson. Tho last-named raced for tho corner, and fell into tho scoring area as ho was tackled by Ileketa. Evenson converted with a splendid kick. Athletic, 5; St. James, 0. From tho kick-out, St. James made a brief attack, but, like an avalanche, tho Blue forwards came back* and, at tho end of a characteristic A. Wilson fell just short of tho line. A few minutes later, Madden, would have scored had ho been ablo to gather in a wild pass from behind the scrum, but the ball was much too high. A strenuous ■period followed, but eventually St. James cleared the lino in lino style, and worked up to the Athletic territory. Hero Thomas missed a difficult shot at goal from a mark, but almost immediately nfter kicked a fine,penalty goal.'' Athletic, 5; St. James, 3. Tho scores were not left long in this condition. Athletic came once moro to tho attack, and St. James wero penalised in front of their 6wn goal. Evenson made no mistako with tho kick. Athletic, 8; St. James, 3. This was tho position at half-time. Faced with the deficit of fivo points, St. James made the play as open as possible in tho second spell, but it was some minutes before . they were able to assume the aggressive.. Onco they invaded tho Athletic territory they kept up a long attack, and on one occasion were beading the correct routo to their opponents' goal when' an unfortunate infringement spoiled the rush. The relief Athletic gained from tho fi'ce-kick was only of a temporary nature, for the St. James forwards renewed their efforts. During this period—and, indeed, throughout tho match—tho Athletic defence proved very soimd, and towards the end of the gamo the St. James men were beginning to feel the effect of their hard and unsuccessful efforts to reach the Athletic line. Gradually, but surely, the Blues overcame the disheartened St. James men, and one great forward rush by the leading team ended- in Osborne scoring a try. Evenion's kick at goal was unsuccessful this time. Athletic, 11; St. James, 3. St. .Tames had now given their best in a losing struggle, but their opponents were showing signs of distress, too, and, though <tho battle continued to be waged, there was no further scoring. Tims the gamo resulted: Athletic, 11; St. Jaincs, 3. Mr. Francis was referee. PETONE & WELLINGTON. THE BLUES LUCKY TO WIN. Tho runners-up had extraordinary good luck to beat Wellington on jS'o. 2 ground at tho Athletic Park. The honours of tho gamo were undoubtedly with tho Yellows, and with a fair share of tho fortunes of tho ' game, Wellington should liavt registered a substantial victory. This doei not necessarily mean that Wellington nre n better tenm than Petone, but on Saturday tho.v certainly plnycd the tetter game. J'etono were handicapped at thf> start by tho obseueo of their clcvcr half, Nunn, who arrived on the field about a quarter of an hour after tho_ kick-off. liiglit from tho jump the Wellington forwards set off to show that they wero "all out" for victory. Playing as they havo never dono before, they soon had the suburbanites cooped up in their twenty-five. A series of scrums in front of tho Petono posts kept, supporters of tho Blues in a flutter of anxiety, tut repeated fumbling at crucial moments spoilt many excellent, chances. The missing of a. pass by Durie, and tho dropping of Hi!? ball by Urnce just as ho reached , tiw lino, robbed Wollingtou of almost

certain tries, Good lacking by James Ryan helped Potone up tho field, and tho Blues took a hand at attacking. Tho Pctono backs wero able to handle the hall much better than tho opposing rearguard, and their opjMrtunuities were mostly availed of. After a beautiful passing rush, in which nearly all the backs took part, Joo Ryan got tho ball, and, feinting skilfully, beat his man, and dashed over. Tho attempt at conversion was a failure. Pctono, 3; Wellington, nil. Tho Wellington forwards, etill playing magnificently, soon had tho Blues in trouble again. Led by Weir, they took tho ball right to tho Pctono line. Lack of skill in tho finer arts of tho game, however, prevented their scoring, and' tho Blues had welcome relief more than once by means of a touch down. On one occasion a AVcllington forward put the ball down within an inch of tho line. A few moments later tho Yellow forwards forced themselves across, aud one of them fell on the ball, with a dozen - others on top of him. When the heap sorted itself out, tho referee ruled it a touchdown. It_ was hard luck indeed. The next Wellington assault was more successful. From a scramble on tho line tho ball shot back to tho ever-watcliful Grace, and fho speedy three-quarter dashed over under tho posts. Bridge had no difficulty with the kick. Wellington, 5: Pctono, 3. Tho reverse made Potone "buck up," but a really fine run by Francis shifted play back to Blue territory. The spell ended in midfield. Honours lay with Wellington, but with ordinary luck tho Yellows would have had a much moro substantial lead..

Tho second fcpoll soon resolved itself into a desporato shrugglo between tho Petone backs and tho Wellington forwards. Tho Blues looked very much liko scoring when their three-quarters "got from a line-out, tut Joo Ryan missed his pass almost under tho posts. ■It was a naiTOw escape. Petono continued to attack, but met a sterling defence, in which were prominent threequarter Grace and full-back Bridge, who was playing excellently. Tho paco was too bet, however, and eventually E. Ryan secured a try. Tho opening was made by .Tanies Ryan, who punted across tho field to his brother. .Too Ryan converted. Petone,.B; Wellington, 5. _ Tho notching of this try was another piecs of genuino bad luck for Wellington. Immediately before it. one of tho Yellow forwards took a splendid mark in tho centro of tho field, and tho kick would probably liavo given mucli-nceded relief. The referee was some considerable distanco away, and the whistle was silent. There was no further score, although both teams repeatedly worked themselves into dangerous positions." The Yellows tired somewhat towards tho finish, and Petono made a better showing., The game ended with tho Blues tlirca points' ahead.' r Mr. Ivcan was referee. PONEKE & ORIENTAL. CREDITABLE FOR PONEKE. Oriental had their full senior team, but their opponents had to provido substitutes for Keys, Elliott, A Igor, Gardiner, and Spillane. The substitutes were C. Tilyard, Hedges, o'l3rion, aud Fisher, all members of the club's fourth-class team. Tho services which, tlieso boys rendered are really worthy of recognition, as they were praotically instrumental in securing a victory for their colours. Near the end of the first spell, during a hot struggle, Kins scored and Mitchinson converted. Poneke, 5; Oriental, nil. Poneke lmd the Upper hand until the close of tho 'spell. The second spell opened with Poneke battling hard, and it was not long before J. Elliott increased the score by .a try, which Morris converted easily. Poneke, 10; Oriental, 0. Oriental woke up momentarily, only to fall asleep again, and allow Elliott to put on another try. The game thus ended with the score: Poneke, 13 points; Oriental, nil. Mr. R. T... Bailey was referee. MELROSE & COLLEGE. STUDENTS PREVAIL. Littlo interest was taken in tho MelroseVictoria College match at Petone. For a portion of tho gamo Melroso wero only able to muster twelve players, and later secured a thirteenth. College did not play up to their usual standard, and tho play of bath teams was generally of a ragged description. After a quantity of,desultory play, Brosnan bustled through a scrum, passed to Ryan, who in turn handed to L. Beard, and Fairo narrowly missed scoring at tho corner. An infringement enabled Sandel to .retrieve his kicking, and a goal was recorded. 'College 3, Mellose 0. Melrose forwards made things lively for a time, but tlio' bncks were of little help, and tho ball was soon back again. Melroso being forccd by a long kick*"by Ryan. A lot- of scrambling scratcy play followed, and then Capper made a good attempt at goal, the ball just missing tho crossbar. Quilliam presently cut in cleverly, and a score was only averted by a Melrose back speculating. Pelterson then got well away, but was grassed nicely by Bennett, and Capper had another resultk-ss shot. Just before lialftimo Faire missed a pass, and W. Wilchrist secured and raced over tlio lino from half-wav. College 3, Melroso 3. Melroso mado tho game willing at tho commencement of the second half, but a passing rush by Collego presently obliged tlicm to force. Tho University men mado play more open, and Enting coming well up the field with tho ball, enabled M'Ken.zie to score from a scramble on the goalline. Collego 0, Melrose 3. Immediately afterwards, from ua centre-kick by T. Beard, M-Ivenzie again touched down, and Sandei goalcd. College 11, Melroso 3. Melroso and College were each forced in turns by forward rushes, and Paulsen got over for College, but lost tho ball Short spells wero played, and there was no further scores. Ml". 11. J. Scott was refereo.

OTHER GAMES. JUNIOR. CHAMPIONSHIP. Selwyn defeated Oriental by 3 points to nil. 1!-. M'Donald provided the winning Ukl Boys beat Wellington by 11 toG. For the winners, G. Gray potted « goal and scored a try. 'IViks wcro also scored by Sfci'nuiahon (3), C. Keenu (2), W. Gray, K'ix-Trott, Scott, and Robertson. W. Gray and ,R. Keeno converted ono cacli. Wellington kicked two penalty goals. Third Class. \ Oriental defeated St. Patrick's College by 15 points to nil. Victoria College were defeated by Old' Bn.vs by 5 points to nil. Bcrhauipore defeated Johnsonvillo by 28 points to nil. Ilutt defeated Wellington College by 11 points to nil. Gunioii, Parker, .mil Barnard scored and France converted ono try. i Fourth Class. i Petono defeated Johnsonvillo easily by 35 points to nil. Wellington A were defeated bv lierhamporo by 23 points to nil. W. Scott, Nelson, and A. Scott scored ono try each,

and Wilson two tries. W. Scott converted one, and F, Russell three. Fifth Class. Wellington College IB were defeated by St. Patrick's College by 22 points to 11. House Match. Tho Union Steam Ship Company wero defeated by Railway and P.O. Gallorica combined by G points to 3. Wrack and Noon scored for tho winners, and Al, Isaacs for tho losers, REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON & MARLBOROUGH, Mr. V. 11. Meredith, tho Wellington Eugby Union's selector, has picked the following team to represent Wellington against Marlborough at Wellington next Saturday Full-back, Evensen; three, quarter!), Grace, Jim Ryan, Mitchinsonj iive-oighths, Tilyard, M'Kenzie; half, E. Roberts; forwards, Cunningham, Francis, Hills, l'aton, Gillespie, Wilson, Bell. M'lCay. THE DOWNSS BENEFIT. TRIBUTE TO A GEEAT PLAYER, (Uy Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, August 9. A match bctwoen Old Bffys and Zin« gari-Eichmond, tho premier teams in Christchurch and Dunedin respectively, was played to-day. Tho weatner was dull and the ground heavy, as tho result of drizzling ( rain in the morning. Tho match was given as a benefit to A. Downes, formerly a prominent player, and later olio of New Zealand's ablest and most popular referees. The attendanca was about 4000. Tho visitors wero "too fast and clover for the local team, and placed the issue beyond doubt in tho first: spell, eventually winning by 18 points to', 6. Five minutes alter tho start flick-' _mott scored a good try for tho visitors, , Bain converting from a difficult anglo. ■ After twenty minutes' play, a fine passing : rush enabled Gut'hrio to scoro for tho visitors, Uain again converting. Immediately afterwards Bond kicked a good , goal for tho homo team from a free-kick, >. | From a throw-in a little later Old Boyj I broko away, and tho ball bounced over I Torrance's head, fast following up resultI ing in L. Parsons scoring near tho posts. | Bain again converted. A fino rush, in | which Crawshaw and Taylor wero prominent, ended in Bong scoring. In tho I second spell Bond kicked a goal for Zin-. gari, and after this play slackened down, land both, sides displayed less dash, but i tho visitors generally had tho upjier hand; In a curtain-raiser, University beat Pirates by 20 points to 11. I ["Alec" Downes is adjudged by many to havo been the most brilliant centre-three-quarter who over figured in New Zealand' [football, Eis faculty of "ooming straight j through his men." was remarkable. Assisted by a strong fending arm, a very > I realistic feint, mastery of side-step, and • ! a clever trick of changing speed, many of < lus tries were scored from as far back as - half-way by going straight through; a wholo opposing team. Besides tins, ho was a swift aud accurate drop-kick, and [most of his "shots" at goal liad a way of going over. At drawing the opposing I players on to himself, and giving hia wing man every chance, ho had no equal. Owing to a dilfcrenoo between tho Otago Union'and tho New Zealand Union in tho early nineties, the southern province was not included in all New Zealand fix- : tures for two ycaTS, and, when cventu- ' ally tlio breach was healed, Downes had retired from tho game. Ho was then at the top of his form. In cricket he is chiefly known as a bowler, being master of a sharp break from tho off, and a wonderful control of length. In ono 111tcrprovincial match, Otago v. Auckland, lie dismissed four first-class _ Auckland bats with four consecutive deliveries—all clean bowled. Ho and another bowle* (Fisher) also dismissed Harry Trott's Aus- ■ tralian eleven for 95 runs in 1597. Ho was also a very attractive batsman, onco scoring G3 runs in 20 minutes in a match Otago against Wellington, tho whole of tho Otago sido being out for only 143, against tho bowling of Upharn, Ashbolt, and Filzsimmons.}

; SMAILL & THE GRE/\T. PUNT ATTEMPT ON THE SHIELD, ' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Alicklandi August 9. Tlio second Ranfurly Shield match of the season was played at Alexandra l 3 av4i to-doy, when Auckland defeated Poverty Bay by 27 points to 3. Auckland's superiority was most pronounccd in tho forwards, though tho backs also gavo their best display this season. The visiting backs, however, included several fine players, notably Kaipara, R-yland, and Rui< kingi, but their combination was not at all good. The scoro is hardly indicativa of tho flglit put up oy Poverty Bay. Shortly after tho commencement, Hyland put in a line dash, w'Hieli culminated 1U Tait kicking a goal from a mark, loverty Bay, 3; Auckland,, 0. Awakened by this reverse, tho home men played with, vigour, but the visitors staved olf a determined attack, and presently attacked in turn. Auckland .rallied, but Tait socured at tho ceutre, and beat tho field, but was well collared by O'Leary. Ilia Auckland forwards presently _ asserted ; - themselves, aud carried play into tho visitors' twenty-five, where a passing rush between Gcddes, Stewart, and M'UTcgor. 'culminated in the last-named player scorinc. Three all. Auckland kept up tha pressure, and a free-kick against tho visitors saw O'lxiary land a goal. Auckland, G-3. Just before the spell ended, Downjnjr broko away, kicked and * tacky followed up and scored. O'Leary converted. Auckland, 11 3. . , Tho second spell opened auspiciously for the visitors. They attacked fiercely, but a fine rush by tho Auckland forwards , reversed tho situation, and loverty liay had to forco three times in succession. The visitors, however, tackled solid l>, thus smothering tlio Auckland passing rushes, but, after somo play ot this land, , O'Leary sent another goal over. i-l—jj- ' few minutes later Webb marked m tiont of tho goal, and O'Leary once more shot,: the ball over tho bar. 17—3. llay now evened, hut tho visitors attack lacked sting. Kaipara put in a fino dash, and tho visiting forwards improved the position bv carrying play into the Auckland twenty-live. A hot attack, however, failed to get home, and Auckland took control of the game once more, and M bregor got over, and scored, O'Leary converting. o>>—3, Just on the call of time, Auckland scored another try, Wylio crossing tlio lino between tho posts, and 0 Leai y again converted. The game thus ended with tho scores reading: Auckland,*, M. points; Poverty Bay, 3 points. miscellaneous. CUTHILL NOT YET RETIRED. (By Tcleiraph—Press Association.) Duncdin, August 9. The statement that Cuthill, of Otajo, had notified the selectors of his inabilityto make the trip to California is mcor-i met. He will ro provided *rom UicEducation Board is granted. WAXGANUI AJCD AWARUA. Wanganui, August 9. Tho only game of importance to-daj. was I lie roi)i<;:=rn(.Ttivc match, W.niginni v. Awarua "Sub-Union, which was won by Wanganui, after a hard-fought same, by 19 to 8. The game was confined principally to tho forwards. Wanganui f-cor-. Ed live tries, two being converted. Awa* rua sc'tfrcd twice, converting one. Palmcrjton, August 9. The Abraham Cup competition"* commenced to-day. Oriental beat V* eslera by fourteen to si.\. (Bj I'elesraph.—Snecial Corroanonfient.) Masterton, August 10. A. football match between the \\jirn> l-apa junior representatives and th® Whareania representatives was playoa here yesterday, and resulted in a win for the former after a verv onc-S'.ded pania by thirty points to nil. In the jhnvlcfnss championship, Red Star (3) dcicated Union («); Martinborough (5) defeated Carterton (3). Red Star now play ot!. for the championship with Cartertoii. CYCLING. WORLD'S HOUR RECORD. By TeTflcrajih—Press Association—Copyright ("Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables.) Paris, August 9. Berthet cycled 2G 1-3 miles in an liour,' . u world's unpaccd record.