FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 320, 9 July 1912, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

A FREE FIGHT. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, July 8. At the conclusion of the EssendonWilliamstown football match, played at Williamstown on Saturday, the onlookers rushed the ground and surrounded, the players. Blowk were freely ex-, changed, and one Williamstown player, while endeavoring to protect an Essendon player, was violently assaulted and sustained concussion of the brain. IN OTHERS CENTRES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, July 7. Although each team has still to play another match, the Auckland senior Rugby championship for the season is now decided. For the first time in eight years it has gone outside the keeping of the City and Ponsonby clubs. By defeating last year's champions, City, yesterday, Marist Bros. Old Boys assured themselves of the championship. It was a fast, interesting game. Marists won by 11 points (three tries, one converted) to nil. College Rifles beat University by six points to four, and Ponsonby beat Parnell by 10 to 8. Prior to the City-Marists match, King's College drew with) Grammar School, 3 points each. About 7000 people watched the College match and big championship contest.

At Northern Union the scores were: Eden 9 v. Ponsonby 9; Newton 17 v. City 7. Dunedin, July fi. Splendid weather prevailed for foothall to-day. when the second round of senior matches commenced. Southern 16 heat Alhambra 3, University 11 beat Kaikorai 9, Zingari-Richmond 12 beat IDunedin nil, Union 13 heat Port Chalm'ers 3, Pirates 14 beat Taieri Rovers 11. I Ghristchurch, July C.

Though, dull overhead the weather conditions were favorable. Merivale, after a brilliant exposition, defeated Sydenham by 31 points to 8. Christchurch defeated Albion by 11 to 3; Old boys defeated Marists by 22 to 6; Linwood defeated College by 22 to nil. The results to date give Merivale the D.C.L. shield for the season, the winners' forwards being responsible for their sucoees.

SOUTH TARANAKI RESULTS. Senior.—At Hawera, on Saturday, Hawera defeated Kaponga by & points to 3; at Okaiawa, Wainvate defeated the /home team after a game in which the visitors had all the better of the luck, by 5 to 3. For the winners Prince scored a try, which Franklin converted, and for the losers M. Lynskey scored an unconverted try. Shortly after commencing the second spell McLeod injured his ankle and had to be earned off the field. Opunake forfeited to Patea. : Junior.—Waimate beat Okaiawa by 11 points to nil, and Hawera defeated Kaiponga by 28 to nil.

WANGANUI MATCHES. (Own Correspondent.) On Saturday afternoon a fine bright sun shone out upon sloppy grounds. Rugby fixtures were disappointing, Waverley forfeiting to Pirates, and Kaierau and Wanganui mustering poor teams. Tilyard was in his old place again and the Wanganui team played attractive football. Kaierau forwards played solidly but without luck, and in a close game Wanganui scraped home winners by three points (a try) to nil. An improved attendance witnessed an exciting game at Cook's Gardens, the League teams. City and Eastern, drawing with 11 points each. City early ran jup their score, and looked easy winners up to the last few minutes, when [Eastern bogged into the slush and drew level just as the final whistle sounded. Unless Rugby ftnior plavers take more interest in the game th<> League matches will soon be drawing the crowds. Even now one hears the cry, "Follow the crowd to Cook's!" In a public schools match at New Plymouth on Saturday, Central defeated Waitara by 12 points to nil.