ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1864, 25 September 1913, Page 5

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY CODE.

THE TOUR OF AUSTRALIANS. MATCH AT BLENHEIM. (Br T«l«jzraph,—Pr«B3 Afiioolo.tioa.l Blenheim, September 21. The Rugby match, Australia v. Marlborough, was played in good weather, and there was a large attendance. Tho visitors had tho advantage of weight, and after tho first quarter of an hour they showed marked superiority in all departments of the game. Marlborough, at the outset, showed dash, and, within two minutes tho visitors wore forced, and Casey was within an aco of scoring, having intercepted a pass. Marlborough again attacked, a iree-kick rescuing Australia. O'Brien presently passed to Jackson, to Sotheran, and tho latter was grassed on tho lino. A pretty piece of play by the Australians followed, Jones scoring and Hughes converting. Australia o—o.0 —0. Tho Blues, using their weight, now mado a series of determined rushes, Suttor scoring. Australia B—o. Again tho Blue division got going, Suttor crossing. Australia 11—0. Sotheran presently started a dribbling rush, and obstruction by a Blue back gave O'Brien a chance, which just missed tho bar. Carr intercepted a Marlborough pass, ran right through his opponents, and scored under the posts. Hughes failed with an easy kick. Australia 14 —0. Tho Blues were then forced twice, and Marlborough had another chanco from a free-kick, Jackson failing. Time after timo Australia got going, O'Brien saving on each occasion. Satherlev then started a Marlborough rush, Nolan scoring at the corner. Australia 14—3. Tho Blues now warmed up, and the spectators were treated to a fine exhibition of the passing game. The ball was passed from, hand to hand, back and forward, Carr eventually crossing. At half-time tho score was: Australia, 17; Marlborough, 3. In the second spell Marlborough showed to better advantage, and had hard luck in not scoring. This was caused by over-eagerness. They played a splendid up-hill fight against odds, tho visitors' freight and their undoubted superiority in all departments of the game telling its talc. They wero very fast of foot when the ball came out to the backs and played with tho precision of a machine, their display being tho finest exhibition of passing seen in Marlborough for many years. It was quite an education to local playors. Sometimes the ball passed through a dozen hands beforo being quietly placed over the line. Tho local backs had no chanco, and tho final score was: Australia, 30 points; Marlborough, 3 points. ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE. Present students of St. Patrick's College met and defeated a team of oxstudents by 19 points to 7 at Kelburno Park yesterday afternoon. Tho match was the first of a series of annual contests for tho cup'presented by Mr. R. Evatt. There was a good muster of spectators, Soon after tho start a passing rush, started by M'Carthy, saw J. Campion score. The next score came through a dash down tho lino by W. Craighead, who was instrumental in Bergin scoring between tho posts. M'Carthy converted. Present Boys, B—o. Old Boys now commenced to attack, and thei refforts resulted in Hodgins getting over. Old Boys, 3—B. Half-time was, called with play in Old Boys' twent.v-fivo. Shortly after resuming, J. Ryan (Victoria College) petted a goal, making tho scoro stand at 7 —B. Tho Present Boys responded and M'Carthy feinted his way over tho line. Ho converted himself. 13 —7. Givo and take play followed, and then O'Sullivan increased the Present Students' score. Tho kick was unsuccessful. 16—7. With a minute to go, D. Barry got ovfer in tho corner, and brought tho Present Students' final scoro to 79 points to 7. Father J. A. Eccleston was referee. MEETING OF THE RUGBY UNION. ONE FLATTERING LETTER. A meeting of tho Wellington Rugby Union was held last evening. Mr. A. Williams, lion, secretary of tho Wellington Football Association, wrote thanking tho union for their offer to allow the association the use of tho Athletic Park on October 1, at a rental of £7 10s., but as they could not expect a largo gate for a Wednesday game (ovon with Auckland), they had decided not to accept the offer. A letter of thanks was received from tho Wellington Municipal Officers' Association for the loan of jerseys for uso in their match at Christchurch. Tho following testimonial was received from tho proprietor of an' hotel at Invercargill:—"l am forwarding this to say that while tho Wellington football team were staying with mo thoy were on their- very best behaviour. If at any time a Wellington team should como to this city I will only bo too pleased to accommodate them." It was decided that tho secretary should writo thanking Dr. Ross for voluntary assistance at accidents during matchcs at Petone. Members then dovotod some timo to considering details and arrangements for tho forthcoming sports, tho hope boing expressed that the number of entries would bo greatly increased bv Saturday.