RUGBY MATCHES.

SENIOR. ORIENTAL DEFEAT ST. JAMES. PONEKE BEAT PETONE. Oriental 5 St. James 0 Poneke 6 Petono 3 Southern 9 Old Boys 6 Victoria Collega 12 Melr«se .. ..'.".'.'."'.'. 0 Hutt 3 Wellington 0 About four thousand people assembled at the Athletic Park on Saturday to see St. James fight their battle with Oriental. The latter team had been caught napping one Saturday, and drew with one of the weakest, teams in the j competition, while St. James had an unbeaten record. Naturally, therefore, St. James weTe favourites, but a few shrewd judges anticipated that Oriental, notwithstanding the absence of Roberts, would give them a very close call. They did more — they won by five points' to nil after a game in which they unquestionably were the better side. Honours were pretty even in the first spell, but Oriental certainly held the upper hand during the second part. Predictions were fulfilled in the Poneke-Petone and Victoria College-Melrose games, but the defeat of Old Boys by Southern and Wellington by Hutt was a surprise. Following are the details :—: — ORIENTAL (5) v. ST. JAMES (0). The coin spun in favour of St. James, and Oriental had to face the sun. At the outset Oriental made a stern attack, and a passing rush .between M'Leod, Sturrock, and Matheyon ended in the latter crossing the line, but he had acceptedi a pass forward. The attack was continued with unabated vigour for about ten minutes, but St. James managed to keep them out. Once Pyle made a great run solus, and his gallop was ended five yards only from the line. Then St. James's forwards broke away, and it was Oriental's turn to defend. Play alternated pleasantly between the two ends of the field. One minute St. James would be defending j the next Oriental. With flashes of passing by both sides this continued up to half-time without a gcore being registered. The second spell was splendidly contested. Oriental made several fine attempts to score hyf parsing; rushes amongst the backs. M'Leod was playing particularly well, whrle Sturrock, Matheson, and Kinvig were also making matters very warm for the opposing" side. Once Matheson actually got over and grounded the ball, but the referee ruled that he had been fairly held, tot. James now appeared to be getting just as much as they were looking for, and in a tight corner a forward infringed. Matheson had a shot, but failed to kick a goal Immediately afterwards M'Leod made a great run, passed infield, Tyrell in due oouTse got. possession, transferred to fi? rry 'v Q latter J ust squeezed through the defence and scored It was a great try, though the pass to Perry lookea to be forward, and Kinvig kicked a beautiful goal. Oriental 5 points St. James 0. St. James made desperate attempts to equalise matters afterwards, but it was all to no purpose. They were fairly and squarely beaten. Mr. F. Card was referee. SOUTHERN (8) v. OLD BOYS (6). Little attention was paid to this- game which was played on No. 2, Athletic rark. The scoring account was opened by Les Campbell, who kicked a fine goal from a penalty. Old Boys, however, were not to be outdone, and Marchant succeeded in equalising the total by repeating Campbell's feat from a penalty shot. The scores were even at half-time. In the second spell Southern led the attack, and Houlihan managed to get over the line from a scramble. The shot at goal was resultless. Southern 6, Old Boys 3. Southern maintained the onslaught, and not long afterwards Les Campbell added another three points to the total by scoring near the corner. Again the attempt at goal was a failure. Southern 9, Old Boys 3. Before the game ended Old Boys livened up, and Picot scored a try. Yet again there was no goal, and tho match ended — Southern 9 points, Old Boys 6. Mr. J. J. Mahony was referee. PONEKE (6) v. PETONE (3). A good hard struggle resulted at the Hutt, where the old rivals — Poneke and Petone — tried conclusions before about 300 spectators. The greater portion of the play was confined to the forwards, but at intervals the backs on each side combined very prettily. Petone, against the wind, set up a hot attack, and were soon rewarded, as Dent burst through a knot of forwards and made a fine opening, which M'Kenzie and Daley took prompt advantage of, the last named streaking over at the corner. No goal was kicked. 3—o. Maintaining the attack, Peptone went close to scoring on numerous occasions, bull good defence work by Slater and Tilyard saved the situation for Poneke. The latter then took a hand in attacking, and from a loose rush, in which Hunter dribbled nicely, Dennehy- scored near the posts. Gardener's kick was charged down. 3—3.3 — 3. Policies hammered away for some time, and then Pefcone were aggressive, but no further score was registered in the spell. Neither side could claim any undue advantage in tho second half, and the ball was usually to bs found near thu centre of the field. Strickland, for Petone, and Elliot, Poneke, went close to scoring, but it was left to Tilyard to notch the winning thves points for the town team, as, from a scrum on Petone's lino, tha ball came out to him nicely, and a long dive saw him well over the line — a clever try. No goal. 6—3.6 — 3. A feature of the game was the fine kicking of the Petone full-back, Carson. Mr. 11. Fordycc handled his first "big" game very ably, though a number of his decisions were not relished by some of the spectators. HUTT (3) v. WELLINGTON (0). - Hutt "broke its duck" against Wellington on Saturday, but there was not much moro between the teams on the day than three points. The play was of a ragged description, and never once verged on senior football. The gamo resolved itself into a series of disjointed rushes, monotonous "mushes," and a general uninterestedness. There was IHtle attempt (and less success) at passing rushes, and all in all the game could not be described as up to senior form. However, Hutt won, and pleased its supporters. Heketa scored the only try notched. Mr. Weybourne was the referee. VICTORIA COLLEGE (12) v. MELROSE (0). Evenly matched, the contesting teams at Karori played a fairly strenuous game, but the play on both sides was ragged, and the match was almost wholly devoid of incident College, winning the toss, played uphill, having tho advantage of a gusty northerly wind behind them. Melrose played only fourteen men, owing to the absence of J. Marshall (threequarter). At the outset, the College forwards played an attacking game, but their efforts were not score-producing, inasmuch as the back division was not very reliable. Some of the College rear-

guard were found wanting on several occasions, when a little dash would have meant the certain registering of points. Melrose were a trifle weak in defence, their forwards lacking the enthusiasm evinced by the College pack. For a while Melrose rallied, but, after twenty minutes had gone, a College invasion was not repulsed, owing to disorganisation among the red backs, and Bertrand (wing), receiving a pass from Stainton (centre), ran over. Ryan made an unsuccessful attempt at goal : College 3, Melrose nil. Once again before half-time a College movement was pressed to a successful finish. Ryan (five-eighth), who was playing a valuable game for his side, sent the ball to Faire (wing), and that latter, sprinting, beat the opposing full--back, Lindsay, and scored. The kick was taken by Curtayna : College-6, Melrose nil. When ends were changed, tho energetic College forwards romped down field, the ball came to Ryan's hand, and was transferred to Phillips, who scored easily. Curtayne failed to convert : College 9, Melrose nil. Subsequently, Melrose were compelled to force down once,;, and, before College scored a final tryf (Ryan touching down), Stainton retired, with a fractured collai'-bone. Mr. A. Thomson was the referee. JUNIOR. i At Miramar. Wellington defeated St. James by 6 points to 5. Wellingtonscored two tries in the first spell, and with more judicious kicking by their forwards should hare had a lead of at least twelve points at half-time. In the second spell the game was very even, and the line-kicking against the wind of the Wellington full-back (Ryan) was very good. Gray and Broad scored for the winners. Petone 48, Melrose 0. The scorers were : — Parrant (3 tries), E. Ryan (2), TapHn (2), Collier (2), Mooney, Aston, and Cudby. Aston converted six of the tries. Hutt defaulted to Poneke. Victoria College (14) beat St. John's (5). Oriental (8) defeated Athletic (6). THIRD CLASS. Petone 11 ; Selwyn 3. • Southern 25, St. John's 0. Karori (12) v. St. Patrick's (0). Porirua (11) defeated Oriental (10). Wellington College (37) beat Wellington (10). Wellington College A (18) v. Hutt'(O). FOURTH CLASS. Petone won. by default against John.sonville. Oriental A beat St. James by 13 to 3. Bowman (2) and Daiey, for the win■ners, got tries, of which two were converted by Daley. FIFTH CLASS. The huge score of 61 points was registered by the Athletic fifth-class team against Poneke, who^ failed to cross their opponents' line. Tries were scored by Pool (5), Stevens (3), H. (2), Knight, Newport, Donaldson, Robinson, Aekins, and Styles. A penalty goal was kicked by Hugh, and tries were converted by Hugh (2), Scrimgeour (2), and Thompson. Petone won the match against Melrose by default. St. Patrick's B (0) v. Southerb (G). St. Patrick's A (9) defeated Selwyn (5). DISTRICT GAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE P©ST.j CARTERTON, llth June. Greytown seniors forfeited to Carterton. FEILDING, llth June. j In tho senior matches Kia Toa v. Feilding, the two leading teams in the competition, the latter won by a potted goal (4) to a try (3). This places Feilding in the best position, with two matches to play. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION. I PALMERSTON N., llth June. To-day's football matches were played in wet weather, a heavy storm breaking over tho ground. In the senior round Palmerston beat Old Boys by 9 to 3. In the junior grade Palmerston beat Feilding by 3to nil. In the third class, High School beat Feilding by 17 to nil, and Palmerston beat Old Boys by 5 to 3. WANGANUI, llth June. Senior Cup. — Pirates and Kaierau drew, 12 points each. Wanganui defeated Eastern by 19 to 3. Junior. — College 11, Pirates 0. Wanganui 30, Matariki 0. MATCHES ELSEWHERE. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, llth June. Ponsonby 9, City nil ; Parncll 6, Marist Bros, nil ; Grafton 6, 'Varsity nil. DUNEDIN, llth June. The weather and grounds were good for play to-day. Zingari-Richmond (9) beat Kaikorai (6), Taieri (3) beat 'Varsity (nil), Alhambra (11) defeated i Southern (4). CHRISTCHURCH, llth June. Senior games were played undar excellent^ conditions of * weather and grounds. Christchurch beat Sydenham by 6 points to 5, Old Boys beat Merivale (leaders for the championship) by 8 points to 6, Albion beat Canterbury College by 16 points to 5, and Linwood beat Marist Bros, by 9 points to nil. Albion are now leading for the championship by half a point. In the absence of Fuller and Mitchell, the Mcrivale backs were all at sea, and the team's defeat was due to their failure to change their style to suit the altered conditions. [BX TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO TUB POST.] NAPIER, llth June. The senior competition to-day resulted as follows : — Old Boys beat Rovers 12 to 6 ; Havelock beat Ahuriri Bto 3. NORTHERN UNION GAME. AUCKLAND 21, ROTORUA ID. [B* TELEGRAPH — PHXSS iaSOCIATIOM.I AUCKLAND, llth June. In the Northern Union game Auckland bent Rolorua by 21 to 18. About 2000 persons witnessed a very exciting match. MAORIS V. QUEENSLAND. FORMER WIN BY 13 TO 8. BRILLIANT PASSING. Bj Telegraph. — Press Association. — Copyright. BRISBANE, llth June. The Maori touring team met tho Queenslaaid representative;, on the Exhibition ground in perfect weather and in the presence of 8000 spectators. Play in> the first quarter of an hour was greatly in favour of the visitors. Their three-quarters passed brilliantly and several times a score seemed certain. The Queensland'C-rs' defence was imj pregnable. Eventually, after a series of | &hort passing rushes, Tamu scored. | Winiata failed to convert. A period of fast even play followed. The Maoris' three-quarters continued to pass splendidly, and a Tush, wherein Stead, Kaipara, and Rowiri participated, ended in the latter scoring. Winiata failed with the kkk. Queensland made several attempts to score, but tho visitors' defence was too strong. From a line-out near the Queensland twenty-five tho Maoris threatened, and Queensland were forced.

A few minutes later Takarangi landed a fine goal from a mark. At half-time the Maoris were 9, Queensland nil. The second half was evenly contested. Queensland attacked vigorously, and on. two occasions the Maoris were forced. Play was fast, resulting in brilliant football. Neither side were able to make much headway. Hall, picking up smartly in tho Queensland twenty-five, landed a splsndid field goal. A few minutes later tho visitors were penalised for off-side, and Stanley kicked a, goal. The Queentlanders wsro playing a great game, and kept the visitors defending for some time. Eventually M'Cabe scored and Stanley converted. ;Tbe final score was :—: — Maoris ... 13 Queensland Q "ALL BLACKS" WIN. FIRST MATCH IN AUSTRALIA. 'TWENTY-ONE POINTS TO EIGHT. By Telegraph. — Press Association.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 11th June. The New Zealand Rugby team played the first match of their tour at Sydney on Saturday, defeating a strong team of New South Wale 3 representatives by 21 points to 8. The attendance was lower I than anticipated, only about sixteen thousand people witnessing the contest. __^3"_ THE TEAMS. ' New Zealand. — Full-back, J. Ryan ; three-quarters, Wilson, Burns, Mttchinson; live-eighths, Mynott, Fuller ; halfback, Roberts ; wing-forward, M'Kellar ; forwards, Bligh, Ridland, Paton, Wilson, Francis, Patterson, Maguire. New South Wales. — Full-back, Dwyer ; three-quarters, Widmer, Campbell, Dunbar, Prentice ; halves, Hodgens, Wood ; forwards, Griffen, Middleton, darken, . Prowse, Reynolds, Row, George, Fahey. THE PLAY. New Zealand won the toss, Row kicking off. Scrum work at midfield fol- I lowed, and the visitors forced into New South Wales twenty-five. Play hovered there for some time. Smart forward work was Bfcopped by Ryan. Then Patterson picked up cleverly and made a •fine rim, but was smothered. Level play followed. The visitors were play--ing a bright, nippy game, with plenty of ' .combination. At midfield the blacks got going again. Patterson broke away, passed to Roberts and thenco-to Mitchin.son, who was pushed out in the corner. The ball came out to Roberts, who, from line-out, potted a goal. New Zealand „.< .„ 4 New South Wales „,. ... 0 The black backs kept things moving, and when well within the visitors' twen-ty-five Mitchinson took a cross kick from Dwyer. The ball was dribbled across, and Patterson scored the first try of the match. Ryan converted. The New Zealanders carried the ball to the New South Wales end, Burns, Fuller, and Mitchinson showing excellent combination. They went for the . line with great dash, Mitchinson scoring at the corner. Ryan missed the kick at ♦ goal. New Zealand 12 New South Wales 0 The blues made a fine rally, but a good piece of defensive work saved the blacks, half-time sounding without any further score. SECOND SPELL. Starting the second spell the Welshmen pressed, Hodgens, Campbell, and Dunbar handling tho ball nicely. Dunbar lan round and scored behind the posts, and Prentice added the extra points. POOR' PLACE KICKING. A dangerous rush by tho visitors' for- ■ wards ended in Dwyer saving. Then Francis and Wilson put in a brilliant run, ending by Wilson getting across. Burns failed to convert. More even play followed, and then Woods, Widmer, Reynolds, and Hodgens made a fine passing run, but a knock-on cut the eii'ort short. Then "Roberts gathering nicely and going on attended by Paton, enabled the latter .to score near the corner. The shot at 'goal went wide. Play slowed down for a time, the bines doing most of the attacking. Wilson relieved, but the bines attacked .again. Mynott getting hold of the ball 'Carried the game to his opponents' twenty-five, where Paton had a fruitless shot at goal. Then Patterson passed to Roberts, who scored. Fuller's kick missed. On resuming, the game was carried to the blacks' twenty-five, Dunbar gathering the ball up nicely and scoring. New Zealand 21 New South Wales ... ... 8 Tho visitors were pressing when the game ceased. PRESS OPINION. SYDNEY, 11th June. The Sunday Sun says that New South Wales were outclassed in almost every point of the game. The visitors were responsible for some m?«gnificent passing bouts, but the general combination was much below the standard of play in previous contests between these rivals. PREVIOUS MATCHES. ISS4— At Sydney, N.Z. won by 11 to nil. 1854— At Sydnej, N.Z. by 21 to nil. IS34— At Sjdnej, N.Z. won by 10 to nil. 1893— At Sydney, N.Z. yon by 17 to S. 18D3— At Sydney, N.S.W. won by 25 to 3. ISO3— At Sydney, N.Z. won by 16 to nil. 1897— At Sydney, N.Z. won by 13 to &. ISO7— At Sydney, N.S.W. v.on by 22 to 8. 1807— At Sydney, N.Z. Tyon by 20 to 3. 1001— At Wellington, N.Z. won by 20 to 3. 1903— At Sydney, N.Z. won by 12 to nil. 1093-At Sydney, N.Z. won by 3 to nil. 1905— At Sjdncy, N.Z. won by 19 to nil. 1905— At Sjdney, drawn, 8 all. 1007— At Sydney, N.Z. won by 11 to 3. 1007— At Sydney, N.Z. won by 14 to nil. 1910— At Sydnej, N.Z. won by 21 to 8. NORTHERN UNION TEAM. THIRD MATCH AGAINST NEW j SOUTH WALES. VICTORY FOlt THE VISITORS. SYDNEY, 11th June. There was an attendance of twentyfive thousand people at the League match between England and New South Wales, j The visitors for tho first time showed something of their true farm. The effect of another week's hard training has greatly improved their condition. In the first half play was a bit slow, both , having strong defence. The chief feature was Lomas r- splendid kicking. He scored two penalty goals from half way and a third from the boundary line. i The second spell provided a brilliant spectacular name of fine individual play* though the Britons always had something in hand. Lomas was again prominent. He kicked a couple more goals and scared two tries, bringing the visitors' total to 16, all to Lomas' s credit. The balance of the visitors' score was made up of a goal from a free kick ; a try by Shngars, Leytham converting. Thickev a-n-d Messenger scored for New South Wales, Messenger converting both tries, i [The two first matches were wop by New South Wales.]